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Bowser pitches plan to revitalize downtown as new D.C. lawmakers are sworn in

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Bowser pitches plan to revitalize downtown as new D.C. lawmakers are sworn in


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Brianne Okay. Nadeau (D-Ward 1) was sworn in Monday and first elected to the council in 2014. Beforehand the chair for the human providers committee, Nadeau has sought to assist these experiencing homelessness in addition to undocumented and low-income residents within the District. After being sworn in for her third time period Monday, Nadeau recalled main the cost on a tax enhance on rich residents that helped the town pay for brand spanking new housing vouchers.

Priorities: Nominated to grow to be the council’s new chair of the committee centered on public works and operations, Nadeau stated Monday that she appears to be like ahead to overseeing companies that deal with all facets of day by day residing and fundamental providers within the District. (Observe: All committee assignments are tentative and have to be voted on by the complete council earlier than taking impact.)

Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2) was first elected to the council in 2020, and because the lawmaker who oversees a lot of downtown, Pinto has typically centered on points and laws that have an effect on housing and the District’s small companies. She has additionally championed insurance policies aimed toward growing protections and sources for girls and women.

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Priorities: Now the probably chair of the judiciary committee, Pinto says she’ll work with D.C. police, the lawyer normal’s workplace and different companies to sort out maybe the town’s most vexing problem: gun violence.

Matthew Frumin (D-Ward 3) is new to the council this 12 months, changing Mary M. Cheh, who introduced her retirement in 2022. A longtime neighborhood organizer in Ward 3, the town’s wealthiest ward, Frumin has labored on reasonably priced housing initiatives within the space and is called an schooling advocate.

Priorities: Frumin on Monday mentioned the significance of restoring downtown to maintain up with elevated competitors from different cities, in addition to figuring out and remedying disparities and trauma confronted by District residents through the pandemic, notably in low-income areas. As a freshman legislator, Frumin was not chosen to move a committee.

Janeese Lewis George (D-Ward 4) was elected in 2020. A self-identified democratic socialist, Lewis George has pushed for reforms and modifications aimed toward providing extra residents reasonably priced housing. She pitched a plan for social housing, the place low-income folks dwell in publicly owned housing alongside increased earners who pay lease to fund the venture — an bold concept that has obtained assist from another members of the council, although it didn’t obtain a vote earlier than the tip of the session.

Priorities: Lewis George has promised to reintroduce the “Inexperienced New Deal” social housing proposal within the coming months. She was additionally nominated to chair the Services and Household Providers Committee, which incorporates oversight of the Division of Common Providers, which handles repairs and upkeep for the town’s public colleges and recreation facilities.

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Zachary Parker (D-Ward 5) is one other new face on the council this 12 months. Beforehand a trainer, Parker was elected in 2018 because the D.C. State Board of Training’s Ward 5 consultant. He would be the council’s first brazenly homosexual member since 2015.

Priorities: After he was sworn in Monday, Parker vowed to be a “accountable steward of the District’s sources” by analyzing how the town is spending taxpayer cash, searching for to make sure that {dollars} go to these most in want. He lamented how some within the metropolis have “bastardized phrases like fairness whereas upholding techniques that drawback Black of us and Brown of us.” As a freshman legislator, Parker was not chosen to move a committee.

Charles Allen (D-Ward 6) was sworn in for a 3rd time period Monday and ran unopposed final 12 months. Beforehand the chair of the judiciary and public security committee, Allen has just lately led payments to make D.C.’s vote-by-mail system everlasting, revise D.C.’s legal code and make bus journeys free within the metropolis.

Priorities: Chosen to chair the brand new transportation and setting committee, Allen stated he’ll look to make use of incoming funds the town will obtain via the federal infrastructure invoice to discover new methods to enhance transit and fight local weather change.

Vincent C. Grey (D-Ward 7), a former mayor, has in recent times centered on well being fairness in Ward 7 and different communities east of the Anacostia River which have lengthy been marginalized and underserved. He’s additionally helped oversee progress on the Cedar Hill Regional Medical Heart, one of many metropolis’s largest health-care expansions, scheduled for completion in 2025.

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Priorities: Grey says he desires to develop community-based psychological well being providers and assist onboard the town’s subsequent well being director, a place that’s presently vacant however that he expects to be crammed within the coming weeks. However Grey has clashed with Mendelson just lately, in protest of a proposed committee reassignment that may shrink Grey’s portfolio from all well being issues to a particular deal with hospitals and fairness.

Trayon White Sr. (D-Ward 8), like Grey, is a recognized advocate for communities within the metropolis’s jap sector, typically pitching and supporting concepts to handle the inequitable allocation of metropolis sources. He ran unsuccessfully for mayor final 12 months.

