Bowser bows out, saying she won’t run for a fourth term as mayor
Her decision creates a huge opening for the mayoral contest in 2026.
Plus, a forecast of 2026 elections, fishing with Ernie the Hog Snatcher, and more.
Afternoon faithful readers, here is what's in store for you this week:
Federal agents are policing D.C. in new ways since Trump surged federal resources into the city. Martin takes a look at how their police work plays out in our communities (hint: less local training and less accountability).
In political news, Martin details the state of our local elections as we race toward the June 2026 primary.
Meanwhile, our intrepid contributor Sam Delgado spent time with local fishermen like Ernie the Hog Snatcher (who's amassed more than 1.7 million followers on social media). For our opinion section, Dylan DelliSanti, of the Institute for Justice, wrote about a proposed program that would give D.C. residents free legal advice.
And finally, keep reading to learn about our new health equities beat (plus, how you can contribute) and, of course, tap in to fun things to do this weekend and ways to get civically engaged.
But first, some quick programming notes:
Okay, now on to the news ...
– Christina

D.C. police officers are held to one standard, federal agents another.

The mayoral contest is weirdly quiet, but a D.C. Council race in Ward 1 is not.


We hit the banks of the Potomac and Anacostia with "Ernie the Hog Snatcher" and a host of other locals, who say fishing brings them peace, community, and fun.

The courts are considering a proposed “community justice worker” program that would authorize trained people without law degrees to offer free legal advice.


We’ve created a new coverage area to explore the health issues that matter most to you, our readers. Because you’re at the center of what we do, we want to hear from you: What health stories matter most to you? What health issues does your family worry about? Are there any locals you want to shout out for finding creative solutions or working to address health issues in our city?


We're looking forward to a few favorite annual events, the ramp-up of holiday markets, and opportunities to connect with the community.

Plus, a Whole Foods picket, a local film screening, and more.

Here's some news you may have missed this week:
Enjoying our reporting? Help us grow by forwarding this newsletter to a friend who loves D.C. as much as you do!
Christina
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: