🚇 Metro fare hikes

What's CITY Talking About?

D.C. Students Demand Divestment

Pro-Palestine student activists from around D.C. gathered at George Washington University to demand their universities divest from companies supporting Israel. The demonstration was organized by Students for Justice in Palestine. Activists set up over thirty tents on the school yard, mirroring the encampments popping up on college campuses throughout the country. [Washington Post 🔒, NBC4]

Metro Fare Hikes Coming

The Metro board has approved a $4.8 billion 2025 budget that avoids major service cuts thanks to funding from across the DMV. But we’re not out of the woods yet. the new budget includes fare hikes for buses, Metro, and MetroAccess starting June 30. Metro’s price range will jump from $2 - $6 to $2.25 - $6.75. Meanwhile, bus fare will increase from $2 to $2.25. [City Cast DC 🎧, X, formerly Twitter]

Mt. Pleasant Daycare Saved

The Rosemount Center bilingual daycare and preschool extended its lease in Mt. Pleasant for two more years, ending a months-long saga that would have left 240 families scrambling for childcare. The school announced it would close at the end of the school year but parents protested, crowdfunding $230,000 to keep its doors open. The new lease extension gives the school the chance to purchase the property. [Washington Post 🔒]

Michelin’s Hot D.C. Hotels

Michelin has released its first-ever hotel rankings – and seven locals made the list! The top hotels were the Rosewood and The Jefferson with two ‘keys’ each, whereas The Eaton, Riggs, and several others were granted a single ‘key.’ Time for a staycation 🤪 [Axios]

What To Do

DC Insider Trivia

First, Let’s Answer Last Week’s Question:

The Beatles played their first U.S. concert in D.C. at the Washington Coliseum. It has since been turned into which popular retailer?

1. The Adams Morgan Harris Teeter
2. The NoMa REI ⭐
3. The Apple Carnegie Library
4. Frager’s Hardware on Capitol Hill

Yes! The Beatles played their first U.S. concert on Feb. 11, 1964, in front of 8,000 young, screaming Washingtonians at the Washington Coliseum – now the NoMa REI store.

The Coliseum was an old ice hockey arena that hosted boxing matches and even President Eisenhower’s inaugural ball. The band played a 35-minute set that Beatles historians describe as "one of the most exciting live performances the Beatles ever gave.” Looking at the footage, it's easy to see why. It’s hard to hear the music thanks to the crowd.

Historians say that the reception The Beatles received at the Washington Coliseum gave them confidence that they indeed could conquer America.

🏆 Congratulations to Hey DC readers Brad P., Jen J., and Heather N. for being the first three to respond with the correct answer!

Now Onto This Week’s Question:

What other city claims to have originated mumbo sauce?

1. L.A.
2. Chicago
3. Denver
4. Philadelphia

Today on City Cast

The Future of Union Station, D.C. Media, and Foxtrot’s Demise

Washingtonian’s Andrew Beaujon joins the team to talk about the future of Union Station, the future of D.C. media, and the future — or lack thereof — of the Foxtrot food chain