Photo by rastapunk8.Good morning, Washington. Hold on a second: today’s high is going to be nipping at 80 degrees? Where’s this coming from? Wasn’t it just hailing in this town a couple of days ago? Hey, don’t get me wrong, I’ll take it. But be sure to enjoy today’s sunshine while you can — the forecast for rest of the week doesn’t appear nearly as conducive to enjoying a little deck time after the working day is done.
Did CDC Downplay Lead Concerns?: That’s what a new report from the Government Accountability Office will reveal when it is released to the public later this month. The Post reports that the GAO’s assessment will slam the CDC for saying in 2004 that elevated levels of lead in the District’s water supply was not a public health threat, despite water in several homes testing well above the federal limit.
Assaults On Bus Drivers Up: Jenny Rogers reports on the increase in assaults on Metrobus drivers, which were up over 26 percent in 2010. Not only were the number of assaults up, but they included ugly incidents including people spitting and throwing urine on drivers. From Rogers’ report, it doesn’t seem like bus drivers are getting that much help — when it comes to fare disputes, their options are mostly limited to letting passengers not pay and asking for Transit Police help or just trying to stay out of harm’s way. (Of course, it’s not as if dealing with the potentially crazy public isn’t something drivers know when they get into the job.)
CityCenter Groundbreaking Today: The massive 1.5 million-square-foot CityCenter project between New York Avenue and H, 9th and 11th Streets NW will finally break ground today, thanks to a $700 million investment from Qatar. (What, is this our consolation prize for losing the World Cup?) The project’s been in the works since 2003; a groundbreaking ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. this afternoon.
Briefly Noted: Is the White House constructing a secret, underground lair?…A fatal car accident shut down I-395 early this morning…Special election could produce the swing vote on Vince Gray’s budget…Shots fired but no injuries reported at 11th and T Streets NW yesterday afternoon…Gray budget includes money for continued library renovations…Alexander Ovechkin had an epic weekend.
This Day in DCist: Last year, the Washington Post’s ombudsman admitted that the Post’s online comment sections were mostly “cesspools of venom and twaddle” and the Redskins traded for Donovan McNabb; in 2008, guest editor Jason Linkins examined D.C.’s novel deficiency and the city’s purported slang. (Don’t wrap me up, cuz!)
