Have you voted yet? Election Day is right around the corner, and soon campaign season will be a distant memory behind us — well, until it’s time for the next one… in November.
But the night of the June 16 primary is going to look a little different than election nights of years past, since we won’t know who won immediately. We have an explainer for you today about what we can expect after polls close (and where the parties are at!)
Meanwhile, we all know that D.C. is home to some beautiful trails, but did you know there’s a dedicated group of bike rangers that make sure these spaces are clean and safe? Contributor Sarah Loftus gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the work this crew takes on.
Speaking of outdoor spaces, we also have a story about how the Trump administration’s executive order to “beautify” D.C. has pushed skateboarders out of the city’s most iconic parks. Contributor William "Phresh Ingredient" Clarke IV writes for The 51st about the relationship between skaters and the city’s public spaces.
Don’t have plans for the weekend? Don’t sweat it (well, you’ll probably be sweating regardless), our weekend events and volunteering guides are packed with exciting things to do around the city.
Here are some stories you may have missed this week:
A Washington Post poll puts Janeese Lewis-George ahead of Kenyan McDuffie by 11 percentage points in the mayoral primary. [Post]
For the first time since the 1980s, the race for the Ward 1 council seat won’t feature an incumbent. How that's playing out. [Post]
The World Cup kicks off today. Here’s where expats are watching the games around D.C. and where you can find more deals and parties. [Axios/City Cast]
A federal lawsuit is working to put the kibosh on the UFC fight Trump plans to host on the White House South Lawn on Sunday. [ESPN/Axios]
Meanwhile, the president is celebrating the new and improved Reflecting Pool. But did he really fix it? [NYT]
Girl, I’m bored. Let’s watch the livestream of Trump’s name being taken off the Kennedy Center. [Washingtonian]
Crews captured no fewer than five raccoons (!?!?) at Noyes Elementary School; evidence of their month-long residence includes a small pawprint (!?!?!?) in the back of a children’s book. Parents and teachers held a rally demanding the city do more to clean up. [NBC 4/WUSA 9]
In other small animal news : Our dear friend Martin Austermuhle has christened the fresh pages of NOTUS with a story about a duck named Olivia, who has become the poster child for an effort to ban foie gras in D.C. [NOTUS]
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