WTOP reporter Neal Augenstein is a model citizen.

This week while driving to work on Evergreen Mill Rd. at 3:30 a.m., the night of the flooding rains, he noticed a van in a ravine and called 911.

The driver, Bobby, admitted he’d been scared. His wife later phoned the newsroom to thank Augenstein. The van? Well, according to the story, that’s still in the mud.

Read the full story.

Quotes of the Day

STEIN’s NEW DAWG: “Meet the newest addition to my family.” — HuffPost‘s Sam Stein, following in the footsteps (we hope) of Fox News’ Dana Purina (or Perino) and her beloved Jasper.

Romance at the Kucinich household

“Mmm. I could get used to this…breakfast in bed served by my perfect husband Dennis Kucinich. Something to be said about our new schedule!” — Elizabeth Kucinich on her ex-congressman hubby.

Paul Wharton drenches himself in cashmere

“It’s freezing outside… Looks like ill be in cashmere all weekend long and I love it!!!” Hey boo! Sending u love! Bundle up!” — Real Housewives of DC star Paul Wharton to his boo,  food and restaurant blogger BJ Coleman.

A backup plan for Chuck Hagel

“Howard Kurtz, if Hagel loses he can be the anchor for Gore Jazeera.. perfect fit.” — WaPo‘s right-wing blogger Jennifer Rubin. President Obama has nominated ex-Sen. Chuck Hagel to be Sec. of Defense.

Huh?

“Deadly flu season set to be moderate to severe.” — WTOP on the flu season, which is expected to be “deadly” unless it’s moderate….or severe.

The weekend’s most uplifting headline: “Retired firefighter, dog named Pumpkin credited for saving Bowie woman.” — WaPo.

Kurt Loder, Patrick Kennedy, and marijuana laws

“Oxycontin enthusiast Patrick Kennedy opposes marijuana legalization.” — Ex-MTV VJ Kurt Loder, a columnist for Reason magazine.

Is this a prank phone call? 

“Pizza Hut just called about our order. They’re out of pepperoni. Really. Did every single house in Washington order pizza for this game?” — CNBC’s Eamon Javers, who then asked, “Is your refrigerator running?” (Joking…)

Sunday complaints

“Meet the Press is ideological advocacy journalism. It’s fine, do your thing, but be honest about it.” — Seth Michaels, writer for the Working America website.

“Any rational person that watches George @GStephanopoulos interview a GOP official and then a Democratic official will see his bias. #phony” — Ex-Mitt Romney aide Richard Grenell, who does spots on media criticism for Fox News.

Radio journalist finds relief from hacking cough and BuzzFeed’s Bureau Chief has a stern warning for Washington State lawmakers… Read more

Quotes of the Day — Happy New Year!

Travel Bitches

“If an airplane itself could have influenza, I’m on it.” — Politico‘s Dave Levinthal.

“Guy behind me on plane whacks me w/ suitcase as putting it in overhead. ‘Oh, sorry, I didn’t see you.’ Cuz I’m REALLY tiny #HappyNewYear.” — Joanne Bamberger, mommy blogger, former news anchor and author of “Mothers of Intention.”

And a travel apology…“Off to Paris for a bit. Nice to see you again, turkish air. Please carry me safely to my destination and sorry for any anxiety exhibited.” — Seyward Darby, freelancer, former online editor at TNR.

Press aide tells everyone to calm down

“Folks out there w/ crazy theories about what’s going on in House. All ridiculous. Just figuring out best path forward. Stay calm, carry on.” — House Maj. Leader Eric Cantor aide Rory Cooper during fiscal cliff negotiations.

For a gay old time…

“Two tickets for @GayPimp‘s #GayestWeekendOfAllTime this March in Florida? Yes, please.” — Syndicated columnist and Bullfight Strategies’ Karl Frisch.

Loesch takes a breather from laptop

“I’ve not opened my laptop since December 21st. Rare. Christmas vacation was lovely, but am ready to roll up the sleeves again.” — Ex-Breitbart.com’s Dana Loesch, who is now suing her former employer. Considering the backlash she received after the Sandy Hook shootings, in which she accused President Obama of playing politics with the deaths of children, this may have been a welcome relief.

