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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Metro has lost a couple of million dollars during the government shutdown because of fewer commuters using the system, and, if the shutdown drags on, significant cuts to service could be possible.

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

  • NBC announcer Bob Costas said on air during last night’s football game that he believes the name of the Washington football team is an “insult” and a “slur.” [USA Today]
  • Thousands of people, including Sarah Palin and Sen. Ted Cruz, stormed the barricaded World War II Memorial Sunday on the National Mall to protest the closure of the memorial during the government shutdown. [AP]
  • Georgetown is offering free classes to furloughed federal workers during the shutdown. [News4]
  • Police arrested more than 60 men and women over the weekend in a prostitution sting in downtown Washington. [WAMU]

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

Big Spender: Mayoral candidate Jack Evans has so far raised more money than any other candidate, but he’s also spending at a faster rate than anyone else.

Open For Business: A marketing group is launching a campaign that basically tells prospective D.C. tourists that even though the monuments and museums are closed during the shutdown, the city is still open and ready for visitors.

Do Not Pass Go: If you win the D.C. lottery during the government shutdown, you won’t be able to collect your winnings until after Congress gets its act together and the shutdown ends.

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

  • Verizon Center ditches its contract with the fire department over ambulance breakdowns. [Times]
  • No lotto payments in D.C. until the shutdown is over. [Post
  • Judge tosses most of the school closures lawsuit. [Post
  • Legislation from Mayor Vince Gray would require some businesses to provide transit for employees. [WBJ]
  • Wilson students consider banning Pigskins apparel. [Post]
  • D.C. public schools teacher will teach without pay if the shutdown continues. [Post]
  • Options Public Charter School, embroiled in a city lawsuit, gets another receiver. [Post]
  • New D.C. marketing campaign: Not everything’s closed. [Housing Complex]
  • Sixty people arrested in weekend prostitution sting. [WTOP
  • Cop accused of laundering money. [Post]
  • Woman found guilty of shooting gay man at IHOP. [Blade]
  • Bob Costas comes out against the Pigskins’ name. [NBC 4]

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

  • More shutdown-related service cuts possible for Metro as revenue drops. [Post]
  • Lots of activity coming to North Capitol Street. [UrbanTurf]
  • Truckers slow Beltway traffic; Barack Obama still president. [WNEW]
  • NoVa development will tax Metro system. [Post]
  • Survey shows mixed opinions on parking. [GGW]
  • Think D.C.’s been considering big minimum wage hikes? Ask Seattle. [Atlantic Cities]
  • ANC votes to support converting Dupont mansion into luxury hotel. [SALM]
  • Former CFSA building by L’Enfant is coming down. [WBJ]
  • Today on the market: Big Hill rowhouse with a big pricetag

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

  • NPR publishes its own History of The Dismemberment Plan. [NPR]
  • A pretty nice interview with Dismemberment Plan’s Travis Morrison [Spin]
  • Washington’s nonfiction bestseller list sounds unusually religious. [Post]
  • Washington Post classical music critic Anne Midgette knows that sad kid at the zoo. [Post]
  • The Sartorialist is coming to Monroe Street Market. [Washingtonian]
  • Shutdown dramatically reduces number of politicos at the opera. [Post]
  • Photos from opening night of Bentzen Ball [Brightest Young Things]
  • ICYMI: Kids’ museum wants to open in Montgomery County. [Post]

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

  • Ten orgasmic oyster bars in D.C. [The Plate]
  • Pasta consumption on the decline in Italy. [WSJ]
  • Pub and the People coming to Bloomingdale next year. [PoPville]
  • The making of the Food Network [NPR]
  • Where to pick pumpkins [Post]
  • Halloween food truck festival TruckerBOO is Oct. 25. [Food Truck Fiesta]
  • 100 Montaditos opens in Bethesda. [Bethesda Mag]
  • Try the roasted garlic soup at Vermillion. [Zagat]