1 big thing: Town Talker | Bowser preps statehood offensive

A group of D.C. statehood supporters carry a large banner and march down a street

2. 🛒 Lidl lands in Southeast D.C.

A new Lidl grocery store at its grand opening ceremony

3. 🐓 Around the Beltway: Why did the chicken cross Columbia Heights?

Illustration of a text-message balloon that looks like the Washington D.C. flag, with the stars fading in and out like a text-message waiting animation.

4. 🍏  An apple (cider) a day 

The red barn at Doc Waters Cidery where you order hard cider flights and growlers. 

Plan your future

5. 🏞 Pic du jour: It's a good time to hike Great Falls

The waterfalls of Great Falls National Park

☀️ Today's weather: Another lovely sunny day in the low 70s. Enjoy!

📍 Situational awareness:  DC Health is partnering with Children's National Hospital to offer walk-up clinics for routine childhood vaccinations starting Oct. 3 through Nov. 18. 

Today's newsletter is 800 words — a 3-minute read.

🗣️ Lizzo makes history: It turns out pop star Lizzo did accept the Librarian of Congress' invite to the library's extensive flute collection while in D.C. for her concert. 

Last night at Capital One Arena, Lizzo played a crystal flute once owned by President James Madison. 

Per a LOC spokesperson, Lizzo privately visited the library on Monday and played some of their flutes then. According to a library spokesperson, she "loved it."

Washington D.C.

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Washington, DC. Written by Chelsea Cirruzzo, Cuneyt Dil and Paige Hopkins.

Axios D.C.

D.C. sees significant decline in monkeypox cases

1 big thing: 💉 How D.C. slowed Monkeypox 

Scoop: Peter Thiel’s D.C. mansion renovation

2. Scoop: Peter Thiel’s D.C. mansion makeover

3. 🚙 Around the Beltway: Slow down, Maryland drivers

4. 📚 Remembering a Politics & Prose institution

A photo of Mark sitting in a chair inside the bookstore

5. 🏡 Hot homes starting at $479K

Check out our Job Board

6. 🎊 Take revenge on the weekend rain 

🌧️ Today's weather: SAY BYE TO THE SUN! Our forecast sees rain today until Monday, with temperatures in the low 60s. 

📍Situational awareness: In anticipation of rain, the Nationals have moved their 7:05pm Saturday game against the Phillies to today at 1:05pm, with all tickets honored. Saturday's game at 1:05pm remains unchanged. 

Today's newsletter is 1,108 words — a 4-minute read.

Here is how our team is spending the rainy weekend:

🛥️ Cuneyt is going on the Anacostia Coordinating Council’s annual boat ride.

🧥 Paige is rebuilding her fall wardrobe.

😇 Our editor Kayla is taking her dog Kirby to be blessed to celebrate the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi.

Today's newsletter was edited by Kayla Sharpe and copy edited by Patricia Guadalupe.

1 big thing: 🌇 Downtown's office uptick

2. 🚌 Trying the Yellow Line workaround

Signs in front of a closed Metro station.

3. And speaking of Metro.... 

4. 🚀 Around the Beltway: It’s a bird, it’s a plane…

Illustration of a bass drum, a snare drum, a conga drum and a hi-hat, playing. 

5. 🎶 Tweet du jour: Lizzo at the Library

New jobs to check out

6. 🧠 Quiz: Test your neighborhood knowledge

A GIF of neighborhood boundaries being drawn

☕️ Monday again already? Let's make it a great one!

☀️ Today's weather: We're warming up with a high of 77 and low of 54. Expect clear, sunny skies.

Happy Rosh Hashanah! Wishing all of our local Jewish communities a beautiful New Year. 

Today's newsletter is 958 words — a 3.5-minute read.

💙 Like what you see? Share this newsletter with a friend. See you back here tomorrow!

1 big thing: 🚇 Filling seats on the Silver Line 

2. Meanwhile, this weekend on Metro… 

A Metro train pulls up into an underground station

3. ☎️ Around the Beltway: Maryland's new area code

Illustration of a giant panda wearing glasses and looking at a smartphone.

