Watch where you step this morning, Washington! The Examiner brings us word that the D.C. Emergency Management Agency lists manhole cover explosions, like the one that brough traffic to a standstill around the National Mall last Wednesday, as one of the District’s 18 major hazards, alongside urban crime, hurricanes, terrorism and floods. See, D.C. has the second–largest underground power system in the country, which means underground fires which can cause those manholes to explode are a much bigger risk here than most places. Now that we’ve warned you, we’re off to discover what else is on that list 18 major hazards. Something tells us “Taxation Without Representation” isn’t one of them.

Thank Goodness for Elections: We have to admit we’ve been feeling a little sad ever since the election season came to a close. It’s all fine and dandy to scrutinize our public officials once they’re in office, but it’s usually so much more colorful to watch them duke it out between themselves on the campaign trail. So hip hip hooray for D.C. government, which gives us two special elections on May 1, the campaigning for which begins officially today. The Post has a good rundown of the crowded field that filed their paperwork by yesterday’s 5 p.m. deadline. Nineteen candidates from Ward 4 have turned in petitions to run for the seat vacated by Mayor Fenty, and 20 candidates did the same for Council Chair Vincent Gray’s Ward 7 seat. Who will be the front runners, and which of them are certifiably insane? Look for answers later on right here at DCist.

Didn’t We Know This Already?: WTOP tells us this morning about a Bureau of Labor Statistics report from earlier this month that shows the D.C. metro area has three jursidictions within the list of the top ten highest average wages in the country. What’s new here is that, giving credit to the Washington Times, apparently the growth is thanks to the federal government, with most of the spending concentrated in defense, homeland security and intelligence. You mean to tell us that President Bush has actually increased the size of the federal government that much? Color us shocked.

Briefly Noted: Del. Norton tours Walter Reed … No more cell phones while driving for Va. teens … Fancy private school in big financial trouble … Fenty sends controversial hall monitors to curb school violence.

This Day in DCist: Last year we told you that there would be no Reagan Street for the District after all, and the year before that we took a cold, hard look at the name Chevy Chase.

Photo by andertho