Martin Austermuhle
@maustermuhle.bsky.social
Wandering reporter with @51st.news, Switzerland and D.C. Formerly of WAMU 88.5 and DCist.
Here's more details on the proposed D.C. ballot initiative that would freeze rents across the city for two years. The proposer is Ward 8 ANC @salimadofo.bsky.social, and the organization behind it includes @aeidinger.bsky.social, who has been involved in lots of initiatives over the last 10 years.
November 10, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Here's more details on the proposed D.C. ballot initiative that would freeze rents across the city for two years. The proposer is Ward 8 ANC @salimadofo.bsky.social, and the organization behind it includes @aeidinger.bsky.social, who has been involved in lots of initiatives over the last 10 years.
BIG: @dcattorneygeneral.bsky.social says that the former owner of the rent-controlled Marbury Plaza in Ward 8 will pay tenants and the city $41 million for years of problems with housing conditions. Almost $30 million of that will go to repay tenants for 75% of rent they paid from 2017 to 2024.
November 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM
BIG: @dcattorneygeneral.bsky.social says that the former owner of the rent-controlled Marbury Plaza in Ward 8 will pay tenants and the city $41 million for years of problems with housing conditions. Almost $30 million of that will go to repay tenants for 75% of rent they paid from 2017 to 2024.
Update on SNAP payments in D.C.: City officials tell me that the $30 million in local funds being used to cover SNAP will be fully paid out by next week. If federal funds start flowing before that, they may be able to make a swap and save some of the local funds being used.
The federal shutdown has now lasted more than a month — approaching the record 35 days in 2018-2019.
Late last week, though, D.C. took a step to keep the situation from getting even worse for tens of thousands of local households.
Late last week, though, D.C. took a step to keep the situation from getting even worse for tens of thousands of local households.
D.C. will use its own money to pay for SNAP amid shutdown
The Trump administration has refused to use contingency funding to pay for food assistance.
51st.news
November 7, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Update on SNAP payments in D.C.: City officials tell me that the $30 million in local funds being used to cover SNAP will be fully paid out by next week. If federal funds start flowing before that, they may be able to make a swap and save some of the local funds being used.
“I am not under investigation. I have not been contacted by federal officials. We haven’t been contacted at all,” says @mayorbowser.dc.gov on now-conflicting reports that she is under federal investigation for allegations of bribery.
Now Axios is reporting that Bowser may not be under investigation after all: www.axios.com/2025/11/07/d...
November 7, 2025 at 4:47 PM
“I am not under investigation. I have not been contacted by federal officials. We haven’t been contacted at all,” says @mayorbowser.dc.gov on now-conflicting reports that she is under federal investigation for allegations of bribery.
Reposted by Martin Austermuhle
This whole story is very weird. As some Green Teamers have observed to me, Bowser wouldn't need bribes to be close to Qatar: Her pal, Vinoda Basnayake, already lobbies for them a ton. Ex-chief of staff John Falcicchio worked with Qatari investors. What is the quid pro quo here?
November 7, 2025 at 3:15 PM
This whole story is very weird. As some Green Teamers have observed to me, Bowser wouldn't need bribes to be close to Qatar: Her pal, Vinoda Basnayake, already lobbies for them a ton. Ex-chief of staff John Falcicchio worked with Qatari investors. What is the quid pro quo here?
Reposted by Martin Austermuhle
D.C.'s youth curfew extension is temporary, but Mayor Bowser wants to make it permanent.
Activists and their Council allies like @cmlewisgeorgew4.bsky.social are worried: "We cannot continue to implement tools that invite surveillance or more policing of our kids."
From @maustermuhle.bsky.social:
Activists and their Council allies like @cmlewisgeorgew4.bsky.social are worried: "We cannot continue to implement tools that invite surveillance or more policing of our kids."
From @maustermuhle.bsky.social:
With another extension, debate continues on youth curfew
It's temporary for now, but Mayor Muriel Bowser wants to make it permanent.
51st.news
November 7, 2025 at 4:28 PM
D.C.'s youth curfew extension is temporary, but Mayor Bowser wants to make it permanent.