4. Event today: Be a visionary with Axios Latino

A new career is waiting for you

5. 🍂 How to cruise Skyline Drive

6. 🍩 Some strange donuts to go

☁️ Today's weather:  Cloudy in the high 60s. Enjoy it before a rainy weekend.  

🎂 Happy birthday to our Axios D.C. member Mary Blayney!

📍 Situational awareness: Flu vaccines are out of stock at D.C. COVID Centers, DC Health said yesterday.

Today's newsletter is 918 words — a 3.5-minute read.

📸 ICYMI: We got the deets up on our Instagram on how Lizzo got to play a 200-year-old flute at her concert Tuesday. 

While you're there, give us a follow for more food and lifestyle content! 

D.C.'s wastewater program data sees continued delays

1 big thing: 🚽 Time wasted in tracking wastewater

2. 📉 D.C. sees home sales dip

Illustration of a downward trend line over a house

3. Breaking ground at Barry Farm

A "no trespassing" sign is on a fence with houses at Barry Farm in the background

4. Around the Beltway: 🇵🇷 Aid to Puerto Rico

Take your career to the next level

5. 👨🏽‍🍳 New from Chef Mina

A rendering of a rooftop pool social club.

🥳 Consider supporting our mission-driven journalism by becoming an Axios D.C. member.

☀️ Today's weather: A lovely sunny day with temps in the low 70s. 

Today's newsletter is 862 words — a 3-minute read.

🍕 If you find yourself driving towards Norfolk any time soon, might we interest you in Half Eaten Pizza Crust?

Yes, that's the name of a 3-year-old cat looking for a home in the City of Chesapeake. 

Also up for adoption: Catrick Swayze, Tofu, and I Scream Fur Ice Cream. 

Note: The addresses of eight existing ward community sites and one future site could not be confirmed and are not shown. Data: D.C. Health. Map: Erin Davis/Axios Visuals

D.C. has finally collected two months' worth of wastewater COVID-19 data, but has yet to send it to the CDC or make the data public. 

Why it matters: Officials across the country have used wastewater to monitor coronavirus levels in feces and warn of potential spikes in cases days before individual testing can. 

Catch-up quick: D.C. received funding in Nov. 2021 to begin wastewater analysis. The city told Axios in March it expected to make data public in April, pending the arrival of necessary equipment.

Five months later, no data has been made public, although the city tells Axios it has collected two months' worth of data. 

A CDC spokesperson told Axios earlier this month that it’s working with D.C. to submit data but hasn't done so yet. DC Health did not respond to Axios' inquiries about an exact date. 

Between the lines: The process was further delayed by contractor changes, Anil Mangla, D.C.’s state epidemiologist, told Axios earlier this month. 

D.C.'s contract with LumniUltra ended in May, per DCist. Mangla also told DCist that understaffing hindered progress. 

What’s happening: Data collection at 16 sites began this summer, Mangla tells Axios, and will increase to 24 sites, including eight schools. 

Several of the future sites are vulnerable to infection surges, such as St. Elizabeths Hospital and D.C. Jail. 

A planned site in Oxon Hill, Md. would give further insight into wards 7 and 8, the areas hardest hit by the virus.

Zoom out: While other cities, including New York, have used wastewater surveillance to detect the presence of monkeypox and polio infections; D.C. is only monitoring coronavirus. 

Mangla says monkeypox is more symptomatic, meaning it’s easier to tell whether it’s increasing. Many coronavirus patients, on the other hand, could be asymptomatic, spreading the infection without knowing it. 

As for polio, Mangla adds, vaccination is highly effective and D.C.’s high vaccination rate makes a polio outbreak unlikely.

Yes, but: D.C. has the lowest national polio vaccination rate for kindergarteners at just over 80%. This summer, D.C. leaders urged families to get their children their routine vaccinations. 

What we're watching: Wastewater monitoring for coronavirus will continue for at least another six months, Mangla says, as the city watches how the pandemic progresses.

Five months later, no data has been made public, though the city tells Axios it has collected two months worth of data.

Washington, D.C.