Priorities: He has just lately led the cost on an effort to rename a serious thoroughfare in Southeast Washington, Good Hope Street SE., in honor of Barry. He additionally just lately criticized some proposed offers to promote metropolis property to builders and stated he’ll enter 2023 with a continued deal with boosting housing whereas stopping displacement. He has been nominated to guide the committee for recreation, libraries and youth affairs.

Anita Bonds (D-At Massive) has been a council member since 2012 and was reelected final 12 months. She is most frequently related together with her efforts to guard and supply sources for the town’s seniors; she additionally just lately oversaw the council’s housing committee and has touted her efforts to develop homeownership.

Priorities: As the town’s housing authority drew elevated scrutiny in latest months, so too did Bonds. Wanting towards the long run, Bonds on Monday listed a number of priorities for the council, together with enhancing infrastructure and air high quality, and boosting academic outcomes “with intentional investments” in youths, educators and colleges. She has been nominated to guide the committee for government administration and labor

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Christina Henderson (I-At Massive) was elected to the council in 2020. In her tenure to date, she has centered on childhood schooling and helped lead an effort to develop paid household depart for D.C. authorities staff, amongst different initiatives associated to maternal well being and dealing households.

Priorities: Because the nominee to guide the well being committee, Henderson says she’ll reintroduce a number of measures that didn’t get a vote within the final council session, together with a measure that expands medical health insurance protection via non-public insurers to incorporate fertility analysis and remedy.

Kenyan R. McDuffie (I-At Massive) was first elected as Ward 5 council member in 2012 and located an unconventional path to turning into an at-large lawmaker, altering his social gathering affiliation to impartial after a failed run for lawyer normal. He has written laws that calls on the town to view violent crime as a public well being problem; one other measure required the town authorities to place a better emphasis on racial fairness in its typical operations.

Priorities: McDuffie will stay chair of the enterprise and financial growth committee. Within the function, he’ll proceed to answer the wants of enterprise homeowners within the District whereas shifting his constituency to deal with all District residents.

Robert C. White Jr. (D-At Massive) After operating towards Bowser within the Democratic mayoral main final 12 months, coming in second, White is again to complete up his remaining two years on the council. He has championed an array of payments, together with a measure that makes homelessness a protected class to forestall discrimination, and a plan to transform vacant downtown buildings into reasonably priced housing.

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Priorities: White, beforehand chair of the federal government operations and amenities committee, made housing coverage a key element of his mayoral run and may have an opportunity to construct on that portfolio because the housing committee chair.



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Washington, D.C

DC gets ready to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary – WTOP News

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DC gets ready to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary – WTOP News


D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and America250 Chair Rosie Rios joined students at a bilingual elementary school to kickoff D.C.’s chapter of the commission preparing to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and America250 Chair Rosie Rios joined students at a bilingual elementary school to kickoff D.C.’s chapter of the commission preparing to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Students at Powell Bilingual Elementary School in Petworth greeted Bowser with a rousing introduction, as she introduced them to a new vocabulary word: “Semiquincentennial.” The word describes the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Bowser told the students D.C.’s 250th celebration should be the biggest and the best, and said, “Throwing a big party for thousands of people is a big task. But in Washington, D.C., we welcome visitors for big events all the time.”

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D.C.’s festivities, though, will be part of a nationwide effort to throw a celebration of America like none other.

America250 is a nonpartisan initiative working to involve Americans from every state and U.S. territory in the Semiquincentennial, which will be in 2026.

Rios told the students about “America’s Field Trip,” explaining it’s a contest for those in “grades 3-12 who get to answer the question, ‘What does America mean to me?’ The beauty of this program is that the award recipients get to choose from a series of backstage experiences with our federal agencies, most of which have never been offered to the public before.”

Those field trip sites include a variety of historic and cultural landmarks across the country.

Rios recalled the nation’s bicentennial in 1976, when she was just 10 years old. Her parents had come to the U.S. from Mexico in 1958, and she said the evening of July 4, 1976, “was a cloudy night in Heyward, California, but those fireworks were never brighter.”

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“On that night, I felt I had the whole world in front of me. I did feel that anything was possible,” Rios said.

She said she’s eager to hear from others about their family histories and their hopes and dreams for the future.

Another feature of the America250 celebration is “Our American Story,” which includes a chance for residents to nominate someone they know to share their histories, which, if selected, will be preserved at the Library of Congress.

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Inauguration Day: Timeline of key inaugural events

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Inauguration Day: Timeline of key inaugural events


Nearly a quarter million ticketed guests are expected to attend Donald Trump’s second inauguration on Monday, January 20, 2025, in the nation’s capital. The festivities begin over the weekend and continue until the Tuesday following Inauguration Day.

