Washington D.C.

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in D.C. with Mimi Montgomery, Cuneyt Dil, and Anna Spiegel.

Axios D.C.

Standard

Axios D.C. Partners

Axios D.C. Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

A guide to fun things to do in D.C. this weekend.

Axios D.C. Weekender

Weekender

D.C. Alerts

Alert

Washington, DC Members

Membership

Welcome to D.C.'s hot dog summer

From sold-out Nats hot dog night to fancy wagyu pigs in blankets, the city's glizzy obsession is heating up.

Food and Drink

We&#x27;re calling it now — it&#x27;s a hot dog summer.🌭 Anna&#x27;s theory: Summer falls into one of two camps: burger summer, when everyone&#x27;s obsessed with the latest patty trend. Or the less-common but far more enjoyable hot dog summer, when glizzies take center stage.<ul><li>As someone who believes hot dogs are always good — even when they&#x27;re not that good — while mediocre burgers are tragic (and way too common), I say let the wieners roll.</li></ul>

D.C. keeps crown as America's best park system

As local parks are caught up in political fights, the ranking is a reminder that parks are some of D.C.'s best assets.

News

The District is home to the best city park system in America — again —according to new rankings from the Trust for Public Land.Why it matters: At a moment when D.C.&#x27;s parks are caught up in political fights and makeover drama, the report is a reminder that the city&#x27;s green spaces remain some of its biggest assets.

Potomac sewage line needs new repairs on three segments, D.C. Water says

D.C. Water says it's still surveying for weak points after the January sewage spill.

Three vulnerable segments of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Potomac Interceptor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/04/21/potomac-river-spill-dc-water-lawsuit" data-vars-content-id="632b312a-93c1-48b0-97fc-afb365329e1e" data-vars-headline="Potomac sewage line needs new repairs on three segments, D.C. Water says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/04/21/potomac-river-spill-dc-water-lawsuit" target="_self">Potomac Interceptor</a> need repairs, the head of D.C. Water disclosed to Congress in a Wednesday hearing about the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="historic pipeline collapse" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/02/13/sewage-spill-potomac-river-safety-fishing-swimming-future" data-vars-content-id="632b312a-93c1-48b0-97fc-afb365329e1e" data-vars-headline="Potomac sewage line needs new repairs on three segments, D.C. Water says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/02/13/sewage-spill-potomac-river-safety-fishing-swimming-future" target="_self">historic pipeline collapse</a>. Why it matters: Four months after the sewage spill, D.C. Water vows it&#x27;s &quot;more aggressively&quot; identifying weaknesses along the 54-mile sewer line, built in the 1960s.

DMV pool guide: Where to swim around D.C. this summer

The best public pools in the DMV — many free!

Things to Do

Suit up: Pools and splash parks are opening across the DMV over Memorial Day weekend.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Snowcrete winter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/01/28/snow-emergency-extended-as-snowcrete-slows-dc-cleanup" data-vars-content-id="570de5ab-d6f4-4a15-9cf5-94eda14c5b79" data-vars-headline="DMV pool guide: Where to swim around D.C. this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/01/28/snow-emergency-extended-as-snowcrete-slows-dc-cleanup" target="_self">Snowcrete winter</a> makes pool season that much sweeter.

Why more D.C. deliveries are moving to bikes

The city's new pilot program will test whether battery-powered bikes can cut congestion, emissions and noise as delivery demand keeps growing.

More D.C. delivery drivers are living every day like it&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bike to Work Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.biketoworkmetrodc.org/" data-vars-content-id="6b2a3560-a602-4c64-9f42-64f0b7bb5421" data-vars-headline="Why more D.C. deliveries are moving to bikes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.biketoworkmetrodc.org/" target="_blank">Bike to Work Day</a>, thanks to companies like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="DoorDash" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/18/doordash-bike-deliveries-growth" data-vars-content-id="6b2a3560-a602-4c64-9f42-64f0b7bb5421" data-vars-headline="Why more D.C. deliveries are moving to bikes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/18/doordash-bike-deliveries-growth" target="_self">DoorDash</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Amazon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/12/amazon-delivery-speed-war-walmart-target" data-vars-content-id="6b2a3560-a602-4c64-9f42-64f0b7bb5421" data-vars-headline="Why more D.C. deliveries are moving to bikes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/12/amazon-delivery-speed-war-walmart-target" target="_self">Amazon</a> expanding their pedal-powered fleets.Why it matters: The benefits for workers and roadways are real — greener, quieter, zippier, less traffic, you name it.

Your slice at Andy's Pizza is powered by AI

The fast-growing D.C. chain has built its own AI-powered operating system — while trying to preserve the human feel of a neighborhood slice shop.

Behind the counter at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Andy&#x27;s Pizza" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eatandyspizza.com/" data-vars-content-id="efa08579-127b-4db9-98b3-7a04841f70a0" data-vars-headline="Your slice at Andy&#x27;s Pizza is powered by AI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eatandyspizza.com/" target="_blank">Andy&#x27;s Pizza</a>, AI now helps direct everything from when mozzarella gets ordered to the moment a pie needs to hit the oven.Why it matters: As big restaurant chains pour money into AI to cut labor costs, fast-growing D.C. pizza chain Andy&#x27;s is betting custom-built AI tools can help it scale without sacrificing hospitality.

D.C. tourism rose slightly, but international visitors declined

D.C. is betting on a big summer with America 250.