Activists and their Council allies like @cmlewisgeorgew4.bsky.social are worried: "We cannot continue to implement tools that invite surveillance or more policing of our kids."
From @maustermuhle.bsky.social:
Activists and their Council allies like @cmlewisgeorgew4.bsky.social are worried: "We cannot continue to implement tools that invite surveillance or more policing of our kids."
From @maustermuhle.bsky.social:
Now Axios is reporting that Bowser may not be under investigation after all: www.axios.com/2025/11/07/d...
November 7, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Now Axios is reporting that Bowser may not be under investigation after all: www.axios.com/2025/11/07/d...
Oh wow: The @nytimes.com reports the Department of Justice is reportedly investigating @mayorbowser.dc.gov for corruption over a 2023 trip she took to Qatar. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
Justice Dept. Is Said to Be Investigating D.C. Mayor Over Foreign Trip
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Oh wow: The @nytimes.com reports the Department of Justice is reportedly investigating @mayorbowser.dc.gov for corruption over a 2023 trip she took to Qatar. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
Reposted by Martin Austermuhle
BREAKING: JUSTICE DEPARTMENT EATS A LOSS IN 'SANDWICH GUY' CASE AS JURORS FIND DEFENDANT NOT GUILTY www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
Jury acquits D.C. 'sandwich guy' charged with chucking a sub at a federal agent
Sean Dunn faced single misdemeanor offense after federal grand jurors refused to indict him on the felony charge sought by prosecutors.
www.nbcnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:27 PM
BREAKING: JUSTICE DEPARTMENT EATS A LOSS IN 'SANDWICH GUY' CASE AS JURORS FIND DEFENDANT NOT GUILTY www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
Reposted by Martin Austermuhle
The debate over D.C.'s expanded youth curfew was revived this week, @maustermuhle.bsky.social reports:
Lawmakers voted to reinstate the policy for another three months — with a looming debate about making it permanent.
Lawmakers voted to reinstate the policy for another three months — with a looming debate about making it permanent.
With another extension, debate continues on youth curfew
It's temporary for now, but Mayor Muriel Bowser wants to make it permanent.
51st.news
November 6, 2025 at 6:33 PM
The debate over D.C.'s expanded youth curfew was revived this week, @maustermuhle.bsky.social reports:
Lawmakers voted to reinstate the policy for another three months — with a looming debate about making it permanent.
Lawmakers voted to reinstate the policy for another three months — with a looming debate about making it permanent.
Reposted by Martin Austermuhle
Over the past decade, D.C. voters have weighed in via ballot measure on whether to legalize marijuana, phase out the tipped wage, and adopt ranked-choice voting.
Next up... the fate of a controversial French delicacy.
@maustermuhle.bsky.social reports:
Next up... the fate of a controversial French delicacy.
@maustermuhle.bsky.social reports:
Wilson Building Bulletin: Foie gras – on the ballot and off the menu?
Also: A tax breakup with the feds and a warning on overspending.
51st.news
November 6, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Over the past decade, D.C. voters have weighed in via ballot measure on whether to legalize marijuana, phase out the tipped wage, and adopt ranked-choice voting.
Next up... the fate of a controversial French delicacy.
@maustermuhle.bsky.social reports:
Next up... the fate of a controversial French delicacy.
@maustermuhle.bsky.social reports:
Interesting: @cmcharlesallen.bsky.social has a new bill that would allow D.C. to offer three-year rent guarantees to small and local businesses so they can better compete with national chains when it comes to landing retail spaces. Allen says developers like chains since they sign long leases.
November 6, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Interesting: @cmcharlesallen.bsky.social has a new bill that would allow D.C. to offer three-year rent guarantees to small and local businesses so they can better compete with national chains when it comes to landing retail spaces. Allen says developers like chains since they sign long leases.
As @mayorbowser.dc.gov is speaking to the D.C. Democratic Party meeting in Ward 5, there’s been a few interruptions from protesters angrily criticizing her over the apparent collaboration between D.C. police and ICE. They call her “complicit.”
November 6, 2025 at 12:56 AM
As @mayorbowser.dc.gov is speaking to the D.C. Democratic Party meeting in Ward 5, there’s been a few interruptions from protesters angrily criticizing her over the apparent collaboration between D.C. police and ICE. They call her “complicit.”
