Pentagon May End DADT Today; Metro Considers Upgrades: Morning Links

Well, Washington, we made it to the weekend. Unfortunately heat warnings are good through Saturday. Stay cool this weekend.

Pentagon May Issue DADT Repeal Today: The Wall Street Journal reports that the Defense Department is ready to end a ban on gays serving openly in the military as early as today. If reports are true, the agency will officially end the ban in September.

Metro Considering Upgrades: Metro general manager/CEO Richard Sarles addressed the body's board of directors about several initiatives that could improve the system, Aaron Morrissey at DCist writes. Sarles talked about the city's plan to build a talking tunnel between the Farragut stations, a program that would allow SmarTrip users to reload their cards online, a potential mystery shopper program, and a text messaging rider alert program. The tunnel may open in late September or early October, and the online SmarTrip program may be up and running for the public next month.

Heat Sweats Out Civil War Reenactment: Yesterday a civl war reenactment in Manassas drew 1,000 spectators, despite record heat. Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell arrived to help commemorate the war's 150th anniversary. Manassas was the site of one of the first significant battles of the war. Civil War activities will continue through the weekend, WJLA reports.

O'Malley Expected to Endorse Gay Marriage: Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley is expected to endorse the state's same-sex marriage proposal today. O'Malley addressed Democratic members of Congress on the issue yesterday in a closed-door meeting.

Kal Penn's Mugger Sentenced: The man who pleaded guilty of armed robbery against Kal Penn, Marcellus Chambers, was sentenced to more than three years in prison, the Washington Examiner notes. According to prosecutors, the 20 year old pointed a gun at the actor and White House liaison on the 1500 block of S Street, Northwest, in April.

Briefly Noted: A federal judge said he will allow a lawsuit against a ban on posters in DC to move forward. . . .  A partnership with the University of Maryland may save an area hospital. . . . Burglaries in Montgomery County have climbed 10 percent in the last year.

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Kay Steiger