Breitbart newbie on first-name basis with U.S. leaders

“In case anyone didn’t notice, we have now officially jumped off the fiscal cliff. Thanks John , Barry and Harry!” — Breitbart.com‘s Matthew Boyle, who hopes to one day fill the shoes of the late Andrew Breitbart.

A rare nod to CNN

“CNN is the only big cable news network doing fiscal cliff coverage right now. (I mean, if you’re a geek.)” — The Daily Caller and The Week‘s Matt Lewis on New Year’s Day.

And now, a New Year’s Eve observation on facial hair: “Back on CNN with the bearded ones–Wolf Blitzer and Robert Reich–at 8:30. All agree. No taxation of facial hair.” — Americans for Tax Reform Prez Grover Norquist.

The Self-Appointed Media Critic…

Read more

Quotes of the Day

Is it BuzzFeed or is it HuffPost Hill

HuffPost Hill does its best impersonation of BuzzFeed with this email subject line: “HUFFPOST HILL – 25 Photos Of John Boehner Trying To Keep His Conference Together... And Kittens” (The afternoon newsletter has neither inside, so it’s all just a spiteful tease.)

On the Serenity Prayer…

“I hear that serenity prayer was said with typical Boehner grumble. Slight smile. He’s a devout Roman Catholic. Dark sense of humor.” — NationalReviewOnline‘s Washington Editor Robert Costa.

Uh oh. 

“On my way home via @Uber_DC. Am so grateful a service like this exists – would pay anything for the independent reviews and safety.” — Anna Sproul-Latimer, a Washington-D.C.-based literary agent. Clearly Anna hasn’t heard the news.

A complaint about flack emails

“Flack emails I will not read begin with ‘Hey XXX…’” — Daniel Newhauser, House leadership reporter for Roll Call.

NBC’s Chuck Todd gets questionable haircut?

“Did @chucktodd tell his barber ‘give me the Moe Howard‘?” — AP‘s Jon Resnick. Resnick’s joke involved Todd’s hair on Thursday, but it’s got legs. Could also refer to substitute hosts for “The Daily Rundown.” Today it’s WaPo‘s Chris Cillizza. We’ve asked Resnick for clarification on the matter.

The Observer

“Emerging buzzphrase of Dem Senate presser: ‘political gyrations’” — Slate‘s Dave Weigel.

How to Make it All About Me: “As someone who’s worked in digital journalism for a while, this NYT effort on an avalanche is inspirational.” — WaPo‘s Chris Cillizza. We’re not sure why he felt the need to qualify his statement. We get it! You’re an expert!

In defense of journalists covering tough stories

“Many people express hate for journalists covering tragic stories in their neighborhoods. Honestly, we hate being there, too.” — WTOP’s Neal Augenstein.

Fox News producer needs parka for hearing room

“Senate Foreign Relations hearing room is ridiculously cold. So glad I brought my big North Face parka.” — FNC Senate producer Kara Rowland.

Reaction to Pareene’s Hack List

“Good God, what will Alex be like when he gets old? His list is gripping reading, though, exactly the way Fox News itself is.” –The Daily Beast and CNN Contributor David Frum on Alex Pareene‘s annual Hack List for Salon.com.

Uh oh.

“As of now I have bought zero Christmas presents. Talk about smelling the panic.” — Touré, co-host of MSNBC’s “The Cycle”.

Editor regrets eating all that junk food; and see who made this week’s FishbowlDC Fan Club Board… Read more

Quotes of the Day

“Sunset over BloomingdaleDC” by Tracy Wahl, Supervising Producer at National Public Radio’s Morning Edition.

BuzzFeed bureau chief gives D.C. tavern a big thumbs down

“If you can’t clean your damn collards and put a lil swine in em, WHY TRY YOU DUMB YANKEE?? #fallofshawstavern,” wrote John Stanton. “Also I have some sharp ass teeth. If its hard for me to eat your damn ribs YOU’RE DOING IT WRONG, Shaw’s Tavern ‘Chef.’”

Post respiratory failure diet

“Pizza for dinner, cupcakes for dessert, washed down w a Super Big Gulp. Sounds like a lonely single guy’s political statement.” – Breitbart.com‘s Dan Riehl‘s riehlly stupid diet.