Per a police source, the Felony Footlong patches (referring to Sandwich Guy Sean C. Dunn) are very real.
November 5, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Per a police source, the Felony Footlong patches (referring to Sandwich Guy Sean C. Dunn) are very real.
NEWS: The D.C. Council just voted unanimously to decouple 13 provisions of the city's tax code from the federal code. It's a step to avoid some of the tax cuts (and loss of revenue) that would come from the GOP's tax bill passed earlier this year.
Confirmed: Next Tuesday the D.C. Council will consider a bill to decouple some of the local tax code from the federal one, in response to the GOP tax bill passed earlier this year. So, tips and OT pay will remain taxable, standard deduction for D.C. taxes won't change, etc.
November 4, 2025 at 8:51 PM
NEWS: The D.C. Council just voted unanimously to decouple 13 provisions of the city's tax code from the federal code. It's a step to avoid some of the tax cuts (and loss of revenue) that would come from the GOP's tax bill passed earlier this year.
NEWS: The D.C. Council has approved a three-month extension of the expanded juvenile curfew that was in place during the summer. It applies to more kids and lets MPD designate temporary areas where the curfew is 8 p.m. (Standard curfew time is 11 p.m.)
November 4, 2025 at 7:03 PM
NEWS: The D.C. Council has approved a three-month extension of the expanded juvenile curfew that was in place during the summer. It applies to more kids and lets MPD designate temporary areas where the curfew is 8 p.m. (Standard curfew time is 11 p.m.)
Reposted by Martin Austermuhle
Big day at U.S. District Court in D.C. where Sean Dunn, the D.C. Sandwich Guy, is on trial for misdemeanor assault of a federal officer.
Border Patrol agent Gregory Lairmore is on the stand narrating surveillance video of the sammie toss.
'Now he’s struck me with the sandwich,' Lairmore says.
Border Patrol agent Gregory Lairmore is on the stand narrating surveillance video of the sammie toss.
'Now he’s struck me with the sandwich,' Lairmore says.
November 4, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Big day at U.S. District Court in D.C. where Sean Dunn, the D.C. Sandwich Guy, is on trial for misdemeanor assault of a federal officer.
Border Patrol agent Gregory Lairmore is on the stand narrating surveillance video of the sammie toss.
'Now he’s struck me with the sandwich,' Lairmore says.
Border Patrol agent Gregory Lairmore is on the stand narrating surveillance video of the sammie toss.
'Now he’s struck me with the sandwich,' Lairmore says.
NEWS: D.C. activists are proposing a new ballot initiative that, if approved by voters, would impose a two-year rent freeze in the city (and again when inflation was high), impose a stricter income cap for affordable housing, and more.
November 4, 2025 at 6:12 PM
NEWS: D.C. activists are proposing a new ballot initiative that, if approved by voters, would impose a two-year rent freeze in the city (and again when inflation was high), impose a stricter income cap for affordable housing, and more.
A news tidbit here: @chenderson.bsky.social tells me she will vote for the emergency bill to extend the enhanced juvenile curfew for another three months, reversing her vote from last month. So unless someone else changes their vote, the extension should pass later today.
During the regular D.C. Council breakfast, there was more debate (and concern) over extending the expanded juvenile curfew for another three months – but possibly longer. Remember: It takes nine of 13 votes to pass an emergency, so only four votes can be lost.
November 4, 2025 at 5:25 PM
A news tidbit here: @chenderson.bsky.social tells me she will vote for the emergency bill to extend the enhanced juvenile curfew for another three months, reversing her vote from last month. So unless someone else changes their vote, the extension should pass later today.
Oh my... the D.C. Council is now using its breakfast meeting to discuss tax policy ahead of a vote on an emergency bill that would set some tax policy for the year. There's been no public hearing on this bill, nor an amendment that would direct some revenues to specific programs.
November 4, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Oh my... the D.C. Council is now using its breakfast meeting to discuss tax policy ahead of a vote on an emergency bill that would set some tax policy for the year. There's been no public hearing on this bill, nor an amendment that would direct some revenues to specific programs.
