Good morning, Washington. How was your State of the Union viewing experience? We hope that “enjoyable” is the answer — although not so enjoyable that you now have a State of the Union hangover experience (don’t you love living in a city where such a thing is a possibility?). Whatever your experience, this morning it seems like some of the week’s frantic political energy is draining out of the city, as the shot to the right by xxo23o ably demonstrates.
Richmond Mulls HPV Vaccine: WJLA reports that the Virginia legislature is considering mandating the HPV vaccine for sixth-grade girls. The vaccine can help prevent cervical cancer, but has come under fire from groups concerned about parents’ rights and teen promiscuity. As we mentioned two weeks ago, the D.C. Council is considering a similar law. And, in related news, today’s Post features a column by Courtland Milloy defending the position he staked out in a controversial essay in which he accused D.C. HPV vaccine proponents of racism.
Tysons Plan Approved: Fairfax County has just signed off on plans to massively expand Tysons Corner, according to WUSA. The improvements to the mall will include hotels, condos and parking, and will result in a complex that’s more than twice the size of the current facility. Best of all, the construction will be powered by biolectric energy harvested from mall shoppers’ bodies as they slumber in a virtual reality dreamworld! Okay, not really. Actually, planners say that the changes will make Tysons more appealing, eliminating parking decks and other features that currently benight the area.
Barbara Bullock’s Sentence Reduced: Disgraced Washington Teacher’s Union leader Barbara Bullock has had her prison sentence reduced, according to the Washington Times. Bullock pled guilty to embezzling over $5 million in union members’ dues and was serving a nine year sentence. Due to her cooperation in the investigation surrounding her it’s now likely that Bullock will be released in about three years.
Briefly Noted: O’Malley got $80k from slots proponents… Graham says Club 1919 will probably remain closed… Watergate figure E. Howard Hunt is dead… CSX pushes for renewing HAZMAT train shipments through D.C…. Garrison Keillor’s show headed to WAMU… Body found in Potomac…
This Day In DCist: One year ago we were getting excited about the Yellow Line expansion and discovering that Miss D.C. exists. Two years ago we were looking at photos of harsh police tactics at the inauguration and reviewing a Colin Meloy solo show at Iota.
Image posted to DCist Photos by Flickr user xxo23o
