washington d.c news

The Sankofa Foundation Incorporated is hosting the inaugural KidzAFest Cultural Exchange from August 17-31, featuring performances by South Africa's Mzansi Youth Choir and Uganda's Ghetto Kids dance team. This two-week event aims to preserve African storytelling traditions through music and dance performances across the D.C. area, culminating in a special Kidz Theater Production at the Kennedy Center's Concert Hall on August 30. The program showcases African folktales and cultural expressions while promoting values like humility, love, and empathy to inspire young audiences. Founders of both performing groups share a commitment to using arts to transform the lives of underprivileged youth, creating opportunities for them to develop their talents while maintaining cultural pride and identity.

The District of Columbia Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has issued an 83-page report revealing critical safety gaps in DC public schools' approach to gun violence prevention. The evaluation documented numerous issues including delayed security-related repairs, reduced police presence with 71% of schools lacking school resource officers, inconsistent safety protocols across campuses, and the exclusion of DC Public Schools (DCPS) from key citywide gun violence initiatives. The report, covering the 2021-2023 school years, provided eleven formal recommendations to the Department of General Services (DGS) and DCPS Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee, all of which have been accepted by the respective agencies who have committed to implementing various improvements including developing a formal definition of gun violence by March 2026.

The National Park Service has announced plans to restore and reinstall the Albert Pike statue in Washington, D.C., which was toppled during racial justice protests in 2020. This restoration is happening under President Trump's executive orders directing federal agencies to reinstall removed monuments and present what he calls a "truthful" version of American history. The decision has sparked significant backlash from critics who point out Pike's Confederate ties and question the appropriateness of commemorating such a figure with taxpayer funds. This monument restoration is part of Trump's broader campaign that includes overhauling the Smithsonian Institution, conducting reviews of national park content, and implementing policies that historians say align with "Lost Cause" ideology that sanitizes the Confederacy's legacy.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 marked its 60th anniversary on August 6, amid concerns about its future effectiveness in protecting voting rights across America. Political experts and activists, including former Democratic National Committee chair Donna Brazile, are fighting against various forms of voter suppression occurring throughout the United States. Specific threats include Project 2025, a Heritage Foundation initiative that proposes criminalizing voting mistakes and marginalizing the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, as well as ongoing redistricting battles in states like Texas and Louisiana. For Washington D.C. residents, the voting rights struggle is particularly focused on achieving statehood, which would grant them full representation in Congress.

of News Article Attorneys Bernadette Armand and Elizabeth Paige White have filed a civil rights lawsuit against former juvenile corrections officer Kelvin Powell, DYRS Director Sam Abed, Mayor Muriel Bowser, and the D.C. Office of the Attorney General following Powell's conviction for sexually abusing a minor at D.C.'s Youth Services Center (YSC). The lawsuit demands financial damages, implementation of policies aligned with national standards, and increased transparency at YSC, where Powell repeatedly sexually assaulted a resident identified as K.A. between December 2021 and February 2022. According to the lawsuit, Powell's actions represent a broader pattern of abuse at YSC, with nearly a dozen former residents coming forward with similar stories, while the facility has also faced reports of fights, staffing shortages, overcrowding, and substandard living conditions. The attorneys argue that D.C. officials bear responsibility for these abuses due to inadequate oversight, staffing, and supervision at DYRS facilities.

The U.S. Department of State has launched a new Visa Bond Pilot Program requiring certain B-1/B-2 visa applicants from countries with high overstay rates to post bonds of up to $15,000. The 12-month program, stemming from President Trump's Executive Order 14159, will apply to applicants from countries with inadequate screening systems or Citizenship by Investment programs, with the country list to be published at least 15 days before implementation. Consular officers may require bonds in tiers of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 based on the applicant's financial means and perceived overstay risk, with successful compliance resulting in full refunds. The program aims to assess the feasibility of collecting and managing visa bonds while encouraging foreign governments to reduce overstay rates and improve identity verification.

President Donald Trump's Justice Department has initiated a federal grand jury investigation targeting former Obama administration officials, stemming from Trump's longstanding claims that Obama "manufactured" the Russia investigation to undermine his presidency. Attorney General Pam Bondi is examining whether former CIA Director John Brennan, FBI Director James Comey, and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper conspired regarding the Trump-Russia scandal. Trump has publicly accused Obama of treason and demanded criminal prosecution, while critics characterize this as political revenge enabled by the Supreme Court's ruling granting Trump immunity for "official acts." The article also notes that a recent national poll shows Obama would defeat Trump by a significant margin in a hypothetical 2028 election matchup.

