The wildfire smoke has abated (for now), but the threat of explosive diarrhea from an unlucky salad lingers, all while Republicans are once again taking aim at D.C.’s right to self-governance. What a life we lead in the nation’s capital in 2026.
When things feel dismal, it helps me to think about the fights that came before us. This week’s profile of photographer Nancy Shia, paired with her black-and-white stills of tenants’ marches, statehood activism, and residents resisting displacement in 1970s and 1980s Adams Morgan, helped me do just that. After photographing D.C. protests for 50 years, Shia says people are more engaged than ever — in part because the urgency is unprecedented. “In all my time in D.C., I’ve never felt such a critical time to get so many people resisting fascism,” she said.
We also have a deep dive on "Better Bus," WMATA’s major redesign that has resulted in … slower buses and fewer passengers? We dug into how the changes have impacted commuters one year in, and whether better days are still to come. We also have reporting on how mothers in D.C. are likely to be affected by the planned closure of a postpartum unit at the hospital that delivers more babies than any other in the city.
Squeeze every last drop out of the summer with a kayaking cleanup, a beginner fishing event, and more opportunities to learn while connecting with your neighbors.
Here are some stories you may have missed this week:
21 people have died in traffic incidents this year — more than twice as many as in the same time span last year. The spike comes despite Bowser’s promise to end traffic fatalities completely. [The Post]
Buses might be free for SNAP recipients under a Janeese Lewis George administration — and possibly for even more people than that. [NOTUS]
House Republicans want to control D.C.’s ability to raise (or lower) local taxes — a pre-emptive strike on what's likely to be a wave of new progressives taking office, including democratic socialist Janeese Lewis George. Proponents of the bill found a surprising ally in DoorDash, causing Free DC to call for a boycott. [NOTUS,City Cast]
A nationwide explosive diarrhea outbreak? Cool cool. Here’s what you need to know about cyclosporiasis and here’s the best places to make a run for the toilet, wherever you are in the city. [City Cast]
About 7,500 D.C.-area residents have lost their SNAP benefits thanks to Trump’s Big ‘Ol Bill, while increased unemployment means more families are struggling to make ends meet. The biggest changes are related to new work requirements to receive food benefits, which could cost D.C. almost $85 million to administer. [City Paper]
Comedian Winston Hodge finished sixth on Kevin Hart’s Funny AF but his success doesn’t mean he’s leaving D.C., a city he says is a better place to hone his skills than New York or L.A. [City Paper]
Capital Weather gives today a 10/10, "about as nice as it gets in July." Try and get outside to enjoy it!
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