District of DeBonis - More than a city. Not quite a state. Enough for a blog.

Posted at 08:11 PM ET, 04/27/2012

Harry Thomas letter to judge: ‘I am truly sorry for what I did’

By Mike DeBonis

In letter, Harry Thomas Jr. apologizes and takes “full responsibility” for his theft of $350,000 in public funds.

By Mike DeBonis | 08:11 PM ET, 04/27/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:45 PM ET, 04/27/2012

William Shelton gets 30 days for theft of ANC funds

By Mike DeBonis

William C. Shelton pleaded guilty in January to embezzling $28,526 in city funds.

By Mike DeBonis | 04:45 PM ET, 04/27/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:52 AM ET, 04/27/2012

DeMorning Links: Breach of trust

By Mike DeBonis

Long-awaited D.C. Council report on Harry Thomas Jr. theft is released.

By Mike DeBonis | 11:52 AM ET, 04/27/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:30 PM ET, 04/26/2012

DeEvening Links: Welcome RGIII

By Mike DeBonis

We give thanks to our quarterback and savior, Robert Griffin III.

By Mike DeBonis | 06:30 PM ET, 04/26/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:44 PM ET, 04/26/2012

Marion Barry blames media for Asian uproar

By Mike DeBonis

“I as a black man have been discriminated against,” he says. “To say what I said is a racist remark is 1000 percent untrue.”

By Mike DeBonis | 04:44 PM ET, 04/26/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:47 AM ET, 04/26/2012

DeMorning Links: Fewer D.C. babies are dying

By Mike DeBonis

The city’s infant mortality rate, once among the worst in the country, has improved dramatically and is now at a historic low.

By Mike DeBonis | 10:47 AM ET, 04/26/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:13 PM ET, 04/25/2012

DeEvening Links: Camera vigilante

By Mike DeBonis

Mystery man marks locations of two speeding cameras to warn oncoming motorists.

By Mike DeBonis | 07:13 PM ET, 04/25/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:55 PM ET, 04/25/2012

Higher D.C. cab fares might take a while

By Mike DeBonis

It could be weeks before all D.C. taxi cabs are charging new, higher fares, city taxi regulators say.

By Mike DeBonis | 05:55 PM ET, 04/25/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: D.C. city government

Posted at 04:24 PM ET, 04/25/2012

Ahead of sentencing, D.C. attorney general decries Harry Thomas’s crimes

By Mike DeBonis

Harry Thomas “engaged in an abuse of power that has shocked and saddened the people of the District of Columbia,” writes Irvin B. Nathan.

By Mike DeBonis | 04:24 PM ET, 04/25/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:22 AM ET, 04/25/2012

DeMorning Links: The neighborhood charter school?

By Mike DeBonis

There’s a new willingness in the charter community to consider some sort of local neighborhood preference.

By Mike DeBonis | 11:22 AM ET, 04/25/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Mike DeBonis

Posted at 07:13 PM ET, 04/24/2012

DeEvening Links: Far up farming

By Mike DeBonis

Time to take “green roofs” to the next level — why not roof farms?

By Mike DeBonis | 07:13 PM ET, 04/24/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:54 PM ET, 04/24/2012

Want a giant D.C. government health care contract?

By Mike DeBonis

A D.C. health agency begins the process of rebidding health care business that helped make Jeffrey Thompson a rich man.

By Mike DeBonis | 05:54 PM ET, 04/24/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Jeffrey Thompson, D.C. city government

Posted at 04:55 PM ET, 04/24/2012

Wilson Building approved for political meetings

By Mike DeBonis

Campaign finance officials dismiss GOP complaint about Democratic meetings.

By Mike DeBonis | 04:55 PM ET, 04/24/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:30 AM ET, 04/24/2012

DeMorning Links: Let’s get sustainable

By Mike DeBonis

Mayor Gray’s sustainability plan calls for a bigger, denser, greener, less car-dependent District.

