Happy Halloween, Washington! We love this holiday. It’s an excellent excuse to gorge on candy, dress up like an idiot and generally have a spookily good time. Besides, it’s the last celebration before the holidays begin to feel like thinly-veiled attempts to pretend that it isn’t actually cold and awful outside. Steele Gets Some Democrats’ Endorsement: It appears that some African-American Democrats in Maryland are unhappy with their party’s nominee for Senate — and have…

Good morning, Washington. Got Halloween plans? Personally, I’m still trying to come up with a decent last-minute costume idea. My party deadline isn’t until tomorrow, fortunately. For those who’ve got costume parties lined up for tonight, I hope you didn’t make any part of your outfit from papier mache — it looks like it’s going to be a soggy evening. Jemal Acquitted Of Most Charges: The verdict is in, and prominent District developer Douglas Jemal…

Good morning, Washington, and our apologies to the residents of Montgomery County — we hate to be the bearers of bad news. But it looks like speed cameras will be coming to your fair municipality. The general assembly has overridden Governor Ehrlich’s second veto, putting the wheels in motion for a statewide program. Montgomery County will be the lucky recipient of the first pilot cameras. Gallaudet Still A Mess: Protests; counter-protests; defiant non-resignations. And now…

Politically, Maryland may be more blue than purple. However, when it comes to transit this election season, our neighbors to the north are turning a lovely shade of lavender. The Washington Post reports today that the Purple Line, the proposed transit link between New Carrollton and Bethesda, has emerged as a key issue in the Maryland gubernatorial race. Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley, the Democratic candidate for governor, described the project as one of his top…

The Purple Line transit link between New Carrollton and Bethesda has been the subject of quite a few shenanigans lately. Last Friday, The Washington Post ran an editorial arguing that now that plans for the Intercounty Connector are finalized, the Purple Line must be the next priority. The following Thursday, we questioned just how committed to the Purple Line Maryland and the Ehrlich administration really are. However, neither piece offered quite as much insight into…

Good Morning, Washington. Looks like it’s going to be a beautiful, if a tad hot, day. Highs should be up around 90, with the humidity and rain we’ve all been hearing about holding off at least until tomorrow. Initiative for Slots Off Ballot: For those of you who have been waiting for electronic slots to hit D.C., looks like you’ll be waiting a bit longer. WTOP tells us that the PAC that has been working…

Good morning, D.C. Looks like it’s going to be another beautiful day. We can’t resist — we’re ducking out of work, heading into the lovely weather and spending the morning at a net neutrality seminar. Ah, summer livin’. Ehrlich Unhappy With Rate Relief Plan: Remember the looming electricity rate hike crisis in Maryland? The one that’s been looming since March? Yeah, that one. It’s still not over. According to the Post, Maryland legislators have put…

Good morning D.C., and happy Earthday Eve (if that’s a thing). It looks like Mother Nature will be providing plenty of mud in which to celebrate the observance: the weekend forecast is for rain, rain and more rain. Md. Gets Electricity Rate Relief: WTOP reports that Governor Ehrlich has reached an agreement with Baltimore Gas & Electric to forestall the 72% rate hikes that had been looming for Maryland utility consumers. Customers opting into the…

Good morning, Washington, and happy St. Patrick’s Day. One day into the tournament, we hope your NCAA bracket is shaping up well. We know it is for the GW Colonials — they eked out a three-point win over UNC Wilmington in overtime last night. Their next game will be against Duke at 1:10 on Saturday. Maryland Mulls Response To Utility Rate Hikes: Last week we discussed the steep electricity rate increase that will likely face…

Good morning, Washington. We imagine that by now you may have already heard about the fallout over 84 year-old Maryland Comptroller William Schaeffer’s inappropriate remarks to one of Governor Ehrlich’s female staffers. Schaeffer was initially unapologetic, but Ehrlich says that he later expressed regret — although it’s not clear whether he has yet apologized to the young woman in question. The Post covers the issue here; ABC 7 has video of the incident here. Spotsylvania…