Good morning, Washington area — Five stories to keep you informed and get you going:
Cherry blossoms are about to peak: If you’re headed to the cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin, there are ways to avoid the hassles. http://bit.ly/A479MM
Study: Statehouses at high risk for corruption: State governments lack transparency and accountability to citizens, and remain at high risk for corruption, according to a new study of all 50 statehouses. http://bit.ly/zBTQVZ
U.S. makes modest gains in graduation rate: Maryland’s graduation rate showed a minimal increase between 2002 and 2009, while its number of dropout factories rose from 17 in 2002 to 28 in 2010. Virginia’s number of dropout factories stayed the same at 26, and its graduation rate rose by just 1.7 percent. The District’s graduation rate fell from 68.4 percent in 2002 to 62.4 percent in 2009. http://bit.ly/zdeaPv
March Madness turns into a big boy’s game: Instead of three weeks filled with upsets, small schools and all those other feel-good stories that make March Madness so special, basketball fans only get one this year. http://bit.ly/zXX6z3
Footage gives glimpse of teenage Adele (VIDEO): New evidence shows a certain British songstress was rolling deep in talent even at the age of 16. Videos obtained by The Sun show Grammy winner Adele as a schoolgirl goofing off with friends at the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology, singing while strumming a guitar and giving a rendition of the song “Daydreamer,” which became the opening track on her debut album “19.” http://bit.ly/FRMTW0
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