Photo by loop_oh

Tops in schools

DC and Maryland school systems will receive Federal Race to the Top grants.  The exact amounts have yet to be announced but DC and Maryland will share $3.4 billion with 8 other states. (TBD, AP)

On a side note, Cincinnati Public Schools, once one of the worst systems in the state of Ohio recently received rankings making it the best urban system in the state.  As a city with its own history of urban racial tensions, can DC learn something from the Queen City? (Cincinnati.com)  (Tip: Erik W)  

Metro twhining

TBD launched a new service where they will map WMATA outages based on twitter complaints.  If you’re used to #wmata, try out #tbdwmata and see your notifications pop up on a map, not just retweeted out of schadenfreude. There are other ways to submit tips as well.  

Strong dissent

At least a few members of Congress have their heads screwed on right about security: over 30 members, led by Anna Eshoo (D-CA) are supporting a resolution to ask the Supreme Court to keep its iconic marble steps open to the public. (Post, David)  (Tip: David Alpert)  

Breaking through the windshield

In a breath of fresh air, a big-city newspaper gets out from behind the windshield to support long-term transportation planning and funding mechanisms that emphasizes the importance of transit.  Pretty impressive for an Atlanta paper that just closed up shop in downtown and moved to the far-flung suburbs. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Erik W)  (Tip: Erik W)  

Stuck in the 90s

Aaron Renn, “The Urbanophile,” writes that cities are still using outdated thinking when looking to generate economic recovery and development.  Pointing out massive job-losses in cities during the last decade (noting “recession-proof Washington” as an exception) Renn says cities need to think more about job creation and less about real estate development, green initiatives and the like. (New Geography, charlie)  (Tip: charlie)  

Transit fits

The people over at the Freakonomics Blog have compiled the various articles and infographics floating around the web addressing transportation choices and obesity.  Unlike the questionable comparisons of state driving and obesity rates, there actually is a reputable scientific study that shows weight loss in transit riders. Meanwhile, TheCityFix covers new VTPI and APTA reports about public health benefits of transit. (Freakonomics Blog, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, CityFix)  

Standing on the right

While other local outlets poke fun at this morning’s Tea Party Guide to DC, Tim Krepp over at DC Like A Local has created a realistic, amazingly apolitical guide for this weekend’s visitors. (DC Like a Local)  (Tip: Erik W)