What. A. Year. It. Has. Been. Locals have lost jobs because of the slashing of the federal workforce. D.C.'s local laws and budget have been targeted by the GOP. And Trump flooded the streets with federal troops. I can't imagine a more important time for independent media.

This COULD be the first time we don't meet a goal for @51st.news 😰 Our nonprofit has been working to reach 3K new email subscribers (free or paid) by 2026. But we're only 1/3 of the way there: we'd need 2K new people in 2 days. Can YOU help? 51st.news/signup (More on the why and the how ⬇️ 🧵)

For our end-of-year campaign, we’re setting a Big Goal that anyone reading this can help us achieve. We need your help finding 3,000 new newsletter subscribers by the end of the year — paid or free. ⬇️ 51st.news/signup

"D.C. natives are living newsworthy lives that are not being recognized by traditional news media," Dwayne Lawson-Brown writes. As a community connector for The 51st, they're making space for these stories, while de-centering trauma and working from a place of celebrating communal success.

Tomorrow is the last day of the @51st.news campaign to raise $125k to help, well, hire me as a full-time reporter! We've raised just over half our goal from almost 1,000 amazing people, and I'd love for anyone and everyone else to help us build a new local newsroom! givebutter.com/SsQ8CG

Now through this weekend, I'll donate $1 to @51st.news for each: - person who reposts this post - new follower @51st.news ws gets - new follower @maustermuhle.bsky.social gets - new follower @christurdisani.bsky.social gets - new follower I get And tag/DM me your donation = I'll match it 1:1.

Re-upping our explainer on how to defend yourself and your neighbors from ICE. Plenty of resources linked in here; share far and wide with your networks. 51st.news/how-to-defen...

Having a tough time right now? Same. But for her latest Ask A D.C. Native, @christurdisani.bsky.social shares what she's hopeful for. It might inspire you to find some hope of your own.

We just landed in your inbox! This week: 1. What's going on with D.C.'s weed market? 2. Some historically informed speculation about what a fed takeover could look like. 3. Bowser wants your tax money for the new stadium! 4. Where to find hope (!?)

DAMN MADDIE THIS SUBJECT LINE "We Can't Rely on Algorithms, Can We Rely On You?" Another killer email from @51st.news—get on their list 51st.news/signup

The billionaires who gutted the media industry got front row seats to the inauguration. We hate it. It doesn't have to be this way. The 51st is D.C.’s antidote: local, worker-led, and funded by people who care. 51st.news/two-days-in-...

“People were sobbing in the halls. It was upsetting to see." We checked in with federal workers as they face job losses, hiring freezes, and return-to-office mandates in Trump's first week in office.

Ward 7, we want to hear from you! Our Community Connector is running a survey to help us understand the news and information needs of Ward 7 residents. If you submit it by Feb. 28, you have a chance to win dinner on us!

In this week's Ask a D.C. Native column, @christurdisani.bsky.social picks the brains of other D.C. natives to answer the question, “Who do you consider a D.C. native?” Are you one? Tell us your bonafides!

The @51st.news is seeking to connect with federal workers in DC!

An investigation into millions of death records reveals the degree to which older Black men are dying of opioid overdoses. Proud to have contributed @51st.news reporting, along with reporters from seven other local newsrooms, to this @nytimes story on the crisis. www.nytimes.com/2024/12/20/u...

@51st.news is trying to reach 2,000 paid subscribers by the end of the year, so we're funded through mid-2025. We've got about 650 folks to go ... who can help us get there!? 51st.news/signup Thanks in advance!

If you think independent local journalism is important, here are some free ways you can help The 51st grow 🌱

Do you have burning questions about life and culture in D.C.? Submit them for our Ask A D.C. Native column, and maybe we’ll answer them for you! Email questions to: [email protected]

With more than 250,000 readers canceling their Washington Post subscriptions...if only 5% of them became members of The 51st, we'd be fully funded. 51st.news/signup

The 51st is back in your inbox today with an explainer on D.C. home rule. To read all of the latest stories, visit our website (and subscribe if you haven't already!)