Here's what is on Virginians' ballots as they head to the polls on Tuesday. buff.ly/lJ9Yn9k

Within the last year, over 50 new dispensaries have opened in neighborhoods across all eight wards. Both newcomers and veterans of the industry are wondering how stable the cannabis business will be moving forward. buff.ly/mSHQIDr

New: Mayor Bowser is seriously considering turning down a bid for a fourth term.

She's discussed the prospect with her allies in recent days. Several have described it as a 50-50 chance she runs again. This would be a huge shift for a mayoral race defined by the incumbent:
wamu.org/story/25/10/...

I spoke with folks who were living in homeless encampments cleared during Trump's federal takeover of D.C.. They lost many of their tents and belongings, but nearly two months later, they're still here. And without housing, many are still sleeping outside. wamu.org/story/25/10/...

Today marks the first day in public media’s history without federal funding. And we’re not going anywhere.

Listeners like you keep our mission alive. Protect one of the last places where America comes together to hear itself.

Stand with us today. Donate at this link: n.pr/46wamAj

BREAKING: A federal judge has ruled that Chief Pamela Smith retains leadership of D.C.’s police force, under Mayor Bowser’s leadership, following a suit by DC AG Schwalb against the Trump administration @wamu.org

D.C. residents rallied near the White House this morning to protest President Trump’s federal takeover of city law enforcement.

Free DC led a rally near LaFayette Square this morning, where speakers called on D.C. area residents to fight back President Trump’s ‘fascist’ federal takeover.

I got emotional listening to @sarahykim.bsky.social's farewell to Black Lives Matter plaza feature. I never pass by without thinking about those heady, hopeful, hard days reporting on the protests in 2020.

It's remarkable that one space can contain so much. Listen:

wamu.org/story/25/03/...

I wrote this story on what Black Lives Matter Plaza meant to D.C., with voices and sounds from the destruction. Special thanks to @margaretbarthel.bsky.social for all the tape she got on the front lines the summer of 2020, and all the DCist/WAMU journalists at the time documenting history.

The Trump administration is considering shutting down the CDC's HIV division. LGBTQ health organizations across the country, including @whitmanwalker.bsky.social in D.C., say it will "severely impede the nation’s ability to prevent new HIV infections, undoing decades of hard-won progress."

At the Black Lives Matter Plaza in D.C. The District is starting removal of the plaza today. In the summer of 2020, Mayor Bowser had the plaza painted over - a symbolic act of defiance against President Trump @wamu.org

The U.S. figure skating community came together Sunday night at Capital One Arena for Legacy on Ice, a memorial and fundraising event to honor the families and loved ones of those killed in the January 29th crash near Reagan Airport, as well as first responders.

The National Park Service predicts that the cherry trees will reach peak bloom from March 28-31. The dates are subject to change with the weather. But, if the timeline holds, peak bloom will pair nicely with the Cherry Blossom Festival. The Festival runs this year from March 20 until April 13th.

Time for a nerdy point about data on the federal workforce.

I've seen plenty of reporters and public officials referring to numbers from the Congressional Research service to give people a scale of the federal workforce in the D.C. region. crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/...

E Street Cinema, the beloved movie house in downtown D.C., announced it will close its doors later this year.

The movie theater's owner, Landmark Theaters, confirmed the closure to The Washington Post but did not provide a specific date for final closure.

It's been one year since DCist was shut down. We're proud of what we've built in that time with all of you. If you'd indulge us in some reminiscing, plus dreaming of the future, we'd love to hear your thoughts: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Such an important story by my colleagues @margaretbarthel.bsky.social, Chris Remington, and Tyrone Turner on USAID workers in the D.C. region. Read and take a listen:

wamu.org/story/25/02/...

A local health story we'll continue keeping an eye on: transgender people can still get gender-affirming services in D.C., which may include medication, surgery, and mental health. But under Trump, some centers have already cut back on their care or are facing pressure to.
wamu.org/story/25/02/...

Some news about me: I’m leaving City Paper at the end of the month. It has been so, so much fun being your Loose Lips these last 3 years and I will miss this place terribly.

But I’m not going far: Starting March 3, I’ll take on the DC politics beat at WAMU. So cover your ears!