Mitch Ryals
@mitchryals.bsky.social
Managing editor of Washington City Paper
DHCD forfeited $35 million in federal affordable housing funds while also bailing out well-connected developer Buwa Binitie and his troubled project at Cascade Park Apartments. 1/
November 14, 2025 at 10:35 PM
DHCD forfeited $35 million in federal affordable housing funds while also bailing out well-connected developer Buwa Binitie and his troubled project at Cascade Park Apartments. 1/
Quite the response from Chief Smith to a Post reporter's question about an officer incorrectly checking the "no" box on a public incident report for shots fired: www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
October 31, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Quite the response from Chief Smith to a Post reporter's question about an officer incorrectly checking the "no" box on a public incident report for shots fired: www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Employers in D.C. are stealing millions from their employees paychecks. The issue spans several industries—from restaurants and bars to construction sites—and largely impacts hourly workers, many of whom are Black and Latine. Read @wcp.bsky.social Suzie Amanuel's latest:
How D.C. Employers Are Stealing Millions from Their Workers
From construction sites to cocktail bars, wage theft in the D.C. area has allowed some employers to cut costs by up to 48 percent while workers struggle to make ends meet.
washingtoncitypaper.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Employers in D.C. are stealing millions from their employees paychecks. The issue spans several industries—from restaurants and bars to construction sites—and largely impacts hourly workers, many of whom are Black and Latine. Read @wcp.bsky.social Suzie Amanuel's latest:
MPD Chief Smith objects to the reporting that an MPD officer "covered up" a shooting by a federal agent. Whether Officer Sterling was instructed to omit that detail by a supervisor or a line officer, the fact remains that he withheld it. Another way to say that might be that he covered it up.
Here's a transcript of Smith's full comments.
I get what she's saying (ie, this wasn't an order from the chief not to put the shooting in the report) but the q she's not answering: why would that officer suggest that? Wouldn't this unusual situation demand unusual transparency?
I get what she's saying (ie, this wasn't an order from the chief not to put the shooting in the report) but the q she's not answering: why would that officer suggest that? Wouldn't this unusual situation demand unusual transparency?
October 30, 2025 at 8:28 PM
MPD Chief Smith objects to the reporting that an MPD officer "covered up" a shooting by a federal agent. Whether Officer Sterling was instructed to omit that detail by a supervisor or a line officer, the fact remains that he withheld it. Another way to say that might be that he covered it up.
Reposted by Mitch Ryals
Here's the final installment of Postcards of Home, staff photographer @darrow-m.bsky.social’s trip through his early archives. Take a look back: buff.ly/Qj2pbbr
October 24, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Here's the final installment of Postcards of Home, staff photographer @darrow-m.bsky.social’s trip through his early archives. Take a look back: buff.ly/Qj2pbbr
Reposted by Mitch Ryals
A federal agent fired three times at an unarmed driver during a traffic stop in D.C. MPD officers left it out of their report.
“He thought they were trying to kill him,” his attorney says. Full story:
“He thought they were trying to kill him,” his attorney says. Full story:
A Federal Agent Shot at a Driver in D.C. An MPD Officer Was Told To Omit the Shooting from His Report.
An HSI agent fired three times into a vehicle police claimed was trying to flee. The charges were dismissed during a preliminary hearing.
washingtoncitypaper.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:11 PM
A federal agent fired three times at an unarmed driver during a traffic stop in D.C. MPD officers left it out of their report.
“He thought they were trying to kill him,” his attorney says. Full story:
“He thought they were trying to kill him,” his attorney says. Full story:
A Homeland Security Investigations agent shot at an unarmed Black man during a traffic stop on Oct. 17. But a @dcpolicedept.bsky.social officer omitted any mention of the shooting from his reports, apparently under instruction from a "team leader."
washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7732...
washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7732...
A Federal Agent Shot at a Driver in D.C. An MPD Officer Was Told To Omit the Shooting from His Report.
An HSI agent fired three times into a vehicle police claimed was trying to flee. The charges were dismissed during a preliminary hearing.
washingtoncitypaper.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:54 PM
A Homeland Security Investigations agent shot at an unarmed Black man during a traffic stop on Oct. 17. But a @dcpolicedept.bsky.social officer omitted any mention of the shooting from his reports, apparently under instruction from a "team leader."
washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7732...
washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7732...
Reposted by Mitch Ryals
Debut column about overlooked historic sites in and around DC. Let me know what you think, and do share ideas for future sites! Thanks to @mitchryals.bsky.social for the sharp edits and the COUNTLESS people across DC who helped me tell this amazing story.
There’s a 140-year-old farmhouse in Northeast D.C. known as the Sherwood Farmhouse. It’s been home to farmers, nuns, Jesuit radicals, and Howard theologians. Now vacant for a decade, its legacy is one of happy accidents, preservation efforts, and interracial activism. Tanya Paperny tells its story:
On Places: The Inhabitants of Sherwood Farmhouse Represent a Microcosm of D.C. History
Brookland’s Sherwood Farmhouse, built in 1885, has stood vacant since 2015, hidden from public view. It survives thanks to practical necessity, happy accidents, intentional preservation, and…
buff.ly
October 2, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Debut column about overlooked historic sites in and around DC. Let me know what you think, and do share ideas for future sites! Thanks to @mitchryals.bsky.social for the sharp edits and the COUNTLESS people across DC who helped me tell this amazing story.
