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 12-inch water main that leaked Tuesday morning, flooding downtown Metro tracks and wreaking havoc on morning commutes, was installed in 1953. Although trains were back operating Tuesday morning, crews have been working on repairs through this morning.

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

• Under a proposed plan, Howard University Hospital would partner with the troubled United Medical Center—-the only full-service hospital east of the Anacostia River. [Washington Post]
• A D.C. judge dismissed an 18-year-old special education lawsuit, allowing D.C. schools to administer special-education services without a court-appointed official monitoring and tracking the performance. [Washington Post]
• A final Council vote on the D.C. United stadium deal is expected today. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson says he expects it to go smoothly. [WAMU]
• Thousands of drivers in the D.C.-area suburbs have been using handicapped parking placards. [News4]
• It’s official: Arts are going underground in Dupont. [Housing Complex]

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

On Track: D.C. added a record nine miles of new bike lanes this year.

Say What, Congress? Council Chair Phil Mendelson says he will still submit Initiative 71, which would legalize marijuana possession for personal use in D.C., to Congress.

Losing Control: How landlords get around rent control laws and jack up rent.

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

• Ward 8 field gets bigger, could pull in Marion Barry‘s son. [LL, Post]
• United Medical Center teamed up with Howard University hospital and its turnaround partner. [Post, WBJ]
• New debt backs D.C. United stadium plan. [WBJ]
• Wilson Building staffers walk out in “Black Lives Matter” protest. [Post]
• District gets out from under special ed lawsuit. [Post]
• Report: D.C. FEMS radios are now encrypted. [Statter911]
• More on Phil Mendelson‘s plan to send marijuana law anyway. [City Desk]
• Dupont Underground project gets a lease. [Housing Complex]
• Cathy Lanier: Ferguson protests are straining police resources. [City Desk]
• New HIV/AIDS cases are way down. [WAMU]

HOUSING COMPLEX, by Aaron Wiener (tips? awiener@washingtoncitypaper.com)

• So far this winter, D.C. has sheltered 59 homeless families at the Days Inn, and counting. [DCist]
• Administration’s plan calls for double the debt of Council’s to fund stadium deal. [WBJ]
• Troubled Howard University Hospital will partner with troubled United Medical Center. [Post]
• How the Southeast Boulevard looks now, and how it could soon look. [JDLand]
• Bike lanes coming to Florida Avenue NW near the 9:30 Club. [WashCycle]
• GGW renames cycletracks. Now they’re protected bikeways. [GGW]
• Furnished micro-units are the boldest new concept of 2014. [UrbanTurf]
• Today on the market: Deanwood rental property—-$270,000

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

• It’s official: The vacant area underneath Dupont Circle will become and arts exhibition and event space. [Housing Complex]
• The National Endowment for the Arts has been without a theater director for a year. Why? [Post]
• Listen to Howard University’s Afro Blue vocal jazz ensemble sing some Christmas tunes. [Bandwidth]
• Side Show‘s Broadway run will end after just 77 performances. [DC Theatre Scene]
• The Smithsonian took public comments on its ambitious south Mall renovation plan. [Post]
• DJ Ayescold on privilege and identity in the D.C. DJ scene [D.C. Music Download]
• DJ duo Handsome Boy Modeling School will reunite for New Year’s Eve at Little Miss Whiskey’s. [Post]

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

• D.C.’s most anticipated winter restaurant openings [Eater]
• Salt and Pepper Grill III now open at 5830 Georgia Ave. NW. [PoPville]
• Puddin’ brings Southern comfort food to Union Market. [Washingtonian]
• Eight restaurants offering great freebies [Zagat]
• One Eight Distilling will open on 1/8/2015. [Post]
• Photos from nine H Street NE restaurants serving foie gras this month [BYT]