George Washington Parkway repairs will cut traffic lanes into 2025

1 big thing: ⚠️  GW Parkway gets overhauled

A map of the GW Parkway through Northern Virginia along the Potomac

2. 🏞 Throwback du jour: Parkway of the past

View of Key Bridge, Monument and U.S. Capitol from the GW Parkway

Virginia lawmakers introduce bill that would allow a casino in Fairfax County

3. 🎰 Virginia is for casinos

4. Around the Beltway: 💰 Amazon’s big spend

Illustration of a Washington Metro sign edited to read "Around the Beltway."

New jobs to check out

We ranked the Capitals' mustaches

5. 👨🏻 Best 'staches on the ice

☀️  Today's weather: Sunny with highs in the upper 40s. 

🚀 Fuel our mission of getting readers smarter, faster, on the news that matters most here by becoming a member!

Today's newsletter is 897 words — a 3-minute read.

🏢 The Watergate and the J. Edgar Hoover Building are among the ugliest in the U.S., per a new survey.

Do you agree? Which buildings in D.C. are the biggest eyesores? Reply to this email to share your thoughts!

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

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.

Fentanyl is killing older, Black D.C. residents

1 big thing: Distressing overdose trends 

2. 🚨 Quote du jour: D.C. crime summit

3. NoVa invades RVA 

4. Around the Beltway: Old face, new job 

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

On the job hunt? 

D.C. ice cream shop customers start gesture of gifting free scoops

5. 🍦 Ice cream on the block

Charles Foreman stands over ice cream freezer

☁️ Today's weather: Rain, then mostly cloudy with highs in the mid-40s. 

📍 Situational awareness: Local bagel investor Jeff Zients, a.k.a. former COVID-19 czar and co-owner of Call Your Mother deli, will be President Biden's new chief of staff, the Washington Post reports.

Today's newsletter is 868 words — a 3-minute read.

🫖 Xoxo gossip girl: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos dined at Rasika last week with his girlfriend Lauren Sánchez. 

It's not the first time, but what we really want to know: How much does one of the richest people in the world tip? 

Youth fentanyl overdoses up in Montgomery Co.

1 big thing: Fighting fentanyl at school

2. Price check: The District’s rent spike 

D.C.'s James Beard nominees

3. D.C. rocks the nom noms 

4. Around the Beltway: Hot housing debate

Seeking employment? 

5. A new name for our new team

 Monica Paolicelli (L) and Sam Querrey of the D.C. Pickleball Team practice together.

Ladies and gentlemen, the weekend is upon us! Happy Friday!

🎂Happy early birthday to our Axios D.C. member Tom Collamore!

☀️ Today's weather: Sunny with highs in the low 40s. Bundle up but enjoy the sun!

📍 Situational awareness: D.C. police say they’re preparing for possible protests ahead of the scheduled video release of body camera footage showing the beating of  Tyre Nichols by five police officers, WJLA reports. 

Today's newsletter is 905 words — a 3-minute read.

Today's newsletter was edited by Carolyn DiPaolo and copy edited by Patricia Guadalupe.

🎮 Chelsea is playing The Last of Us: Part II.

🤓 Paige is reading "Homegoing" by Yaa Gyasi.  

🩳 Cuneyt is shopping for new running shorts. Send recs!

Plus: What you'd name D.C.'s pro pickleball team

How to watch D.C.'s new Major League Pickleball team

1 big thing: 🏆 D.C. pickleball hits the bigtime

Illustration of a pickleball paddle hitting an exploding ball

D.C.'s top two leaders disagree on how to save downtown

2. 😤 Clash of the Titans

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson 

3. 🚌 A new home for green buses

The Northern Bus Garage in 16th Street Heights neighborhood.

George Washington University installs Plan B vending machine

4. 💊 A convenient plan for Plan B

5. 🦍 Around the Beltway: Gorilla statue swiped

Illustration of a blue crab carrying a jumbo slice of pizza.

Now hiring: New job openings

6. 👗 History is always in style

🌤 Today's weather: Mostly sunny with temperatures in the 40s. 

