Photo by Robyne Haynes

Not surprisingly, yesterday’s arrest of Ted Loza, the chief of staff for Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), on bribery charges related to taxicab legislation is the big news of the day. The Post sums up the allegations against Loza nicely and explores more about a man long known as one of the city’s leading advocates for the Latino community (but even that, it seems, is not without controversy.) The Examiner and Washington Times are also running their own stories on the arrest, and we’re betting today’s installment of the Kojo Nnamdi show on WAMU will delve into the issue too. What remains is to be seen is how wide the fallout of Loza’s arrest will be; the City Paper digs into the links to Fiesta D.C., the non-profit that puts on the annual Latino festival in Mt. Pleasant (which, awkwardly enough, is this Sunday).

Deeds Has Seen Better Days: Already stuck in a tough election contest with Republican opponent Robert McDonnell, Creigh Deeds can’t have been happy to hear the news that former Virginia governor and Democrat Douglas Wilder is refusing to endorse. The Washington Times reports that Wilder has not been impressed with Deeds’ stance on spending and guns, claiming that the Democratic nominee has failed to show “leadership and responsibility.” Ouch. Maybe its time to break out that old McDonnell thesis again, right Creigh?

Is This for Real?: Yes, the alcohol-sniffing anklet does exist. It’s stylish and functional!

The Roof is on Fire, and it’s Gonna Burn: The Post brings news again of the District’s faulty fire hydrants, reporting that as many as 6,500 of the city’s 9,000 hydrants have not been safety-tested to ensure proper water flow. City officials tell the Post’s reporters they are trying to see a silver lining — at least everyone now knows that the hydrants don’t work, while in 2007 we were all blissfully aware of that terrifying fact. WJLA also picks up the story.

Briefly Noted: Tolls on the ICC will not only be the highest in the region, but in the country too … Remember that 21-mile backup on I-66 the other day? Be ready for more of the same on the Beltway this weekend … Hey Virginia and Maryland, we’re beating you out of the recession. How do you like them apples?

This Day in DCist: Back in 2008, WASA developed a Google map to tell us what fire hydrants did and didn’t work. (Frightening how exactly a year later we’re still dealing with the same troubles, isn’t it?) In 2007, we reported on lactic contraband, or better yet, raw milk. Mmmm.