Bars Get Extra Hours: 42 bars in the District have received permission to stay open 24 hours going into Columbus Day, and serve alcohol until 4 a.m. Columbus Day morning. +3

Kidnapping Turns Lighthearted: Talk about Stockholm syndrome! A man who was forced into a car by two other men in masks this afternoon was just participating in a bachelor party prank, according to police. +1

Virgin Mobile FreeFest Less Free: If you missed your chance to get Virgin Mobile FreeFest tickets and just have to see Skrillex, you’re in luck: One thousand tickets will be available tomorrow. Alas, they’re not free, and will sell for $20 each. +1

Scalpers in Trouble: Ahead of the Nationals’ playoff run, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Cathy Lanier reiterated that ticket resellers can be arrested. +1

Wednesday’s Needle rating: 81 Today’s score: +6 Thursday‘s Needle rating: 87