In Washington D.C., youth organizer Corey McSwain is planning a back-to-school event at Anacostia Park as part of his initiative to foster unity among District youth. This comes amid implementation of the Juvenile Curfew Emergency Amendment Act, approved by the D.C. Council in July, which prohibits youth from being in public places during curfew hours and authorizes the mayor to establish extended juvenile curfew zones. The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is simultaneously running Late Night Hype events across the District, providing safe spaces for youth with activities, resources, and transportation options. Critics of the curfew, including youth activist Aniya Coffey, argue that it caters to gentrified areas rather than addressing the root issues affecting young people in lower-income neighborhoods.

A new AP-NORC poll reveals declining public confidence in DEI programs, with only about one-third of Americans believing these initiatives reduce discrimination against women, Hispanic, or Asian Americans. Concurrently, Americans' perception of racial discrimination has significantly decreased since 2021, though 74% of Black respondents still report experiencing substantial discrimination in their communities. This polling comes amid growing concerns about Project 2025, a Heritage Foundation policy blueprint that the Legal Defense Fund warns would severely harm Black communities by dismantling civil rights protections, privatizing education, and expanding executive power. Civil rights advocates argue that waning support for DEI programs indicates not progress but dangerous apathy and denial.

The U.S. economy added only 73,000 jobs in July, marking the third consecutive month of sluggish growth and the weakest three-month period since 2010 outside of the COVID pandemic. While the national unemployment rate remained at 4.2%, the Washington D.C. metropolitan area saw its unemployment rate climb to 5% despite adding 4,300 jobs overall. Significant disparities persist among demographic groups, with Black workers facing a 7.2% unemployment rate compared to 3.7% for white workers. The health care sector led job growth with 55,000 new positions, while the federal government continued to lose jobs, shedding 12,000 positions in July and 84,000 since January.

A coalition of state attorneys general, led by New York's Letitia James, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for allegedly conducting an unconstitutional campaign against gender-affirming care for transgender youth. The lawsuit challenges Justice Department investigations and threats that have caused numerous hospitals across the country to shut down their gender-affirming care programs, even in states with protective laws. The legal action argues that federal agencies are using intimidation tactics without basis in federal law, placing healthcare providers in the difficult position of choosing between federal threats and state non-discrimination laws. The plaintiffs assert that these federal actions violate states' rights under the 10th Amendment and seek to halt the Justice Department's ongoing investigations and subpoenas targeting gender-affirming care providers.

of News Article Tomar McWilliams and over a dozen other young men recently graduated from Maya Angelou Academy @ D.C. Jail, earning their D.C.-certified high school diplomas while incarcerated. McWilliams made the conscious decision to remain at D.C. Jail rather than transfer elsewhere, specifically to complete his education through this program. The graduation ceremony at the Central Treatment Facility celebrated these achievements, which were made possible through a settlement from the Charles H. v. District of Columbia lawsuit that extended educational opportunities to those who aged out of the system during the pandemic. Since its 2021 appointment as the education provider at D.C. Jail, Maya Angelou Academy has enrolled 282 residents and graduated 82 with high school diplomas.

The "Fresh Start Act of 2025," introduced by Senators Chris Van Hollen and Lisa Blunt Rochester, aims to provide grants of up to $5 million to states for modernizing criminal justice data infrastructure to enable automatic expungement of eligible criminal records. States must already have automatic expungement laws in place that don't delay record-clearing due to unpaid fines or fees to qualify for funding. The legislation authorizes $50 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030, with advocates noting that expungement significantly improves employment outcomes and reduces recidivism. Various law enforcement and criminal justice organizations have endorsed the bill, emphasizing its potential to remove barriers to reentry and improve public safety.

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies has released a 16-page issue brief warning that federal industrial policy investments meant to benefit Black communities are being threatened by the Trump administration's elimination of diversity, equity and inclusion provisions and slowed funding disbursement. Authored by Dr. Gabrielle Smith Finnie, the report examines how the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act represented historic opportunities to increase Black access to quality jobs in growing industries like manufacturing, clean energy, and technology. Despite these laws including intentional equity components such as labor protections and apprenticeship incentives, many of these components are now being rolled back or underfunded, potentially limiting economic mobility for Black workers and communities. The report highlights that many Black-led organizations remain under-informed and under-resourced to access these opportunities, despite the programs already reaching 99% of high-poverty counties.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for the entire Washington D.C. metropolitan area and surrounding regions in Maryland and Virginia from Thursday afternoon until early Friday morning. Forecasters warn that a dangerous system of storms will bring torrential downpours capable of producing 1-2 inches of rain within 30 minutes, with some areas potentially receiving 4-6 inches total. The combination of extreme humidity, an incoming cold front, and an upper-level trough will create conditions for slow-moving thunderstorms that pose significant flash flooding risks, particularly during the evening commute. Officials are emphasizing the "Turn Around, Don't Drown" safety message while warning of possible road closures and travel disruptions throughout the affected areas.

