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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This week’s cover story, out now in print: Meet TV reporter Russ Ptacek, ardent opponent of dangerous fridges, racist cabbies, and dirty restaurants.

LEADING THE MORNING NEWS:

  • Former nightclub owner sentenced. [Post]
  • Streetcar unveiled. [Examiner]
  • Slavery accusations at Saudi mansion in McLean. [WTOP]
  • Capitol Hill  beating suspect found guilty. [Examiner]

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

Party Time: Adams Morgan bar Millie & Al’s is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Crossed Wires: Washington’s broadband network isn’t meeting its potential.

Bugs’ Lives: Jordan Brown is documenting the District’s bugs.

Dry Mouth: Not everyone who needs medicinal marijuana will be covered by the District’s legal pot.

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

  • Fundrise offers up another H Street property. [Fundrise]
  • Penn Branch Shopping Center facing foreclosure. [Post]
  • A new CaBi option for infrequent users. [GGW]
  • Volkswagen gives $10 million to National Mall. (Did someone say giant underground parking lot?) [WJLA]
  • L Street cycletrack had only a “slightly” negative impact on driving. [WTOP]
  • Buyer of nearly $1 million Trinidad house now looking to rent out basement for $2,200/mo. [ToT]
  • Streetcars running by year’s end? We’ll believe it when we see it. [DCist]
  • Big land swap for D.C. United stadium? Makes sense. [WBJ]
  • Take contracts out of the Council’s hands. [Post]
  • D.C.’s rooftop bars, mapped. [DCist]
  • South Capitol Street KIPP hits a roadblock as small area plan advances. [SWTLQTC]
  • Today on the market: Elegant Hill Victorian

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

  • Former Levels nightclub owner Antoine Jones sentenced to 15 years in prison on a drug charge. [Post]
  • First Lady Michelle Obama comes to Politics & Prose May 7. [Post]
  • Imperial China announces its final show. [Arts Desk]
  • Yay, Gateway Arts District! [WJLA]
  • ICYMI: Sequestration means the Smithsonian won’t use all of its available gallery space. [Arts Desk]

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

  • Where to taste tequila and mezcal around D.C. [Zagat]
  • Mama Chuy opens patio, launches eight-hour happy hour with half off drinks. [New Columbia Heights]
  • More about B Too. [Washingtonian]
  • 3 Stars Brewing Company to host oyster and barbecue throwdown. [DC Beer]
  • Goodbye, Adour. Hello, Decanter. [Post]
  • Froggy Bottom Pub soft opens its new location on Friday. [PoPville]
  • Ri Ra Irish Pub closing its Bethesda location. [Bethesda Mag]