Breakfast links: To get highway widening approved, Hogan threatened to cut projects some say were never intended to be built
Opposition to the I-270 widening project in July 2021 by Montgomery County, MD licensed under Creative Commons.
Gov. Larry Hogan accused of making empty threats to get toll lanes approved
Four of the five projects Maryland’s Department of Transportation said would be “saved” if regional jurisdictions approved the I-270 toll lane plan received no state budget allocation. County officials say this is proof that MDOT was making empty threats and never intended to build these projects. (Katherine Shaver / Post)
DC police officer in drag race crash pleads guilty
A DC police officer pleaded guilty to reckless driving following an incident in which drivers of two police vehicles crashed while drag racing in Northeast DC. (Paul Duggan / Post. Tip: Chester B.)
An “urban sky park” is opening in Tysons
Capitol One is opening a 2.5-acre rooftop park at their Tysons headquarters. The “urban sky park” features a beer garden, amphitheater, dog park and hotel, and will be open to the public. (Damare Baker / Washingtonian. Tip: Chester B.)
MoCo police failed to collect data on some traffic stops for 14 years
The Montgomery County Police Department did not adequately collect information on traffic stops for 14 years, according to a new report. The county was supposed to track all traffic stops but instead was only tracking those that resulted in citations. Civil rights activists say this affected data that county lawmakers had relied on to make public policy. (Rebecca Tan / Post)
Arlington to begin curbside food scrap collection Labor Day
Arlington County will begin collecting food scraps from residences for composting starting Monday. This effort supports the county’s zero waste goals, with food scraps accounting for 20% of the residential waste stream. (Sandy Kozel / WTOP)
Mayor Bowser extends Medicaid contract
Against a judicial ruling, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser issued an emergency order extending all three of its provider contracts, including one with MedStar Health, keeping 250,000 residents who rely on Medicaid from losing coverage. (Megan Cloherty / WTOP)
Rockville apartment residents deal with flooding aftermath
Wednesday’s rains forced 150 residents to evacuate Rock Creek Woods apartment complex in Rockville due to catastrophic flooding that resulted in one death. Many families returned Wednesday to collect their belongings but won’t be able to move back for some time. (Dominique Maria Bonessi / DCist)
Virginia no longer “worst U.S. state for workers”
Worker conditions have improved significantly in Virginia since 2019, according to a new Oxfam America report. Democratic leaders in the state are taking credit, citing legislation increasing the minimum wage and protecting workers. (Ally Schweitzer / DCist)
Feds press pause on maglev review
The Federal Railroad Administration has paused its review of the high-speed maglev project between Baltimore and DC to “review project elements and determine next steps.” The project has faced opposition from jurisdictions on the route, and recently lost a court bid to condemn land in Baltimore. (Luz Lazo / Post)
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