As the Bush administration winds to a close with more a whimper than a bang, here are the people most affected by its record. We interviewed current and former administration aides, journalists who cover the White House, and Republican officials to compile a list of the administration’s biggest winners and losers.

We looked at two criteria: whose star rose or fell, and who made great career moves or missed big opportunities. History will compile a more complete list, and for some—such as Colin Powell—the verdict is still out. This is best guess, circa November 2008:

Photo by flickr user vladeb

Happy Friday, Washington! What are you up to this weekend? Here are some suggestions for weekend fun. Need to get cracking on the holiday shopping? Try out our gift guides, including this under-$30 gift guide for those of you out there whose wallets are feeling a bit light. 

Did you get stuck on the Red Line this morning? A fire at the Friendship Heights station disrupted service and caused delays for riders.  

Speaking of mishaps at the Metro, yesterday a stopped escalator at the Gallery Place station suddenly started moving in reverse, throwing people backwards. Nobody was seriously injured.

DC's own personal quarter featuring Duke Ellington will be out January 26. 

Photo by Flickr user thisisbossi

Happy near-weekend, Washington! Got plans? No? Need some? There's free wine, Santas stumbling from bar to bar, gingerbread-house-making classes, an alternative holiday, and lots more in our weekend picks.

Break out the umbrellas and galoshes: the area could see 2 to 4 inches of rain today, and there's a flood watch in effect. 

Want to be more green? You can exchange a regular lightbulb for a compact fluorescent one, courtesy DC. We're not sure how much this will actually help out the environment, but, hey, we can appreciate the effort.  14th & You has the details.

Scary news out of Adams Morgan: a 20-year-old man was shot and killed, just dozens of feet away from a police patrol. Apparently two gunmen walked up to a crowd of folks and opened fire just after 8 PM. 

Blogger IMgoph makes the case for bringing back Truxton Circle. Never heard of Truxton Circle? It was a traffic circle that used to be located where Florida Ave., NW and North Capitol now intersect.  

Check back later today for...A Video FeedBack on Posto; a Washingtonian Favorites interview; lots of inauguration coverage; and more!

Photo by Flickr user vladeb

You can put away the mittens and hats you may have pulled out when it was freezing cold on Monday—today is supposed to hit a high of 68, believe it or not, and be fairly rainy. 

Will eight-car trains work? The Metro is testing them out in order to prep for increased ridership during inauguration. Have you ridden one? What did you think?  

Senators Diane Feinstein and Bob Bennett: killjoys, or responsible politicians with the safety of the public in mind? The two are opposing the 24-hour bar service that DC has permitted during inauguration.

An 81-year-old man has killed himself, his wife and their son in Fairfax County. 

Free taxis! From...Tylenol? Well, whatever. Free taxis! 

Check back later today for...a new Blogger Beat; a Dating Diaries update; Eleni Engaged; and lots more!

Photo by Flickr user bionicteaching

Monkey meat? Monkey meat. That's what was confiscated at Dulles Airport. A passenger from Africa was found with three charred monkeys in his luggage, as well as deer meat.  

Prince of Petworth brings the exciting news that Gillian Clark, formerly of the popular Colorado Kitchen, will be opening a new restaurant in Petworth. 

Delivering mail, a dangerous job—aside from, you know, random anthrax mailings and angry dogs? Seems so. One postal work was seriously injured by a stabbing in Rockville while delivering mail. 

Fancy fancy—Metro got a new web site. We like it! 

$2 an hour for parking meters downtown? It could be a reality in DC. Officials are looking into raising the fares to increase annual revenue—by as much as $10 million. 

Check back later today for...Todd Kliman's dining chat at 11 AM; a new Listen Up playlist; a Sidewalk Style; and lots more.

Photo by Flickr user Allie Caulfield

Did you see? We had a runoff between two photos in our most recent contest, and somebody finally came out on top! Check out the winner, and read how you can submit your photo to our next contest. The theme is "Portraits and People."

Bundle up, Washington—it's going to be bitterly cold at the start and end of this week. 

How can the Obamas help Washington to accept them when they move into the city and make connections with city residents? Marc Fisher has a few reader suggestions.  

We all know high school and college rankings are popular, but now the Post has decided to rank the region's elementary schools as well.  

Still looking for gifts for those Washingtonians in your life? Make sure to check out our holiday guide. Or how about this adorable DC poster? 

Check back later today for...the weekly nightlife picks; our fashion events roundup; Culture Vulture; and lots more! 

Photo by Flickr user Lori Greig

Happy Friday, Washington! Going to any of the End of Prohibition Parties tonight? For the full scoop on activities, check out our list. And don't forge to vote in our photo contest runoff—voting ends today at 4 PM.

Be proud, Northern Virginia—you have the rights to the top high school in the nation, according to US News & World Report.  

Now here's a hockey fan who takes it all very, very seriously.  

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court will consider whether to take up a lawsuit challenging President-elect Barack Obama's U.S. citizenship.

Virginia's GOP leader may be in the hot seat after a series and setbacks for the party. 

Bundle up this weekend—while there's a slight chance of snow, mostly it'll be really, really cold.