Photo by yospyn
Good morning, Washington. There are still a few delays in the suburbs, and there are still mounds of filthy snow lingering around the city, but the fact that trash collection is resuming almost tempts us into thinking that things are getting back to normal. On the other hand, WJLA is also reporting that the lane signals on Canal Road are malfunctioning, so don’t go assuming that your commute will cease to be a terrifying ordeal just yet.
What’s Going to Happen to Marion Barry?: It’s hard to read today’s Post coverage of the Bennett report and not come away with the suspicion that Marion Barry could be about to make yet another miraculous political escape: the article details how, absent criminal charges, the most the D.C. Council can do is censure Barry; and how federal prosecutors have been aware of the charges he’s now facing for some time, but haven’t felt that they had enough evidence to mount a case. But the Examiner paints a bleaker picture of Barry’s prospects, noting that the report specifically recommends prosecution, and that prosecutors were “eagerly anticipating” the report.
Same-Sex Marriage Prompts Archdiocese to End Foster Care Program: The Post reports on the Washington Archdiocese’s decision to make good on its threat and dissolve its longstanding foster care program due to its objections to the city’s same-sex marriage law. The children and families currently participating in the program have been transferred to another charity.
Good Thing There’s Not a Budget Crisis or Anything: Fresh off its important work ensuring that patriotic diners won’t be barred from packing heat, the Virginia Senate has turned its attention to the pressing issue of whether the state’s pro-life license plates will be matched with a pro-choice version. It looks like the answer is yes — once again, the Post’s Rosalind Henderson has the details. But, to our surprise and dismay, it seems that some have used this legislation for political grandstanding: the Senate bill is in conflict with one passed last week by the House of Delegates; the latter prevents funds from the plates from going to Planned Parenthood. More important governance to come!
Briefly Noted: Former P.G. town police chief pleads guilty to illegal sale of gun… Firefighters rescue dog from drain… The man accused of murdering Chandra Levy wants his trial relocated… Plow driver was stuck in snow for 18 hours: “We plowed and dug and spun and went into the abyss“… Prosecutors moving ahead with obstruction of justice charges in Wone murder case…
This Day in DCist: WASA got hit with its first lawsuit over lead… Marion Barry filed his tax returns, two years too late… The valiant S9 bus emerged on the scene.
