Image from the Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition.

ACLU will sue over bag searches

The ACLU is planning to sue Metro over the bag search program. They’re looking for potential plaintiffs who’ve been searched. But winning the case might not be easy. (NBC, MoCo Civil Rights, WAMU)  

Federal cost cutting hurts regional transit

MARC, MTA, DASH and WMATA stand to lose various security and capital funding if House’s austerity measures pass the Senate. Don’t worry, Lisa Farbstein says, Metro’s bag searches aren’t in danger! (Post)  

Delaware gets more train service; what about Maryland

Local trains from Delaware to Philadelphia currently run Saturdays, and will now run Sundays as well. (Wilmington News Journal) Shouldn’t MARC and VRE? Or even midday? ACT recently launched a campaign to add midday trains service to the two MARC lines that lack it. (Ben Ross)  (Tip: Ben Ross)  

New Anacostia library an architectural success

Architecture critics are praising the new Anacostia library, concluding that its use of space and light clearly “communicates the intended message: come, meet, and read.” (Architectural Record)  

Who’s running in Arlington

Arlington County Board member and WMATA Board member Mary Hynes will run for reelection; she says Arlington could have done better planning at East Falls Church but still supports development (Sun Gazette) … Her colleague Barbara Favola will run for the state senate, while Jay Fisette will not. Incumbent Mary Whipple is not running for reelection.  

NYC rethinking rethinking 34th Street

New York has halted plans for a plaza on 34th Street in Midtown, and may revise the accompanying transitway. The original drew criticism from drivers, though they are the distinct minority of users of the street. Despite opposition to any change, 34th Street once looked very different. (NYT, Streetsblog)  

And…

DDOT will design 12 segments of bike lanes this spring (TheWashCycle) … Bike racks were installed incorrectly at Francis Recreation Center (RPUS) … Sekou Biddle challenged his own signature on Bryan Weaver’s nominating petitions (Loose Lips)  

A roar on Arora

Off our usual subjects, many others, I’m disappointed that Delegate Sam Arora, whom I endorsed, is

was suddenly backing away from earlier promises to support marriage equality in the Maryland House. (TBD, Metro Weekly) … DC’s similar law is now one year old. (WAMU) Update: Arora has decided to vote for the bill but seems to be hoping it gets overturned in a referendum.