Every month or so, The Economist emails me a “city briefing” on Washington, D.C. — a summary of local news, often including some arts and culture stuff. The latest edition arrived yesterday. The major items:

* A report on the city’s “zero tolerance” alcohol policy, which resulted in the arrest of a woman who was driving with a blood-alcohol level of .03% — she had consumed a glass of wine at dinner. In most places, it takes a BAL of .08% to be considered legally intoxicated.

* An upcoming city council vote that will ban smoking in all of D.C.’s bars and restaurants by 2007.

* The city’s seizure of 14 acres of waterfront property, so that a baseball stadium may be built. The owners of this property can sue, claiming eminent domain abuse, though I would caution them about getting their hopes up.

* The installation of traffic cameras that have generated $32 million in traffic fines but haven’t actually improved driving safety.

* Former mayor Marion Barry pleading guilty to two misdemeanor counts of failing to pay his federal income taxes.

And there you have it, a roundup of news from the capitol of the free world.