Breakfast links: Metro plans to increase bus and rail service in mid-August
Dupont Circle Metro Station by angela n. licensed under Creative Commons.
Metro plans to boost service to meet rider demand
Metro announced Monday that rail service will increase on Aug. 16, and Metrobus service will expand its routes and operating hours on Aug. 23. The agency also said it also will double the amount of an after-hours subsidy program that provides Lyft service for late-night riders from $3 per ride to $6. (Justin George / Post)
Local health officials ask Maryland to rethink reopening
In an email to Maryland’s deputy secretary for public health, the health officers in Baltimore City and the counties of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s asked the state to reevaluate what activities are permitted given a rise in the number of new coronavirus cases across the state. (Post)
Virginia AG asks judge to dissolve an injunction on Lee statue removal
Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring asked a judge on Monday to dissolve an injunction blocking the removal of a Richmond statue of Robert E. Lee, who fought against the United States to perpetuate chattel slavery. In June, Gov. Ralph Northam ordered the removal of the statue on Monument Avenue, but its removal has been held up in the court. (Abigail Constantino / WTOP)
Bowser says the Council’s proposed budget will mean fewer police officers
After the DC Council unanimously approved a budget last week that would increase police spending by 1.6% instead of the mayor’s ask for 3%, Mayor Muriel Bowser wrote in a letter this weekend saying the proposed $568 million for MPD will mean 250 fewer officers and may ultimately increase costs because of “significant pressure on overtime.” (Jenny Gathright / DCist. Tip: Chester B.)
DC Council to consider a proposal to redevelop Park View public housing complex
DC Councilmember Brianne Nadeau (Ward 1) plans to introduce legislation to build 142 apartments and six townhomes, including 43 units of public housing, that will redevelop the Park Morton public housing complex in Park View. A group of Park View residents successfully stalled related plans to build 273 units at the nearby Bruce Monroe Park. (Alex Koma / Business Journal)
Officials call for an expanded pandemic response in the MoCo Latinx community
With 73% of the positive coronavirus tests in July in Montgomery County coming from Latinx residents, two county council members propose that the county spend about $7.5 million on testing, public education, and resources for Latinx residents. (Briana Adhikusuma / Bethesda Beat)
MoCo asks for 120 days to review the state’s I-270 environmental impact statement
In a letter to Maryland’s Department of Transportation, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich called for extending the review and comment period from 90 days to 120 days for the 18,000-page environmental impact report about widening parts of I-270 and the Captial Beltway. (Mike Murillo / WTOP)
Baltimore City Council wants to hire a city administrator
The Baltimore City Council approved on Monday a charter amendment to create an administrator to oversee the city’s day-to-day operations alongside the mayor. It’s unclear if outgoing Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young will sign the legislation, which has the support of the Democratic nominee for mayor, City Council President Brandon Scott. (Talia Richman / Baltimore Sun)
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