Good morning, Washington. You’ll have to excuse us if this opinion is off-base — last night was the DCist holiday party, and we’re slightly worse for wear. But to those of you who caught Christmas in Washington on TNT last night: wasn’t that about the most godawful nonsense you ever saw? Good lord. Doctor Phil presiding over holiday standards sung by washed up actresses and the guy from Hootie and the Blowfish? It wasn’t exactly what we wanted to have associated with our city.
Questions Raised About Fenty Granting Lanier Subpoena Power: The Examiner reports on a new clash between the City Council and Mayor Fenty. It seems that a quietly-issued executive order from the mayor provides subpoena power for MPD Chief Cathy Lanier. This doesn’t sit well with councilwoman and constitutional law professor Mary Cheh, who feels that the measue may violate the Fourth Amendment’s warrant requirement. Fenty appears to have crafted the order to speed up the investigation and prosecution of small-scale crimes. However, when other cities grant such powers to their police forces, they’re typically more limited in scope and duration.
Inauguration Performers Announced: The inaugural festivities will include Aretha Franklin and Yo-Yo Ma, according to WJLA. It’s safe to say that these choices were, well, safe to say. A bit more controversial: pastor Rick Warren, who’s slated to offer an opening prayer and whose past support of California’s prop 8 is prompting objections from progressives.
Briefly Noted: Kaine proposes budget cuts… Neighbors object to church’s new quarter-hour bell schedule… Reward increased for information related to fatal 11th & Q shooting… Shooting leads to crash at North Capitol and Michigan Ave… Man acquitted of manslaughter after accidentally leaving son in car… 500 chickens seized from suspected cockfighting operation in Virginia… Shooting in SE… Wilson Bridge traffic snarled by police chase… Fire department makes late night call to State Department…
This Day In DCist: One year ago we got back a bunch of things: our postmark, our needle exchange program and Alberto’s.
Image posted to DCist Photos by Karon
