SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social
The Capital City Fund For Investigative Journalism
Website: spotlightdc.org
Linktree: linktr.ee/spotlightdc
Website: spotlightdc.org
Linktree: linktr.ee/spotlightdc
We’re excited to announce the latest SpotlightDC-funded project: Dream City, a new independent podcast that will explore the inner workings of D.C.’s political and business worlds.
November 10, 2025 at 4:27 PM
We’re excited to announce the latest SpotlightDC-funded project: Dream City, a new independent podcast that will explore the inner workings of D.C.’s political and business worlds.
The latest Spotlight-funded story is a collaboration between @streetsensedc.bsky.social and @51st.news: New data shows that D.C. is experiencing record eviction levels. Reporters James Jarvis and Taylor Nichols explain how our city got here ⬇️
streetsensemedia.org/article/d-c-...
streetsensemedia.org/article/d-c-...
DC renters face record eviction levels
Last year, evictions rose to record levels, with 1,869 households removed from their homes. And these trends show no signs of slowing down.
streetsensemedia.org
October 17, 2025 at 7:49 PM
The latest Spotlight-funded story is a collaboration between @streetsensedc.bsky.social and @51st.news: New data shows that D.C. is experiencing record eviction levels. Reporters James Jarvis and Taylor Nichols explain how our city got here ⬇️
streetsensemedia.org/article/d-c-...
streetsensemedia.org/article/d-c-...
Reposted by SpotlightDC
D.C. police officers are feeding information to the Justice Department as it probes accusations of manipulated crime data, according to the D.C. Police Union, and as public safety in the nation's capital continues to capture the president’s attention.
As feds probe D.C. crime stats, some police eager to help build a case
At the heart of the investigations by the DOJ and a House committee is whether there has been a widespread effort to intentionally downplay crime in D.C.
wapo.st
October 5, 2025 at 4:30 PM
D.C. police officers are feeding information to the Justice Department as it probes accusations of manipulated crime data, according to the D.C. Police Union, and as public safety in the nation's capital continues to capture the president’s attention.
Reposted by SpotlightDC
Tomorrow is the start of D.C.'s Homeless Crisis Reporting Project week! Follow Street Sense and other local outlets to stay updated and read everything throughout the week, or go to bit.ly/DCHCRP to see articles as they are posted.
October 5, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Tomorrow is the start of D.C.'s Homeless Crisis Reporting Project week! Follow Street Sense and other local outlets to stay updated and read everything throughout the week, or go to bit.ly/DCHCRP to see articles as they are posted.
Reposted by SpotlightDC
Since 2021, DCPS has become D.C.'s leading sponsor of H1-B visas for its employees.
But some 200 teachers who took jobs under the expectation that the school system would sponsor a green card are now facing uncertain futures, @maustermuhle.bsky.social reports.
51st.news/dc-green-car...
But some 200 teachers who took jobs under the expectation that the school system would sponsor a green card are now facing uncertain futures, @maustermuhle.bsky.social reports.
51st.news/dc-green-car...
October 6, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Since 2021, DCPS has become D.C.'s leading sponsor of H1-B visas for its employees.
But some 200 teachers who took jobs under the expectation that the school system would sponsor a green card are now facing uncertain futures, @maustermuhle.bsky.social reports.
51st.news/dc-green-car...
But some 200 teachers who took jobs under the expectation that the school system would sponsor a green card are now facing uncertain futures, @maustermuhle.bsky.social reports.
51st.news/dc-green-car...