D.C. has finally collected two months&#x27; worth of wastewater COVID-19 data, but has yet to send it to the CDC or make the data public. Why it matters: Officials across the country have used wastewater to monitor coronavirus levels in feces and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="warn of potential spikes in cases" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/coronavirus-latest-news-quick-highlights-57a186a3-7547-45bf-852a-83019849d8d5.html" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/coronavirus-latest-news-quick-highlights-57a186a3-7547-45bf-852a-83019849d8d5.html" target="_self">warn of potential spikes in cases</a> days before individual testing can.

COVID

Northern Virginia schools are reassuring families that they are committed to supporting trans students, despite a new proposed state policy that would restrict the rights of those students.

Why it matters: This isn’t the first time Northern Virginia school districts have rebelled against policies handed down by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. 

Earlier this year, Northern Virginia schools defied the end of the state’s mask requirement in schools. 

Context: The new model policies posted last Friday instruct school districts to restrict students to programs and bathroom facilities that correspond with their assigned sex at birth, Axios’ Ned Oliver reports.

The policies would also make it difficult for students to change their names and pronouns in school records and would bar districts from requiring staff to adhere to those changes. 

Yes, but: Several Northern Virginia school districts have expressed concerns to families in letters sent in the past few days that the policies are inconsistent with their school mission.

A Loudoun County Schools spokesperson told Axios they have not corresponded with families on the proposed policy.

What they’re saying: The Alexandria school board, for example, wrote to families that it will continue to implement “gender affirming policies,” pointing out that the school has a 2013 nondiscrimination policy recognizing gender identity and gender expression as protected classes. 

Arlington Public Schools in a letter to families also noted a similar policy, protecting trans students. 

Fairfax County Schools told families that its district remains an “inclusive learning environment.”’

Between the lines: While the policy is framed as mandatory, there’s no state enforcement mechanism if local school boards don’t adopt the policy.

Only 10% of local school districts ever adopted the trans-friendly version of these model policies put in place by then-Gov. Ralph Northam’s administration, per the Virginia Mercury.

Northern Va. schools push back on policy targeting trans students

This isn’t the first time Northern Virginia school districts have rebelled against policies handed down by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

Photo: Craig Hudson/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Northern Virginia schools are reassuring families that they are committed to supporting trans students, despite a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new proposed state policy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/18/virginia-reverses-protections-transgender-students" data-vars-content-id="7cc41ff8-c661-41d2-b8dc-fed46f7817df" data-vars-headline="Northern Va. schools push back on policy targeting trans students" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/09/18/virginia-reverses-protections-transgender-students" target="_self">new proposed state policy</a> that would restrict the rights of those students.Why it matters: This isn’t the first time Northern Virginia school districts have rebelled against policies handed down by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

News

The D.C. Council will vote Tuesday on an emergency bill to establish an Office of Migrant Services to handle the thousands of migrants being bused to the city. 

However, lawmakers are fielding some criticism over how to provide services for those in need.

Why it matters: Mayor Muriel Bowser proposed the bill as Republican governors in Arizona and Texas continue to send busloads of asylum-seeking migrants from the southern border to D.C. Many arrive unannounced at night in front of Union Station, and recent dropoffs have been outside Vice President Kamala Harris’ residence. 

The bill would invest $10 million to support nonprofits and groups straining to welcome and help the migrants. City officials hope to soon have a 24/7 presence at Union Station. 

Council members are poised to pass the legislation, praising the creation of a new department dedicated to the crisis.

“We have a rich panoply of services available to D.C. residents who are suffering from homelessness. That system will be quickly overrun if we continue to see bused migrants,” council chair Phil Mendelson told reporters yesterday. “And we want absolutely for the migrants to be treated humanely.” 

Yes, but: Some homeless advocates worry that the emergency bill — which is advancing without a public hearing — would exclude migrants from accessing some of the same services afforded to people in D.C. experiencing homelessness.

What they’re saying: The Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless is concerned that the bill sets up a separate designation for people arriving in D.C. by bus, from those experiencing homelessness, meaning the migrants may be denied certain services.

For example, the bill would allow families to be housed in congregate settings — which is not allowed for families experiencing homelessness. City law requires families to be housed in private rooms, for safety and privacy reasons.

Mendelson defended allowing the city the flexibility to use congregate settings but said other aspects of the bill may see tweaks before the vote.

