WAMU 88.5
wamu.org
WAMU 88.5
@wamu.org
WAMU 88.5 is the leading public radio station for NPR news and information in the greater Washington DC area.
University of Maryland archivist John Davis notes in his new book Keep Your Ear to the Ground: A History of Punk Fanzines in Washington, DC, zines originated in the 1940s with fans of science fiction literature and comic books.
In 'Keep Your Ear to the Ground,' local author and archivist traces the history of D.C. punk fanzines
In "Keep Your Ear to the Ground," University of Maryland archivist and former Q and Not U drummer John R. Davis traces the history of D.C. punk fanzines.
buff.ly
December 23, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. And he’s in Annandale. Well, at least a bone fragment.
Santa Claus' bone fragment is in a Northern Virginia Catholic Church
In WAMU’s series Hidden City, we uncover the stories behind the history, people, and places in our region.
buff.ly
December 21, 2025 at 4:01 PM
The show, “Ceremony”, incorporates paintings with historic artifacts to offer a look at how Black people lived and defied social and structural limitations in the early to mid-20th century.
Art, jazz, and history merge for Lindsay Adams' new exhibition, 'Ceremony'
The show, "Ceremony", incorporates paintings with historic artifacts to offer a look at how Black people lived and defied social and structural limitations in the early to mid-20th century.
buff.ly
December 20, 2025 at 2:30 PM
WAMU’s arts and culture reporter Darryl C. Murphy searched the region for some of the finest chocolatey sips, and put together a short list of the best! buff.ly/bGglVVU
Get Out There: Cups from the community - six local spots for exceptional hot chocolate
WAMU’s arts and culture reporter Darryl C. Murphy searched the region for some of the finest chocolatey sips, and put together a short list of the best!
wamu.org
December 19, 2025 at 10:20 PM
The federalization of D.C. will have a huge effect on District politics, says WAMU's D.C. reporter Alex Koma, drawing a line between those who are willing to compromise with President Trump to stave off a full federal takeover & those who want to stand up to him.
December 19, 2025 at 5:54 PM
We are now joined by WAMU’s politics reporters for an end-of-year round-up. Northern Virginia reporter Margaret Barthel says this year’s federal cuts & job losses have hit Northern Virginia especially hard. However, defense spending has increased, helping insulate NoVA from the worst impacts.
December 19, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Prince George's Council Chair Oriadha says universal aftercare would give people the opportunity to work, return to school, or otherwise elevate themselves. She says it would provide a significant return on investment for the county.
December 19, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Prince George’s County Council Chair Krystal Oriadha says a data center should never have been on the table for the old Landover mall site.

“It makes no sense to take a site in the heart of economic development and put a data center there.”
December 19, 2025 at 5:15 PM
We are now live on the Politics Hour with Prince George's County Council Chair Krystal Oriadha! Tune in to WAMU 88.5 and call in with any questions at 1-800-433-8850.

buff.ly/2VrT7fA
The Politics Hour: The year in local politics and what's ahead in 2026
New Prince George's County Council Chair Krystal Oriadha talks budget priorities, public safety, and data centers. Plus, WAMU's politics reporters breaks down the year's top stories and what to watch…
wamu.org
December 19, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Friday on The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi were joined by Prince George's County's Crystal Oriadha to discuss her new role as council chair.
December 19, 2025 at 3:35 PM
On The Politics Hour, D.C. Mayor Bowser says MPD is not working with ICE.

"As part of my mayor's order, we are participating with the Presidential Task Force [on a Clean and Safe D.C.]... but we do not do immigration enforcement."
December 12, 2025 at 5:44 PM
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser says the head of the city's Board of Elections is not confident they can successfully implement ranked-choice voting for June's primaries.

"The fact that [elections] could be chaotic is concerning."
December 12, 2025 at 5:42 PM
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser says she wants to spend more time studying ranked-choice voting before thinking it should be used in this June's primaries.

"The fact that [elections] could be chaotic is concerning."
December 12, 2025 at 5:39 PM
D.C. Mayor Bowser says on the Politics Hour, she hasn't endorsed anyone for Mayor yet... but District residents need to consider how they want the next Mayor to handle the Trump administration.
December 12, 2025 at 5:20 PM
We are now live on The Politics Hour with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser! Tune in now and call in with your questions to 800-433-8850!

buff.ly/y6BZR3X
The Politics Hour: D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on the District's future
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on her decision to not run again, her tenure, and who might be the city's next police chief.
wamu.org
December 12, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Beginning in 2026, cancer registries that receive federal funding will be required to classify patients only as male, female, or unknown. The change raises concerns among health researchers about cancer data collection for people who identify as transgender, non-binary, or intersex.
Changes coming to how researchers can identify cancer patients' gender
Cancer registries that receive federal funding will soon be required to classify patients only as male, female, or unknown. The change is raising concerns among health researchers about cancer data…
buff.ly
December 10, 2025 at 3:24 PM
This week on Get Out There, we celebrate the season with a holiday theater preview. buff.ly/kodE6SI
Get Out There: 2025 Holiday theater preview
This week on Get Out There, we celebrate the season with a holiday theater preview.
wamu.org
December 5, 2025 at 10:03 PM
D.C. is poised to shift to a ranked choice voting system for next year's elections. The move is upending how candidates think about these high-stakes races. buff.ly/hAeViYF
D.C. is poised to use ranked choice voting next year. It’s already reshaping local races
D.C. officials now need to find a way to educate voters on ballots that allow them to select multiple candidates in order of preference.
wamu.org
December 5, 2025 at 5:56 PM
New Montgomery County Council President Natali Fani-González joins the show now. She says as a leader, she isn't worried about her anti-ICE policies drawing the Trump administration's attention.

"It’s not okay to be silent and do nothing. This is the time when you stand up and do what’s right."
December 5, 2025 at 5:51 PM
D.C. mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George said she's willing to work with President Trump on D.C. issues, but her first priority would be to protect District residents.
December 5, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Ward 4 D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George jumped into the mayor's race. She's a member of the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America and says she's focused on affordability, housing, and income inequality.
December 5, 2025 at 5:27 PM
We are now live on the Politics Hour with Ward 4 D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George. Tune in to WAMU 88.5 and call 800-433-8850 with any questions!
The Politics Hour: With Muriel Bowser bowing out, D.C. mayor's race heats up
Ward 4 D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George on jumping into the D.C. mayoral race and Montgomery County Council President Natali Fani-González on her journey to leading the council.
buff.ly
December 5, 2025 at 5:07 PM
This week on The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi, we ask Ward 4 D.C. councilmember Janeese Lewis George why she decided to jump into the race for mayor.
December 4, 2025 at 5:31 PM
This week on The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi, we ask Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George about her run for Mayor. We’re also joined by new Montgomery County council president Natali Faní-González to explain how she plans to help lead Maryland’s most populated county.
December 3, 2025 at 9:27 PM
The local chapter of a socialist party has drawn hundreds of people to protests and meetings opposing data centers, sparking action by the county council.
This socialist party is leading the fight against data centers in Prince George’s County
The local chapter of a socialist party has drawn hundreds of people to protests and meetings opposing data centers, sparking action by the county council.
buff.ly
December 3, 2025 at 9:15 PM