Wife orders editor to Target at 5:30 a.m.

“Dispatched by bride to Target at 530a to get in line for lad’s Xmas present. Second person just showed up. #merryxmas.” — National Journal Editor-in-Chief Ron Fournier. When asked by U.S. News & World Report‘s Robert Schlesinger what the present was, he replied, “The new Wii system. I’m just following orders.”

This 4-year-old wants your job 

“My 4-year-old daughter to me: ‘Dad, I want to be a blogger.’ #changingtimes” — Political writer and jazz pianist Peter Daou.

And this father is in big trouble… “Bad dad forgets ballet slippers <shame>” — WTOP’s Neal Augenstein.

Journo bugged by building noise

“My weekends are now filled with the noise of construction on the apartment below. There oughta be a law.” — Kelly Jane Torrance, writer.

Peter Ogburn and Eddie Scarry contributed to this report.

A mean Helen Thomas joke and a journo spends part of weekend in ER…

Read more

Quotes of the Day — the Election Day version

“This sign is on a window of a store that’s inside the security zone of Obama’s Des Moines rally.” — Yahoo! News’ Chris Moody with the accompanying photo.

Journo on line to vote before 7 a.m.

“My voting precinct is selling coffee for $1 to people in line. #waspy” — Matt Spence, The Times of London.

Uh oh.

“Dead to me.” — Breitbart.com editor John Nolte on New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie turning down Romney campaign event request.

Stop and buy the roses

“Attn: guys who have been too busy politicking to be nice to your ladies—roses are on sale $9.99/dozen @ Whole Foods today.” — Roll Call‘s Meredith Shiner.

Guiding Sophia’s Light

“Respectfully I don’t give a rats butt about JayZ or Kid Rock!” – theGrio and Essence columnist Sophia Nelson on Obama and Romney musical supporters. Usually Sophia is spouting sermon’s on Twitter. On Monday she strayed.

Chuck Todd assesses nightmare election scenarios

“In place for Today Show, will have a look at some of the nightmare scenarios that could lead to indecision” — NBC’s Chuck Todd.

Spotted: Meg Ryan at Biden event

“Spotted on the cuts riser at Biden’s Richmond event, being opened with songs by her beau john Mellencamp: Meg Ryan.” — NBC News campaign embed reporter Carrie Dann.

Hallucinating D.C. Metro rider

“Saw a gent on metro who looked like a moustachioed Ari Shapiro. Was briefly convinced he’d got a disguise and made a thrilling escape.” — a D.C. woman calling herself Abbott Rabbit regarding the NPR White House Correspondent.

Keeping it Real: “Run into reporter from OTHER station at event tonight. Okay we have the same jobs, do we really have to make small talk? So BORING!” — ABC7′s Stephen Tschida.

Boybander has sex with vegetables?

“I can’t be the only one who makes stock while changing the lyrics of ‘Sexual Healing’ to be about vegetable peeling.” — Wired‘s Spencer Ackerman. We’re just kidding about the headline but couldn’t make rational sense of Spencer’s words.

Which journo gets to vote at the crack of dawn? And which news outlet takes to talking about campaign dildos?

Read more

Quotes of the Day

NBC Washington meteorologist Tom Kierein: “Piercing sunrise over the Potomac in a clear sky this chilly Friday morning as seen by NBC4 HD City Cam at 6:05am”

“I need a drink.” — Politico Congressional reporter Seung Min Kim.

Drudge Whoring

“Drudge just linked up my retrospective of O’s high school experiences.” — Breitbart.com’s Ben Shapiro.

Roland Martin is addicted to ‘Scandal’

“If you aren’t hooked on @ScandalABC, you’re brain dead. Catch up watching @kerrywashington on abc.com.” — CNN Contributor and “Washington Watch” host Roland Martin.

Depression is… “Twitter says I’ve tweeted 11,000 times. That’s about 183 hours I’ll never get back. #twitterblackhole” — NYT‘s Weekend Washington Editor David Joachim.

National butter warning

“Note to self: do not put pats of butter in pocket of fleece while carrying lunch back to office and then forget about them.” — Erika Niedowksi, formerly with The Hill and now with the AP in Providence, R.I.