By Mike DeBonis | 08:30 AM ET, 04/24/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:23 AM ET, 04/24/2012

DeEvening Links: Now it’s nurses

By Mike DeBonis

First, it was Asian restaurants. Now, the ex-mayor talks about the origins of D.C.’s nurses.

By Mike DeBonis | 08:23 AM ET, 04/24/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:54 PM ET, 04/23/2012

Sunday liquor sales in D.C. at last?

By Mike DeBonis

D.C. Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) said he is likely to recommend allowing liquor stores to open on Sundays.

By Mike DeBonis | 05:54 PM ET, 04/23/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:41 PM ET, 04/23/2012

Youth nonprofit executives endure tough questioning

By Mike DeBonis

Children and Youth Investment Trust Corp. leaders answer questions for the first time since CEO was ousted.

By Mike DeBonis | 02:41 PM ET, 04/23/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:42 AM ET, 04/23/2012

DeMorning Links: A killing on H Street

By Mike DeBonis

A Superior Court judge is set to determine whether the men convicted in Catherine Fuller’s 1984 murder should get a new trial.

By Mike DeBonis | 11:42 AM ET, 04/23/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:20 PM ET, 04/20/2012

Why D.C. budget autonomy remains doomed

By Mike DeBonis

The National Right to Life Committee is promising to oppose any D.C. budget bill that doesn’t ban publicly funded abortions.

By Mike DeBonis | 03:20 PM ET, 04/20/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:47 PM ET, 04/20/2012

Norton isn’t gung ho on Height Act changes

By Mike DeBonis

Eleanor Holmes Norton says her support of D.C. building height limits ‘remains as strong as ever.’

By Mike DeBonis | 01:47 PM ET, 04/20/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:40 AM ET, 04/20/2012

DeMorning Links: D.C. mayors and the Republicans they love

By Mike DeBonis

Vincent C. Gray has a new GOP bestie in Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.).

By Mike DeBonis | 11:40 AM ET, 04/20/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:08 PM ET, 04/19/2012

DeEvening Links: Tony’s back

By Mike DeBonis

Former mayor Williams will take over as CEO of the Federal City Council.

By Mike DeBonis | 07:08 PM ET, 04/19/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:35 PM ET, 04/19/2012

Jeffrey Thompson ‘unlikely’ to keep health-care contract, D.C. official says

By Mike DeBonis

Unless a sale is made, Chartered Health Plan could lose its sole source of business.

By Mike DeBonis | 02:35 PM ET, 04/19/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:09 AM ET, 04/19/2012

DeMorning Links: Shrink to improve?

By Mike DeBonis

DCPS plans for higher test scores and better graduation rates come with a big catch.

By Mike DeBonis | 11:09 AM ET, 04/19/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:25 PM ET, 04/18/2012

DeEvening Links: Fill those potholes

By Mike DeBonis

It’s Potholepalooza time. Be a sport and call some in.

By Mike DeBonis | 08:25 PM ET, 04/18/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:42 PM ET, 04/18/2012

Jeffrey Thompson’s Chartered Health Plan had a very bad 2011

By Mike DeBonis

Federal investigations might be the least of Jeffrey E. Thompson’s problems.

By Mike DeBonis | 05:42 PM ET, 04/18/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:51 AM ET, 04/18/2012

DeMorning Links: Social incentives

By Mike DeBonis

To keep LivingSocial in D.C., Mayor Vincent C. Gray wants to offer the company $32.5 million in tax breaks.

By Mike DeBonis | 09:51 AM ET, 04/18/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:52 PM ET, 04/17/2012

DeEvening Links: Final flight

By Mike DeBonis

The space shuttle Discovery makes its last trip into the wild blue yonder.

By Mike DeBonis | 07:52 PM ET, 04/17/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:05 PM ET, 04/17/2012

Some facts about D.C.’s federal taxpayers

By Mike DeBonis

Here are some facts and figures about District residents’ payments to Uncle Sam, courtesy of the IRS.

By Mike DeBonis | 05:05 PM ET, 04/17/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:09 PM ET, 04/17/2012

Carol Schwartz puts her tax protest on hold

By Mike DeBonis

The former D.C. Council member cited “issues that made an uphill battle even more uphill.”

