Photo by D. Scott McLeod

>> Two Prince George’s County police officers go on trial today for the 2010 beating of a University of Maryland student, reports the Washington Times. Jack McKenna was beaten and arrested during a College Park celebration after a win over rival Duke, but a video that later surfaced that showed him being beaten by two officers. All charges against him were eventually dropped, but officers Reginald Baker and James Harrison are facing charges on first- and second-degree assault.

>> Schools, rec centers, pools, and neighborhood libraries throughout D.C. have been renovated and modernized in recent years, and now it’s time for the playgrounds. The Examiner reports that D.C. will spend $30 million over the next year renovating 32 of the 78 playgrounds in the city. Every ward will have at least two playground renovated, though wards 4 and 8 will see upgrades at six playgrounds each.

>> D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton wants Congress to take up a bill granting D.C. budget autonomy after the November elections, reports WAMU. Various Republicans have backed the bill, which would allow the city to spend its money more freely on everything but funding abortions for low-income women. A referendum on budget autonomy has also been proposed.

Briefly Noted: Even some Democrats oppose Maryland redistricting plan … D.C. orders spending freeze in wake of federal cuts … Maryland task force to continue debating solutions to pit bull ruling … 600,000 Virginians to participate in earthquake drill … MoCo officials debating shooting deer in Rock Creek Park to control population … Over last decade, 15 percent of closed homicides in D.C. resulted in no arrest.

This Day in DCist: On this day in 2010, five DC9 employees were arrested in connection to the death of a man outside the club and incredibly graphic anti-abortion ads hit local airwaves.