Do you remember what you were doing a year ago? My colleagues were finishing up the first of these newsletters. Like many of you, I was awaiting its arrival as an early supporter.
It's a little surreal to be writing to all of you now, as the team's newest part-time editor. I've been working in journalism locally since 2016, when I moved to D.C. for a temp job at the local NPR station, WAMU. Since then, I've worked as an editor with 730DC, CityLab, and The Trace — and going forward, I'll be here in your inbox twice a month.
Now, onto the news: Our lead story this week covers DCPS reneging on its promise to help hundreds of international teachers secure a green card. Many may now be forced to leave the country, writes 51st reporter Martin Austermuhle.
Since 2021, the school district has become the city’s leading sponsor of H1-B visas for its employees. Now, more than 200 teachers who took jobs expecting a path to legal permanent residency are facing uncertain futures.
Trump’s decision to reinstate capital punishment — which hasn’t been used here in 68 years — is part of a broader law-and-order campaign targeting the District. And, per usual, we're more vulnerable to interference than anywhere else.
Screenshot from Ruth Tedla's documentary Cracked Shells.
Ruth Tedla's documentary "Cracked Shells" focuses on D.C.'s rapid gentrification and displacement of longtime — often Black — residents. She calls it "a tool against the erasure" of D.C. natives' rich culture and history, and capacity for resilience.
Meche Martinez, far left, and other members of the Douglass CLT team stand in front of The Towns of Skyland Terrace. (Photo courtesy Douglass CLT)
Soon after purchasing her home in Anacostia, Meche Martinez attended a gathering to discuss a development project that neighbors feared would price them out. Ten years later, those residents' efforts have become a full-blown organization dedicated to preventing displacement in Ward 8.
The Trump administration is threatening to search for non-citizen residents of public housing. D.C. is their first target. [Street Sense]
Tenants of an Adams Morgan apartment building where a woman was critically injured in the elevator say they'd raised safety issues to management for years. [WJLA]
Local bars and restaurants are offeringspecials during the federal shutdown — some specifically for furloughed workers. [Washingtonian, Axios DC]
Empower CEO promises to shut down the renegade rideshare company's local operations, avoiding jail time for contempt of court. [Washington Business journal — accessible via DCPL]
After a car chase by federal agents ended in a crash, a D.C. police sergeant has been charged with nine crimes. [The Post]
The National Park Service has released funding withheld from “Historic Underrepresented Communities" — except for three LGBTQ+-specific grants, including one documenting D.C. history. [Washington Blade]
The accessibility of WMATA's system has been declining, adding a transportation time tax for riders who use mobility aids, one advocate writes. [Greater Greater Washington]
With your help, we pursue stories that hold leaders to account, demystify opaque city and civic processes, and celebrate the idiosyncrasies that make us proud to call D.C. home. Put simply, our mission is to make it easier — and more fun — to live in the District. Our members help keep local news free and independent for all:
Martin Austermuhle
