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Political aftershocks from Hogan’s executive order
Maryland Treasurer Nancy Kopp of Bethesda told Gov. Larry Hogan on Wednesday that his executive order starting school after Labor Day was “an abuse of executive power.” The order is playing out in Annapolis with Republicans praising the decisiveness of the first-term governor’s order and Democrats deriding the usurpation of local control of school calendars. [Baltimore Sun]
Lightning causes Gaithersburg house fire
A lightning strike during the string of storms that passed through Montgomery County Wednesday afternoon hit a house in the 200 block of Midsummer Drive, igniting a blaze that destroyed the home. A woman who was inside the home escaped uninjured, but the home was declared a total loss with damages estimated at more than $700,000. [NBC4]
200blk Midsummer Dr, Washingtonian Woods, 1 occupant escaped, house totaled >$700k damage, family of 4 displaced pic.twitter.com/AiXRj3u7jD
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) September 8, 2016
Victims of Silver Spring apartment fire plan to sue
Victims of an Aug. 10 fire caused by a natural gas explosion at a Silver Spring apartment complex plan to seek legislative changes and to sue to seek compensation. The group, CASA, made the announcement at a news conference Wednesday. The immigrant-advocacy group has partnered with two law firms, which will conduct their own investigations to hold all parties responsible. A civil suit is expected to be filed in the next few weeks. [WTOP]
Metro to offer three scenarios today to cut late-night service
Metro has released three options to cut late-night service, but it offers still few specifics on why it's necessary or what alternatives there can be. Metro staff will ask the WMATA Board of Directors today for formal approval to hold public hearings on the proposal, a legally required step before Metro can make any service cuts. In July, Metro proposed ending service at midnight Monday to Saturday and 10 p.m. Sundays. After a public outcry, the subway has devised two other options, which staff estimate will impact about the same number of riders. If the board approves, public comment would be open from Oct. 1 to 24 with a public hearing Oct. 17. The board could vote to cut service in December, and the new hours would take effect next July. [Greater Greater Washington]
Metro ridership falls
The Metrorail and bus systems saw steep declines in ridership in the fiscal year that ended in June, continuing a long downward trend that is expected to cause budget problems for years to come as the transit authority’s operating expenses outstrip fare revenues and jurisdictional subsidies by a widening margin. [WAMU]
Summer isn’t over yet
Today, isolated morning showers are expected. Partly to mostly sunny, hot and humid. Highs will warm into the 90s through Saturday. On Saturday, near record/record highs are in the forecast. When you factor in the humidity it will feel like temperatures are around near and around 100 degrees during the afternoon hours. Weed pollen is coming in high. Mold spores are coming in at the moderate range. [NBC Washington]
Local Business Groups Ask That DLC Working Group Consider Privatizing Alcohol Distribution
Studio Plaza in Silver Spring Preparing To Begin Construction