By Mike DeBonis | 02:09 PM ET, 04/17/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:40 AM ET, 04/17/2012

DeMorning Links: Justice denied

By Mike DeBonis

D.C. resident Santae Tribble spent 25 years in jail for a murder he most likely did not commit.

By Mike DeBonis | 10:40 AM ET, 04/17/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:07 PM ET, 04/16/2012

DeEvening Links: Suite Jesus

By Mike DeBonis

Another year, another round of D.C. Council baseball ticket squabbling.

By Mike DeBonis | 08:07 PM ET, 04/16/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:53 PM ET, 04/16/2012

D.C. Emancipation Day in pictures

By Mike DeBonis

There’s still time to enjoy the festivities, including a downtown fireworks show.

By Mike DeBonis | 07:53 PM ET, 04/16/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:48 PM ET, 04/16/2012

Jeffrey Thompson steps down from Chartered Health Plan

By Mike DeBonis

Thompson’s intersecting political and business interests have been under a microscope since federal agents raided his home and offices.

By Mike DeBonis | 03:48 PM ET, 04/16/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:55 AM ET, 04/16/2012

DeMorning Links: Happy Emancipation Day

By Mike DeBonis

Monday is the 150th anniversary of the freeing of the District’s last 3,100 slaves.

By Mike DeBonis | 10:55 AM ET, 04/16/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:02 PM ET, 04/13/2012

DeEvening Links: Lumen8 yourself

By Mike DeBonis

On Saturday, LUMEN8Anacostia will show the Ward 8 neighborhood’s arts potential.

By Mike DeBonis | 06:02 PM ET, 04/13/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Mike DeBonis

Posted at 03:32 PM ET, 04/13/2012

D.C. Emancipation Day’s 150th anniversary is Monday

By Mike DeBonis

Schools, libraries and other government offices will be closed in commemoration of the first federal act to free slaves.

By Mike DeBonis | 03:32 PM ET, 04/13/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:00 PM ET, 04/13/2012

Metro escalator woes: The libertarian diagnosis

By Mike DeBonis

Reason TV blames Metro’s 1992 decision to stop using outside maintenance contractors.

By Mike DeBonis | 01:00 PM ET, 04/13/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:47 AM ET, 04/13/2012

DeMorning Links: Pass it on

By Mike DeBonis

Under a plan approved Thursday by a Metro board panel, you’ll be able to buy a monthly rail pass for the first time.

By Mike DeBonis | 11:47 AM ET, 04/13/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:42 PM ET, 04/12/2012

DeEvening Links: Easy as hopscotch

By Mike DeBonis

City officials show how the H Street NE streetcar line will interface with Union Station.

By Mike DeBonis | 07:42 PM ET, 04/12/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:23 PM ET, 04/12/2012

Four medical marijuana shops move toward approval

By Mike DeBonis

The dispensaries are ready to locate in various commercial corridors across the District.

By Mike DeBonis | 06:23 PM ET, 04/12/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:14 PM ET, 04/12/2012

Where tall D.C. buildings might be tolerable

By Mike DeBonis

What parts of D.C. are far enough away from our national treasures that we might tolerate taller buildings?

By Mike DeBonis | 02:14 PM ET, 04/12/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:42 PM ET, 04/12/2012

Taxi sting hero goes to the ballgame

By Mike DeBonis

Heretofore, the city had given Leon Swain ”not even a pat on the back” for his service.

By Mike DeBonis | 12:42 PM ET, 04/12/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: D.C. city government, Leon Swain, David Catania

Posted at 10:51 AM ET, 04/12/2012

DeMorning Links: The height of innovation

By Mike DeBonis

Mayor Vincent Gray is in talks with key congressional leaders about relaxing the city’s century-old building height requirements.

By Mike DeBonis | 10:51 AM ET, 04/12/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:50 PM ET, 04/11/2012

DeEvening Links: Making amends in Chinatown

By Mike DeBonis

In a fence-mending feint, Marion Barry hangs out with restaurateur Tony Cheng.

