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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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Officials are analyzing data from the Silver Line’s first full test run over the weekend and, as always, there is still no firm date for when work on the $5.6 billion rail project will be completed.

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

  • A study commissioned by the D.C. government found that the city should be increasing its funding for public schools by more than 15 percent—or at least $180 million a year.  [Washington Post]
  • WMATA mislabeled a bunch of metro stops on signs at Metro Center. The approximate cost to fix the mistake: $2,000.  [News4]
  • The D.C. unemployment rate dropped to 8.1 percent in December— the lowest it’s been in five years. [AP]
  • The latest installment in WAMU’s series on crack in D.C. looks at the effect the drug has had on local kids. [WAMU]

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

The Answers Issue: ICYMI, in the 2014 Answers Issue, we tackled some of your toughest questions, including: If “Washington” and “D.C.” now mean the same thing, why do we still use both? Read the issue to find out that answer and more.

Water Cooler Talk: At-Large Councilmember David Grosso is endorsing Ward 1 challenger Brianne Nadeau in her bid to unseat incumbent Jim Graham.

Angry Birds: Woolly’s Stupid Fucking Bird cleaned up at the 2014 Helen Hayes Award nominations.

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

  • Tommy Wells takes reporters to Maryland hotel housing D.C. homeless families. [Post]
  • Gray spokesman calls Wells’ event a “shameless political stunt.” [WAMU]
  • David Grosso backs challenger to Jim Graham. [LL, Post]
  • D.C. unemployment rate hits 8.1 percent. [WTOP, Post]
  • Fire department investigating man’s death in front of fire station. [WJLA]
  • Post ed board: what to do with embattled Options Public Charter School? [Post]
  • Officials “break ground” on Hecht Warehouse. [Housing Complex]
  • Study: D.C. schools budget needs 15 percent increase. [Post]

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

  • Embassy of Oman drops $16.5 million on old charter school building. [WBJ]
  • The Smithsonian Arts and Industries building won’t reopen after all. [Arts Desk]
  • The D.C. area tops the list of political giving, by a wide margin. [NerdWallet]
  • But we’re only number four in public transit, well behind Boston. [Walk Score]
  • People use Capital Bikeshare most when it’s hot out. [Mobility Lab]
  • JBG will break ground on its big 13th and U project this fall. [UrbanTurf]
  • Court ruling allows Wharf developers to move forward. [WBJ]
  • Condo building off U Street will wrap around a historic church. [UrbanTurf]
  • Today on the market: Petworth duplex—$495,000

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

  • Folk musician and activist Pete Seeger, who once worked with Alan Lomax at the Library of Congress’ Archive of Folk Song, is dead at 94. [Post, Smithsonian, Post, Spin]
  • National Portrait Gallery installs a photo of Seeger, on view indefinitely. [AP]
  • Woolly Mammoth’s Stupid Fucking Bird dominates 2014 Helen Hayes nominations. [Arts Desk]
  • Introducing D.C.’s first Funk Parade. [DCist]
  • Studio Theatre replaces Beats with Grounded. [Post]
  • Take a video tour of the Kennedy Center’s planned expansion. [WBJ]
  • An early look at the new Georgetown record store. [D.C. Music Download]
  • Finalists for Chuck Brown Park sculpture announced. [DCist]
  • Light art sought for Edward R. Murrow Park and James Monroe Park. [East City Art]
  • Petworth Citizen prepares to open its reading room. [PoPville]
  • In San Francisco, Benoit & Sergio don’t bring the hits. [SF Weekly]

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

  • Osteria Elisir closes. Chef Enzo Fargione in early talks for a reality show deal. [Don Rockwell, Post]
  • Homeland star Claire Danes spotted at Bibiana. [Washingtonian]
  • What to drink instead of Bud Light during the Super Bowl [Drink DC]
  • Gourmet riffs on buffalo chicken wings [Zagat]
  • The Coupe will soon no longer be open 24/7. [PoPville]
  • Sushi and crab cakes coming to Nationals stadium. [DCist]
  • Takeout options for Super Bowl Sunday [Eater]