Huge loss for first-time homebuyers

What's CITY Talking About?

External Investigation of Falcicchio?

Mayor Muriel Bowser has asked the D.C. Office of the Inspector General to consider investigating alleged workplace harassment by her former chief of staff John Falcicchio. He resigned abruptly in March after two women accused him of sexual misconduct. Bowser’s been under pressure to greenlight an external investigation. She’s now asked the IG to review if Falcicchio showed favoritism toward employees he found attractive and retaliated against those who turned him down. [WTOP]

• Related: We interviewed the reporter who broke the latest harassment allegation. He says Falcicchio’s behavior was an “open secret.” [City Cast DC 🎧]

Empty Coffers for New Homeowners

D.C.’s down payment assistance program for first time homebuyers ran out of money, leaving many prospective homeowners blindsided. Last fall, the amount of assistance residents could receive nearly doubled. Seems that plan was overly ambitious. Funding resumes in the new fiscal year, aka Oct 1. [DCist]

No Parks Left Behind

The National Park Service is asking for $11.8 million to upgrade D.C. parks east of the Anacostia River. NPS has previously been criticized for funding these parks less than others in D.C. If the grants get approved by Congress, the projects would begin in 2025. [DCist]

What To Do

🍿 Rhizome Is Home | Friday | 6 p.m.

Meet at Rhizome for food and music. Then, walk to the community center to watch this local documentary on the big screen. [Free, Takoma]

🎛️  Basement 90's/00's RNB Party | Friday | 9 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Karma Soundstage is hosting this R&B dance party with DJ Flow and King Flexxa. [$10+, Langdon]

🎈 O Say Can You Play | Saturday | 11 a.m.

This family-friendly event at Tudor Place will have traditional outdoor games and lessons on how to make historic toys. [$5+, Georgetown]

🎺 Sounds of the City | Saturday | 12 - 5 p.m.

The Anacostia Arts Center is hosting this afternoon of live go-go, Black-owned pop-ups, and community workshops like tea blending and “Black Men Matter.” [Free, Anacostia]

📽️  Nationtime | Saturday | 2 p.m.

This film about the National Black Political Convention of 1972 was considered too “militant” for tv at the time. Now, it’s screening at the National Gallery. [Free, National Mall]

🥘 Taste of the DMV | Saturday | 2 - 8 p.m.

Dozens of local food vendors will be serving bites, drinks, and sweets, alongside local DJs and performers, games, and a wing-eating contest. [$10+, Ivy City]

🍺  Drink for America | Saturday | 2 - 10 p.m.

Visit all of Dupont’s major drinking establishments on this annual bar crawl, American flag in tow. [$8+, Dupont]

⛱️  Summer Camp | Saturday | 3 - 9 p.m.

This queer dance party at the Dew Drop Inn is summer camp-themed, so break out the sunscreen and icy pops. [Free, Edgewood]

🪴 PLNTR Anniversary | Sunday | 11 - 5:30 p.m.

The Dupont PLNTR is celebrating its first birthday with free wine tasting and plant cuttings. [Free, Dupont]

🇹🇭 "Sawasdee DC" Thai Festival | Sunday | 9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.

This festival by the Royal Thai Embassy will have music, dancing, food, massages, Thai fruits, and various exhibits. [Free, National Mall]

Today on City Cast

School Board Protest, Sportswashing, and Fourth of July

Hundreds showed up to a Montgomery County school board meeting this week, protesting the LGBTQ+ books in the curriculum. Plus, there’s a lot of uproar over Qatar considering investing in a D.C. sports franchise. And for some fun, we’ve got Fourth of July events for you.