Photo by Tony DeFilippo

>> With D.C. schools set to open their doors next week, the Post’s Bill Turque comprehensively explores the city’s parallel school systems: traditional public schools and the growing public charter schools. Though enrollment and test scores are growing more aggressively at charter school, they still face more challenges than their traditional public school counterparts, from funding to acquiring buildings. (Disclosure: my wife teaches at a public charter school.) The disparities between the two types of schools have also vexed local officials, who have sunk billions into improving the public schools even as enrollment has grown more slowly than at charter schools.

>> In the wake of the beating of a man in Eastern Market, the Examiner reports that violent crime across D.C. is up from last year. Robberies with gun are up citywide 23 percent, while assault with a gun has increased 15 percent; all told, violent crime is nine percent above where it was in 2011. The highest increases are in neighborhoods east of the river, though areas of Capitol Hill have also seen jumps in violent crimes.

>> The Maryland man accused of threatening a Colorado-style shooting rampage at his workplace has been released from a psychiatric hospital and will remain with his parents pending his arraignment, writes WTOP. Neil Prescott is accused of threatening a shooting at his workplace after being fired; police found him at home with more than 20 guns, though they were all legally registered. Prescott has been charged with misdemeanor telephone misuse.

Briefly Noted: Note to self: making bomb threats against Amtrak can get you a hefty jail sentence … Well-known homeless man on Capitol Hill passes away … Arlington parents fighting changing to school bus routes … Mayor Vince Gray’s son quits second job as liquor promoter … PG County Police make arrest in crash that killed young officer … FOIA request made for White House beer recipe.

This Day in DCist: On this day in 2011, D.C. United produced a “It Gets Better” video and Albert Haynesworth pleaded guilty to a charge of simple assault. In 2010, Neil Godleski was shot and killed while riding his bike near Sherman Circle.