Washington D.C.

D.C. Insurance Dept. Denies Birth Control Coverage Meddling

DCist (Free subscription) | yesterday

The blog RH Reality Check posted an item yesterday alleging that Gennet Purcell, the District of Columbia's relatively new insurance commissioner, had surreptitiously conspired to make it possible for D.C. women to lose their birth control coverage. But the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking, the agency Purcell runs, has since emphatically denied the story. Here's what RH Reality Check...

Former Blade Staffers Launch 'DC Agenda'

DCist (Free subscription) | yesterday

From the ashes of the Washington Blade, DC Agenda has risen. The staff of the suddenly shuttered LGBT publication has managed to put together a new web site and "a modest, early iteration" of a print edition, both out today, less than a week after they all lost their jobs . From their introductory message : The former staff of the Washington Blade remains united and DC Agenda represents...

D.C. Unemployment Rate Reaches 11.9 Percent

DCist (Free subscription) | yesterday

The unemployment rate for the District of Columbia jumped to 11.9 percent in the month of October, its highest level since the current recession began, according to figures released today by the Department of Employment Services. That number marks an increase over the previous month, September, which saw an unemployment rate of 11.4 percent . The national unemployment rate for October was 10.2 percent....

US to drop shooting case against Blackwater guard

Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Free subscription) | yesterday

WASHINGTON -- The Justice Department intends to drop manslaughter and weapons charges against one of the Blackwater Worldwide security guards involved in a deadly 2007 Baghdad shooting, prosecutors said in court documents Friday.

Levin: May be more troubling emails from Hasan

Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Free subscription) | yesterday

WASHINGTON -- There may be additional e-mails that could have tipped off law enforcement or military officials to the Fort Hood shooter before he went on his deadly rampage, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee said Friday.

Prosecutors plan commission case in Cole bombing

Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Free subscription) | yesterday

WASHINGTON -- Military prosecutors said Friday they plan to seek new charges against the alleged mastermind of the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole.

Northeast Post Office Branch Spared From Closure List

DCist (Free subscription) | yesterday

The U.S. Postal Service today released yet another revised list of possible branch closures, and one D.C. office has been trimmed. The Northeast branch, located at 1563 Maryland Ave. NE, will stay. In Maryland, two other branches were also spared: the Friendship Heights branch, and the Silver Spring Center branch. The total list is now at only 241 post offices still under review nationwide, down from...

Ethics committee: No punishment for Burris

Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Free subscription) | yesterday

WASHINGTON -- The Senate ethics committee on Friday admonished Democratic Sen. Roland Burris for misleading investigators about his maneuvering to get Barack Obama's old Senate seat from the governor who was ousted for trying to sell it.

A Pie from Chatman's for Thanksgiving

remaking le slum historique (Free subscription) | yesterday

Chatman's Divine Bakery is a great resource for delicious pies. The clock is ticking, though, if you want one for Thanksgiving. She will take orders through tomorrow (November 21, 2009), and supplies are limited... Chatman's D'Vine Bakery & Cafe 1239 Ninth Street, Northwest 02.249.3258

Overheard in D.C.: Careful What You Wish For

DCist (Free subscription) | yesterday

Photo by chesapeakelover It can be fun to think about things you'd like in an ideal mate. But sometimes, things sound better than they actually are. Overheard of the Week At Asylum, Thursday night: Female Waitress: "For some reason I have wings coming out my ass tonight!" Male Bartender: "That would be a real selling point for chicks. Dude, if you could shit out buffalo wings, I'd marry...

Out of Frame: Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans

DCist (Free subscription) | yesterday

Baby did a bad, bad thing: Lieutenant McDonagh (Nicolas Cage) during a reflective moment in the midst of his usual drinking, leching, and lying. It's difficult to enter into Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans expecting a comedy. That's despite a title more ridiculous and unwieldy than even a CSI spin-off would accept, and a trailer that features star Nicolas Cage waxing rhapsodic on his lucky...

Same-Sex Marriage Foes Have Few Options on Hill

DCist (Free subscription) | yesterday

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Ut.) With the D.C. Council's same-sex marriage bill scheduled for a December 1 vote and a petition to put the issue on the ballot denied , opponents of same-sex marriage might finally have to live up to a threat they've been making in recent months : to take the issue to Congress. But a hearing on the Hill this week on legislation that could grant the District more budgetary...

Army announces review of how it tests body armor

Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Free subscription) | yesterday

WASHINGTON -- The Army says there will be an outside review of how body armor for its soldiers is tested.

• Army announces review of how it tests body armor - kansascity.com
• Army Launches Examination of Armor Testing - Defense Tech
• See the 4 articles on the same subject

The Weekly Feed: Experimentation Edition

DCist (Free subscription) | yesterday

Photo by NatalieMaynor Dish of the Week: Sweet potato casserole Thanksgiving... foodie holiday... blah blah blah. But of course, it is my favorite holiday, not just because of the food, but because of the focus on family. My mother is a fantastic cook. She makes the best scallion pancakes. Her technique is so flawless that family members can tell the difference between the pancakes she rolls out and...

Photo of the Day: November 20, 2009

DCist (Free subscription) | yesterday

Be prepared for the DCist Flickr Pool to be infiltrated by an invading army. These Terra Cotta Warriors have started their advance at National Geographic and scouts have already been spotted in the Pool, like this one by erin m . EXIF . You can find more Terra Cotta Warriors on display now through March 2010 at the National Geographic Museum . See over 100 artifacts from the 2000-year-old sculpted...

Medicare "logic" sadly lacking

obi jo | 03/13/2009

This site has raised concerns over coverage limitations and rationing in health care before, especially in light of ongoing debates in Washington DC. The article below points to the totally illogical practice of Medicare, which covers end stage renal disease and transplantation, whereby life saving immunosuppressive drugs are only covered for three years post transplant - the assumption being that

BGP MiTM attacks

ciscozine | 03/06/2009

Surfing the web, I have found a nice article about BGP weakness . This document, entitled “ Defending Against BGP Man-In-The-Middle Attacks “, was presented by Earl Zmijewski during Black Hat DC 2009 (Hyatt Regency Crystal City - February 16-17 - Arlington, Virginia). The slides focus on four points: BGP Routing Basics - Enough to understand and identify the threat BGP Update Messages BGP Attributes

Break Thru Radio Announces Mumiy Troll's First Live US Radio Show

prmac | 01/29/2009

BreakThru Radio is proud to announce that seminal Russian outfit, Mumiy Troll will be gracing its 'Live Studio' program for their first ever live North American radio performance. After an extensive US tour which will see the band performing to audiences from Washington DC to Seattle, Mumiy Troll will release their first US album, 'Comrade Ambassador'. The exclusive 'Live Studio' session will be available...