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

Posted at 02:22 PM ET, 11/30/2012

For D.C., a real high school football championship

By Mike DeBonis

Turkey Bowl-winning Dunbar takes on Friendship Collegiate Public Charter School in the first-ever D.C. state football championship.

By Mike DeBonis | 02:22 PM ET, 11/30/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Sports

Posted at 09:20 AM ET, 11/30/2012

Average Joe goes to Costco

By Mike DeBonis

Ribbon-cutting D.C. politicians were upstaged by a surprise shopper: Vice President Joe Biden.

By Mike DeBonis | 09:20 AM ET, 11/30/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: DeMorning Links

Posted at 04:45 PM ET, 11/29/2012

D.C. special election set for April 23

By Mike DeBonis

The election will be about a month later than Election Day would have been had the old law been in place.

By Mike DeBonis | 04:45 PM ET, 11/29/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: DCision 2013, Politics

Posted at 03:35 PM ET, 11/29/2012

No more residency requirement for D.C. ballot petition circulators?

By Mike DeBonis

Proposed change to D.C. election law would make it somewhat easier to get a candidate or a referendum on city ballots.

By Mike DeBonis | 03:35 PM ET, 11/29/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Politics

Posted at 01:23 PM ET, 11/29/2012

Marion Barry's crusade against rental housing moves to St. Elizabeths

By Mike DeBonis

The Ward 8 council member wants homeowners, not renters, on the St. Elizabeths campus.

By Mike DeBonis | 01:23 PM ET, 11/29/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Housing, Politics

Posted at 12:23 PM ET, 11/29/2012

LivingSocial has a very bright future,' says Vince Gray

By Mike DeBonis

News that the firm will lay off about 400 employees does not appear to have fazed Hizzoner.

By Mike DeBonis | 12:23 PM ET, 11/29/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Business, Politics

Posted at 10:38 AM ET, 11/29/2012

A chairman in full

By Mike DeBonis

DC Council, Phil Mendelson, DC Council at large, Dc special election, at large special election, DC Council special election, Patrick Mara, Sekou Biddle, Peter Shapiro, Michael Brown,

By Mike DeBonis | 10:38 AM ET, 11/29/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: DeMorning Links

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 11/28/2012

Hello, cruel world

By Mike DeBonis

Tuesday was not a happy day in the realm of interspecies relations in the District of Columbia.

By Mike DeBonis | 08:00 AM ET, 11/28/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:39 PM ET, 11/27/2012

The ticket-fixing D.C. Council member was Harry Thomas Jr.

By Mike DeBonis

It was Thomas who had his chief of staff contact the Department of Motor Vehicles in a bid to void 10 of his personal tickets.

By Mike DeBonis | 01:39 PM ET, 11/27/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Politics

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 11/27/2012

Ivy City inequity?

By Mike DeBonis

A judicial fact-finding mission turned into something of a media circus.

By Mike DeBonis | 08:00 AM ET, 11/27/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:48 PM ET, 11/26/2012

D.C.'s new geopolitics

By Mike DeBonis

Nov. 6 votes in D.C.'s white-majority wards outweighed the votes in black-majority wards.

By Mike DeBonis | 07:48 PM ET, 11/26/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Politics

Posted at 09:34 AM ET, 11/26/2012

DCPS's fault lines

By Mike DeBonis

D.C. Public Schools will rejigger school boundaries and feeder patterns a move likely to limit access to some of the city's most sought-after and best-performing school.

By Mike DeBonis | 09:34 AM ET, 11/26/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: DeMorning Links, Education

Posted at 12:59 PM ET, 11/21/2012

Which D.C. Council member tried to get his tickets fixed?

By Mike DeBonis

A legislator had his top aide personally petition the DMV director to have 10 tickets dismissed.

By Mike DeBonis | 12:59 PM ET, 11/21/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Politics

Posted at 10:32 AM ET, 11/21/2012

Happy Thanksgiving

By Mike DeBonis

What's Thanksgiving without a small-bore controversy over D.C. politicians' free turkey giveaways?

By Mike DeBonis | 10:32 AM ET, 11/21/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: DeMorning Links

Posted at 02:24 PM ET, 11/20/2012

A dirty shop' in Ward 8 goes clean

By Mike DeBonis

Ephrame Kassaye will be handing out 450 turkeys to commemorate the reopening of his Mellon Market after a top-to-bottom renovation.

By Mike DeBonis | 02:24 PM ET, 11/20/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Politics, Retail

Posted at 09:55 AM ET, 11/20/2012

D.C.'s booze boom

By Mike DeBonis

Should it be easier to open a bar, club or restaurant in the District? That's what the D.C. Council is now grappling with.

