Breakfast links: Despite other transportation cuts, Trump’s budget retains Metro funds
Rosslyn Metro station by John Brighenti licensed under Creative Commons.
The new federal budget proposal keeps key Metro funding
The White House's proposed 2020 budget includes a $150 million federal payment to Metro, even though it does propose cuts to Amtrak and a more than $5.9 billion reduction in discretionary transportation budget items. (Max Smith / WTOP)
Communities of color disproportionately bear the health burden of air pollution
A new study finds that Black and Hispanic communities on average experience 56 and 63%, respectively, more air pollution than they create, while white people experience 17% less air pollution than they produce. Air pollution with particulate matter, caused by things like highway driving, is especially harmful. (Jonathan Lambert / NPR)
DC will be able to maintain its own parks, thanks to a federal partnership
The president signed a bill into law allowing the District to partner with the National Park Service to manage federal lands that are also DC neighborhood parks. This means the city can implement long-awaited updates to Franklin Square downtown. (Andrew Giambrone / Curbed)
Few residents are left to advocate for Barry Farms
Last April, the DC Court of Appeals blocked the city's redevelopment plan for Barry Farm public housing complex, a victory for residents opposed to relocation. Since then, the development has stagnated and 100 families have moved out, leaving the future of both the site and the community uncertain. (Keely Sullivan / East of the River News)
Arlington developers could help fund a new Ballston Metro exit
After a long back and forth, the companies that own 4420 Fairfax Drive by the Ballston stop agreed to contribute nearly $7 million to the county for a new Metro exit. In exchange, the county would extend the expiration deadline for the approved plans for the long-delayed development from 2020 to 2022. (Alex Koma / ARLnow)
Jack Evans apologizes to the DC Council in private
The DC Council held a closed session, which three members sat out in protest, where Evans says he apologized and consulted with the body's general counsel. Next week the DC Council will vote whether to formally reprimand Evans for using his public office for private enrichment. (Mitch Ryals / City Paper)
The Providence Hospital lawsuit gets dropped
The DC Attorney General dropped a lawsuit filed by the city in a last-ditch effort to delay Providence Hospital from closing down. The hospital has agreed to keep some services like its emergency room open until April. (Natalie Delgadillo / DCist)
A Georgetown coach and parents are implicated in a college bribery scheme
Former Georgetown tennis coach Gordon Ernst is accused of accepting bribes from parents to secure at least 12 applicants' college admission. The indictment is part of a scandal spanning eight universities and 50 defendants. (Amy Li and Mason Mandell / The Hoya, Natalie Delgadillo / DCist)
Have a tip for the links? Submit it here.