Photo by lehnermd

Good morning, Washington. What perfectly pleasant weekend weather we just enjoyed! Of course while you, me and everyone we know were packed like sardines into Crafty Bastards or playing horseshoes in a massive, sweet alley party, recently laid off D.C. Public Schools teachers and staff were trying to clean out their desks, in some cases reportedly finding locked doors instead. These teachers are mighty pissed, and many of their colleagues planned to wear black today to protest the recent layoffs. Let’s just hope the somewhat murky current school security situation doesn’t further exacerbate tensions. Candi Peterson also reports that she’s heard there could be even more layoffs today, so stay tuned. In the meantime, Vince Gray has scheduled an oversight hearing on the layoffs.

Indicted Cabbies Plead Not Guilty: The latest on the growing D.C. taxicab industry bribery scandal is that the nearly 40 cab drivers arrested on Friday appeared in court for the first time Saturday, entering not guilty pleas all, and are expected back in court today. Meanwhile Bill Myers made a good point in Sunday’s Examiner: the transition from the zone system to time and distance meters was the main trigger for the bribery scheme, according to authorities. “A full month before the change took effect in October, 2007, cabbies and taxi industry officials were lining up to bribe their way through, around and under the new regulations, federal officials alleged in two new indictments unsealed Friday.”

Fatal Crash Scares Away Metro Riders: Yes, it turns out when nine people die in a terrifying Metro train collision, at least some regular passengers are going to stop riding. Since the June 22 Red Line crash, Metro ridership has dropped to the point that WMATA is now facing a budget shortfall, the Examiner reports. Metro says it is “working on a plan” to lure passengers back. In absolutely, definitely related news, see, “Red Line delays to continue at crash site.”

Briefly Noted: D.C. police officer trades gunfire with attempted carjackers in Prince George’s County … Scooter rider dies in hit-and-run … D.C. woman’s dog mauled by pit bulls … Southeastern U. failed despite cash influx from D.C. coffers.

This Day in DCist: In 2007, we checked out the grand opening of D.C.’s Madame Tussauds.