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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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The D.C. Council passed legislation Tuesday to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana. If the bill becomes law, blazing in public, however, would still be considered a criminal offense.

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

  • President Barack Obama‘s budget would grant D.C. greater autonomy, but it’s unlikely it will pass Congress. [City Desk]
  • The Maryland Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would ban discrimination against transgender people in employment, housing, and public places. [Post]
  • Police are looking for about a dozen teens after they robbed the high-end True Religion store in Georgetown in a flash mob-style heist  two weeks ago. [News4]
  • In the first six months of 2013, seven pedestrians were killed by cars, compared to three during the same time period the year before. [WAMU]

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

Convenient Truths: ICYMI, latest cover package takes a look inside D.C.’s ultimate local institutions: corner stores. Learn about five neighborhood stores, how these small shops get fresh produce, and, most importantly, where to find the best bottle of wine.

Oppo Research: Revealed! A secret document that helps D.C. restaurants keep tabs on food writers.

Free Food: This D.C. guy invites interesting strangers out for meals and then writes about them on his blog, aptly titled diningwithstrangers.com.

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

  • Vince Gray says Secret Service road closures are “paralyzing” the District. [NBC 4, Times, Post]
  • D.C. Council passes marijuana decriminalization bill. [Post, Times, WBJ, WAMU]
  • How to smoke (almost) legally once the decriminalization bill becomes law. [LL]
  • David Catania‘s D.C. Promise bill passes the Council. [Post]
  • Compare where the mayoral hopefuls stand on issues. [Post]
  • Gray lands Chamber of Commerce endorsement. [LL, Post]
  • Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander caucuses back Gray. [Huffington Post]
  • Bill to increase nursing staff levels remains stuck. [Post, WBJ]
  • Muriel Bowser likes Nirvana, and four other facts about her. [Post]
  • Vincent Orange hasn’t always worn such jaunty pins. [Post]
  • Jim Graham legislation would put party promoters through ABC Board regulations. [Times]
  • Mayoral candidates talk homeless policy. [Housing Complex]
  • Fox 5’s general manager wants fire chief Kenneth Ellerbe to get the boot. [Fox 5]
  • Trinidad and Petworth home values show biggest growth. [Housing Complex]

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

  • Mayoral candidates weigh in on housing, the Height Act, and D.C.’s growth. [GGW]
  • With people driving less, is it time to rethink our transportation funding? [WAMU]
  • The GSA’s looking to create a civilian cybersecurity center in the D.C. area. [WBJ]
  • D.C. and other cities work to combat the pressures of gentrification. [NYT]
  • Where could the Circulator go next? [GGW]
  • The history of chickens in D.C. [Hill Rag]
  • U Street NW ANC committee votes to support lowered parking minimums. [SALM]
  • Today on the market: Cathedral Heights co-op—$324,000

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

  • The Kennedy Center’s 2014-2015 season includes the return of The Book of Mormon, a revival of Gigi, and the premiere of a Degas-inspired musical.[Arts Desk]
  • The Post‘s critics analyze the just-announced KenCen season. [Post]
  • Proposed 2014-2015 federal budget would increase Smithsonian, National Gallery funding. [Post]
  • A close look at the Corcoran’s collection—and what the National Gallery may want to keep from it. [Modern Art Notes]
  • 1982 Post report on a neighborhood music festival: “A Different Kind of Action Goes Down at 14th and U.” [Facebook]
  • An interview with Comet Ping Pong show booker Sasha Lord [D.C. Music Download]

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

  • Inside the fridge’s of D.C.’s top chefs [Thrillist]
  • Le Diplomate is set to bring in $16 million in sales by its one year anniversary next month. [Post]
  • Where to find Chick-fil-A knock-offs around D.C. [Zagat]
  • Sweet Belly Cookies opening pop-up in Arlington and then a shop in Falls Church. [NoVa Mag]
  • D.C. points tourists to Rose’s Luxury, Daikaya, Del Campo, and more. [Eater]
  • New service delivers meat by bike [UrbanDaddy]
  • Another steakhouse?! This one’s called Mastro’s. [WBJ]
  • Meet La Piquette‘s chef Francis Layrle. [Washingtonian]