Sting Awakening: Former at-large Councilmember Michael Brown just pleaded guilty in federal court to bribery, and has agreed to serve up to three years and one month in prison. Of the $55,000 Brown accepted from undercover FBI agents, $15,000 was delivered in a duffel bag containing Washington Nationals shirts and a baseball cap, while another $10,000 was inside a Washington Pigskins mug. Brown’s lawyer Brian Heberlig put this ominous-sounding spin on the day: “This will not be the final chapter for Michael Brown.” +3

Twister in the Sun: The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning watch until 10 p.m. for the Washington area. For weather porn, see these Twitter pics of some vicious-looking funnel clouds (h/t Capital Weather Gang). Someone do the right thing to these photos and Photoshop in ice cream cone guy. -1

Ramen Intrigue: The chef of ramen spot Taan tweeted from the Adams Morgan restaurant’s account that it had closed and he’d been fired—-which is exactly half true. While chef Jonathan Bisagni is out of a job, Taan will be open tomorrow with a new cook in the kitchen, according to owner Ahmed Ouihman. +/-0

Don’t Be a Jerk: According to one D.C. Redditor, a man was allegedly caught masturbating while riding Megabus from D.C. to New York City, DCist reports. Don’t worry, Manhattanites: Police pulled over the bus after other passengers complained, and the man was arrested outside the Lincoln Tunnel . +1

Friday’s Needle rating: 30 Today’s score: +3  Today’s Needle rating: 33