Washington, D.C

City of Kingman Officials Advocate Local Priorities in Washington DC

Published

4 weeks ago

April 22, 2026

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City of Kingman Officials Advocate Local Priorities in Washington DC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 22, 2026

City of Kingman Officials Travel to Washington D.C. to Advocate for Local Priorities

Kingman, AZ – Mayor Ken Watkins, Vice Mayor Cherish Sammeli, City Manager Tim Walsh, and Assistant City Manager Tina Moline recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with members of Congress and federal agency officials to advocate for key City of Kingman priorities. Discussions focused on advancing the proposed release of land at the Kingman Airport to support future industrial development, as well as securing federal funding for critical capital improvement projects such as water and sewer infrastructure improvements.

During the visit, the city delegation met with the offices of U.S. Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, and U.S. Representatives Paul Gosar, Andy Biggs, and Greg Stanton.

A central focus of the trip was the City’s request for the release of land at the Kingman Airport. While the City owns the land, it comes with federal deed restrictions that limit its use to airport-related purposes. In order to use the land for industrial or commercial development, the City must receive approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to release those restrictions. This step is essential to making the land available for future development that could support job creation and long-term economic growth in the region.

To further these discussions, the delegation met directly with FAA Deputy Associate Administrator for Airports Jess Sypniewski to review the land release request and next steps in the process. Discussions also included congressionally directed spending requests for specific Kingman projects, including upgrades to water service lines throughout the City. This process allows members of Congress to request federal funding in the budget for clearly defined local projects that address community needs.

City Manager Tim Walsh described the visit as a valuable opportunity to continue moving key priorities forward.

“These conversations are important in making sure Kingman’s needs are clearly understood at the federal level,” said Walsh. “From the airport land release to infrastructure funding, we are focused on positioning our community for responsible growth and future opportunity.”

The City of Kingman will continue working closely with federal agencies and Congressional representatives to advocate for projects and investments that support the community’s future.

About Kingman

Founded in 1882 and incorporated in 1952, Kingman is the county seat of Mohave County located in northwest Arizona along Interstate 40, U.S. 93, and the historically famous Route 66. The city’s population is 32,689, and approximately 60,000 including neighboring communities. Kingman is a general law city that operates under a council/city manager form of government with a mayor and six councilmembers elected at large. City government provides a wide range of municipal services that include administration, development services, engineering, public works, parks and recreation, water, sewer and sanitation services, and fire and police.

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Washington, D.C

Mayor shares ‘grave concern’ about federal police pursuits in DC

Published

5 hours ago

May 18, 2026

Press Room

Mayor shares ‘grave concern’ about federal police pursuits in DC

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has “grave concern” about federal police pursuits after a chase in Southeast D.C. two weeks ago ended in a crash that left a man paralyzed and another two months ago near the Tidal Basin that killed an 18-year-old.

Prior to August, when President Donald Trump declared a crime emergency in Washington and ordered federal law enforcement surge, U.S. Park Police officers only pursued suspects if a violent felony had taken place or the suspect was known to be in possession of a firearm.

A change in policy implemented at the beginning of the federal surge, as described by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, drew laughter in a White House Cabinet meeting.

“I was shocked to find out when we were talking to them and you just pull somebody over and they just drive away and you can’t pursue ‘em, and they said, ‘No, we can’t.’ They said, ‘Old rules,’” he said. “We got that rule changed in 24 hours because of President Trump’s leadership. The next night, they had so much fun. They pulled people over, they started to take off, they chased ‘em, they stopped ‘em.”

According to the general orders published on the U.S. Park Police website, Park Police may pursue vehicles when the suspect is wanted for or suspected of committing a felony offense or a threat exists to the public.

Just after 11 p.m. May 3, firefighters responding to a horrific crash found a red Audi in the woods near the intersection of 9th Street and Southern Avenue in Southeast.

According to a court affidavit, a federal task force working in Southeast stopped the driver for “speeding and changing lanes without caution.” The driver, identified as Blake Washington, suddenly accelerated around the agents and took off at speeds exceeding 100 mph, according to the affidavit.

Shortly after federal agents began to pursue the vehicle, it hit a car with a man and woman inside, the affidavit says.