Today's newsletter is 1,007 words — a 4-minute read.

🍽️ Washingtonian has unveiled its top 100 D.C. restaurants list. 

The Dabney leads the group and is joined by Baan Siam, Gravitas, and Lapis, among other gems.

1 big scoop: Congress comes for D.C. crime laws

Illustration of hands drawing red lines over the US Capitol. 

Wake up to a brighter future

2. ⚽ Spirit coach banned

3. Around the Beltway: 💵 Historic mansion for sale

4.  🔥 This menu is on fire

🌧️ Today's weather: Rainy with cool temperatures in the 40s. 

Today's newsletter is 832 words — a 3-minute read.

🎤 Join Axios’ Eugene Scott and Alexi McCammond on Feb. 1, at 8am in D.C. for a News Shapers event featuring policymakers from both sides of the aisle offering inside perspectives on the agenda for the 118th Congress. 

Guests include Rep. Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.), Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.), Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.). 

The National Museum of American History is now home to First Lady Jill Biden's 2021 Inauguration Day wardrobe.

Why it matters: The museum's First Ladies exhibit is about more than just fashion. It also tells the stories of the contributions and accomplishments of our country's first ladies. 

Biden is the only first lady to hold a full-time job (teaching English at Northern Virginia Community College) in addition to her role at the White House. 

From left: Designer Gabriela Hearst, First Lady Jill Biden, Alexandra O'Neill. Photo: Jacklyn Nash, courtesy of the National Museum of American History

Driving the news: At a ceremony Wednesday, Biden unveiled the exhibit's newest addition: the powder blue tweed dress and matching overcoat that she wore while holding the Bible for President Biden's swearing-in.

The dress and overcoat were designed by Alexandra O’Neill.

Also donated was the ivory evening dress that Biden wore to the inaugural ball. Designed by Gabriela Hearst, the dress is embroidered with federal flowers from every U.S. state and territory and will be displayed alongside an accompanying ivory cashmere coat. 

Worth noting: Because fashion is a reflection of the moment in history, the matching face masks that Biden wore with each dress will also be on display. 

Photo: Jacklyn Nash, courtesy of the National Museum of American History

First Lady Jill Biden's dresses displayed in Smithsonian

The National Museum of American History's First Ladies exhibit is about more than just fashion.

First Lady Jill Biden with designer Alexandra O'Neill, who designed her daytime dress and coat. Photo: Jacklyn Nash, courtesy of the National Museum of American History

Washington, D.C.

Who says a wardrobe can&#x27;t be historic?The National Museum of American History is now home to First Lady Jill Biden&#x27;s 2021 Inauguration Day wardrobe.Why it matters: The museum&#x27;s First Ladies exhibit is about more than just fashion. It also tells the stories of the contributions and accomplishments of our country&#x27;s first ladies.

Things to Do

Mustaches are having their moment and we're not mad about it.

More and more guys are sporting hair above the lip these days, and Capitals players are no exception. Maybe it helps keep them warm on the ice or maybe the Caps are much more fashion-focused than we give them credit. 

State of play: Facial hair aside, the Caps aren’t likely to be Stanley Cup contenders this year, per NBC Sports, but they’re a formidable wildcard foe for other teams looking to advance in the playoffs. 

Back to our hot 'stache takes: We scoured the Caps roster to get to the root of it — from fuzz to stubble to full-on handlebars. 

Here is Axios D.C.'s official ranking of the best ‘staches on the ice:

Charlie Lindgren easily takes the top spot. The goalie’s 'stache has character: It’s not only thick, but curves nicely down the side of his face. Ten/10 for style and consistency. 

Think Kevin Bacon in "Cop Car" or Jay Chandrasekhar in "Super Troopers." 

                                      Photo courtesy of The Capitals

Defenseman Alexander Alexeyev gets some points for a full ‘stache, but the rest of his facial hair lacks consistency — a patchy goatee that has yet to introduce itself to his mustache. 

Fan-favorite T.J. Oshie gets an honorable mention. 

