Photo by arbyreed on Flickr.

An abrupt end

Harry Thomas, Jr. resigned from the DC Council after being formally charged with embezzling and filing false tax returns. He will plead guilty to the charges today. (Examiner)  

Kwame vs. press, part 1

Kwame Brown and his staff cut off a press conference when Mark Segraves asked about ethics, then apparently edited the online video to delete the segment. (Georgetown Dish)  

Kwame vs. press, part 2

WTOP says Kwame Brown “got in the face” of Mark Plotkin and they “had to be separated” after an interview last night; Plotkin said Brown had been charged with crimes, but is actually just under investigation. WTOP wanted the video from Fox 5 but was rebuffed. (Twitter)  

Neighbors want retail

At a public meeting, Calvary Women’s Services seemed oblivious to community desires for actual retail in the storefronts of Anacostia’s main street rather than a residential-only shelter. (City Paper)  

Neighbors and Cafritz get closer

Cafritz has made some changes to its proposed Whole Foods in Riverdale Park. Adjoining towns still want more open space and street connections in and out of the complex. (Patch)  

Fight for the transit benefit

The federal transit tax benefit could come back to $230 by March. Sen. Chuck Schumer announced he will fight to include the benefit with payroll tax cut legislation. (Streetsblog)  

Fairfax school crumbling

Falls Church High School needs renovations, but it likely won’t see them until 2024 at the soonest. Fairfax County argues it doesn’t have the money in its budget to renovate the school sooner. (Post)  

How to fix Amtrak

Amtrak is historically unprofitable, but the reasons are obscure. Five transportation pundits offer their ideas for fixing the system. But is profitability even the right question? Arlines and highways aren’t profitable either. (Freakonomics, Slate)  

And…

Home prices in Prince George’s County drop 35%. (Examiner) … A drunk driver was sentenced to 20 years for a fatal crash. (Washington Times) … Retail near the Chinatown Arch will finally be filled, for the highest retail rent in DC. (Post)