Columbus
Axios DC
D.C. police will use drones for crimefighting
D.C. is deploying police drones for the first time to assist officers on the ground.Why it matters: Many cities use drones for searches and to watch large crowds, but the technology has also sparked concerns over privacy.Driving the news: The Metropolitan Police Department's drone program was unveiled Monday with five automated devices capable of 30 minutes of flight before needing a recharge.The drones aim to help with searches for missing persons, responses to major traffic crashes, crowd management, and tactical circumstances such as a police barricade situation.How it works: A drone is authorized to help locate a suspect if three...
Trump wants to "take over" D.C.
A second Donald Trump presidency would bring an unpredictable era of federal micromanaging over local Washington.Why it matters: Trump's vow to "take over our horribly run" capital is one of his most commonly repeated phrases, an Axios analysis found.Ranting about potholes and crime, he told a crowd in Wisconsin last week: "It's going to be run properly." On social media last year he said, "An important part of my platform for President is to bring back, restore, and rebuild Washington, D.C. into the 'crown jewel of our Nation.'"The big picture: Presidents usually leave hometown D.C. alone. But Trump wants to...
Melania Trump might not return to D.C. full-time for a second term
If the Trumps return for round two, don't expect to see more of Melania in D.C. — or at all, really.Why it matters: Love 'em or hate 'em, tracking a first family's comings and goings around town is an extreme sport in D.C. Extra points if you run into one of the big names yourself while leaving Le Dip or SoulCycle.Zoom in: Unlike the Obamas and Bidens, the Trumps largely avoided jaunts into hometown Washington. Melania was so atypically reclusive for a first lady that a long-running whisper campaign questioned whether she lived at the White House or with her...
These could be the new Trump hangouts in D.C.
Every administration has its hangouts, but Trumpers created two clubhouses: The glitzy BLT Steak at the Trump Hotel — the only place in Washington its owner ever dined beyond the White House — and nearby watering hole Harry's Bar, a Proud Boy favorite.Why it matters: Both are closed, leaving us to wonder where the glad-handing and dealmaking would happen in D.C. under a second Trump term.The big picture: Nothing will rival the Trump Hotel, where on any given day you could spot Cabinet members, GOP power players, foreign officials, Trump's family, the "MyPillow Guy," and/or the president himself posted up...
Pickleball could dethrone kickball as D.C.'s go-to social sport
In D.C., kickball is king: It's long been a rite of passage for twentysomethings to join a social sports league and hit the bar after a kickball sesh on the Mall. But thanks to pickleball's booming popularity, it's possible the crown might get passed.Why it matters: Pickleball — often dubbed the country's "fastest-growing sport" — exploded in popularity during Covid, and D.C. hasn't been able to keep up with the demand.But some people freakin' hate it: Namely, neighbors who say they're being driven bonkers by the ball's popping noise and all the pickleballers taking over local tennis courts.By the numbers:...
Where to play pickleball around D.C.
Hot pickleball summer is in full force at these DMV courts.Why it matters: Finding a place to pickle around here can be tough — it's best to plan ahead.We asked the crew at social sports leagues D.C. Fray and Volo to share some of their fave paddling spots around town.🏓 East Potomac Tennis Center: You can snag courts at the Hains Point park via reservation or walk-in on a first-come, first-served basis.Trying to up your game? Sign up for private, semi-private, or group lessons, or an open play sesh.🏓 Kraken Kourts and Skates: The Edgewood location has 14 indoor courts...
Why Gen Z is tabling homeownership, for now
Steep housing costs are putting Gen Z's homeownership dreams on hold.The big picture: Gen Zers, roughly those aged 12-27, feel deeply pessimistic about the world around them, Axios' Erica Pandey reports.For this article, we're focusing on the adult cohort.What they're saying: Homeownership is no longer a hypothetical idea, but figuring out how to get there is a challenge, D.C. renter Sheila Cruz-Morales tells us.Zoom in: The 23-year-old immigration activist immigrated to the U.S. two decades ago and dreams of buying a home for her parents first, and eventually herself, to create a sense of stability and safety.Yes, but: Gen Zers...
D.C. heat wave will peak this weekend with triple-digit temps
The heat wave is peaking in D.C., with forecasts for Saturday and Sunday reaching triple digits. Why it matters: The duration of the heat is dangerous. Since Monday, it's been 90 or above every day — and the high temperatures are expected to stick around through next week. The...
New Baltimore-based TV show starring Natalie Portman headed to Apple TV+
A new Apple TV+ show based and filmed in Baltimore will drop next month. The big picture: The series "Lady in the Lake" is set in 1960s Baltimore. Natalie Portman stars as a dissatisfied housewife who begins investigating the mysterious death of a local mother involved in "the political underbelly of Black Baltimore," played by Charm City native Moses Ingram.
Here's what's happening in D.C. this weekend
This weekend in D.C., check out Brittany Howard at the Out & About Festival, a two-day barbecue competition and jazz and go-go music at the Home Rule Festival.1. 💃 Get Out & AboutGrammy winner Brittany Howard is headlining a music festival celebrating LGBTQ+ talent this weekend.The vibe: The Out & About Festival will feature eight performances, a children's theater and DMV food trucks and breweries. Vegan food options and zero-proof drinks are available.Also, this event will allow guests to bring their own food and drinks (including alcohol).Stop by: Doors open at 2:30pm Saturday with performances starting at 3pm at Wolf...
