District Line Daily: Whistleblower Eric Payne Finally Wins the Day

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

Whistleblower Eric Payne, a government employee who was fired in 2009 for exposing pay-to-play maneuverings in a lucrative lottery contract, will finally be compensated after winning a unanimous federal court case six months ago and signing a settlement deal this week with Attorney General Karl Racine. The case marks a shameful era in D.C. politics, one that left a stain not just on the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, but also on Racine’s friend and political mentor Vince Gray, Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans, and former Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham.

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

Smithsonian staff gather outside African American museum after noose is found inside. [WAMU]
Man who showed up at Trump hotel with a military-style rifle is released. [AP, ABC7]
Bowser tells District residents to tear down threatening immigration flyers. [WTOP, Post]
Mary’s Center health facility relies on federal dollars to provide services. Now it’s one of several area organizations asking donors to step in. [Post]
District taxis are getting digital meters. Will they help them compete with Uber? [WAMU]
Expect rainbow french fry boxes at Mickey D’s during the Capital Pride Parade. [WTOP]
There’s a fancy new underground art space near L’Enfant Plaza. [WBJ]
She saved an unconscious woman who was dumped from a car in Alexandria, Va. [NBC4]
Body of missing veteran is found in a car outside D.C.’s VA hospital. [AP]
Georgetown’s business school gets a new dean. [WBJ]
A convention for kid inventors. [WUSA9]
Disabled D.C. students see live, interactive theater and become stars for a day. [NBC4]
A man robbed a bank near Gallery Place and the police are looking for him. [Post]
Now through Saturday the weather will be “splendid.” [Post]

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

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

CM Robert White calls teacher resignation problem an emergency. [Post]
CM David Grosso wants record of every person who evaded the school lottery. [Post]
People flocked to White House to protest Trump’s withdrawal from Paris Accord. [ABC7]
The “greening” of city hall: Wilson Building lit up in protest of Trump withdrawal. [NBC4]
In D.C., mostly rich people and white people get access to grocery stores. [Post]
More on Brandon Todd’s “minor fine.” [Post]

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

Here’s the complete guide for the 2017/2018 season of D.C.-area theaters. [Post]
Listen to the debut EP from Dawkins. [DC Music Download]
Get stoked: Northern Virginia post-hardcore legends Majority Rule and pageninetynine announce a benefit reunion tour. [WCP]
The Renwick is getting a Burning Man exhibition. [DCist]

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

Tortilla Coastseems to have closed without warning in Logan Circle. [PoPville]
Tinkerbell-sized clothes pins are trending in cocktails. [Washingtonian]
Shouk is bound for the Union Market district. [DCist]
Four summer cocktails you can’t screw up. [DC Refined]
Amazon’s grip on the food world is getting stronger. [Thrillist]

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

More on the D.C. Council’s proposal to turn empty offices into affordable housing. [Post]
Ward 5’s ongoing Brookland Manor redevelopment raises important questions. [GGW]
Renovated rowhouses in Capitol Hill are going for as much as $1.5 million. [Curbed DC]
What you can rent in the District for just $1,500 a month (hint: not a lot). [Curbed DC]
Developer seeks raze application for controversial Adams Morgan project. [UrbanTurf]

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