Breakfast links: Good news for the health of the Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay Program shows improvement, challenged by climate factors
The Bay's annual report card shows it on track to hit environmental restoration goals, with the highest water quality in years and a sustainable crab harvest. However, the data also shows increasing temperatures linked to climate change, and the threat of rising sea levels or more heavy rainfall could damage the Bay. (Jacob Fenston / WAMU)
A Gallaudet development in NoMa clears legal hurdles
The DC Court of Appeals upheld the existing PUD application for the Sixth Street Development after a legal challenge to the zoning. The project is a joint venture between Gallaudet and JBG Smith, will feature 1,800 units of housing and “DeafSpace” design for better visual communication. (Edward Russell / Curbed)
WMATA will lease, not sell, its old HQ in Chinatown
Instead of selling the Jackson Graham Building, WMATA will offer a long term ground lease for redeveloping the property. Metro announced earlier this year it will be moving its headquarters in an effort to save $130 million over the next 20 years. (Alex Koma / WBJ)
The MoCo Executive’s advisors want to tackle the housing shortage
A group of Marc Elrich's transition team published a list of 20 suggestions for addressing housing shortages in the county, including doubling the housing initative fund to $100 million and adding more accessory apartments. (Dan Schere / Bethesda Beat)
Meridian Hill’s famous cascading fountains need more repairs
The landmark fountain hasn't been on in almost a year while the National Park Service replaced the pipes and fixed leaks, but the work had to stop over the winter to avoid freezing weather. NPS hopes to turn the fountain on again this summer. (Matt Blitz / DCist)
The DC Council may tighten member rules after Jack Evans ethics scandal
David Grosso introduced a bill to reform the Council's constituent service funds and Brianne Nadeau introduced another bill to prohibit councilmembers from holding other jobs while they serve, with an exception for teaching jobs. (Martin Austermuhle / WAMU)
The House is preparing to debate DC’s school voucher program
House Democrats are calling for more accountability for the private schools that receive public money through DC's voucher program, which subsidizes some student's tuition. Local leaders like Mayor Muriel Bowser support the additional funding for all DC schools that comes with the voucher money—a proposed $90 million in 2020. (Jenna Portnoy / Post)
Baltimore’s mayor takes a leave of absence during scandal
City Council President Bernard “Jack” Young will take over mayoral duties while Catherine Pugh is on leave to treat pneumonia. Her annoucement comes a few weeks after The Baltimore Sun revealed that her children's book was bulk ordered in suspicious-seeming deals with the state college medical system. (Bruce DePuyt / Maryland Matters)
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