Another Thursday, another newsletter. This week we're talking about Metro again: now that you know how local transit funding works, we can dive in and talk about fares. WMATA's two-year-old "Metro Lift" program reduces fares for low-income riders – but very few people are using it. A contributor for The 51st explores why that might be.
Plus, as usual, we've got your most important updates from this week at the Wilson Building: A hit to D.C.'s credit rating, more debates on secrecy and private meetings, and a snag for ranked choice voting.
Metro has ramped up enforcement against fare evaders, while at the same time launching a new program to offer low-income riders a 50% discount on rides. (Tom Friedl)
A reduced-fare program for SNAP recipients was introduced in June 2023, about six months after WMATA first ramped up fare enforcement. But nearly two years after its launch, less than 5% of eligible riders are using it.
The weather may be looking up, but the news about D.C.’s budget certainly isn’t. Plus some more news on a bill allowing the D.C. Council to meet up in private more often, and a new snag for D.C.'s ranked choice voting initiative.
Owner Nesrin Abaza sits under a photograph of her mother Nabiha with a spread of Palestinian dishes she'd prepared for the restaurant. (Claudio D’Nora)
Nabiha was born as an act of resistance. Following a verbal dispute with neighbors who were spray painting over pro-Palestinian signs, the owner's husband (who operates an adjacent restaurant) called her and said: "I'm putting up the biggest Palestinian flag on U Street ... and you're going to open a Palestinian restaurant."
The National Building Museum is home to the Smithsonian Craft Show this weekend. (Yawper/Flickr)
Whether you want a live outdoor show from local musicians or a comedy special from an SNL cast member, there are plenty of ways to be entertained this weekend.
Fight your dread with some organizing and local activism, including workshops and talks on everything from utility hikes to the RFK Stadium to national protest movements.
The city has reached a preliminary agreement with the Commanders about the redevelopment of RFK Stadium – and it would require taxpayers to pay $800 million. [The Post]
Kennedy Street has gotten safer since the arrest of most of the Kennedy Street Crew, which the government says was a "driver of violence" in the neighborhood. The city's violence interrupters have also made a concentrated push to reduce conflict in the area. [The Post]
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