Good morning, Washington. Another day, another primary. This time it was Michigan, where Mitt Romney bested John McCain and ensured that we’ll have to listen to inane horserace coverage for a while longer. Hillary Clinton won, too, but the lack of the other frontrunners on the Democratic ballot made the victory all but meaningless. Of course, another very different exercise in democracy was occurring at the same time: American Idol started its new season last night. Which of the two contests will ultimately have the more profound effect on America? We’re too terrified to hazard a guess.

More Agencies At Fault In Girls’ Deaths: Yesterday Mayor Fenty fired six Child Services workers over in the aftermath of the Jacks murders. It looks like the fallout isn’t yet complete. Yesterday the City Council held a special hearing to consider the systemic failures that contributed to the girls’ deaths (WJLA). Among those failures: the D.C. Superior Court has revealed that it failed to follow up on a truancy report regarding one of the girls, apparently due to failures of communication between the court and charter school systems (WTOP).

O’Malley Rejects Licenses For Illegals: Maryland’s governor has put the brakes on a proposal from the state Department of Transportation that would have allowed illegal immigrants to obtain a special type of driver’s license, as the Post reports. Maryland was one of a handful of states that allowed undocumented residents to obtain licenses. The two-tiered system had been proposed as a means of maintaining compliance with the federal Real ID Act, but O’Malley said that such a plan would make Maryland a haven for illegal immigrants. Critics say they want to ensure that drivers are competent and insured.

Briefly Noted: Wizards win streak over… Former Fairfax cop pleads guilty to child porn charges… Teen car crash survivor released from hospital after four months… Virginia homeowners may be getting a tax break… Fenty close to naming Poplar Point developer… Red Cross to cut D.C. staff… Lawmakers express skepticism over push for new speed cameras (amazing!)…

This Day In DCist: One year ago we pondered the new smoking ban’s long-term prospects and noted a job hunter who’d accidentally outed themselves in a Post chat. Two years ago one of the city’s pimps was sticking up for Marion Barry.

Image posted to DCist Photos by Flickr user Phyllis Agnes Lindsaylohan