Looks the government shutdown won't be happening after all. For now. NPR reports that a deal has been reached for a trillion dollar spending bill and the vote is to take place this afternoon. Congressional leaders are also considering an extension bill that would fund the government—and D.C.—for two more months before the threat of [...]

Upholding stereotypes of federal Washington—the superficiality, the high school-esque cliques, the general douchiness—isn't easy. But someone's got to do it, and thankfully, The Hill is on the case. Yesterday, the paper unveiled its annual "50 Most Beautiful People" list, a photo-and-profile spread of the Capitol complex's best looking denizens.
The list is mostly young, and heavily [...]

On this day in 1814, the British burned Washington, following the American rout at Bladensburg. While public buildings like the U.S. Capitol and the White House were burned, private buildings were largely spared.
You've likely heard the story about first lady Dolley Madison saving important documents and a Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington—though that might [...]

Oink Oink!  Just when we thought that the swine flu H1N1 virus was under control, The Post is reporting that a Chesapeake woman died from complications of the virus on Tuesday.  This is the area's first publicly announced death attributed to the flu and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine is urging those with noticeable symptoms to be proactive about treatment.  

In [...]

Mrs. R.D. McCray took the train from High Point, North Carolina to D.C. Nine hours. Back home she told everyone she was going to a rehearsal for the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. An inauguration rehearsal? No one she talked to knew there was any such thing. She hadn't known about the inaugural practice-run either, [...]