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 House approved a $1 trillion spending bill last night that includes a provision that—-on the surface, anyway—-appears to block D.C.’s legal pot initiative. There are, however, still some ambiguities in the way the provision is written, and some D.C. leaders think marijuana can still be legalized in the District despite the provision.

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

  • Democrats decidedly did not use any leverage they may have had to try and save D.C. marijuana. [City Desk]
  • Five reasons why D.C. may still be able to declare pot legal. [Washington Post]
  • D.C. leaders have reached an agreement on how to fund the D.C. United stadium deal. [Loose Lips]
  • Michel du Cille, a Pulitzer Prize–winning photographer for the Washington Post, died of a heart attack yesterday while on assignment for the paper in Liberia. He was 58. [Washington Post]

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

Losing Control:  D.C. rent control laws are supposed to keep housing affordable. So how do landlords keep getting around them? Our latest cover story explores.

Can’t Touch Me: A D.C. pot activist tried and failed to get himself arrested this week.

Winter-Friendly Outdoors: Four outdoor spots for hot food and drinks.

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

  • Phil Mendelson, Vince Gray strike a deal on D.C. United stadium financing. [LL, WAMU, WBJ]
  • It’s good to be Muriel Bowser‘s pick in the Ward 4 special election. [LL]
  • The District doesn’t have to worry about being affected by the shutdown this time. [City Desk]
  • Nancy Pelosi doesn’t list interfering in the District’s marijuana laws one of the most offensive parts of budget deal. [City Desk]
  • Pot campaign maestro Adam Eidinger tries to get arrested over budget deal. [City Desk]
  • Jonetta Rose Barras: “Is Bowser sliding into the role of chief symbologist?” [Post]
  • More on the committee handling Marion Barry tribute requests. [Post]
  • Post photographer Michel du Cille, who took the photos for their Jeff Thompson Jamaica story, dies in Liberia. [Post]
  • Barack Obama isn’t thrilled with marijuana deal, but won’t veto budget package over it. [Times]
  • United Medical Center could get a regulatory break from the Council. [WBJ]
  • What legalized pot has going for it [Post]

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

  • A very cool visualization of how each D.C. neighborhood’s income stacks up nationally [Andrew McGill]
  • All parties strike a deal on the soccer stadium (except Akridge). [LL]
  • Vince Gray stops to check on struck cyclist. [DCist]
  • D.C. requires cabs to use an Uber-like app. [AP]
  • A status update on the Navy Yard movie theater [JDLand]
  • Conversion of Lamont Street NW linens building to 225 residences gets zoning approval. [UrbanTurf]
  • Here’s where the National Mall Circulator line will go. [DCist]
  • Today on the market: 1BR condo near American University—-$439,500

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

  • Meet Brooke Allen, the illustrator of Lumberjanes, a fast-growing, feminist comic about five best friends at a supernatural summer camp. [Arts Desk]
  • Local experimental guitarist Anthony Pirog on his gear set-up and songwriting approach [Point of Departure]
  • Listen to Sun Machines‘ “Mono Mind,” a synthy track about anxiety [Bandwidth]
  • Tereu Tereu remixed the Caribbean‘s “Imitation Air” for a compilation album to benefit HIPS. [Arts Desk]
  • AMP, Strathmore’s new music venue in North Bethesda, announced its first show schedule. [Bandwidth]
  • Paul Morella on his annual Christmas tradition: Putting on a one-man Christmas Carol at the Olney Theatre Center [DC Theatre Scene]

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

  • The best and worst brunches of 2014 [Bitches Who Brunch]
  • DGS Delicatessen will offer “Jewish Christmas” with menu from Erik Bruner-Yang and Tim Ma. [Post]
  • Christmas dinner done three ways [Express]
  • Kapnos chef George Pagonis returns to Top Chef. [Washingtonian]
  • Dolci Gelati opens in Shaw on Monday. [Eater]
  • Five things to order at Chez Billy Sud [Zagat]
  • Taking stock of D.C.’s ramen scene [Thrillist]