1 big thing: Mystery dog illness hits Maryland

Prince George's County steers guaranteed income program

2. PG County steers guaranteed income

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3. Chart du jour: Congress exodus

4. Around the Beltway: 🚨 Tree down

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Stay booked and busy

5 can't-miss drink deals during D.C. Cocktail Week

5. 🍸 Cocktail Week 

6. 🐼 Where's Go-Go ... revealed!

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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Washington, DC. Written by Anna Spiegel and Cuneyt Dil.

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1 big thing: 🤖 Local AI officers

D.C. nonprofits may face tough holiday season as donations dwindle

2. It's Giving Tuesday

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3. ✨ Deck the People's House

4. Around the Beltway: Left stateless

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5. 🐼 Where's Go-Go

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🎥 Mimi is taking suggestions for best cheesy holiday movies. 

Metro's problems stack up despite rise in ridership

1 big thing: Metro's problems stack up

How JFK's legacy lives on in one D.C. business

2. Remembering JFK

Former United States President John F. Kennedy standing in front of a microphone.

Medium Rare will fry your Thanksgiving turkey for free

3. 🍗 Free community fry 

A group of volunteers fries turkeys for free at Medium Rare on Thanksgiving day

4. Around the Beltway: $12 million digs

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D.C.'s best holiday pop-up bars

5. Holiday pop-up bar guide 

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The biggest money-making speed cameras in D.C.

1 big thing: The speed camera money-makers

2. More cameras coming

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A new whimsical diner is opening at National Landing

3. Surrealist diner opening 

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4. Around the Beltway: Carjackings escalate

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5. Your holiday reading list

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1 big thing: D.C. area lacks addiction treatment for youth

D.C. sues home remodeling company Curbio

2. Home remodeler accused of fraud

3. Around the Beltway: Celebs at Le Dip

13 must-see holiday light displays around D.C.

4. ✨ Holiday lights

New jobs to check out

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FetchError

On this Giving Tuesday, D.C. charities are looking for donations at a time when households are pinching pennies.

Why it matters: Americans last year gave to charities the lowest percentage of their disposable incomes since 1995, a decrease that came during record-high inflation and uncertainty following the pandemic.

By the numbers: Giving USA found that the total amount of charitable giving fell by 3.4% last year to $499.3 billion — a 10.5% decrease when adjusted for inflation, Axios' Ivana Saric wrote earlier this year.

Silver Spring, Md., ranked #1 in GoFundMe's most charitable cities list in 2020 but fell to #3 last year. Alexandria, Va., and Rockville, Md., have fallen out of the top 10 cities. Meanwhile, among states, Virginia was ranked the tenth-most generous.

The big picture: Food banks squeezed by high levels of need and fewer donations are bracing for a tough holiday season, Axios' April Rubin reports.

Americans are less likely to donate food this holiday season, according to a survey conducted by Divert Inc., a food waste reduction company.

Just 25% of survey respondents said they're more likely to donate this year compared to previous years.

The Humane Rescue Alliance is doubling all gifts up to $100,000 on Giving Tuesday. The nonprofit supports community veterinarian programs in the D.C. area.

The Capital Area Food Bank each year says it provides more than 50 million meals for people in greater Washington. They have over 400 local partners.

The American Red Cross responds to disaster relief. It said it has pledged $10 million to its international affiliates to support the release of hostages taken by Hamas and for humanitarian relief in Gaza.

Americans are less likely to donate food this holiday season, according to a survey.

Charities

On this Giving Tuesday, D.C. charities are looking for donations at a time when households are pinching pennies.Why it matters: Americans last year <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gave to charities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/22/charitable-giving-donations-income" data-vars-content-id="31d51b02-2c64-4e53-9bd1-79aa10fc3fcb" data-vars-headline="D.C. nonprofits may face tough holiday season as donations dwindle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/22/charitable-giving-donations-income" target="_self">gave to charities</a> the lowest percentage of their disposable incomes since 1995, a decrease that came during record-high inflation and uncertainty following the pandemic.

Things to Do

News

A map showing the top 20 traffic cameras in the D.C. area by revenue. Foggy Bottom has the biggest concentration, with a total revenue of $8.3 million from three cameras. Data: D.C. Office of the Chief Financial Officer. Chart: Axios Visuals

A D.C. speed camera on I-295 in Southeast has beaten all others in revenue, making more than $3.8 million over the first half of the year.

Why it matters: You may have been nabbed by one of these traffic cameras in the top 20.

The big picture: D.C. wants to deploy hundreds of more traffic cameras in the coming years to deter rulebreaking motorists and balance the city's budget.

By the numbers: The I-295 speed camera is about half a mile south of Exit 1 going northbound. It took the top spot in data D.C. provided to Axios this year through the end of June.

