Lori's A.M. Buzz: Bundle of ferret joy

Good morning! I’m filling in for Lori Aratani this morning, with your early updates on muck, baby ferrets, and more:

Mud slinging: Stay with washingtonpost.com for updates on the Gulf oil spill; BP says their latest attempt, pumping mud in to squelch the problem, is working.

Closing aria: We have an unsolved mystery today, the story of a local opera singer who sang an a capella happy birthday to his mother-in-law one morning, disappeared, and was found shot to death in a nearby park.

And check back to Post Local later today for the sad story of a former D.C. resident who killed her four children and herself.

S’more on Jim Graham: A look at the longtime D.C. council member with a long record of service – no pothole too small to fill -- and a former chief of staff who was indicted last fall for allegedly taking bribes.

Lights out – again. WTOP reports heavy rains took out power for thousands of area homes.

And yeah, it’s August, again: A return to hot and sticky weather, with temperatures in the 90s, some sun and possible thunderstorms today.

You’re it: FOX DC on a local mom jailed for having expired tags.

Weasel family news: FOX DC has details on a bundle of joy – baby ferrets -- from the National Zoo.

Catch some tennis today: Andy Roddick advances in the Legg-Mason Tennis Classic Legg Mason Tennis Classic, held this week in Northwest Washington. Doubles team Bob and Michael Bryan play tonight.

Or get in the mix: Help raise money for longtime local DJ Stereo Faith, who needs surgery for a brain tumor. DJs will be spinning hip-hop, post-punk, house, indie rock and more at U Street Music Hall tonight.

Jump into the mud bath: Later today, come back to PostLocal.com for an all-you-need-to-know guide to the new reality show, "Real Housewives of D.C."

-- Susan Kinzie