Meet the candidates running to represent Ward 1 Five Democrats are vying for the open D.C. Council seat to replace Brianne Nadeau.

NEW: Five Democrats are vying for the open D.C. Council seat to replace Brianne Nadeau.

@maustermuhle.bsky.social + @samdelgado.bsky.social interviewed @rashidaforward1.bsky.social, @miguelward1.bsky.social, @aparnafordc.bsky.social, Terry Lynch, + @warriorforward1.bsky.social.

What they learned:

Such a cutie!!

I’m so glad you included this perspective @samdelgado.bsky.social!

New rules mean many DC restaurants are closing streateries The District made streateries permanent. But restaurant owners say the rules are too costly and complicated to keep them up.

D.C. established a program to make streateries permanent. So why are so many of them gone, just as the weather warms up?

I get into it for @51st.news ⬇️
51st.news/dc-streateri...

Pretty full room at Hook Hall tonight for DC Nightlife Council’s Ward 1 candidate debate!

Does your tap water smell like chlorine? There’s a reason why. You're not imagining things — but the water is perfectly safe.

Does your tap water smell like chlorine right now?

You're not imagining things — but the water is perfectly safe, @samdelgado.bsky.social reports:

Thanks so much Jonathan! Hope you’ve been well!!

Thanks Keren!!! ❤️

🥳🥳🥳

The 51st is hiring a reporter to cover D.C. local news Our worker-led, nonprofit newsroom is growing. This is a hands-on role, ideal for a creative, organized, and community-rooted journalist.

Also: 🫵🏼 Are you a journalist? Do you care deeply about local issues in DC? Do you want to work at a nonprofit, worker-led newsroom? We’re hiring for another reporter — apply!!

51st.news/reporter/

Some personnel news Thanks to you, we’re hiring two journalists — and looking for one more.

It's official: I'm joining @51st.news as a reporter in May!

I've loved getting to work with this team as a freelancer, and I'm so excited to report for The 51st full-time. ❤️‍🔥

Got story ideas/tips? Wanna get coffee? Email me: samdelgado@51st.news

51st.news/51st-hiring-...

Some personnel news Thanks to you, we’re hiring two journalists — and looking for one more.

I'm thrilled to be *officially* joining @51st.news as Managing Editor this summer (and that @samdelgado.bsky.social is joining our team!). Plus, we're hiring! Know a talented D.C. reporter passionate about community-driven local news? Is that you? Get in touch!!
51st.news/51st-hiring-...

Some personnel news Thanks to you, we’re hiring two journalists — and looking for one more.

🎉 Some personnel news 🎉

Thanks to our readers' support during our recent crowdfunding campaign, we’re hiring two journalists — and looking for one more.

In the coming months, managing editor @abigailhiggins.bsky.social and reporter @samdelgado.bsky.social will join our team full-time.

What to know about Meridian Hill Park's closure From the schedule to Trump's role in the park's restoration.

One week later than planned, work is underway in the upper level of Malcolm X Park.

A town hall w/ local NPS officials gave a bit of clarity about the restoration project, including info about the timeline & what parts of the park will be open.

More details @51st.news ⬇️
51st.news/everything-t...

The town hall was a lively conversation between Joyner and residents, w/ some new clarity on the project (as well as some remaining unknowns)

But one big piece of news? Joyner says the south end of the park where the drum circle takes place will *not* be closed. That got big cheers from the crowd.

The town hall was a lively conversation between Joyner and residents, w/ some new clarity on the project (as well as some remaining unknowns)

But one big piece of news? Joyner says the south end of the park where the drum circle takes place will *not* be closed. That got big cheers from the crowd.

60+ people have packed the Josephine Butler Center to attend a town hall with NPS Rock Creek Park Superintendent Brian Joyner and get questions answered about Malcolm X Park’s closure for spring and summer

If it makes you feel better, a month ago I was waiting for the train, and then was like “oh damnit I need to go the other direction”, so I waited for that train… and then realized actually I was right the first time. Lost about 20 minutes of my life and a bit of my pride that day 🫠

Meet the D.C. Metro's biggest fans — and merch collectors They collect memorabilia and create tributes to the iconic system.

🎂 METRO IS 50! To mark the occasion, I went in search of our region's most fervent transit nerds, who not only love Metro, but play a critical role as a decentralized network of historians, transit archeologists, and keepers of the faith: 51st.news/metro-annive...

I've given to @51st.news before, but never become a member: what better reason to change that than for their big campaign to expand local coverage?

If you care about local DC news, join me!

A D.C. court just reignited the debate over high electric bills Pepco has faced increasing scrutiny over expensive customer bills in recent months. A new ruling could have a lasting impact on how the utility calculates its rates.

Now, we wait to see what the PSC says.

Looking to catch up on the electric bills debate? Here's the story I wrote last week for @51st.news about the DC Court of Appeals reasoning for vacating the PSC's approval of the most recent Pepco rate hikes.

51st.news/a-d-c-court-...

The motion was filed by the Office of the People's Counsel (a similar one was also filed by the Apartment & Office Building Association).

Pepco has filed for an evidentiary hearing (which was ordered by the court) to be scheduled "expeditiously" & to keep the latest rates in place.

Last week, I wrote about the DC Court of Appeals' ruling that tossed out the approval of the latest Pepco rate hikes.

On Friday, a motion was filed to the DC Public Service Commission's (PSC) to restore rates to what they were before this rate hike, & issue a refund to customers.

Feeling confused by rate hikes? You’re not alone — utility bills are an incredibly wonky issue. Check out The 51st’s past coverage to get more details, and coverage from other great local journalists like @sloaneairey.bsky.social (who also covered the new ruling) bsky.app/profile/sloa...

Spent all of yesterday deciphering what a new ruling from DC’s highest court means for our electric bills — an issue that residents are saying is becoming unsustainably costly.

(Spoiler alert: it won’t affect your Pepco bill in the short-term, but it could have bigger implications for the future.)

ICE detains reporter Estefany Rodríguez in Nashville - Nashville Banner Reporter Estefany Rodríguez, detained by ICE with no arrest warrant, may face deportation. Her attorneys seek immediate review of the legality of her case.

ICE has arrested and detained a Nashville journalist who reported stories critical of ICE. She’s married to a U.S. citizen and has been seeking asylum here after fleeing death threats in Colombia because of her journalism there.

They’ve already sent her to Louisiana.

Have your Pepco bills gone up? 📈🔌
We’re reporting on D.C. residents who have seen their Pepco bills rise, including what solutions exist to help bills go down.

Email 51st reporter Sam Delgado (samdelgado@51st.news) to share your story or reply to this post!

You can help build billionaire-free local news.

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Let's fight misinformation, help good journalists to make a decent living, and stick a big ol' finger in Jeff Bezos' eye.

If you become as fascinated with hand dancing as I did after reading this story, you're in luck — at the very bottom of the piece, I put together a list of resources I watched and read while reporting this story. Sharing here as well!

This story for @51st.news was a labor of love, and I hope you'll read it. I'm so grateful for the old school and new school hand dancers who shared their knowledge and memories with me.

And so much appreciation to my editor @abigailhiggins.bsky.social for helping this piece come together!