Hey neighbors,

I fell asleep with my window open last night and woke to a biting morning breeze that confirmed it was finally time to let summer go. I'm not a fall girl (humidity forever), but I couldn't help but feel cozy when I pulled on a turtleneck to shutter the window and saw that the red maple outside was streaked with crimson.

We've got lots of good stuff for you this week, including a run-down of the bizarre and controversial saga of the Empower ride-hailing app (which may or may not finally be meeting it's end this week), a story about how brewers will be impacted by a proposed bottle deposit fee, news of some covert maneuvering at the Wilson Building, an op-ed from Councilmember Zachary Parker about his plans to address youth violence, and events for your weekend.

And, perhaps most exciting, we're having a party! The 51st is one year old, and we'd love to celebrate with you. We’ll be at KBird DC from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 23. RSVP here!

– Abigail

Is the long saga of the ride-hailing app Empower finally over?

Locked in a five-year-long battle with city regulators, the company has been fined more than $50 million and its CEO is facing the prospect of jail time. Empower was due to shut down on Friday, but it seems it still has one more move to play ...

A bottle-deposit bill could clean up the Anacostia River – and sink D.C.'s breweries

Plastic bottles make up 60% of all the trash (by weight) that’s pulled from the Anacostia, according to Councilmember Brianne Nadeau. But local brewers say the refundable bottle deposit she's proposing as a solution threatens the survival of their businesses.

Wilson Building Bulletin: Curfews and closed doors

The council voted down an emergency bill to extend the summer youth curfew for another three months. Then, the majority of them disappeared behind locked doors. When they emerged, things had changed.

For 1,250 days, Alan has given out free water at a busy intersection

He calls his corner of the city "Alan's Oasis." His constant presence in Brightwood has built a community that stood up for him recently when he seemed to be facing eviction from his encampment.

Opinion: Locking kids up isn't working. Here's what we should do instead.

There's been a lot of talk about youth and crime in D.C. since President Trump retook office. But Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker says he has a new plan that is actually aimed at addressing the root causes of violence.

14 things to do around D.C. this weekend

Watch Palestinian films, attend a board game night (with over 800 choices), and celebrate the beginning of Spooky Season with a dog costume contest.

Pupusa party: Your weekly Civics Roundup

Overwhelmed? Action is the best antidote. Watch a film about gentrification in D.C., attend an open mic (but make it historic), and find lots of opportunities to organize with FREE DC.

Here's some news you may have missed this week:

• Feeling sad? Hopeless? Scared? Watching D.C. cat guy bottle feed hundreds of kittens might help. It certainly can't hurt. [The Post]
• Trump is targeting D.C.'s homeless residents. These are the stories of six people caught up in the takeover. [Street Sense]
• $50 says these D.C. kids will do better in class. This study is researching whether cash incentives can help in a city where almost 4 in 10 kids are chronically absent. [The Post]
• Out with the old, in with the new for D.C.'s underground scene. 618 Productions closed out their DIY nightclub on H Street NW to open up a new space, Transmission, in the old Rock & Roll Hotel space. [WCP]
• Bottle rockets and Molotov cocktails were among over 200 explosive devices found outside a local cathedral expected to host Supreme Court justices Sunday. [The Post]
• The new D.C. Resource Bridge is here for residents in need of free or low-cost legal help, with the the hope that access to justice will be "simpler, fairer, and more effective." [The Informer]
• Leaf peeping season is starting! Here's your guide to one of fall's best hikes: Old Rag. [City Cast]

Stay cozy (or don't),

Abigail