D.C.&#x27;s tourism industry reported slight growth in 2025, with more visitors for the third year running.Why it matters: The nation&#x27;s capital is leaning into tourism and attractions (see: stadiums, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="IndyCar" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/04/14/indycar-s-d-c-first" data-vars-content-id="9720566c-f3c9-41bf-a05d-1bf62d429d54" data-vars-headline="D.C. tourism rose slightly, but international visitors declined" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/04/14/indycar-s-d-c-first" target="_self">IndyCar</a>, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NFL draft" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/05/05/nfl-draft-dc-national-mall-trump-2027" data-vars-content-id="9720566c-f3c9-41bf-a05d-1bf62d429d54" data-vars-headline="D.C. tourism rose slightly, but international visitors declined" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/05/05/nfl-draft-dc-national-mall-trump-2027" target="_self">NFL draft</a>) to make up for an economic slowdown brought on by federal job cuts.

D.C. to release major robotaxi study this summer

An implementation report has been delayed for several years.

D.C.&#x27;s years-late report on how to implement robotaxis is expected this summer. Why it matters: The D.C. Council is holding up a bill that would green-light robotaxis like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waymo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/02/27/waymo-robotaxis-lobbying-self-driving-cars" data-vars-content-id="fe41c9e2-b611-45a5-b15f-97689d937a70" data-vars-headline="D.C. to release major robotaxi study this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/02/27/waymo-robotaxis-lobbying-self-driving-cars" target="_self">Waymo</a> until the study is finished.

Resistance grows to soaring Pepco bills

The utility says it needs to charge its Maryland customers more.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pepco" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/18/pepco-washington-gas-bills-mayor-race-lewisgeorge-mcduffie" data-vars-content-id="0e6fabf2-a089-4c0c-81c4-19a74b470ec4" data-vars-headline="Resistance grows to soaring Pepco bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/18/pepco-washington-gas-bills-mayor-race-lewisgeorge-mcduffie" target="_self">Pepco</a> is facing growing pressure across the DMV, as officials step in to protect customers while challenging rate increases.Why it matters: As frustration with rising bills <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="boils over" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/03/dc-utility-bills-spike-winter-costs" data-vars-content-id="0e6fabf2-a089-4c0c-81c4-19a74b470ec4" data-vars-headline="Resistance grows to soaring Pepco bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/03/dc-utility-bills-spike-winter-costs" target="_self">boils over</a>, the utility says it needs to charge its Maryland customers more.

AI pressure grows on the DMV's young workforce

Business

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the job market in the DMV, and it&#x27;s likely to hit younger and entry-level workers particularly hard, a pair of recent reports found.Why it matters: Younger workers and college grads were already facing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grim" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/31/hiring-rate-jobs-employment-iran" data-vars-content-id="9ab080ab-f6ba-4fb2-ad54-6a40fde9f52e" data-vars-headline="AI pressure grows on the DMV&#x27;s young workforce" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/31/hiring-rate-jobs-employment-iran" target="_self">grim</a> and &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="frozen" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/25/jobs-market-ai-indeed-retail" data-vars-content-id="9ab080ab-f6ba-4fb2-ad54-6a40fde9f52e" data-vars-headline="AI pressure grows on the DMV&#x27;s young workforce" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/25/jobs-market-ai-indeed-retail" target="_self">frozen</a>&quot; job market, and AI may make it worse.

Where D.C. unemployment stands after Trump's first year

The president's return to Washington is inflicting pain on the city's economy, but past recessions offer useful context.

D.C.&#x27;s unemployment rate hit 6.7% in December, following job losses in the hospitality industry, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.Why it matters: D.C.&#x27;s economy took a beating after the DOGE cuts, and residents&#x27; subsequent cutbacks in dining out and shopping have since collided with inflation to hurt restaurants, hotels and other businesses.

Maryland becomes new data center battleground as demand soars

Northern Virginia isn't the only local hotbed of industry activity — or opposition.

Development

The data center wars are heating up in Maryland.Why it matters: When DMV residents think of data centers — and the opposition to them — they likely think of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Northern Virginia" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/13/data-centers-us-pushback" data-vars-content-id="93f7b497-f512-471e-8748-dbe4b238afe9" data-vars-headline="Maryland becomes new data center battleground as demand soars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/13/data-centers-us-pushback" target="_self">Northern Virginia</a>, home to the world&#x27;s biggest collection and much local <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pushback" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/12/12/data-centers-northern-virginia-historic-battlefields" data-vars-content-id="93f7b497-f512-471e-8748-dbe4b238afe9" data-vars-headline="Maryland becomes new data center battleground as demand soars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/12/12/data-centers-northern-virginia-historic-battlefields" target="_self">pushback</a> against their spread.

Scoop: Congressional Dems help fuel more D.C. labor wars

The restaurants are hot spots for political fundraisers.

Congressional Democrats are throwing their support behind more D.C. restaurant unionization efforts, raising the specter of a boycott if the owners refuse to play ball, Axios has learned. Why it matters: The three restaurants are hot spots for political fundraisers, and losing the business of national Democratic bigwigs could pose a threat to their bottom line.

Exclusive: D.C. restaurants, hotels suffered during Trump takeover, per new data

The restaurants aren't "booming," as the president claims.

D.C. businesses felt pain in September while the Trump administration&#x27;s crime crackdown was underway, per new city data.Why it matters: President Trump, the restaurants are not <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;booming.&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjLRRMw_Lyg" data-vars-content-id="15cc07a6-5a91-4d45-959e-96fc76847af4" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: D.C. restaurants, hotels suffered during Trump takeover, per new data" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjLRRMw_Lyg" target="_blank">&quot;booming.&quot;</a>

Business 🏦

Why more D.C. deliveries are moving to bikes

Your slice at Andy's Pizza is powered by AI

D.C. tourism rose slightly, but international visitors declined

D.C. to release major robotaxi study this summer

Resistance grows to soaring Pepco bills