Why DC locals should pay attention to nerd prom

First Up

It’s White House Correspondents’ Association weekend, D.C.’s glitziest, and cringiest, celebration. And with Donald Trump set to attend, the buzz is louder than anytime since the Obama era. Locals may want to ignore it, but that’s a mistake. For better or worse, the intersection of media and politics is where our town’s celebs hang out. Paying attention to their yearly ritual lets you take the pulse of elite Washington culture.

So far, that pulse is….not good. Beyond the usual unseemly chumminess among reporters, pols, and sponsors, this year’s crime seems to be against the very same free press that the parties officially celebrate.

Consider what’s happened just since Trump agreed to attend: He threatened treason charges for war coverage. His FBI investigated a journalist for reporting on Kash Patel’s girlfriend. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth — a dinner guest — kicked all journalists out of the Pentagon. For all the occasional calls for a protest, the guest list includes the likes of Federal Communications Commission honcho Brendan Carr, who has called for revoking the licenses of unfriendly broadcasters. Few big organizations appear eager to make a stand.

This is not just a navel-gazing press story. All over town, powerful local institutions have waffled on their own stated values. These range from big District law firms to Beltway companies that underwrite D.C.’s cultural calendar to Muriel Bowser’s own government — a phenomenon that the editor of Politico memorably called “the great grovel.” In a town where so many of us work fields built around ideals, the grovel has been especially dispiriting. (Politico will sponsor a WHCA pre-party.)

Maybe it’s time to celebrate locals who stood up for themselves: The D.C.-bred judge James Boasberg, who resisted brutal government pressure; the Georgetown Law dean who shot back against threats from the U.S. Attorney; the city cop who investigated a GOP pol even as bosses swept it under the rug.

As for the dinner, I hope they serve chicken.

What DC's Talking About

Arlington, D.C.? The Democratic push to redraw Virginia’s congressional districts won thanks to votes from the D.C. suburbs. One Hill Republican’s response: Make two of those suburbs part of D.C., as they were until 1847. Rep. Rich McCormick’s bill would return Arlington and Alexandria to the capital, thereby making the District a diamond again — and depriving those blue jurisdictions of congressional votes and self-government. Oddly, it comes as lawmakers in Annapolis weigh a long-shot bill to study retroceding the current D.C. back to Maryland, thereby solving the District’s constitutional pickle without granting statehood. Imagine the irony if…

Congrats, We’re Stable. The ratings agency Moody’s boosted D.C.’s outlook from “negative” to “stable,” reports the Washington Business Journal’s Ben Peters. Moody’s attributed the new outlook to the city’s “very strong fiscal governance and prudent budget management.” Look for that assessment to feature in the mayoral campaign, where centrist Kenyan McDuffie accuses progressive rival Janeese Lewis George of risky spending plans. Moody’s did not change last year’s downgrade of the District, a function of mass federal layoffs.

There Is Such a Thing as a Free Ride. Empower, the embattled ride-share platform, didn’t violate D.C.’s regulations when it started offering free rides after being forbidden from vehicle-for-hire operations in the District. So ruled a D.C. Superior Court judge yesterday in the legal saga’s latest twist. Our Emma Uber was there — in fact, she tried to hail an Empower to the hearing, but no driver would take her for free. The legal battle is actually an important one, testing the D.C. government’s ability to regulate taxis in the age of apps. The company and its CEO have racked up nearly $9 million in fines, and claims it’s merely a platform for drivers and riders to strike their own independent bargains.

I Can’t Drive $25. The restaurant industry is suing to stop a proposed ballot initiative that would boost D.C.’s minimum wage to $25, scoops The 51st’s Martin Austermuhle. The wage increase could be on the ballot for this fall’s general election. The litigation means even more back-and-forth about restaurant wages, which have twice been raised by ballot initiatives — and twice modified in the industry’s favor by the D.C. Council. As restaurant staff historically make their money on tips, monkeying around with minimum-wage language tends to sow massive confusion for restaurant prices.

Finally: Who would you like to see on U Street? The mural at soon-to-reopen Ben’s Chili Bowl — which currently features Barack and Michelle Obama, Muhammed Ali, Prince, Chuck Brown and Jim Vance — is coming down as a result of rehab efforts. Owners of the legendary eatery are soliciting suggestions for who might replace them. Suggestions so far include Joe “The Black Eagle” Madison, Duke Ellington, Cathy Hughes, and, improbably, David Rubenstein. Add yours by May 10.

Friday Floof

Welcome to our bi-weekly tradition where we feature a different pet twice a month from City Dogs & City Kitties Rescue that is looking for a forever home!

Donald

(Male, 2 years old)

Meet Donald, a good-natured, clever, and adaptable boy with a gift for matching your energy. Whether you want a full day of adventures at the park or a slow Sunday on the couch, he is excellent at both and thrilled to be by your side.

What To Do