Security Snafu: A tight security net kept Mayor Vince Gray and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton from speaking at a rally for D.C. budget autonomy at the Democratic National Convention today. -3

Investigation Continues: Speaking of the mayor and news he didn’t need at the big show, an assistant U.S. attorney said that the investigation into Gray’s campaign is still on. +1

Embassy Chefs: Whatever Top Chef alums Mike Isabella and Spike Mendelsohn are paying their publicists, it’s not enough. Nearly every day seems to bring new developments about one or both of them, and today is no different: Isabella, along with other chefs like José Andrés, will be a culinary ambassador for the State Department. +2

You Got What I Need: Disaster! The $3.19 million Dupont home favored by Biz Markie on Celebrity House Hunters sold last month for $2.275 million—-though not to Markie. -3

Friday‘s Needle rating: 85 Today’s score: -3 Today’s Needle rating: 82