District of Columbia

LEDs Bring Energy Savings—and Light Pollution

As Washington, D.C., replaces existing streetlights with LEDs to save money and cut energy usage, it is running up against a problem—the streets are now too bright, and it’s impacting people and wildlife.

  • By Kirsten Errick

A Proposal to Block Companies From Using Biased Algorithms

Washington, D.C.'s Attorney General Karl Racine is billing the legislation as groundbreaking and says he wants to prevent artificial intelligence from contributing to discrimination in areas like housing, lending and education.

  • By Bill Lucia

Feds Shoot Down Pennsylvania Plan to Funnel Virus Relief Money to School Districts

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | D.C. transit agency looking at buyouts to avoid 1,400 layoffs … Missouri state Senate postpones session because of Covid outbreak among members … Texas AG controversy continues with whistleblower lawsuit.

  • By Bill Lucia and Emma Coleman

State AGs Call on DHS to Withdraw Student Visa Rule Change Proposal

The coalition of 22 state attorneys general objects to a proposed rule change that would place time limits on visas for foreign students and members of the media.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Asymptomatic Spread a Major Source of Infection, D.C. Health Finds

An analysis from the district's health department found that 51% of people who tested positive for the virus between July 31 and Aug. 13 likely got it from an infected person who showed no symptoms.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

D.C.’s ‘Black Lives Matter’ Street Painting Gets a ‘Defund the Police’ Addition

STATE AND LOCAL NEWS ROUNDUP | State AGs sue over Trump administration’s rules on sexual assault hearings at colleges … Ohio water parks sue to open … New Mexico creates a new “racial justice” council.

  • By Laura Maggi and Emma Coleman

D.C.'s Transit System Won't Fully Restart Service Until Next Spring

A phased recovery plan for the Metro system in the Washington, D.C. area doesn't envision a quick return to normal levels of service. Across the country, transit agencies are figuring out how to balance safety and service.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

D.C. Will Get First Statehood Vote in Over Two Decades

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Catholic priest condemns Rhode Island lawmakers over abortion vote … New York prepares for coronavirus … Arizona considers mental health legislation.

  • By Emma Coleman

House Appropriators Tackle Marijuana Banking Issues

But industry advocates say more comprehensive legislation is needed, beyond proposed spending restrictions.

  • By Bill Lucia

City Launches Annual 'Potholepalooza' to Repair Streets

Since 2009, the District of Columbia prioritizes and expedites pothole repairs for six weeks each year.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Local Law Against Obstructing Sidewalks Survives Another Round in Federal Court

The District of Columbia statute has been criticized for how it has been enforced against black residents in the city.

  • By Bill Lucia

D.C. Airport First In Nation to Catch Suspected Imposter Using Facial Biometrics

After three days of operation, Washington Dulles International Airport’s biometric cameras identified a man allegedly attempting to use someone else’s passport to enter the U.S.

  • By Aaron Boyd
Featured eBooks
Road and Transit Infrastructure Trends
Federal Recovery Funds at the State and Local Level
Infrastructure at a Turning Point

Universal Basic Income Could Help Poor D.C. Residents—But It’s Risky

The program could cost up to $9 billion a year and has the potential to put federal funding for other safety-net programs at risk, according to a policy analysis.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Cities Join the Branding Bonanza

The nation’s cities are among the many brands trying to promote themselves to innovators at SXSW.

  • By Mitch Herckis

SWAMP Act Would Use Bidding Process to Push Federal Agency HQs Outside D.C.

“There’s no reason why the Department of Agriculture has to be in the District of Columbia when it could be located in Indiana or another heartland state,” according to Indiana Congressman Luke Messer.

  • By Eric Katz

How D.C.’s Workforce System Ditched Its ‘High Risk’ Federal Designation

“Our turnaround has been focused on people,” said the director of the District of Columbia’s Department of Employment Services.

  • By Dave Nyczepir

In an East-of-River Revitalization, D.C. Takes Lessons From Across the Country

In developing a key parcel in a historically underserved community, Mayor Muriel Bowser is working with experts from the Rose Center to ensure development supports current residents.

  • By Mitch Herckis

Route Fifty at SXSW: Our Interview With D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser

“People live there, people start businesses in Washington, D.C., and we want people to come check out what we have to offer,” Bowser told Route Fifty in an interview at SXSW.

  • By Mitch Herckis

DARPA Tests Dirty-Bomb Hunting Ambulances

The detectors in Washington, D.C., gathered about 100,000 hours of data and traveled a total of about 150,000 miles.

  • By Mohana Ravindranath

This Tool Helped D.C. Police Better Allocate Resources Throughout Inauguration Weekend

Geospatial data aggregation informs day-to-day police work and security for large events.

  • By Dave Nyczepir

How D.C.'s Police Department Is Trying to Improve Data Analysis and Sharing

The Metropolitan Police Department is using a cloud-based records management and moving toward a computer-aided dispatch systems.

  • By Dave Nyczepir