When we set out to fill this position, we knew we needed a unicorn.

This morning, Mayor Vince Gray appointed two new senior officials to better coordinate communications with the media and District residents, saying that he believed that not enough of his administration’s priorities have been communicated to the public.

As things stand, the federal government will run out of money on Friday night. Reports are that tonight is the drop dead point for Senate and House leaders to get something on paper to avert a federal shutdown. Obviously, such an event would have a sizable effect on the District of Columbia — not only because the government is housed here, but also because so much of the city’s financial processes are tied up with Congress.