Reposted by SpotlightDC
D.C. is failing to collect critical income data for participants in one of its key homelessness intervention programs, raising concerns about whether the program is meeting its goals, according to a new alert from the Office of the D.C. Auditor.
https://bit.ly/3KB4gpC
https://bit.ly/3KB4gpC
D.C. auditor finds data is missing from singles homeless program - Street Sense Media
Rapid Rehousing for Individuals is missing key income data needed to gauge effectiveness, according to the Office of the D.C. Auditor.
streetsensemedia.org
October 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM
D.C. is failing to collect critical income data for participants in one of its key homelessness intervention programs, raising concerns about whether the program is meeting its goals, according to a new alert from the Office of the D.C. Auditor.
https://bit.ly/3KB4gpC
https://bit.ly/3KB4gpC
Reposted by SpotlightDC
The documentary "Cracked Shells" is "a tool against the erasure" of D.C. natives' rich culture, history, and capacity for resilience, its director tells @christurdisani.bsky.social.
Learn more about the film — including when you can catch a free screening next weekend:
Learn more about the film — including when you can catch a free screening next weekend:
New documentary dives deep into gentrification in D.C.
We interview the filmmaker behind “Cracked Shells.”
51st.news
October 4, 2025 at 8:02 PM
The documentary "Cracked Shells" is "a tool against the erasure" of D.C. natives' rich culture, history, and capacity for resilience, its director tells @christurdisani.bsky.social.
Learn more about the film — including when you can catch a free screening next weekend:
Learn more about the film — including when you can catch a free screening next weekend:
Reposted by SpotlightDC
“What am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to afford it? I can’t.”
The first round of cuts to the DC Health Care Alliance go into effect this week. Advocates say the plan will have disastrous consequences over the next few years.
The first round of cuts to the DC Health Care Alliance go into effect this week. Advocates say the plan will have disastrous consequences over the next few years.
DC phases out Health Care Alliance, impacting thousands
Advocates say the elimination of DC Health Care Alliance, which insures 26,000 low-income residents, could have disastrous consequences.
51st.news
September 29, 2025 at 1:03 PM
“What am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to afford it? I can’t.”
The first round of cuts to the DC Health Care Alliance go into effect this week. Advocates say the plan will have disastrous consequences over the next few years.
The first round of cuts to the DC Health Care Alliance go into effect this week. Advocates say the plan will have disastrous consequences over the next few years.
ICYMI: "In Trump's D.C. surge, helicopters hovered and surveilled day and night"
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
In Trump’s D.C. surge, helicopters hovered and surveilled day and night
Park Police helicopters circled more often than they did in the same time period last year and at lower altitudes than other law enforcement helicopters in D.C. this August.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 26, 2025 at 10:49 PM
ICYMI: "In Trump's D.C. surge, helicopters hovered and surveilled day and night"
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
Reposted by SpotlightDC
After the Council declined activists' push to protect the heritage trees around the RFK stadium site, the Commanders pledged to save some of the towering oaks and elms.
Full story from @holaculturadc.bsky.social:
Full story from @holaculturadc.bsky.social:
Commanders Promise to Preserve Some of RFK Stadium’s Heritage Trees
The D.C. Council failed to enshrine those protections into law, but the Commanders have pledged to save the majority of the towering oak and elm trees on the 180-acre site.
buff.ly
September 23, 2025 at 10:00 PM
After the Council declined activists' push to protect the heritage trees around the RFK stadium site, the Commanders pledged to save some of the towering oaks and elms.
Full story from @holaculturadc.bsky.social:
Full story from @holaculturadc.bsky.social:
Reposted by SpotlightDC
Tenants in Columbia Heights were promised 20% ownership of their apartment community by two affordable housing developers. Three years later, they’re facing mold, rodents, disrepair, and drastically reduced equity. “He love-bombed us,” one resident says. Full story:
‘He Love-Bombed Us’: Urban Village Tenants Say They Were Duped By Affordable Housing Developers
Tenants believed they would own 20 percent of the apartment community. But the two developers are now accused of turning a community jewel into a neglected property where “mold allowed to grow like…
buff.ly
September 25, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Tenants in Columbia Heights were promised 20% ownership of their apartment community by two affordable housing developers. Three years later, they’re facing mold, rodents, disrepair, and drastically reduced equity. “He love-bombed us,” one resident says. Full story:
Reposted by SpotlightDC
D.C. has one of the lowest rates of uninsured residents across the U.S.