Quote Taken out of Context

“And now I realize why in the past 20 minutes why I’ve had hundreds of Google hits about Lisa Turtle to my site..damnn..” — Blogger Yesha Callahan on the “Saved by the Bell” star. Some may better know Turtle, whose real name is Lark Voohries.

Journo makes a huge admission

“Guilty pleasure — judge away #NowPlaying I Want It That Way by Backstreet Boys on #Spotify” — WTOP’s Neal Augenstein.

Words to Live By

“If your Twitter name is @Obamamamadingdo it might be time to look in mirror.” — BuzzFeed’s Andrew Kaczynski.

Quotes of the Day

“The Daily Caller is celebrating Good Friday and Passover right now by boarding a bus to the WV casino.” — Quote by the DC’s Alex Pappas; picture taken by Jeff Poor. Absent from the trip: Michelle Fields.

A glimpse of the future

“Entered Apple store. Scanned my purchases with my phone. Paid with my Apple account and walked out. Soon we’ll never have to talk to people!” — Politico‘s Ginger Gibson.

Question to ponder: “Who is this d-bag on Reliable Sources saying ‘Morning Joe’ leans right?” — The Daily Caller‘s TV writer Jeff Poor. He was referring to Democratic campaign consultant John Aravosis. They were discussing Mika Brzezinski moderating a women’s forum at the White House and if that crossed any journalistic boundaries. Aravosis remarked on CNN, “I don’t necessarily like it. I think what — I agree with you to some degree, OK?  Mika Brzezinski on a show which leans right, obviously, so maybe the White House thought, hey, we’re getting somebody from a right-wing show, so there’s the balance right there.  I do think that it depends how she carried herself. If she was a real journalist and asked them tough questions, then I think it is good.”

Quote taken out of Context

“When I had my back turn Elijah drank his cup of wine.” — WTOP’s Neal Augenstein.

Holiday humor?

“I’d like to wish my Jewish friends a Happy Passover, fellow Christians a Happy Easter, and you atheists the best of luck.” — Breitbart.com’s John Nolte.

“I am trying out both a sunrise service and my earliest-ever tweet. How are all these people so chirrupy this early?” — TWT‘s Anneke Green.

Did you hear the good news?

“He is risen!” — An Easter enthused MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough.

Weingarten: Always the charmer

“This guy tweets that I am insulting Repubs by comparing them to dogs. Frankly, I thought I was insulting dogs.” — WaPo‘s Gene Weingarten.

Oops! “Taking a lap here at the Newseum — these are images of fallen journolists” — ABC News’s Jake Tapper. No readers, these aren’t the members of Ezzy’s infamous Journolist.

Colleague denounces Derbyshire’s work

“For the record, I find my colleague John Derbyshire‘s piece fundamentally indefensible and offensive. I wish he hadn’t written it.” — National Review Online‘s Jonah Goldberg on his colleague getting dropped over the weekend for writing a racial rant that speaks of parents who urge children to avoid African Americans. His piece appeared in an Internet publication called Taki’s Magazine.

Journo down on tasteless tourist

“Dear tourist lady: There are appropriate places to cut your children’s nails. I really don’t think the metro is one of them.” — Greenwire‘s Jessica Estepa.

Birthday screw-up on “Morning Joe”: When asked what he learned today, NBC’s Luke Russert and the gang went on about how weird it is that today is Chuck Todd and Joe Scarborough‘s birthday today. But actually it’s just Joe’s birthday. Todd’s was yesterday, which he corrected them at the start of his show, “The Daily Rundown.” Happy Birthday to all.

Peter Ogburn contributed to this report.

Quotes of the Day

Journos react to bizarre Cain ad

“Cain ad with chief of staff smoking attempts to make pitch to sullen teenagers.” — The Hill‘s Associate Editor Ian Swanson on Herman Cain‘s weird new smoking ad. He links here.

“Herman Cain’s smoking gum: the dumbest ad in the history of politics.” — The Guardian’s Richard Adams.

“I still say @TheHermanCain’s smile was the most entertaining part of the smoking ad.” — Roll Call‘s David Drucker.