Today in the D.C. Council:
- A vote to extend the expanded juvenile curfew for another three months.
- A vote to decouple D.C. from portions of the federal tax code, a response to the GOP tax bill.
- A disapproval resolution to protest overspending by city agencies.
- A vote to extend the expanded juvenile curfew for another three months.
- A vote to decouple D.C. from portions of the federal tax code, a response to the GOP tax bill.
- A disapproval resolution to protest overspending by city agencies.
November 4, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Today in the D.C. Council:
- A vote to extend the expanded juvenile curfew for another three months.
- A vote to decouple D.C. from portions of the federal tax code, a response to the GOP tax bill.
- A disapproval resolution to protest overspending by city agencies.
- A vote to extend the expanded juvenile curfew for another three months.
- A vote to decouple D.C. from portions of the federal tax code, a response to the GOP tax bill.
- A disapproval resolution to protest overspending by city agencies.
NEWS: After disturbances in Navy Yard on Friday night, @mayorbowser.dc.gov is instituting an emergency curfew of 11 p.m. for any kid under the age of 18, from tonight through November 5. She is also empowering the police to designate special zones where the curfew is 6 p.m.
November 1, 2025 at 11:06 PM
NEWS: After disturbances in Navy Yard on Friday night, @mayorbowser.dc.gov is instituting an emergency curfew of 11 p.m. for any kid under the age of 18, from tonight through November 5. She is also empowering the police to designate special zones where the curfew is 6 p.m.
Reposted by Martin Austermuhle
“To say that D.C. residents are traumatized by the surge of federal agents and stepped-up immigration enforcement is not hyperbole,” Councilmember @brianneknadeau.bsky.social said this week.
Here's @maustermuhle.bsky.social's report on testimonies at the Council hearing she called on the issue:
Here's @maustermuhle.bsky.social's report on testimonies at the Council hearing she called on the issue:
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.
51st.news
October 31, 2025 at 10:00 PM
“To say that D.C. residents are traumatized by the surge of federal agents and stepped-up immigration enforcement is not hyperbole,” Councilmember @brianneknadeau.bsky.social said this week.
Here's @maustermuhle.bsky.social's report on testimonies at the Council hearing she called on the issue:
Here's @maustermuhle.bsky.social's report on testimonies at the Council hearing she called on the issue:
Quick update: A federal judge ruled this afternoon that the Trump administration has to use contingency funds to pay for SNAP benefits. City officials tell me they are reviewing the decision, but either way city funds will be available to ensure no benefit payments are missed.
Federal funding for food assistance programs is expected to lapse this weekend, and the Trump administration has refused to use a contingency fund.
D.C. will cover the cost of residents' November SNAP and WIC benefits, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced last night.
More from @maustermuhle.bsky.social:
D.C. will cover the cost of residents' November SNAP and WIC benefits, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced last night.
More from @maustermuhle.bsky.social:
D.C. will use its own money to pay for SNAP amid shutdown
The Trump administration has refused to use contingency funding to pay for food assistance.
51st.news
October 31, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Quick update: A federal judge ruled this afternoon that the Trump administration has to use contingency funds to pay for SNAP benefits. City officials tell me they are reviewing the decision, but either way city funds will be available to ensure no benefit payments are missed.
Reposted by Martin Austermuhle
Thanks to everyone here who sent us pics of political Halloween decor! A few responses are featured in this story:
“There is so much pain happening in the country and in D.C., and it felt wrong to do a joyful display without also making a statement,” one neighbor told @maustermuhle.bsky.social.
“There is so much pain happening in the country and in D.C., and it felt wrong to do a joyful display without also making a statement,” one neighbor told @maustermuhle.bsky.social.
October 31, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Thanks to everyone here who sent us pics of political Halloween decor! A few responses are featured in this story:
“There is so much pain happening in the country and in D.C., and it felt wrong to do a joyful display without also making a statement,” one neighbor told @maustermuhle.bsky.social.
“There is so much pain happening in the country and in D.C., and it felt wrong to do a joyful display without also making a statement,” one neighbor told @maustermuhle.bsky.social.