Photo by Roel Wijnants on Flickr.

Hogan stretches out summers

Starting in 2017, Maryland schools must start after Labor Day under a new executive order by Governor Larry Hogan. He is trying to help the tourism business, but school officials say it will make it difficult to fit in the 180 days of instruction required. (Post, WUSA9)  

How schools use federal funds

New rules would push school districts to use federal money for poorer schools on top of state and local funding rather than a replacement for it. States and teachers unions say the changes are impractical. (Post)  

McMansions make way for townhouses

“McMansions” are becoming less and less popular. Builders are shifting to smaller homes and townhouses because first-time buyers cannot or don’t want to pay the premium for a bigger house.  (Post)  

Alexandria keeps brewing

Port City Brewing will stay in Alexandria thanks to a state agriculture grant. The brewery had a hard time finding affordable industrial space to expand into in Alexandria, but will now build its own. (WBJ)  

Will your store close?

Macy’s is closing 100 stores. Which ones in the Washington region are most likely to go? Will struggling suburban malls lose out? What about the downtown DC store? (Post)  

Bike red light running epidemic?

Cyclists have triggered red light cameras 1,500 times in DC since 2015, but get no tickets. DC police say it’s a safety problem, but WABA’s Greg Billing notes that drivers cause almost all roadway deaths and triggered the cameras 60,000 times over the same period. (NBC4)  

SEX BARBERSHOP a landmark?

DC Councilmember Yvette Alexander wants a Florida Avenue NE barbershop to fix its partially broken sign which reads “SEX BARBERSHOP.” The owner says the sign (which should read “UNISEX BARBERSHOP”) broke after a fire, and now nearby businesses use it as a landmark. (City Paper)  

Prince George’s smaller hospital plans

To win funding, Prince George’s County downsized its plans for a new regional medical center at Largo. The project has been waiting for state approval since 2013. (Post)  

And…

These apps are the best for navigating through SafeTrack disruptions. (Post) … Due to August’s heat, Metro only completed 86% of the work planned for SafeTrack surge 7 on the Red Line. (WTOP) …  House prices in the Washington region are rising more slowly than other large metro areas in the country. (WTOP)