Sure, his 'stache is more of a thin line of hair above his lip. But it compliments his long, slicked-back locks. 

Similarly, defenseman Trevor Van Riemsdyk gets some shine for his thin, yet full ‘stache. 

Give him a few more years, and his facial hair will definitely be giving Ted Lasso vibes.

                                     Photo courtesy of The Capitals

The bottom line: Styles come and go. But the mustache is forever. 

We scoured the Caps roster to get to the root of it — from fuzz to stubble to full-on handlebar.

You can't see it behind the face mask, but there's something there. Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Mustaches are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="having their moment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.gearpatrol.com/style/grooming/a40514865/mustache-styles/" data-vars-content-id="6bb38cf5-6e11-4d0d-a481-55f88da3dba1" data-vars-headline="We ranked the Capitals&#x27; mustaches" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.gearpatrol.com/style/grooming/a40514865/mustache-styles/" target="_blank">having their moment</a> and we&#x27;re not mad about it.More and more guys are sporting hair above the lip these days, and Capitals players are no exception. Maybe it helps keep them warm on the ice or maybe the Caps are much more fashion-focused than we give them credit.

Sports

George Washington University now has a vending machine for emergency contraception. 

Why it matters: Students advocated for the vending machine after the overturn of Roe v. Wade sparked concerns about access to reproductive health care, student body president Christian Zidouemba tells Axios.

Details: The vending machine, located on the ground floor of the University Student Center, sells Plan B for $30. The medication can cost around $50 at pharmacies. 

The machine is also stocked with tampons, Tylenol, and Advil. 

What they’re saying: Student government leaders Neharika Rao and Aiza Saeed say they wanted to make sure students could make decisions about their reproductive health on campus. They sent out a campus-wide survey and received responses from 1,500 students who voiced support for the project — with the only concern being that the machine should be placed in a discreet location. 

“When you want to reach for emergency contraceptives, CVS — which is [near] the university — can be out [of stock], which can be nerve-racking,” Rao tells Axios. “So a reduced price of $25 is really helpful to students.”

Zoom out: George Washington University joins a growing number of other U.S. colleges with similar vending machines, including Boston University and Northeastern University. 

The vending machine sells Plan B for $30. It can cost around $50 at pharmacies.

George Washington University now has a vending machine for emergency contraception. Why it matters: Students advocated for the vending machine after the overturn of Roe v. Wade sparked concerns about access to reproductive health care, student body president Christian Zidouemba tells Axios.

News

Two suspected fentanyl overdoses among teenagers this month have Montgomery County school officials pushing back with an outreach to parents.

Why it matters: Youth fentanyl overdoses increased by 78% in 2022, county officials say, including both fatal and non-fatal overdoses. 

Last year, 11 young people in Montgomery County died of an overdose compared to five in 2021. 

Driving the news: A 15-year-old public school student died this month of a suspected overdose, and just this week, a student at a Wheaton high school who suffered a suspected fentanyl overdose while at school was revived with naloxone, an overdose-reversing drug. 

What’s happening: Montgomery County Public Schools and Montgomery Goes Purple, a substance use and overdose awareness campaign, will have a family forum on Saturday morning at Clarksburg High School about the risks of fentanyl. It will include training on how to administer naloxone, and naloxone kits will be distributed. 

County officials told reporters this week that naloxone is available in the nurse’s office at all public schools and staff are trained on how to use it. They are considering increasing the number of people who carry it and putting naloxone in locations where defibrillators are placed throughout the school. 

All county fire stations also have free naloxone kits, which officials tell Axios that minors can access. 

Officials say young people are likely to be using drugs they perceive to be prescription painkillers, like oxycodone. 

Zoom out: Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, is a growing threat nationwide, flooding the illegal drug market and being laced into other drugs. 

What they’re saying: An increasing number of clients are coming to Children’s National Hospital's addiction program for opioid use, as more young people seek treatment, says Siva Kaliamurthy, a psychiatrist at the hospital. 

“When we look at the national data, substance use trends in adolescents have stayed the same or decreased compared to the past years, but overdose rates have increased. This is likely due to contamination with illicitly manufactured fentanyl,” Kaliamurthy says. 

