Even if today becomes the commuter apocalypse being predicted, at least the heavens won’t open up and swallow you whole. After yesterday’s violent storms, D.C. can expect a balmy 63 degrees and partly-cloudy skies to ease you into the weekend. So roll up your sleeves and get ready for some fun.

Freaky (Freight) Friday: Are you one of the thousands of people are stranded this morning due to the Thursday night derailment of a freight train near Bowie? There will be no MARC service on the Penn line until at least noon. Authorities also say Amtrak trains between Baltimore and Washington won’t be up and running at full speed ’til mid-day. Commuters are encouraged to check MTA’s Web site for up-to-date info. Sounds like a great excuse to start the weekend early.

D.C. Land Grant Now in Bush’s Hands: The District could soon lay claim to 200 acres previously under federal control. Legislation sent to the President Thursday would grant the District control of a strip of land crucial to its Anacostia Waterfront redevelopment plan. Transfer of the federal property, which includes sought-after Poplar Point, would come with the District’s surrender of several smaller properties, including land in Southeast, where Feds want to re-locate the Department of Homeland Security. City officials also seem pretty pleased with the deal, which allows for the building of a new soccer stadium, along with lots of commercial and residential property. Anyway you cut it, the bill still marks the largest hand-off to the city of taxable land since the early ’70’s.

The Way of the Gun: In fairly unsurprising news the Times reports that most District homicides are due to firearms. Despite strict gun-control laws, D.C. still ranks high among other cities in percentage of gun-related homicides each year. We’re left to ask: what’s a city to do?

Briefly Noted: Prince George’s own Steny Hoyer becomes Majority Leader … Did a puppy save a child from gunfire? … USA9 suggests ways to stay alive on local roads …

This Day in DCist: In 2004 we indulged our sweet tooth. A year later we considered the future of L’Enfant Plaza.

Photo by Flickr user Grundlepuck.