Looming cuts to a city-funded healthcare program could change that — with disastrous consequences, advocates say.
What’s behind the decision, and what are the alternatives?
Looming cuts to a city-funded healthcare program could change that — with disastrous consequences, advocates say.
What’s behind the decision, and what are the alternatives?
DC phases out Health Care Alliance, impacting thousands
Advocates say the elimination of DC Health Care Alliance, which insures 26,000 low-income residents, could have disastrous consequences.
51st.news
September 26, 2025 at 5:00 PM
D.C. has one of the lowest rates of uninsured residents across the U.S.
Looming cuts to a city-funded healthcare program could change that — with disastrous consequences, advocates say.
What’s behind the decision, and what are the alternatives?
Looming cuts to a city-funded healthcare program could change that — with disastrous consequences, advocates say.
What’s behind the decision, and what are the alternatives?
ICYMI ⬇️ From @19thnews.org, how increased ICE presence is affecting child care workers in DC.
In Washington, D.C., where close to 40% of child care workers are immigrants, fear has taken hold amid a crime crackdown that has raised ICE presence.
“What kind of life is this? We are not delinquents, we are not bad people, we are here to work to support our family.”
19thnews.org/2025/09/chil...
“What kind of life is this? We are not delinquents, we are not bad people, we are here to work to support our family.”
19thnews.org/2025/09/chil...
‘They are hunting us:’ Child care workers in D.C. go underground amid ICE crackdown
In Washington, D.C., where close to 40 percent of child care workers are immigrants, fear has taken hold amid a crime crackdown that has raised ICE presence. Many are missing work, deepening a staffin...
19thnews.org
September 15, 2025 at 4:49 PM
ICYMI ⬇️ From @19thnews.org, how increased ICE presence is affecting child care workers in DC.
Reposted by SpotlightDC
"...[DC local police] MPD is cooperating with ICE, frequently turning routine traffic stops into detention and other immigration enforcement actions."
new investigation by @51st.news @evidentmedia.org and @bellingcat.com
51st.news/dc-police-wo...
new investigation by @51st.news @evidentmedia.org and @bellingcat.com
51st.news/dc-police-wo...
WATCH: MPD collaborates with ICE
D.C. used to limit police collaboration with immigration enforcement. This video investigation shows how much that's changed.
51st.news
September 9, 2025 at 6:26 PM
"...[DC local police] MPD is cooperating with ICE, frequently turning routine traffic stops into detention and other immigration enforcement actions."
new investigation by @51st.news @evidentmedia.org and @bellingcat.com
51st.news/dc-police-wo...
new investigation by @51st.news @evidentmedia.org and @bellingcat.com
51st.news/dc-police-wo...
Reposted by SpotlightDC
Share our takeover coverage, now translated into Spanish. We've received messages of gratitude about our coverage of the federal encroachment on D.C., and we want that same level of information to be available to as many people as possible. 51st.news/tag/en-espan...
September 9, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Share our takeover coverage, now translated into Spanish. We've received messages of gratitude about our coverage of the federal encroachment on D.C., and we want that same level of information to be available to as many people as possible. 51st.news/tag/en-espan...
Reposted by SpotlightDC
Some D.C. tenants were relocated during demolitions with a promise they could return to the new buildings. Now they’re facing eviction notices for units that no longer exist. Contributor Suzie Amanuel investigates:
Evicted from Nowhere: D.C. Landlords Are Trying to Evict Tenants from Demolished Apartments
Some D.C. tenants were relocated while their buildings are torn down with the promise they can return to the new buildings. But now some landlords are trying to evict them from nonexistent…
buff.ly
August 8, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Some D.C. tenants were relocated during demolitions with a promise they could return to the new buildings. Now they’re facing eviction notices for units that no longer exist. Contributor Suzie Amanuel investigates:
Reposted by SpotlightDC
Now through this weekend, I'll donate $1 to @51st.news for each:
- person who reposts this post
- new follower @51st.news ws gets
- new follower @maustermuhle.bsky.social gets
- new follower @christurdisani.bsky.social gets
- new follower I get
And tag/DM me your donation = I'll match it 1:1.
