Photo by 4²5²☆productions

Good morning, Washington. The Post reports that police spent a good chunk of yesterday morning trying to fish a car out of the C&O Canal. The driver claimed he had seen a bear while driving along Canal Road on Monday evening, veering off the road and into the canal. Police never confirmed the presence of a bear, but they did charge the driver with DWI.

Despite Scandals, D.C. Is OK: In a long and interesting read, the Post’s Marc Fisher argues that despite the rash of political scandals this year, the continuing status of the District as a safe place to put money has somewhat softened the blow any potential investors or businessmen may feel from controversy at the Wilson Building. The District is better governed and managed than it was in the past, with a growing base of educated and relatively affluent residents and the presence of the federal government helping keep the city afloat in tough times. Still, he writes, the District faces challenges — Mayor Vince Gray and councilmembers haven’t articulated a broad economic development vision that could carry the District beyond its reliance on a downsizing federal government, and despite a growing population, fewer residents seem engaged in local politics.

Judge Limits Pictures in Lululemon Trial: The judge in the trial of accused Lululemon killer Brittany Norwood will only allow five of 35 pictures of victim Jayna Murray to be shown during the trial. According to WJLA, the judge ruled that the images — many of them graphic — would be too prejudicial for use during the trial’s opening statements, which are scheduled for today.

Feds Haven’t Approached Key Witness in Thomas Case: In an article that questions how aggressively federal prosecutors are going after Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr. (D-Ward 5), the City Paper reports that the U.S. attorney’s office hasn’t interviewed Jimmy Garvin, a golf instructor who was central to the case brought against Thomas by D.C. Attorney General Irv Nathan for allegedly embezzling $300,000 in city funds. Garvin worked for the Langston 21st Century Foundation, an organization that was used to funnel city money to Thomas’ own fraudulent non-profit, money that was then used to purchase a luxury Audi SUV, amongst other things.

Briefly Noted: Occupy D.C. protesters might be safe for now, but not their Occupy Baltimore counterparts … Walmart gives $5 million to Smithsonian African American Museum … H Street NE debates liquor license cap … Sulaimon Brown going to trial on traffic charges … Fairfax dog walker gets off scot-free … Maryland debates hike in gas tax.

This Day in DCist: On this day in 2010, we reviewed the most off-the-wall candidate statements and we reported that a small bump in wages could bring tens of thousands out of poverty. In 2009, we met some adorable foster pets and a Jawbox reunion seemed unlikely.