DC’s back-to-school worries

What's CITY Talking About?

AG Intervenes At Nightmare Apartment

D.C.’s Attorney General wants to appoint a third-party to oversee much-needed repairs at the Ward 8 apartment complex Marbury Plaza. For years, tenants allege they have lived without heat, AC, or hot water and dealt with pest infestations, sewage leaks, and mold issues. The AG’s proposal is highly unusual in D.C. Only eight such cases since 2016 have resulted in guardianship. [DCist]

• Related: A similar situation is going on in a Brookland apartment building, raising questions about D.C. tenants’ rights. [City Cast DC 🎧]

Unapproved Covid Spending

The District spent $470 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding without the required approval from the D.C. Council, according to a new D.C. auditor report. The Bowser administration says that local emergency legislation allowed the mayor’s office to bypass legislative procedure. [City Paper]

LGBTQ Curriculum Required

A federal judge ruled that Montgomery County parents cannot opt their children out of public schools’ lessons involving books with LGBTQ+ themes. Parents have been battling the MoCo school board over Pride books in the curriculum for months. The parents plan to appeal the ruling. [WTOP]

Where Is It?

Wow! I guess you all are some serious book nerds. Yes, this is the entranceway to Mt. Pleasant Library, home of the iconic “What’s More Punk Than the Public Library” t-shirts that D.C. residents can’t seem to get enough of.

Shout out to Sarah S., Laura P., and Melissa V. for being the first three to guess the spot correctly! Can you get this next one too?

We aren't going very far, but this one is tricky. Can you tell me where this old bakery advertisement is located? Bonus points if you can tell me the coffee shop under it (which also gets its name from the ad).

What To Do

🎤 CCDC Live Podcast Taping | Monday | 6:30 p.m.

Come celebrate our one-year anniversary with a special live taping at Sonny’s Pizza, with guest Chelsea Cirruzzo! Come early for some wine tasting. [Free, Park View]

📽️ CAN I KICK IT? | Tuesday | 7:30 p.m.

This monthly movie series is back with a screening of 80s sci-fi/action film “Escape from New York.” DJ 2-Tone Jones will be scoring the film live. [Free, Union Market]

🥘  Mag-Pau Hana Tayo  | Tuesday | 6 - 9 p.m.

Join Common Good City Farm for Pau Hana – Hawaiian for "after work.” This cocktail hour and community dinner will have music, dancing, and bountiful food. [$30, Le Droit Park]

💗 How to Flirt | Wednesday | 7 p.m.

Lord knows we all need this after the pandemic. Talk about flirting, budding relationships, and sex. No Cosmo-style quizzes needed. [$20, Columbia Heights]

Today on City Cast

DC’s Most Coveted Undeveloped Land

Poplar Point is arguably the city's last great riverfront development opportunity, but so few people have heard of it! We interviewed WBJ's Tristan Navera about how residents feel about potentially developing the space, and who is against it.