After weeks of controversy over a Virginia bill that would force women seeking an abortion to have an ultrasound, it looks like Gov. Bob McDonnell is having second thoughts about signing it into law.

Heck yeah, Washington! It’s the Friday before Memorial Day Weekend, and we sure hope you’re leaving early today. Whether you’re staying in town to enjoy a little extra breathing room or escaping via bus, train, car or plane, we’d like to wish you a wonderful and safe weekend. If you’re like me, you’re driving out to the beach despite surging gas prices — but according to the WaPo, we’re not alone. According to AAA Mid-Atlantic,…

>> The Politico breaks into D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty’s family home, and what do they turn up? Twenty cases of Gillette Mach-3 razors, a box of replacement Blackberry chargers and a picture of Fenty in his younger and hairier days. [The Politico] >> Investigators have confirmed that the deaths of two area teens, whose bodies were discovered on Friday, were acts of suicide. [WTOP/AP] >> Tomorrow is the day that area minors and all-age venues…

Prince William County is earning itself quite a perplexing reputation. Last Friday, while most of us were recovering from turkey hangovers, the Washington Post reported that Prince William, whose representatives in the Virginia House of Delegates have been instrumental in defeating bills to help pay for Northern Virginia transit improvements, will consider a bill placing a one year moratorium on new home construction. According to county officials quoted in the Post story, the move would…

Is it us or does it seem like the folks in the Virginia House of Delegates have figured out how stop people from even thinking about how to solve the traffic mess in the D.C. suburbs and exurbs? Honestly, they kill new ideas so fast now, we can’t even call it news anymore. Our only hope is that when the next elections roll around, people remember why they are still idling in traffic. Unfortunately,…

Yesterday morning at Mount Vernon, the cornerstone for a new George Washington museum was laid. The Post takes us through the Masonic rituals involved in the process:At yesterday’s consecration, members of the Alexandria-Washington Masonic Lodge No. 22, dressed in tuxedos and white aprons, poured corn kernels and cruets of canola oil and red wine over the cornerstone. An architect and other officials inspected the rock. Then prayers were read aloud. Number 22 was the first…

Over the past few months, DCist has been following the legislative gridlock over Virginia transportation funding fairly closely. We’ve also been pretty clear about our position on the issue, and we hope (but don’t necessarily expect) those blocking the budget to resolve their problems before the dispute leads to a government shutdown in July. On Monday, the Post took a look at growing worries among Virginia House Republicans that voters might express frustration with the…

Yesterday was the perfect day for playing a little hooky — beautiful springtime weather and the Nationals’ home opener would tempt anyone, including us. Some of those who gave in to those temptations weren’t too good about hiding them, especially to the media or their employers. As written in a Post article on the Nats’ 7-1 loss to the New York Mets: “This is our team,” declared Lynette Jackson, 50, of D.C., who called…

The Washington Post reports that Virginia Governor Tim Kaine spent yesterday trying to track down the traffic that plagues the region. As part of an effort to build public support for his transportation policies, Kaine drove from Richmond to D.C. and spent the day at various locales around the city. The Post notes that his timing was poor; but for a slowdown near the Pentagon and later on I-66, the Governor sailed along. As a…

Good morning, Washington. It looks like today’s going to be sunny and warm, leading into a generally pleasant-sounding weekend. Hurrah! Now for some unpleasant-sounding news… Maryland Electricity Prices Likely To Increase: NBC4 is reporting that this summer’s utility bills are likely to contain a nasty surprise for Maryland customers. Rising gas, coal and oil prices could lead to a 1/3 to 3/4 increase for as many as 1.6 million consumers. Don’t gloat, Virginians: according to…