Photo by Matt.Dunn.

Good morning, Washington. Is anyone actually shocked by the revelation that people are scalping tickets to the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony? NBCWashington sure sounds mighty surprised that there are people out there willing to illegally sell their tickets to the lighting. But the National Christmas Tree Lighting is one of the most sought-after tickets in the city every year, and even the National Park Service admits that it’ll be nigh impossible to prosecute anyone selling their ticket — to be honest, we’d have been more shocked if a brisk black market for tickets hadn’t developed. One tip, for those of you who have picked up tickets (legally or otherwise) to the ceremony: don’t drive.

Maryland May Legalize Same-Sex Marriage: According to a report in the Post, the Maryland state Senate likely has the votes to pass legislation which would legalize same-sex marriage. In November’s election, Marylanders bucked the national trend and added two seats to the Democratic majority in the body — those gains should be enough to remove the state’s law recognizing only traditional marriages. Governor Martin O’Malley has said he would sign a bill — though it is expected that opponents would likely be able to gain enough signatures to petition for a statewide referendum in 2012.

Gray To Make Henderson Permanent Chancellor?: NBC reports that Mayor-elect Vince Gray is expected to nominate interim D.C. Public Schools chancellor Kaya Henderson to the position full time. A news conference has been scheduled at 11 a.m. this morning, though it’s not clear if Henderson will actually attend the presser or not.

The New ‘Bitch Set Me Up’: Lots of political gems in this week’s Loose Lips column on Council committee appointments — for example: “Instead, the Ward 1 councilmember lectured LL on how much he loves the First Amendment—before insisting LL needed Graham’s explicit permission to use a voice recorder while interviewing him in the council chambers.” — though our favorite by far is Marion Barry’s reaction to Alan Suderman’s thoughts on which committee he will be reinstated to. Suderman quotes Barry: “You’re gonna speculate on what committee I want. I mean, what the shit is this?” What the shit, indeed.

Briefly Noted: Kriston Capps continues his excellent work on the Smithsonian censorship controversy by digging into the reporter who sparked the whole brouhaha…DDOT to open northbound 9th Street Bridge next Monday…Woman crossing busy road in DIstrict Heights killed in hit-and-run last night…Police looking for Bethesda thieves…B.W. Parkway gets new speed camera…Pedestrian struck at Louisiana Avenue and D Street NW…Lanier defends gym at police HQ, says it will be open to all officers, not just her and her staff.

This Day in DCist: Last year, Congress removed long-standing prohibitions which had prevented D.C. from spending city money on medical marijuana, needle-exchange programs and abortion.