Well, it’s been an exciting day in the world of advocacy for Darfur. Earlier today, five Democratic members of the House of Representatives were arrested during a protest at the Embassy of Sudan. The arrestees — Reps. Tom Lantos of California, James McGovern and John Olver of Massachusetts, James Moran of Virginia, and Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas — are sure to bring attention to this Sunday’s rally on the National Mall to push the…

Commenting on yesterday’s consideration of Mall privatization, worried reader Edward replied: “If you’re really thirsting for more sidewalk cafes, privatizing is *not* the answer. Next thing you know the Smithsonian will start to charge admissions…” Though Edward was thinking hypothetically, admissions fees may become a reality for the Smithsonian if a recommendation by Rep. James Moran is heeded. During a congressional hearing yesterday addressing institutional problems of concern to both the Smithsonian Institute and Congress,…

Call this the most satisfying news piece of the day. WJLA reports that George King, the man behind Arlington-based Frank’s Towing, was recently arrested and charged with 20 counts of failing to report business income, file proper tax forms and withhold taxes from employee paychecks. Police began investigating King’s towing service last year, prompted, perhaps, by the 62 complaints filed against the company for its allegedly underhanded business practices. It’s been a good year for…

With ridership levels at an all time high, how do we ensure that metrorail gets commuters to and from work safely and efficiently? That was the million-dollar question last night as public officials faced anxious and sometimes irate commuters, pictured here, over the current state of the metrorail system. The townhall-style meeting was sponsored by Rep. James Moran (D-Va.) and featured brief presentations by WMATA Chief Richard White, Board Chairman Dana Kauffman, and Board Member…

In what may be one of the most long-awaited incidents of comeuppance, towing companies around the country are set to face closer oversight of their operations under an amendment to a House of Representatives transportation bill that now faces a vote in the Senate, the W.Times reports. Sponsored by Rep. James Moran (D-Va.) and Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Calif.), the amendment reinstates federal oversight that was eliminated in 1995, allowing, among other things, states to require…