@dcpolicedept.bsky.social Officer Trevon King is charged with DWI, driving on a suspended license and sexual battery. He recently testified as a character witness on behalf of fellow officer who the department is trying to fire.
washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7698...
washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7698...
September 17, 2025 at 12:41 PM
@dcpolicedept.bsky.social Officer Trevon King is charged with DWI, driving on a suspended license and sexual battery. He recently testified as a character witness on behalf of fellow officer who the department is trying to fire.
washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7698...
washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7698...
Reposted by Mitch Ryals
MPD Chief Pam Smith filed a declaration to support the suit, writing: "In my nearly three decades in law enforcement, I have never seen a single government action that would cause a greater threat to law and order than this dangerous directive."
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
pamsmithdeclarationOAGTrumpsuit
www.documentcloud.org
August 15, 2025 at 2:49 PM
MPD Chief Pam Smith filed a declaration to support the suit, writing: "In my nearly three decades in law enforcement, I have never seen a single government action that would cause a greater threat to law and order than this dangerous directive."
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
@dcattorneygeneral.bsky.social filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration today challenging the federal takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department. Read the complaint here:
oag.dc.gov/sites/defaul...
oag.dc.gov/sites/defaul...
August 15, 2025 at 1:14 PM
@dcattorneygeneral.bsky.social filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration today challenging the federal takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department. Read the complaint here:
oag.dc.gov/sites/defaul...
oag.dc.gov/sites/defaul...
AG Pam Bondi has ordered @mayorbowser.bsky.social to replace MPD chief with an "emergency police commissioner." She's also rescinding or suspending policies that prohibit officers from helping w/ immigration enforcement.
This is a nightmare scenario for Mayor Bowser and greater DC autonomy.
This is a nightmare scenario for Mayor Bowser and greater DC autonomy.
August 15, 2025 at 3:26 AM
AG Pam Bondi has ordered @mayorbowser.bsky.social to replace MPD chief with an "emergency police commissioner." She's also rescinding or suspending policies that prohibit officers from helping w/ immigration enforcement.
This is a nightmare scenario for Mayor Bowser and greater DC autonomy.
This is a nightmare scenario for Mayor Bowser and greater DC autonomy.
As the president takes over the DC police department and sends federal immigration agents onto the streets, @mayorbowser.bsky.social jets off to Martha's Vineyard.
August 15, 2025 at 12:13 AM
As the president takes over the DC police department and sends federal immigration agents onto the streets, @mayorbowser.bsky.social jets off to Martha's Vineyard.
July 11, 2025 at 6:48 PM
July 11, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Brimming with pride after @wcp.bsky.social took home some hardware at this year's Association of Alternative Newsmedia awards!
Our Inside Voices columns written by Askia Afrika-Ber won the Billy Manes Award (best column).
And Suzie Amanuel won the David Carr Award (best investigative reporting).
Our Inside Voices columns written by Askia Afrika-Ber won the Billy Manes Award (best column).
And Suzie Amanuel won the David Carr Award (best investigative reporting).
July 11, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Brimming with pride after @wcp.bsky.social took home some hardware at this year's Association of Alternative Newsmedia awards!
Our Inside Voices columns written by Askia Afrika-Ber won the Billy Manes Award (best column).
And Suzie Amanuel won the David Carr Award (best investigative reporting).
Our Inside Voices columns written by Askia Afrika-Ber won the Billy Manes Award (best column).
And Suzie Amanuel won the David Carr Award (best investigative reporting).
A bill that guts several rights for DC tenants moved out of committee today and could come before the full Council Monday. Without a councilmember, Ward 8 residents are left without a voice. @wcp.bsky.social contributor Suzie Amanuel explains the impact:
washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7675...
washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7675...
Without a Councilmember, Ward 8 Residents Have No Voice in the Major Tenant Rights Bill Moving Through the Council
Tens of thousands of Ward 8 tenants stand to lose long-held protections under Mayor Bowser’s RENTAL Act. Who will speak for them?
washingtoncitypaper.com
July 9, 2025 at 9:17 PM
A bill that guts several rights for DC tenants moved out of committee today and could come before the full Council Monday. Without a councilmember, Ward 8 residents are left without a voice. @wcp.bsky.social contributor Suzie Amanuel explains the impact:
washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7675...
washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7675...
We now have some answers about former Councilmember Jack Evans' new six-figure job with the Dept of Housing and Community Development, but many still remain: Why doesn't his job title match the one provided by DCHR? Why is another employee typing his reports? And what, exactly, is he doing all day?
July 8, 2025 at 8:53 PM
We now have some answers about former Councilmember Jack Evans' new six-figure job with the Dept of Housing and Community Development, but many still remain: Why doesn't his job title match the one provided by DCHR? Why is another employee typing his reports? And what, exactly, is he doing all day?
