Photo by adholmes

Good morning, Washington. The Washington Times reports this morning that D.C. Council Chair Kwame Brown has proposed a pilot program through which teachers are offered a financial incentive to work in some of the city’s worst public schools. There have long been complaints that the best teachers tend to stay at the best schools; Brown’s program would offer them $10,000 and other perks to move to troubled schools, primarily middle schools that need their expertise. Some 16 other states provide similar incentives.

Yes, There’s a Bright Side to all That Traffic: All of those car accidents and the resulting medical expenses may cost the region $7.4 billion a year, but hey, that’s apparently less than other comparable areas since all the traffic makes the crashes pretty slow. The Post reports that the region’s per capita cost for each accident comes in at $1,363, while it exceeds $1,500 in other metropolitan areas. Still, all of that traffic that brings down the speed of crashes has its cost, too — a recent study found that all the roadway congestion costs area commuters $1,500 and seventy-four hours of lost time a year.

Demote at Will, Chief Lanier: The Examiner reports that D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier — who has said that she wants to remain in her position atop to the Metropolitan Police Department — can demote police commanders without giving much of a reason. The D.C. Court of Appeals ruled that recent personnel moves were within her purview as chief of police.

Jayna Murray’s Family Stops by Lululemon: After seeing their daughter’s killer sent to jail for the rest of her life, yesterday Jayna Murray’s parents stopped by the Bethesda Lululemon store where she was brutally murdered, reports NBC4. They purchased Christmas gifts and paid a visit to the back of the store, where Brittany Norwood attacked and killed Murray.

Briefly Noted: Gay rights pioneer Frank Kameny lay in repose yesterday … Judge orders child removed from Children’s Hospital, but it’s still unclear where he’ll go … Basic rules of life: don’t threaten a member of Congress … Two arrested for killing of Howard University student … Sorry, but that mortgage above $625,000 may be out of reach … Racial conflict at D.C. public schools?

This Day in DCist: On this day in 2010, Vince Gray’s first days as mayor-elect weren’t going so smooth and Ted Leonsis offered to do the “Dougie” if the Wizards could sell out a game. In 2009, we wondered if the Giro d’Italia could start in the District and we talked to Zaytinya’s Mike Isabella.