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 District saw a record 20.2 million tourists last year, with increases in both international and domestic tourism. These travelers brought in $6.8 billion, $100 million more than they did in 2013.

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

  • Matthew Shlonsky, the 23-year old American University grad who was fatally and randomly shot in Shaw Saturday, is remembered by family and friends as “real, genuine…just an amazing kid.” Six persons of interests have emerged after the initial investigation based on surveillance videos. [Plain Dealer, WUSA9]
  • Two shootings and a spate of robberies took place throughout the city last night, hours after police chief Cathy Lanier called on the public to help fight against crime. There have been 94 homicides in 2015 so far—a jump of more than 30 percent as compared with this time last year. [NBC Washington]
  • Mayor Muriel Bowser kicked off the “Kids Ride Free” initiative Monday, which will allow students to travel on D.C.’s Metrorail system free of charge. Previously, only Metrobus had been free for them. [Post]
  • Still, Metro’s Board of Directors signaled concern with the system’s safety yesterday: It announced that it would hold an “earlier than scheduled meeting” on Sept. 6 to discuss a recent train derailment. [City Desk]
  • Mei Xiang, one of the Smithsonian National Zoo’s three pandas, has entered the final stages of a “possible pregnancy,” causing zoo officials to restrict access to part of the panda habitat as of yesterday. [WTOP/AP]

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

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

  • Washington football team won’t change its name to win over the District. [LL]
  • Muriel Bowser kicks off free Metro ride program for kids. [Post]
  • Police look for persons of interest in fatal shooting near Shaw Metro. [Post]
  • Post scrubs violence article’s focus on Northwest. [City Desk]
  • H St. bus stabbing blamed on passenger tussle. [Post]
  • District disability advocates unhappy with Uber. [WAMU]
  • City sees a tourism boom. [WBJ]

ARTS LINKS, by Christina Cauterucci (tips? ccauterucci@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • An interview with Sophie McTear, who designs the Comet Ping Pong posters for Sasha Lord [BYT]
  • Stevie Wonder played a free, surprise show yesterday morning to promote his upcoming tour, which will hit the Verizon Center in October. [DCist]
  • DCity Smokehouse competed against other barbecue joints on Ice-T‘s talk show. [Washingtonian]
  • Howard University alumnus Clifton Ross IIIis a finalist on BET’s gospel-singing competition, Sunday Best. [Post]
  • Adams Morgan Day wasn’t going to happen this year, but a few businesses have resurrected it. [DC Music Download]
  • Clay Aiken visited Arena Stage to see Dear Evan Hansen, which shares his music director. [Post]

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

  • The 11 most-anticipated fall restaurant openings [Zagat]
  • Provision No. 14 team will open restaurant called Bonfire in former Famous Luigi’s [WBJ]
  • Provision No. 14 team will open restaurant called the Prospectin former Ulah Bistro  [Eater]
  • Lemongrass food truck no longer accepts cash. [Post]
  • Watch Ice-T and Coco eat DCity Smokehouse. [Washingtonian]
  • Shaw’s Cher Cher Ethiopian restaurant expanding to second floor. [PoPville]