To close out the year, @maustermuhle.bsky.social has a word for 51st readers:

Who would have guessed that running the 51st costs more *just* because we report on D.C.?

In Mount Pleasant, a tight-knit D.C. neighborhood where immigrants are deeply embedded into the social fabric, the Trump administration’s targeting of migrants has shaken the community. This poignant story about the impact from @samdelgado.bsky.social was one of our team's favorites this year.

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Leigh H. Mosley's six decades of work form an intimate record of D.C.'s ever-shifting community. India Kea interviewed the photographer ahead of the release of her latest documentary, which explores the legacy of local Black lesbian elders. It's one of our team's favorite stories this year:

Life in the District was turned upside down by the Trump Administration this year. Here’s how residents responded:

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Below is the contingency list of programs that will now get funding. It includes the childcare subsidy program, the pay equity fund for childcare workers, affordable housing, and $21 million to delay benefit cuts for some people on the D.C. Healthcare Alliance program.

NEWS: D.C.'s CFO comes bearing gifts today. He's told the D.C. Council that there's $51 million in additional money from the last fiscal year (which ended Sept. 30), and that it will be used to pay for programs and items on the council's contingency list.

"I’m frustrated around the macro level, but on the micro level I really do believe this is what true organizing looks like: neighbor to neighbor, family to family, person to person.” @maustermuhle.bsky.social's story on how D.C. fought back against ICE was one of our team's favorites this year:

“There's nothing more important than local news presented by locals — especially in a city that doesn't have the same fundamental rights as other cities and states. It's time we hear what's going on from people who are on the ground experiencing it.” – Jacquelyn, Ward 6 51st.news/nine-reasons...

These stories show what the 51st is about, and what D.C. is about. See the full list of our team's favorite stories from 2025:

Catching fish launched Ernest Robinson into online stardom. He’s one of the thousands of people who fish along the District’s rivers and streams each year. @samdelgado.bsky.social got to know some of them for this story on fishing in D.C. — one of our team's favorite we published this year:

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D.C. home rule was signed into law on December 24, 1973. From @maustermuhle.bsky.social, here's what it means, how it works — and what could be done to strengthen local control:

Metro Lift provides low-income riders with 50% off rides. Here’s how to access the program:

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2025 has been a shitty, scary, and downright terrible year. But D.C. is still the same beautiful city, full of resilient, organized, smart, and compassionate people. Here are five of our favorite stories we published this year, showcasing exactly those people.

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In 2025, the Trump Administration turned life upside down in DC, but it will also go down as a year that the city fought back, organizing rallies, documenting ICE sightings, and scaling up mutual aid. A great @51st.news read by @samdelgado.bsky.social to close out the year 51st.news/how-dc-resid...

This year, D.C. residents were regularly reminded how vulnerable our local laws and political systems are — and how easily daily life can be disrupted by the federal government. But @samdelgado.bsky.social reports, it was also a year when we fought back. Here's how:

What can you do to be a better neighbor in the District? D.C. native India Kea has ideas:

So thrilled to have WWPH highlighted by The 51st 51st.news/guide-to-dc-... along with friends from The Writer's Center, The Inner Loop: A Literary Reading Series, Politics and Prose Bookstore, and so many terrific writing places in the DC area! @51st.news #writingcommunity #writing #washingtondc

for no reason whatsoever, feels like a good day to promote this stellar, independent, local media

It appears ranked-choice voting is a go! A last-ditch attempt to delay the new voting process by councilmembers Anita Bonds and Wendell Felder failed last week. Catch up on RCV and what else you might've missed in D.C. politics last week in our Wilson Building Bulletin:

Last week we held our final Community Connector event of the year, and it was truly the star on our metaphorical Christmas Tree. Read about what we heard from residents when we asked them what they'd like to see in their local news:

Our executive editor @christurdisani.bsky.social wrote for @ampress.bsky.social about our expanding Community Connectors project: Working with people who genuinely connect with D.C. natives and Ward 7 residents, "the program bridges our news outlet and the communities we’re trying to reach."

