Photo by Brian Allen

>> With a population of 3 million and thanks to the emergence of several boldface names, Indian Americans are a growing force in U.S. politics, the Post writes. While the most notable examples might be people like Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and the actor and former White House staffer Kal Penn, Indian Americans’ population in local and national politics go much deeper. Aneesh P. Chopra, the White House’s former chief technology officer, is currently running for lieutenant governor of Virginia.

>> District Comics, which we profiled last month, takes over this week’s edition of Washington City Paper, filling the newspaper’s pages with brightly drawn outtakes from D.C.’s colorful history. Among the stories being told are that of James Hampton, a federal building janitor who moonlighted as a creator of religious art, and a Metropolitan Police Department officer with a special design job.

>> The coal train derailment in Ellicott City, Md. last month that resulted in the deaths of two young women who were close to the tracks caused $2.2 million in damage, the National Transportation Safety Board determined. But, WAMU reports, it will be another 12 to 18 months before the NTSB determines what caused the crash.

Briefly Noted: Police looking for gunman who committed robbery at St. Stephen’s … NASA launches rocket from Virginia facility … Airports authority adopts new rules limiting board members’ travel and dining … Prince George’s high school student wounded in stabbing not far from campus … Harper doubles up on home runs again.

This Day in DCist: Last year, Rex Grossman got the starting quarterback job. That turned out well.