District Line Daily: Finger Pointing in Virginia

Morning, D.C. Couple things: Expect highs in the 60s, and President Trump will give his State of the Union address. Street closures around the U.S. Capitol Building will began at 7 p.m.

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam continues to weigh bipartisan calls for his resignation following news of a racist photo on his medical school yearbook page. Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax would take over if Northam resigned and Monday was denying reports that he sexually assaulted a woman in 2004. Fairfax suggested Northam could be behind the leak; or maybe it was potential political rival Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney. Northam and Stoney spokespeople have denied involvement.
D.C. is debating whether its publicly funded charter schools be more transparent, the Post reports.
- City Paper writer Rachel Cohen has been reporting on this issue for a year, but it’s OK, Post. Welcome to the party.
- Here are some past articles that deal with this issue: The DC Public Charter School Board Knew One of D.C.’s Oldest Charters Was Financially Troubled and Didn’t Intervene; Behind the Consulting Firm Raking In Millions From D.C. Charter School; Who Gets Access to Data About D.C.’s Public Schools?; D.C.’s Master Facilities Plan Will Shape the City’s Balance Between Neighborhood Schools and Charters
- Most recently: Charter school administrators are among the highest paid in town, yet they’re exempt from the Freedom of Information Act.
- Catch Rachel today on Kojo talking about the pay issue and transparency.
Longtime go-go star Donnell Floyd will retire from go-go.

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

Not everyone was impressed with the Washington Post’s $10 million Super Bowl commercial [Politico, USA Today]
Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office is set to announce $100,000 in grant funds for immigrants applying for U.S. citizenship. [DCist]
More firearm background checks in 2018 doesn’t necessarily mean more gun purchases. [WAMU]
Throw crumbs on the ground and watch a (fake) Ivanka Trump vacuum them up. [DCist]
Council Chairman Phil Mendelson(who took some control of D.C.’s education system) seems to think Bowser’s pick for school chancellor will be confirmed. [Twitter]

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

Where to feast on barley tea ice cream, whole roast pig, and duck pizza for the Lunar New Year. [WCP]
The sports bar replacing Ventnors now has a name. [Washingtonian]
Ivy City will get another cocktail bar inside a distillery this year. [Eater]
Maybe you’ve seen oat milk as a dairy alternative around town? [Post]

ARTS LINKS, by Matt Cohen (tips? mcohen@washingtoncitypaper.com)

Not even nuclear war can stop Ex Hex in their latest music video. [Rolling Stone]
Sneaks, by this account, slayed at her record release show. [Post]
Here are the 2019 Helen Hayes Awards nominations. [Post]
Probably the most adorable singing Valentine chorus you’ll see today. Maybe. [DCist]

HOUSING COMPLEX LINKS, by Morgan Baskin (tips? mbaskin@washingtoncitypaper.com)

Nearly one in four D.C.-area homes sold above their asking prices last year. [Urban Turf]
A bill in the Virginia Senate would raise Airbnb rental caps to 180 days. [Twitter]
Long & Foster goes all in on Amazon’s HQ2. [WTOP]

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

Attention bobblehead collectors: The Nats’ 2019 promotional schedule will include Juan Soto, Trea Turner, Max Scherzer, and Patrick Corbin bobblehead giveaways. [WTOP]
The Mystics have re-signed center LaToya Sanders. [Bullets Forever]
Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, the Monumental Sports and Entertainment Foundation, and the NHL have launched a fundraising page to help raise money to renovate Fort Dupont Ice Arena in Southeast. [NBC Sports Washington]

HAPPENING TODAY, by Kayla Randall (tips? krandall@washingtoncitypaper.com)

Australian country singer-songwriter Kasey Chambers performs at The Birchmere. 7:30 p.m. at 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. $39.50.
Soprano Sarah Brightman performs at DAR Constitution Hall. 8 p.m. at 1776 D. St. NW. $50–$275.
Folk singer Justin Nozuka performs at Jammin Java. 7:30 p.m. at 227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna. $20–$30.

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