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Trump's White House ballroom gets design approval

An ongoing legal case has halted construction on the site.

Politics & Policy

President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump&#x27;s ballroom project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/04/01/despite-construction-setback-trumps-ballroom-design-still-expected-to-win-approval" data-vars-content-id="78fc6532-27ce-4c76-8c4c-6b2820529dde" data-vars-headline="Trump&#x27;s White House ballroom gets design approval" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/04/01/despite-construction-setback-trumps-ballroom-design-still-expected-to-win-approval" target="_self">Trump&#x27;s ballroom project</a> won design approval on Thursday, even though an ongoing legal case has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="halted construction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/31/trump-ballroom-plans-judge-order" data-vars-content-id="78fc6532-27ce-4c76-8c4c-6b2820529dde" data-vars-headline="Trump&#x27;s White House ballroom gets design approval" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/31/trump-ballroom-plans-judge-order" target="_self">halted construction</a> on the site.Why it matters: The National Capital Planning Commission&#x27;s sign-off won&#x27;t restart construction, but it clears a final procedural hurdle for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="78fc6532-27ce-4c76-8c4c-6b2820529dde" data-vars-headline="Trump&#x27;s White House ballroom gets design approval" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Trump&#x27;s</a> fast-tracked, $400 million plans for transforming the White House.

Here are D.C.'s 2026 RAMMY Award finalists: New restaurants, best chefs and beyond

The RAMMYS are back — who's in the running.

Food and Drink

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="RAMMY Awards" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/08/04/2025-rammy-awards-chef-restaurant-bar-winners" data-vars-content-id="b9fe27c8-da75-400f-8d0b-2ee5804e3218" data-vars-headline="Here are D.C.&#x27;s 2026 RAMMY Award finalists: New restaurants, best chefs and beyond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/08/04/2025-rammy-awards-chef-restaurant-bar-winners" target="_self">RAMMY Awards</a>, D.C.&#x27;s annual hospitality industry honors, just announced their 2026 finalists.Why it matters: The RAMMYs are like a local version of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="James Beard Awards" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/31/james-beard-awards-2026-finalists-dc" data-vars-content-id="b9fe27c8-da75-400f-8d0b-2ee5804e3218" data-vars-headline="Here are D.C.&#x27;s 2026 RAMMY Award finalists: New restaurants, best chefs and beyond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/31/james-beard-awards-2026-finalists-dc" target="_self">James Beard Awards</a>, spotlighting some of the best dining and drinking spots in town — along with the chefs and teams behind them.

Mahjong is moving into Washington-area homes

Research suggests the centuries-old Chinese game is good for brain health.

Homes Brief

Mahjong is the newest fixture in Washington-area homes, as people turn underused rooms into dedicated parlors for playing.Why it matters: The centuries-old Chinese tile game that&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sweeping D.C." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/10/21/mahjong-lessons-clubs-popular-dc-md-va" data-vars-content-id="1fb7cce2-5df6-4f54-9ad3-503ff3758367" data-vars-headline="Mahjong is moving into Washington-area homes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/10/21/mahjong-lessons-clubs-popular-dc-md-va" target="_self">sweeping D.C.</a> is &quot;one of the best things that you can do for your brain,&quot; says Gregg Swain, a historian of the game with a doctorate in clinical psychology.

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.

New COVID vaccine rules could raise costs and cut access in the DMV

Anxiety is mounting over eligibility and insurance coverage.

COVID

Getting a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="COVID-19 vaccine" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/27/covid-vaccine-2025-fda-recommendation-rfk" data-vars-content-id="551ef031-21e2-4783-9dcb-281f4169a686" data-vars-headline="New COVID vaccine rules could raise costs and cut access in the DMV" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/27/covid-vaccine-2025-fda-recommendation-rfk" target="_self">COVID-19 vaccine</a> shot this fall will take more than a quick trip to the pharmacy. Why it matters: The federal government&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new limits" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/28/cdc-covid-vaccine-rules-recommendations-high-risk-fda" data-vars-content-id="551ef031-21e2-4783-9dcb-281f4169a686" data-vars-headline="New COVID vaccine rules could raise costs and cut access in the DMV" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/28/cdc-covid-vaccine-rules-recommendations-high-risk-fda" target="_self">new limits</a> on who is eligible for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="COVID vaccines" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/27/covid-19-vaccine-policy-cases-rise" data-vars-content-id="551ef031-21e2-4783-9dcb-281f4169a686" data-vars-headline="New COVID vaccine rules could raise costs and cut access in the DMV" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/27/covid-19-vaccine-policy-cases-rise" target="_self">COVID vaccines</a> — and questions over insurance coverage — are causing confusion over the accessibility of shots once universally recommended.

