It’s going to be 73 degrees today Washington, and we can hardly think straight for the giddyness associated with the possibility that it’s time to put our winter coats away. But don’t worry, we’re not too drunk with sunshine to forget that Sweet 16 action in the NCAA mens basketball tournament starts today — so don’t forget to check in on your standings in the DCist pool. The only problem of course being the potentially conflicting desires of wanting to watch the games with beer in hand, and at the same time craving the temperate outdoors. If any readers out in Internet Land have a solution to this quandary, add ’em in the comments.
State of the District Already Better, Says Fenty: In a rare early-adminstration State of the District speech, Mayor Adrian Fenty took the chance to urge citizens to join him in the planned April 16 march for District voting rights, and called for quick passage of his school takeover plan. He also listed many of the actions he’s already taken to bring about fast change in his first 78 days, including launching affordable housing and health-care initiatives. We’ll have more analysis of his speech later this morning.
Gates Foundation Drops Cash on D.C. Students: At an event scheduled for early morning at Ballou Senior High, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is announcing the establishment of one of the most generous college scholarship programs ever for students at D.C. Schools. The Foundation plans to invest $122 million in programs designed to identify students in District public schools who have the potential to go to college and give them the guidance and funds to earn their degrees. About 2,000 students will be named “D.C. Achievers” over the next 15 years, and receive scholarships of up to $50,000 over five years. The program was created to improve D.C.’s current college completion rate, which stands at 9 percent. Current high achieving high school seniors, who will graduate before the money becomes available, are probably pissed as hell this morning.
Briefly Noted: DCRA whistleblower fired … Armed Forces Retirement Home conditions scrutinized … The Queen of England is set to visit the D.C. area in May … MoCo considering trans fat ban.
This Day in DCist: Last year we expressed solidarity with Puerto Rico for their lack of voting rights, and the year before that we told you where to go to buy wholesale food in Northeast.
Photo by Bsivad