The two speed cameras in the K Street tunnel under Washington Circle also made the top five. The westbound camera recorded $3.1 million, and the eastbound one made $2.6 million over that period.

One infamous D.C. camera is a stop sign enforcement camera at the intersection of Blagden Avenue and Allison Street NW.

The camera in leafy Crestwood was the 10th most lucrative, recording $1.3 million worth of violations.

It was the highest-recording stop sign camera.

In early 2022, some residents claimed the camera became hypersensitive, issuing more tickets than in years before.

Zoom out: 16 of the top 20 cameras were speed cameras. Two were stop sign enforcement and another two were red light cams.

What we're watching: Unpaid traffic tickets are a problem for the city and enforcement is spotty.

Drivers owed nearly $1.3 billion in traffic fines and penalties to the District, as of May.

Be smart: D.C. can't suspend the license of a Virginia or Maryland driver even if they keep racking up tickets.

I-295 SW .05 mile S/O Exit 1 N/B (speed) = $3,808,818

2200 block K St. NW W/B (speed) = $3,144,814

600 block  Kenilworth Ave. NE S/B (speed) = $2,956,134

Potomac River Freeway NW/B at 25th St. NW (speed) = $2,758,105

2200 block K ST NW E/B (speed) = $2,587,019

2800 block N Capitol St. NW S/B (speed) = $1,895,238

600 block New York Ave. NE W/B (speed) = $1,816,369

2200 block South Dakota Ave. NE SE/B (speed) = $1,432,635

200 block H St. NE E/B (speed) = $1,335,608

Blagden Ave. NE/B at Allison St. NW (stop sign) = $1,300,773

27th St. N/B at R St. SE (stop sign) = $1,270,570

3300 block New York Ave. NE E/B (speed) = $1,148,559

DC295 .7 miles S/O Eastern Ave. NE S (speed) = $1,092,708

4000 block Wheeler Rd. SE N/B (speed) = $1,073,204

I-695 off-ramp E/B at 11th St. SE (red light) = $1,068,626

100 block Michigan Ave. NW E/B (speed) = $1,056,367

200 block Riggs Rd. NE E/B (speed) = $1,022,191

3rd St. Tunnel NW N/B by MA Ave. (speed) = $928,121

1900 block Branch Ave. SE N/B (speed) = $838,660

S Capitol Ramp S/B before I St. SW (red light) = $832,555

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that the top traffic camera in D.C. by revenue is on I-295 in Southeast, not Southwest.

One speed camera recorded $3.8 million in the first half of 2023.

Washington, D.C.

A D.C. speed camera on I-295 in Southeast has beaten all others in revenue, making more than $3.8 million over the first half of the year.Why it matters: You may have been nabbed by one of these traffic cameras in the top 20.

Transit

Prince George's County is piloting a guaranteed income program that will pay some young people and seniors $800 monthly for two years.

Why it matters: The $4 million program will test how unconditional cash assistance can help "economically vulnerable youth" and residents over the age of 60 on fixed incomes.

How it works: Fifty people between the ages of 18 and 24 who aged out of the foster care system are part of the program, along with 125 seniors.

There are no strings attached or requirements for employment.

What they're saying: "We recognize that by giving funds to our low-income residents, we afford them the opportunity to choose what they want to do with their time, to find more stable jobs, to gain new skills, and to spend more time with their families," the county said last week in announcing the program.

The cash payments are funded by the Greater Washington Community Foundation, the county, and the Meyer Foundation.

The big picture: Cities nationwide are using cash assistance for people experiencing homelessness and those in poverty, often relying on philanthropic contributions.

A nonprofit in D.C. provides monthly cash assistance to Black mothers whose children are in the child welfare system.

Montgomery County began piloting a guaranteed income program last year, following Arlington and other Northern Virginia localities.

Income equality

Prince George&#x27;s County is piloting a guaranteed income program that will pay some young people and seniors $800 monthly for two years.Why it matters: The $4 million program will test how unconditional cash assistance can help &quot;economically vulnerable youth&quot; and residents over the age of 60 on fixed incomes.

Metro ridership is up, but revenues are down — complicating a $750 million budget gap.

Why it matters: Metro is in a slow-motion crisis as it tries to avoid extensive service cuts, including to entire bus lines, and station closures by this July.

What I'm hearing: Problems are compounding for Metro general manager Randy Clarke.

1. Fare revenue between July and September missed projections by 16.5%.

Total Metro revenue during the last fiscal quarter was $108.4 million. That's $17.7 million less than projected, as the Washington Post reported last week.

The drop comes after the first fare hike in five years. And it's despite rail and bus ridership increasing 30% over a year ago, mostly thanks to weekend riders returning to 90% of pre-pandemic levels.

