Breakfast links: Shooting ourselves in the foot

APTA says scrutinize bag searches

The American Public Transportation Association says that Metro’s bag search program needs to be carefully monitored for effectiveness because it would be far more dangerous to shed riders back to their cars than to allow them to enter the system without random searches. (WTOP)

Wealthier DC residents registering guns

Since the Supreme Court struck down DC’s handgun ban, more firearms have been registered in the city’s wealthiest neighborhoods than anywhere else. Mayor Gray is afraid more guns in homes will lead to more accidents. (Post, WTOP)

The ICC’s mixed blessing

Though it cost $2.6 billion to build, the first segment of the ICC, opening February 22, will only cost $1.60 to traverse. (Examiner) … 12 years ago, Dan Malouff supported the ICC. Now, he’s a professional planner and a great blogger. The ICC might be bad for the region, but at least it brought us Dan. (Gazette)

People coming into DCPS

While Gray is still considering Interim Chancellor Kaya Henderson, the mayor says the city is undertaking a nationwide search for the next DCPS Chancellor. The search is required by the reform statutes, and was ignored by the last administration, says Gray. (WAMU) … 75 teachers who were fired by former DCPS Chancellor Michelle Rhee will be reinstated according to an arbitration decision. (WUSA)

Metro escalators are worse than they used to be

You’re not just imagining it; Metro’s escalators really do break down more often than they used to, and repairs take longer. Increasing age is part of it, but not all of it. (Examiner)

What should go at Rhode Island Avenue?

The developer of the good but imperfect TOD project at Rhode Island Avenue Metro is on schedule and wants to know what area residents think should go in the retail space. (Rhode Island Insider)

Home rule history has its ironies

In the 1960s, Republicans proposed creating a “governor” and “legislature” for DC, but it was local Democrats who pushed for a “mayor” and “city council” instead. (DeBonis)

Green homes bad, books good?

The Park Service might not be allowing the Solar Decahlon on the Mall, but it has no problem having a book fair; it gave the National Book Festival one of the days the Decathlon was going to use. (Housing Complex)