By Mike DeBonis | 09:55 AM ET, 11/20/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: DeMorning Links

Posted at 06:15 PM ET, 11/19/2012

D.C.'s closest ANC races are now less close

By Mike DeBonis

There was no tougher electoral battleground than Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6E.

By Mike DeBonis | 06:15 PM ET, 11/19/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: DCision 2012

Posted at 09:57 AM ET, 11/19/2012

Where are federal taxpayers' school voucher dollars going?

By Mike DeBonis

Hundreds of D.C. students are using their vouchers at unaccredited or otherwise unconventional schools.

By Mike DeBonis | 09:57 AM ET, 11/19/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: DeMorning Links

Posted at 11:38 AM ET, 11/16/2012

Tough medicine or DCPS poison?

By Mike DeBonis

For seven hours Thursday, the D.C. Council heard about proposed school closings -- from parents, activists, D.C. Public Schools officials and themselves.

By Mike DeBonis | 11:38 AM ET, 11/16/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: DeMorning Links

Posted at 04:59 PM ET, 11/15/2012

Democrats start jockeying for at-large D.C. Council seat

By Mike DeBonis

Nov. 6 has come and gone, but election season rolls on in the District of Columbia.

By Mike DeBonis | 04:59 PM ET, 11/15/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: DCision 2012

Posted at 09:36 AM ET, 11/15/2012

School closings shakeout

By Mike DeBonis

The consequences of the proposed D.C. Public Schools closings continued to shake out Wednesday.

By Mike DeBonis | 09:36 AM ET, 11/15/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: DeMorning Links

Posted at 05:33 PM ET, 11/14/2012

City employee was fired over botched taxi meter contract

By Mike DeBonis

Mayor Vincent Gray said he is "hugely disappointed in the performance of those who were involved in the contracting process"

By Mike DeBonis | 05:33 PM ET, 11/14/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Transportation

Posted at 10:29 AM ET, 11/14/2012

Twenty D.C. schools could close

By Mike DeBonis

Plans for reuse of schools takes the edge off some of the choices, but in other areas parents are gearing up for a fight.

By Mike DeBonis | 10:29 AM ET, 11/14/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: DeMorning Links

Posted at 04:33 PM ET, 11/13/2012

Five takeaways from the DCPS school closings

By Mike DeBonis

DCPS is closing 20 schools. Here is some context.

By Mike DeBonis | 04:33 PM ET, 11/13/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Education

Posted at 01:46 PM ET, 11/13/2012

D.C. taxi smart meter contract is overturned

By Mike DeBonis

A judge ruled that the city erred in selecting VeriFone Systems' $35 million bid, delaying a plan to install credit-card-reading meters in all 6,500 city taxicabs.

By Mike DeBonis | 01:46 PM ET, 11/13/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Transportation

Posted at 09:34 AM ET, 11/13/2012

Schools closings and a sentencing

By Mike DeBonis

In a big local news day, Kwame Brown will be sentenced, and DCPS will announce school closings.

By Mike DeBonis | 09:34 AM ET, 11/13/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: DeMorning Links

Posted at 08:29 PM ET, 11/08/2012

After Question 7, does D.C. need a casino of its own?

By Mike DeBonis

Maryland voters okayed a $800 million luxury casino likely to be built at National Harbor, on the Potomac bank just south of the District line.

By Mike DeBonis | 08:29 PM ET, 11/08/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Gambling, Politics

Posted at 05:56 PM ET, 11/08/2012

DCPS school closing list expected Tuesday

By Mike DeBonis

Several D.C. Council members said they'd been briefed by Chancellor Kaya Henderson on closure plans but all declined to give specifics.

By Mike DeBonis | 05:56 PM ET, 11/08/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Education, Politics

Posted at 10:25 AM ET, 11/08/2012

A sea change in D.C. politics?

By Mike DeBonis

Was David Grosso's victory the first big win for a new "progressive" coalition in the city, threatening to permanently alter the citywide electoral calculus?

By Mike DeBonis | 10:25 AM ET, 11/08/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: DeMorning Links

Posted at 08:34 PM ET, 11/07/2012

Where did Calvin H. Gurley find 57,119 votes?

By Mike DeBonis

Other incumbent Democrats did a lot better than Chairman Phil Mendelson, who faced an unknown Ward 4 government auditor.

By Mike DeBonis | 08:34 PM ET, 11/07/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: DCision 2012, Politics

Posted at 02:10 PM ET, 11/07/2012

Mapping David Grossos D.C. Council victory

By Mike DeBonis

Here's what David Grosso's victory over Michael A. Brown looks like, geographically speaking.

