Photo by Adam Fagen on Flickr

MGM coming to National Harbor?

Prince George’s County officials will have to decide whether to grant a gaming license for a proposed new MGM Resorts casino at National Harbor. If selected, the $800 million casino and resort  could open by mid-2016. (WTOP, Post)  

National Harbor Metro pledge

Current Maryland Attorney General and Maryland gubernatorial candidate Doug Gansler says he would make efforts to extend Metro to National Harbor and create a law school at Bowie State University. (Post)  

Mayor Gray makes a stand

Mayor Vincent Gray tells the Office of Management and Budget all DC services are essential and will continue even if the federal government is shutdown. Gray went on to ridicule Congress’s fiscal ineptitude and suggested Congress learn fiscal responsibility from DC. (DCist)  

Purple Line foe drops opposition

The Columbia Country Club in Chevy Chase agreed to drop all opposition to the Purple Line in exchange for an agreement to change the path, protecting the clubhouse views and saving four holes.(Post)  

Guesses for SSTC completion

The Action Committee for Transit celebrated the 5th anniversary of construction on the much-delayed Silver Spring Transit Center by offering free dinner to the person who predicts the date the project will be completed. (Post)  

Too much for DC DMV

DC’s DMV cites a lack of staff and inability to cope with rapid population growth as reasons for rescheduling hundreds of driving tests. The over 3 month backlog for road tests is forcing the DMV to hire more testers. (WJLA)  

Hong Kong’s model in the US?

MTR, the company running Hong Kong’s very successful transit system, makes $454/foot for TOD near its rail lines. The former head of NYC’s MTA, now at MTR, believes Hong Kong’s model is exportable to US cities. (Capital New York, Streetsblog)  

DC is a generous city

A new ranking puts DC among the nation’s most charitable cities, with nearly a third of Washingtonians volunteering each year. DC’s average of 42 hours of annual service falls far behind the 147 hours for Provo, Utah, the list’s top city. (Nerd Wallet)  

Virginia students ace SAT

Virginia students recorded an eight-year high for SAT scores,  while DC made improvements and Maryland scores dropped.  The average SAT scores across the country remained unchanged. (Post)  

And ...

Tour DC’s growing foodie scene (USA Today) …  Metro train doors were opened on the wrong side at the Silver Spring station, leading to administrative action on train operator. (Post) … Transit-oriented development opportunities are being squandered at commuter rail stations around America. (Streetsblog)