Photo by AJC1 on Flickr.

A question of when

Activists hope the Anacostia can be swimmable in ten years. Today, up to half the fish have cancer. The Department of the Environment is testing the water and sediment to understand the problem and assign cleanup costs. (Post)  

How murders are counted

Counting homicides can be complicated. For example, James Brady was shot in 1981, but officially ruled a homicide in 2014, which added it to 2014’s total. Self-defense, accidents, and traffic fatalities also don’t count. (Post)  

Streetcars starting later in January

Streetcar service in DC is now expected to begin the week of January 19, though Mayor Bowser has not commented. Meanwhile, a driver ran a red light and got hit by a streetcar. (District Source, PoPville)  

Startups help economic diversity

Recent investments show that the Washington region works on more than just government and defense. This could help the local economy as the federal government cuts back on spending.  (Post)  

Pop-up comeuppance

The infamous five-story “pop-up” rowhouse on V Street NW is having trouble selling. Although the developers were within their rights, perhaps they went too far? Or is the building just ugly? (Post)  

Fields not football

Residents would like athletic fields and a food market where RFK Stadium parking lots sit today. But it may be hard to convince politicians to build anything other than a new stadium for the NFL and maybe the Olympics. (Hill Rag)  

And…

See what it’s like to ride on the new pedestrian and bicycle bridge from the Met Branch Trail to Rhode Island Avenue Metro. (YouTube) … Apartment rents in the region fall due to the building boom. (Post) … Guess what will happen in 2015. (Post) … Top transportation developments in 2014 leave Arlington competitively worse off. (RPUS)