Breakfast links: Heat wave

Heat to blame

Heat is the likely cause of Friday’s Green Line derailment, as the high temperatures caused a heat kink in the rails. The derailment caused no injuries. (Examiner)

Wave bye to heat wave

The heat wave finally came to an end Sunday night, but not before temporarily stranding a plane at DCA. Its departure also caused damage and power outages. (WT, DCist, Examiner)

I70 turns in sigs

Organizers of the Initiative 70 ballot initiative are submitting signatures today. They need about 23,200 valid ones including 5% in 5 wards; they say they have 30,000 and at least 5% in 6. BOEE will then validate the signatures.

Another tech tax break

The DC Council will consider a bill that lowers the capital gains tax for tech companies in an effort to keep those firms in DC longer. CFO Natwar Gandhi says that if passed the loss in city revenue could be significant. (Examiner)

Wild city

While planned parks have long been part of cities, wilderness is coming back into cities thanks to its positive environmental effects.  Though some places, like Rock Creek Park, never went away. (Salon)

Bike more places in parks

The National Park Service will loosen restrictions on bikes, allowing park superintendents to open roads that are closed to motorized vehicles for use by bikes. (National Parks Traveler)

Less smart growth

The House Appropriations Committee’s proposed EPA budget cuts funding 17%, including entirely cutting the Office of Smart Growth to try to undermine President Obama’s Partnership for Sustainable Communities. (Urban Nation)

And…

Watch the City Market an O take shape. (Left for LeDroit) … DC’s BIDs are owed over a half million in unpaid taxes (Post) … Alexander Graham Bell built a house near Dupont Circle that was later torn down for an office building. (The House History Man)