Photo by jkangpolo

Good morning, Washington. Something rather like winter has suddenly and prematurely arrived in the District, blocking out the sun, fogging up our windows, chilling our previously pleasant walks to the Metro, and ruining our shoes. Not to mention seemingly knocking out power to a large swath of upper Northwest D.C. and Silver Spring. And this cold, wet nonsense is apparently expected to linger well through Sunday. Pardon me while I speak to my publisher about reviving Miamist …

D.C. Pledges to House Homeless This Winter: The Post’s Darryl Fears files another story this morning on the ongoing confusion surrounding funding for the city’s homeless shelters. Human Services Director Clarence Carter appeared before a D.C. Council committee Wednesday, where he once again promised that there would be adequate space for D.C.’s entire homeless population through spring. Council members were frustrated and skeptical, and shelter operators have been worried for weeks now ever since the city abruptly announced large cuts to critical social services groups.

Cheh Pushes for Faster FOIAs: Ward 3 Council member Mary Cheh is drafting legislation that would force D.C. Attorney General Peter Nickles to quit stonewalling on freedom of information requests, the Washington Times reports. “Mrs. Cheh, Ward 3 Democrat, said she has heard numerous complaints that suggest D.C. Attorney General Peter Nickles is not properly executing the duties of his position as a public official.” For his part, Nickles claims certain individuals are “abusing open government laws and preventing the government from responding to legitimate requests.”

Briefly Noted: Hundreds wait in line for H1N1 vaccine in Montgomery County … D.C. public charter school enrollment is up … Two Potomac teens charged with murder in beating death … D.C. sniper’s attorney plans clemency plea to governor.

This Day in DCist: In 2008, WMATA announced it was introducing more Metrobus express routes, and in 2007, the District revised its dog park rules.