of News Article On the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, protesters gathered in Washington, D.C. for a 60-hour vigil called the Families First National Day of Action rally to oppose cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs. Rally participants shared personal stories about how Medicaid has been essential for their families' healthcare needs, particularly for disabled individuals. The Republican Congress, with support from the Trump administration, has passed a budget that cuts Medicaid by approximately $1 trillion over 10 years, potentially leaving 11.8 million Americans without health insurance according to Congressional Budget Office estimates. Speakers emphasized the urgent need to preserve Medicaid funding, arguing that these cuts would disproportionately harm vulnerable populations including those with disabilities.

A new Prison Policy Initiative report titled "Hiding in Plain Sight: How Local Jails Obscure and Facilitate Mass Deportation Under Trump" reveals how local jails have become essential to implementing President Trump's mass deportation agenda, despite sanctuary policies. The report shows that when accounting for detainees in U.S. Marshals Service custody and in local jails for immigration-related offenses, the actual number of detained immigrants is approximately 83,400—45% higher than ICE's official figure of 57,200. According to the findings, nearly half of all ICE arrests in 2025 came from transfers out of local jails, many operating under U.S. Marshals contracts that override sanctuary laws. The Trump administration has bypassed sanctuary protections by prosecuting immigration violations as federal crimes, shifting people into jails with federal detention contracts.

Caribbean Superior, a Jamaican restaurant with locations in Bladensburg and District Heights, Maryland, was recently honored with a 2025 Milestone Award by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) for its 25 years of service. Founded by Chef Patrick Martin in August 2000, the restaurant has become popular for its authentic Jamaican cuisine including jerk chicken, curry dishes, and breakfast options served from 8 a.m. Manager Leo Artwell attributes the restaurant's longevity to serving authentic food and offering unique services that distinguish it from other establishments. The recognition came during RAMW's second-annual RAMMYS Honors on July 1, which serves as a precursor to the RAMMYS Awards Gala scheduled for August 3.

In May 2024, catastrophic flooding severely damaged Western Maryland's Allegany and Garrett Counties, but the Trump administration denied Governor Wes Moore's request for $15.8 million in federal disaster relief despite the region meeting all FEMA thresholds. The denial came just one day after Trump approved disaster relief for several states that supported him in the 2024 election, raising concerns about politically motivated decision-making. Maryland's entire congressional delegation, including Republican Representative Andy Harris, had urged approval of the aid request. Governor Moore has confirmed the state will appeal FEMA's decision within the 30-day window while allocating limited state funds to assist affected communities.

of D.C. Council's FY2026 Budget Vote The D.C. Council approved the Fiscal Year 2026 budget during an unconventional Monday evening session, preserving Initiative 82 regarding tipped minimum wage with a compromise that gradually increases it to 75% of the regular minimum wage by 2034. Amid contentious debates and a dispute with the Office of the Chief Financial Officer over $200+ million in funds, the Council added the child tax credit and D.C. Healthcare Alliance to a contingency funding list while defeating a proposed tax increase on wealth. The Council also maintained funding for ranked-choice voting despite attempts to mandate a needs assessment, with Councilmember Christina Henderson emphasizing that 73% of voters had already supported the initiative.

The Department of Homeland Security recently posted John Gast's 1872 painting "American Progress" on social media with the caption "A Heritage to be proud of, a Homeland worth Defending," drawing significant attention. The painting, displayed at the Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles, depicts a floating white woman leading westward expansion while displacing Native Americans and buffalo. Museum experts contextualize the artwork as romanticizing colonization through the symbol of white womanhood, while contrasting it with Indigenous perspectives through complementary exhibits. This posting coincides with Trump administration policies focusing on immigration enforcement and initiatives to remove certain historical narratives that "disparage" American history.

Washington, D.C. has officially become the city with the worst traffic in the United States according to the latest Consumer Affairs report, surpassing Los Angeles. The average commute in D.C. has reached 33.4 minutes, with weekday congestion stretching for over 6.5 hours, translating to 71 full days stuck in gridlock annually. Commuters from throughout the D.C. metropolitan area, including Virginia and Maryland, are experiencing increasingly frustrating and unpredictable traffic conditions on main arteries like I-295, New York Avenue, and Georgia Avenue. According to urban planning professor Michael Manville, this severe congestion is linked to D.C.'s economic prosperity, which attracts more workers to the region and overloads the road infrastructure.