Good morning, Washington. Since D.C. cab drivers are finally going through the big change to meters this week, the Washington Post decided to write up yet another story about how hard it is to be a cab driver in D.C. We already know how most of you feel about that line of argument, so we’ll leave it up to you to say the same thing we’re all thinking in the comments. There’s still no real way to tell how many drivers have already had meters installed, but the piece of good news in this story is that it appears many of them are lining up this week to have the hardware put in. In just a little over 36 hours, the meter rule will technically become law. Don’t forget to check out the results of our reader poll to see what your fellow cab riders plan to do starting on Thursday.

City Response to Violence Criticized: Both the Examiner and the Post ran stories this morning detailing the anger and disappointment expressed by residents at a meeting about the city’s response to violent crime held last night at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center in Northeast. It was the stuff of made for TV movies as grieving mothers stood up and told Mayor Adrian Fenty that he wasn’t working hard enough to find their children’s murderers and prevent future killings. Violent crime is actually down 3 percent compared to this time last year, but sections of Northeast have been hit hard by a spate of shootings and homicides in spite of increased police patrols in the area.

Tornadoes Hit Southeastern Virginia: Three tornadoes barreled through southeastern Virginia yesterday, leaving behind more than 200 injured residents in areas of Suffolk, Colonial Heights and Brunswick County. Gov. Tim Kaine declared a state of emergency.

Briefly Noted: Teachers Union Vice President sues Rhee and Union President … Bus service between Kent Island and D.C. may expand … Palisades neighborhood’s sewer troubles prompts new study … Parkside Terrace redevelopment underway.

Photo by m hoek