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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It’s finally official: Mayor Vince Gray is running for re-election. He waited months to make the decision, but he already has a campaign manager, Chuck Thies, and his first big endorsement, Councilmember Yvette Alexander. Now he just needs to beat out a competitive Democratic primary field.
LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:
- The D.C. Council is expected to take a preliminary vote today on raising the minimum wage to $11.50 an hour. (News4)
- The Metro board will vote on a proposal later this week that would raise all fares 3 percent, increasing the average train ride to about $3 and bus rides to $1.75 with a SmarTrip card. [WAMU]
- Two men were injured in two separate shootings last night that occurred about an hour apart and within a half-mile from each other in Anacostia. [Post]
- The Salvation Army is trying to make up for $10,000 in donations that was stolen from the charity’s office in Anacostia Sunday. [Post]
RECENT CITY PAPER STORIES TO HELP YOU MAKE SENSE OF YOUR DAY:
Trucker Blues: The new food truck lottery system went into effect Monday and vendors are pretty iffy about the whole idea.
Give It Up: ICYMI, WCP has partnered with the Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington to present a guide to local charities.
Can’t Trust Me: D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson says the local government shouldn’t have greater autonomy over its height limits because “citizens don’t trust the government.”
LOOSE LIPS, by Will Sommer (tips? wsommer@washingtoncitypaper.com)
- Yvette Alexander‘s on board. [LL]
- Gray hires political consultant Chuck Thies to run his campaign. [LL]
- Gray says he won’t kick off campaign until January. [Post]
- Andy Shallal predicts “flame-shooting” from Thies, based on previous tweets. [Post]
- Marion Barry, meanwhile, is not running for mayor. [Twitter]
- Congress takes up the Height Act. [Washingtonian, Housing Complex, Times, WBJ]
- Nine new paramedics start in the fire department. [WAMU]
- Two shootings in Anacostia last night. [Post]
- Gray administration is missing D.C. United stadium deadlines. [Post]
- Metro board wants a fare hike. [WAMU]
HOUSING COMPLEX, by Aaron Wiener (tips? awiener@washingtoncitypaper.com)
- Historic Cleveland Park house will be moved, all of 28 feet. [UrbanTurf]
- A Metro ride could soon be 10 cents more expensive. [Post]
- Hyatt Place hotel coming to the West End. [WBJ]
- Arlington’s counterintuitive plan: charge developers who build less parking, in order to discourage driving. [GGW]
- With a new owner, Post headquarters is set for an overhaul. [WBJ]
- Empty Black Friday parking garages are good news for Walmart. [Streetsblog]
- Wide street grids like D.C.’s are cost-efficient but bad for walkability. [Atlantic Cities]
- Today on the market: Pleasant Plains 2BR condo—$499,900
ARTS LINKS, by Ally Schweitzer (tips? aschweitzer@washingtoncitypaper.com)
- This year, Norway’s Christmas tree at Union Station heralds The Scream. [Post]
- ICYMI: Ex Hex gets interviewed, covers Slant 6. [Stereogum] [Rookie]
- Hey, listen to this new track from Will Eastman. [Blisspop]
- Watch: The Dismemberment Plan‘s Tiny Desk concert. [NPR]
- Kennedy Center Prez Michael Kaiser: Stop grabbing at every opportunity, arts orgs! [Huffington Post]
- Gary Sinise‘s Lt. Dan Band plays DAR tonight for Navy Yard employees. [AP]
- Carole King will perform at National Cathedral vigil. [DCist]
FOOD LINKS, by Jessica Sidman (tips? jsidman@washingtoncitypaper.com)
Y&H is on vacation.