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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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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.