Good morning, Washington. As we all learned last night, an investigation is now underway into the murder of Prince George’s County prisoner Ronnie White. White was in custody on charges of murdering a PG County police officer, and less than 36 hours after he was taken to a PG County jail — even through procedure states he should have been taken to a jail in another jurisdiction due to the nature of his charges against a PG officer — he was strangled in his cell. The FBI is now conducting a civil rights probe, and Maryland State Police took over the investigation of White’s death. The Post details some of the history of problems this particular correctional center has had (guns disappearing, inmates have keys, etc.) as well as the history of relations between the mostly white police department and the mostly black population of the county. This story is already national news, so don’t expect it to go away anytime soon.

Mendelson Introduces New Gun Bill: At-large D.C. Council member Phil Mendelson introduced legislation yesterday that would repeal the city’s handgun ban and create an exception for “immediate self-defense” for District residents to be able to keep loaded, unlocked guns in their homes. The move was slightly surprising, given that Mendelson had said he wouldn’t introduce such a bill until after the Council came back in the fall. It’s unlikely this exact bill will be voted on until September — Mendelson says he’s just trying to get city officials to get the ball rolling on figuring out how to comply with the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision.

Graham Goes After Nightclubs: The Post looks at what Ward 1 Council member Jim Graham has been up to as he leads the city’s effort to crackdown on nightclub liquor licenses. The District has permanently closed two clubs and suspended 94 other licenses. Platinum and Lime are both no longer in business, and Club Five has been temporarily shut down since a stabbing there on Memorial Day weekend.

Briefly Noted: Council urged to approve school repair funds … Jay Votel, Home editor of the Washington Times, dies … A D.C. foreclosure inspector found an elderly woman living inside an abandoned house … D.C. police captain claiming retaliation against him in a lawsuit.

Photo by adamsjp2010