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The Marion Barry saga predictably continues today, with the Post reporting that D.C. Council Chairman Vincent Gray has ordered that an independent law firm investigate the $60,000 in public funds the Ward 8 council member gave to his then-girlfriend, Donna Watts-Brighthaupt. The Washington City Paper, which gave the latest Barry fiasco a sexually sordid twist by publishing the audio and transcripts of voicemails Barry left Watts-Brighthaupt, is facing some heat for publishing a certain colorful quote on its front-page this week; they’ve apparently even been reported to the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. WAMU’s Kojo Nnamdi will be tackling the whole sordid affair today on “The Politics Hour” at noon; he’ll be joined by Council member Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3). Oh yeah, and we can’t forget that Barry’s recent arrest for stalking has caused him great pain. Him? Jeez. We’ve had to deal with his antics over the last years decades, so how does he think we feel?

Red Line to Get Major Overhaul: Metro’s Red Line will get $177 million in renovations, repairs and improvements starting in 2010, writes the Post. The project on the transit system’s busiest line was in the works before the deadly June 22 crash, but will now include a number of projects identified by federal investigators in the wake of the incident. It will include new escalators, rehabilitated platforms, upgrades to automatic train systems and modernized A/C units. A first phase will include work on the tracks between Dupont Circle and Silver Spring, a process that will take four years to complete. Yes, that means Red Line riders may face delays for a long, long time to come.

Fenty Fires Youth Center Workers: After two escapes from the recently inaugurated New Beginnings Youth Center left District officials more than a little embarrassed, Mayor Adrian Fenty has fired five workers, put two others on leave and demoted a superintendent for what he said were mistakes on their part that led to the escapes, writes WTOP. The $46 million facility was built as an improved alternative to the Oak Hill Correction Center, where District youth were sent after being convicted of committing crimes.

D.C. Kids are Coming For You, Federer: The Washington Times reports that the District will start offering free 45-minute tennis lessons to thousands of District children this coming Monday. The program, an initiative of Mayor Adrian Fenty that’s being implemented with the help of the U.S. Tennis Association, will offer the lessons to 4,000 kids aged 6 through 13.

Briefly Noted: Maryland shortfall could reach $700 million … Manassas man tries to abduct blonde teenage girls … Expansion of D.C. Circulator around National Mall shot down.

This Day in DCist: On this day in 2008, the Takoma Park City Council voted to oppose foie gras and a Nats official said a Teddy victory in the Presidents Race is “inevitable.” In 2007, the D.C. Council introduced a ban on fireworks (my, didn’t that work wonders recently!) and voted to support a Car-Free Day.