Washington, D.C

I was in D.C. for Jimmy Carter’s inauguration. Let’s take a walk down memory lane | Opinion

Published

1 year ago

January 24, 2025

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I was in D.C. for Jimmy Carter’s inauguration. Let’s take a walk down memory lane | Opinion

The sight of many famous government buildings was a bit daunting for this Eastern Oklahoma girl. Yet, I always believed I were among the lucky few to experience working in the nation’s capital.

Andrea Chancellor
| Guest columnist

These past few weeks I’ve traveled down memory lane, along with many others focused on the pomp and circumstance of inaugurating a new president.

With the peaceful transition of power from one president to another, I found myself locked in memories of deja vu.

This is how it was and the way we were back in our Washington, D.C., days.

I arrived in D.C. just days before the inauguration of Jimmy Carter. It was 1977. Grassroots politics had always been a part of my life. The hanging of political door knockers in the neighborhood, that is. Never did I ever dream of living in D.C.

At first glance, the sight of many famous government buildings was a bit daunting for this eastern Oklahoma girl. Yet, I always believed I was among the lucky few to start a new job and to experience living and working in the nation’s capital.

On Inauguration Day, it was invigorating to know only a short distance away history was being made. The best thing to do was to drive around D.C. and see if I could crash any political events.

Remember, this was a time long ago without body scanners at every door; officials to check IDs and hours of long lines to get into invitation-only events. The action, really, at that time was pretty easy to find.

I wasn’t even dressed up. Heck, it was the ’70s. I don’t think I even owned a dress. I just bummed around in jeans and sweatshirts.

The events of those days are no longer fully clear in my head. But I do recall one gutsy move.

I crashed a sit-down inaugural dinner that I believe was hosted by the Airline Pilot’s Association. Just walked in and headed to a table. Wish I had kept a monogrammed napkin as a memento.

My new DCF friends took me to the local haunt across the Potomac in Virginia ― a revolving bar. As we sat and sipped adult beverages, the floor and our table slowly moved, or revolved, circling the place around the windows. Consequently, this bird’s-eye tour made it possible to see so much of the D.C. area and inspired a “must visit” tourist list.

Look over there! It’s the Pentagon. Probably was the world’s largest office building at the time. In the day-to-day work week, a daily walk through the Pentagon public area was needed to catch a bus into D.C.

I was honored to work in downtown D.C. and in the Virginia suburbs for a little more than 10 years. Eventually some dressier clothing ― dresses and a few skirts ― were hung in the closet. We were headed into the 1980s.

Each day presented new and epic opportunities (we thought at the time) to enjoy the nation’s Capitol. Nearly every night there was a party to attend as invitations from lobbyists and their staffers were distributed around Capitol Hill offices.

Since space for this column is limited, I’ll hit some of the highlights from over the years:

At my first job, I was issued credentials as a member of the Press Corp assigned to the Capitol. The work included covering congressional hearings, an occasional White House news conference and many unbelievably important D.C. events.
One year, a surprise birthday cake was purchased for me from the Watergate bakery, and that made quite an impression on this girl.
At a local meeting, I met a woman who took me to the White House to see the inside Christmas decorations and the beautifully lighted tree. First lady Rosalynn Carter dashed by at one point and left through a hidden door.

Most spring and summer holidays, everyone rallied on the mall and the Capitol lawn. The celebrants were treated to fantastic music performances followed by fireworks. One night sticks in my mind, the evening thousands of celebrants were entertained by the Beach Boys.
At a Kennedy Center performance, I once was seated by chance next to U.S. Senator Dale Bumpers from Arkansas. He fell asleep as the legendary Burt Bacharach performed his greatest hits on a stage piano.
Business often took me to New York, a fast airline commute. One time while waiting to depart, businessmen in Middle Eastern dress boarded. I felt real fear wondering if there was going to be trouble. Months earlier, the Hanafi Muslims had overtaken the Capitol. My heart sank as these travelers took their seats, but all was well.
A U.S. senator’s wife took me at the end of spring one year to the Capitol grounds where we retrieved flower bulbs that grounds keepers were tossing as trash.
One work assignment was to cover the annual White House Correspondent’s Dinner. But, what to wear? I borrowed a fancy dress, which made it easier for me to afford a pair of costly heels to complete “the look.”
Once I spotted an astonishing lack of decorum by one elected official, and I will never forget it.
A congresswoman walked onto the U.S. House floor for a vote wearing rollers in her hair! Even a small-town girl like me knew that was not cool. What was she thinking?

Andrea Chancellor has more than 20 years of experience in newspaper and magazine journalism and 20 years in corporate public relations.

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Washington, D.C

Navy Yard added back to DC’s juvenile curfew zones this weekend

Published

5 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Press Room

Navy Yard added back to DC’s juvenile curfew zones this weekend

WASHINGTON – Navy Yard is back on the list of D.C.’s juvenile curfew zones for the weekend, a week after a large gathering of teens turned violent in a nearby park.