By Mike DeBonis | 08:50 PM ET, 04/11/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:21 PM ET, 04/11/2012

D.C. taxi hike coming within weeks; further upgrades await

By Mike DeBonis

Come April 21, the mileage rate will increase to $2.16 per mile

By Mike DeBonis | 04:21 PM ET, 04/11/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:58 AM ET, 04/11/2012

DeMorning Links: Parade of bills

By Mike DeBonis

The city is playing hardball with Caribbean Carnival organizers over more than $200,000 in unpaid bills.

By Mike DeBonis | 10:58 AM ET, 04/11/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:46 PM ET, 04/10/2012

DeEvening Links: Occupy D.C. United

By Mike DeBonis

Freedom Plaza will soon be protest-free for the first time in six months.

By Mike DeBonis | 07:46 PM ET, 04/10/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:40 PM ET, 04/10/2012

Robert Bobb to join board of embattled youth nonprofit

By Mike DeBonis

Mayor Vincent Gray has appointed Bobb and Megan Martin to the Children and Youth Investment Trust Corp. board.

By Mike DeBonis | 05:40 PM ET, 04/10/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:15 PM ET, 04/10/2012

D.C. elections officials condemn O’Keefe voting ploy

By Mike DeBonis

Board member calls James O’Keefe a “prankster” after he sent an associate to see if he could vote as the U.S. attorney general.

By Mike DeBonis | 04:15 PM ET, 04/10/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:12 AM ET, 04/10/2012

DeMorning Links: No joy on Georgia Avenue

By Mike DeBonis

Looks like there might not be a D.C. Caribbean Carnival and Parade this year.

By Mike DeBonis | 10:12 AM ET, 04/10/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Mike DeBonis

Posted at 07:06 PM ET, 04/09/2012

DeEvening Links: Can you hear us now?

By Mike DeBonis

Big Tuesday news conference promises movement on disabling stolen cell phones.

By Mike DeBonis | 07:06 PM ET, 04/09/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:24 PM ET, 04/09/2012

James O’Keefe tries to defend voter ID laws by filming D.C. election workers

By Mike DeBonis

Conservative activist James O’Keefe focused his hidden cameras on last week’s D.C. primary elections.

By Mike DeBonis | 03:24 PM ET, 04/09/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:37 PM ET, 04/09/2012

Asian groups want a more meaningful Barry apology

By Mike DeBonis

Marion Barry apologized to Asians for offending them, but some want him to do better.

By Mike DeBonis | 12:37 PM ET, 04/09/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:45 AM ET, 04/09/2012

DeMorning Links: Waiting for Wal-Mart

By Mike DeBonis

The megaretailer’s ambitious plans to open multiple D.C. stores by the end of the year were a little too ambitious.

By Mike DeBonis | 09:45 AM ET, 04/09/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:58 PM ET, 04/06/2012

DeEvening Links: King of Ward 8

By Mike DeBonis

Is Marion Barry’s embrace of “demagoguery and black populism” a betrayal of his legacy?

By Mike DeBonis | 06:58 PM ET, 04/06/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:08 PM ET, 04/06/2012

Does Ron Moten have a chance in Ward 7?

By Mike DeBonis

Is Yvette Alexander is potential trouble? On one level: Heck, yes. On another: Heck, no.

By Mike DeBonis | 06:08 PM ET, 04/06/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:49 AM ET, 04/06/2012

Lessons from Marion Barry’s anti-Asian comments

By Mike DeBonis

Virginia Del. Mark L. Keam offers some perspective on Barry’s controversial remarks.

By Mike DeBonis | 11:49 AM ET, 04/06/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: marion barry, d.c.

Posted at 11:26 AM ET, 04/06/2012

DeMorning Links: Diploma dip

By Mike DeBonis

The DCPS high school graduation rate dropped 15 percentage points in one year, from 73 percent to about 58 percent.

