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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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Our cover this week: D.C. has bet big on sports stadiums as economic engines and development tools. Are they worth it?

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

  • Breakup stories from the frontlines of D.C.’s restaurants and bars [Y&H]
  • Yvette Alexander‘s Ward 7 D.C. Council challengers emerge, including Kwame Brown. Yes, that Kwame Brown. [LL]
  • Metrobus drivers are often forced to relieve themselves on the bus, according to the transit union. [Post]
  • NTSB head on WMATA: “I don’t think any system is not fixable.” [WAMU]
  • An announcement on the future of the Purple Line may come this afternoon. [Post]

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

Gear Prudence: I’m an apartment dweller. Should I disguise my bike as a Puli and clean it at a self-service dog wash?

Drink Local: Regionally produced absinthe, now available in D.C.

Corp Reno: Imagining an alternate universe where Fort Reno has corporate sponsors.

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

  • New DYRS director shakes up staff. [LL]
  • Some D.C. Jail inmates will get in-person visitations again. [Post]
  • Latest NTSB hearing focuses on Metro employees. [WAMU, Post]
  • Post ed board: Metro “completely unprepared” for January smoke incident. [Post]
  • Report: Trauma hampers District students’ performance. [Post]
  • DGS goes hard. [Twitter]
  • Former DMPED boss Victor Hoskins has big plans for Arlington. [WBJ]

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

  • This year’s Fort Reno shows, sponsored by—Catholic University! National Geographic! The Metropolitan Police Department! [Arts Desk]
  • Watch a D.C.-bred jazz singer lay down a cool cover of “Call Me Maybe.” [Arts Desk]
  • There’s a big new mural in NoMa, but see it from the Red Line soon—it’s set to be ripped up for a new office and retail complex. [Post]
  • Listen to a new single jam-packed with synths and sing-along vocals from local duo the Raised by Wolves. [Bandwidth]
  • Benjamin Freed says Amanda MacKaye should step aside and let someone else run Fort Reno. [Washingtonian]

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

  • A guide to 42 D.C. rooftop bars [Thrillist]
  • Belga Cafe‘s new gin-focused rooftop patio is called Betsy. [PoPville]
  • Former Table chef Patrick Robinson moves to the Ashby Inn. [Post]
  • New restaurants in Bethesda [Eater]
  • Three cocktails to try at Prequel [DCist]
  • D.C.’s weirdest ice cream flavors [Express]