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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It’s official, folks: Ex-Mayor Vince Gray will run for the Ward 7 seat on the D.C. Council. In announcing his bid Thursday on WAMU, Gray took a few shots at incumbent Yvette Alexander, saying there’s “wide dissatisfaction” among residents over her representation. If he succeeds, it could mean an anti-Muriel Bowser bloc on the Council.

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

  • The District has confirmed three cases of Zika virus, one involving a pregnant woman. [City Desk, Post]
  • A pair of firefighters has been reassigned for failing to notice a gunshot wound on a patient. [FOX5, Post]
  • No charges will be filed against a Metro Transit Police officer who fatally shot a man last year. [WUSA9]
  • Metro has a new video surveillance center that lets operators monitor suspicious or criminal activity. [Post]
  • D.C. will form a disability advisory committee to help mount better responses to snowstorms. [City Desk]
  • An “anti-feminist” meet-up may still be on for Saturday, and D.C. police say they’ve heard concerns. [DCist]
  • Joseph Weishaar, 25, will design the new World War I memorial in Pershing Park. Who is he? [WAMU]

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

  • Dinner Engagement: How common are restaurant marriage proposals and how do staff prepare for them?
  • John Aniello Award: One of TheatreWashington’s annual awards recognizes up-and-coming companies.
  • Climbing Panda: Giant panda cub Bei Bei went outside and climbed a tree on Thursday. Well, kind of.

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

  • Vince Gray‘s back, and he wants his Council seat. [LL, WAMU, Blade, Times]
  • David Grosso on The Politics Hour. [WAMU]
  • Pots ed board backs longer school year. [Post]
  • Church backs 6th St. NW bike lane. [GGW]
  • These people hate leaf-blowers! [WAMU]
  • Council backs LGBT competency bill. [Blade]
  • No charges for Metro transit police officer. [Post]

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

  • TheatreWashington’s Aniello Award identifies the next up-and-coming theater companies, but that doesn’t always guarantee success. [Arts Desk]
  • What Backyard Band‘s viral “Hello” cover means for the state of go-go. [Post]
  • With its newest album, Two Inch Astronaut is breaking free of the city’s musical past. [Arts Desk]
  • Watch a music video for Cigarette‘s “Housewife” directed by Sarah Kinlaw. [Impose]
  • Kanye West‘s weird new film will play at these local theaters. [Washingtonian]
  • Puff Pieces announces debut album and drops a new track. [Arts Desk]
  • The National Museum of African Art’s first aural exhibition “brings us the sounds of a Nigerian market.” [Post]

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

  • Where to watch the Super Bowl around D.C. [Washingtonian]
  • Best bars without TV in D.C. [BYT]
  • Ventnor Sports Cafe: A pub that does right by its grub (and its drinks) [Post]
  • Port City Brewing Company, by the numbers [Eater]
  • How to tell if your bartender is actually hitting on you [Thrillist]
  • French wine bar La Jambe looking to open in Shaw in May. [PoPville]