Very D.C. Halloween decor 💀🥖

Happy Halloweekend, y'all —

This is one of my favorite seasons in D.C., even in the heaviness we’re in as a city. If you need me, I will be experiencing a wide range of human emotions on the sidewalks of Mt. Pleasant between Friday's Halloween block party and Sunday's Lantern Walk. (And that's not even getting into Saturday's incredible coinciding of Zinefest and Adams Morgan PorchFest).

This week, Martin covers the D.C. Council’s hearing on MPD’s continued cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. He also reports how some District residents are displaying their political stances via Halloween decorations.

We heard from readers that kids are finding it difficult to understand the ongoing federal occupation, so we rounded up some advice to help parents explain this moment to their children. Then, before our roundups of weekend events and how to get civically involved, you’ll hear from our Community Connector for D.C. natives about how this job has changed their relationship with local news.

See you in the streets this weekend?

– Gracie

D.C. residents speak out against MPD’s work with ICE at D.C. Council

Local cooperation with immigration enforcement has become a flash point since the federal surge in D.C.

Tips for parenting during the federal occupation

We asked experts how to discuss ICE, the national guard deployment, and the current political moment with kids.

This year, D.C.’s Halloween decorations are (especially) political

Admit it: A federal takeover of D.C. is scary.

How we’re making space for D.C. natives in local media

Dwayne Lawson-Brown has been learning about longtime residents’ information needs — and, in the process, about their own relationship with local news.

13 things to do around D.C. this weekend

Here's where we recommend celebrating Halloween this weekend — along with a few less-spooky local arts events.

Slow taxes: Your weekly Civics Roundup

Get involved around the city this week with educational trainings, spooky season fundraiser parties, zine-folding, and more.

What's something you've been wondering about life in the District? Think: Why is my electricity bill so high? How can I defend my neighbors from ICE raids? What should I do if I get an eviction notice?

We’re looking for more questions to answer in our “D.C., Explained” series. The more specific, the better — but no question is too simple.

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

• As Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton faces her first challenging primary in decades, she was reportedly scammed for thousands of dollars by people claiming to be HVAC workers. [WAMU, NBC4]
• Three times in the past two weeks, editorials from the Post have aligned with owner Jeff Bezos's financial and corporate interests, without disclosing that connection. [NPR]
• Martin broke ground (on the news) that East Wing rubble will be used to create new terrain at the Hains Point golf course. This magazine reporter dug deeper. [The Atlantic]
• A developer promised more housing and retail in Montana Triangle — a rare addition to the industrial corridor. Years into the project, they've pivoted to building another warehouse. [The Post]
• As the shutdown continues, one Ward 7 ANC commissioner is calling for a more robust emergency food distribution system. [Washington Informer]
• Nearly two years ago, a city commission began creating a strategic plan to cut local poverty in half by 2026. Their report still isn't public — and poverty is increasing in the District. [Street Sense]
• A Taco Bell-fueled ultramarathon is coming to D.C. [Washingtonian]

Thanks for rocking with us today and every Thursday,

Gracie