The "at last" part feels like a direct attack on the editor of this piece...
But it's a great story about a once successful gov contractor who insists people call him "doctor" despite only having a master's degree, and may or may not have tried to bribe a gov official with a bag full of cash
But it's a great story about a once successful gov contractor who insists people call him "doctor" despite only having a master's degree, and may or may not have tried to bribe a gov official with a bag full of cash
At last, my final @wcp.bsky.social story is out! It is a quintessentially DC tale of controversial businessman Emmanuel Irono.
He's been accused of bribery and barred from doing business with the DC govt. Now he's launching a restaurant empire and pissing off neighbors in the process...
He's been accused of bribery and barred from doing business with the DC govt. Now he's launching a restaurant empire and pissing off neighbors in the process...
June 23, 2025 at 9:42 PM
The "at last" part feels like a direct attack on the editor of this piece...
But it's a great story about a once successful gov contractor who insists people call him "doctor" despite only having a master's degree, and may or may not have tried to bribe a gov official with a bag full of cash
But it's a great story about a once successful gov contractor who insists people call him "doctor" despite only having a master's degree, and may or may not have tried to bribe a gov official with a bag full of cash
Reposted by Mitch Ryals
Thousands of D.C. residents are getting hit with outrageously inflated utility bills, often without even realizing they’ve been switched to third-party energy suppliers. Now the AG is warning consumers to beware of the scam.
Third-Party Energy Suppliers Scam D.C. Residents With Promises of Lower Utility Bills and Then Charge ‘Outrageous’ Rates, AG Warns
Thousands of D.C. utility customers have complained about deceptive third-party energy companies that charge higher rates than Pepco or Washington Gas.
buff.ly
June 13, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Thousands of D.C. residents are getting hit with outrageously inflated utility bills, often without even realizing they’ve been switched to third-party energy suppliers. Now the AG is warning consumers to beware of the scam.
Less than three hours left to cast your votes in @wcp.bsky.social's annual Best of DC!
It’s our favorite time of the year: Best of D.C. voting is open! 🏆 Cast your vote for the best people, places, eats, and arts through June 12.
Best of DC 2025 Ballot
Help us choose the best food, people, places, and things in the DMV
buff.ly
June 12, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Less than three hours left to cast your votes in @wcp.bsky.social's annual Best of DC!
The latest investigation from @wcp.bsky.social into the DC police dept's use of gunshot detection system ShotSpotter found lax gov oversight and more sensors installed in Wards 7 and 8 than anywhere else in the District.
MPD has spent over $5M on ShotSpotter’s controversial gunshot detection technology with little oversight. They don’t know where the sensors are, but we found most are in Wards 7 and 8. Our investigation:
D.C. Police Spend Millions on a Surveillance System That Detects Gunshots and Targets Black Communities
MPD has little oversight over ShotSpotter. The department couldn’t describe the benefits of the controversial system and doesn’t know where all the sensors are.
buff.ly
June 12, 2025 at 6:38 PM
The latest investigation from @wcp.bsky.social into the DC police dept's use of gunshot detection system ShotSpotter found lax gov oversight and more sensors installed in Wards 7 and 8 than anywhere else in the District.
Reposted by Mitch Ryals
Nearly 6 years since I started down a rabbit hole to find out who was Dan of Dan’s Cafe, my magnum opus (abridged) has now been published:
washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7659...
washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7659...
How A Man Not Named Dan Came to Own Dan’s Cafe for Six Decades
Clinnie “Dickie” Dickens owned the iconic dive Dan’s Cafe since he was 31. He died in February, just shy of 91, but his sons will keep the party going.
washingtoncitypaper.com
June 11, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Nearly 6 years since I started down a rabbit hole to find out who was Dan of Dan’s Cafe, my magnum opus (abridged) has now been published:
washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7659...
washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7659...
Reposted by Mitch Ryals
Dan’s Cafe isn’t named for its owner, but Clinnie “Dickie” Dickens ran the dive for 60 years before passing in February. @barredindc.bsky.social chronicles the history of one of D.C.’s most storied bars.
How A Man Not Named Dan Came to Own Dan’s Cafe for Six Decades
Clinnie “Dickie” Dickens owned the iconic dive Dan’s Cafe since he was 31. He died in February, just shy of 91, but his sons will keep the party going.
buff.ly
June 11, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Dan’s Cafe isn’t named for its owner, but Clinnie “Dickie” Dickens ran the dive for 60 years before passing in February. @barredindc.bsky.social chronicles the history of one of D.C.’s most storied bars.
Reposted by Mitch Ryals
News: D.C. officials say that a new youth curfew will be in effect at The Wharf this weekend. No one under the age of 18 will be allowed at The Wharf without an adult from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m., through Tuesday. This is in response to recent incidents of large youth disturbances.
May 23, 2025 at 4:25 PM
News: D.C. officials say that a new youth curfew will be in effect at The Wharf this weekend. No one under the age of 18 will be allowed at The Wharf without an adult from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m., through Tuesday. This is in response to recent incidents of large youth disturbances.