Photo by ckoetti

Good morning, Washington. On this last day before a long weekend (for some, at least), it’s looking to be cold and windy. A Wind Advisory is in effect for pretty much the whole day, which means that we could feel gusts of up to 45 mph. WJLA meteorologist Doug Hill has gone ahead and issued his “comb-over advisory,” so if that should apply to you, proceed carefully.

Statehood Trips Cost Taxpayers: A series of planned trips to a number of states to lobby for D.C. statehood won’t come cheap, reports the Examiner. A trip to New Hampshire that was set to take place this week but was postponed by snow would have cost D.C. taxpayers $4,000 for 12 elected officials to travel to the Granite State; the trip has been re-scheduled for January 27. Future trips could see a D.C. delegation travel to Florida and as far as Alaska.

Thomas Accomplice Charged: A man who used his non-profit to help Harry Thomas, Jr. steal over $350,000 from the District was charged yesterday with not reporting the theft, writes the Post. Marshall D. Banks, president of the Langston 21st Century Foundation, was accused of accepting $392,000 in city grants directed by Thomas and kicking back over $300,000 to the former Ward 5 councilmember. As the City Paper reports, more similar charges could be coming for others that helped Thomas.

Air Florida Crash Took Place 30 Years Ago Today: Today the Post reflects on one of deadliest airline crashes to take place in the District — the crash of Air Florida Flight 90 into the 14th Street Bridge shortly after takeoff. The flight killed all but five people on the plane, and four motorists were killed when the plane crushed their cars before dropping into the icy Potomac.

Briefly Noted: Gray, McDonnell and O’Malley to meet in D.C. today to discuss Metro … In likely violation of rules, Democratic groups met in Wilson Building … Nats youth baseball facility almost ready … Man ordered to stay away from baby he left alone in tent at McPherson Square … D.C. gets first tech accelerator … Lanier meets with nervous Ward 3 residents to discuss crime spree.

This Day in DCist: On this day in 2011, we debated what the District’s signature dish is, Adrian Fenty got a new job working the “Washington platform” and we learned that some Metro operators used trains and buses as bathrooms. In 2010, Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) wanted a vote on same-sex marriage and Gilbert Arenas admitted that he owned several hundred guns.