City Cast DC with Michael Schaffer
Is this the end of DC independence?
August 16, 2023
Morning, neighbor. It’s been a wet week! The torrential downpour on Monday caused extreme flooding at the District Dogs on Rhode Island Ave NW, rising nearly six feet in a span of a few minutes. All humans were evacuated, but sadly, several pups weren’t so lucky. 😓
What's CITY Talking About?
End of DC Independence?
Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN) filed a bill to repeal the D.C. Home Rule Act which allows the city to have some autonomy (like voting in a mayor and council, but we still need Congressional approval on local laws). Ogles said Congress should retake its “constitutional authority” because of D.C.’s rising crime rate. We’re less than thrilled. [Washington Examiner]
- Related: Congress is relentless this year in its attacks on D.C. autonomy. [City Cast DC 🎧]
Georgetown Restaurateurs Stole COVID Relief Funds
Owners of Ristorante Piccolo pleaded guilty to tax evasion and using COVID-19 relief funds for personal investments. The restaurateurs owe $1.3 million in taxes. They also used $738,000 from the COVID funds to help buy a waterfront condo in Ocean City, construct two homes in Great Falls, fund vacations, and other personal items. [WTOP]
Changes to DC National Guard
The Pentagon is planning to restructure the D.C. National Guard in response to criticism about how it handled the Jan. 6 insurrection and 2020 protests. DoD is considering getting D.C. more military police for crowd control and transferring away some planes (one helicopter flew dangerously low during the George Floyd protests). But it’s unclear who would control the D.C. guard. Currently, the federal government does, but some say the city should have sole authority to deploy the force. [AP]
MD Judge Supports Schools Over Parents
A federal appeals court stood by Maryland schools’ right to create support plans for transgender or gender-nonconforming students without the consent of their parents. The judge threw out the case challenging those guidelines, saying that the parents who filed the lawsuit did not have children who were impacted. [Washington Post 🔒]
- Related: This is part of an ongoing battle in Maryland over trans education in schools. [City Cast DC 🎧]
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What To Do
🎶 Ukefest Final | Wednesday | 7 p.m.
Watch the nation’s best uke players compete for the title at the 15th Annual Ukefest. Get there early for a community strum-along. [Free, North Bethesda]
🎡 Arlington County Fair | Wednesday - Sunday | All Day
Head down to ye old county fair for midway rides, pie eating contests, live music, and lots of apple cider. [Free, Arlington]
🐀 Ratatouille Screening | Thursday | 7:30 p.m.
I know I say this every time, but this is actually my favorite movie. Watch wee Remi follow his dream of becoming a French chef with a really big hat. [Free, The Wharf]
🪩 Step Sisters Party | Friday | 11 p.m.
Songbyrd is hosting this DJ duo dedicated to delivering an unforgettable night of 2000s tunes, like music by Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and Lil Wayne. [Free, Union Market]
Today on City Cast
D.C. is Losing Jobs to Virginia
The pandemic changed where you work — and where businesses want to set up shop. In D.C., this has meant jobs, and people, moving from the city to the suburbs. Tristan Navera from the Washington Business Journal explains what this means for workers.
Craving that Olive Garden nostalgia? Tragically, the closest one is at Bailey’s Crossroads (trust me, I’ve looked.) But starting today, Grazie Nonna has unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks for lunch. Only problem is it’s about twice the price.
Today’s newsletter was edited by Priyanka Tilve. News was written by Susannah Broun.
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