Good morning, Washington. Y’know, sometimes you read a story and just know it’s going to keep coming back. This certainly sounds like one: Tysons Corner Mall has fired Michael Graham, the man who has played Santa there for the last 18 years. As you might expect, he’s not happy about it. The Post has an affectionate writeup that manages to outline the situation — basically, the mall has a contract with a new photography company and/or thinks it can get by with a budget Santa. But the Post coverage fails to really get down to brass tacks. The Washington Times, on the other hand, is not afraid to take a hard line against Santa and the radically anti-capitalist wealth-distribution schemes that he represents. Their article notes that Graham is asking $175/hr to play the jolly old elf, is suing the mall despite acknowledging their right to cancel his contract, and has retained a PR firm.

Poll Finds Support For Slots: A new Washington Post poll shows that the deteriorating economic situation is proving to be good news for slots proponents in Maryland. Sixty-two percent of respondents now support legalizing slots, citing the need for revenue as their main motivation. A measure determining the fate of slot gambling in the state will be on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Search for Missing Officer Continues: The officer who disappeared yesterday during a diving exercise in Pohick Bay is still missing, according to the Post. The officer was apparently not part of the dive team undergoing training, but rather a roleplayer assisting with the exercise. He was wearing a dry suit when he disappeared, which left searchers initially optimistic, although of course at this point the situation looks increasingly gloomy. WTOP reports that the search has now expanded to include part of the Potomac River..

Thirteen-Year-Old Shot: Fox5 reports that a young girl was shot in the back last night, an apparent bystander to what the WTTG telecast says is a suspected gang shooting. It happened near 51st Street NE. The girl is expected to recover.

Briefly Noted: Nine year-old Springdale boy missing since yesterday afternoon… Post traces histories of young victims in Bowman case… Frederick County institutes hiring freeze… District man charged with starting massive fire in Minnesota last year… Vigil held for teen victims of Montgomery County crash… Former Maryland stadium authority official claims she was fired for failing to support O’Malley campaign… Woman’s disruptive behavior in courtroom is considered news for some reason…

This Day In DCist: One year ago, D.C. was getting dissed by some rag called Travel + Leisure, and the first exemption to the smoking ban was granted.

Image posted to DCist Photos by Flickr user Jsocks