washington d.c news

The D.C. Council is working to finalize a Fiscal Year 2026 budget that restores over $100 million in programming cuts initially proposed by Mayor Muriel Bowser, though advocates argue the budget still falls short, particularly regarding healthcare coverage for tens of thousands of residents. Despite restoring funding for environmental programs, preserving the Consistently Clean Corridor Initiative, and making adjustments to housing and education allocations, the council maintained Bowser's proposal to narrow Medicaid eligibility for more than 25,000 District residents. Councilmember Zachary Parker plans to introduce a proposal for a graduated surcharge on wealth-generated income to address revenue concerns, while the council voted to strike down proposed changes to Initiative 82, a ballot measure concerning tipped worker wages.

Prices across the United States have increased by approximately 26% since the COVID-19 pandemic, making many everyday experiences unaffordable for American families. This inflation has affected everything from accommodations, with hotel rates rising 24% over the past decade, to transportation costs, with rental car prices up 29% since 2015, and food expenses, with restaurant prices soaring 49.3% in ten years. Entertainment has also become significantly more expensive, with concert and theater tickets increasing 39% since 2015, while grocery essentials like baby wipes and dog food have seen substantial price hikes. Despite inflation retreating from its 9% peak in 2022, experts warn that Americans should not expect relief soon, especially with new tariffs expected to drive prices even higher.

The District of Columbia will receive approximately $1.2 million from eight opioid manufacturers as part of a nationwide settlement addressing their role in the opioid crisis, as announced by Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb. The settlement prohibits these companies from promoting opioids, limits oxycodone dosages, and requires reformed business practices, with Indivior specifically banned from manufacturing opioids for ten years. This agreement adds to the nearly $104 million the District has already secured from companies that contributed to the opioid epidemic, which has claimed 1,740 lives in D.C. between 2021 and 2024. While opioid deaths in D.C. decreased in 2024 compared to the previous year, hundreds of residents continue to struggle with addiction and overdoses.

The MAGA movement is experiencing internal turmoil after the Justice Department and FBI released a memo contradicting conspiracy theories about Jeffrey Epstein, stating there was no secret "client list" and confirming his death as suicide. This directly contradicts President Donald Trump's and Attorney General Pam Bondi's previous promises to release damaging information about Epstein's powerful associates. The revelation has sparked fierce backlash from prominent conservative media figures and influencers who feel betrayed, with some accusing the administration of a cover-up. Despite Trump's attempts to defend Bondi and redirect blame toward Democrats, many of his supporters remain unconvinced, creating a significant rift within his base.

The article examines how the January 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection has spawned a diverse cultural industry including documentaries, books, and interactive experiences. It specifically highlights "Fight for America!" - a provocative London theater production where audiences can participate in recreating the insurrection, choosing sides and even voting whether to "hang" Vice President Pence. Created by American producers who relocated the premiere overseas after Trump's 2024 reelection, the show raises questions about whether such entertainment trivializes a national tragedy or provides a means for processing it. The article also mentions other January 6-inspired works including graphic novels, board games, and plays, noting that a Washington D.C. run of "Fight for America!" is planned for January 2026.

The District of Columbia is experiencing a severe increase in unemployment claims, ranking last in the nation according to WalletHub's report "States Where Unemployment Claims Are Decreasing the Most." Data shows D.C. had a 22.63% rise in initial claims over the previous week and a 73.21% increase compared to last year, giving it the highest cumulative increase in claims for 2025. Experts attribute these troubling trends to various factors including AI adoption uncertainty, potential tariff impacts, tourism industry slowdowns, and policy uncertainty from the federal administration. The unemployment situation reflects deeper structural issues in the job market, including skills mismatches between employers and potential workers.

The article highlights a collaborative program called Unleashed Potential, created by Marcelles Queen's organization Representation for the Bottom in partnership with Brandywine Valley SPCA. Malcolm Smith, an 18-year-old from Congress Park, volunteers at the animal shelter twice weekly, learning skills like kennel cleaning, dog training, and animal care that provide him with potential career opportunities and personal development. Queen, a graduate of the Pathways Program within the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE), created the program as part of his ongoing effort to provide positive opportunities for youth in the Congress Park community. Both Smith and shelter leaders emphasize how the program helps at-risk youth develop valuable skills while providing constructive activities that keep them away from trouble.

The Anacostia Business Improvement District (BID) is facing criticism from some local entrepreneurs who believe more coordinated efforts are needed to support businesses in this Southeast Washington neighborhood. While some business owners praise Executive Director Kristina Noell's work on beautification and arts infrastructure, others like Ronald Moten and Andy Shallal express concerns about insufficient coordination with businesses and inadequate marketing to increase foot traffic. The situation is complicated by the District's financial challenges, including budget deficits and reduced federal funding. Noell emphasizes that the BID focuses on infrastructure work and promoting Anacostia as an arts hub, while acknowledging the need to improve the area's image to attract more visitors.

