What to know about all those housing bills

Hi everyone,

We've got a jam-packed news agenda for you today, starting with an explainer on some important housing bills the D.C. Council might pass (plus a general state of play on the city's housing crisis).

Keep scrolling for a retrospective on WorldPride (how many people attended in the end? And how much did it cost?); a rundown of the various dramas unfolding at the Wilson Building; and an opinion essay on D.C.'s broken parole system. In case you missed some emails earlier this week, we've also got a WorldPride photo essay and some advice about how to avoid the hellscape otherwise known as Trump's military parade on the Mall.

Per usual, we've got your weekend events and a list of ways to get involved in your community this week. And if you're a D.C. native, we'd love to know how you celebrate Juneteenth.

That's all! Happy reading, and for those of you who enjoy the "slowly boiling alive" feeling of D.C. summers, congratulations. Your time has come.

Natalie Delgadillo

Here’s everything you need to know about the housing bills in the D.C. Council

Mayor Muriel Bowser and developers have been sounding an alarm about a local slowdown in housing development. The D.C. Council has lots of ideas about how to address the issue.

Wilson Building Bulletin: Could there be a timeout for the RFK stadium deal?

Also, Eleanor Holmes Norton faces questions about her ability to serve as D.C.'s Delegate at nearly 88 years old, and Congress tries again to repeal local D.C. laws.

Looking back on a complicated WorldPride

Against a tense political backdrop and corporate pullback, many locals turned out just as they do every year. But how did crowd estimates compare to the reality? And how much did D.C. spend?

ICYMI: Photos of WorldPride's final weekend

Despite local and federal headwinds (and wet weather), residents and visitors alike took to the streets last weekend to celebrate queer joy with a block party, the annual Pride Parade, and a march against Trump on the National Mall. 51st contributor Shedrick Pelt was out with them, capturing the festivities behind the lens.

Opinion: D.C. must restore local control of parole

Robert Barton fit all the criteria for parole in 2021: he had a release plan, a job lined up, a place to live, and family support. He was denied that year, and then three more times over the following four years. Rob is home now, but some of his friends are still trapped in a loop of constant denials from a federally controlled entity called the U.S. Parole Board. The District needs to wrest back control of parole, he argues in his latest column.

ICYMI: How to avoid the military parade

This weekend, Trump will cap off a week of siccing the U.S. military on its own citizens by celebrating the military’s 250th birthday in an ostentatious parade and festival, replete with tanks, armored vehicles, 50 helicopters, and –  for some reason –  two mules and a dog. Here’s what you need to know about the big show — especially if you’re trying to avoid it. 

For her next Ask A D.C. Native column, Christina is rounding up ways to celebrate Juneteenth. If you're a native Washingtonian, share how you honor the day by filling out the form below.

12 things to do around D.C. this weekend

Getting around D.C. this weekend might be difficult on account of that $45 million birthday party Trump is throwing for himself – er, the U.S. Military — but don't worry; there is plenty of fun, mostly free, non-weaponized stuff to get up to in the city.

D.C. Joy: Your weekly Civics Roundup

Rally outside the Wilson Building, celebrate what makes D.C. D.C., and root yourself in community.

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

• A D.C. police lieutenant was sentenced to 18 months for leaking information about a police investigation to Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the Proud Boys. [The Post]
• The Kennedy Center is wresting back control after Trump's announcement that he'd fire Kim Sajet, the director of the National Portrait Gallery. [NYT]
• How safe do D.C. kids feel in the city? Hear directly from them. [The Post]
• A greenhouse in Ward 7 burned down in 2024. Residents are still waiting for the city to come and fix it. [WCP]
• D.C. lawyers turned out en masse to crush Brad Bondi's dreams of becoming president of the D.C. Bar. [The New Republic]
• D.C.'s failure to curb truancy at middle schools fueled the 2023 youth crime surge. [The Post]
• Dan's Cafe did have a "Dan," – but his name was Dickie. [WCP]
• D.C. is trying to open more waterfront land in Georgetown to the public. [WTOP]
• A group of drag performers crashed Trump's first KenCen show. [The Advocate]

And that's all from us!

Natalie