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Woke DC mayor takes her 14-strong entourage 2,500 miles on taxpayer-funded ‘mission’ to LAS VEGAS just weeks after blowing thousands of the public’s cash on lavish golf trip… so do YOU think these business trips are justified?

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Woke DC mayor takes her 14-strong entourage 2,500 miles on taxpayer-funded ‘mission’ to LAS VEGAS just weeks after blowing thousands of the public’s cash on lavish golf trip… so do YOU think these business trips are justified?


Washington DC’s woke Mayor Muriel Bowser will travel on a taxpayer-funded jaunt to Las Vegas with her team just hours from now.

It comes just weeks after the Democrat faced backlash for attending the lavish Masters golf tournament that cost $5,000 per person, Bowser personally revealed. 

The mayor will travel with a team of 14 on an ‘economic mission’ to the International Council of Shopping Centers at the Wynn Las Vegas on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, according to her public calendar.  

‘Mayor Bowser will attend the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) to attract retail to the District of Columbia,’ the description states.

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‘This economic mission is coordinated by the Washington, DC Economic Partnership, which has organized the District’s presence at ICSC since 2001,’ her office added in the event’s explanation. 

Mayor Muriel Bowser will travel on a taxpayer-funded jaunt to Las Vegas with her team next week

The Democrat will attend the trip to the Wynn Las Vegas with a team of fourteen

The Democrat will attend the trip to the Wynn Las Vegas with a team of fourteen

In a separate press release, the mayor’s office said ‘we know that Washingtonians in every part of DC want access to fantastic amenities. 

‘From the Lidl in Ward 7 to the Wegmans in Ward 3, those are conversations that started at ICSC.

The mayor’s team added, ‘Through programs like the Food Access Fund and the Neighborhood Prosperity Fund, we have made good progress in filling amenity gaps, but there is still more to do to ensure greater accessibility and equity – and filling those gaps and supporting the continued transformation of Downtown will be a focus of this trip.’

The traveling delegation’s aims for the trip are ‘expanding the Washington, D.C. brand’, ‘generating business leads for major development projects’, ‘fostering business relationships’ and ‘engaging with new prospects including retailers and brokers.’ 

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Mayor Bowser faced intense scrutiny for using taxpayer money to fund a trip to one of the most exclusive sports events in the world, the US Masters in Augusta, Georgia, last week. 

The mayor’s official schedule said that on Saturday April 13, she would be traveling to the Peach state ‘as part of a sports and economic development visit.’

The communications director for Bowser’s office, Susan Castillo, told DC NewsNow this week that the mayor was invited by two people who are ‘spearheading’ a plan to rejuvenate two areas of the city.

Bowser was invited by the Task Force to Shape Future of Gallery Place/Chinatown Neighborhood chairs Jodie McLean and Deborah Ratner Salzberg, Castillo told the website. 

Bowser (pictured center) recently attended a lavish $5000 per person golf tournament

Bowser (pictured center) recently attended a lavish $5000 per person golf tournament

Bowser was there to see Scottie Scheffler win the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club

Bowser was there to see Scottie Scheffler win the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club

Castillo went on to say that Bowser was willing to travel to any city or any country in the world in order to further her administration’s interests. 

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WUSA reports that along for the ride with Bowser was senior advisor Beverly Perry and two other aides. 

The station reports that the purpose of the trip was also to capitalize on sports opportunities for the city that already plays host to five professional sports teams. 

Earlier this month, Bowser was roundly criticized after boasting that crime is down in D.C., compared to last year even though a recent string of violence has sent residents fleeing for Virginia and Maryland suburbs.

Despite an overall 13 percent dip this year January 1 through April 2 compared to the same time period last year, the District of Columbia is still experiencing a rise in crime compared to the norm in years prior to 2023.

It comes after 2023 was recorded as the deadliest year in more than two decades. D.C. also had the largest spike in violent crime out of any other major U.S. city.

