Photo by Rich Renomeron

>> The federal agents investigating Mayor Vince Gray’s 2010 campaign are taking a new angle: determining if campaign staffers told certain donors that their financial contributions would go unreported. The Washington Post reports that the promises were allegedly made to protect donors from “retaliation” in the event then-Mayor Adrian Fenty was re-elected.

>> Harry Jaffe has weighed in. The Washington Examiner columnist says that D.C. Council Chairman seems “uninterested in the leadership role.” In Jaffe’s mind, that leaves the power game to two members: Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), who is good at making deals with the mayor, and Marion Barry (D-Ward 8), who is just stirring things up.

>> D.C. is on the path to becoming Big Box City with the recent opening of Costco in far Northeast. Washington City Paper’s Housing Complex column takes aim at the rapid expansion in major retail chains setting up shop in the District (there are six Walmarts coming). Most city officials see it as a good thing, labor rights activists are less sanguine.

Briefly Noted: Heroin busts on the rise in Ocean City … P.G. Police worried about gang violence after shooting death of 14-year-old … Robert Griffin III stays above the hype … Using the Metropolitan Branch Trail after dark is a risky proposition.

This Day in DCist: Exactly a year ago, we got all worked out because this super-awesome velodrome was going to be built and we were all going to ride our bike in infinite loops with no brakes and, oh, right. Too soon?