What's happening with the new Chesapeake Bay crossing
It's prime summer traffic time over the Bay Bridge as DMV drivers head to the beach and shore — so you may be wondering what's going on with plans for a new crossing.Why it matters: A $28 million study is exploring ways to alleviate congestion along the critical Maryland route that funnels tens of thousands of cars daily — and tangible results are on the way.State of play: Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) has already completed phase one of the study, which explored locations for a potential new crossing. They determined it should be in the same corridor as the existing Bay...
New park and pool open at D.C.'s former McMillan Sand Filtration Site
After years of opposition and back-and-forth, a new park and rec center has opened at the in-the-works Reservoir District.Why it matters: It's the first part of a huge project overhauling the former McMillan Sand Filtration Site just north of Bloomingdale — one of the city's largest undeveloped plots of land that saw decades of debate about balancing historical preservation with development.The big picture: The site's first update is the $137 million Reservoir Park Recreation Center and Aquatic Center and 6.2-acre park.The rec center includes a community meeting room, a fitness studio with showers and lockers, a pool, and a gallery space...
National Book Festival releases 2024 author lineup
The Library of Congress National Book Festival is back on August 24 with a lineup of more than 90 authors.Why it matters: This year's theme is "Books Build Us Up," showing how books can "connect us and inform our lives."What to expect: The free festival is held at the Washington Convention Center from 9am to 8pm. Events on the main stage will also be livestreamed.Among the authors this year:James Patterson will discuss his recently published nonfiction book, "The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians."James McBride will talk about his latest novel, "The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store."Doris Kearns Goodwin will...
Map: Neighborhoods most affected by D.C.'s "mansion tax"
Georgetown will pay the most under D.C.'s new "mansion tax," which increases the property tax rate on homes above $2.5 million.The big picture: Revenue from the new tax, which got final approval from the D.C. Council last week, will essentially "be driven by a small subset of neighborhoods, primarily in the Northwest," the D.C. Policy Center wrote.By the numbers: The increase will give the District $5.7 million in additional revenue in fiscal year 2025, according to the D.C. Policy Center.While that's a drop in the bucket in a $21 billion budget, it still helps when other revenues are declining.How it works: The tax rate would increase from $0.85 to $1 per $100 of assessed value over $2.5 million. (The rate would still be $0.85 for the first $2.5 million of the assessment.)Zoom out: Georgetown has 515 properties that fit that bill, more than any other neighborhood.Kalorama — with the likes of Jeff Bezos — has 245 homes.Berkley has 179 homes, while Cleveland Park and Spring Valley are tied with 174 properties.
How to celebrate Juneteenth around D.C.
Washingtonians will be busy celebrating Juneteenth this Wednesday, thanks to a packed lineup of events.The big picture: The holiday commemorates the ending of slavery by marking the day Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, after the end of the Civil War to let the last enslaved Black people know they were free under the Emancipation Proclamation — issued by President Lincoln more than two years earlier.Here are some ways to celebrate around D.C.:🎆 Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival: As part of the dayslong festival hosted by Scotland AME Zion Church, Wednesday will be stacked with activities: a 5K race, a children's...
HBO Max debuts new doc about champion rock climber from Alexandria
A new documentary out this week follows the career of world-champion rock climber and DMV native Sasha DiGiulian. Why it matters: DiGiulian is a record-breaking athlete, writer, and speaker who got her start climbing at age 6 while growing up in Alexandria. The big picture: "Here to Climb" is a...
First look: D.C.'s reimagined Folger Shakespeare Library
Did you know: D.C. is home to the world's largest Shakespeare collection? But most people have never seen it.Why it matters: That will soon change thanks to an $80.5 million, four-year reimagining of the Folger Shakespeare Library on Capitol Hill, which has pulled treasures from its vast vaults to display — many for the first time in 92 years.What's new: The library reopens on Friday with 12,000 feet of public space, including two exhibition halls, a forthcoming café Quill & Crumb, a new learning lab and research spaces, and an expanded gift shop, plus outdoor gardens.📖 Flashback: New York oil...
Homebuying in LGBTQ+-friendly metros like D.C. comes with a price
Reproduced from an Urban Institute analysis of Census data; Chart: Axios VisualsPeople need to earn $150,000 to afford the typical home in LGBTQ+-friendly areas like D.C. — nearly 50% higher than areas without LGBTQ+ protections, according to a recent Redfin study.Why it matters: The homebuying barrier is higher for LGBTQ+ people than their cisgender and/or straight counterparts.Zoom in: The median household income in the DMV is nearly $30,000 below what's needed to afford the median-priced home, per Redfin's report.Yes, but: The D.C. area is relatively affordable compared to other metros with large LGBTQ+ populations. For instance, there's a $223,000+ gap...
What's in Potomac Yard's post-arena future
Months after Virginia's Wizards and Capitals arena deal died, a big question remains: What's next for Potomac Yard?. Why it matters: It's a large, valuable chunk of land with close proximity to D.C. and a new $370 million Metro stop that sits in what Alexandria and Arlington are trying to establish as an innovation corridor, thanks to nearby Amazon HQ2 and Virginia Tech's forthcoming Innovation Campus.
Axios DC
1K+
Posts
4M+
Views
Axios DC, anchored by Chelsea Cirruzzo, Cuneyt Dil and Paige Hopkins, is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.