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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Major cities’ police chiefs, including D.C. Chief Cathy Lanier, met yesterday at the Newseum to discuss strategies for reducing a national spike in violent crime. The top cops’ recommendations included reforming sentencing laws, increasing penalties for people who use high-capacity guns, and creating a federal crime database.

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

  • Severe weather this morning downed trees and caused power outages for thousands of people who live in the D.C. area. [AP/WJLA]
  • An internal analysis by D.C.’s Metro shows that the Silver Line is not meeting ridership expectations. Why? Partly because Tysons Corner, the last stop on the line, is not friendly toward pedestrians. [WAMU]
  • One District hospital plans to expand, while another local one will soon close: MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and Laurel Regional Hospital, in Prince George’s County, respectively. [WBJ, WBJ]
  • D.C. Public Schools replaces its annual Beautification Day with an Adopt-a-School program. [City Desk]
  • D.C. United hires Populous, the architecture firm behind Nationals Park, to design its future stadium at Buzzard Point. [Post]

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

  • “Let’s All Kick Out Florida”: And let the District become a state, sang comedian John Oliver on Sunday, during a segment on D.C. statehood.
  • An “Expat Bar” in Petworth?: That’s what Food Network Star contestant Alex McCoy wants to open in October.
  • D.C. Council Intrigue: Embattled D.C. businessman Jeff Thompson may call on Councilmember Yvette Alexander and former at-large Councilmember David Catania as witnesses in a lawsuit over his alleged plundering of a Medicaid contractor.

Correction: This morning’s District Line Daily originally misstated that former Mayor Vince Gray may be called in the Jeff Thompson case. In fact, it is former at-large Councilmember David Catania who may be called. We regret the error.

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

  • Olympic Committee asks the District about potential new bid. [SI]
  • Councilmembers could be called in Jeff Thompson lawsuit. [LL]
  • Cathy Lanier talks crime spike with other police chiefs. [Post]
  • Once-persecuted headshop Capitol Hemp returns. [DCist]
  • Eleanor Holmes Norton wants details on GSA leasing. [WBJ]
  • The Hine redevelopment battle is almost over. [Post]
  • D.C. United hires the people behind Nationals Park’s design. [Post]

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

  • Photos of R.Ring at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue [Arts Desk]
  • John Oliver makes a convincing case for D.C. statehood in song. [City Desk]
  • A review of BRNDA‘s album release show with Wildhoney and Den-Mate [DC Music Download]
  • Jammy Jams, a Bethesda-based record label, covers popular tunes from the likes of Outkast and Black Sabbath in lullaby form. [DCist]
  • Gwyneth Paltrow and Blythe Danner are visiting the Hill to say things about GMO labeling. [Post]

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

  • Nine new spots to try for Restaurant Week [Zagat]
  • What nine influential Washingtonians eat for breakfast [Washingtonian]
  • The Chesapeake Room reopens Friday with a more Southern menu. [Eater]
  • What to expect from Alfa Piehouse [Post]
  • 14th St Cafe Asian Bistro now open in Logan Circle. [PoPville]
  • Mike Isabella‘s Pepita takes advantage of new Virginia law that allows pitchers. [WBJ]