Meet D.C.'s most dedicated chess teacher
Vaughn Bennett is fighting to give young Black students an equal shot at competitive chess.
Plus, a juvenile justice bill and a play about community care.
Republicans clinched control of the House yesterday, delivering President-elect Donald Trump a unified trifecta to carry out his agenda. From abortion access to immigration to D.C.'s ability to govern itself – the consequences of the sweep could be monumental.
There's still a lot we don't know, however, so we're trying to focus on what we do: D.C.'s right to self-governance has long been tenuous, and it's guaranteed to face additional challenges in the coming years. Understanding D.C. home rule — its limitations, parameters, and history — is critical to understanding how the GOP could wield federal power over the city, and what we could do to resist. Martin Austermuhle wrote this explainer, rounding up everything you need to know about home rule in D.C. We hope it gives you some insight into the fight ahead, and the ones that came before.
Whatever unfolds in the coming months, we'll be here; we hope you will too.
P.S. Martin was on 1A today, talking about his reporting for The 51st. The audio will be online this afternoon; give it a listen.
It’s easy to visit Washington and come away inspired by the monuments and memorials to democracy and freedom. But it’s also true that if you live in D.C., many of those same high-minded proclamations fall short. As progressive D.C. reporter Sam Smith wrote in the early 1970s, “Washington does not participate in the Union, it waits on it. It stages a pageant of democracy without sharing the democracy that is portrayed.”
That's because D.C. has no voting representation in Congress and limited control over its own affairs. Home rule, which established the mayor and D.C. Council we have today, is relatively new.
After a protracted discussion around the dais, the D.C. Council gave first approval this week to a bill from D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb requiring the city’s youth juvenile justice agency to actually … provide (and improve) rehabilitation services for the young people in its custody.
On an unseasonably warm November day, The 51st contributor India Kea attended a matinee showing of The Art of Care at the Mosaic Theater Company. Outside, she writes, the city was eerily subdued, weighed down by the recent election results which lingered in the air like a collective sigh. But within the theater, a different energy took hold — one of tenderness and community.
If there's one thing that will always be true about D.C. in any season: There will be a lot of stuff to do. From a free, intimate classical concert to a hair show to an art or pottery fair, this weekend has no shortage of options. Start planning now!
We were inspired by this Reddit thread asking people about the niche D.C. community they were most impressed by. People shouted out trivia, dragon boat clubs, the drag scene, beekeeping, pinball leagues, and so many more. It's a great question in a city where everyone is passionate about something, and where people love organized fun.
So, we'd love to hear: What's your favorite niche community in D.C.? What makes you love it? How can people get involved? Reply to this message or email us at hello@51st.news and we might feature it in our next newsletter.
It takes a village to make The 51st. We’ll occasionally dedicate some space to introducing a member of the team.
What do you love about local news?
Working at WAMU and DCist showed me how local news can directly make people’s lives better. I’ve seen investigative reporting published by DCist result in emergency legislation being passed by the D.C. Council the very next day. There’s a lot of power that can be built from getting accurate and actionable information to people in the community, and elevating issues and highlighting solutions.
Other news you may have missed this week:
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 or you have trouble making sense of something we’ve included, please reply to this email with your suggestions or questions.
Council of the District of Columbia |
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📅 All DC Council Meetings 🛠️ Sign up to testify |
Advisory Neighborhood Commissions |
📅 All ANC Events 🛠️ Look up your ANC |
DC State Board of Education |
📅 All DCBOE Events 🛠️ Sign up to testify |
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |
📅 All WMATA Board Meetings 🛠️ Public Comment Procedures |
Metropolitan Police Department Authority |
📅 Discussions by district 🛠️ Look up your police service area |
DC Interagency Council on Homelessness Authority |
📅 All ICH Meetings 🛠️ Working groups: email ich.dmhhs@dc.gov |
DC Housing Authority |
📅 2024 DCHA Board Meetings 🛠️ Sign up to speak + 🛠️Watch |
All of the mayor’s Open Meetings |
📅 Commissions and boards and committees, oh my! |
City Service Hotlines |
Police, Fire, EMS: 911 Non-Emergency: 311 Mental Health: 888-793-4357 Shelter Access: 202-399-7093 |
That's everything we've got for you this week. There are a few big reporting projects from us in the pipeline, so make sure you check your inbox every Thursday. And consider becoming a member; the only reason we can do what we do is because of all of you.
See you next week,
Abigail Higgins
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: