Photo by Matt Dunn
Good morning, Washington. The swine flu is back in the news, and nobody’s very happy about it. Not only because the illness is debilitating and occasionally deadly, but also because by now it’s just so boring. America spent a good part of the summer freaking out about H1N1, only to see it betray us by failing to kill very many people. And now it’s back, and we’re supposed to just go back to handing it press? Sorry, swine flu, but no; you had your chance. We’re back to worrying about e. coli now, and we’ve never been happier.
More on Teacher Layoffs: It’s no surprise that last week’s teacher layoffs aren’t going over well with the teachers’ union. Chancellor Rhee has previously stated that those laid off were selected at least partially on the basis of effectiveness; now it seems that she’s trying to make this clearer, emphasizing in statements to the media that the cuts were not a means of targeting long-tenured teachers — WJLA and Fox 5 both have stories to this effect. Meanwhile, the Examiner covers yesterday’s statement by the Washington Teacher’s Union that it is pressing ahead with its previously announced plans to sue the city.
Brief Closure in Friendship Heights Due to Suspicious Man: Three blocks of Wisconsin Avenue were shut down near the Friendship Heights Metro station yesterday due to a suspicious individual, according to the Post. Between that and Fox 5’s account, it sounds like the man in question was wandering around with a backpack, muttering about how he wanted to kill Americans. He was ultimately arrested for an outstanding traffic warrant, and was in custody as of Tuesday night.
Briefly Noted: Army to reveal list of WWI munitions in Spring Valley… Man receives life sentence for attacking ex-girlfriend with crucifix… Bank robber caught after taking cab home from robbery… Other thief repeatedly steals smokes from same convenience store… Elderly driver crashes into salon in Montgomery County… Man takes the stand, admits murdering landscaper over grass clippings…
This Day In DCist: One year ago Gilbert Arenas got no love on Jeopardy.
