>> Yeah, you. You need to stay late tonight to make up for the crazy amount of time you’re about to have off. That’s right, those of us who do not work for the Federal Government are currently glaring up a storm at those of you who do, because the word from on high is now official: President Bush has declared January 2 as the official day of mourning for President Ford, which means Federal…

It was a tantalizing prospect. The news that Walter Reed Army Medical Center would close in 2011 had District residents and officials dreaming of the possible uses for the 113 acres of land located between 16th Street and Georgia Avenue in residential Northwest Washington. Getting their hands on the land was always a longshot, however, and news organizations are reporting today that the Feds have lowered the boom on the idea — deciding instead to…

Council-member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) has probably had better weeks. Monday brought revelations from the Post that he had used a political action committee he controlled to pay himself back for certain expenses, and today the Post reported that he may have been reimbursed twice for an official trip to China and Taiwan last October. While not as juicy as leaking the name of an undercover CIA agent to the press and not as gossip…

Good morning, Washington. Unlike the promise made on the sign in this photo, Mayor Williams has confirmed our suspicions and formally announced that he will not seek another term. In a statement he made at the Hillcrest Rec Center, Williams said that he would be willing to advise the next mayor, but ruled out seeking any other office. Today’s Post has an article discussing what Williams’ tenure has meant for D.C. If you’d like…

It’s not everyday that you run into a marching band on the District’s streets. Yesterday was one of those days, though. After attending a brief meeting in the Judiciary Square area, DCist emerged to find a high school marching band clad in yellow t-shirts bearing the slogan, “Brown for Mayor.” And suddenly it all made sense — Michael Brown, son of the late Clinton era Commerce Secretary Ron Brown, officially declared his candidacy for mayor…

Well, DCist has gone and done it now. In an arbitrary post last week discussing the American Political Science Association’s annual meeting in the District, former DCist food connoisseur Kanishka offered $100 to any reader who could catch Cornel West scarfing down a jumbo slice. Safe bet, right? I mean, who would have thought that Cornel West would actually scarf down, of all things, a jumbo slice? Well, one reader managed just that. Above, Cathy…

She’s not set to announce her candidacy until tomorrow, but D.C. Council Chair Linda Cropp is already doing her best to increase her name recognition and create anticipation for her foray into the 2006 mayoral race. Starting Saturday, signs such as those pictured above began populating the trees, street signs, telephone poles, and public parks of the District. The signs — bearing no information spare the simple message “Think Cropp” or its Spanish equivalent…

Good morning, Washington. Today our thoughts are outside the beltway and with the people in the regions bracing for the wrath of Katrina, which made landfall this morning. Katrina may have been downgraded to a category four hurricane, yet it remains among the most powerful to ever hit the continental U.S. Our friends at Capital Weather have been following the storm closely and have posted a trove of commentary and insight. Our thoughts are with…

Adding to the already crowded roster of mayoral candidates, Michael A. Brown, a lobbyist and the son of the late Clinton-era Commerce Secretary Ron Brown, today told the Washington Times that he would formally announce his candidacy for the city’s top job next month. His announcement will swell the ranks of mayoral hopefuls to five, including Council-members Adrian Fenty (D-Ward 4) and Vincent Orange (D-Ward 5), Council Chair Linda Cropp, and former Verizon executive Marie…

Good morning, Washington. There’s a 70 percent chance of showers today in both the morning and afternoon, so remember to bring along an umbrella. Temps will max out at the positively cool lower 80s. Aziz Gökdemir uploaded this photo of the Awakening statue to DCist photos. The huge statue can be found on Hains Point. Our Mayor, Film Star: Mayor Anthony Williams participated in the filming of a 30-second scene with Michael Douglas for the…