District Residents and National Park Service Clash; Metrobus Drivers Fired, Suspended for Violations: Morning LInks

Thought we were done with those heat advisories, huh? Nope. There will be one in effect today from 11 AM to 9 PM. I hope your early evening plans are air conditioned.

What's Up with the National Park Service?: As Lydia DePillis expressed humorously yesterday, District residents are becoming increasingly frustrated with the National Park Service, which maintains all of DC's public parks. Recently, NPS and the local government have butted heads over plans to place Capital Bikeshare stations on the Mall. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton told the Washington Examiner, "DC residents, perhaps more than Americans in other jurisdictions of our country, have often been frustrated by NPS's inflexibility in meeting the needs of local communities."

Islamic Heritage Museum Opens: Yesterday America's Islamic Heritage Museum and Cultural Center opened with a reception and media preview in Southeast Washington. The new museum, which is located on 2315 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Southeast, began as a traveling exhibit documenting stories of American Muslims, NBC4 reports.

VDOT Looks for I-66 Solutions: The Virginia Department of Transportation is looking for ways to clear congestion on I-66, one of America's most congested roadways. WJLA reports that one solution under consideration is using overhead lights, text messages, and other technology to notify drivers when lanes need to be cleared. The project will use $34 million in federal funds.

ICE Raids Local University: NBC4 reports that yesterday dozens of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents raided the for-profit college University of Northern Virginia, allegedly because the school improperly handled student visas. ICE has temporarily barred the school's "authorization to admit foreign students." No charges have yet been filed, and students may still attend classes.

Metrobus Cameras Lead to Firings: Kytja Weir at the Examiner reports that new cameras that film Metrobus drivers were installed, Metro fired 20 drivers and suspended 222 others. Drivers were caught speeding, driving without seatbelts, and talking on cell phones, which is illegal under DC law. Adding the cameras cost Metro $3 million and have been installed since November.

Briefly Noted: This is probably about exactly the right response to The Hill's annual "50 Most Beautiful People" story. . . . Greater Greater Washington parses two Tysons Corner plans that hope to push the area toward walkability. . . . The People's District has put up posters in empty storefronts on First Street, Northeast, to tell the stories of residents.

But Wait, There's More: MTV explained the Internet in 1995. They asked David Bowie, "Are you jacked in to the Internet?"

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Kay Steiger