Washington, D.C

Republicans join effort to change confederate statues representing MS in Washington

Published

2 years ago

June 2, 2024

Republicans join effort to change confederate statues representing MS in Washington

Statuary Hall could have changes coming in 2025

Several Republican Mississippi lawmakers are now seeking to replace confederate statues representing the state in Washington, D.C. just weeks after Arkansas installed a statue of a civil rights activist next to Mississippi’s Jefferson Davis.

During the 2024 session, several bills were filed to either replace or establish a commission to find replacements for Davis, a U.S. Senator and most notably president of the Confederate States of America, and James Z. George, a Confederate politician, military officer and namesake of George County. However, those bills died without ever being brought up in House or Senate Rules Committees.

The statues, meanwhile, have been displayed for about 100 years in the U.S. Congress’ Statuary Hall. The Davis statue now stands adjacent to that of Arkansas’ Daisy Bates, a Black civil rights leader involved in the integration of Little Rock’s Central High School among many other efforts. The juxtaposition of thew two is notable.

House Rules Committee Chairman Fred Shanks, R-Brandon, who previously declined to comment on a related report in February, told the Clarion Ledger Tuesday he is planning to address changing the statues in the 2025 session.

More on 2024 efforts Confederate symbols removal pushed by Mississippi Democrats in State Capitol, Washington DC

“It’s a big deal, and it’s going to be an extremely hot topic,” Shanks said. “I wanted some time to look at it when we don’t have some of the other major things that impact the state going on like we did this past session.”

Senate Rules Chairman Dean Kirby, R-Pearl, did not respond to several calls and messages seeking comment, nor did House Speaker Jason White, R-West. Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann’s staff declined to comment.

Sen. Nicole Boyd, R-Oxford, told the Clarion Ledger she has been quietly working on this legislation for a few years, and she plans to pitch an outside group connected to tourism to lobby, advocate and spearhead efforts for replacing Davis and George with more modern historical representations of Mississippi.

“It’s not about who’s coming down. It’s about who we can put there,” Boyd said. “It’s about what are the things that we want to promote in the state that we want to use as tourism to attract people.”

Senate Minority Leader Derrick Simmons said he believes it has bipartisan support.

“Even though this effort has been laid by Democrats, Democrats and Republicans want to honor someone who is more representative of a modern day Mississippi,” Simmons, who is from Greenville, said.

Several other House and Senate Democrats had harsh words for Republican leaders waiting until now just to address the statues.

“It shows that the leadership of those various committees had the opportunity to review that legislation but turned their eye and turned away from doing what’s right,” Rep. Chris Bell, D-Jackson, said.

Sen. David Blount, D-Jackson, said the state can simply do better than have Davis and George representing the state in the Capitol.

“I anticipate that we will file this bill again. It sets up a commission to study who best represents Mississippi,” he said. “There are any number of controversial subjects that go to the Rules Committee and (it’s) generally not the place for controversial topics, and I understand that, but this is important.”

What is Statuary Hall, and who is Daisy Bates?

Statuary Hall was established in the U.S. Congress’ Capitol building in 1807, but it was destroyed by British troops in 1814. The hall, along with the Capitol, was rebuilt a few years later.

Over the many years, states have submitted so many statues that the Architect of the Capitol has had to display several in other places around the capitol building. Mississippi is also one of only a few states with confederate statues still in the building. Arkansas, a previous member of that list, voted to change its statue in 2019.

Since 2000, 17 states have changed their statues, according to congressional records, and some Southern states have or are replacing Confederate people with modern historical figures, civil rights activist and even prominent Native Americans. Arkansas now has Bates; Virginia has Barbara Johns, and Florida now has Mary McLeod Bethune, one of the most important Black educators of the 20th century.

According to the National Women’s History Museum, Bates was a prominent civil rights activist in Little Rock Arkansas. Throughout the 1900s, she helped lead a popular newspaper, The Arkansas Weekly, served as the President of the NAACP Arkansas chapter and pushed the state’s schools to integrate after the U.S. Supreme Court deemed segregation unconstitutional in 1954.

She was widely known for her efforts with the Arkansas Nine, a group of nine students she regularly drove and assisted to integrate Central High School in Little Rock.

“She regularly drove the students to school and worked tirelessly to ensure they were protected from violent crowds. She also advised the group and even joined the school’s parent organization,” the Museum wrote about her.

The Arkansas NAACP chapter, nor the chapter representing her native Union County, responded to several calls or messages asking for comment on Bates or her statue’s placement in Congress.

How to replace a statue, who is being considered?

Boyd said that even if the Legislature approves replacing Davis and George, it will need approval from a congressional committee, and locations to move the two existing statues will need to be submitted and approved as well.

All the costs associated with removing the old statues and the construction and installation of the new statues would be put on the state.

Sen. John Horhn, D-Jackson, who spoke to the Clarion Ledger earlier this year, floated rock’n’roll legend Elvis Presley and Blues icon B.B. King. Another name suggested by Democrats was famous civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer.

Read about Tunica Casino project See which former Mississippi casino could house undocumented immigrant children

Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.

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Washington, D.C

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

Published

11 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

23 hours 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)

Is this winter’s final blast?

The polar vortex has been a key driver of cold outbreaks this winter.

Forecasters say this could be the last time it plays a significant role this season as warmer spring patterns take over.

What’s next in the forecast

Meteorologists will continue to refine the forecast in the coming days as models better determine how far south the cold air will travel.

Even if a cooldown arrives, temperatures are expected to trend warmer into April.

Polar Vortex (FOX Weather)

The Source: This article was written using information from FOX Weather and FOX 5 DC meteorologists.

WeatherWashington, D.C.VirginiaMaryland

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Washington, D.C

Man who coordinated series of 7 robberies of Chinatown Walgreens sentenced to over 10 years – WTOP News

Published

1 day ago

March 18, 2026

Press Room

Man who coordinated series of 7 robberies of Chinatown Walgreens sentenced to over 10 years – WTOP News

The man prosecutors say planned and coordinated a series of seven inside-job robberies of the Walgreens in D.C.’s Chinatown was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years and six months in prison.

The man prosecutors say planned and coordinated a series of seven inside-job robberies of a Walgreens in D.C.’s Chinatown was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years and six months in prison.

Gianni Robinson, 28, of D.C., conspired with two store managers — one of them his uncle — and another man who posed as a masked gunman, 26-year-old Kamanye Williams, to carry out the string of robberies between July 2023 and February 2024.

All four pleaded guilty in early 2025 to charges related to their roles in the robberies, which culminated in a special police officer shooting Williams during the final job.

“After police posted surveillance footage of his co-conspirator robbing the Walgreens, Gianni Robinson sent the YouTube link to the gunman with a laughing emoji. He thought the crimes he conspired on were funny,” U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro said in a release. “Now, after seven robberies, countless traumatized employees and one man shot in the chest, Robinson isn’t laughing anymore.”

Robinson, prosecutors said, served as the “operational hub” for the robberies, funneling information from the conspiring store managers to Williams so he could access the manager’s office where a safe was located.

According to prosecutors, Robinson also coordinated getaway arrangements and dividing the stolen money. In their plea agreements, prosecutors said the group of four admitted to stealing and splitting at least $28,983 from the string of robberies.

Robinson’s uncle, Michael Robinson, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison. Williams was sentenced to more than 16 years behind bars. The other store manager, London Teeter, is scheduled for sentencing April 23.

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