Breakfast links: Boo[ndoggles]

Shootings mar Halloween

6 people were shot last night in DC: in Georgetown (where “a car just shot somebody”), Petworth, Congress Heights, and near New York Ave Metro. (Post, Dave Murphy)  (Tip: Dave Murphy)

TE “boondoggles” never got funded

GOP Senators criticizing the use of “Transportation Enhancement” money, which usually goes to bike and ped programs, instead picked on projects like a roadside coffee pot… except that and other highlighted projects never actually got any federal money. (Streetsblog)

Evans’ firm represented hotel partner

Jack Evans’ outside employer, Patton Boggs, represents a partner in the hotel near the convention center which Evans pushed hard to finance with city money. Evans insists there’s no conflict of interest. (Post)

3 years to MoCo BRT?

Some Montgomery councilmembers want to get the planned Bus Rapid Transit network running in 3 years, possibly with a special taxing district for the areas that benefit. Others are skeptical. (Examiner)

Metro ridership going down

Metro ridership could decline up to 5% next year, and even more if the federal government doesn’t renew transit benefits for its employees at the level of the last 2 years. (Examiner)

New Tourmobile now, Circulator later

NPS is soliciting bids for another “interpretive” Mall tour, but unlike the Tourmobile, this contract won’t be exclusive. DC wasn’t able to start Circulator right away, but is getting ready to do so in 2013. (City Paper)

Tenants purchase building after fight

Tenants at the Norwood in Logan Circle fought a 6-year battle including lawsuits with the landlord, who wanted to convert to higher-priced condos. Ultimately, they succeeded in buying the property thanks to city loans (which are going to be rare since the DC budget cut the housing trust fund). (DCmud)

And…

Free Wi-Fi launches for real on Amtrak, but with content filters (DCist) … The Silver Line might be delayed and draw fewer riders than planned (Examiner) … Reagan gets a statue at National Airport. (Huffington Post) … Why does LA’s mayor hate DC? (DCist)