Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
I-Gaming plan caps losses at $250 per week
Players can lose only as much as $250 a week in the D.C. Lottery's upcoming online gambling program, but there is no limit on how much they can win on a hot streak, said Buddy Roogow, executive director of the city-run D.C. Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board. Published July 4, 2011
Fire-EMS chief extends duration of light duty
Pregnant members of the D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services can now perform light duty for up to 90 days, remedying a 30-day policy that raised ire in the ranks in recent weeks, Chief Kenneth Ellerbe said Thursday. Published June 30, 2011
Lottery to seek community input on ‘hot spots’
The D.C. Lottery has assured a key D.C. Council member that it will not roll out online gambling in public locations until communities have their say on where the contentious program may operate. Published June 30, 2011
D.C. Lottery’s online-gaming plan ruled legal
The D.C. Lottery's plan to introduce unprecedented online gambling in the District is legal as long as play occurs within city borders, the District's top lawyer said Wednesday. Published June 29, 2011
Ward 8 eager to see promised development
D.C. Council member Marion Barry says his Ward 8 constituents have been "greatly neglected" by previous mayors. Published June 28, 2011
Debut dates planned for D.C.’s Internet gambling
The D.C. Lottery announced roll-out dates for its unprecedented Internet gambling program, kicking it off with two demonstration games in midsummer before players wager real cash in September. Published June 27, 2011
Future of D.C. development will be in Ward 8, Gray says
Nearly six months into his term, D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray is striking a firm tone on the economic pillar of his One City plan and looking to rebound from the scandals that have surrounded the John A. Wilson Building. Published June 27, 2011
D.C. Council seeks to clarify celebrity police-escort policy
Believe it or not, actress Hilary Duff and Nation of Islam minister Louis Farrakhan have something in common: Both enjoyed a D.C. police escort before bad-boy celebrity Charlie Sheen highlighted the muddled policy issue in April, according to a ranking Metropolitan police officer. Published June 23, 2011
D.C. surplus revenue can’t fund priorities
An influx of $77 million into the District's coffers will not be enough to fund even two of the nine spending priorities the D.C. Council settled on for any additional money the city collects, according to revenue projections released Wednesday. Published June 22, 2011
Henderson confirmed as schools chancellor
The D.C. Council on Tuesday unanimously approved Kaya Henderson as the District's public schools chief. Published June 21, 2011
Wells offers bills to close loopholes in ethics laws
Council Member Tommy Wells introduced a trio of bills on Tuesday to close ethics loopholes in response to a series of scandals that have plagued city hall in recent months. Published June 21, 2011
D.C. Council confirms Henderson as schools chancellor
The D.C. Council on Tuesday unanimously approved Kaya Henderson as the District's new public schools chief. Published June 21, 2011
Online gambling readied to roll
D.C. Lottery officials are gearing up for unprecedented gambling over the Internet through "demonstration games" that will allow players to get their feet wet before wagering real dollars. Published June 20, 2011
D.C. Council considers high cost of gas in the city
A D.C. Council committee on Friday explored why gas prices in the District are consistently higher than the national average in its hearing on a bill that would prohibit "jobbers" — those who sell gas from the refineries to service stations — from both owning and operating retail gas stations. Published June 17, 2011
Henderson on track to head D.C. schools
Mayor Vincent. C. Gray's pick to lead the District's public school system received open support from several council members on Thursday, despite mixed reviews from the public and varying opinions about her links to the prior regime. Published June 16, 2011
Investigation delays vote on DYRS chief
D.C. human resources officials are investigating whether the nominee to lead the District's troubled juvenile justice agency tailored a key job posting to fit the background of someone he had known socially for 10 years. Published June 16, 2011
D.C. Council decides on contingencies
Three weeks ago, the District's chief financial officer issued a warning: Inserting items into the city budget based on hopes that revenue may exceed projections down the road is not sound fiscal policy. Published June 15, 2011
D.C. Council passes $10.8 billion budget
The D.C. Council on Tuesday approved a $10.8 billion budget plan for the coming fiscal year after hours of debate that focused on the best way to spend any additional dollars projected to enter the city's coffers. Published June 14, 2011
Judge: Brooks’ son won’t have to testify
A D.C. Superior Court judge's decision to allow a potential witness to invoke his Fifth Amendment rights has effectively ended the hearings into Mayor Vincent C. Gray's personnel practices, according to a D.C. Council memo. Published June 13, 2011
More dealing likely before bonds tax added to D.C. budget
A move to tax D.C. residents' income on interest from out-of-state bonds has emerged as a key battleground in the debate over revenues ahead of a final vote scheduled for Tuesday on the city's $10 billion fiscal 2012 budget. Published June 13, 2011
