In DC, the Obamas Are Everywhere

Shop would close roads; some fear heavy traffic

(NEWSER) - Michelle Obama is backing a push for a farmers' market near the White House, WTOP reports. The president said last month that he and his wife were interested in “a little farmers' market outside of the White House.” Now, with Michelle's support, a market hopes to move in on a section of Vermont Avenue each Thursday, which has some residents bemoaning the thought of more rush hour gridlock. More»

(NEWSER) - From churches to hair salons, Washington’s black institutions are gunning for the Obamas’ patronage, the Washington Post reports. Many in the largely black city feel a sense of camaraderie with the first couple—and know that making a connection with the town's hottest celebrities would be “a tremendous social coup,” said Jackie Kennedy’s former chief of staff. More»

Washington's elite institutions vie for first daughters

(NEWSER) - As the Obamas head to Washington, the locals are abuzz about which private school might land first daughters Malia and Sasha. The Quaker school Sidwell Friends, Chelsea Clinton's alma mater, offers a host of big Beltway names, including some Biden grandkids. But many of them are Clintonites. “Imagine the tension on back-to-school night” when the Obamas would see former Hillary strategist Mark Penn, writes Gabriel Sherman for the Atlantic. More»

First lady dishes on husband's skills with Jay Leno

(NEWSER) - If you thought the recent clip of President Obama singing was a fluke, think again: "He does have a beautiful voice, and he sings to me all the time," Michelle Obama told Jay Leno last night. Her husband often sings that very same song (Al Green's "Let's Stay Together"), she said, adding, "He sings a lot of Al Green, Marvin Gaye, a little Stevie [Wonder]. He likes the classics." More»

Protesters also hold rallies against Voter ID laws

(NEWSER) - Martin Luther King day inspired an Occupy march on New York and more traditional remembrances across the US today. Among the events:

• Hundreds of Occupiers staged an "Occupy the Dream" march on Manhattan, stopping to chant, "The banks got bailed out, we got sold out." At least two protesters were arrested, MSNBC reports. "Dr. King dedicated the last months of his life to planning a campaign for the right of all to a decent-paying job," Occupy said in a statement.