The crowded 2026 race for Washington, D.C.’s nonvoting House delegate seat in U.S. Congress reflects growing concerns over federal interference and the city’s future. Multiple candidates say the moment demands new leadership to protect local autonomy and representation.
Category: Washington D.C. News
Posted inPrince George's County News
Judge responds to lawsuit against HUD filed by leaders in D.C., Maryland and 20 other states
By Dr. Deborah BaileyAFRO Contributing Editor A U.S. District Court Federal Judge issued a temporary halt to changes in a U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program that would have left thousands of Marylanders homeless. On Dec. 22, U.S. District Court Judge Mary McElroy barred HUD from implementing changes to the federal government’s Continuum of […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Smith gives impassioned farewell speech, challenges ‘haters’ as interim MPD chief steps up
By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFRO D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser Bowser announced Dec. 17 the appointment of Jeffery Carroll as interim police chief in the District. According to a news release from Bowser’s office, Carroll currently serves as Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) executive assistant chief of specialized operations, a position to which he was appointed by […]
Posted inBlack Press
Family and friends gather for celebration of journalist James L. Wright Jr.’s life and legacy
Family, friends, and journalists gathered on Dec. 19 at Hemingway Memorial AME Church to honor the life and legacy of James L. Wright Jr. Wright Jr. was a staff writer for the Washington Informer, and a former writer for the AFRO News and Washington Post. He also was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Blacks vets share mixed views as Department of Defense eliminates shaving waivers
Black military veterans are expressing mixed reactions to the Department of Defense’s decision to strictly enforce facial hair grooming standards and significantly limit medical shaving waivers. While some veterans view the policy as part of the military’s long-standing emphasis on uniformity and discipline, others worry it will disproportionately affect Black service members who suffer from medical conditions like pseudofolliculitis barbae, potentially forcing some out of the armed forces.
Posted inDMV News
Go-go, D.C.’s signature sound, to celebrate 50 years
By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFRO The Go-Go Museum and Café will celebrate 50 years of go-go music at the 2026 Go-Go Awards, on Tuesday, Jan. 6. The awards will be hosted at the Lincoln Theatre in D.C.’s Shaw neighborhood, historically known as the city’s ”Black Broadway.” This year’s theme, “Returning to Our Roots and Embracing the Diaspora,” promises to […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Behind the byline: AFRO reporters talk top stories, lessons learned in 2025
An amazing group of tenacious reporters empowered the AFRO to cover everything from health and education to politics, public safety, business and more. Click the link to learn a bit about the reporters and the work done in 2025.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Year of unprecedented change leaves Washingtonians in a state of flux
By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFROkmcneir@afro.com While the inevitability of change serves as an unavoidable aspect of the human condition, 2025 was a year in which those who live or work in Washington, D.C. faced challenges, controversies and surprising conclusions that might best be described as unprecedented. As the nation’s capital, one would expect […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Annual UDC holiday celebration brings faculty, staff together
By Patricia McDougall The University District of Columbia (UDC) “Firebirds” held the president’s annual holiday celebration for faculty and staff on Friday, Dec. 19. The event was hosted by UDC President Maurice D. Edington and First Lady Tonya Barge Edington. Faculty and staff enjoyed the food and took to the dance floor to have a […]
Posted inCOMMUNITY
Ways to celebrate Kwanzaa
As Kwanzaa begins on Dec. 26, longtime observers are helping guide people interested in celebrating the holiday but unsure how to begin. Rooted in seven principles known as the Nguzo Saba, Kwanzaa offers families a time to reflect, reconnect and honor Black culture.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Seven principles, one people: How Kwanzaa connects Black Americans to their heritage
Kwanzaa, a week-long, non-religious celebration observed from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, honors African heritage through the seven principles of the Nguzo Saba, encouraging reflection, creativity and community engagement. Celebrants say the holiday remains vital today as a way for Black Americans to reconnect with culture, strengthen community values and affirm identity amid ongoing challenges to Black history.
Posted inNational Sports
The Commanders showed more fight during a late brawl with the Eagles than during many games
A late-game scuffle against the Eagles showed more fire than the Washington Commanders have displayed for much of their 4–11 season, but it did nothing to change a 29–18 loss that clinched Philadelphia’s second straight NFC East title. Despite a competitive first half and brief sparks of intensity, Washington’s familiar issues—defensive breakdowns, injuries and inconsistency—resurfaced as the Eagles pulled away in the second half.