Good morning, Washington, and welcome to a beautiful summer Friday. But perhaps this relatively pleasant, warm D.C. weather and the prospect of the weekend only eight hours away still isn’t enough to bring you out of your post-commute, pre-coffee funk. Perhaps you need us to scan the headlines for you, and point you toward some glimmer of good news that might make you forget about peak oil, melting Arctic ice, and endless D.C. government corruption scandals. Well that’s what we’re here for, after all. So, hmm, let’s see. Uhh. OK, here’s something: there were actually 2,500 more District residents in 2007 than there were the year before! That’s exciting, right? Right? Oh well fine, it’s not jump up and down news, but it actually is a very good sign that the city’s population growth continues at a steady pace after spending so long in decline. Did you know that more than 800,000 people lived in the District in 1950? Still not happy? You gotta meet us halfway here, people.

Lerners Withhold Rent on Nationals Park: You had to know this story was coming, but still somehow it delivers a shock when you read it all in one sitting. The owners of the Nationals aren’t paying rent on the new ballpark because they say many parts of it aren’t complete. Not only have the Lerners failed to pay $3.5 million in rent, they’re also demanding damages of $100,000 a day, dating from March 1. You should read the whole story, but my favorite part is this: “Through a spokeswoman, the Lerner family declined to comment.” Really, Lerners? You’re going to let the city build you a ballpark, refuse to pay your rent and then not bother to defend yourselves in the paper of record? Really?

Sex Crimes Cop Arrested for Solicitation: WJLA reports that MPD detective Elgin Wheeler, who serves with the department’s sex crimes squad, was arrested for soliciting an undercover officer during a prostitution sting. Sounds like the detective got a little bit too passionate about his work, no? Wheeler, who was arrested near the intersection of West Virginia Avenue and Neal Street NE, has been placed on administrative leave from the department.

Briefly Noted: Woman who claims she was beat up by security at Reagan National Airport sues for $10 million … Va. inmate put to death last night … Rock Creek Park is overwhelmed with poison ivy.

This Day in DCist: Last year we told you why your drinking water might have been smelling a little funny, and the year before that we shared a few tips for surviving full moon-related weird behavior.

Photo by D©Bloom