Martin Austermuhle is a reporter and editor for WAMU 88.5.
Aug 23, 2023
D.C.’s Unique Advisory Neighborhood Commissions Are Almost 50 Years Old. How Are They Working Out?
Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners are elected by their neighbors to be the eyes, ears, and voices of their communities, but many say they lack formal authority and resources for the task.
Aug 15, 2023
Judges Say Lawsuit Against D.C. For Arrest Of Anti-Abortion Protesters Who Chalked Sidewalk Can Proceed
The three-judge panel said D.C. likely selectively prosecuted anti-abortion protesters who chalked a sidewalk outside Planned Parenthood, while racial justice protesters faced no consequences for similar actions.
Aug 07, 2023
D.C. Democratic Party Sues To Keep Ranked Choice Voting And Open Primaries Off The Ballot
Local Democrats say ranked choice voting and open primaries would violate local law and the U.S. Constitution, and are trying to derail a proposed ballot measure.
After years of advocacy from local history buffs, D.C. is moving towards building a new D.C. Archives building to hold hundreds of thousands of historic government documents.
Jul 21, 2023
D.C. Elections Board Gives Initial Green Light To Ballot Initiative On Ranked Choice Voting And Open Primaries
Proponents of the ballot initiative next have to collect signatures from more than 26,000 registered D.C. voters to get the measure on the ballot in 2024.
Jul 19, 2023
Demolition Starts On Long-Troubled Dave Thomas Circle, With New Intersection (And Name) To Come
The $41 million, 18-month project will create a new traffic pattern at the intersection of New York and Florida Avenues NE which D.C. officials say will be safer for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Jul 18, 2023
D.C. Democratic Party Pushes To Keep Ranked Choice Voting And Open Primaries Off The Ballot
Party officials and activists say ranked choice voting would discriminate against senior voters and would violate the constitutional rights of Democratic voters, arguments rejected by proponents.
Officials in Arlington County say that more education and outreach needs to be done before ranked choice voting is used again for local elections, as it was in the June Democratic primary.
Smith retired from the Park Police last year and was hired to serve as MPD’s first equity officer, rising to the rank of assistant chief this April. If confirmed, she’ll be MPD’s first Black female chief.
Jul 14, 2023
House Republicans Advance Bills Targeting D.C. Traffic Cameras, Abortion, Elections, Gun Laws
The House GOP mounted a full-frontal attack on D.C.’s ability to govern itself this week.