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>> The news of the 12 people shot dead outside of a movie theater last night in Colorado is simply appalling. There’s little else to say right now other than to send our thoughts and condolences to the friends and families of those hurt or killed.

>> Maryland officials are urging the state’s Public Service Commission to reject Pepco’s request for a four percent rate increase, reports the Post. During hearings in the wake of the derecho storm in late June, state officials testified that Pepco had fewer crews out than Dominion Power in Virginia and was slower to restore power for affected customers. In related news, last night’s thunderstorms knocked out power to more people in the region.

>> It’s been a tough couple weeks for tourists in D.C. Beyond the infernal weather we’ve had to contend with, the Examiner reports that a number of sites, memorials and monuments have been closed for construction in July. Among those are the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and other parts of the National Mall, the White House Visitor Center, and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Anyone hoping to travel to the top of the Washington Monument will have to wait a while—repairs to the structure will likely leave it shuttered through 2013, if not later.

>> As everyone from Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley to President Obama rush to return donations from shadow campaign conspirator Jeffrey Thompson, one person is steadfastly refusing to do so—D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton. The Washington Times reports that Norton said yesterday that she has no plans to return some $50,000 worth of contributions made by Thompson to her re-election campaigns over the last six years, saying that she doesn’t think they were made illegally. But as the City Paper writes, Norton should probably think twice about that money—Thompson and his associates are accused of illegal contributions stretching back over a decade, after all.

Briefly Noted: Maryland same-sex supporters raise $250,000 … 911 outage prevented electrocuted Virginia man from getting necessary help … Virginia to sell E-ZPass at AAA, Wegmans … D.C. doing well on fighting HIV/AIDS, but more still needs to be done … Cuccinelli to review Virginia utility laws … More flash floods possible today.

This Day in DCist: On this day in 2010, proposed pedcabs regulations would have had passengers wear seatbelts and the city’s lone gun salesman moved into MPD headquarters. In 2010, former Mayor Anthony Williams endorsed Adrian Fenty for mayor.