Best of Lululemon murder trial tweets

From WTOP’s Neal Augenstein: “Books being read in courtroom during #Lululemon jury selection: 4 Blondes by Candace Bushnell, and Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning.” And this…”Topics of discussion between potential #Lululemon jurors — the size of a dog’s paws, and the political future of Md Atty Genl Doug Gansler.” Follow Neal at @AugensteinWTOP.

One of our readers writes in on Twitter: “In the middle of a conference call, still, and I see the “tweets and tits” story. Thanks for causing me to choke on Cheez Its.” The story he’s referring to is this one. Another reader writes in from Napa Valley… “I’m in wine country in northern California. Sometimes, I come across, read items like this one and just wish that the whole bunch of em on the Hill could just chill out for a week (or much more) in the Napa Valley. Say, Calistoga, where they could all jump into a hot mud bath and splash mud at one another to vent all those pent-up aggressions and emotions. Please be sure to let the Calistoga resort owner know when Congress is coming. I’m sure they’ll want to be sure they have enough mud on hand!”

Ifill tries to one up Booker

“Lovely day today in Newark. (there, beat you to it @corybooker)” — PBS’s Gwen Ifill.

Uh oh.

“What goes around, comes around….That is my philosophy at the moment.” — The Daily Caller‘s Pat McMahon.

Journo hears beatings for greetings

“Voicemail says ‘to administer personal greetings press 3,’ but it sounds like ‘beatings’ which I suppose is what was on Qaddafi’s voicemail” — Slate and CBS’s John Dickerson.

WTOP’s Neal Augenstein is among the lucky reporters covering the Lululemon murder trial. We caught up with him Monday to ask for his first impressions of the courtroom scene and to inquire about his past coverage of murder trials. The accused is Brittany Norwood for killing her Lululemon coworker Jayna Murray at the Bethesda store in March. The eight-day trial is taking place in Montgomery County Circuit Court in Rockville, Md. Follow his twitter feed as the side notes are riveting: @AugensteinWTOP.

1. Did you ever shop at Lululemon and did you know what it was before the murder? I’d never shopped at Lululemon before I heard about the murder there. I’d seen the stores before, but hadn’t stopped to figure out how to pronounce it. I think the first few times I tried to say it, I said something closer to Lulamon.

2. Have you covered murder trials before? If so, when, where? Yep, a lot in the 15 years I’ve been with WTOP. I covered the Beltway sniper trials of John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo, both in the Virginia Beach area and here in Montgomery County, as well as Muhammad’s execution. I covered the Benjamin and Erika Sifrit Ocean City murder cases in Montgomery County and Frederick, as well as the murder of former New York Times reporter David Rosenbaum. I feel a bit guilty remembering these cases over other murders, because in each instance someone lost their life, and others’ lives were affected.

3. What has shocked you most so far? In this case? I think that on the eve of opening statements I have no real idea what Brittany Norwood’s defense will be. While her lawyers said they planned on using an insanity defense, the judge made clear he felt she was sane, and the defense decided not to plead Not Criminally Responsible. Usually I can tell from court motions what a defense will be, but her lawyers have been very careful to avoid telegraphing their strategy in comments or motions.

4. So far what do you think of Brittany Norwood? Without prejudging her innocence or guilt, I look at the defense table and see someone who 10 months ago had no idea she could be behind bars for the rest of her life. She likely never imagined she’d be called a murder suspect. And then I think of the family of Jayna Murray, and how their lives changed forever, and how powerless, angry, and sad they must feel. At the beginning of the trial, without having heard the evidence and testimony yet, I may feel different when it’s over. In my experience, the verdict and sentence usually comes out about right, somehow. I guess it proves the adage of the American legal system not being perfect, but being the best there is.

5. How do you feel hearing the details of the murder – the rope, the knives, the beating with the metal stand? Since my job is to report as accurately and in context as possible, as I first hear these details I’m concentrating on writing the words as close to verbatim as possible. As I’m writing them, I’m asking myself ‘have I heard these details before, is this new?’ So, I’m thinking more about gathering facts than immediately judging the gravity of the situation. As a reporter, I almost feel I’m being paid to avoid feeling too deeply, at least temporarily. But since a murder trial, by definition, involves a tragedy, I’m never too far from remembering there’s a victim as well as a person fighting for his or her life and freedom. I aim for right, fair, and first. Sometimes I get all three.