washington d.c news

On the anniversary of the 2024 presidential election, the nonprofit organization Refuse Fascism launched an ongoing protest campaign at the National Mall aimed at President Trump's removal from office through nonviolent means. The organization, originally founded in 2016 during Trump's first term, brought together hundreds of demonstrators, speakers including former Capitol police officer Michael Fanone, and musical performances to challenge what they characterize as fascism in government. Founding member Sunsara Taylor emphasized the movement's commitment to daily rallies across Washington D.C. until Trump leaves power, arguing there can be no compromise with the current administration. The group has scheduled numerous additional protests and marches throughout November at various iconic locations including the Supreme Court, White House, and Lincoln Memorial.

Washington D.C. is experiencing a troubling surge in traffic-related injuries and fatalities, particularly affecting predominantly Black communities in Wards 7 and 8, despite an overall decline in traffic deaths over the past decade. The D.C. Council is considering the Motor Vehicle Insurance Modernization Act, which would increase minimum insurance coverage from $25,000 to $50,000—the first update since 1986. Advocates argue that current coverage levels leave crash victims with inadequate financial protection, as medical costs from serious accidents often far exceed existing minimums. Contributing factors to the crisis include distracted driving, inadequate infrastructure in underserved neighborhoods, and what some residents describe as structural racism reflected in poor road conditions and insufficient lighting in Black and Brown communities. # Key Takeaways

Rep. LaMonica McIver, a New Jersey Democrat elected in 2024, traveled to Washington just hours after undergoing surgery to remove uterine fibroids in order to vote against a government funding bill that failed to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies. The 39-year-old congresswoman, who has undergone four such procedures since age 25, cited her concern that rising healthcare costs would harm her working-class constituents who depend on affordable coverage. McIver is simultaneously facing federal criminal charges for allegedly assaulting a federal agent during a May visit to an immigration detention facility where Newark's mayor was arrested, charges she calls politically motivated intimidation. Her case exemplifies the challenges facing prominent Black women leaders during Trump's second term, as she balances advocacy for healthcare access and immigrant rights with what she views as administration retaliation. # Key Takeaways

A National Transportation Safety Board investigation has determined that the 2024 Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore, which killed six construction workers, was preventable and stemmed from multiple failures. The Dali cargo ship lost power due to a loose electrical wire and faulty fuel pump before striking a bridge pillar, but investigators found that police who were notified of the ship's course deviation failed to alert the construction crew. Workers would have had approximately 90 seconds to evacuate to a safer part of the bridge if they had received warning when police did. The disaster closed the Port of Baltimore temporarily and severed a major highway, with bridge reconstruction costs now estimated at $5 billion and completion pushed back to 2030, partly due to increased material costs from federal trade policies.

Go-Go Appreciation Week in Washington, D.C. is highlighting the potential of go-go music to unite Black and Latino communities who face shared experiences of state-sanctioned violence and discrimination. Community leaders, including Ron Moten of the Don't Mute DC movement and musicians like Ivan Navas, are emphasizing the African roots that connect go-go to Latin American musical traditions like Colombian cumbia. The celebration includes the premiere of "Go-Go Cumbia," a collaborative music video between go-go and cumbia artists, while organizers work to preserve go-go culture through youth programs and the Go-Go Museum and Cafe. This year's events build toward the 2026 Go-Go Awards commemorating 50 years of the genre, even as concerns mount about federal immigration enforcement and policing practices affecting both Black and Latino D.C. residents.

Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein gathered at the U.S. Capitol to witness a historic House vote on legislation requiring the release of approximately 100,000 pages of Justice Department files related to the deceased financier and convicted sex offender. The Epstein Files Transparency Act passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, 427-1, after Representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna used a procedural maneuver to bypass House leadership opposition. The vote followed months of political tension, including a public dispute between President Trump and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene over the issue, with Trump initially calling the matter a "hoax" before reversing his position. Survivors, many holding childhood photos of themselves, emphasized they were fighting for justice for the children they were when abused, rebuking attempts to minimize Epstein's crimes because victims were teenagers rather than younger children. The legislation now moves to the Senate, where it will need 60 votes to pass.

The D.C. Council is considering the "Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Amendment Act of 2025," commonly known as the bottle bill, which would establish a 10-cent deposit on beverage containers that consumers could reclaim by returning empty bottles to stores and redemption centers. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau introduced the legislation with ten colleagues, aiming to reduce litter in D.C. waterways and streets while creating income opportunities for residents, particularly in underserved wards. The proposal has garnered support from over 200 public witnesses and 32 member organizations focused on environmental cleanup, but faces opposition from business coalitions and corporations like Coca-Cola and Pepsi who cite concerns about operational burdens and potential fraud. After passing through one committee, the bill now awaits a hearing in the Committee on Transportation and the Environment, though no date has been scheduled. # Key Takeaways

The District of Columbia is conducting a comprehensive planning initiative called DC 2050 to prepare for anticipated growth to 845,000 residents and one million jobs by 2050. Through public workshops and meetings organized by the Bowser administration and DC Office of Planning, city officials are gathering community input on neighborhood development, housing, transportation, and economic expansion across all eight wards. The initiative is mandated by the District's Home Rule Charter and must undergo a two-year approval process through the DC Council and mayor before implementation. While some residents like 75-year-old Kathleen Richardson express concerns about displacement and whether community character will be preserved, officials emphasize that development burdens will be shared equitably across neighborhoods rather than concentrated in specific areas. # Key Takeaways

