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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Utilities companies Pepco and Exelon merged yesterday after D.C.’s Public Service Commission ruled 2-1 that the deal was sufficiently in the public interest. Though D.C. Councilmembers, Mayor Bowser, and other public officials quickly denounced the PSC’s decision, the merger establishes the joint company as the largest utility in the country.

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

• On Wednesday, D.C. police say they arrested a man who fired at a cruiser near MLK Jr. Ave. SE. [NBC4]
• An officer at the Shaw Library reportedly harassed a woman wearing hijab. He has been removed. [DCist]
• Ward 8’s LaRuby May blasts a bill that would limit D.C.’s spending on a Wizard’s practice arena. [Post]
• An Iowa Congressman thinks D.C. should enter a recession because we have too many cranes. [City Desk]
• Councilmember Mary Cheh has come out as a fan of driverless robots that deliver things. [WTOP, Post]
• Local radio station WAMU is getting some big editorial changes as part of a new strategy. [Washingtonian]
• A new WAMU project dives into Anacostia using reporting from those who live and work there. [WAMU]

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

• SODA Pop: On Tuesday, Mayor Muriel Bowser talked up her first year in office during an annual speech.
• Cherry Blossoms: There are places you can see them around the District without braving as many tourists.
• Bohemian Auction: Before jazz club Bohemian Caverns shuts at the end of this month, it’s selling its stuff.

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

• Pepco and Exelon merge after Public Service Commission ruling. [City Desk, Post, Times, WBJ, WAMU, DCist]
• Muriel Bowser defends her plans and launches some new ones. [LL]
• Mary Cheh and her robot friend push for robotic delivery. [Times]
• Former Deputy Mayor Paul Quander  [LL]
• LaRuby May defends Wizards practice facility plan. [Post]
• Fracas at library over cop allegedly harassing a Muslim woman. [Borderstan, DCist]
• Iowa congressman cranky about the District. [WBJ, City Desk]

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

• Hey, look: Oddisee has a new EP out! [Bandwidth]
• Tompkins Square Label to reissue Bob Brown‘s two long out-of-print LPs. [Arts Desk]
• Here are four designs for repurposing those Building Museum “Beach” balls Dupont Underground passed over. [Washingtonian]
• Watch Kokayi live at House Studio. [DC Music Download]
• Bohemian Caverns’ entire inventory is up for auction. [Arts Desk]
• Here’s Shakespeare Theatre Company’s upcoming season. [DC Theatre Scene]
• Listen to a new track from Janel Leppin‘s Mellow Diamond. [Arts Desk]

YOUNG & HUNGRY LINKS, by Jessica Sidman (tips? jsidman@washingtoncitypaper.com)

• Potomac Distilling, a rum distillery and tiki bar, is coming to The Wharf. [Post]
• Whaley’s will open in May with chef Daniel Perron. [Washingtonian]
• Publix grocery stores making first push into greater Washington. [WBJ]
• Put pimento cheese on it at 15 D.C. restaurants. [Eater]
• Duffy’s namesake Andy Duffy leaving for warmer climate—again. [Borderstan]
• Lupo Alimentari & Vineri, from Lupo Verde owners, coming to Palisades. [PoPville]
• Bubble tea is back—with a vengeance. [NPR]