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

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The Transportation Secretary has summoned D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the governors of Virginia and Maryland to a private meeting to review the Metro’s “urgent safety issues.” [Post]

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

  • A new report has found that retail sales across the D.C. area fell 3.7 percent in June, despite a 0.8 jump nationally. [WBJ]
  • Taylor Swift played a sold-out show at Nats Park Monday, surviving a stage malfunction to play again tonight. [WTOP]
  • Local blogger Dan Silverman (aka Prince of Petworth) has moved west from his home in upper D.C. [PoPville]
  • D.C.’s Office of Revenue Analysis released data on the most popular names in D.C. based on public records. [City Desk]
  • In other names-news: What are some alternatives to the name of D.C.’s NFL team? [Slant]

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

Our Latest Cover: Will Julianne Brienza change the Capital Fringe Festival for the better?

Gear Prudence: Biking sans shirt, and other adventures.

Dîner en Blah: An outdoor gathering for foodies, with a lot of rules, is coming back to D.C. on Aug. 29.

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

  • Don’t do crime, says Michael Brown. [LL]
  • Synthetic drugs could be behind overdose jump. [Post]
  • United Medical Center replaces its CEO. [WBJ]
  • And St. Elizabeths’ CEO leaves. [WBJ]
  • New Metro fare gates jeopardized after poor test results. [WAMU]
  • Serial, but with Adrian Fenty and Bowser. [DCInno]
  • Top Michelle Rhee deputy leaves DCPS. [Post]
  • Grand juror says jury bucked U.S. Attorney in hate crime case. [Blade]
  • Blog royalty looks for better schools. [Post]

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

  • This local performance artist will come to your house, wash your dishes, and perform a monologue of your choosing. [Fringeworthy]
  • A recap of Typefighter‘s last-ever show, at the Rock & Roll Hotel [BYT]
  • How D.C. political types celebrate Taylor Swift‘s two-night residency at Nats Stadium [DCist]
  • After a drummer farted and cracked a window, Madam’s Organ got fined. Now, the bar’s launched a MoveOn.org petition to protest it. [Borderstan]
  • Scenes from Kramerbooks at midnight, when the first copies of Harper Lee‘s Go Set a Watchman went on sale [Post]
  • Photos of the New Pornographers and Thao & the Get Down Stay Down at the 9:30 Club [BYT]

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

  • Mike Isabella’s Pepita will focus on cocktails, not the kitchen. [Post]
  • Where to drink and dine for Bastille Day [Washingtonian]
  • Thai Pad opens in Van Ness. [PoPville]
  • 15 food truck meals for $6 or less [Eater]
  • Gluten-free eatery will replace Pei Wei on 18th St. NW. [Borderstan]
  • Every flavor of Doritos ranked [Thrillist]