The D.C. Council will head to a summer recess after today’s legislative meeting without having taken a vote on two closely watched bills.

The city’s public libraries will see a big boost under a new budget being proposed today by Mayor Vince Gray, with money being set aside for the renovation of the central branch and funds allocated for extending hours of operation at neighborhood libraries.

Councilmember Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) wants to expand operating hours at D.C. public libraries, including opening them all on Sundays.

The heat’s going to be relentless over the next few days, so D.C. has once again extended pool hours and Metro is allowing customers to carry and drink water throughout the system until night Sunday.

The D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation announced today that it’s keeping pools open later than usual today and through the weekend. The full list of options is below, so take advantage and jump in some water.

Today Mayor Vince Gray and D.C. councilmembers seem to have found some middle ground on a proposal to allow bars to stay open longer.

The fight over extending hours for D.C. bars and liquor stores heated up yesterday as civic activists complained at a D.C. Council hearing of the potential of increased noise, crime and drunken driving. Still, a compromise might be possible.

A proposal by Mayor Vince Gray to extend bar and liquor store hours is facing some skepticism from members of the D.C. Council, threatening the $5.3 million in revenue it has promised to pour into city coffers next year.

Photo by philliefan99 As ABRA tweeted earlier today, a law that went into effect last year allows D.C. bars and restaurants to, if they so choose, stay open for an additional hour of alcoholic beverage service the night before any D.C. or federal holiday. And since Friday is Emancipation Day, and D.C. government and schools will be closed, that means Thursday night could see a number of bars taking advantage and staying open until…

Smithsonian Secretary Wayne Clough announced Monday that the three most popular museums on the National Mall will stay open longer through the summer in an effort to boost revenue for their gift shops and restaurants, the AP reports. The National Museum of Natural History and National Air and Space Museum will stay open two hours later, until 7:30 p.m., and the National Museum of American History will stay open at least one hour later,…