The Washington Informer, in collaboration with the Public Welfare Foundation and its Real Safety D.C. initiative, organized a roundtable discussion about community-based approaches to public safety that move beyond traditional policing and incarceration methods. Publisher Denise Rolark-Barnes moderated the hour-long conversation on October 24 as part of the publication's Let's Talk video series. The session took place at the historic True Reformer Building on U Street Northwest and featured four District of Columbia leaders representing various sectors including faith communities, business, government, and grassroots organizations. These panelists shared their perspectives on developing innovative public safety strategies for the nation's capital. # Key Takeaways

The federal government has reopened after a historic 43-day shutdown when President Trump signed legislation funding agencies through January 30th. While hundreds of thousands of federal employees can return to work and receive back pay, the extended closure has caused lasting damage including depleted savings, mounting debt, and an estimated $11 billion in permanent economic losses. Critical programs like SNAP benefits for 42 million recipients and the National Flood Insurance Program are resuming operations, though significant backlogs remain. Advocates emphasize that the shutdown disproportionately harmed women, low-income families, and communities of color, while critics warn the temporary funding measure fails to address healthcare subsidies and risks repeating the crisis in coming months. # Key Takeaways

The Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., 84, has been hospitalized and is being monitored for progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare brain disease he has privately managed for over ten years. A close associate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Jackson built a remarkable legacy through founding Operation PUSH, running historic presidential campaigns in the 1980s that transformed Democratic Party rules, and advocating tirelessly for civil rights, economic justice, and voter registration. His diagnosis was officially confirmed in April after years of being treated for Parkinson's disease, and he has faced additional health challenges including COVID-19 and a serious fall in 2021. Despite stepping down from leading the Rainbow PUSH Coalition in 2023 after more than fifty years, Jackson remained committed to serving Black communities through regular columns in African American newspapers and continued activism.

Following the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history, Washington D.C. residents face mounting anxiety over rising healthcare costs and potential cuts to the Affordable Care Act, which the Senate plans to review in December. The expiration of enhanced Obamacare tax credits on December 31st threatens to increase premiums by 25-30% for approximately 4,400 District residents, potentially leaving millions of low-and-middle income Americans nationwide without medical insurance. D.C. regulators have approved 2026 health insurance rates showing increases of 8.7% for individual plans and 9.5% for small business plans, while local officials work to mitigate impacts through programs like the newly launched Healthy DC Plan for those losing Medicaid coverage. Residents like Mary Blackwell, a 68-year-old retired teacher struggling with healthcare costs after losing Medicare Part B eligibility, exemplify the financial pressures facing ordinary Americans who must balance health needs against limited budgets. Local elected officials and advocates are pushing for systemic solutions like Medicare for All while urging residents to shop carefully during the open enrollment period running through January 31st. # Key Takeaways

Newly released emails from Jeffrey Epstein's estate have intensified scrutiny of President Trump's past relationship with the convicted sex offender, with messages suggesting Trump visited Epstein's properties and had knowledge of underage girls. House Democrats have released communications showing Epstein wrote that Trump "spent hours at my house" with a victim and "knew about the girls," contradicting Trump's claims of distance from Epstein. Despite Trump's 2016 campaign promise to release all Epstein files, his administration and Republican leadership have blocked congressional efforts to mandate full disclosure through proposed transparency legislation. The controversy emerges as Trump faces declining approval ratings, dropping to 36% overall, and occurs amid a record-breaking government shutdown that has eroded support even among longtime Republican voters. # Key Takeaways

In a sweeping election night victory, Democratic candidates won major races across multiple states, marking what party leaders characterized as a strong rejection of MAGA Republican politics. Virginia made history as Abigail Spanberger became the state's first female governor while her running mate Ghazala Hashmi became the first Indian American and Muslim to win statewide office there, and Jay Jones became the state's first Black attorney general. Democrats also secured gubernatorial wins in New Jersey, retained their Pennsylvania Supreme Court majority, flipped commission seats in Georgia for the first time in 25 years, and saw Zohran Mamdani win New York City's mayoral race with record turnout. These victories occurred against the backdrop of an ongoing federal government shutdown that had disrupted services including Head Start programs and food assistance.

The Washington Informer, sponsored by Safeway, has launched its first-ever "Best of The DMV" initiative designed to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations throughout the local community. The competition attracted close to 1,700 nominations across various categories, though some categories had to be eliminated due to insufficient participation levels. After a multi-month process involving both nomination and voting phases, community members cast over 15,000 votes to determine the finalists. Each finalist who advanced demonstrated strong community support and successfully mobilized their networks throughout the extended selection process. # Key Takeaways

Over 1,000 business, political, and philanthropic leaders gathered at the National Building Museum for the D.C. Chamber of Commerce's 2025 Awards and Gala on November 6th. The event, themed "Amplify Our Views, Ignite Our Growth," aimed to promote optimism despite challenges facing the District, including a federal government shutdown, economic slowdown, and downtown business struggles. Chamber leadership announced growth initiatives including 155 new members, plans to streamline business licensing, and the launch of the Future Moguls Program in January to train young entrepreneurs. Various awards were presented to business and political leaders, including Mayor Muriel Bowser, Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris, and CAVA restaurant chain, recognizing their contributions to the District's economy and business community. # Key Takeaways

Attorney General Brian Schwalb has secured a historic $41 million judgment against the owners of Langston Views apartment complex in Southeast Washington for subjecting over 2,500 tenants to deplorable living conditions including widespread mold, broken utilities, and pest infestations. The court found that MP PPH, LLC and its managing member Dr. Anthony Pilavas defied multiple court orders and consent agreements to repair the 674-unit complex, which they purchased in 2015 and refinanced to extract millions while letting it deteriorate. This represents the largest housing-related judgment in DC history, with nearly $30 million designated as restitution for affected tenants and over $11 million in penalties and fees. The property is now under new ownership, and the Attorney General's office has already recovered $1.1 million from the former management company for distribution to tenants. # Key Takeaways