Tom Howell Jr.

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

New Hampshire House weighs D.C. statehood

A resolution by the New Hampshire legislature to recognize the District as the 51st state reaches the House floor Wednesday, a last-ditch hope for D.C. officials who looked to Granite State lawmakers to jump-start their quest for statehood. Published February 7, 2012

Evans wants to repeal new tax on out-of-state bonds

D.C. Council member Jack Evans introduced a bill on Tuesday to repeal a new tax on out-of-state municipal bonds held by District residents, potentially reversing a revenue generator that prompted hours of debate in last year's in budget talks. Published February 7, 2012

D.C. Council member preps last-minute bid to save iGaming

The D.C. Council's top proponent of online gambling through the city's lottery system plans to offer a compromise bill on Tuesday to avoid a complete repeal of the program that was passed into law in 2010. Published February 6, 2012

D.C. elections board dismisses challenge to Alexander’s petitions

The D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics ruled on Monday there is insufficient evidence to suggest D.C. Council member Yvette M. Alexander should be kept off the April 3 primary ballot despite accusations her petition circulators did not witness many of the signatures they authorized in their filings to the board. Published February 6, 2012

Officials say 130 D.C. employees claimed unemployment benefits

The D.C. government is placing 90 of its employees on leave for their roles in a pattern of pilfering from the city's unemployment-insurance that totaled $840,000. Published February 6, 2012

Alexander’s petition challenged

The D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics will decide by Monday whether council member Yvette M. Alexander's petition to be on the primary election ballot is legally sound or if her campaign ignored election laws and imperiled her bid to retain her Ward 7 seat. Published February 2, 2012