D.C.'s primary is over. Now what?

Happy Thursday, 

I'm fresh out of a summit in Pittsburgh that focused on measuring our newsroom's impact, hosted by the American Press Institute. I gained a wealth of insights from speakers, journalists, and creators from across the country, and I'm excited to turn ideas into action.

But I'm also curious how you — our readers — feel about our work. Has our reporting made an impact on your lives in any way, big or small? If so, send me an email. I'd love to learn more.

Because my biggest takeaway is that impact isn't about accolades or proving our worth to funders – it's about taking what we’ve learned to give D.C. residents more of the news, information, and experiences they need to engaged with their communities.

While our team percolates on this, here is what's on tap for today:

• A full rundown of the latest D.C. election results. Plus, what comes next after the primary? 
• An op-ed in favor of a bill that would stop the government from cutting into child support payments for parents who receive TANF
• Things to do this weekend and opportunities to volunteer across the city

— Christina

What comes next after D.C.'s historic primary?

Can McDuffie run again? How will the balance of power change? And what’s going on in November?

Here are the 2026 Democratic primary results

In a historic election for D.C., progressive candidates had a strong showing.

Opinion: Why the D.C. Council should pass child support reform

Kids should be receiving their full child support benefits, advocates say. Right now, they're not.

11 things to do around D.C. this weekend

From a Caribbean concert to a comedy show, an outdoor movie to a floating bicycle races, the city’s summer calendar is packed.

10 ways to volunteer around D.C. this week

With July 4th and America's 250th birthday approaching, get involved in protecting D.C.'s autonomy around the city.

Here are some stories you may have missed this week:

• This week, the D.C. Council finalized the budget for next year, but lawmakers are still facing opposition from Chief Financial Officer Glen Lee over the use of one of the city’s rainy day funds. [NOTUS]
• We’re proud to be part of Beloved Community Incubator’s local network of cooperatively run businesses. Here’s a profile of the team. [City Paper]
• D.C. has a commission on poverty but it hasn’t been funded, leaving its leaders struggling to produce results. [Street Sense]
• Mt. Pleasant dive bar The Raven Grill dates back to 1935. It may not have a credit card reader, any sort of grill, beer on tap, or a cocktail menu, but it does have a “small set of things almost no other bar in Washington has anymore.” [Ghosts of D.C.]
• Bub and Pops will not be hosting a sandwich-eating competition at the Great American State Fair. [Axios]
• Janeese Lewis George’s election marks a significant political shift for the District after 12 years of Muriel Bowser’s leadership. The candidate says it came down to one key issue. [City Paper, The Post]
• Looking to make sense of this moment in D.C., writ large? We recommend this wide-ranging conversation with writer, scholar, advocate, and “student of D.C.,” Natalie Hopkinson. [District Dig]
• Meet the DJ keeping the kiki ball scene alive in D.C. [The Post]

See you next week,

Christina