Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
D.C.’s Mayor Gray in Hollywood, trying to bring it to the Potomac
Many people are familiar with the notorious horse head scene in "The Godfather," in which a stubborn Hollywood mogul is strong-armed by out-of-towners with a disturbing surprise. Published July 21, 2011
D.C. police department sets up gun dealer in its headquarters
The District of Columbia has cleared the way for its lone licensed gun dealer to set up shop in police headquarters, an unusual short-term fix to a problem that has left the city with a de facto ban on handguns and vulnerable to lawsuits by gun rights groups. Published July 20, 2011
Gray cites haste in assembling campaign
D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray on Tuesday responded to charges that his 2010 campaign team accepted cash donations over the $25 legal limit by converting them to money orders, attributing the possible slip-ups to aides during his "truncated" campaign. Published July 19, 2011
Lottery postpones online ‘demo’ games
The D.C. Lottery is tapping the brakes on every aspect of its unprecedented Internet gambling plans, even though city residents wouldn't have lost a dime by playing demo games initially slated to roll out this week. Published July 18, 2011
D.C. Council recess gives members time to reflect
The D.C. Council's two-month recess is expected to be a quiet departure inside city hall from the recently ended legislative session in which allegations of wrongdoing by several members created a tense and difficult situation. Published July 17, 2011
D.C. school system gets rid of 413 teachers, staff
The D.C. public schools system laid off 413 teachers and staff Friday for failing meet expectations in its teacher-evaluation system or falling short of other requirements. Published July 15, 2011
No summer break for some on D.C. Council
After spirited budget talks and scandals du jour emanating from City Hall in recent weeks, D.C. Council members have a summer recess to relax, barbecue and, in one case, show off a cocktail. Published July 14, 2011
D.C. chancellor ‘serious’ on education reforms
Kaya Henderson was for years the right-hand woman to an education pioneer who gained celebrity status. Published July 13, 2011
D.C. report urges changes to celebrity escort policies
A Metropolitan Police Department escort for celebrity bad-boy Charlie Sheen in April was "not extraordinary," but highlighted the casual manner in which the agency documents and carries out such duties, according to a report released Wednesday by the D.C. Office of the Inspector General. Published July 13, 2011
D.C. Council OKs bond-tax delay
The D.C. Council narrowly passed a bill Tuesday that will keep the city from imposing a tax on residents who hold out-of-state bonds retroactively and without fair warning. Published July 12, 2011
D.C. Council Chair Brown rearranges committees
D.C. Council Chairman Kwame R. Brown on Tuesday shuffled the leadership of key council committees, leaving one member "baffled" and raising questions about political payback. Published July 12, 2011
Questions remain as DYRS nominee nears confirmation
Mayor Vincent C. Gray's pick to lead the District's juvenile justice agency will likely be confirmed this week by running out the clock on any objections to his nomination. Published July 11, 2011
D.C. Council to vote on DYRS chief
The D.C. Council will hold a confirmation hearing Tuesday on Neil A. Stanley, the nominee to lead the District's juvenile justice agency, after a council committee disapproved the nomination last week. Published July 10, 2011
D.C. Council committee rejects Stanley’s nomination as DYRS chief
A D.C. Council committee formally disapproved the nomination of Neil A. Stanley to lead the District's juvenile justice agency, citing concerns about his lack of relevant experience, ongoing troubles in the agency and an inquiry into how a key post had been filled. Published July 8, 2011
D.C. middle school test scores up; some elementary scores slip
Recent test scores show long-term improvement among D.C. students, despite concerns about cheating and a dip in reading proficiency this year at the elementary school level, city officials said. Published July 8, 2011
D.C. elections board refers Kwame Brown case to prosecutors
The federal prosecutor for the District will investigate Kwame R. Brown's re-election committee for suspected criminal violations of campaign finance law after city elections officials Thursday substantiated findings of widespread irregularities during the D.C. Council chairman's 2008 re-election race. Published July 7, 2011
D.C. cops feckless on bias crimes, gays say
Leaders of D.C. lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups say there is an "obvious disconnect" between the Metropolitan Police Department's public condemnation of hate crimes and actual concern on the beat. Published July 6, 2011
Questions linger in DYRS hiring
A D.C. Department of Human Resources investigation failed to address lingering questions about how a key post was filled in the District's Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services - creating uncertainty over the fate of Mayor Vincent C. Gray's pick to lead the troubled juvenile justice agency. Published July 6, 2011
Investigation mum on DYRS chief’s role in questionable hire
A D.C. Department of Human Resources investigation has failed to address lingering questions about how a key post was filled at the District's juvenile justice agency. Published July 6, 2011
Medical marijuana proceeds in D.C. as feds reconsider enforcement
The District passed its first milestone in selecting who gets coveted licenses for the city's burgeoning medical marijuana program — even as the federal government takes a second look at its hands-off approach to those who grow and sell the drug for patient use. Published July 5, 2011
