Baby Einsteins: D.C. has two new certified geniuses, according to the MacArthur Foundation “genius grants” handed out today: Washington Post reporter David Finkel, and novelist Dinaw Mengestu. +1
Put a Vote On It: Council Chairman Phil Mendelson wants to force the issue of District budget autonomy by having a Districtwide referendum on whether to amend the Home Rule charter to include autonomy. +3
Death Dollars: The District’s budget is benefiting from, among other things, a high number of wealthy residents dying and subjecting their fortunes to an estate tax. +0
Occupy Returns: Occupy D.C. protesters celebrating their movement’s first anniversary in the District marched through D.C. today. +1
Friday’s Needle rating: 81 Today’s score: +5 Monday‘s Needle rating: 86