A court affidavit says the man was knocked unconscious and doctors said he had a 50% chance of walking again.

“Here’s the thing with car chases: People get hurt, and it’s not always the bad guys, and nobody should be speeding for minor crimes in the city,” Bowser said.

The Metropolitan Police Department confirmed one of its officers was a passenger in the vehicle that initiated the pursuit and they are investigating for any role they had in the chase.

On March 12, U.S. Park Police officers saw a stolen car on Hains Point and began a pursuit. A tire deflation device was deployed, police said, but the car continued at a high rate of speed before crashing into a tree near the Tidal Basin.

Josue Chavez, 18, died, and two passengers were injured.

News4 has been unable to reach Chavez’s family.

U.S. Park Police denied requests to talk to News4 about the pursuit policy. The U.S. Marshals Service also declined to comment.

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Washington, D.C

Gregory Barbaccia and Amy Gleason among senior federal speakers at Washington D.C. conference

Published

18 hours ago

May 18, 2026

Press Room

Gregory Barbaccia and Amy Gleason among senior federal speakers at Washington D.C. conference

By Richard Johnstone on 18/05/2026 | Updated on 18/05/2026

The Walter E. Washington Convention Center, where Government Service Delivery 2026 will be held. Photo by APK via Wikimedia Commons under CC 4.0

Senior leaders from across the US federal government will come together in Washington, D.C. this June for Government Service Delivery 2026, a conference focused on improving how government delivers services through technology, data and digital transformation.

The event, hosted by Global Government Forum, will bring together federal CIOs, senior officials and international government leaders to share practical insights on how public services can become more efficient, secure and user-centred.

Confirmed speakers include:

Gregory Barbaccia, Federal Chief Information Officer, Office of Management and Budget (subject to final approvals)
Amy Gleason, Acting Administrator, U.S. DOGE Service (USDS) and Strategic Advisor, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (subject to final approvals)
Michael Lynch, Deputy Administrator, U.S. General Services Administration

The conference, taking place on June 11 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, will provide a rare opportunity for federal leaders to share insights directly with an audience of government practitioners.

Government Service Delivery 2026: Find out more and register here

Sessions will explore key challenges and priorities across government, including:

Implementing artificial intelligence in public services
Strengthening cybersecurity and resilience
Improving the use of data in government decision-making
Delivering greater efficiency in IT procurement
Tackling fraud and risk across public services
Building a workforce equipped for digital government

Additional speakers from across US federal government include:

Brian Epley, Chief Information Officer, U.S. Department of Commerce
Sonny Bhagowalia, Chief Information Officer, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Pavan Pidugu, Chief Information Officer, U.S. Department of Transportation
Dawn Zimmer, Chief Information Officer, U.S. Department of Energy
David Shive, Chief Information Officer, U.S. General Services Administration
Eric Sidle, Chief Information Officer, Department of Housing and Urban Development

The conference will also feature international perspectives from senior leaders including:

Dario Genua, Secretary of Innovation, Science and Technology, Argentina
Katarzyna Zajkowska, Director of Digital Transformation, Ministry of Digital Affairs, Poland
Emily Middleton, Interim Director General for Digital Transformation, Government Digital Service, UK
Gulsanna Mamediieva, Adviser to the Vice Prime Minister, Ukraine
Elsa Pilichowski, Director for Public Governance, OECD

View the full list of speakers here

About Richard Johnstone

Richard Johnstone

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Washington, D.C

Storm Team4 Forecast: Near-record heat expected to start off week

Published

1 day ago

May 17, 2026

Press Room

Storm Team4 Forecast: Near-record heat expected to start off week

4 things to know about the weather:

Hot Monday
Potentially record heat Monday and Tuesday
Dry start to the week
Showers, then milder end of week

After a hot end to the weekend, the heat continues to crank up for the start of the new workweek. Highs on Monday and Tuesday will be near record levels, possibly tying or beating them. Temperatures will elevate to the mid to upper 90s.

Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.

Wednesday will also be hot, but a cold front will come and bring showers and storm chances, then knock temperatures down for the end of the week. Highs will be in the 60s by Friday.