By Mike DeBonis | 11:26 AM ET, 04/06/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:14 PM ET, 04/05/2012

DeEvening Links: Watergate Exxon gas prices

By Mike DeBonis

John Kelly explains why the price of gas at the Watergate Exxon is so high.

By Mike DeBonis | 07:14 PM ET, 04/05/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:40 PM ET, 04/05/2012

UPDATE: Marion Barry apologizes for anti-Asian remarks

By Mike DeBonis

Barry insists that Asian-owned restaurants in Ward 8 disrespect residents with unhealthy food and a lack of community participation.

By Mike DeBonis | 04:40 PM ET, 04/05/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:21 PM ET, 04/05/2012

DeMorning Links: Death and rebirth

By Mike DeBonis

The newly renovated Howard Theater opens Monday, but other neighborhood institutions are having a harder time reinventing themselves.

By Mike DeBonis | 12:21 PM ET, 04/05/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Howard Theater

Posted at 07:46 PM ET, 04/04/2012

DeEvening Links: Marion’s mouth

By Mike DeBonis

Barry’s election night speech: “We’ve got to do something about these Asians coming in, opening up businesses. ... They ought to go.”

By Mike DeBonis | 07:46 PM ET, 04/04/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:14 PM ET, 04/04/2012

Thomas scam leads youth nonprofit to fire CEO

By Mike DeBonis

The board of the Children and Youth Investment Trust Corp. voted Wednesday to fire President and CEO Ellen London.

By Mike DeBonis | 06:14 PM ET, 04/04/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:37 PM ET, 04/04/2012

The mathematics of Vincent Orange vs. Sekou Biddle

By Mike DeBonis

It appears that the ballots remaining to be counted are unlikely to allow Biddle to overcome Orange’s lead.

By Mike DeBonis | 03:37 PM ET, 04/04/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:15 PM ET, 04/04/2012

DeMorning Links: 543 votes

By Mike DeBonis

The at-large council race currently stands with a whisker between incumbent Vincent B. Orange and top challenger Sekou Biddle.

By Mike DeBonis | 12:15 PM ET, 04/04/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:02 PM ET, 04/03/2012

DeEvening Links: Polls close at 8 p.m.

By Mike DeBonis

You can still vote!

By Mike DeBonis | 06:02 PM ET, 04/03/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:00 PM ET, 04/03/2012

Initiative backers look to amass support outside D.C. polls

By Mike DeBonis

Today is a key day for activists looking to ban corporate contributions to political campaigns.

By Mike DeBonis | 02:00 PM ET, 04/03/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 04/03/2012

DeMorning Links: Election Day

By Mike DeBonis

It’s Election Day. So go vote. But educate yourself first.

By Mike DeBonis | 08:00 AM ET, 04/03/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:50 PM ET, 04/02/2012

DeEvening Links: A mindreader, a clown and a comedian walk into a conference ...

By Mike DeBonis

GSA shakeup could have big consequences for D.C. economy and government.

By Mike DeBonis | 08:50 PM ET, 04/02/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:49 PM ET, 04/02/2012

Where D.C.’s Republicans are

By Mike DeBonis

With presidential primary vote on tap, here are the city’s 10 most Republican precincts.

By Mike DeBonis | 06:49 PM ET, 04/02/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:58 PM ET, 04/02/2012

Newcomer’s campaign vexes D.C. GOP honchos

By Mike DeBonis

Who is Jordan Gehrke?

By Mike DeBonis | 04:58 PM ET, 04/02/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:19 PM ET, 04/02/2012

Where D.C.’s early voters are

By Mike DeBonis

Nearly a quarter of early and absentee voters in Tuesday’s primaries are registered in Ward 4.

By Mike DeBonis | 03:19 PM ET, 04/02/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:35 AM ET, 04/02/2012

DeMorning Links: Where the Nats fans are from

By Mike DeBonis

Nationals officials say game attendees are mostly from Virginia.

By Mike DeBonis | 11:35 AM ET, 04/02/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

District of DeBonis: April, 2012