By Mike DeBonis | 02:10 PM ET, 11/07/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: DCision 2012

Posted at 10:46 AM ET, 11/07/2012

David Grosso wins

By Mike DeBonis

In beating Michael A. Brown Tuesday, David Grosso became the first person to unseat a D.C. Council incumbent since 2008.

By Mike DeBonis | 10:46 AM ET, 11/07/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: DeMorning Links

Posted at 08:44 PM ET, 11/06/2012

D.C. election returns watch

By Mike DeBonis

Coming to you live from the second floor of One Judiciary Square, stay right here for the District returns as they come in.

By Mike DeBonis | 08:44 PM ET, 11/06/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: DCision 2012, Politics

Posted at 07:01 AM ET, 11/06/2012

Its Election Day in D.C.

By Mike DeBonis

Polls are open from 7 a.m. till 8 p.m.

By Mike DeBonis | 07:01 AM ET, 11/06/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:35 PM ET, 11/05/2012

Its the Obama Barry White party!

By Mike DeBonis

While I'd be tickled to attend any party involving the President of the United States and the dearly departed bass crooner, this is not that.

By Mike DeBonis | 03:35 PM ET, 11/05/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: DCision 2012, Politics

Posted at 02:23 PM ET, 11/05/2012

Inside D.C.s early vote

By Mike DeBonis

The numbers indicate Ward 4 is again going to play a pivotal role in a close citywide race.

By Mike DeBonis | 02:23 PM ET, 11/05/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: DCision 2012, Politics

Posted at 09:03 AM ET, 11/05/2012

East-of-the-river retail setback

By Mike DeBonis

The Yes! Organic Market on Pennsylvania Avenue SE just east of the Sousa Bridge will close later this year.

By Mike DeBonis | 09:03 AM ET, 11/05/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: DeMorning Links

Posted at 06:51 PM ET, 11/02/2012

Ron Moten will not be voting for Mitt Romney, but hes a huge Chris Christie fan

By Mike DeBonis

"I'm not voting for Romney," the Ward 7 Republican said. "I can't come to grips."

By Mike DeBonis | 06:51 PM ET, 11/02/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: DCision 2012, Politics

Posted at 04:01 PM ET, 11/02/2012

Anti-Obama mass texter speaks: Im not ashamed

By Mike DeBonis

Gabriel S. Joseph III spoke to The Hill about his practice of bombarding cell phones with "e-mail to text" messages.

By Mike DeBonis | 04:01 PM ET, 11/02/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: DCision 2012, Politics

Posted at 02:42 PM ET, 11/02/2012

ANC member does not make calls from D.C. very often

By Mike DeBonis

The vast majority of Johnson's outgoing calls were placed in Gaithersburg, including nearly 9,000 minutes to adult chat lines.

By Mike DeBonis | 02:42 PM ET, 11/02/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Politics

Posted at 12:30 PM ET, 11/02/2012

Speeding camera fines will go down Monday, mayor says

By Mike DeBonis

What is now a $75 ticket for going 10 mph or less over the speed limit will become a $50 ticket on Monday, while tickets for going 11 to 15 mph will be reduced to $100.

By Mike DeBonis | 12:30 PM ET, 11/02/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Politics, Transportation

Posted at 09:37 AM ET, 11/02/2012

Do you want to die?

By Mike DeBonis

The 24-year-old victim of a brutal Rhode Island Row attack speaks.

By Mike DeBonis | 09:37 AM ET, 11/02/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: DeMorning Links

Posted at 04:17 PM ET, 11/01/2012

Kwame Brown apologizes to the judge who will sentence him

By Mike DeBonis

"As personally painful as my admission of wrongdoing has been, it may be a lesson to others that none of us is above the rules," the former D.C. Council chairman wrote.

By Mike DeBonis | 04:17 PM ET, 11/01/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Mea Culpa, Politics

Posted at 03:30 PM ET, 11/01/2012

Vincent Gray’s birthday party will have 200 hosts

By Mike DeBonis

The list is a who's-who of old friends and lawyers and lobbyists and activists and city contractors and other big machers.

By Mike DeBonis | 03:30 PM ET, 11/01/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Politics

Posted at 09:33 AM ET, 11/01/2012

Who’s old is new again

By Mike DeBonis

Former mayoral chauffeur has continued to do big business in D.C., but what has he really done for the money?

By Mike DeBonis | 09:33 AM ET, 11/01/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: DeMorning Links

District of DeBonis: November, 2012