>> Unless you just emerged from a weekend-long slumber, you know that Hurricane Sandy is starting to impact the region. It’s going to be raining and very windy over the next few days, and city, state and federal officials have gone and closed everything from schools to government to Metro and just about any other means of getting around on public transit. We’ll bring you as much updated information as possible over the next few days, and feel free to send us pictures, information, warnings, or merely anecdotes of how you’re weathering one of the biggest hurricanes to hit the region in history. Our email is tips@dcist.com, or tweet us at @DCist.

>> Mayor Vince Gray is scheduled to announce a new five-year plan economic development plan for D.C. that would steer the city through a series of threatened cuts in federal spending, writes the Examiner. Gray’s plan is said to focus on continuing to expand the tech sector and bringing in more new residents with mixed-use developments that provide places to live, shop and work.

>> A Massachusetts man accused of plotting to use remote-controlled planes to blow up the U.S. Capitol will be sentenced this week, reports WTOP. Rezwan Ferdaus pleaded guilty in July for attempting to provide material support to terrorists and blow up a federal building, and he will likely be sentenced to 17 years in jail. Much like other such arrests in recent years, Ferdaus never really got close to getting his hands on any explosives—federal agents posing as members of Al Qaeda worked delivered material he had requested to make the explosives before arresting him.

Briefly Noted: Former D.C. officials criticize CFO … Ads coming to Capital Bikeshare maps this winter … Maryland Democrats complain of fundraising irregularities in campaign to defeat Dream Act … Prince George’s County woman being investigated for falsely reporting that her three kids were abducted.

This Day in DCist: On this day in 2011 a mountain lion was spotted in Glover Park. In 2010, Michelle Rhee left D.C. and the Orange Line’s Vienna station was rated the most romantic in Metro.