State of play: Ward 1 council member Brianne Nadeau, who is shepherding the bill, on Monday proposed an amendment to allow the D.C. Council to retain oversight over any contracts the mayor’s office grants, addressing one of the concerns of homeless advocates who oppose the bill. 

Those contracts may include those for acquiring hotel rooms, renting buses, or purchasing food, Nadeau told Axios. 

Nadeau also points out that the bill allows migrants to enroll in the DC Healthcare Alliance, a locally funded medical assistance program for low-income people who do not otherwise qualify for Medicare or Medicaid. 

However, opponents say the bill doesn't allow migrants to use eligibility for that program to access other services. 

What they’re saying: “Setting up this Office of Migrant Services … we'll make sure that we're giving them the services they need, hiring people, and contracting with entities that have experience helping people on their immigration journey,” Nadeau says. 

29-year-old Venezuelan Lever Alejos was bused to D.C. from Texas and told the New York Times he has found employment since arriving in D.C. and hopes to move from a shelter.

The bottom line: The council is likely to pass the emergency bill, and hearings will be held next month on a permanent version of the legislation. 

D.C. Council to vote on migrant bill

Mayor Muriel Bowser proposed the bill as Republican governors in Arizona and Texas continue to send busloads of asylum-seeking migrants from the southern border to D.C.

Photo: Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

The D.C. Council will vote Tuesday on an emergency bill to establish an Office of Migrant Services to handle the thousands of migrants being bused to the city. <ul><li>However, lawmakers are fielding some criticism over how to provide services for those in need.</li></ul>Why it matters: Mayor Muriel Bowser proposed the bill as Republican governors in Arizona and Texas continue to send busloads of asylum-seeking migrants from the southern border to D.C. Many arrive unannounced at night in front of Union Station, and recent dropoffs have been outside Vice President Kamala Harris’ residence.

The amount of COVID-19 in D.C.’s wastewater has been lower than the national average since the end of July, although recent data shows a slight uptick.

Still, this analysis of literal feces shows that COVID cases have dropped significantly since the start of the year and have remained low.  

Why it matters: Officials nationwide are using wastewater to monitor levels of the virus and warn of potential spikes in cases days before individual testing can.

Wastewater is also crucial in tracking cases at a time when COVID testing is on the decline and fewer individuals are reporting cases.

State of play: D.C. has seen continued delays to its own wastewater tracking program.

The data finally published Friday by the CDC’s wastewater surveillance contractor Biobot measures wastewater samples taken between May 25 and  Sept. 21 from the Blue Plains Wastewater Plant — which collects wastewater from D.C., Montgomery, Prince George’s, Fairfax and Loudoun counties. 

The bottom line: For the most part, wastewater data from the D.C. region has followed national trends during the last four months, seeing a staggered decline in cases since a spike in mid-July. 

Yes, but: While the national average since early September has seen continued decline, D.C.’s cases have seen a slight uptick, still remaining low overall but giving some insight into what the fall might have in store for us. 

What’s next: DC Health, which is also taking part in the CDC’s wastewater surveillance program, tells Axios it has now submitted 2 months worth of wastewater data from 16 additional sites, including sewer sheds in each ward and several schools, to the CDC.

Be smart: Despite low case counts, it's still as good a time as ever to get your bivalent booster. 

D.C.'s COVID waterwater data hints towards fall uptick

Officials nationwide are using wastewater to monitor levels of the virus and warn of potential spikes in cases days before individual testing can.

A man sprays water into a pool while standing over a bridge. The pool is filled with wastewater.

 The Blue Plains wastewater plant. Photo: Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images

The amount of COVID-19 in D.C.’s wastewater has been lower than the national average since the end of July, although recent data shows a slight uptick.<ul><li>Still, this analysis of literal feces shows that COVID cases have dropped significantly since the start of the year and have remained low. </li></ul>Why it matters: Officials nationwide are using wastewater to monitor levels of the virus and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="warn of potential spikes in cases" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/coronavirus-latest-news-quick-highlights-57a186a3-7547-45bf-852a-83019849d8d5.html" data-vars-content-id="c2a0b38b-8794-483b-99b0-debd3adcc649" data-vars-headline="D.C.&#x27;s COVID waterwater data hints towards fall uptick" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/coronavirus-latest-news-quick-highlights-57a186a3-7547-45bf-852a-83019849d8d5.html" target="_self">warn of potential spikes in cases</a> days before individual testing can.