On Monday, the ceremony will take place on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. Security screening gates are expected to open at 5 a.m. Ticketed guests should arrive by 11:30 a.m.

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Here are some key events on the schedule if you are planning to attend:

Timeline:

Saturday, January 18

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Trump will attend a reception and fireworks display at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia.

Vice President-elect JD Vance will participate in a reception for incoming Cabinet members and host a dinner.

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READ MORE: Inauguration Day: Security tightens in DC one week before Trump takes office

Sunday, January 19

Trump will take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

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Trump will hold a MAGA Victory rally at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., at 3 p.m., with a performance by the Village People.

Trump will host a candlelight dinner with campaign donors.

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Monday, January 20 (Inauguration Day)

Trump will attend a worship service at St. John’s Episcopal Church in downtown D.C.

Trump and incoming first lady Melania Trump will join the Bidens for tea at the White House.

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Inauguration Day Forecast: Slight chance for snow showers early Monday

What we know:

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Inaugural Ceremonies at the U.S. Capitol

The ceremonies will take place on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol.

Security screening gates open at 5 a.m., music begins at 9:30 a.m. Ticketed guests should arrive by 11:30 a.m.

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The theme, “Our Enduring Democracy: A Constitutional Promise,” recognizes the Founders’ commitment to preserving democracy.

Carrie Underwood will perform “America the Beautiful” before Trump takes the oath of office at 12 p.m. Former Presidents Obama, Bush, and Clinton are expected to attend.

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A farewell to former President Biden and Vice President Harris will occur around noon.

Trump will gather with aides and lawmakers for the President’s Signing Room Ceremony at the U.S. Capitol to sign executive orders or memorandums.

The JCCIC Congressional Luncheon will follow, attended by the new president, vice president, Senate leaders, and JCCIC members.

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Trump will review military troops at the East Front steps of the U.S. Capitol, followed by a presidential parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.

READ MORE: Inauguration Day 2025: Road closures, routes and timing

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At the White House, Trump will participate in the traditional Oval Office signing ceremony for executive orders or nominations.

Trump will attend three Inaugural balls: Commander in Chief Ball, Liberty Inaugural Ball, and the Starlight Ball. He is scheduled to speak at all three balls.

  • Commander in Chief Ball focused on military service members
  • Liberty Inaugural Ball geared toward Trump supporters
  • Starlight Ball will focus on high-dollar donors

What’s next:

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Tuesday, January 21

Trump will attend the National Prayer Service, an interfaith event at the Washington National Cathedral.

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The Source: Information in this article comes from The Trump Vance Inaugural Committee, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, and the Associated Press.

NewsInauguration DayDonald J. TrumpMelania TrumpWashington, D.C.



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Thousands to make their voices heard at People's March days before inauguration

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Thousands to make their voices heard at People's March days before inauguration


As D.C. prepares for Inauguration Day, tens of thousands of activists are preparing to make their voices heard.

Days before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in at the U.S. Capitol again, several grassroots groups will descend on the District Saturday for the People’s March, which has the same organizers behind the 2017 Women’s March.

“Talking about immigration, talking about peace, talking about abortion access, talking about racial justice and reproductive justice,” said Tamika Middleon, the managing director for Women’s March.

Like previous marches, organizers say Saturday’s event is part of a long term resistance strategy to proposed policies of the incoming Trump Administration

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“And so we are trying to create opportunities for people to be together, and that’s really our message, is for people to find ways for them to engage with each other,” Middleon said.

Several Metro stations and several streets will be closed Monday for the inauguration, but the 18th will also be a busy day on D.C. roads

People’s March organizers say there will be three meet up locations Saturday before they march to the Lincoln Memorial: Farragut Square, where groups will focus on democracy, immigration, climate and military; Franklin Park, a starting point for gender justice activists, women’s rights and LGBTQ+ groups; and McPherson Square, ground zero for many local grassroots organizations.

“We’re going to be specifically focusing on D.C. issues,” said Megan Salmon with Spaces in Action.

Salmon said they’ve been busy coordinating with local volunteers ahead of Saturday, and even though a lot has changed since Trump took office in 2017, their commitment to the cause hasn’t — and they’re ready for what’s next.

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“Organizers have been preparing for a moment like this for way longer than it was talked about, so it wasn’t just since the election, it wasn’t just since the campaign trail,” Salmon said. “I do think that the resistance is strategic, but I do think that’s not just a reflection of the moment we’re in. I think it’s a longer term fight.”

All of those groups are set to meet up at the Lincoln Memorial, and that big rally is scheduled to go from about 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.



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