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

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The Capital Fringe Festival kicks off today, lasting until July 31. City Paper put together a package on the yearly arts celebration, looking at everything from how theater novices get their start there to its showcasing of local music. 

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

  • A D.C. firefighter has been put on leave after posting about Alton Sterling’s death on Facebook. [FOX5]
  • A proposed bill before the D.C. Council seeks to reform Advisory Neighborhood Commissions. [DCist]
  • A newly appointed member of Metro’s board has a potential conflict of interest with a key law firm. [Post]
  • Chartwells is no longer serving D.C. public school students food, but parents still have concerns. [Times]
  • Lawmakers are holding a hearing today on a ban on smokeless tobacco and snuff at Nationals Park. [AP]
  • For Metro riders who have continued to take the rails during SafeTrack, usual issues still happen. [WAMU]
  • Local jurisdictions have settled with a MetroAccess contractor over allegations of fraud. [City Desk, Post]
  • There’s been an app for hailing D.C. taxis for months, but few seem to be taking advantage of it. [WAMU]

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

  • Shelter, and a Storm: The ex-tenants of a derelict apartment building in Ward 4 have relocated to motels.
  • “Good Repair”?: Metro says a D.C. segment of track has improved after SafeTrack, but problems persist.
  • Crime Against Children: Police say a woman coaxed juveniles into her home and sexually abused them.

LOOSE LIPS LINKS, by Will Sommer (tips? wsommer@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • ANC bill would exempt them from Freedom of Information Act requests. [DCist]
  • Conflict of interest for Metro board member. [Post]
  • Libertarian Bruce Majors looks to unseat Jack Evans in Ward 2. [Blade]
  • Office of Human Rights talks gender pronouns. [Blade]
  • MetroAcess fraud deal reached. [WCP]

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

  • From novice playwrights to teenage girls, Capital Fringe offers a stage for all to share their voices. [WCP]
  • Meanwhile, in Virginia: Visit a tank museum where you can ride around in one and see a flamethrower demonstration. [Post]
  • Listen to the new album from Max Levine Ensemble/RVIVR collaboration project Somnia. [Spark Mag]
  • The Post reviews Flasher and Puff Pieces at Comet Ping Pong. [Post]