Photo by philliefan99

>> Maryland leaders staved off budget doomsday, and all they had to do was agree to raise taxes on the wealthiest earners, WAMU reports. Gov. Martin O’Malley and leaders of the General Assembly will reconvene next week to pass legislation that will raise income taxes on individuals earning $100,000 a year and couples earning $150,000.

>> The head of one of the nonprofit organizations tied to former Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr. will plead guilty to falsifying her 2009 tax return, the Post reports. Danita Doleman, who runs Youth Tech, is also cooperating with the continuing investigation into Thomas’ fleecing of District funds.

>> Two people were stabbed near the U.S. Capitol in separate incidents on Wednesday evening, the Post reports. Both victims suffered wounds that are not believed to be life threatening.

>> It’s tough licensing a business anywhere in the D.C. region, according to a new study put out by the libertarian Institute for Justice, an Arlington-based think tank. Maryland, for instance, is home to the nation’s seventh-strictest requirements for becoming a fully bonded tree trimmer, the Examiner reports.

Briefly Noted: Obama insiders blame Biden for gay-marriage announcement … Fairfax cop arrested for sexual assault … Former U.S. Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach dies at 90 … The tragedy of 11th and K streets NW.

This Day in DCist: Last year, House Republicans, having had their momentary fill of toying with the federal budget, moved on to the District’s. In 2010, exploding manhole!