🐼 The pandas return

What's CITY Talking About?

Welcome Back, Pandas!

Two giant pandas – Bao Li and Qing Bao – are landing in D.C. today. The much-awaited return of giant pandas to the National Zoo comes after their predecessors returned to China with their cub last November. The pandas come from a research base in Dujiangyan, China via the "Panda Express," but sadly, won't be on view for several weeks. [CNN]

• Related: Some lifelong Washingtonians are panda haters, if you can believe that. [City Cast DC 🎧]

CaBi Goes Solar

Solar canopies were installed at four Capital Bikeshare stations across D.C. as part of a new pilot program to charge e-bikes with solar power. CaBi hopes it will charge bikes while they are docked, reducing the need for technicians to swap out dead batteries. [WTOP]

United Adds 3 New International Destinations

United Airlines is launching three new international routes from Dulles Airport as part of the airline's largest international expansion ever. New flights include a year round flight to Dakar, Senegal, and seasonal flights to Venice, Italy, and Nice, France. New flights will start next May. [Washington Business Journal]

Metro Combats Bus Fare Evasion

The Metro Board of Directors wants to implement a new government incentive to combat rampant bus fare evasion. The new formula would give D.C., Maryland, and Virginia credit for the number of paid riders they have and reduce their total bill of the Metro funding pie. The board will vote on it this November. [WTOP]

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