Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
D.C. still years, millions away from fixing quake damage
Six months after a magnitude 5.8 earthquake stunned the nation's capital, the Washington Monument is still closed and awaiting $15 million in repairs, the D.C. government is looking for a federal reimbursement for its hodgepodge of damage and the Washington National Cathedral needs $18 million for major restoration efforts that could take up to five years. Published February 22, 2012
McDonnell backs D.C. budget autonomy
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has thrown his support behind a proposal to allow the District to spend its local funds without tying the process to congressional budget bills, citing the risk of disruptions to services in the nation's capital in the event of a federal government shutdown. Published February 22, 2012
D.C. Council committee passes bill to increase monitoring troubled youths
A D.C. Council committee approved legislation Tuesday to increase the monitoring of troubled youths, fast-tracking the measure on the same day that five young men went on trial for a mass shooting in Southeast that prompted the bill. Published February 21, 2012
D.C. Council tightens behavior rules after Marion Barry dustup
The D.C. Council passed a measure Tuesday that expands its self-imposed ban on profane or abusive language to any public meeting attended by members, a swift response to a blowup between two members at the council's retreat on Valentine's Day. Published February 21, 2012
‘Shared riding’ in D.C. cabs set for Nationals Park
Baseball fans who would rather see pitcher Drew Storen close out a win for the Washington Nationals than beat the final-inning rush from the stadium will notice a major change to one of their postgame transit options this season. Published February 20, 2012
Terror suspect arrested near U.S. Capitol
A 29-year-old Moroccan man was arrested Friday on accusations he planned to detonate a suicide bomb in the U.S. Capitol before undercover agents thwarted him through a lengthy sting operation, the Department of Justice said. Published February 17, 2012
Education bills get mixed reviews from D.C. schools officials
A long line of witnesses testified Thursday in favor of legislation that requires D.C. high school students to take college entrance exams and apply to at least one college. Yet the city's charter school board feels the measure amounts to "overreaching" and the traditional public schools system could not offer unqualified support for the bill. Published February 16, 2012
Long-running D.C. mental health case settled
D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray announced Thursday the "historic" settlement of 37-year-old litigation brought by mental health patients who decried the District's lack of non-institutional treatment settings. Published February 16, 2012
D.C. bill would assess third-graders’ readiness to advance
A D.C. Council committee is vetting a bill Thursday that ensures third-graders are ready for fourth grade, a reflection of efforts across the country to gauge academic progress in the early years of children's education. Published February 15, 2012
GOP’s Day among dozens filing for Thomas’ open seat
A Republican who blew the whistle on former D.C. Council member Harry Thomas Jr.'s surreptitious habit of stealing from the city is among those who filed petitions to appear on the ballot in the special election to replace the disgraced ex-legislator from Ward 5. Published February 15, 2012
Mendelson: Occupiers not target of D.C. crime bill language on protests
A crime bill that asks the D.C. Council to tighten up a mix of public safety laws includes provisions that strike at the heart of public demonstrations — a frequent and common practice in the nation's capital taken to new levels during the Occupy D.C. protest. Published February 14, 2012
Despite city’s growth, D.C. school enrollment falls
An audit released Monday shows enrollment in the District's traditional public schools decreased slightly from 2010 to 2011, despite significant population growth in the city. Published February 13, 2012
Recall effort against D.C. mayor, council chairman begins
A Northwest resident has obtained petitions to kick off his arduous mission of recalling Mayor Vincent C. Gray and council Chairman Kwame R. Brown. Published February 13, 2012
Online-gambling bill’s future uncertain
D.C. Council member Michael A. Brown is repeatedly warning that repealing the District's online-gambling law will put the city in a bind if Congress decides to legalize and regulate Internet gaming, clearing the way for "casino interests" from Nevada and elsewhere across the country to hit the jackpot in a burgeoning market. Published February 12, 2012
Obama budget to support D.C. spending autonomy
The Obama administration supports legislation that would allow the District to spend its local funds without waiting for Congress to approve its own spending priorities, according to the office of Mayor Vincent C. Gray. Published February 10, 2012
Former DYRS ward sentenced for killing honor student
A 20-year-old D.C. man was sentenced to 60 years in prison on Friday for killing a 17-year-old honor roll student who was walking back to his Northeast home with a friend last year after a brief jaunt for cigarettes. Published February 10, 2012
Park Service to replace quote on MLK Memorial
The National Park Service announced on Friday it will correct a paraphrased "drum major" quote etched into the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial to "more accurately reflect" King's words. Published February 10, 2012
D.C. fires city workers for unemployment fraud
The D.C. government has begun firing city workers identified in a probe that found rampant abuse of unemployment benefits by employees in most of the city's agencies, officials said Wednesday. Published February 8, 2012
New Hampshire rejects D.C. statehood resolution
The New Hampshire House of Representatives defeated a resolution on Wednesday to recognize the District as the 51st state, with members noisily ignoring its sponsor before one critic instructed his colleagues to "save money on the parchment, not that it's much." Published February 8, 2012
D.C. Mayor Gray makes amends for his missteps, looks ahead
D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray acknowledged the missteps of his administration on Tuesday and pledged to regain his footing after a scandal-plagued first year in office that featured hiring missteps and allegations of nepotism and campaign payoffs. Published February 7, 2012
