Sharon Pratt, the first female leader of the District of Columbia and first Black woman to serve as mayor of a major urban city, spoke at the Greater Washington Urban League Guild’s MLK holiday prayer brunch, discussing the need for justice and equality in America.
Category: District of Columbia Government
Washington DC — The Nation’s Capital
U.S. Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton re-introduces D.C. statehood bill for the 119th Congress
U.S. Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen have introduced a D.C. statehood bill for the 119th Congress, aiming to give D.C. residents voting representation in Congress and full local self-government.
Joy Evans Therapeutic Center opens in Ward 7
The Joy Evans Therapeutic Recreation Center, a $40.4 million project, has opened in Ward 7 to provide Washingtonians with critical services that strengthen physical, cognitive and emotional wellness, and is named after a former resident of Forest Haven, a D.C. institution for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
New Year brings wave of new laws across the United States
In 2025, new laws in various states will impact gun safety, healthcare, consumer privacy, transportation, and public safety, with gun safety taking center stage.
PRESS ROOM: Mayor Bowser declares snow emergency
Mayor Muriel Bowser has declared a Snow Emergency for Washington, D.C. and the District Snow Team is deploying to treat roads, while a Cold Weather Emergency is in effect to protect residents from severe cold weather.
Mayor Bowser premieres $26 million fund, encouraging new venture capital to D.C. based start-ups
Mayor Muriel Bowser has announced a $26 million D.C. Venture Capital Program to invest in early-stage tech companies, with a focus on underrepresented founders, and the program is supported by the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI).
Justice Department and 39 attorneys general unveil plan to break Google’s monopoly
Attorney generals from 39 states are proposing a plan to break up Google’s monopoly as an internet search engine, aiming to restore competition, protect consumer choice, and level the playing field for digital market rivals.
Unanimous decision: D.C. Council committee votes to expel Councilmember Trayon White
An ad hoc committee of the D.C. Council has recommended the expulsion of Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White for alleged bribery, while two prominent activists have expressed concerns about the example set by White and the Council’s authority to act before his due process has run its course.
Local community organizations receive $10 million to assist students with school commute
The Center for Nonprofit Advancement, Collaborative Solutions for Communities, Georgia Avenue Family Support Collaborative and National Association for the Advancement of Returning Citizens have received $10 million to support D.C. youth as they travel to and from school through the Safe Passage, Safe Blocks program.
D.C. officials ramp up efforts against repeat shoplifters during holiday shopping season
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has launched an initiative to target repeat shoplifters, with repeat offenders facing felony charges and up to 15 years in jail, in response to the rise in retail theft in the area.
First hypothermia alert of the year arrives as cold season begins
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has urged residents to stay vigilant during Hypothermia Season, which runs from November 1st to March 31st, 2025, and has provided recommendations for helping neighbors experiencing homelessness.
Shortage of funding affecting senior care resources in Ward 1
The Bernice Fonteneau Senior Wellness Center is struggling to expand its health, fitness and transportation programs due to underfunding from the Department of Aging and Community Living, despite its members advocating for more.

