Good morning, Washington. The D.C. Snow Team did a dry run Friday to give plow drivers a chance to “practice their skills.” It’s unclear yet to what extent they’ll have to use them, but there’s no harm in fine tuning their operation for today’s rare October storm. From my perch in Northeast I see only puddles, but meteorologists throughout the region tell us that snow has already begun falling in some spots north and west of D.C., and the storm will work its way south and east throughout the day as temperatures fall through the 30s. Winter storm warnings are in effect through 6 p.m. for western and northern Maryland, the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia and parts of West Virginia. The storm should head out of our region by tonight.
>> A quick reminder that there will be major Metro track work on the Green, Red and Orange lines this weekend. Four stations on the Green Line — Waterfront, Navy Yard, Anacostia and Congress Heights — closed on Friday at 10 p.m. and won’t reopen until 5 a.m. on Monday.
>> For some Halloween fun, check out our weekend picks; City Paper offers a few more locally-inspired Halloween costumes; and President Barack Obama will welcome students from area elementary schools for trick-or-treating at the White House today, with Michelle Obama greeting kids with bags of White House M&Ms, a White House-shaped butter cookie, and a serving of dried fruit.
>> Eight-year-old Robert Wood Jr., who was missing for six days, was found alive in Hanover County, Va. Friday. Thousands of volunteers had been searching for the boy, who is severely autistic, after he wandered away from his family while at a park Sunday. Police said he was found in “somewhat of a gully” nearby. Authorities said his condition was serious, but he is expected to be fine. Gov. Bob McDonnell said in a statement Friday that, “The actions of so many this week have demonstrated, yet again, that Virginians are good neighbors who care about each other and help those in need in times of trouble.”
>> The practice of sex-selective abortion is illegal in four states. Leesburg Republican Randy Minchew, running for Virginia’s House of Delegates, would like to add Virginia to that short list. The Washington Post spoke with James Davison Hunter, professor of religion, culture and social theory at the University of Virginia, who points out that the proposition could pose a bit of a conundrum for feminists and progressives, since the assumption is that when sex-selective abortions are used they’re usually to favor male children.
>> The Washington Examiner reports that a new housing study released by George Mason University’s Center for Regional Analysis found that there will be 1 million new jobs in the region over the next 20 years and an additional 1.8 million workers to replace retirees, which means the region could see three times the number of commuters on the road if the area doesn’t offer housing where people work.
>> Union Station’s main hall is closed for the start of repairs from damage caused by the August 23 earthquake. On Friday, a small piece of plaster fell from the ceiling, hitting a restaurant employee.
>> A body was found in the Anacostia River above Anacostia Park Friday. The person is a middle-aged black male. It’s unclear if foul play was involved.
>> Colbert I. King on the D.C. Council of Corruption: “The city needs laws that draw blood when broken. And that’s just for starters.”
>> Lydia DePillis looks at a few reasons why some people in the District have an aversion to renters.
>> A 13-year-old bicycle thief caught in the act — again.
>> Atlantic Cities looks at “streetcar revival.”
>> Forget diamonds. Metro tokens are a girl’s best friend.
>> José Andrés for mayor?