He urges families to start conversations about substance use early with children and to avoid punishment and yelling. Maryland parents have access to a free online resource that guides them on how to have these conversations. 

Of note: Maryland has a Good Samaritan law that protects people from legal trouble if they administer naloxone or try to help someone who has overdosed. 

Saturday’s forum at Clarksburg High School is from 9:30am-11:30am. 

The fight against fentanyl at school

Youth fentanyl overdoses are on the rise locally, reflecting the national trend.

Photo:  Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images. 

Fentanyl

Two suspected fentanyl overdoses among teenagers this month have Montgomery County school officials pushing back with an outreach to parents.Why it matters: Youth fentanyl overdoses increased by 78% in 2022, county officials say, including both fatal and non-fatal overdoses. <ul><li>Last year, 11 young people in Montgomery County died of an overdose compared to five in 2021. </li></ul>Driving the news: A 15-year-old public school student <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="died this month" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dcnewsnow.com/news/local-news/maryland/montgomery-county/deadly-drug-overdoses-among-young-people-in-montgomery-county-increase-by-120-in-a-year/" data-vars-content-id="d02baff7-5ebf-4e9a-9473-574eef1300d8" data-vars-headline="The fight against fentanyl at school" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dcnewsnow.com/news/local-news/maryland/montgomery-county/deadly-drug-overdoses-among-young-people-in-montgomery-county-increase-by-120-in-a-year/" target="_blank">died this month</a> of a suspected overdose, and just this week, a student at a Wheaton high school who suffered a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="suspected" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/student-revived-with-narcan-after-possible-overdose-at-wheaton-school/3262831/" data-vars-content-id="d02baff7-5ebf-4e9a-9473-574eef1300d8" data-vars-headline="The fight against fentanyl at school" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/student-revived-with-narcan-after-possible-overdose-at-wheaton-school/3262831/" target="_blank">suspected</a> fentanyl overdose while at school was revived with naloxone, an overdose-reversing drug. What’s happening: Montgomery County Public Schools and Montgomery Goes Purple, a substance use and overdose awareness campaign, will have a family <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="forum" data-vars-click-url="https://news.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/quicknotes/family-forum-on-fentanyl-to-be-held-jan-28-2/" data-vars-content-id="d02baff7-5ebf-4e9a-9473-574eef1300d8" data-vars-headline="The fight against fentanyl at school" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/quicknotes/family-forum-on-fentanyl-to-be-held-jan-28-2/" target="_blank">forum</a> on Saturday morning at Clarksburg High School about the risks of fentanyl. It will include training on how to administer naloxone, and naloxone kits will be distributed. County officials told reporters this week that naloxone is available in the nurse’s office at all public schools and staff are trained on how to use it. They are considering increasing the number of people who carry it and putting naloxone in locations where defibrillators are placed throughout the school. <ul><li>All county fire stations also have free naloxone kits, which officials tell Axios that minors can access. </li></ul>Officials say young people are likely to be using drugs they perceive to be prescription painkillers, like oxycodone. Zoom out: Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, is a growing threat nationwide, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flooding the illegal drug market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/01/23/fentanyl-overdose-deaths-dc-seniors-black-residents" data-vars-content-id="d02baff7-5ebf-4e9a-9473-574eef1300d8" data-vars-headline="The fight against fentanyl at school" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/01/23/fentanyl-overdose-deaths-dc-seniors-black-residents" target="_self">flooding the illegal drug market</a> and being laced into other drugs. What they’re saying: An increasing number of clients are coming to Children’s National Hospital&#x27;s addiction program for opioid use, as more young people seek treatment, says Siva Kaliamurthy, a psychiatrist at the hospital. <ul><li>“When we look at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national data" data-vars-click-url="https://nida.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/2022/12/most-reported-substance-use-among-adolescents-held-steady-in-2022" data-vars-content-id="d02baff7-5ebf-4e9a-9473-574eef1300d8" data-vars-headline="The fight against fentanyl at school" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nida.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/2022/12/most-reported-substance-use-among-adolescents-held-steady-in-2022" target="_blank">national data</a>, substance use trends in adolescents have stayed the same or decreased compared to the past years, but overdose rates have increased. This is likely due to contamination with illicitly manufactured fentanyl,” Kaliamurthy says. </li><li>He urges families to start conversations about substance use early with children and to avoid punishment and yelling. Maryland parents have access to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="free online resource " data-vars-click-url="https://www.cadenceonline.com/maryland/" data-vars-content-id="d02baff7-5ebf-4e9a-9473-574eef1300d8" data-vars-headline="The fight against fentanyl at school" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cadenceonline.com/maryland/" target="_blank">free online resource </a>that guides them on how to have these conversations. </li></ul>Of note: Maryland has a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Good Samaritan law" data-vars-click-url="https://health.maryland.gov/qahealth/substance-abuse/Pages/Good-Samaritan-Law.aspx" data-vars-content-id="d02baff7-5ebf-4e9a-9473-574eef1300d8" data-vars-headline="The fight against fentanyl at school" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://health.maryland.gov/qahealth/substance-abuse/Pages/Good-Samaritan-Law.aspx" target="_blank">Good Samaritan law</a> that protects people from legal trouble if they administer naloxone or try to help someone who has overdosed. Saturday’s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="forum" data-vars-click-url="https://news.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/quicknotes/family-forum-on-fentanyl-to-be-held-jan-28-2/" data-vars-content-id="d02baff7-5ebf-4e9a-9473-574eef1300d8" data-vars-headline="The fight against fentanyl at school" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/quicknotes/family-forum-on-fentanyl-to-be-held-jan-28-2/" target="_blank">forum</a> at Clarksburg High School is from 9:30am-11:30am.

