Photo by JeffGamble

Good morning, Washington, and happy Easter! (If that’s your sort of thing.)

>> Good news for Metro users: the expected 2012 fare hike may be lower than originally estimated, reports the Post. Metro officials say they have found an additional $16 million in savings, somewhat decreasing the need for planned fare hikes to cover a $119 million budget deficit.

>> We’re number three! The Examiner reports that from April 2010 to July 2011 the population growth in the Washington metropolitan area was only outpaced by Dallas-Ft. Worth and Houston. In that period, our area added some 122,000 new residents; the District’s share of that growth made it the fastest-growing city in the country.

>> What seemed like a scandal-in-the-making at Howard University seems to have petered out. WTOP reports that the university reinstated its sports programs and student-athletes declared ineligible to compete this weekend; earlier this week, the university’s sports program came under scrutiny after textbook vouchers were used inappropriately by some student-athletes.

>> Flushing your toilet may get more expensive in Maryland. Seriously.