Photo by philliefan99.

Good morning, Washington. As we warned you yesterday, oppressive heat and humidity are the order of the day (and tomorrow, too!) Maryland recently announced its first heat-related deaths of the year, so be sure to keep an eye out for those out there who are most vulnerable to the oppressive temperatures and guide them to a cooling center, if need be. To the news!

Thomas Announcement Expected: Appropriately enough, the heat is also being turned up at the Wilson Building regarind Harry Thomas’ future on the Council. Yesterday afternoon, Council Chair Kwame Brown pushed an announcement about Thomas’ responsibilities to today, and it’s widely expected that Thomas will either step down — or be pushed from — his chairmanship of the body’s powerful economic development committee. The entire Thomas affair has really fired up the city’s political commenters: both Marc Fisher and Jonetta Rose Barras pen damning columns about ethics, or lack there of, on the Council.

Loza Tapes Played in Court: Audio and video recorded secretly by the FBI proving former Jim Graham chief of staff Ted Loza accepted money from an FBI informant in exchange for political favors were played in U.S. District Court yesterday. Loza’s defense attempted to paint the funds given to Loza by cab driver advocate Abdulaziz Kamus, including “a $500 or $1,000 “Father’s Day” present to spur taxi legislation,” as merely gifts. The defense of that one payment in particular spurred one prosecutor to ask “was Ted Loza Abdul Kamus’s father?” Loza pled guilty earlier this year; he faces up to 14 months in prison.

Briefly Noted: Fund established in memory of Isiah Harris…Eight rescued, 120 displaced due to New Carrollton apartment building fire…Cyclist struck at 15th and Q NW…MoCo judge strikes down part of collective bargaining law…Obama to visit Northern Virginia Community College for second time…Stick it to the man: Maryland resident battles speed camera tickets by superimposing images…The Dude fights child hunger in Arlington.

This Day in DCist: Last year, Capital Bikeshare got its name, the sale of the Washington Wizards to Ted Leonsis was approved, and one Post reporter wasn’t going to let something like a plane crash stop him from filing a story.