Two Virginia lawmakers have introduced legislation that would allow a casino to be built in Fairfax County, right along the Silver Line, the Washington Business Journal reports.

Why it matters: Virginia code currently only allows casinos in cities of a certain size, but the new legislation would amend it to have them in counties under certain conditions, and Fairfax County is the only one that would qualify, per WBJ.

 Details: Per the legislation, a Fairfax County casino would have to be close to a Silver Line station and part of a mixed-use project development, which limits where it could be built.

One potential site is a 29-acre development currently for sale near the Innovation Center Metro station in Herndon, just outside Dulles airport.

Worth noting: Even if the bill passes, Fairfax County would still need to hold a referendum to approve the casino's creation. 

What’s next: It’s not yet clear if the two lawmakers who introduced the legislation will pursue it by the end of the session in late February. At least one of those lawmakers told WBJ he might not push it this session but may reintroduce it next year.

Per the legislation, a Fairfax County casino would have to be close to a Silver Line station and part of a mixed-use project development.

A new casino could go along the Silver Line in Fairfax County. Photo: Eric Lee/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Two Virginia lawmakers have introduced legislation that would allow a casino to be built in Fairfax County, right along the Silver Line, the Washington Business Journal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2023/01/22/fairfax-county-casino-silver-line.html" data-vars-content-id="d7456ccd-34e0-4a60-9237-446699239f80" data-vars-headline="Virginia lawmakers introduce bill that would allow a casino in Fairfax County" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2023/01/22/fairfax-county-casino-silver-line.html" target="_blank">reports</a>.Why it matters: Virginia code currently only allows casinos in cities of a certain size, but the new legislation would amend it to have them in counties under certain conditions, and Fairfax County is the only one that would qualify, per WBJ.

Chelsea Cirruzzo

Stories

The fight against fentanyl at school

George Washington University installs Plan B vending machine

First Lady Jill Biden's dresses displayed in Smithsonian

Virginia lawmakers introduce bill that would allow a casino in Fairfax County

We ranked the Capitals' mustaches

Newsletter editions

☹️ Rent wooooes

🏆 Pickleball goes pro

😡 Scoop: Statehood disaster arrives

⚠️ GW Parkway upheaval

🚨 D.C.'s crime anxiety