A budget breakdown 🤑

Hello, neighbors!

This week, we’re digging into the budget. If you’re like many of us, you’re not super clear on how this yearly process actually works. What exactly happens after the mayor submits her proposed budget to the council? Reporter Sam Delgado has the answers.

Senior reporter Martin Austermuhle, meanwhile, has a story on domestic homicides in the city, which have spiked even as total homicides have plummeted.

We also have opinion pieces in response to proposed local legislation: One pushing back against legalizing online gambling, and the other (from a co-owner of the Black Cat) in support of regulating the resale of concert tickets.

Finally, with the weather warming up and the end of the school year nearing, contributor Austin Graff shares his and his daughter’s favorite under-the-radar spots to visit around the city — as well as our usual roundups of weekend events and ways to get involved.

See you out and about this weekend?

— Gracie

P.S. What are you doing May 14? Want to hear from the candidates to represent us as D.C.'s Congressional Delegate? RSVPs are open now for our debate, hosted in partnership with SpotlightDC and The Washington Informer.

Homicides are down in D.C., but domestic killings have spiked

A new bill aims to increase protections for survivors and consequences for abusers.

How to get involved in the D.C. budget process

Some D.C. services are facing substantial cuts. Here's how you can testify on the 2027 budget.

10 places for kids in D.C. that you can't miss

After visiting every neighborhood in the city, we rounded up my daughter's favorite spots.

Opinion: D.C. must protect venues, fans, and artists from scalpers

A new bill has the potential to make a difference in the local music scene, argues an owner of the Black Cat.

ICYMI, Republicans want to ... Make D.C. Square Again?

GOP embraces bid to add Arlington and Alexandria to D.C.

MAGA conservatives want to shift the blue enclaves to make Virginia more competitive for Republicans.

The 51stMartin Austermuhle

Opinion: Legalizing online gambling will harm D.C.

iGaming risks trapping children, youth, and vulnerable residents in a cycle of digital addiction and possible financial ruin, one expert argues.

16 things to do around D.C. this weekend

This is a weekend for celebrations — from National Poetry Month and Cinco de Mayo, to AAPI Heritage Month and Dawn Chorus Day. 

ICYMI, our interviews with the first-time D.C. mayoral candidates:

Meet the first-timers running for D.C. mayor

Gary Goodweather, Rini Sampath, and Hope Solomon argue that the government needs someone from the outside to lead it.

The 51stMartin Austermuhle

May Day: Your weekly Civics Roundup

Plus, a working class literature festival, a flower potluck, and more.

Here are some stories you may have missed this week:

• An analysis of D.C. crash data found that drivers are more likely to hit pedestrians, especially children and teens, near D.C. schools. Lower-income neighborhoods see these crashes at a higher rate. [The Post] 
• The latest in a series of conversations with local leaders about what we can learn from D.C.’s history: Bill Lightfoot, former campaign chair for Muriel Bowser and Adrian Fenty. [District Dig]
• The environmental case for putting a bat box in your backyard. [Axios]
• In October, we asked: Is the long saga of the ride-hailing app Empower finally over? The answer then, as now: Maybe not. Meanwhile, Councilmember Charles Allen took a step towards allowing Waymo’s driverless taxis in the District. [The 51st, The Post, NBC4]
• A Montgomery County four-year-old — who started playing the piano eight months ago — will perform at Carnegie Hall this summer. [WJLA]
• D.C. offers only few programs specifically for homeless LGBTQ+ young people — who say that one shelter in particular, the Covenant House SHINE program, does not offer the safe space it advertises. [Street Sense]
• The race for D.C. delegate will come down to far more than fundraising totals, local activists say. (Want to hear from the candidates? RSVP for our May 14 debate!) [WAMU]

See you next week,

Gracie