- person who reposts this post
- new follower @51st.news ws gets
- new follower @maustermuhle.bsky.social gets
- new follower @christurdisani.bsky.social gets
- new follower I get
And tag/DM me your donation = I'll match it 1:1.
Three days remain to hit the goal in our campaign to hire @maustermuhle.bsky.social full-time.
We know there's a ways to go, but with less than half left to raise...we could reach it easy peasy if each person who donated asked one friend to give too. givebutter.com/SsQ8CG
We know there's a ways to go, but with less than half left to raise...we could reach it easy peasy if each person who donated asked one friend to give too. givebutter.com/SsQ8CG
Time to Grow The 51st
Help us hire Christina and Martin Full-Time!
givebutter.com
August 7, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Now through this weekend, I'll donate $1 to @51st.news for each:
- person who reposts this post
- new follower @51st.news ws gets
- new follower @maustermuhle.bsky.social gets
- new follower @christurdisani.bsky.social gets
- new follower I get
And tag/DM me your donation = I'll match it 1:1.
- person who reposts this post
- new follower @51st.news ws gets
- new follower @maustermuhle.bsky.social gets
- new follower @christurdisani.bsky.social gets
- new follower I get
And tag/DM me your donation = I'll match it 1:1.
Reposted by SpotlightDC
Check out my @spotlightdc.bsky.social -funded investigation @wcp.bsky.social into allegations Pepco misspent $94 million promised for infrastructure upgrades the company collected from hiking your bill -- following by DC awarding them another bill hike
washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7686...
washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7686...
Pepco Raked in $108 million Thanks To Recent Rate Increases. Another Bump Could Kick in Next Year, But It’s Being Challenged in Court.
As D.C. endures extreme heat and rising electricity bills, the Office of People’s Counsel has accused Pepco of misspending $94 million
washingtoncitypaper.com
August 1, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Check out my @spotlightdc.bsky.social -funded investigation @wcp.bsky.social into allegations Pepco misspent $94 million promised for infrastructure upgrades the company collected from hiking your bill -- following by DC awarding them another bill hike
washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7686...
washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7686...
Reposted by SpotlightDC
Martin’s hard at work today reporting on the council’s second budget vote — happening now!
Help us reach $50,000 by tonight (only a little more than $6k away!) to ensure we can hire Martin full-time, and continue delivering you this unbeatable budget coverage.
givebutter.com/SsQ8CG
Help us reach $50,000 by tonight (only a little more than $6k away!) to ensure we can hire Martin full-time, and continue delivering you this unbeatable budget coverage.
givebutter.com/SsQ8CG
Time to Grow The 51st
Help us hire Christina and Martin Full-Time!
givebutter.com
July 28, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Martin’s hard at work today reporting on the council’s second budget vote — happening now!
Help us reach $50,000 by tonight (only a little more than $6k away!) to ensure we can hire Martin full-time, and continue delivering you this unbeatable budget coverage.
givebutter.com/SsQ8CG
Help us reach $50,000 by tonight (only a little more than $6k away!) to ensure we can hire Martin full-time, and continue delivering you this unbeatable budget coverage.
givebutter.com/SsQ8CG
Reposted by SpotlightDC
A new racial equity report says Mayor Bowser’s RENTAL Act will deepen housing inequality and disproportionately harm Black D.C. residents. Contributor Suzie Amanuel breaks it down:
D.C.’s ‘Two-Tiered Justice System’: How the RENTAL Act Threatens Black Tenants
A new racial equity assessment sounds the alarm on D.C.’s RENTAL Act, warning that it could disproportionately displace Black residents.
buff.ly
July 24, 2025 at 6:02 PM
A new racial equity report says Mayor Bowser’s RENTAL Act will deepen housing inequality and disproportionately harm Black D.C. residents. Contributor Suzie Amanuel breaks it down:
Reposted by SpotlightDC
Per usual, Congress is interfering in local affairs. This time, a new congressional rider could prevent D.C. from suing oil companies over climate change. 51st.news/dc-lawsuit-o...