A new national poll by ecoAmerica reveals that 86% of Americans report increased concern about climate change due to record-breaking heat waves, with the sentiment crossing political lines (97% of Democrats, 83% of Independents, and 79% of Republicans). Nearly 90% of respondents recognize extreme heat's impact on public health, with Black Americans showing some of the highest concern levels (91%) while also facing disproportionate exposure to extreme heat due to historical redlining practices that have left their neighborhoods up to 10 degrees hotter than nearby white areas. The survey also found growing bipartisan recognition that climate change is intensifying extreme weather events, occurring as proposals advance to cut funding for FEMA and NOAA, agencies critical for disaster response and weather forecasting that 79% of Americans worry will undermine the government's ability to address climate impacts.

The Trump administration has proposed replacing deported immigrant farmworkers with Medicaid recipients, which is facing strong opposition in Washington D.C. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins described the plan as quickly utilizing the 34 million "able-bodied adults on Medicaid" as replacement labor while eliminating "amnesty" for undocumented farmworkers. Health experts and civil rights groups warn this policy would disproportionately affect Black D.C. residents, who make up 40.9% of Medicaid enrollees in the district compared to 36.7% who are White. Critics argue the proposal amounts to coerced labor, targeting poor Black and brown residents while potentially violating constitutional protections against involuntary servitude.

A protest encampment has been established outside Union Station since May 1, serving as an act of resistance against President Donald Trump's administration rather than addressing housing issues. Led by Catherine Economopoulos, the encampment works in coordination with May Day Movement USA and is focused primarily on impeaching and removing Trump from office. The initiative recently rebranded as FLARE (For Liberation and Resistance Everywhere) on June 28, with organizers emphasizing the importance of active demonstration to achieve political change. The protesters plan to maintain their presence until significant political change occurs.

President Trump has threatened to assume federal control over Washington D.C., suggesting that his administration could directly "run D.C." to address crime and city management issues. Simultaneously, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is working to repeal the city's 2019 Sanctuary Values Amendment Act, which limits cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Critics view Bowser's actions, including removing immigrant protection information from city websites and dismantling Black Lives Matter Plaza, as attempts to appease Republicans and prevent deeper federal interference. Trump has also indicated potential intervention in the Washington Commanders' stadium deal at the RFK Stadium site, reminding that "the federal government ultimately controls" the property.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is pushing to repeal Initiative 82, a ballot measure that incrementally raises tipped worker minimum wages until they equal non-tipped wages in the District. Restaurant managers and owners claim the initiative is causing financial strain, forcing them to cut staff, raise prices, and implement service fees to meet wage requirements. During a roundtable at Shaw's Tavern, industry workers shared concerns about reduced hours and profits, while Initiative 82 supporters argue the measure ensures consistent pay regardless of customer traffic. The D.C. Council appears divided on whether to approve Bowser's proposed repeal as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Support Act.

The "One Big Beautiful Bill" signed by President Trump on July 4, praised by Republican Senator Tim Scott as promoting fiscal responsibility and opportunity, is being heavily criticized by equity advocates as harmful to Black communities and working Americans. While Republicans frame the legislation as beneficial for American families, Democratic leaders like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries characterize it as rewarding billionaires at the expense of everyday citizens. According to independent analyses, the law will significantly increase the federal deficit through permanent corporate tax cuts while providing only temporary benefits to middle-income households. Critics argue the bill strengthens systemic inequities by expanding programs like Opportunity Zones that have failed to reduce poverty, implementing school choice tax credits that primarily benefit wealthier families, and allowing the expanded Child Tax Credit to remain expired.

Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton has introduced the Commission of Fine Arts District of Columbia Home Rule Act to eliminate federal oversight of non-federal property development in Washington, D.C. The legislation would remove the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts' authority over D.C.-owned sites and certain private properties that currently require federal approval for construction or alterations. Norton argues that federal involvement in local land-use decisions violates home rule principles, creates unnecessary delays, and increases costs for development projects in the District. This bill is part of Norton's broader legislative effort to increase D.C.'s autonomy over its land-use policies, joining two other related bills she has introduced in the current Congress.

Cuba's Deputy Director of U.S. Affairs Johana Tablada delivered a critique of current U.S. policy toward Cuba during an interview at Black Press USA headquarters, describing the relationship as "at a low point" characterized by "maximum aggression" from the U.S. government. She highlighted that since January 20, the U.S. has imposed more than a dozen unilateral coercive measures against Cuba, including Trump's recent National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM) that restored restrictions and strengthened the economic embargo. Tablada specifically criticized Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism as "based on lies," noting how this status prevents the country from receiving essential supplies and financial transfers. Despite current challenges, she expressed hope based on "youth and the truth," while emphasizing the historical solidarity between Cuba and the African American community.

