Photo of downed trees from last night’s storm by lis_glassGood morning, Washington. If you’re reading this, congratulations on snagging a spot on whatever ark presumably allowed you to survive last night’s seeming typhoon. We’ve received reports of hail, trees crushing cars, flooded roadways rushing with water, and hurricane-style winds. Scary stuff. The upside? It’s cooled off by at least 20 degrees out there, and the rain and clouds are expected to clear out just in time for another stunning weekend.
D.C. Council to Consider Making Attacks Against Homeless Hate Crimes: Maryland recently passed such a law, and now Ward 3 D.C. Council member Mary Cheh has introduced a bill that would allow attacks on the homeless to be considered hate crimes in the District, the Examiner reports. The introduction of the bill is a testament to the lobbying of The National Coalition for the Homeless, which has long sought additional protection for D.C.’s most vulnerable residents. If the bill passed and a suspect was convicted of a hate crime against a homeless person, they would face up to 50 percent more jail time and 50 percent higher fines.
Are Ya Ready for Some Hotel Debate? After the Business Journal’s big scoop on the possibility of issuing up to $750 million in public bonds to pay for the languishing convention center hotel, the Post follows up this morning with more D.C. Council reaction. The bottom line: despite stern warnings from Nat Gandhi about the debt cap, the Council appears to be at least sympathetic enough about the need for the hotel that we could be in for another Nationals Park-style debate on the financing of this project.
Briefly Noted: D.C. man convicted in death of armored car driver … Baltimore and D.C. both near top of homicide rate lists … Wells to probe New Beginnings escape … Ronald Reagan statue unveiled in Capitol Rotunda.
This Day in DCist: One year ago, we first learned about D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier’s plan to implement her controversial Neighborhood Safety Zone checkpoints in Trinidad.
