Photo by melanie.phung

>> A quarter of Metro stations lack the bumpy tiles along the edge of the tracks that are used to warn visually-impaired riders, reports the Examiner. And while the transit agency plans on installing the special tiles in 10 more stations by 2015, 11 will remain without the tiles. Disability rights advocates warn that not having the tiles threatens blind riders, some of who have fallen onto the tracks.

>> Despite uncertainties surrounding the presidential election and future of President Obama’s health care reform (not to mention Big Bird), D.C. is moving ahead on creating its marketplace for insurance plans. The Washington Times reports that the board overseeing the creation of the exchange has adopted a rule mandating that any business with fewer than 50 employees will have to purchase insurance on the exchange. While small businesses have criticized the move, city officials defend it by saying that it’s the only way to maintain a large enough market to make the exchange viable.

>> D.C. Fire/EMS will start adding more personnel during the busiest hours of the day, reports NBC4, moving away from the system where crews of equal sizes work day and night. Under the plan, which was formulated to respond to the changing dynamics of emergency calls, between 25 and 45 paramedics and emergency medical technicians will hit the street during the busiest periods of the day.

Briefly Noted: D.C. considering stricter graduation requirements … Strasburg’s emus go missing … D.C. Jail guard accused of sexually assaulting inmate … At-Large candidates keep it civil in debate … From the Department of Awful Pranks: a fake kidnapping … Cases of meningitis linked to medicine.

This Day in DCist: On this day in 2011, Dan Snyder bought himself a 224-foot-long super yacht for $70 million and breakers took over Ben’s Chili Bowl. In 2010, we had a fearless contributor review the Air Sex Championships.