Republicans try to bar D.C. lawsuit against oil companies
Even some advocates for D.C. autonomy were surprised by how targeted and specific the new policy rider is.
51st.news
July 25, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Per usual, Congress is interfering in local affairs. This time, a new congressional rider could prevent D.C. from suing oil companies over climate change. 51st.news/dc-lawsuit-o...
Reposted by SpotlightDC
The 51st recently hired our first salaried employee (!) by bringing Christina on full-time as Executive Editor. Now, we need to hire Martin as our full-time reporter!!! You can help us get there by tossing a few dollars (or more...) to our fundraiser. 🥳 51st.news/help-us-hire...
Help us hire Martin Austermuhle!
The 51st is growing — but we can’t do it without you.
51st.news
July 14, 2025 at 8:41 PM
The 51st recently hired our first salaried employee (!) by bringing Christina on full-time as Executive Editor. Now, we need to hire Martin as our full-time reporter!!! You can help us get there by tossing a few dollars (or more...) to our fundraiser. 🥳 51st.news/help-us-hire...
Reposted by SpotlightDC
All of this is detailed in a new story for @51st.news, with valuable assistance from @spotlightdc.bsky.social. Clearly DC Water should be paid, but advocates say tenants with no control over the bills shouldn't be victims when it doesn't happen. 51st.news/dc-building-...
D.C. tenants face water shut-offs when landlords don’t pay bills
A change in policy has left renters stuck between property owners and DC Water.
51st.news
July 10, 2025 at 7:38 PM
All of this is detailed in a new story for @51st.news, with valuable assistance from @spotlightdc.bsky.social. Clearly DC Water should be paid, but advocates say tenants with no control over the bills shouldn't be victims when it doesn't happen. 51st.news/dc-building-...
Reposted by SpotlightDC
Mayor Bowser wants to roll back tenant rights for 34,000 renters in newer D.C. buildings, saying they rarely use them. We spoke to tenants who have seen TOPA’s benefits. Here are their stories.
Beyond Affordability: How D.C.’s Tenant Rights Law Empowers D.C.’s Market-Rate Tenants
As the D.C. Council debates Mayor Muriel Bowser’s proposed exemptions to TOPA, a longstanding tenant’s rights law, tenants who stand to lose their protections describe how they’ve used the law to…
buff.ly
July 3, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Mayor Bowser wants to roll back tenant rights for 34,000 renters in newer D.C. buildings, saying they rarely use them. We spoke to tenants who have seen TOPA’s benefits. Here are their stories.
Exciting news from SpotlightDC: we have a new website! 🎉
It's never been easier to read some of the best accountability journalism happening in the District. You can look through all 30+ SpotlightDC-funded stories on topics like housing, climate, substance use, and more at spotlightdc.org/stories/
It's never been easier to read some of the best accountability journalism happening in the District. You can look through all 30+ SpotlightDC-funded stories on topics like housing, climate, substance use, and more at spotlightdc.org/stories/
June 30, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Exciting news from SpotlightDC: we have a new website! 🎉
It's never been easier to read some of the best accountability journalism happening in the District. You can look through all 30+ SpotlightDC-funded stories on topics like housing, climate, substance use, and more at spotlightdc.org/stories/
It's never been easier to read some of the best accountability journalism happening in the District. You can look through all 30+ SpotlightDC-funded stories on topics like housing, climate, substance use, and more at spotlightdc.org/stories/