D.C. Police announced three curfew zones beginning Friday night: Navy Yard, Chinatown and the U Street Corridor. Under the emergency juvenile curfew law, anyone under 18 is prohibited from gathering in groups of nine or more within the designated zones from 8 to 11 p.m. through Sunday unless accompanied by an adult.

Navy Yard added back to DC’s juvenile curfew zones this weekend

Navy Yard was not included as a curfew zone last weekend, when police say roughly 200 teens gathered in the area. Videos posted to social media showed several teens assaulting another. Police, with assistance from the National Guard and Secret Service, arrested two teens. One was accused of firing a gun into the air, the other accused of trying to discard a gun in a rideshare vehicle. At least two victims were forcibly robbed.

City leaders enacted the temporary curfew law in response to a rise in teen takeovers across the District. But the measure is set to expire April 15, and Councilmember Brooke Pinto, who chairs the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, said this week there are not enough votes to extend it again.

READ MORE: DC curfew zones: 18 juveniles stopped first night

Emergency Curfew Legislation | DC Police

The Juvenile Curfew Second Temporary Amendment Act of 2025 is in effect through April 15, 2026

What does the law say?

The Juvenile Curfew Second Temporary Amendment Act of 2025 states that all persons under the age of 18 cannot remain in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the District of Columbia during curfew hours, unless they are involved in certain exempted activities.

The law gives the Chief of Police the authority to establish Extended Juvenile Curfew Zones and allows the Mayor of the District of Columbia to authorize an Emergency Juvenile Curfew.

What are the curfew hours?

Citywide curfew hours are 11:00 pm to 6:00 am, seven days a week.

Juvenile Curfew Zones

In Juvenile Curfew Zones, any person under the age of 18 gathering in a group of nine (9) or more youths in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the perimeter of an extended juvenile curfew zone must leave the area unless engaged in certain exempted activities. The Chief of Police will designate the curfew hours within these zones and communicate them to the public, but they will not begin before 8:00 pm or end after 6 am.

A list of declared Juvenile Curfew Zones is available in a link at the bottom of this page. That list includes zones declared in July and August 2025 under the first Juvenile Curfew Amendment Act of 2025, and in November 2025 under Mayor’s Order 2025-115.

Juvenile Curfew Zone Petition

Pursuant to the emergency law, an Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC), business improvement district (BID), or Main Street organization may petition the Chief of Police to establish a Juvenile Curfew Zone with extended juvenile curfew hours in an area covered by, or adjacent to the area covered by, the organization.
The petition must be approved by a formal vote of the members of the ANC, or the members of the BID or Main Street board of directors.

For more information on submitting a petition, please visit this form.

Does the curfew law apply to non-District residents?

Yes. The curfew law applies to all persons under the age of 18 who are in the District of Columbia during curfew hours. This includes both District residents as well as young people who reside elsewhere.

What are the penalties for violating the law?

A parent or legal guardian of a juvenile under the age of 18 commits an offense if he or she knowingly permits, or by insufficient control allows, a minor to violate the curfew law. Any adult who violates the Juvenile Curfew Act is subject to a fine not to exceed $500 or community service. A minor who violates curfew may be ordered to perform up to 25 hours of community service.

Persons under the age of 18 are exempt from curfew if they:

Accompany a parent or guardian
Complete an errand at the direction of a parent or guardian, without detour or stop
Ride in a motor vehicle involved in interstate travel
Work or return home from a job, without detour or stop
Become involved in an emergency
Stand on a sidewalk that joins their residence or the residence of a next-door neighbor, if the neighbor did not complain to police
Attend an official school, religious, or other recreational activity sponsored by the District of Columbia, a civic organization, or other similar group that takes responsibility for the juvenile (this includes traveling to and from the activity)
Exercise their First Amendment rights protected by the US Constitution, including the free exercise of speech, religion, and right of assembly

Is a Curfew Law Constitutional?

Passed in 1995, The Juvenile Curfew Act of 1995 (DC Code 2-1541 et. seq.) was set up to protect the health and safety of young people and our communities. After the law was challenged in court, MPD stopped enforcement until the court decided whether the law was constitutional. In June 1999, the US Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia found the law to be constitutional. The District began enforcing the law again in the fall of 1999. MORE ONLINE

The Source: Information in this article comes from the Metropolitan Police Department and previous FOX 5 reporting.

NewsWashington, D.C.Crime in the DMV

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Washington, D.C

Road closures, parking restrictions for DC’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon – WTOP News

Published

17 hours ago

March 19, 2026

Press Room

Road closures, parking restrictions for DC’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon – WTOP News

Saturday’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon and 5k will have thousands of runners rocking through D.C. But drivers will want the party to end as fast as possible.

This year’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon and 5K run will have thousands of runners rocking through D.C. on Saturday. But drivers will want the party to end as fast as possible, as the race will bring a slew of road closures and parking restrictions to the District.

