By Mark F. Gray, Special to the AFRO, mgray@afro.com Expectant mothers face challenges when seeking quality prenatal care in the District of Columbia. Economic and transportation barriers contribute to the District’s infant mortality rate which is amongst the worst in the nation. In 2018 there were an average of 36.1 deaths for every 100,000 live births […]
Category: D.C. Government
Posted inD.C. Community, D.C. Government, District of Columbia Government, NEWS, POLITICS, Washington D.C. News
D.C. Council Members Participate in Rally for ‘Justice for Janitors’ Day
By WI Web Staff WASHINGTON INFORMER — Honoring the 29th anniversary of “Justice for Janitors Day,” D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and Councilmember Elissa Silverman readied to join hundreds of 32BJ SEIU janitors to march downtown during Wednesday afternoon rush hour to protest a non-union cleaning contractor under investigation by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission […]
Posted inD.C. Government, District of Columbia Government, Mayor Muriel Bowser, NEWS, POLITICS, Washington D.C. News
Mayor Calls On Congress, Community
By Micha Green, AFRO Washington, D.C. Editor, mgreen@afro.com This time last year 66 people had been killed in the District of Columbia, D.C. Witness reported. In 2019 there have been 71 homicides in the nation’s capital, and according to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, 48 of them have been due to guns. “When we look at the data […]
Posted inD.C. Community, D.C. Government, District of Columbia Government, Mayor Muriel Bowser, NEWS, POLITICS, Washington D.C. News
First Hearing on Statehood in 26 years
By George Kevin Jordan, Special to the AFRO For many, the idea of D.C. achieving statehood is a fever dream, fantasy or long worn battle, depending on where you stand, but for one person, it’s a life mission that may be reaching a conclusion. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), some would say the District’s main champion […]
Posted inD.C. Community, D.C. Government, Health, NEWS, POLITICS, Washington D.C. News
Protesters Rally Against UMC Budget Cuts
By George Kevin Jordan, Special to the AFRO Protesters gathered across the street from the John A. Wilson building Tuesday to protest, what organizers consider, harsh cuts on the United Medical Center in Ward 8 that would impact staff, and the community seeking those services. “The reason why we were out there is we wanted […]
Posted inD.C. Government, District of Columbia Government, Mayor Muriel Bowser, NEWS, POLITICS, Washington D.C. News
D.C. Council Approves $15.5 Billion Budget
By George Kevin Jordan, Special to the AFRO On Tuesday the D.C. Council unanimously approved a budget for $15.5 billion, during their second of two votes held at the John. A. Wilson building. It was a roller coaster ride of emotions with several key budget changes impacting many D.C. residents. Here’s what we know On […]
Posted inD.C. Government, District of Columbia Government, NEWS, POLITICS, Washington D.C. News
Norton Introduces D.C. Courts Home Rule Act
By AFRO Staff WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced today she has introduced the District of Columbia Courts Home Rule Act, which would give the Council of the District of Columbia authority over the jurisdiction and organization of the local D.C. courts. The 1973 Home Rule Act expressly prohibits D.C. from enacting […]
Posted inD.C. Government, District of Columbia Government, Health, NEWS, POLITICS, Washington D.C. News
Norton Introduces Bill to Ban E-Cigarette Smoking on Amtrak
By AFRO Staff Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced today she has introduced the Banning Smoking on Amtrak Act of 2019, which would codify Amtrak’s internal policy prohibiting smoking, including electronic cigarettes, on its trains. The bill is modeled after Norton’s bill, enacted into law in 2018 as part of the FAA Reauthorization Act, that clarifies […]
Posted inD.C. Government, District of Columbia Government, National News, NEWS, POLITICS, Washington D.C. News
Mothering Justice Hosts Women Legislators
By George Kevin Jordan, AFRO Staff Writer It was a meeting of the minds as Mothering Justice held a discussion panel with some of the countries top leaders to discuss issues that dramatically impact women, mothers and families. Several attendees gathered at the American Federation of Teachers on New Jersey Ave. NW, as well as online […]
Posted inD.C. Government, District of Columbia Government, Mayor Muriel Bowser, NEWS, POLITICS, Washington D.C. News
Mayor’s Office Pushes Back on Council Cuts to Budget During Roundtable
By George Kevin Jordan, AFRO Staff Writer The Mayor’s office pushed back against several cuts the D.C. Council proposed. Those cuts impact the city’s most vulnerable residents in many ways official said this week. City Administrator Rashad M. Young said, “We are concerned that there are some changes recommended by the committee that impact critical programs […]
Posted inD.C. Government, District of Columbia Government, Mayor Muriel Bowser, NEWS, POLITICS, Washington D.C. News
“Fund Our Schools Rally” Protests DCPS Proposed Budget
By George Kevin Jordan, AFRO Staff Writer At least 100 people chanted “Fund our schools,” sang songs, and protested the proposed budget for District of Columbia Public Schools this week. The “Fund Our Schools Rally,” held on April 24, was organized by the Washington Teachers’ Union, and claimed that the budget would slash millions of dollars […]
Posted inD.C. Community, D.C. Government, District of Columbia Government, Mayor Muriel Bowser, NEWS, POLITICS, Washington D.C. News
Stars Set to Rock Emancipation Day
By Micha Green, AFRO Washington, D.C. Editor, mgreen@afro.com On April 16, 1862, eight months prior to the Emancipation Proclamation, enslaved Blacks were freed in the District of Columbia, and 157 years later, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Office of Cable, Television, Film, Music and Entertainment (OCTFME) is keeping that history and celebratory moment alive with weeklong festivities […]
