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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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What work still needs to be completed before the Silver Line is ready for passengers? There are three issues that need to be fixed, including “bobbing track circuits” that send incorrect messages that a train is on the track when it isn’t.

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

  • Embattled former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell took a job as a part-time visiting professor of government at Liberty University, a fundamentalist Baptist college founded by Rev. Jerry Falwell Sr. [Post]
  • The D.C. Council grilled Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson for four overs over her proposed budget, specifically on how she planned to spend tens of millions of dollars allocated for at-risk youth. [Post]
  • Former Washington Pigskins wide receiver Josh Morgan was charged with simple assault after he allegedly punched a D.C. valet driver. [News4]
  • The D.C. Council had said it did not want any control over the heights of its buildings and yesterday the House of Representatives passed only minor changes to the Height Act, being careful not to “thrust” any unwanted authority on the city government. [Housing Complex]


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

The Great Divide: The Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art + Design is expected to essentially dissolve itself this spring. In our latest cover story, Kriston Capps poses 22 questions (and answers them) that the institution should address before it hands over the art collection and some museum space to the National Gallery of Art and the college and building to George Washington University.

Still Standing: Despite cries from The Washington Post and DCist that D.C. would have no video rental stores once Potomac Video closed, there is one more video store still kicking on the first floor of the Woodner Apartments on the 3600 block of 16th Street NW.

Plush Panda: Have $6,000 to spare? These days, that will buy you a behind-the-scenes VIP tour to see Bao Bao at the National Zoo.

Neighborhood Blocked: Fusion Restaurant just shut its doors on the 4800 block of Georgia Avenue NW because of repeated break-ins. That, on top of other recent closures on the block, doesn’t bode well for the Northern Petworth neighborhood

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

  • Schools chancellor Kaya Henderson grilled on plans for at-risk student funding. [Post]
  • House passes minor Height Act change. [Times, Roll Call]
  • David Catania slams Muriel Bowser‘s education record at “Public School Parents for Catania” meeting. [LL]
  • Crime beats out commerce on Georgia Avenue block. [Housing Complex]
  • Downtown D.C. is strong except for commercial office space. [WBJ]
  • Pepco could be for sale. [WBJ]
  • Anti-violence meeting interrupted by beef between two crews. [Post]
  • Taxi commission mulls Uber regs. [WAMU]
  • Man arrested in connection with Capitol Hill shooting. [Post]
  • Jilted Metro planter returns to Dupont Circle with a video. [Post]

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

  • Drivers are already making good use of NoMa’s new cycletrack. [DCist]
  • Downtown D.C. is in good shape, except for its office market. [WBJ]
  • FBI: Washington Highlands/Bellevue is the 22nd most dangerous neighborhood in America. [Curbed]
  • Earlier design rejected, Georgetown Exxon developers opt for a more generic one. [UrbanTurf]
  • Big-name developers are interested in a site near Union Market. [WBJ]
  • Columbia Heights’ best-named store caves to social mores. [New Columbia Heights]
  • Today on the market: A touch of Southern charm in Congress Heights—$299,900

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

  • Here’s what Wale and his three-year-old “Varsity Blues” had to say about Donald Sterling‘s racism. [Arts Desk]
  • An addition to our 22 questions about the future of the Corcoran: What will happen to ArtReach at THEARC? [East City Art]
  • M.I.A. had the Echostage crowd eating out of her finger-gunning hands. [Post]
  • In its first theater venture, Busboys and Poets will stage The Admission, fresh off its run at Theater J, at Studio Theatre. [Arts Desk]
  • Shaw’s Lauren Friedman demonstrates three (out of her new book’s 50) ways to tie a scarf. [Express]
  • An interview with Richard Thompson, who’s releasing a complete collection of his Cul de Sac cartoon next month [Comic Book Resources]
  • Matthew Shipp played a tribute to Duke Ellington at Bohemian Caverns. [Post]

FOOD LINKS, by Jessica Sidman. (tips? jsidman@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • A D.C. outdoor drinking guide [BYT]
  • Chefs and regulars pay their respects on Palena’s last day. [Post]
  • JRINK Juicery opens in Dupont. [Racked]
  • Shit people steal: mice mascots at Founding Farmers [Eater]
  • Beer and Welding sandwich shop opens in Dupont. [PoPville]
  • Where to drink boozy milkshakes around D.C. [Zagat]
  • OpenTable puts seven D.C. restaurants on list of 100 best brunch spots. [DCist]
  • Local sommeliers taste test Franzia’s boxed wines. [Thrillist]