The 5K begins at 7:30 a.m. and the half marathon starts at 8 a.m. The finisher concert wraps up at 1:30 p.m. The routes for both races are below:

Click to expand

The following streets will be closed from 3 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Constitution Avenue from 9th Street to 15th Street NW

The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic Saturday from 6 a.m. to noon.

Constitution Avenue from 15th Street 23rd Street NW
10th Street from Constitution Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
12th Street from Constitution Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
14th Street from Constitution Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Virginia Avenue from 18th Street to 19th Street NW
18th Street from Constitution Avenue to E Street NW
1800 block of C Street NW
E Street from 18th Street to 19th Street NW
19th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue NW
27th Street from Virginia Avenue to Whitehurst Freeway NW
I Street from 27th Street to Virginia Avenue NW
Calvert Street from 24th Street to Columbia Road NW
Adams Mill Road from 18th Street to Calvert Street NW
Columbia Road from 18th Street to 16th Street NW
Harvard Street from 16th Street to 5th Street NW
5th Street from Harvard Street to Bryant Street NW
Bryant Street from 4th Street to North Capitol Street NW
North Capitol Street from Bryant Street to K Street NW
K Street from North Capitol Street to 5th Street NW
4th Street from K Street to E Street NW
E Street from 4th Street to 6th Street NW
6th Street from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Parking will be restricted on the following streets from noon Friday to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Constitution Avenue from 6th Street to 7th Street NW
Pennsylvania Avenue from 3rd Street to 4th Street NW
6th Street from C Street to Constitution Avenue NW
Madison Drive from 3rd Street to 4th Street

Parking will be restricted on the following streets from 4 p.m. Friday to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Pennsylvania Avenue from 4th Street to 7th Street NW
Constitution Avenue from 3rd Street to 6th Street NW
3rd Street from Constitution Avenue to Independence Avenue SW
4th Street from Madison Drive to Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Parking will be restricted on the following streets Saturday from midnight to 2 p.m.

Constitution Avenue from 7th Street to 23rd Street NW
10th Street from Constitution Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
12th Street from Constitution Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
14th Street from Constitution Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Virginia Avenue from 18th Street to 19th Street NW
18th Street from Constitution Avenue to E Street NW
1800 block of C Street NW
1800 block of Virginia Avenue NW
E Street from 18th Street to 19th Street NW
19th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue NW
27th Street from Virginia Avenue to Whitehurst Freeway NW
I Street from 27th Street to Virginia Avenue NW
Calvert Street from 24th Street to Columbia Road NW
Adams Mill Road from 18th Street to Calvert Street NW
Columbia Road from 18th Street to 16th Street NW
Harvard Street from 16th Street to 5th Street NW
5th Street from Harvard Street to Bryant Street NW
Bryant Street from 4th Street to North Capitol Street NW
North Capitol Street from Bryant Street to K Street NW
K Street from North Capitol Street to 5th Street NW
4th Street from K Street to E Street NW
E Street from 4th Street to 6th Street NW
6th Street from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue NW

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Washington, D.C

Could DC see one last blast of winter? Polar vortex could potentially bring late March chill

Published

1 day ago

March 19, 2026

Press Room

Could DC see one last blast of winter? Polar vortex could potentially bring late March chill

After chilly week, warmup ahead for DC region

It’s the last day of winter tomorrow and it sure felt like it on Wednesday, though a timely warmup is expected as we prepare to start spring! FOX 5’s Mike Thomas has the outlook for the rest of the week.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Don’t pack the winter coat away just yet. Forecasters say a potential polar vortex split could send colder air into the Washington, D.C. region before the end of March, bringing one last reminder of winter as spring begins to take hold.

What we know about the potential cold blast

Long-range forecast models suggest the polar vortex — a mass of cold air typically locked near the North Pole — could split by the end of March.

If that happens, colder air may shift into parts of the northern U.S., including the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

Forecasters with FOX Weather say this setup could bring below-average temperatures to areas like Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia late in the month.

Polar Vortex (FOX Weather)

What local meteorologists are saying

While long-range models point to a possible late-month cooldown, FOX 5 DC meteorologists say a warmup is expected in the near term.

“It’s the last day of winter tomorrow and it sure felt like it on Wednesday, though a timely warmup is expected as we prepare to start spring!” FOX 5’s Mike Thomas said while outlining the forecast for the rest of the week.

That outlook underscores the uncertainty in longer-range projections, with warmer spring conditions expected before any potential shift later in the month.

What we don’t know yet

It remains uncertain exactly where the coldest air will settle.

That uncertainty will determine whether the D.C. region sees a noticeable cooldown or only a slight dip in temperatures.

How this could impact the D.C. region

The D.C. area may see a return to cooler conditions just as spring begins, though impacts could be less intense if the coldest air stays farther north.

While widespread snow is not currently expected, temperatures could still dip enough to bring a brief reminder of winter.

Polar Vortex (FOX Weather)