The Night Note: 2/4/11

News you need to know.

The following stories are brought to you by the fine folks on the News4 assignment desk.

WASHINGTON CITY PAPER LAUNCHES LEGAL DEFENSE FUND
Washington City Paper: "Since news broke that Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder planned to file a lawsuit over Washington City Paper's "Cranky Redskins Fan's Guide to Dan Snyder," we've been overwhelmed by the support we've received. Comments on our site, comments on other sites, posts on Facebook, posts on Twitter, and man-on-the-street interviews on local (and national) TV news have been nearly unanimous in their message: "Don’t Sue."

Many of you have also asked how you can stand with us against Snyder's lawsuit. In many comments on our site, as well as many comments on Gene Weingarten's Washington Post column and chat, you've offered to donate to a legal defense fund. Redskins general counsel David Donovan made very clear, in a letter he sent to the investment group that owns our parent company last November, that this lawsuit would be expensive to fight. "Indeed, the cost of litigation would presumably quickly outstrip the asset value of the Washington City Paper," Donovan wrote."

MLB PUSHES FOR RENOVATIONS TO P-NATS CLUBHOUSE

Inside NoVA: "The Potomac Nationals home clubhouse will be getting a much-needed facelift after Major League Baseball sent a scathing letter to the team regarding its condition.

Potomac Nationals owner Art Silber outlined the details of the letter on Thursday, saying it was “threatening” and that it was “possible” that “if certain things were not addressed” the team would not be permitted to play in G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium, the team’s home since the mid 1980s.

The focus of the letter centered on Pfitzner’s home clubhouse, used by Potomac’s players, coaches and athletic trainer. The main concern is over the limited space that players, coaches and the trainer have to use the toilet area."

WAR OF WORDS BETWEEN O'MALLEY AND CHRISTIE
Washington Post: "The Democratic Governors Association, which O'Malley chairs, has weighed in on the spat.

"America doesn't need temper tantrums, we need sensible budget-cutting that protects and creates jobs, and helps improve our schools," said Elisabeth Smith, the DGA's communications director. "It is unfortunate that New Jersey's governor cannot have a civil -- or honest -- discussion about what's best for America and how we make our country stronger.""

SNOWSTORMS, ONE YEAR LATER: WHAT'S THE COST?
Gazette.net: "With the approaching first anniversary of the 2010 snowstorms that left hundreds of thousands in the region without electricity — some for 10 days — Pepco customers and legislators, from the county to the federal level, are blasting the utility for continued problems with reliability, particularly in bad weather.

The outages have forced restaurants and retail shops to close. Grocers have sometimes had to throw out spoiled perishable food. Research and manufacturing companies have ground to a halt."

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