YOUTH/POVERTY | D.C. Action for Children has released data snapshots of the District’s eight wards and concludes that the city’s child poverty rate has barely changed in the last few years – it remains at 30 percent on average, and nearly 50 percent in Ward 8.

- Press Release
- Ward data snapshots

HOUSING | A massive $26 billion settlement between state and federal officials and five major banks will help reduce the financial burden on as many as one million troubled homeowners. The settlement helps homeowners by “reducing the amount they owe on their mortgages, lowering their interest rates and paying restitution to homeowners who suffered mortgage-related abuses.” (WaPo, 2/9)

Related: Full details of the settlement

COMMUNITY

- Former WRAG Board Chair Maxine B. Baker has joined the AARP Foundation as senior vice president for Impact Programs. Her work will focus on the issues of hunger, housing, isolation, and income for aging adults. AARP Foundation president Jo Ann Jenkins says:

Maxine brings a wealth of experience and is widely acknowledged as an energetic and visionary leader who will be instrumental in realizing the goals of the Foundation and making a difference in the lives of so many individuals.

- David Robertson, executive director of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, has announced that he will be leaving the organization in January 2013. Robertson has served in his current position since 2003, and has been with COG in other capacities for more than 20 years. He has also been a key leader in both the Region Forward plan and the 8 Neighbors group.

In a press release, COG Board Chairman Frank Principi said:

“Mr. Robertson has been the consummate professional in his capacity as COG’s executive director. He leaves big shoes to fill and the Board will use the next few months to find the best qualified person to build on his record of leadership and success.”

- Congratulations to Joseph Rigby – Chairman, President, and CEO of Pepco Holdings Inc. - who has been voted “Best Business Philanthropist” in a poll conducted by the Washington Business Journal! Rigby also chairs the United Way for the National Capital Region. (Informer, 2/9)

DISTRICT | Most of the D.C. workers accused in the unemployment benefits fraud scheme won’t be prosecuted. The city’s attorney general estimates that the threshold for prosecution will likely be $20,000. (Examiner, 2/9) The lesson here: If you plan to steal from the government, make sure to steal less than $20k.

EDUCATION | Maryland AP scores top nation again; Virginia at #3 (Examiner, 2/9)

LISTEN | Allison Fine’s latest podcast discusses The Power of Stories in Social Change (Chronicle, 2/9)

NONPROFITS | The Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Washington, DC (YNPNdc) is capturing the demographics and opinions of our region’s emerging leaders in the nonprofit sector. Here’s a short survey – which they would appreciate if you also share with your colleagues in the local nonprofit world. Added incentive: your participation could win you a $100 AMEX gift card or a $25 donation to the charity of your choice!

Does it seem a bit odd to anyone else that the Post has an op-ed from Vladimir Putin?

Rebekah has the Daily tomorrow. See you all on Monday – and stay warm this weekend!