Welcome back, Washington. We hope those of you who celebrate Christmas had a holly and/or jolly one, and that your stock of material possessions has been satisfactorily increased. As you might expect, not too terribly much happened while you've been away. Davis Mulls Eighth Term: Sure, it was published yesterday, but we imagine many of you may have missed the Post's analysis of whether Tom Davis will seek another term as congressman for Northern......

Good morning, Washington. Make it to the polls yesterday? If so, we hope you did so before the sun went down — it got cold in a hurry last night, as the area rapidly moved from warmer-than-usual temps to colder-than-usual ones. CapitalWeather is saying that the weekend should be warmer, at least. Election 2007: The results are in, and it looks like it was a good night for Virginia's Democrats. The Dems picked up......

Good morning, Washington. It's almost October, but in many ways it still seems like summer. For one thing, it'll be ninety degrees today. For another, there's news of Michael Vick's worsening legal situation. Yesterday Virginia indicted him and three others on dogfighting charges. Of course, we all knew that was coming sooner or later — less expected was word that a Canadian bank is suing Vick for defaulting on a $2.3 million loan. Potential......

Good morning, Washington. Does your commute include the Wilson Bridge? If so, enjoy this morning's trip — it's the last speedy one you're likely to have this week. As Fox 5 details, some of the traffic around the bridge will be redirected beginning at 10 a.m. this morning. But the worst will be saved for overnight on Friday, when traffic will be reduced to a single lane. Hateful Vandalism Galore: What the hell is going......

Good morning, Washington. Have you gotten your last meal at A.V. Ristorante yet? If not, you'd better hurry — today's Post has a fond reminiscence about the place, noting that its last meal will be served on Saturday evening. It's admittedly not the finest Italian food in the city, but there's something weird and distinctive about A.V. We'll be sorry to see it go. It's Hot And Dry Out There: It sounds like we could......

When you think of your high school's librarian, many things may come to mind: stern shushings, cardigans and a disdain for all children, in my case. It turns out that at least one area librarian knows how to have a good time. George Frederick Miller, who works at Westlake High School, was arrested yesterday in La Plata, Md. for growing his own marijuana at home. His 19-year-old daughter was also charged with possession with intent......

A snippet of news from Maryland today is the stuff that dream Morning Roundup's are made up. Funny and off-kilter, but real. It seems that some Maryland residents are a little peeved at what has come to be known as the state's "flush tax," writes WTOP. In order to raise money to upgrade the state's sewage treatment plants to protect the vulnerable Chesapeake Bay from pollutants, Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich this year endorsed a new......

In the first of what could well become a regular DCist feature, administrators in a Charles County, Md. school refused to allow a student to graduate while wearing a bolo, a string tie common to Native Americans, pictured at right. Thomas Benya, a 17 year-old of Cherokee descent, was denied his diploma as punishment for not following the official graduation dress code -- for girls, white dresses with white blouses; for boys, dark dress pants,......

Good morning, Washington. Today's looking to be rainy, according to our friends at Capital Weather. But beyond watching for rain, you should be aware of the air quality forecast for the region, as our lead story makes clear. The picture at left is of the lower level of the stands at (Insert Name Here) Field at RFK Stadium, via dcJohn. D.C. Air Gets Failing Grade: In its annual State of the Air report, the American......

Marion Barry Teaches Chemistry?: As Wonkette pointed out yesterday, Marion Barry went back to school and taught chemistry to a bunch of Ballou High School students as a visiting dignitary-turned-substitute teacher. While Wonkette makes light of Barry's history putting certain chemicals in his body, as the Post reports, the former mayor-turned-Ward 8 councilman actually has a "bachelor's and master's degrees and some doctoral credit in chemistry." While Barry did talk a bit about chemistry, he......

Today will be partly cloudy with highs in the 50s. As we've noted, we'll be on a lighter posting schedule until Monday, Jan. 3. We couldn't resist posting the above photo of two Cheetah cubs born at the National Zoo in November, the first born there in the zoo's 115-year history. 'Meet the cheetahs' on the National Zoo Website for more. Baseball Deal Approved: As expected, the council approved the last-minute baseball deal reached......

Today will be partly cloudy, sunnier towards the afternoon, and highs in the 40s. Approved Stadium Plan Calls for Private Funding: In a marathon meeting yesterday, the D.C. Council surprised observers by passing a compromise introduced by Council Chair Linda W. Cropp which requires city government to find substantially more private funding to construct the stadium. The move infuriated Major Anthony Williams, who the Post reports "stormed out of the chambers" when the amendment......

People Like Sandwiches: No, people love sandwiches. The Post reports that the carb craze is over and people are flocking to places that have been cashing in on the renaissance of sandwich making. From the Post: A proliferating number of sandwich chains such as Potbelly Sandwich Works, Panera Bread, Corner Bakery and Cosi that offer such items as tuna and Swiss cheese on multigrain bread, a grilled Italian panini on rosemary-onion focaccia, or tandoori chicken......

Lawyer Abducted in Alexandria, Escapes Shallow Grave: This is just too weird. A lawyer, a stun gun, a shallow grave, a dispute over a will, a 75 year-old man standing near the shallow grave when the cops arrive. It sounds like it could make for a good side plot in "The Sopranos." No, this is not Jersey. It's Alexandria. Just read the Post's account of this odd drama to keep all the details straight.......

Today will be sunny and breezy with highs in the 60s. The photo was taken yesterday at the first night of The Pixies' sold out two night engagement at Constitution Hall. Check back later today for DCist posts on yesterday's USDA stabbing and a full review of The Pixies with more photos. Arson, Arson Everywhere: In Charles County, Maryland the future residents of a housing development under construction that was attacked on Sunday in......

Maryland Subdivision Goes Up in Flames, Arson to Blame: It appears that arson had a role to play in the fires that destroyed or damaged 30-some homes south of the city in an affluent Charles County subdivision early Monday morning. Since the homes were still under construction, there were no injuries. The FBI says it is looking into the possibility that environmental extremists could have played a role in the torching of the Hunters Brooke......

Good morning. Today will be cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers, and temperatures in the 40s. The photo was taken yesterday at the Georgetown Flea Market, which also has a location near the Courthouse metrorail station in Arlington. Metrobus Riders to Also Ride Free: WMATA's board has announced bus riders will also ride free during the Dec. 16 promotion by financial company ING Direct. On that day all bus and rail riders......