Senator-elect Brown comes to Washington

This week former Cosmopolitan centerfold (and state senator from Massachusetts) Scott Brown beat Democrat Martha Coakley in a special election to fill the seat left vacant by Sen. Ted Kennedy’s death. The Republican arrived at the Capitol Thursday and began meeting with members of Congress from both parties. Brown is now the 41st Republican vote in the Senate, meaning Democrats no longer have a safe 60 votes to stop a filibuster.

Another challenger for Fenty?

According to The Washington Post, D.C. Council member Michael Brown may get in the mayoral race if Council Chairman Vincent Gray decides he won’t run. Gray, a GW alumnus, said recently he was still unsure about running, but so far he’s been the biggest potential contender against Mayor Adrian Fenty. Last year, two other candidates  announced that they will challenge the mayor in the Democratic primary.

Parking goes green

While the cost of parking in the city is not going down, this week the District Deparment of Transportation began installing new parking meters that will give drivers another payment option. The solar-powered meters accept both coins and credit cards. Only 50 meters are being installed as part of the three month pilot program, but depending on public feedback, there could be more. DCist notes that some new meters will be located in the 2000 block of H Street, NW., right on campus.

Goodnight Coco

Just a reminder: tonight will be the last time Conan O’Brien hosts NBC’s “The Tonight Show.” Yesterday a severance package between Conan and NBC was announced, and Conan will be leaving with $32.5 million. Jay will be back with his show at 11:35 p.m. March 1 after the Olympics. He will be in D.C. May 1 to host the White House Correspondents’ dinner.