Ben's Chili Bowl, a landmark establishment on U Street NW since 1958, will temporarily close its original location from July 14 for four months to undergo major renovations for the first time in over 60 years. During the closure, the business will operate as a pop-up across the street at 1208 U Street NW starting July 17, while continuing to offer its products at other locations throughout the Washington metropolitan area and at select grocery stores. The renovation aims to preserve the heritage of this historic gathering place that has served locals, celebrities, and politicians for generations while ensuring it remains safe for future patrons. Co-founder Virginia Ali emphasized that the business represents more than just food, calling it a place of "family, community and history" that now needs care to serve another generation.

President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" proposes significant changes to American social programs and immigration enforcement. The legislation would cut $1 trillion from Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act over ten years while allocating $150 billion to expand ICE operations, including increasing its detention budget from $3.4 billion to $45 billion by 2029. The bill also authorizes a federal citizenship registry combining Social Security and immigration data, which critics view as an unprecedented surveillance system implemented without proper debate. Despite public opposition to key aspects of Trump's immigration agenda, the bill continues to advance with strong Republican support but faces significant Democratic resistance.

MAGA influencers who had long demanded the unsealing of Jeffrey Epstein's files are now expressing outrage after the Justice Department announced there is no Epstein client list and promised "no further disclosure." Pro-Trump media personalities who championed transparency are questioning why they were promised information that apparently doesn't exist. The backlash has been particularly fierce from figures like Chad Prather, who received a binder of Epstein evidence from Attorney General Pam Bondi at the White House in February, along with others including Jack Posobiec, Savanah Hernandez, Paul Syzpula, and Robby Starbuck who have publicly expressed their disbelief and frustration with the DOJ's conclusion.

The House Republicans have passed a controversial "One Big Beautiful Bill," which critics say will eliminate healthcare for 17 million Americans, reduce food assistance, and cut social programs while providing tax benefits to wealthy individuals and corporations. The legislation passed largely along party lines with only two Republicans joining Democrats in opposition. Critics, including Representative Summer Lee and several advocacy organizations, argue the bill will devastate working families by cutting nearly $1 trillion from health programs like Medicaid, ACA, and CHIP over the next decade, while also slashing $200 billion from nutrition assistance programs and reducing funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau by almost half.

Ward 7 residents in Washington, D.C. are campaigning against the closure of a CVS pharmacy on Pennsylvania Avenue SE scheduled for July 9, which serves as a critical healthcare resource for over 40,000 residents across multiple neighborhoods. The closure would force many residents, especially those without cars, to travel nearly a mile to the next nearest pharmacy on Marion Barry Avenue SE, requiring multiple bus transfers for those reliant on public transportation. On July 2, residents held a protest at the location where speakers highlighted how the pharmacy's closure would exacerbate existing health inequities in a community already facing limited access to healthcare resources. Despite community outcry, including a petition with over 1,400 signatures, CVS has cited "local market dynamics" and "population shifts" as reasons for the closure, while promising to transfer prescriptions to their Good Hope Road location.

As of July 1, numerous new laws have taken effect across the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, impacting wages, technology regulations, and public safety measures. D.C. has increased its minimum wage from $17.50 to $17.95 per hour, while Maryland implemented over 300 new laws including a 3% tech tax on services like cloud computing and cryptocurrency mining expected to generate $500 million in revenue. Virginia's new legislation focuses on health care accessibility, child protection, and traffic safety, requiring all adults to wear seatbelts in vehicles and mandating public schools to limit student cell phone use during school hours. These regional changes represent significant shifts in policy that affect businesses, workers, technology users, and public institutions across the DMV area.

The "One Big Beautiful Bill," which recently passed the Senate, threatens to remove health insurance from approximately 11.8 million Americans by targeting Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and the Children's Health Insurance Program with nearly $1 trillion in cuts over the next decade. Critics, including D.C.'s shadow representative Oye Owelowa, condemn the legislation as an attack on vulnerable populations while pointing out that President Trump has simultaneously authorized $72-92 million in taxpayer expenses for personal indulgences like his birthday military parade and frequent golf trips. The District of Columbia would be particularly impacted with a potential five percentage point increase in uninsured rates, affecting a jurisdiction where nearly 40% of residents currently rely on Medicaid and CHIP coverage. The bill represents what critics call the largest rollback of federally funded health insurance in a generation, primarily benefiting wealthy households and corporations through tax breaks.

Mayors Brandon Scott of Baltimore and Randall Woodfin of Birmingham have achieved significant reductions in violent crime in their respective cities through evidence-based public safety strategies. Baltimore has seen a 22% drop in homicides, 19% reduction in nonfatal shootings, and 71% decrease in juvenile homicide victims compared to the same period last year. Similarly, Birmingham's homicide rate has fallen 52% while achieving a remarkable 79% clearance rate for homicides. Both mayors credit their success to comprehensive approaches combining targeted enforcement, community engagement, technology utilization, and social service offerings, while emphasizing that despite progress, their work to reduce violence continues.