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The Government Accountability Office issued a blow to D.C. Thursday, writing in a report that D.C.’s budget autonomy referendum, which voters overwhelmingly approved last April, has no legal standing.

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

  • The Navy Yard shooter apparently lied so convincingly to Veterans Affairs doctors that they concluded he had no mental health issues. [AP]
  • A D.C. woman opened an express mail package and found thousands of dollars’ worth of marijuana meant for someone else. [WJLA]
  • A D.C. fire lieutenant and firefighter were put on administrative leave as the department investigates allegations that no one responded to an elderly man who collapsed outside a fire station and later died. [Post]

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

Rough Ride: This week’s cover story examines what it would take to transform the struggling and underenrolled Roosevelt High School in the now-booming Petworth neighborhood.

Edward Snowyden: We asked. You Answered. What should we name D.C.’s very own snowy owl?

Warm Neighbors: When temperatures in D.C. plunged Monday, the hypothermia hotline received 704 calls.

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

  • GAO rejects budget autonomy referendum. [City Desk, WAMU, Post, Times]
  • Fire lieutenant on leave during investigation into man’s death outside fire station. [Times, Post]
  • DCPS was warned about cheating, didn’t do much about it. [AP, Post]
  • Post ed board: fire department is “a national embarrassment.” [Post]
  • April primary candidates face off in Sixth & I Synagogue forums. [LL, Post]
  • Walter Reed development gets HUD blessing. [Housing Complex, WBJ]
  • $40,000 in pot sent to D.C. woman’s apartment. [NBC 4]
  • Crane-counting pols embarrass Blade columnist. [Blade]
  • More on Jim Graham‘s week of bad news. [Blade]
  • Washington Post lists Adrian Fenty as a cautionary tale about…snow? [Post]
  • Looking for cheap rent? Head to Congress Heights. [Housing Complex]

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

  • Campaign launches to end chronic homelessness. [DCist]
  • Georgetown fleshes out some of its wish-list items. [GGW]
  • Vincent Orange: Good riddance, New York Avenue Walmart. Bring on the soundstage. [WBJ]
  • So long, homeownership rate. Hello, headship rate. [NYT]
  • The proposals for Eastern Market plaza, including a mini Capitol Hill. [GGW]
  • Clarifying the city’s approach to middle schools: If you can’t beat charters, join ’em? [GGE]
  • Controversial CFPB building renovation could bring an inspector general investigation. [WBJ]
  • VRE could expand—and connect with MARC. [GGW]
  • Four teams shortlisted for Frederick Douglass Bridge project. [WBJ]
  • Today on the market: Langston rowhouse, trying to be Trinidad—$389,000

ARTS LINKS, by Ally Schweitzer. (tips? aschweitzer@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Mo Rocca will moderate a panel at the big Kennedy Center arts summit this weekend. [AP]
  • Ford’s Theatre crawls with feds at Violet‘s opening night. [Post]
  • Local artist Theodore Taylor wins an award for his illustrations in a hip-hop children’s book. [Post]
  • Travis Morrison‘s The Burlies release an EP. [Arts Desk]
  • New artist studio space available for rent in Bethesda. [East City Art]
  • Pete Seeger‘s musical childhood in Chevy Chase, Md. [Post]
  • Also: There’s a Pete Seeger singalong in Columbia Heights this weekend. [PoPville]

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

  • Three places to try soup dumplings [Zagat]
  • Update on Tadich Grill, coming to 1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW [Washingtonian]
  • Broncos, Seahawks fans battle for viewing space at same D.C. bar. [Post]
  • Former Liberty Tavern chef Liam LaCivita looking to open his own restaurant. [Eater]
  • Former Cafe Japone space gutted in Dupont. [PoPville]
  • Judging the restrooms at The Pig [DCist]
  • Five brunches to try this weekend [BYT]