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Metro Officials Defend Rate Hikes: A day after voting to raise fares, Metro officials stepped up to defend the proposal. The Post reports that WMATA General Manager Richard Sarles argued that the money from the increased fares is needed to complete deferred maintenance on the trains and buses. “It takes time to dig out of a hole,” he said. The fare increases go into effect on July 1.

Obama to Launch Re-Election Bid in Virginia, Ohio: President Obama announced yesterday that he’ll be launching his re-election campaign on May 5 with rallies in two states. Not surprisingly, writes the Examiner, Virginia will be one of them, and Ohio the other. Virginia remains a hotly contested battleground state, and Obama has already opened 13 field offices in the commonwealth. Obama’s kick-off rally in Virginia will take place in Richmond.

Graham Wants Subpoena Authority in Thomas Investigation: A preliminary report to be released by Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) today finds that former Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr. may have had an inside partner in his theft of over $300,000 from the city, but it doesn’t name names. The Post reports that Graham’s report leaves many questions unanswered, and that Graham is seeking subpoena power so as to compel witnesses to testify in the ongoing investigation. The report faults officials from the Children’s Youth Investment Trust Corp. for failing to detect or stop the theft of city funds as it was happening.

Briefly Noted: Mother of slain University of Virginia student files $30 million lawsuit against George Huguely … Two new streetcars ordered for H Street NE line … Redskins safety arrested for possible DUI … Maryland’s largest slots casino set to open on June 6 … Virginia Republican Senate hopefuls to square off in three debates … D.C. Charter School Board has spent $1.1 million on bailing out shuttered schools … Gang members used social media to lure Virginia high school students into prostitution.

This Day in DCist: On this day in 2011, D.C. Taxicab Commissioner Leon Swain was fired and we closed the book on the April 26 Special Election. In 2010, the U.S. Senate went after D.C.’s gun laws (again) and a deal was set for Ted Leonsis to buy the Verizon Center and Washington Wizards.