Good morning, Washington. Metro is still waiting on a judge’s ruling on whether it might have to cough up $43 million all at once to a Belgian bank. Metro spokesperson Candace Smith said that the agency expects to be back in court this morning at 11 a.m., so stay tuned.

Citywide Sweep of Used Car Lots: WJLA reports on Mayor Fenty’s crackdown of shady used car lots in the city, resulting in at least one closure on Bladensburg Rd. The video shows employees at one lot crying foul about it being unfair to just shut down their business with no warning. We’re guessing their neighbors probably aren’t sorry to see them go.

Mt. Pleasant Gets the Schwartzman Treatment: Feels like it’s been a while since the Washington Post’s Paul Schwartzman focused his gentrification laser beam anywhere, doesn’t it? Well today he takes a good long look at Mt. Pleasant, and concludes that just as Columbia Heights is seeing this amazing commercial turnaround, Mt. Pleasant is actually worse off than it was a few years ago. A combination of the fallout from the big apartment fire and too many empty storefronts has some residents feeling like they are being left behind. What do you say, Mt. Pleasant crowd?

Briefly Noted: Good Guys strip club fire attack trial underway … Cheh holding second hearing on voting issues today … Chevy Chase Bank may be selling to Citigroup … Former aide to Sen. Barbara Boxer charged with possession of child pornography … PG County facing $70 million budget shortfall.

This Day in DCist: One year ago, we got the first word that the Office of Tax and Revenue scandal was much, much bigger than anyone initially realized, and two years ago, the city first approved opening up the licensing process to new street vendor foodcarts.

Photo by Dansaddress