We hope you've defrosted, dug out, and — for the parents — decompressed from this week's snowstorm and subsequent cancellations. I bought myself a tiny tabletop space heater to stay warm in my drafty apartment, and this gently oscillating machine has been the highlight of my week. As it hums next to my keyboard, cooking the right side of my body while I write this, I feel pretty lucky to be warm.
Winter can be beautiful, but it's also brutal. With another dusting of snow scheduled for Friday night and a spate of below-freezing days ahead, now could be a good time to return to our Ask A D.C. Native column on how to be a good neighbor, revisit this DCist guide on warming shelters around the D.C. region, or check-in with your local mutual aid group (we've rounded them up here) to see what your neighbors need in this cold season.
For this chilly week, we've got a story about how local queer organizers are preparing for a second Trump administration, a quick catch-up on the latest Wilson Building happenings, and some events that (might) seem fun enough to get you out of the house this frigid weekend. Make sure you scroll to the bottom for an opportunity to submit story ideas and a list of upcoming ways to plug in.
And by the way, we've also got this nifty new page answering a few frequently asked questions about The 51st. Show this to your friend who's like, "where'd you learn that?" when you're regaling them on the latest local news.
When compared to U.S. states, D.C. has the largest percentage of residents who identify as LGBTQ+ in the country. In light of a second Donald Trump presidency and a Republican majority in Congress, queer organizers across the District are planning for what’s next — despite uncertainty. The 51st contributor Dana Brozost-Kelleher spoke with queer residents and advocates about what they're focused on, and how they'll continue pushing for mental health support, legal aid, and gender-affirming care under a hostile administration.
The councilmembers returned to the dais for their first legislative meeting of the new session this week. It was in with the new (Ward 7's Wendell Felder) but not out with the old (squabbling with the mayor). The legislators breezed through a rather slim agenda, approving the Washington Teacher's Union contract, extending some rent-stabilization protections, and – true to form — making some temporary concessions on a climate bill to resolve a dispute with the executive.
Catch a jazz show in a secret location this Thursday. (Mike Maguire/Flickr)
We get it, it's January: the lows are in the teens, and the sun sets in what seems like the middle of the afternoon. Few things may be attractive enough to lure you out of your house — but what if we told you you could listen to jazz, make fun of your job, and cook your own empanadas all in the span of one weekend? That's sure to warm both body and spirit.
At The 51st, we want to make living in the District easier for the residents who call it home. That's why we've published a series of explainers since launching this scrappy operation; these stories have covered a breadth of issues, from eviction protections, to immigration resources, to Home Rule.
So as we stare down the unpredictable and daunting year that lies ahead, we want to know: what do you want to know? What convoluted government services or opaque civic processes can we break down? What thorny piece of D.C. lore can we go down a rabbit hole explaining? What's something that – if you understood it better – could improve your quality of life in this city and make you a more empowered resident? Let us know here. No question is too basic, nor topic too vague (although, the more specific, the better!)
D.C. is a city that sleeps ... but what if some neighborhoods stayed up a little later? [GGWash]
Bowser's balancing act: can she bring the Commanders to RFK while making good on affordable housing demands? [Informer]
These two D.C. sisters are some of the top-ranked boxers in the country, and they've got their sights set on the Olympics. [WTOP]
A WaPo cartoonist left the publication after her cartoon criticizing billionaires (including the paper's owner, Jeff Bezos) was killed. [Open Windows]
Developers for the new D.C. Jail want the campus to exude a therapeutic and healing image — but critics say preliminary designs resemble more of a giant cage. [Post]
You’ll find this handy guide to public meetings at the bottom of every edition of The 51st. We’ll refine and improve along the way, so if you think we’re missing resources, please let us know!
Today, Jan. 9 at 6:30 p.m. WMATA is hosting a public, in-person hearing about proposed changes to the vent shaft at the Gallery Place Metro stop. As a part of the major Capital One Arena reno plans, WMATA has proposed moving the vent shaft to allow for construction activity over the existing sidewalk grate. The hearing will take place at the Henry Benson DC Gallery, or you can watch and testify online. You can also leave feedback in a survey.
On Saturday, Jan. 11at 12 p.m., Black Lives Matter DC, Stop Police Terror Project DC, and Malcolm X Grassroots Movement DMV will host a virtual event exploring the past, present, and future of policing in D.C. The virtual discussion will trace the history of policing – from the creation of MPD to the 2020 uprisings – and look toward collective solutions to liberation and community defense for 2025 and beyond. You can register for the event here.
On Thursday,Jan. 30 at 1 p.m., the Mount Pleasant Library will hold a training for Narcan (naloxone), the opioid overdose reversal drug.Guests will learn how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose. Free Narcan and fentanyl test strips will be provided.
In with the old out with the new: It's time to turn your holiday cheer into mulch! DPW will be collecting Christmas trees from the curb until Friday,Feb. 28. Here's everything you need to know.
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:
