We were alerted yesterday via the Art Law Blog that the U.S. Department of the Interior is gearing up to change motion and still photography rules on federally run lands. In an amendment to current regulations, three DOI agencies, the Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Services, and the National Park Service, will be authorized to charge standardized fees to and require a permit from commercial photographers who want to shoot in an area…

This week, Phillyist saw the waters of a landmark fountain run red for a Showtime marketing stunt, the Phils pull ahead, and some serious nostalgia. They also got a chance to review an awesome tribute album, reminded folks to see the King, and appreciated their beautiful skyline. Chicagoist knows what it’s like to like the Cubs. But naming your kid Wrigley Fields? At least they can breathe a little easier now that Grossman’s out and…

LAist was comped front row seats by the Dodgers due to Malingering being struck by a foul ball last week, and she came back with some great photos, and earlier made fun of 4th of July on Venice Beach. But the biggest stories of the week was that the Mayor’s Hot Tamale was revealed, and that a Kwik-E-Mart was erected in Burbank. Phillyist was busy doing the Fourth of July up right, exercising their…

Over five years ago the Newseum shut its doors in its Rosslyn neighborhood and started laying down bricks on Pennsylvania Avenue. The venue dedicated to the First Amendment is still on schedule for its grand opening this October, and in the meantime has been stoking its coffers with donations from news makers all over the country. This week they received their biggest gift so far, $15 million from The Annenberg Foundation. Newseum will name its…

The WaPo’s Marc Fisher has the latest update on the saga of D.C. administrative law judge Roy L. Pearson and his $65 million lawsuit against local dry cleaners Custom Cleaners for misplacing his favorite pair of pants. We first told you about this story back in early April, and it has since gained worldwide attention from people who like to read about stories detailing acts of unbelievable arrogance and stupidity. Like us. Fisher brings word…

On Tuesday, the American -ists will be celebrating democracy and hitting the polls, letting politicians know what they really think. It just made us wonder: if it were up to the -ist-a-verse, what would we be voting for? Londonist votes for better skincare, alternative spaces for art, cute little birds and the men who keep them, and concrete. Lots of concrete. Shanghaiist votes for one of the Bee Gees and Air Supply (it’s a double-ticket),…

Call it good luck — outgoing Ward 3 council-member Kathy Patterson might have a second shot after being defeated by colleague Vincent Gray (D-Ward 7) in the race for council chair. The Examiner is reporting today that among many of the personnel changes that are expected in the coming mayoral administration of Adrian Fenty, Patterson might be taking over as deputy mayor for public safety and justice. If we couldn’t have her on the council,…

Good morning, Washington. And the rain, it continues, though today looks as if it will be better than yesterday. As Maryland State Highway Administration spokesman David Buck was quoted as saying in an AP article on cnn.com, “It’s going to be a challenging week.” Challenging indeed — time to order some rain boots. WaPo tells us all about the rain, and though WJLA says crews are still pumping water out of Constitution Avenue, the traffic…

Written by Andrew Wiseman The Logan Circle churches may have a new argument in the battle over parking enforcement: religious freedom. The neighborhood echoed with calls of “newcomers” and a lack of respect this Sunday as local pastors and politicians addressed at least 100 churchgoers in the latest salvo of the Logan Circle parking controversy. Behind a banner saying “Rally for Religious Freedom, Saving the Soul of the City” pastors and parishioners from Logan…

We have to give Montgomery County props — they’ll defend the First Amendment to the death, no matter how tasteless the reason. NBC 4 is reporting that county officials are ordering all security guards for the county’s libraries to undergo further training on the First Amendment after a recent incident where they tried to stop a library patron from using the public computers to view some XXX-rated material. Apparently Montgomery County has no objection to…