Photo by In Shaw.

Scandals are the 80s all over again?

Is it back to the 1980s again with the Thomas, Kwame Brown and Gray/Sulaimon Brown scandals? Not exactly, and it’s not just DC (see Edwards, Weiner) but still. One difference is that people aren’t tolerating it as much, or is that just the “transient” new residents? Maybe they aren’t as transient after all. (Post)  

Thomas, get out

Many Councilmembers are urging Harry Thomas to step down from the Economic Development Committee chairmanship. The Council met behind closed doors, and Kwame Brown will announce a decision this morning. (Post)  

Hit and run, alcohol and PTSD

The woman who killed another with her SUV in Dupont Circle last October and fled the scene says she was suffering from PTSD from growing up in Albania, says her attorney. But she also had been drinking. (Post) … A driver seriously injured a bicyclist at 15th and Q; was it in the 15th Street bike lane? (Post)  

Where are the rent controlled apartments?

DC assembled an inventory of rent controlled apartments, with information on size and more, though without details on occupancy, quality or landlord complaints. (City Paper)  

Pile of twisted metal or triumphal arch?

A classical competition to look for an alternative to Frank Gehry’s designs for the Eisenhower Memorial made its choices, with the top one looking like the Arc de Triomphe. (City Paper)  

New Hampshire may weigh in on DC statehood

A resolution for DC statehood is now in the New Hampshire legislature. Filed by Cindy Rosenwald of Nashua, it expresses support for admitting DC as a state and decries the current lack of representation.  

HOT builder bowing out?

Transurban might not want to build the 95/395 HOT Lanes if they have to wait for required environmental review. They blame Arlington’s lawsuit, but it’s a myth that the suit caused a delay. (The Australian via ArlNow; also Examiner)  

Gabe putting in bike lanes

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Gabe Klein talk about protected bike lanes, the first of which are now going in. Emanuel promised 100 miles of them in 4 years, and discusses the value to businesses of bringing more people into and around downtown by bike. (NBC Chicago)  

Auto executives for higher gas taxes

The CEO of General Motors thinks the gas tax should be higher. Yes, higher. He thinks it would do more to encourage buying fuel-efficient vehicles than just requiring automakers to make them. (Detroit News)