Photo by slack13

Good morning, Washington. If you work for the federal government, it behooves you to know your employer’s new policy on inclement weather, which was officially rolled out yesterday. In the first change in 14 years, federal workers will have to leave by specific deadlines or face staggered departures or even an order to shelter-in-place during bad weather. The new policy is in response to the mega-super-massive trafficmageddonpocalypse that hit area roadways after a January 26 storm.

Lanier Addresses Occupy-Related Incident at Convention Center: Speaking on WTOP yesterday, D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier said that videos she had seen seem to contradict claims that a driver intentionally hit three Occupy DC protesters at the Convention Center in early November. “It appears that driver was trying to get through a small gap, and the Occupy protesters put themselves in front of the car,” she said. “It clearly doesn’t look like he intentionally tried to run them down.” The incident provoked the most tension between police and the protesters since they took up residence at McPherson Square and Freedom Plaza.

Fare Hikes Likely Coming Down the Pike for Metro: With a looming $124 million budget gap, Metro is considering fare hikes that could go into effect as soon as next July, reports the Examiner. The hikes could include a $6 one-way fare for trips to stations outside of Metro’s inner core and an increase of peak fares from $1.95 to $2.05, along with rising parking costs. While the plan was called preliminary and a formal proposal will be presented in January, fare hikes are inevitable, said Metro officials. No cuts in service are expected, though.

Wal-Mart and Safeway Can Co-Exist at Skyland Location: Earlier this week, news emerged that a standing agreement between Safeway and the District would prevent Wal-Mart from selling food at the Skyland location in Ward 7 — the very location that Mayor Vince Gray pushed so hard for the retailer to take. It seems that the agreement won’t affect Wal-Mart after all, reports the Post, leaving the retailer free to sell groceries, baked goods and deli products. A legal opinion states that the covenant between the city and Safeway does not apply to the lot that Wal-Mart would sit on, but does for two other lots on the site.

Briefly Noted: Occupy DC hits Democratic fundraiser … Cuccinelli’s move makes things awkward for Virginia Republicans … Postal employee robbed on 14th Street … Get a $20,000 bribe, pay a $250 fine … Gary Giordano denies involvement in Aruba disappearance … MoCo curfew may never come to pass … I certainly don’t remember cursive, but students in Maryland and D.C. keep learning it … Takoma is too far away for a Capitol Bikeshare station.

This Day in DCist: On this day in 2010, D.C. musicians were well-represented at the Grammy awards and Michelle Rhee appeared on the Colbert Report. In 2009, we celebrated Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr. (D-Ward 5) — yes, really — and things weren’t looking good at The Washington Times.