Mayor Bowser won’t seek 4th term

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Bowser Won’t Seek 4th Term

After months of speculation, Mayor Bowser announced she won’t run for reelection next November. She said she made the decision for her family and that she hopes to put the District in the best possible place over the next year. "For the next 12 months, let's run through the tape and keep winning for D.C.," she wrote on X. [Washington Post 🔒 / X]

• So far, two sitting D.C. Council members — Kenyan McDuffie and Janeese Lewis George — have indicated they’re likely running, but have not declared. On today's City Cast DC podcast, we broke down Mayor Bowser’s legacy and what we know so far about next year's race with WAMU's Alex Koma. [City Cast DC 🎧]

DC Pushes To Keep Medical Debt Off Credit Reports

Local lawmakers are working on a bill to keep medical debt off residents' credit reports despite the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's objections that only the federal government has that authority. Both Virginia and Maryland have similar protective laws already in place. [Washington Post 🔒]

Gobble and Waddle Live It Up

Turkeys Gobble and Waddle were spared yesterday at the 78th National Thanksgiving Turkey Pardoning Ceremony. Before the event, they had a sleepover at the Willard Hotel Downtown — which runs a cool $430/night right now. [ABC7]

• Go deeper: The truth behind D.C.'s "Turkey Pardon" tradition. [City Cast DC 🎧]

House Investigates Alleged Antisemitism In Fairfax Schools

A House Panel is investigating alleged antisemitism in three school districts, including Fairfax County, as part of the administration's focus on combating potential anti-Israel movements in schools. Fairfax said they will comply. [WTOP]

Shop Local with 13 Stellar Small Businesses from Across the Country

The holiday shopping season is upon us, and finding gifts for everyone on your list can be overwhelming. To make things easier and more exciting, we asked our City Cast hosts and producers to share a shining example of a small business in their city with an online shop. Here’s how you can support small businesses and find a gift for just about everyone.

🍸 DC: Politically-Themed Spirits from Republic Restoratives Distillery

D.C. is the epicenter of national politics and “that’s enough to drive anyone to drink,” says City Cast DC host Bridget Todd. So, why not make it a good drink?

Republic Restoratives is a queer woman-owned distillery with a very D.C. story: Co-founder Pia Carusone used to work in politics and left to start Republic Restoratives after the attack on her boss, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Plus, a portion of the sales go directly to Vote.org.

Bridget recommends the Fascist Tears Vodka for a martini “as dirty as Christina Aguilera in the 90s.”

🥨 Philadelphia: A Food Package from Di Bruno Bros.

City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri wants you to be brotherly and share a piece of Philly this holiday season.

“This is a century-old Philadelphia institution in the heart of the Italian Market (situated in the greatest food city in America) that now ships amazingly curated foods like Philly pretzels! You can also order an Abbondanza Cheese & Charcuterie Gourmet Gift Box or a salami sampler! This jawn is really, really good.”

🚲 Pittsburgh: A Dashcam (and App) for Your Bicycle

City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris has a great recommendation for anyone who’s passionate about cycling and wants the experience to be safer. Pittsburgh-based Dashcam for Your Bike developed an app and accompanying phone mount that allows riders to use their phone to continuously record and easily submit photos and videos to 311 after an incident — there’s also one-tap recording and hazard maps directly connected to 311 in Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., and Boston.

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