Good morning, Washington. It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time to once again lament the interminability of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. Barack Obama won handily in North Carolina; Hillary Clinton won by a narrower margin in Indiana. This likely means a net gain of a few delegates for Obama. In other words, very little has changed. However, it does seem like the press has finally grown tired of the contest, and is suddenly acknowledging what has been true for weeks: that there’s no way for Senator Clinton to pull ahead of Senator Obama without an unexpected (and unlikely) intervention by the party’s uncommitted superdelegates.

Dominion Seeks Rate Increase: Virginians may soon find their power bills climbing. The Post brings word that Dominion Power is seeking permission to increase its rates as a means of dealing with rising fuel costs. If the State Corporation Commission approves the request, customers’ electricity costs would increase by about 18 percent.

Convicted Sniper Seeks to End Appeals Process: John Allen Muhammad, the man convicted and sentenced to death for masterminding the 2002 D.C.-area sniper killings, has written to Virginia prosecutors asking for help stopping the appeals process associated with his case, according to NBC4. Muhammad says that his lawyers’ filing of appeals has occurred without his consent, and that he wants to waive his right to the process. He maintains his innocence, however, and his lawyers are expected to say that Muhammad is not competent to make these sorts of decisions.

Briefly Noted: MARC service disrupted after pedestrian struck and killed in Rockville… Southeast residents asked to conserve water after yesterday’s watermain breaks… Proposed bill would put cameras on MPD cops’ guns… Other proposed bill would allow diners to take leftover wine home… Manassas approves FiOS (no, D.C. residents still can’t get it)… Herndon reelects mayor…

This Day In DCist: One year ago Metro was looking for buskers and DCist found itself in possession of a full-time editor.

Image posted to DCist Photos by Flickr user picture prefect