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

When Obamacare first launched, just a few state insurance marketplaces—the District is treated like a state in this context—successfully opened on time, and one of them was the District’s DC Health Link. Though it was a rocky start, today the site functions so well that Massachusetts—the ancestral home of Obamacare, a state whose healthcare overhaul preceded the landmark federal reform—is cloning D.C.’s software for the marketplace that handles insurance for small business.

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

  • There’s a honey bee colony on the roof of D.C.’s wastewater treatment plant. [Post]

  • Violent crime is down in D.C. so far this year. [WTOP, WAMU]

  • But there were seven fatal shootings in five days in P.G. County as of yesterday. [NBC4]

  • It’s muggy out there now, but humidity should dissipate over the weekend. [Post]

  • A new ride-hailing start-up called Sprynt is offering free transport in Arlington. [Post]

  • Congressman and shooting victim Steve Scalise underwent surgery yesterday. [Post]

  • On the fight over a Business Improvement District in Old Town Alexandria. [WAMU]

  • Inauguration Day protester pleads guilty and awaits sentencing. [FOX5]

  • Woman survives sexual assault at knifepoint at a Northwest construction site. [ABC7]

  • Princess Awesome: a clothing line of girly dresses in science-themed prints. [WUSA9]

  • He shot a man at 13 and later sold drugs, but became a family man and construction engineer by 39. This week he was killed. [Post]

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

LOOSE LIPS LINKS, by Jeffrey Anderson (tips? jeff.anderson@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Bowser breaks ground on homeless shelter site. [WAMU]

  • Just as poll numbers show her “not-so-good” on the issue. [WUSA9]

  • There are food deserts, and there are gym deserts too. [D.C. Policy Center]

  • Women’s March organizers to protest at NRA headquarters. [DCist]

  • Trayon White talks about violence east of the river. [WUSA9]

  • ICYMI: Gay candidate is latest to announce challenge to Ward 1 CM Nadeau. [Blade]

  • Editorial: Hey Congress, keep your hands off our wet wipes law. [Current]

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

  • For the Fringe production Nevertheless, She Persisted, Lauren Hanna has drawn 30 stories from America’s evolving “Pantsuit Nation.” [WCP]

  • And Pamela Nice brings a pro-peace message to the stage using testimony from Israeli soldiers. [WCP]

  • Photos from today’s 6 a.m. dance party at the National Building Museum. [FOX5]

  • On rapper Rico Nasty, who plays tonight at Songbyrd Music House. [Post]

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

  • It’s opening day for casual Korean and Chinese restaurant ChiKo. [WCP]

  • Try pickled tea leaf salad at Toli Moli inside Union Market this weekend. [WCP]

  • Instagram turns food into signals of both affluence and leisure. [Eater]

  • The new Georgetown Sweetgreen will have a market. [Washingtonian]

  • Earl Grey is trending as a chef’s plaything. [Post]

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

  • About the historic Georgetown home listed for $2.79 million. [Post]

  • See the D.C. neighborhoods with the most home value appreciation. [Urban Turf]

  • How the “gayborhood” is changing. [GGW]

  • Everyone loves living in Kalorama Triangle. [Post]

  • “High correlation” between restaurants and D.C. walkability. [Washingtonian]

  • Majority opposes new property tax based on proximity to Metro stations. [Post]

  • D.C. neighborhoods with the best price appreciation in the last year. [Urban Turf]

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