Oh, hey there, D.C. Yeah, we’re a little grumpy this morning, now that the brilliance of Friday and Saturday’s summer-like weather has turned into a drizzly, chilly late fall Monday morning that makes us just want to stay in bed all day. But please, don’t take our failure to greet you in our usual friendly manner as any kind of slight or disrespect. Especially since, according to the Times, petty disputes are exactly the kinds of arguments behind a growing number of murders in the District. Sounds to us like far too many people with short fuses in this city are walking around with guns.

Deceptive Republican Tactics Revealed in Md.: The Post has a lengthy investigation this morning into strategies employed by the Gov. Robert Ehrlich and Michael Steele campaigns designed to confuse black Maryland voters into voting for the Republican candidates. Republicans bused in workers from Philadelphia to pass out fliers designed to look like “Democratic Sample Ballots,” which included votes for Ehrlich and Steele. Maryland Democratic leaders are quoted as being outraged and offended by this and other similar tactics described in the story.

D.C. Schools Look Even Worse After Audit: The Examiner digs into an audit of the city’s schools, paid for by the D.C. finance office, this morning. The audit charges that some schools overcharged the federal government, failed to properly screen many contractors and violated federal record-keeping regulations. School officials deny some, but not all, of the audit’s findings. Should the accusations hold up, they could bolster Mayor-elect Fenty’s plan to take personal control of the school system.

Briefly Noted: Florida Ave. still closed after crash … Large, phony marriage immigration ring busted in Arlington … Ground broken at MLK Jr. Memorial … Metrobus driver flees fight, youth drives bus away.

This Day in DCist: Two years ago we asked (and answered) the timeless question: Is Dick Cheney Dead Yet?

Photo by Beck Exposed.