Breakfast links: DC’s Potomac River Tunnel project gets the green light
The Potomac River by Chesapeake Bay Program licensed under Creative Commons.
New Potomac River Tunnel got federal approval
The National Park Service approved DC’s plans to construct a new sewage overflow tunnel designed to divert 93% of the runoff, wastewater, and sewage that goes to the Potomac River after major rain and snowstorms. (Will Vitka / WTOP)
Metro is “asking” riders to wear masks
Metro is asking, but not requiring, riders and operators to wear a mask or face covering on trains and buses. Riders won’t be turned away or removed from a vehicle if they do not have a mask on. (Justin George / Post)
Bowser isn’t actually happy with DC’s federal aid
DC got $500 million in federal aid compared to $1.25 billion for states, but when asked if the federal government would fix the disparity, President Trump said the mayor was happy with what we got. Mayor Bowser and city leaders were “infuriated” not happy with the shortchanging. (Hannah Schuster / WAMU)
A last Purple Line lawsuit was thrown out
A federal judge in Maryland dismissed a case by Purple Line opponents suing the Army Corps of Engineers over environmental concerns with the project construction. The Purple Line is not facing any more legal cases, and is scheduled to open late in 2022. (Katherine Shaver / Post)
Alexandria council member calls for a rent freeze
Councilmember Canek Aguirre drafted a resolution to ask Virginia to freeze residential and commercial rent and mortgage payments during the pandemic. In Virginia, suspending those payments is a state-level power that localities cannot do for themselves. (Vernon Miles / ALX Now)
Maryland’s Chief Judge pushes to get more inmates out
Judge Mary Ellen Barbera told courts in the state to consider releasing medically vulnerable inmates and limit putting anyone arrested into pre trial detention as long as they are not a danger to the community. (Hannah Gaskill / Maryland Matters)
New VA budget plans major education cuts
Governor Ralph Northam proposed budget amendments that would cut back on state funding for community college tuition and financial aid at Virginia universities. The new plan would also stop the state from adopting a new six year transportation plan. (Max Smith / WTOP)
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