1/ We have an update to share on this past reporting: We reported in late October that Gael Gomez and his family were all but certain to leave D.C. due to the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelan migrants. But so far Gael is still here — trying to find a way to stay. 🧵

So, when is the National Guard leaving? A ruling from an appellate court last week points to: "not for a while." Catch up on the ruling and all of the other local politics news you missed last week in our Wilson Building Bulletin.

Is "get back into writing" on your resolutions list? Lucky for you, contributor Emily Blumberg has rounded up a list of places where you can find your creative community across the city.

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I love that @51st.news does a weekly civics roundup for those looking to get involved in the DC area: 51st.news/dc-civic-eng...

Did you know we have a video series featuring interviews with D.C. natives? Watch the latest — with entrepreneur Michelle "Noodles" Smith, who owns Cookie Wear on Upshur Street NW: www.instagram.com/p/DScnp-aDih_/

People in DC and elsewhere--you should sign up for the newsletter from @51st.news! It's a great a worker-led nonprofit local news source in DC, and their end of year goal is just to get 3,000 more subscribers, free or paid. Support journalism to stay informed & to help save democracy!

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NEWS: D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto, joined by her 12 colleagues, has sent a letter to Chief Pamela Smith asking for answers on MPD's cooperation with federal agents on law enforcement/immigration enforcement. She says answers would help "ensure accountability & bolster public trust."

This weekend, skate at the newly reopened rink in Anacostia, catch a nerdy burlesque show, and visit one (or two, or three...) holiday markets. Our full guide: 51st.news/dc-events-th... (🎨 : Mikka Kei Macdonald)

D.C. scored a brief win last month when a federal judge ruled that the president’s deployment of the National Guard here was unlawful. But this week an appellate court stayed the ruling — and suggested that Trump’s position would ultimately prove victorious, @maustermuhle.bsky.social reports:

For all of us DMV residents -- I highly recommend subscribing to the @51st.news. Local news is incredibly important and they're doing amazing reporting all around. It's free if you need it, but consider a paid membership if possible! Sign up here: 51st.news/membership/?...

What are you doing this weekend? Our picks include: 🌜 Extended hours at @librarycongress.bsky.social and the Phillips Collection tonight 🎮 A Nintendo-themed drag show at @blackcatdc.bsky.social 🎁 Holiday markets winding down at @dcpubliclibrary.bsky.social ⛸️ Free skating in Anacostia!

The 51st’s Ward 7 Community Connector team held its final event of the year this week. Here's what we heard from residents during the happy hour:

"D.C. has a robust and exciting creative writing scene — which I wish I’d known when I first moved to the city," contributor Emily Blumberg writes. Here's her guide to where to get started if you're interested in exploring local literary spaces:

At-Large Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie announced this week he’s stepping down from @councilofdc.bsky.social after 13 years in office. Given his open musings about running for mayor, the news isn't a surprise, @maustermuhle.bsky.social reports — but it's setting off an unprecedented chain of events.

📬 This week's newsletter: 🗳️ The McDuffie shakeup (just part of a packed Wilson Building Bulletin!) ✍️ A guide to D.C.’s writing scene 📆 Your weekend full of plans Get the next edition in your inbox: www.51st.news/signup

No plans this weekend? We ain't buying it. Here's our weekly list of ways to get involved in the community, from @graciemck.bsky.social and featuring @freedcproject.bsky.social, @rhizomedc.bsky.social, and more: 51st.news/dc-civic-eng...

Did we see you at "Ask a D.C. Native, Live!: Holiday Edition"? Thank you for coming out! @christurdisani.bsky.social reflected on what these events have meant — and thanked everyone who helped us make this one happen — here: www.instagram.com/p/DSYdnRZj_4... (📷: 51st volunteer Ian Hutchinson)

The owner of Ben's Chili Bowl on the half-smoke: "It's famous because it's indigenous to Washington, D.C. I'm not sure if he was actually the first one, but they give Dad the credit for putting what was a breakfast sausage at the time on a bun, adding the chilies, and making it a sandwich."

A bill before the D.C. Council would limit ballot initiatives: • Giving opponents more opportunities to derail them • Restricting initiatives to a single question at a time • Imposing new limits on how often the same issue can be put to voters @maustermuhle.bsky.social reports: