Photo by hellomarkers!

Good morning, Washington. We hope those of you who had yesterday off had a pleasant holiday, despite the rain. It looks like today’s weather won’t be any better — though we’re not sure if that’s good (no ironically beautiful weather upon your reimprisonment at the office) or bad (rain is rain).

NTSB To Hold Hearing on Metro Crash: The Examiner is reporting that the NTSB isn’t done holding Metro’s feet to the fire. An email reveals that a hearing will be held about June’s deadly crash during the week of February 22. Although not unusual, this isn’t a standard exercise for a situation like the one faced by Metro. The Examiner quotes a former NTSB chairman as saying that such hearings are “an exercise in public accountability.”

Rain Causes Kaine to Claim State of Emergency: It looks like we’ll be getting another three to eight inches of rain by Friday morning, and that means that flooding is likely — in fact, standing water is already causing delays along the beltway and some other area roads. WTOP reports that Va. Governor Tim Kaine has declared a state of emergency in order to mobilize state agencies to deal with the situation. At least we’re not alone: other eastern states are also having trouble dealing with the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida.

Briefly Noted: Washington archdiocese weighs in against gay marriage bill… Sandra Day O’Connor’s husband dies after long struggle with Alzheimer’s… Nonprofit accused of double-billing Montgomery County… Shooting, two-car crash at 44th and Meade in NE… D.C. getting some wheelchair-accessible taxis… One quarter of Montgomery County post-elementary students report not feeling safe at school… Gender-bending fish continue to draw fire from uptight press, “scientists”…

This Day In DCist: One year ago the Post cashed in on Obamania, and the recession laid waste to D.C.’s Ring Cycle aspirations.