A morning roundup of news, opinion, and links from City Paper and around the District. Send tips and ideas to citydesk@washingtoncitypaper.com.

The freezing weather caused area residents more than just physical discomfort this weekend. Nearly 80 water mains have broken in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. In D.C., the cold temperatures have delayed the completion of repairs to a section of Beach Drive NW, which was originally scheduled to reopen on Jan. 15 and will now, weather permitting, open later in January.

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

  • Metro proposes refunding riders whose trips are delayed more than 15 minutes. [Post, NBC Washington]

  • The transit system also gets rid of negative SmarTrip balances today. [Post]

  • Is D.C.’s economy in serious trouble? One professor thinks so. [Washingtonian]

  • Howard University postpones classes for a week due to ongoing heat problems. [NBC4]

  • It’s apparently not too cold to ride the Metro without pants. [WTOP]

  • Neighbors protest the closure of Wisconsin Ave. NW florist shop. [WUSA9]

  • Firefighters use road flares to defrost equipment while addressing Park View fire. [NBC Washington]

  • The National Zoo says goodbye to its elderly sloth, Ms. Chips. [WTOP]

  • And welcomes a new Amur tiger named Pavel. [Post]

RECENT CITY PAPER STORIES TO HELP YOU MAKE SENSE OF YOUR DAY:

LOOSE LIPS LINKS, by City Paper staff (tips? tips@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Mayor Bowser opposes public financing of local elections. [Post]

  • Maryland and Virginia state houses will consider bills that offer Metro permanent funding. [Post]

  • Ballou teachers alerted Schools Chancellor Antwan Wilson to attendance problems months before WAMU and NPR report. [Post]

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

  • D.C. crust-metal outfit Ilsaannounce new album, stream first song. [Relapse Records]

  • Listen to the debut EP from new D.C. hardcore band Line of Sight. [Bandcamp]

  • Local indie rockers The Nighttime Adventure Society release their final EP. [DC Music Download]

  • NSO in Your Neighborhood comes to Penn Quarter and Brookland this year. [WAMU]

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

  • You can now bring booze to Crumbs & Whiskers, D.C.’s only cat cafe. [Eater]

  • Drink these wine trends in 2018. [Post]

  • The year’s most anticipated restaurant openings includeSt. Anselmand Officina. [Washingtonian]

  • Teleworkers will feel at home at these cafes across the river. [Arlington Mag]

  • The James Beard Awards should be about more than food this year. [NPR]

HOUSING COMPLEX LINKS, byAndrew Giambrone (tips? agiambrone@washingtoncitypaper)

  • The new Line hotel could significantly change Adams Morgan. [WBJ]

  • Check out photos of the 220-room hotel’s luxury amenities. [Curbed DC]

  • How D.C. deals with RFK site will impact the city for years to come. [Washingtonian]

  • Construction of interactive light installations at two NoMa underpasses begins this month. [Curbed DC]

  • D.C. has many more historic buildings than other old cities. [GGW]

  • Rent D.C.’s most expensive one-bedroom apartment for $8,250 a month. [Curbed DC]

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