For the first time in decades, Virginia is blue, with voters giving both the state House and Senate Democratic majorities. Commonwealth Democrats have long promised action on gun control, which could impact D.C., as most of the city’s guns come from Virginia.   

THE NEWS: 

A majority of the D.C. Council is calling for Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans to resign after the release of a report that found he violated ethics rules by using his public office to benefit prospective employers and consulting clients.

The 97-page report found at least 11 instances between 2015 and 2017 where Evans violated the Council’s Code of Official Conduct. The report says Evans accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars “for merely being available” to clients.  

The damning report, released to the public yesterday after it was leaked to the Post Monday, prompted Councilmembers Brianne Nadeau (Ward 1), Mary Cheh (Ward 3), Brandon Todd (Ward 4), Charles Allen (Ward 6), Elissa Silverman (At-Large), and Robert White Jr. (At-Large) to call for Evans’ resignation. At-Large Councilmember David Grosso already demanded Evans’ resignation over the summer. 

As for the rest of the Council? Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon Whitetweeted: “I spoke to [Evans] about what I think he should do based on what I read. I don’t see the need to call the media or tweet about what I would advise Jack to do, instead I just called Jack.” Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, Ward 7 Councilmember Vince Gray, and At-Large Councilmember Anita Bonds have yet to comment publicly. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson did not call for Evans’ ousting yesterday but said at a press conference that he spoke to Evans about resigning over the summer.

Cheh chairs the ad hoc committee which is tasked with investigating Evans and previously said she wouldn’t take a position, but ended up doing so late last night. The committee, of which every Councilmember except for Evans is a member, will recommend disciplinary measures: a reprimand, a censure, or an expulsion. Recommendations then go to the full Council for a vote, and need two-thirds of the Council for censure and five-sixths for expulsion. Evans will have a chance to vote on his own discipline in the end. The Council could also strip Evans of all committee assignments, something the Council fell short of by one vote in July; Evans cast the decisive vote. 

What does Evans have to say for himself? Loose Lips reporter Mitch Ryals breaks down Evans’ shaky defense in a Twitter thread. —Amanda Michelle Gomez (tips? Email agomez@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

MORE NEWS YOU CAN USE:

  • Nearly half of D.C. residents with subsidized phone plans lost access in the past two years. [CPI]   

  • Here’s how hate crimes have changed over time. [D.C. Policy Center]

  • Incarceration task force: A new jail is only part of the answer. [Post]

LOOSE LIPS LINKS, by Mitch Ryals (tips? mryals@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

  • Grosso won’t run for re-election, says Mendo strong-armed him on Initiative 77 vote. [DCist]

  • Metro board member Christian Dorsey might be in trouble for waiting to disclose a $10,000 campaign donation from the agency’s largest union. [Post]

  • Juli Briskman flipped off President Trump from her bicycle in 2017. Now she’s been elected to the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, home of Trump National Golf Club. [Slate, Newsweek]

  • Progressive prosecutor Steve Descano was elected in Fairfax County, where U.S. AG William Barr lives. Dems swept other Virginia prosecutor races, too. [Huff Post, Post]

YOUNG & HUNGRY LINKS, by Laura Hayes (tips? lhayes@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

  • Experimental cocktail bar Dram & Grain opens in its new home inside The Imperial tomorrow night. [WCP]

  • This fried chicken sandwich takes cues from Germany and Japan. [WCP]

  • A Houston restaurant owner had to sling half-smokes at Ben’s Chili Bowl. [DCist]

  • Kanye West held a failed brunch festival. [Post]

  • How bubble tea became beloved by all Americans. [Eater]

ARTS LINKS, by Kayla Randall (tips? krandall@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Experience the Arctic and learn about conservation and climate change at this new pop-up exhibition. [DCist]

  • The Museum of the Bible held a fashion show. [Washingtonian]

  • Say goodbye to the tourist-shuttling World War II duck boats. [WAMU]

SPORTS LINKS, by Kelyn Soong (tips? ksoong@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • The mystery of why “Elmo” was at the Nationals’ World Series parade has been solved. [WCP]

  • Our Lady Of Good Counsel alum and Virginia Tech star runner Rachel Pocratsky has signed with the local, Under Armour-supported District Track Club. [RunWashington]

  • Hyattsville native Frances Tiafoe, one of the eight players competing in the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan, Italy, this week, looks to finish the season on a high note. [ATP Tour]

  • 42 percent of NHL players polled by ESPN say that the Capitals have the worst visiting locker room in the league. [ESPN]

MAKE PLANS, by Emma Sarappo (Love this section? Get the full To Do This Week newsletter here. Tips? esarappo@washingtoncitypaper.com)

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