D.C.’s monkeypox cases have been on a decline since mid-summer — with a 70% drop in cases over the past month.

Why it matters: D.C. cases reached their peak in July when officials saw dozens of cases, rushed to secure a dwindling supply of vaccine doses, and wrestled with how to frame public messaging. 

By the numbers: By mid-September, D.C.’s daily case rate dropped to 1.9 cases per day with a seven-day rolling average, compared to 9.7 in July. 

The city's vaccine push was likely a big driver behind the decline. 

According to Anil Mangla, D.C.’s state epidemiologist, the District is one of the jurisdictions with the highest number of monkeypox vaccinations administered per 100,000 residents. More than 36,100 residents have been vaccinated. 

New CDC data out Wednesday from 32 states found that unvaccinated men at risk for monkeypox between the ages 18 and 49 were 14 times more likely to become infected than those who had received one dose two weeks earlier, per the AP. 

Zoom out: The outbreak has also slowed nationwide, likely in part due to vaccination and behavioral changes. Monkeypox has largely impacted men who have sex with men, a group that takes health very seriously and has experience with mobilizing to protect themselves especially due to the  HIV epidemic, health experts say. Still, health officials worry that the disease will continue to impact vulnerable communities. 

What worked: D.C. learned a lot about contact tracing and public health messaging during the pandemic, Mangla tells Axios.

That clear messaging through press releases and town halls helped spur interest in vaccination, he says. 

The city also worked proactively to identify people who had been exposed and offer them vaccination. 

Yes, and: The District focused on equity, Mangla added. Initially, D.C. required residents to pre-register for vaccines, but officials noticed that more than half of vaccine recipients were white, Mangla tells Axios. 

This prompted DC Health to pivot to walk-up clinics, which have doubled the number of Black residents walking in for vaccines — although white residents still make up more than half of those vaccinated.

Be smart: Monkeypox remains a nationwide threat and people shouldn’t let their guard down — especially when the disease produces severe, debilitating, and painful symptoms. 

Mangla says the city will continue to push vaccines, involving community providers and universities in vaccination efforts. 

“Until we get to zero cases, D.C. will not slow down." 

The city's vaccine push was likely a big driver behind the decline in cases.

Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images

D.C.’s monkeypox cases have been on a decline since mid-summer — with a 70% <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drop" data-vars-click-url="https://dchealth.dc.gov/page/monkeypox-data" data-vars-content-id="f2f35a82-489b-4052-b298-0c1e475f0c77" data-vars-headline="D.C. sees significant decline in monkeypox cases" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dchealth.dc.gov/page/monkeypox-data" target="_blank">drop</a> in cases over the past month.Why it matters: D.C. cases reached their peak in July when officials saw dozens of cases, rushed to secure <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a dwindling supply" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/08/02/monkeypox-vaccine-demand-supply-gap-hotspot-cities" data-vars-content-id="f2f35a82-489b-4052-b298-0c1e475f0c77" data-vars-headline="D.C. sees significant decline in monkeypox cases" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/08/02/monkeypox-vaccine-demand-supply-gap-hotspot-cities" target="_self">a dwindling supply</a> of vaccine doses, and wrestled with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="how to frame public messagin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2022/07/28/dc-monkeypox-vaccines-stigma-lgbtq" data-vars-content-id="f2f35a82-489b-4052-b298-0c1e475f0c77" data-vars-headline="D.C. sees significant decline in monkeypox cases" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2022/07/28/dc-monkeypox-vaccines-stigma-lgbtq" target="_self">how to frame public messagin</a>g.

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Stories

D.C.'s COVID waterwater data hints towards fall uptick

D.C. sees significant decline in monkeypox cases

D.C.'s wastewater program data sees continued delays

Northern Va. schools push back on policy targeting trans students

D.C. Council to vote on migrant bill

Newsletter editions

💉 How D.C. slowed monkeypox

🚇 Silver Line worries

D.C.'s statehood offensive

🚽 Wastewater data SNAFU

🌇 Return to work update