D.C. Wire - News and notes on District politics.

Posted at 10:43 PM ET, 05/30/2012

D.C. employees will likely receive back pay

By Tim Craig

By Tim Craig | 10:43 PM ET, 05/30/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:12 PM ET, 05/30/2012

Kenyan R. McDuffie sworn in to D.C. Council

By Tim Craig

The 36-year-old lawyer, now the youngest member on the 13-member body, represents Ward 5.

By Tim Craig | 06:12 PM ET, 05/30/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:56 PM ET, 05/29/2012

Hundreds in District to lose unemployment benefits

By Nikita Stewart

D.C.’s jobless rate has dropped since January, meaning benefits will end for more than 1,600.

By Nikita Stewart | 04:56 PM ET, 05/29/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:46 PM ET, 05/25/2012

Vincent Gray nominates Christopher Geldart as homeland security chief

By Tim Craig

Christopher T. Geldart is Gray’s nominee for one of the top positions in city government.

By Tim Craig | 12:46 PM ET, 05/25/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:29 AM ET, 05/25/2012

Marion Barry: ‘I misspoke: I should have said, Polish’

By Tim Craig

D.C. Council member Marion Barry issued a seven-word statement Friday morning attempting to quickly clarify his reference to “Polacks.”

By Tim Craig | 09:29 AM ET, 05/25/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:36 PM ET, 05/24/2012

More homeless veterans get shelter in D.C.

By Tim Craig

The housing agency held a daylong fair where eligible veterans were placed with pre-screened landlords.

By Tim Craig | 01:36 PM ET, 05/24/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:54 PM ET, 05/23/2012

Kenyan McDuffie didn’t campaign for votes inside jail, D.C. officials say

By Tim Craig

District correction officials categorically deny rampant rumors and online listserv chatter about McDuffie’s alleged campaign tactics.

By Tim Craig | 02:54 PM ET, 05/23/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:14 PM ET, 05/23/2012

D.C. protesters bring local problems to ‘pretend Mayor’ Trent Franks’ office

By Ben Pershing

Activists want the sponsor of a House bill that would ban later-term abortions in D.C. to address other District issues.

By Ben Pershing | 02:14 PM ET, 05/23/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:41 AM ET, 05/23/2012

Sulaimon Brown calls on Gray to step down following guilty plea by mayor’s campaign aide

By Nikita Stewart

Former mayoral candidate’s allegations have led to a broadening federal probe.

By Nikita Stewart | 11:41 AM ET, 05/23/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:28 AM ET, 05/18/2012

Norton protests as House calls for military personnel to be exempt from D.C. gun laws

By Ben Pershing

The non-binding resolution drew a harsh response from Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton.

By Ben Pershing | 11:28 AM ET, 05/18/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:47 PM ET, 05/17/2012

Google’s self-driving car makes D.C. Council members giddy

By Tim Craig

Mary Cheh and Tommy Wells take a spin in the prototype.

By Tim Craig | 01:47 PM ET, 05/17/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:55 PM ET, 05/17/2012

Vincent Gray, Eleanor Holmes Norton hit Republicans ahead of D.C. abortion hearing

By Ben Pershing

Norton wanted to testify at hearing on bill to ban District abortions after 20 weeks.

By Ben Pershing | 12:55 PM ET, 05/17/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 05/17/2012

District gets $70,000 from Skechers settlement

By Nikita Stewart

Skechers is paying a record $45 million to settle charges that its line of toning shoes were hyped.

By Nikita Stewart | 12:00 PM ET, 05/17/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:25 PM ET, 05/16/2012

District jobs program puts 3,000 residents to work

By Nikita Stewart

Mayor Vincent C. Gray announced Wednesday that 3,000 District residents have now found jobs through the One City One Hire program.

By Nikita Stewart | 02:25 PM ET, 05/16/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:04 PM ET, 05/14/2012

Gray, Catania face off over health funding

By Tim Craig

The D.C. mayor and council member disagree on cutting funds for a health insurance program that pays for hospital care for thousands of illegal immigrants.

By Tim Craig | 05:04 PM ET, 05/14/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:48 PM ET, 05/14/2012

Cheh: D.C. parking may be subject of summit

By Tim Craig

Drivers could get their chance to sound off on the price and availability of parking in the District.

By Tim Craig | 02:48 PM ET, 05/14/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:23 PM ET, 05/14/2012

Mayor Gray flips switch on last bulbs in alley lighting project

By Nikita Stewart

The $1M project replaced 1,360 bulbs with ones that have a much longer life-span.

By Nikita Stewart | 01:23 PM ET, 05/14/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:37 PM ET, 05/08/2012

Vincent Gray: Riders need fairness from taxi industry

By Nikita Stewart

The D.C. mayor said his administration is looking at increasing the number of inspectors to monitor numerous violations by taxi drivers.

By Nikita Stewart | 02:37 PM ET, 05/08/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:16 PM ET, 05/08/2012

HUD teams with the District to oversee affordable-housing grants

By Nikita Stewart

After years of funding poor-performing developers, the city gets help monitoring two new housing programs.

By Nikita Stewart | 02:16 PM ET, 05/08/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:25 PM ET, 05/02/2012

Mayor Gray’s proposal to extend bar hours rejected by council committee

By Tim Craig

Issue could still be resurrected during the final days of budget negotiations later this month

By Tim Craig | 01:25 PM ET, 05/02/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:47 PM ET, 05/02/2012

Mayor Gray: ‘Heart’ goes out to Thomas family

By Nikita Stewart

Mayor Vincent C. Gray said Wednesday he has not spoken to former D.C. Council member Harry Thomas Jr., who is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday.

By Nikita Stewart | 12:47 PM ET, 05/02/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:58 PM ET, 05/01/2012

Jack Evans bill would impose regulations on demonstrations

By Tim Craig

Measure would require demonstrators to give notice and obtain a permit.

By Tim Craig | 01:58 PM ET, 05/01/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:49 PM ET, 04/30/2012

D.C. AG Nathan seeks to block Graham probe of Harry Thomas Jr. case

By Tim Craig

The D.C. attorney general says that giving council member Jim Graham subpoena power would “interfere” with ongoing criminal and civil probes.

By Tim Craig | 03:49 PM ET, 04/30/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:31 PM ET, 04/30/2012

Gray, Council set to repay D.C. employees $22 million for furloughed holidays

By Tim Craig

Council Chairman Kwame R. Brown and Mayor Vincent C. Gray agree a big chunk of a surprise budget surplus should go to repaying city employees.

By Tim Craig | 12:31 PM ET, 04/30/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

D.C. Wire: May, 2012