by Katie Gerbes
Photo by John Bencina on Flickr.
Derailed: An empty Metro train derailed at Smithsonian this morning, suspending service for the Blue, Orange and Silver lines. There was also single tracking on the Red Line for part of the morning. Basically, stay home if you can. (Post) 
Only 3 months: Congress passed another three month patch for the transportation fund. Not only are the short-term fixes over a long-term agreement frustrating, they set back major projects by failing to provide certainty for funding long-term projects. (WAMU)
First one in: DC Councilmember Vincent Orange has his first challenger for the 2016 At-Large race. David Garber threw his hat into the ring with a video that targets Orange's ethical issues. (City Paper)
The new guy: DC's new Taxicab Commission Chairman is bringing a fresh perspective to the agency. As Ernest Chrappah begins his new position, he is focused on ride-hailing technology for cabs and ensuring equal access to rides in every ward. (WAMU)
Franklin facelift: NPS is fixing up Franklin Square, complete with an interactive fountain, cafe, children's area and a pedestrian mall. The collaborative redesign passed the environmental review, bringing it one step closer to reality. (DCist)
Timber!: DC is using satellite technology to detect and fine people who've cut down trees illegally. The Urban Forestry Administration uses imagery to target trees cut down without a permit, a critical step in maintaining the city's tree canopy. (WBJ)
There's (almost) an app for that: Building permit data answers many questions people have about new developments. Analyzing the publicly available data could allow people to track home prices, neighborhood changes, and buying behavior. (Post)
Spend less, get more: Better mobility is possible without a huge price tag. Numbering subway exits, using easy to read graphics and stigmatizing poor behaviors are cheap ways to improve the rider's experience on public transit. (The Boston Globe)
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