Breakfast links: Too conventional?
Photo by DonkeyHotey on Flickr.
Gray misses statehood talk
Police action prevented Mayor Gray from reaching the “free speech zone” to give a speech for DC statehood. Police locked down the designated protest area after an Occupy event. (DCist)
Democrats quiet on transit
Despite LA mayor and transit-proponent Villaraigosa chairing the DNC, the Dems’ platform doesn’t give many details on transportation policy. It mentions support for building infrastructure, but not funding. (Streetsblog)
DC feeling the heat
DC is currently experiencing the hottest year on record, bolstered by the 3rd hottest summer, 2nd hottest July, and 5th hottest August on record. (Post)
Even hotter?
The urban heat island effect doubles the effect of global warming in cities. Cities can mitigate this effect with urban green spaces and tree planting. (NPR)
Let the best rise?
DCPS released a new policy allowing more, swifter career advancement for successful teachers. Teachers could make as much as $100,000 after just 5 years, and gain leadership roles. (WAMU)
MPD folds special unit
MPD has disbanded the special unit which investigated police shootings. Shootings of civilians by police officers have fallen from 32 in 1998, a year before the unit was created, to 12 last year. (Examiner)
And…
British Columbia considers using trees killed by beetles to build wooden high- rises