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Mayor Muriel Bowser faced backlash earlier this month for praising a decrease in crime from the second quarter in 2023 to 2024, but residents claim they do feel any safer and many are fleeing to Virginia and Maryland suburbs to escape the violence and threats

Mayor Muriel Bowser faced backlash earlier this month for praising a decrease in crime from the second quarter in 2023 to 2024, but residents claim they do feel any safer and many are fleeing to Virginia and Maryland suburbs to escape the violence and threats

Overall violent crime is down but the MPD notes that the statistics for 2024 are 'preliminary' and subject to change throughout the year as more information becomes available

Overall violent crime is down but the MPD notes that the statistics for 2024 are ‘preliminary’ and subject to change throughout the year as more information becomes available

While some stats are down from 2023, there is still a general upwards trend from years prior. One of the largest crime statistics in D.C. are a result of carjackings, which reached an all-time-high in 2023 but is down 31% so far this year

While some stats are down from 2023, there is still a general upwards trend from years prior. One of the largest crime statistics in D.C. are a result of carjackings, which reached an all-time-high in 2023 but is down 31% so far this year

From January 1 through April 2 last year to this year there was a 13% decrease in overall crime ¿ after a record-high crime year in 2023 in Washington, D.C.

From January 1 through April 2 last year to this year there was a 13% decrease in overall crime – after a record-high crime year in 2023 in Washington, D.C. 

Tiffany Henyard, 40, of Dolton, Illinois, has repeatedly been dubbed America's Worst Mayor

Tiffany Henyard, 40, of Dolton, Illinois, has repeatedly been dubbed America’s Worst Mayor

While data does reveal a decrease between the specific time period last year to this year, residents are sharing an overall sentiment that crime is on the rise and they are feeling increasingly less safe in D.C. neighborhoods.

As evident, a person was robbed at gunpoint just blocks from the Hart Senate Office Building in April by two individuals, at least one of which was armed with a gun.

Whilst frustrations may run high with DC’s mayor, it is Dalton, Illinois who claim to have ‘America’s worst mayor.’

Mayor Tiffany Henyard is under federal investigation, and was recently served federal subpoenas seeking records about trips taken by city officials and potential financial mismanagement.

A trip to Las Vegas in 2023 was allegedly one of several taxpayer funded jaunts Henyard took that totaled over $102,000. 

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Since her election in 2021, Henyard has faced allegations of corruption, fraud and financial mismanagement, including a lawsuit filed a month ago claiming she worked to cover-up a sexual assault on the trip to Las Vegas. 

The 40-year-old municipal leader has developed a reputation for her confrontational antics, failure to do her job, alleged corruption and apparent disdain for her constituents, whom she has berated publicly and once with the assistance of a DJ.



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Washington, D.C

Crime concerns lead to Taffer's Tavern closure

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Crime concerns lead to Taffer's Tavern closure


“After more than two years of serving the Washington, D.C. community, the safety of our guests and employees remains our top priority,” Taffer’s Tavern said in a statement. The popular D.C. bar is closing.

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Washington, D.C

Road closures in Southwest DC for Washington Spirit fan appreciation rally – WTOP News

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Road closures in Southwest DC for Washington Spirit fan appreciation rally – WTOP News


The Washington Spirit is holding a fan appreciation rally Monday evening to celebrate the team’s NWSL Championship appearance, and there will be road closures.

The Washington Spirit is holding a fan appreciation rally Monday evening to celebrate the team’s National Women’s Soccer League Championship appearance.

It’s happening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. outside Audi Field. Tickets are free but required to attend and can be reserved online.

The night will feature appearances from some of the team’s star players, guest speeches and music. But the event also promises to bring something drivers won’t be so eager to celebrate — road closures.

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Here’s what you need to know.



