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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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Jeffrey Thompson, the businessman believed to be behind Mayor Vince Gray‘s 2010 shadow campaign, is reportedly in final talks with federal prosecutors to strike a plea agreement.  The deal could come as soon as today.

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

  • Embattled D.C. Fire Chief Kenneth Ellerbe will face Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells, chair of the public safety committee, once again today, this time for a routine annual assessment of the fire department. [Post]
  • The Maryland House is expected to give final approval to legislation that would raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10. The bill faces a more uncertain future in the Senate. [WAMU]
  • Warning to D.C. partygoers using the Metro Saturday evening: The Metro will close an hour earlier due to daylight savings. Instead of closing at 3 a.m. early Sunday morning, the system will close at 2 a.m. [News4]
  • JetBlue is planning to add new nonstop service from Washington’s Reagan National Airport, including flights to Charleston, S.C., Hartford, Conn., and Nassau in the Bahamas. [USA Today]

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

Mappers’ Delight: The Korean population in Northern Virginia has finally gotten politically organized. So why did they choose an obscure cartography issue as their first real battle? Read our latest cover story to find out.

The Cosby Show: Longtime Ben’s Chili Bowl eater Bill Cosby was in Rosslyn Thursday to open the restaurant’s newest storefront.

Brutal Fate: A look at some of D.C.’s Brutalist buildings and their futures.

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

  • Alleged shadow campaign backer Jeff Thompson reportedly close to a plea deal. [Post, NBC4, LL, WAMU]
  • Ex-NBA player Steve Francis headlines Muriel Bowser fundraiser. [LL]
  • Nurses union backs Vincent Orange; pro-marijuana group backs Tommy Wells. [Post]
  • Andy Shallal says he’s not dropping out of the mayor’s race. [LL]
  • Post ed board: Secret Service road closure was “beyond the pale.” [Post]
  • New pot push raises questions about housing laws. [WAMU]
  • District leads in free school breakfasts. [Post]
  • State Board of Education member will resign after taking a city job. [Post]
  • Parking ticket program not working. [WTOP]
  • Metro train kills man at Waterfront. [Post]
  • Bowser campaign botches campaign banners. [LL]
  • Power line undergrounding will start this year. [Post]
  • Metrobus injures pedestrian. [Post]

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

  • Housing Authority is caught between permissive local laws and strict federal laws on marijuana. [WAMU]
  • Skyland will break ground next week. [WBJ]
  • The Streetsense-neighborhood collaboration to bring retail to Congress Heights. [NPR]
  • The origins of and prospects for the 11th Street Bridge Park. [Next City]
  • D.C. charter officials are now trying to keep troubled Options open. [Post]
  • Photos and videos of President Barack Obama‘s visit to Powell Elementary. [Prezi]
  • Mount Pleasant residents threaten to leave city if school boundaries are changed. [New Columbia Heights]
  • Douglas Development H Street project could offer three floors of retail. [UrbanTurf]
  • A guide to dealing with noisy neighbors [Atlantic Cities]
  • Today on the market: Fairfax Village 2BR—$79,000

ARTS LINKS, by Jonathan L. Fischer. (tips? jfischer@washingtoncitypaper.com)

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

  • Which neighborhoods have the cheapest pizza in D.C.? [Post]
  • Chefs are aging sauces in old liquor barrels. [Express]
  • Neighborhood Restaurant Group opening a beer garden on Rockville Pike. [BethesdaNow]
  • Five Guys in Dupont closed “until further notice.” [PoPville]
  • The best pho around D.C. [Zagat]
  • Five brunches to try this weekend [BYT]