DC Government

“Councilmember Brooke Pinto Announces Campaign for DC’s Congressional Seat”

By Prince Of Petworth

Last month we learned that At Large Councilmember Robert White would also be running for the seat.

From a press release:

“Today, Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto announced her campaign for the District of Columbia’s congressional district. Councilmember Pinto announced her campaign in a video to supporters earlier today.

Brooke Pinto currently serves as the Ward 2 Councilmember and Chairwoman of the DC Council’s Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety. Brooke’s entire career has been focused on serving District residents, building consensus across coalitions and across the city, and delivering solutions and results to DC’s most pressing challenges.

In her years serving on the Council, (more…)

“Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau Announces she will not run for a Fourth Term”

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Ward 1 and the District for the past 11 years as Councilmember, and before that as Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner. Together, in the most vibrant and diverse Ward in DC, we have built affordable housing, ended homelessness for thousands of residents, expanded childcare, improved our schools, built new parks, supported our youth and seniors, fought for our immigrant neighbors, addressed public safety comprehensively, and made investments in every neighborhood in Ward 1. And while there is still so much more to do, I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together.

I have made the very difficult decision not to seek a fourth term as Councilmember. I have always believed that these positions should not be lifetime appointments. That those in leadership should cultivate others to carry on the work. It’s not easy to step away, especially at such a difficult time for our community and our country. But I do believe that it is the right time for me, for my family, and for Ward 1.

This will be the first time in 43 years that Ward 1 has had an open seat, (more…)

“7-Eleven will pay $1.2 million to resolve allegations that the company violated DC’s ban on the sale of vapes and e-cigarettes within a quarter mile of middle and high schools.”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Tim Brown

From the DC Office of the Attorney General (OAG):

“Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today announced that 7-Eleven will pay $1.2 million to resolve allegations that the company violated DC’s ban on the sale of vapes and e-cigarettes within a quarter mile of middle and high schools. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) revealed that, since the ban went into effect in October 2022, sixteen 7-Eleven convenience stores near DC schools illegally sold thousands of electronic smoking devices. After OAG’s investigation, 7-Eleven removed electronic smoking devices from the shelves at stores within prohibited school zones. Now, as part of a settlement, the chain, in addition to paying a monetary penalty, must permanently stop all sales and marketing of these devices at its stores near DC schools, provide training to staff, and monitor franchise stores to ensure compliance with DC law. (more…)

“Parking sign interpretation requested”

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to JP for sending from 19th and Q Street, NW.

I think it’s pretty obvious… wait, what?

Not sure if the photo is big enough to see but the times for the loading zone (bottom) say 7am-6:30pm Monday-Saturday and pay to park (above) says 7am-10pm Monday-Saturday.

“Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today filed a lawsuit to stop the federal government’s illegal deployment of National Guard troops in the District of Columbia”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Victoria Pickering

From the office of the DC Attorney General:

“Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today filed a lawsuit to stop the federal government’s illegal deployment of National Guard troops in the District of Columbia. Since the President’s August 11 announcement, nearly 2,300 National Guard troops, including units from seven states, have been deployed to the District and placed under the command of the Department of Defense. These deployments amount to an involuntary military occupation that far exceeds the President’s authority over the National Guard. In addition, most or all of the troops have been deputized by the US Marshals Service to conduct law enforcement activities in the District, in violation of the foundational prohibition on military involvement in local law enforcement. (more…)

“Anyone else in the community noticing an increase in booting in their neighborhoods?”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo from our archives, September 1, 2022 “Parking enforcement booted 11 cars in a four block radius in Lamond Riggs”

Ed. Note: we last shared a “DPW scofflaw enforcement” update here in May 2025.

“Dear PoPville,

I wanted to see if the community has any insight on DC’s boot process. I few weeks ago, I noticed several cars over a week long period or less getting booted in my neighborhood in northeast. This included my friend’s car which only had two unpaid parking tickets (which they didn’t know about because of a clerical error by the city, and still had to pay the tickets and boot fee, but that’s a different story).

Legally, any vehicle with two or more unpaid tickets (of any kind of violation) older than 60 days is eligible for boot and tow. (more…)

“new report from ODCA, DC Health Did Not Adequately Monitor Animal Shelter Contract”

By Prince Of Petworth

Report by the Office of the D.C. Auditor HRA.Animal.Shelter.Contract (PDF)

From the Office of the D.C. Auditor:

“In the last two years the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA) contracted with the D.C. Department of Health (DC Health) to provide animal shelters and animal control in D.C. the agency did not maintain proper control over contract deliverables— a lack of oversight that impacted animal care, shelter inspections, finances, spay/neuter capabilities, and dangerous dog investigations, according to a new report by the Office of the D.C. Auditor (ODCA).

In 2023, HRA volunteers and former employees formed the group called HRA Volunteers for Reform that went public alleging the mistreatment of animals at the two HRA shelters. The group contacted ODCA to report potential contract violations prompting the discretionary audit to determine if DC Health was ensuring that HRA adhered to terms of the animal care and control contract.

“During the audit period DC Health ended the contract with HRA and replaced the contract administrator among other steps to address concerns raised by advocates and confirmed in our review,” D.C. Auditor Kathy Patterson said. She noted DC Health, in written comments on the report, agreed with the audit findings and recommendations and committed to ensuring future contract compliance. “We will follow up with DC Health to ensure that the promised improvements in contract oversight are in place,” Patterson said.

ODCA’s review included interviews with stakeholders and reviewing reports from HRA to DC Health during the audit scope, March 2023 through September 2024. The audit team also conducted four visits to the city’s two animal care facilities—1201 New York Avenue NE and 71 Oglethorpe Street NW, three unannounced. During each site visit, the audit team took photographs and recorded observations included in the report.

ODCA’ s findings include: (more…)

DC AG “lawsuit challenging the federal government’s unlawful attempt to take over the District of Columbia’s Metropolitan Police Department”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the office of Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb:

“Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today filed a lawsuit challenging the federal government’s unlawful attempt to take over the District of Columbia’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The lawsuit targets the President’s August 11 Executive Order and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s August 14 order to Mayor Muriel Bowser invoking a never-before-used provision of the Home Rule Act to claim federal command of the District’s local police force. These orders far exceed the President’s limited authority to request services from MPD, which can only be done on a temporary basis, under emergency circumstances, and solely for federal purposes. The Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) lawsuit seeks to defend the District’s authority under the Home Rule Act, block the Administration’s unlawful orders, protect the safety of DC residents, workers, businesses and visitors, and affirm that MPD remains under District control. (more…)

“DC Council Statement on Presidential Announcement”, Mayor Bowser’s Response

By Prince Of Petworth

From the Office of DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson:

“This is a manufactured intrusion on local authority. Violent crime in the District is at the lowest rates we’ve seen in 30 years. Federalizing the Metropolitan Police Department is unwarranted because there is no Federal emergency. Further, the National Guard has no public safety training or knowledge of local laws. The Guard’s role does not include investigating or solving crimes in the District. Calling out the National Guard is an unnecessary deployment with no real mission. (more…)

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