Welcome back to work, Washington. This week promises not only to feel longer than normal thanks to its coming on the heels of a holiday, but also hot enough that you might want to consider setting up an ad-hoc shower in your office, as there’s little chance you’ll get there without breaking into a sweat first. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments has issued a Code Orange alert because of the heat wave, and by now, you know the drill — the DMV offices Inspection Station at Half St. SW will be closing early (1 p.m.) due to extreme heat, and cooling centers will be open at One Judiciary Square, the Reeves Center on 14th Street NW, the King Office Building on Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE, and the Public Center on M Street SW.
Affordable Housing Shortage Predicted: The Post says that the metro area could lose roughly 26,000 affordable housing units over the next five years as property owners opt out of the Section 8 housing program. Property values have risen dramatically, and some owners are taking advantage of their expiring affordable housing contracts and selling their buildings or converting them to condominiums. A HUD spokesperson said that the federal agency is using all the programs they have available for preserving Section 8 housing, which has resulted in getting 95 percent of units renewed between the years 2001 and 2005.
Fires Cause Smoke Near Dulles: Two fires on property west of Dulles International Airport owned by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority caused intense smoke and worries of an aviation accident Sunday afternoon. Tires and portable toilets burned, but no flights were delayed or canceled as a result of the fires and Dulles remained open.
Briefly Noted: D.C. firefighter dies of a heart attack … Son sought in shooting of his parents in Bowie, mother is killed … Two die in accident in stolen taxicab.
This Day in DCist: Two years ago today, Washington rejoiced in the birth of the National Zoo’s adorable panda cub, and his first-ever comparison to being “about the size of a stick of butter.” Happy Birthday, Tai Shan!
Photo by outlandk
