🧪 DC forensic lab makes a comeback

What's CITY Talking About?

GOP Pushing Harsher Crime Reforms

House Republicans have moved forward on legislation that would restrict D.C. judges’ ability to grant lighter sentences to young adults. The boldly-titled ‘D.C. Criminal Reforms To Immediately Make Everyone Safer Act’ would also prevent city council from changing certain sentencing laws. Councilmembers strongly oppose the plan, especially after passing the Secure DC bill last week. [Washington Post 🔒, City Cast DC 🎧]

Water Infrastructure Needs Renovation

The underground water conduit system that brings drinking water from Great Falls into the city needs major repairs. A 2022 inspection showed alarming amounts of cracking and warping throughout the system. Repairs would cost upwards of $10 million and cause traffic delays along MacArthur Boulevard. [NBC4]

CVS Thief Indicted

A man has been indicted for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars-worth of goods from two separate CVS’ in northwest D.C. The arrest follows MPD’s attempt to crack down on shoplifting and retail theft. [ABC7]

• Related: Property crime has been on the rise in D.C., and social media is at the center of the conversation. [City Cast DC 🎧]

3 Questions With: The Executive Director of Alliance Française

Alliance Française is a local non-profit providing D.C. residents with expertise on French culture and language. We chatted with the group’s executive director Sarah Dilligenti about how Alliance Française offers everything from French classes to film festivals, and in the summer, themed kids’ camps!

What Are This Year’s Camp Themes?

“We have weekly themes starting at the end of June and ending in the middle of August. The most popular ones are cuisine week, or ones based on science, like robotics or recycling science week. But there is also Les P'tits Gribouilleurs (little artists), Les P'tits Botanistes (little botanists), and more. Of course, it’s all made in a way that the kids also learn some French.”

What Is a Typical Camp Day Like?

“There is a class in the morning and afternoon. We have lunch in the park, then there is a story time or quiet time at the library. We also have physical activity. Some weeks, we have an introduction to judo. We also have an entire week this year on the Paris Olympic Games. Then, at the end of the week, the kids put on a small performance for families.”

Is the Camp Only For Fluent French Speakers?

“Nope! When they arrive, we quickly try to assess their French ability and then separate them by linguistic level, not by age. So a 5-year-old child and a 11-year-old child could be in the same room if they're both bilingual or if they're both beginners.”

Intrigued? Registration opens on Alliance Française’s site in April with an early bird discount. There are only 10 spots per group, so sign up quickly!

Where Is It?

First, where was last week’s photo?

This is the music room at the Phillips Collection in Dupont Circle. Collector Duncan Phillips opened the modern art museum in his family home in 1912. The art collection quickly overwhelmed the space and the family moved to a nearby residence, dedicating their original home as a museum. The museum has now expanded even further and includes a Bread Furst cafe, gift shop, and public courtyard.

The piano room hosts weekly concerts and regular events for members and local residents. Typically, museum entrance costs $20, but every third Thursday of the month, the museum has free admission from 4 - 8 p.m.

🏅Nice work, Maia J, Geoffery S., and Eleanor W. for guessing correctly first! And here are a few favorite tidbits readers shared:

“They have a cool wax room you can stand in. 🙂” - Maria F.

“They host art nights on Thursdays and there is great food and cocktails!” - Tessa R.

“It’s America’s first modern art museum.” – Marcus P.

Now, onto this week’s challenge:

Ok, Washingtonian, can you tell me what bridge this is? Extra credit if you can identify which direction the picture is facing.

What To Do

Today on City Cast

Why DC's Crime Lab Is In Trouble

A few years ago, D.C. set up its own crime lab. After fumbling multiple cases, the lab embarrassingly lost its accreditation last year. Now, part of the operation is coming back online. Washington City Paper’s Alex Koma is here to explain what it means for crime in the District.