Layoffs Held Off: Layoffs that Fishbowl D.C. reports could eliminate a quarter of the Washington Times‘ staff are being delayed until January, either because of incompetent management or the CEO’s wife’s broken leg. Meanwhile, Times staffer Emily Miller accepted a $90 gift from Chairman Phil Mendelson. -2

Aloha: Goodbye to Daniel Inouye, Hawaiian senator and really intense war hero. -1

More Bikes: Capital Bikeshare plans to open 78 more stations. +1

Beasts of the Former Big East: The exit of Georgetown and six other Catholic schools from the sinking Big East bodes well, at least according to Nate Silver. +3

Thursday’s Needle rating: 16 Today’s score: +1 Monday’s Needle rating: 17