Reading archive 2024-07-17

Opinion  How Baltimore made its Inner Harbor (almost) swimmable: Baltimore has improved the quality of its public waterways. Other cities can, too.

Opinion Off the record, I am resigned to the Big Bad Wolf: Look, if I lived in a straw house myself, I would be very concerned. - "Do I think that if enough of us stepped forward instead of just sitting backward, we could figure out a strategy to stop him? Sure! I would gladly join a courageous majority of people who were stepping forward, provided that the majority was already assembled by somebody else."

‘Betrayed’: Unions, White House irate over Teamsters president’s RNC speech: One Teamsters executive board member said he was “embarrassed” by Sean O’Brien’s speech at the Republican National Convention. - "Biden secured a pension bailout that restored retirement accounts for around 350,000 Teamsters members, appointed staunchly pro-labor allies to the National Labor Relations Board and instituted labor requirements for federal contracts. The backlash against O’Brien’s speech reflects the high stakes of the 2024 presidential election for the nation’s labor movement, which fears Trump will undo these policies."

Dow soars more than 700 points to close at another record high: Strong earnings reports and expectations the Federal Reserve will cut rates are driving the rally.

‘Economic nationalism’ at the RNC clashes with Trump’s pitch to donors: Even as Donald Trump woos unions at the convention, he has continued to make clear that he views himself as the best choice for billionaires and big business. - "In an interview with Bloomberg published Tuesday, Trump also called for cutting the corporate tax rate to 15 percent from 21 percent — something some of his advisers have said he would not try to do — while suggesting he could pick JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon, a billionaire, for treasury secretary."

Many Republicans don’t align with new messages at GOP convention: Trump Republicans have come to expect all-you-can-eat red meat and conservatism. They might be surprised at the menu this week in Milwaukee.

D.C. online sports betting is suspended amid budget uncertainty: Sports gamblers in Washington woke up Tuesday to find that their lone mobile option was not operational.

D.C. restaurant Swahili Village must pay $526,000 in wage theft case: The Kenyan fine-dining restaurant allegedly failed to pay overtime, distribute tips or provide sick leave for several years.

Again: Polls are not going to make Democrats’ case on Biden: That holds true for those who want to keep him as president and those who don’t.

Opinion Trump to D.C.: I’ll clean up the graffiti. Gee, thanks, Don!: Trump vows to clean up the capital’s streets and zap crime. Just like when he was president?

Red Cross revokes lifeguard credentials over ‘substandard’ training at Md. club: The D.C.-based nonprofit took the rare step of permanently banning two instructors, including a private school swimming coach, after learning of a truncated course at a Bethesda country club.

Hogan outpaces Alsobrooks in fundraising, while super PAC amasses more: A super PAC created days after Hogan launched his Senate bid has stockpiled more than $15 million.

Gold bar scammers bilk nearly $1M from Maryland woman, police say: Gold bar fraud trend involves parcels of precious metals, parking lot meet-ups and fake federal agents. - "In the case involving Weng, police say, a man posing as an 'undercover agent' met the victim at a Wendy’s restaurant on May 3 and took possession of $266,948.75 worth of gold bars. The scammers then convinced her to buy several hundred thousand dollars more in gold bars, met her at a shopping center, and stole it, according to police.

"Still on the hook, and still scared she would lose her savings if she didn’t act, the woman purchased $2.55 million more in gold bars from a company based in Massachusetts. But she grew suspicious, police say, and the new gold orders were stopped before they were shipped." [ed. note: better late than never]

Former DCist staff launch the 51st, new local news site for Washington: The worker-run newsroom will attempt to fill a niche its founders say opened when WAMU closed DCist.

Why scientists are marveling at a potential spade-toothed whale sighting: If scientists confirm the creature belongs to the rare species, it will mark only the seventh such specimen ever studied.

LGBTQ flags and quinoa: The liberal Va. enclave where J.D. Vance lives: One resident said he’s okay with the senator living in the neighborhood because “it says a lot about Del Ray — he picked a place that’s a great place to live.” - "'He railed against the liberal elites and then he picked the wealthy liberal neighborhood outside D.C. to bring up his kids,' said Kreutzer, 35, a commercial real estate broker who lives a few doors away. 'He’s more aligned, truly, with people like me than he is with your typical Trump voter.'"

They love Trump. They reject that Biden inspired the rally shooting.: Top Republicans, including running mate Sen. J.D. Vance, blamed the president. But those who live near the tragedy see different culprits.

Firefighter Corey Comperatore’s widow refused Biden call after Trump rally shooting: ‘Didn’t want to talk to him’ - "She said the former president has not reached out — but Biden’s call wasn’t welcome."

Opinion Let Ukraine fly its jets from ‘sanctuary bases’ on NATO territory: For too long, Russia has benefited from Western fears of escalation. It’s time to turn the tables.

Mike Lindell won’t give it a rest: The pillow magnate, blanketed by legal and financial woes, is doubling down on Donald Trump.