Photo by Primo Mike

Good morning, Washington. The Associated Press has confirmed the news that the Nationals have (finally) fired manager Manny Acta, who will mostly likely by replaced by bench coach Jim Riggleman — though we won’t know all the details until a news conference later today. The news comes after last night’s shutout against the Astros. More later.

Banita Jacks Trial Begins: The trial of Banita Jacks, the woman accused of killing her four daughters after their decomposing bodies were discovered inside their Southeast rowhouse last year, begins today. Given the gruesomeness of the crime and the fact that Jacks has displayed some disturbing behavior since her arrest, we don’t expect anything about this trial to be cheery. Jacks has waived her right to a jury trial, so the case will be decided by Judge Frederick Weisberg.

Battle Over 4th & P Space Heats Up: The Post actually digs into a small neighborhood issue this morning, the kind of story we so often expect only to see on local blogs these days. The newspaper reports on the ongoing effort of residents in the Shaw and Truxton Circle neighborhoods to determine the fate of an empty lot in the 400 block of P Street NW. District officials are pushing for a parking lot, while many residents would much prefer a dog park.

Briefly Noted: Sotomayor Senate confirmations hearings start today … Area facing potential commercial real estate crisis … Nathan’s closes for good … Water main break closes Van Dorn Street in Alexandria … D.C. police arrest suspect in shooting of 10-year-old.

This Day in DCist: In 2007, the State Department had a wasp problem, and in 2006, we asked DCist readers what about the city scared you the most.