Despite looming closures, Yellow Line to reopen after eight months

After the line’s eight-month-long closure, The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will fully reopen the Yellow Line to customers on May 7 under operational changes projected to increase the frequency of Metro service downtown.

By Shajaka Shelton May 2, 2023

News

D.C. the first U.S. city to establish local SNAP benefits for recipients

On March 10, a D.C. Council bill to increase the minimum monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payment became law, making D.C. the first U.S. city to implement local SNAP benefits. The “Give SNAP a Raise Amendment Act,” originally introduced by councilmember Christina Henderson in December 2022, proposed a 10 percent increase in SNAP benefits for all District recipients to match expenses under the Low-Cost Food Plan (LCFP) outlined by the USDA.

By Joanna Li April 26, 2023

News

D.C. provides $4 million for new Anacostia Arts and Culture District

The D.C. government will provide a $4 million grant to transform the historic Anacostia neighborhood in Southeast D.C. into an arts and culture district, Mayor Bowser announced on Feb. 23. The grant will fund public beautification, support local artists and art programs, and create opportunities for artists to showcase their work, but critics worry that the funding will accelerate gentrification of the majority-Black neighborhood.

By Yihan Deng March 31, 2023

News

D.C. residents, officials defend home rule with “Hands off DC”

On March 8, statehood activists and elected officials gathered to speak out against their lack of independence at the “Hands Off DC” rally outside Union Station. U.S. Capitol Police arrested at least 17 protesters during the subsequent march on Capitol Hill, including U.S. Shadow Representative of the District Dr. Oye Owolewa.

By Alex Deramo and Sabrina Shaffer March 24, 2023

News

FRESH STARTS Act pushes for better food in the D.C. Jail

On Feb. 2, Councilmember Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2) introduced the FRESH STARTS Act to improve quality food access in the D.C. Jail.

By Michelle Serban March 20, 2023

News

Bowser looks to change D.C. building height laws to reinvigorate downtown

Mayor Muriel Bowser is considering amending the D.C. Height Act to allow the maximum height of buildings in the District to be raised from 130 to 160 feet.

By Henry Skarecky February 28, 2023

News

D.C. attempts to address decade-old housing waitlist backlog and restore reputation

DCHA has tried recently to clear its 20,000-person affordable housing waitlist, which has not accepted applications in nearly 10 years.

By Angelena Bougiamas and Ananya Ramesh February 17, 2023

News

D.C. Council overrides mayor’s veto of criminal code reform

The D.C. Council voted 12-1 to override Mayor Muriel Bowser’s veto of the District’s criminal code reform bill on Jan. 17.

By Yihan Deng February 6, 2023

News

What is Metro doing about fare evasion?

This month, Metro is cracking down on fare evasion and testing out preventative new fare gates, as it struggles to recover from the pandemic.

By Henry Skarecky December 9, 2022

DC News

Initiative 82, which will raise wages for tipped workers, passes in the District

Initiative 82 passed with overwhelming support, meaning the tipped minimum wage will gradually increase to $16.10.

By Elizabeth Short November 21, 2022

DC News

Who and what is on the ballot in the D.C. general election?

Hoyas who aren’t voting in their home state have the opportunity to join fellow D.C. residents in voting in the general election.

By Henry Skarecky November 7, 2022

DC News

National Air and Space Museum reopens with a focus on telling untold stories

On Friday, Oct. 14, bustling crowds once again filled the National Air and Space Museum as it reopened to the public.

By Belinda Li, Jupiter Huang and Alex Deramo November 7, 2022

DC News

Members of the Georgetown community push back on Republican senators’ proposed anti-vaccine mandate for D.C. public schools

Sens. Ted Cruz and Marsha Blackburn have introduced a bill to repeal D.C. public school's vaccine mandate, to the protest of many.

By Alex Deramo October 28, 2022

DC News

Protesters gather to support abortion rights, encourage voting for Democrats at this year’s Women’s March

Thousands of protesters gathered to rally and march for women’s rights, with special emphasis placed on abortion rights.

By Margaret Hartigan and Ninabella Arlis October 23, 2022

DC News

As D.C. nears suffrage for undocumented immigrants, activists hope for proper follow-through

The Local Resident Voting Rights Act of 2021 would allow D.C.’s non-citizens—including undocumented immigrants—to vote in local elections.

By Graham Krewinghaus October 23, 2022

DC News

D.C. continues administering vaccines as monkeypox declines

The District's monkeypox cases have declined 20 percent on average since its per-capita high in July, partly due to high vaccination rates.

By Michelle Serban September 8, 2022

News

American University faculty and staff reach contract agreement after weeklong strike

Unionized AU faculty and staff have been on strike, protesting insufficient wages during contract negotiations that resolved Aug. 26.

By Nora Scully August 26, 2022

News

Student Transportation Woes: When public transit is not so public

Given the lack of a local Metrorail stop and slow public transportation, getting off campus without a car can be daunting for Hoyas.

By Margaret Hartigan, Jupiter Huang and Nora Scully August 26, 2022

News

D.C.’s renewed Emancipation Day celebration marks 160th anniversary

People gathered in the city to celebrate 160 years of emancipation in Washington, D.C., after two years of postponed Emancipation Day events.

By Joanna Li April 29, 2022

News

Small number of D.C. residents at statistically high risk of perpetrating gun violence, study finds

The District ranks first in gun homicides relative to the rest of the U.S., and a fatal shooting on M St. increased attention on gun violence.

By Ashley Kulberg April 7, 2022