The following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking until 11 p.m., according to D.C. police:

  • Potomac Avenue from South Capitol Street to First Street, SW
  • R Street from First Street to 2nd Street, SW
  • R Street from South Capitol Street to Half Street, SW
  • S Street from First Street, SW to Half Street, SW
  • T Street from First Street to 2nd Street, SW
  • Half Street from Potomac Avenue to V Street, SW
  • V Street from 2nd Street to Half Street, SW
  • First Street from T Street to V Street, SW
  • 2nd Street from R Street to Street, SW

The following street, D.C. police said, will be closed to vehicular traffic from approximately 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.:

  • S Street from First Street to Half Street, SW

The following streets may also be closed to vehicular traffic during the event, according to D.C. police:

  • Potomac Avenue from South Capitol Street to First Street, SW
  • R Street from First Street to 2nd Street, SW
  • R Street from South Capitol Street to Half Street, SW
  • T Street from First Street to 2nd Street, SW
  • Half Street from Potomac Avenue to V Street, SW
  • V Street from 2nd Street to Half Street, SW
  • First Street from T Street to V Street, SW
  • 2nd Street from R Street to Street, SW

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© 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.



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Washington, D.C

Jack Schlossberg look-alike contest held in Northwest DC – WTOP News

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Jack Schlossberg look-alike contest held in Northwest DC – WTOP News


Following a trend of celebrity look-alike contests across the U.S. — and in the most D.C. fashion — one honoring a political legacy baby happened in Northwest on Sunday.

Hundreds of college-aged D.C.-area residents came out for a Jack Schlossberg look-alike contest being held at Meridian Hill Park in Columbia Heights.(WTOP/Ciara Wells)

Following a trend of celebrity look-alike contests around the nation — and in the most D.C. fashion — one honoring a political legacy baby happened at a Northwest park on Sunday.

Hundreds of college-aged D.C.-area residents came out for a Jack Schlossberg look-alike contest being held at Meridian Hill Park in Columbia Heights.

The appeal is obvious: people crave community.

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A scion of the famous Kennedy family, Schlossberg has been called the “people’s princess” for his pretty-boy good looks, an appeal to young Americans and the playful new energy he brings to politics.

His occasional public appearances, often in support of political causes, have led to comparisons to his grandfather, former President John F. Kennedy — both in terms of appearance and charisma.

In front of the James Buchanan Memorial statue, some 10 contestants stood in front of the massive crowd. Done up in plain button-up shirts and black ties — or one contestant who decided to strip in the 50-degree weather — the diverse group of contestants did their best to emulate the Kennedy grandson.

One by one, the crowd yelled in approval of which contestant they thought looked most like Schlossberg.

“I think he’s the perfect look-alike subject for D.C. He’s from a political family and he’s a political leader himself. … D.C. loves a handsome man in politics and we’re glad we picked him over any old senator. That would have been way less fun,” said event organizer Georgia Parolski.

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Though Schlossberg hinted he would be attending the event, Instagram stories made outside a Tesla location in New York proved otherwise.

“I am a little disappointed. But he has a certain mystique to maintain,” Parolski said.

Co-organizer Ruchika Sharma said they could have never expected the turnout: “We were originally supposed to be in Dupont Circle, and the RSVP response was just incredible. We had to move it.”

They said over 1,200 people RSVP’d to attend the event.

After about half an hour of bracketing out the crowd-favorites and asking Schlossberg trivia questions, a winner was crowned — taking home a $50 cash prize, a $100 Zipcar gift card and a $100 gift card to the restaurant Salazar.

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“I’m way too online and I’m way too into politics,” said winner Daniel Bonomo, a 25-year-old graduate student at Georgetown University.

Bonomo elicited jeers from the audience after announcing he was, unfortunately, not single. But standing in a tiara in front of the hundreds of oglers, he said he would always “commit to the bit.”

Organizers Sharma and Parolski said they don’t intend to host another event, citing the quick cycle of online trends.

“When (Sharma) texted me about a look alike contest, I said, ‘We need to do it as soon as possible, because it’s going to leave the cultural zeitgeist in a week anyways,’” Parolski said. “And I think we sent it out with a bang.”

WTOP’s Abigail Constantino contributed to this report.

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