More than five years after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, some pardoned participants are seeking compensation from a newly created $1.776 billion federal fund established through a settlement tied to the 47th president’s lawsuit over the release of his tax returns. Critics, including former prosecutors, police officers and some former rioters, argue the fund could reward people convicted of crimes related to the attack, while legal challenges and bipartisan opposition have temporarily halted its implementation.
Category: NEWS
Posted inBUSINESS
How ownership helped a Black-owned U Street businesses survive gentrification
As Washington, D.C.’s historically Black U Street corridor continues to gentrify, longtime Black-owned businesses like Lee’s Flower and Card Shop and Ben’s Chili Bowl say ownership and adaptability have been key to their survival. While both families acknowledge the economic growth brought to the area, they also reflect on the displacement of longtime Black residents and the changing identity of the once predominantly Black community known as “Black Broadway.”
Posted inNational News
Former head of Iowa school district sentenced to 2 years for falsely claiming to be a US citizen
Former Des Moines school superintendent Ian Roberts was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to falsely claiming U.S. citizenship and illegally possessing firearms. Prosecutors said Roberts used counterfeit documents throughout much of his two-decade education career, and his attorneys said he will likely be deported to his native Guyana after serving his sentence.
Posted inPolitics
Louisiana’s Legislature has passed a new congressional map, eliminating majority-Black district
Louisiana lawmakers approved a new congressional map designed to strengthen Republican control by creating a 5-1 GOP advantage in the state’s six U.S. House districts. The plan eliminates one of Louisiana’s two majority-Black congressional districts, prompting Democrats and voting rights advocates to accuse Republicans of racial gerrymandering following a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that weakened protections under the Voting Rights Act.
Posted inNational News
Automatic draft registration raises questions among young Americans
As the federal government moves toward automatically registering men ages 18 to 25 for the Selective Service System, a long-standing requirement tied to a potential military draft, confusion and concern are growing among young Americans.
Posted inBUSINESS
Downtown D.C. shows mixed recovery as jobs, housing lag behind gains in culture
A new report from the DowntownDC Business Improvement District shows a mixed economic picture for the city center, with gains in cultural activity and public safety offset by declines in jobs, tourism and housing development. City and business leaders say downtown’s recovery remains uneven as federal policy shifts and changing visitor patterns continue to shape its trajectory.
Posted inArts & Culture
Artscape 2026 turns Baltimore into cultural dreamscape despite rain
Despite rainy weather, the 2026 edition of Artscape transformed Downtown Baltimore into a vibrant celebration of culture, creativity and community engagement. The festival featured live performances, visual art, local vendors, youth entrepreneurs, advocacy organizations and interactive experiences that highlighted Baltimore’s artistic spirit and civic consciousness.
Posted inArts & Culture
Theaters and thespians from the D.C. region honored at the 42nd Annual Helen Hayes Awards
The 42nd Annual Helen Hayes Awards celebrated the creativity, diversity and impact of the Washington, D.C.-area theater community, honoring standout productions, performers and behind-the-scenes talent from across the region. Hosted at The Anthem, the ceremony highlighted theater’s enduring role as a platform for empathy, cultural expression and social reflection.
Posted inINTERNATIONAL
Ebola outbreak in Congo escalates as treatment centers come under attack
By Justin Kabumba and Wilson McMakinThe Associated Press BUNIA, Congo (AP) — Angry residents of a town at the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo attacked and burned a tent that was part of a health center where people are being treated for the virus, the staff there said May 23. It was […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Disappearance of Baltimore man with schizophrenia and epilepsy underscores challenges in missing persons cases
It’s been more than a year since 22-year-old Tiyaun J. Leach went missing from West Baltimore, leaving his family desperate for answers. His mother, LaMonica Patton, continues to call hospitals, shelters and jails in a relentless search for her son, who struggles with schizophrenia and epilepsy.
Posted inNational News
Facing 17 years in prison and pregnant, NJ Congresswoman LaMonica McIver fights federal charges tied to ICE oversight visit
U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) is scheduled to appear before a federal appeals court on June 23, 2026, to challenge criminal charges stemming from a 2025 immigration detention center oversight visit. The high-stakes legal battle, which could cost the congresswoman over $1 million in legal fees and up to 17 years in prison, coincides with the announcement that she is 17 weeks pregnant with her second child.
Posted inBaltimore News
Civil rights complaint, petition intensify fallout from Lyric Baltimore seating dispute
A civil rights attorney and her son face racism and mistreatment at Lyric Baltimore, leading to a formal complaint and a call for the CEO’s resignation.