2. A D.C. powerbroker wants an independent commission to take charge of Metro's future.

The talk of the town last week was a splashy letter from former D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams. He denounced Metro leadership for recently forcing out the agency's inspector general, who resigned a day after publishing a critical audit.

"I am resigning under duress and threat," the former watchdog, Rene Febles, wrote in a resignation announcement to the Metro board acquired by the Post. "You should all be ashamed of yourselves."

What they're saying: "The IG departure is a blow to public trust at the wrong time," Williams, who leads the influential Federal City Council group, told me this week.

Given the resignation fiasco and Metro's history of safety scandals, Williams says new funding should be tied to "top-to-bottom reforms." No reforms, no $750 million.

The other side: Clarke is set to unveil a proposed budget to the Metro board on Dec. 14, spokesperson Jordan Pascale said. 

Between the lines: There's been little to no headway on solving the $750 million ticking time bomb.

D.C., Maryland, Virginia and the federal government jointly fund Metro. Clarke has been campaigning since the summer to convince everyone to contribute hundreds of millions more.

The state legislatures in Annapolis and Richmond convene early next year, meaning lawmakers will have just a few months to decide whether to chip in any help.

💬 Town Talker is a weekly column about local politics and power. Send me tips: cuneyt@axios.com.

Photo: Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images

Town Talker

Metro ridership is up, but revenues are down — complicating a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$750 million budget gap" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/06/26/dc-metro-deficit" data-vars-content-id="45b1b5ba-85f0-44d7-94d4-20e2fd614a9a" data-vars-headline="Metro&#x27;s problems stack up despite rise in ridership" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/06/26/dc-metro-deficit" target="_self">$750 million budget gap</a>.Why it matters: Metro is in a slow-motion crisis as it tries to avoid extensive <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="service cuts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/10/27/metro-train-busses-funding-service-cuts-stations-closed" data-vars-content-id="45b1b5ba-85f0-44d7-94d4-20e2fd614a9a" data-vars-headline="Metro&#x27;s problems stack up despite rise in ridership" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/10/27/metro-train-busses-funding-service-cuts-stations-closed" target="_self">service cuts</a>, including to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="entire bus lines" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/10/27/metro-train-busses-funding-service-cuts-stations-closed" data-vars-content-id="45b1b5ba-85f0-44d7-94d4-20e2fd614a9a" data-vars-headline="Metro&#x27;s problems stack up despite rise in ridership" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/10/27/metro-train-busses-funding-service-cuts-stations-closed" target="_self">entire bus lines</a>, and station closures by this July.

Politics

D.C. sued home renovation company Curbio on Monday, alleging it traps homeowners with overpriced bills for substandard work.

Why it matters: Attorney General Brian Schwalb claims the Potomac, Md.-based company targets elderly and low-income residents looking to sell their homes and lies about its promise of speedy, high-quality renovations.

Details: The company advertises its services in dozens of cities. It promises to fix properties 65% faster than competitors and allows homeowners to defer paying renovation costs for up to a year or until the house sells, according to the attorney general's office.

Curbio claims average returns of 200% on investments.

But Curbio relies on "low-cost subcontractors to deliver overpriced, low-quality renovations and then encumbers" homeowners with liens or other forms of debt, Schwalb's office said.

What they're saying: "We strongly disagree with the action taken," Curbio said in a statement to Axios, calling the AG's assertions "without merit."

Zoom in: In one example, an 86-year-old homeowner and her grandson in Southwest D.C. agreed to a $57,600 contract for renovations, which ended up going three months over schedule, according to the lawsuit.

The homeowner claimed that the work was incomplete, but the company nonetheless allegedly recorded a mechanic's lien against the property to collect the full amount of the contract.

The company said the AG's office "cherry-picked a handful of exceptions to the positive experience many of our customers have had, painting a false narrative."

The lawsuit alleges Curbio traps homeowners with overpriced bills for substandard work.

Lawsuits

D.C. sued <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="home renovation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/09/30/home-improvement-high-roi-add-value-washington-dc" data-vars-content-id="6495c190-f74e-4bcb-986a-9d2767fda683" data-vars-headline="D.C. sues home remodeling company Curbio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/09/30/home-improvement-high-roi-add-value-washington-dc" target="_self">home renovation</a> company Curbio on Monday, alleging it traps homeowners with overpriced bills for substandard work.Why it matters: Attorney General Brian Schwalb claims the Potomac, Md.-based company targets elderly and low-income residents looking to sell their homes and lies about its promise of speedy, high-quality renovations.

Cuneyt Dil

Stories

Prince George's County steers guaranteed income program

D.C. nonprofits may face tough holiday season as donations dwindle

The biggest money-making speed cameras in D.C.

Metro's problems stack up despite rise in ridership

D.C. sues home remodeling company Curbio

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