None the less, plenty of local schools are closed outright or opening late. At D.C. public schools all evening activities are nixed in anticipation of icy roads and dangerous conditions.

Felons Could Get a Break in D.C.: The City Council is currently considering legislation limiting prospective employers’ ability to look into a candidate’s criminal background. The Post says that as many as 3,000 ex-prisoners enter the District’s workforce each year, facing serious barriers to employment and even housing. The new law, which has gained support with a majority of Council members as well as Mayor Fenty, would limit what employers can ask about applicants’ criminal records. Earlier this year Mayor Anthony Williams vetoed similar legislation in response to business owners’ concerns.

Speaking of Jobs: A new audit released by the D.C. Inspector General reports that several hirings that took place in 2005 and 2006 ignored set statutes opening positions to competition and setting qualification standards for all new hires. The report targets the Department of Personnel and the Department of Parks and Recreation, asserting that both bodies abused temporary hiring rules and failed to check if appointees met minimum standards of competency. Anyone else find it ironic that the Department of Personnel had a hard time following employment rules?

Briefly Noted: Foot discovered in landfill isn’t human after all. Whew… Capitol Hill residents frustrated with flooding…

This Day in DCist: Last year we lauded the “Beyond” in D.C.’s first Bed, Bath and Beyond. In 2005, we found the “best” place to live in the District, despite all the pesky white people.

Photo by Flickr user davebushe.