Photo by Larry Darling on Flickr.

Loudoun schools limit bus routes

Some students in Loudoun County will have to walk or find a ride to school this fall due to decreased bus service from budget shortfalls. Though some parents are worried about the danger of walking routes. (Post)  

New standard for off-peak service

Trains should run every 6 minutes in the Metro system’s core and 12 at the edges during middays, and 15 and 20 minutes at night, under new service standards before WMATA Board. Are the standards still too weak and vague? (Post)  

DC mortgage rates spike

Rent and home values in the District just keep on rising. Despite homes selling above their listed price during June, some suggest it may still be the time to buy. (WBJ, Urban Turf, Post)  

MoCo protects trees

Anyone cutting down a tree has to plant 3 new ones or fund the county planting them, under bills the Montgomery County Council just passed. The county hopes to protect and increase its tree cover. (Post)  

Too much parking at Medical Center?

The Navy is worried about the traffic impact of 900 new parking spaces at the new Bethesda Walter Reed facility. The Navy already encourages carpooling and public transit use, and has built bike paths. (Gazette)  

Water crisis may hit Montgomery County

Aging infrastructure could cause another water crisis, this time in Montgomery County. Pipe maintenance and replacement is expensive, and costs would most likely fall on WSSC customers. (Gazette)  

Taxi commission allows digital payments

The DC Taxi Commission will let digital dispatch services like myTaxi use their own payment system instead of just ones the commission chose. Does this also address Uber’s problems? (DCist)  

Recognize the green mermaid

If you just got a map of a city’s Starbucks locations and nothing else, can you identify it? Slate has a quiz for you to try.  

And…

Prince George’s County is one step closer to its first casino. (WBJ) … Maryland gets recognition for solar energy capacity. (WBJ) … Prius owners in Arlington find their tires slashed overnight. (NBC 4, Pam J)