Good morning, Washington. Getting going on a Monday is normally difficult enough, but we were having a few technological difficulties this morning as well, so thanks for your patience and bear with this truncated Morning Roundup while we get up to speed. Tax Scandal Triggers Reviews in Counties: Neighboring jurisdictions are apparently taking D.C.’s tax office scandal to heart and initiating big reviews of their agencies. Property tax revenues are slated to be scrutinized in…

As we mentioned in the Morning Roundup, the murder count in D.C. for 2007 stands at 169 as of today, which is the same number of total murders the city saw in 2006. The Post is reporting further that the 169th murder occurred over the weekend, and its victim was 25 year-old Timothy Spicer, a short-order cook at legendary U Street eatery Ben’s Chili Bowl. Spicer’s murder looks to be the result of a carjacking…

We’ve got more on that Dupont Circle fire we mentioned briefly in the Morning Roundup. As some commenters feared, the building in question does contain everyone’s favorite Dupont neighborhood pizza spot, Alberto’s, and the fire looks to have done some vaguely serious damage. Apologies for the poor photo quality, but a camera-phone shot was the best we could do so far. What you’re looking at is 2010 P Street NW, home to Alberto’s, a…

Good morning, Washington. Yesterday we started the Morning Roundup by noting the early stages of what seems likely to be the end of Sen. Larry Craig’s political career. Today we have cheerier news: the resumption of another senator’s work. Sen. Tim Johnson is back on the job after suffering a brain hemorrhage eight months ago. D.C. Has A Budget Surplus: NBC4 has the goods. Apparently the city collected about $100 million more in tax…

If you saw the Morning Roundup, you’ll notice that we love this rain series from maxedaperture. He took advantage of a day off work to sit safe and dry under an awning while watching D.C. folks get caught in that massive downpour yesterday. This poor guy looks like he got the brunt of the entire storm, vainly trying to hurry across the street to outrun the wetness, and the black and white makes the…

As we mentioned in the Morning Roundup today, there are plenty of ways to define the start of summer. For music lovers in the D.C. area however, once Fort Reno starts, you know the lazy days of fire fly catching and swimming pool splashing are officially upon us. We told you last week about the opening lineup for this summer’s series on June 18, but we’re happy to tell you now that the full…

As mentioned in the Morning Roundup and widely reported in today’s Post and Examiner, Mayor Adrian Fenty announced today his selection of Dennis Rubin to take over the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department. Rubin resigned from his post as Atlanta’s Fire Chief on Monday, effective April 13. Once approved by the City Council, Rubin takes over a department that has had its share of issues, from Chief Ronnie Few’s résumé embellishment to the enormous…

Last night, Northeast D.C. saw a robbery, a high-speed chase, gun shots directed at police, an injured cyclist, and a barricade situation, all rolled into one. Police cars, flashing lights and emergency vehicles woke up many residents late last night around a normally quiet stretch of Capitol Hill. NBC 4 notes that investigators have said the incident “started around 9:30 p.m. after three suspects robbed a man at gunpoint at 41st and Benning Road Northeast…

Woooeee. As noted in the Morning Roundup, the DCist staff party was a bit of a killer last night. Ask DCist Adam about his recipe for Tom & Jerrys. Or, alternatively, if you want to live, don’t. Here’s some bits and pieces to send you out the door and, if your weekend is anything like ours, into a frenzy of holiday parties. >> Be careful if you’re headed out and around the Shaw Metro stop…

Happy Friday, Washington. DCist had our very own staff holiday party last night, and as you might imagine, we’re all a little worse for the wear this morning. So we hope you’ll forgive us for a late-breaking, hastily tossed together Morning Roundup. As soon as our heads stop pounding, we’ll resume our regularly scheduled blogging. Metro Cries ‘Uncle’: After boat loads of Metro commuters sent in thousands of angry emails and messages reacting, shall we…