What to know about the new COVID vaccines in D.C.

The shots should be available starting this week.

News

Updated COVID vaccines were <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="just recommended" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/12/cdc-advisors-endorse-updated-covid-vaccines" data-vars-content-id="c6d934fc-e67f-409d-9039-4bb23d240c3b" data-vars-headline="What to know about the new COVID vaccines in D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/12/cdc-advisors-endorse-updated-covid-vaccines" target="_self">just recommended</a> by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and should be available to D.C. residents starting this week.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="COVID hospitalizations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/08/21/covid-summer-wave-eg5" data-vars-content-id="c6d934fc-e67f-409d-9039-4bb23d240c3b" data-vars-headline="What to know about the new COVID vaccines in D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/08/21/covid-summer-wave-eg5" target="_self">COVID hospitalizations</a> are rising around D.C. and the country and the new round of vaccines will be available for anyone ages six months or older.

Pandemic mental health diagnoses increased in D.C.

There was a 200% increase in calls to D.C.’s suicide hotline in the first year of the pandemic.

Mental health diagnoses in D.C. during the pandemic were up 15% above the baseline, per a new Georgetown University report for the D.C. Auditor&#x27;s Office.The big picture: The report sheds new light on the challenges people faced as the spread of COVID-19 upended livelihoods.

A quarter of D.C. students out of compliance as vaccine deadline looms

Elementary school students have until Oct. 11 to get their shots before they're not allowed in school.

With the deadline <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rapidly approaching" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2022/08/26/dc-new-student-vaccine-deadline-october-11" data-vars-content-id="f94a8537-39ee-4eb1-b8bb-bac432fd2396" data-vars-headline="A quarter of D.C. students out of compliance as vaccine deadline looms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2022/08/26/dc-new-student-vaccine-deadline-october-11" target="_self">rapidly approaching</a> for elementary school children to be up-to-date on their pediatric vaccines, more than a quarter of D.C. school students are still out of compliance. Why it matters: Starting Oct. 11, DCPS students in pre-K through 5th grade who are not fully vaccinated will not be permitted to attend school. Students at all schools, including public, private and parochial, are required to be up-to-date on their vaccinations.

COVID cases are low in D.C. schools, but data reporting has changed

COVID in schools is a much different story this year as most students are able to be vaccinated.

COVID-19 cases in D.C.’s public schools remain low a month into the academic year — although the data available is much less detailed than last year and it’s harder to make comparisons. Why it matters: COVID in schools is a much different story this year than last. Most students are able to be vaccinated and more <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vaccine requirements" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2022/08/26/dc-new-student-vaccine-deadline-october-11" data-vars-content-id="aa765004-a123-42d8-b638-e733cde7cbf8" data-vars-headline="COVID cases are low in D.C. schools, but data reporting has changed" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2022/08/26/dc-new-student-vaccine-deadline-october-11" target="_self">vaccine requirements</a> are in place.

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

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

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-content-id="1548ee61-0a0d-4bce-baa1-2f53af8949af" data-vars-headline="D.C.&#x27;s wastewater program data sees continued delays" 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.

CDC data shows that most D.C. kids have had COVID-19

While this data gives us insight into how many children have had COVID-19, it doesn’t show whether they have enough antibodies to fight off future infections.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New data" data-vars-click-url="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#pediatric-seroprevalence" data-vars-content-id="7091b496-a409-4035-b6de-023cd3a0b403" data-vars-headline="CDC data shows that most D.C. kids have had COVID-19" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#pediatric-seroprevalence" target="_blank">New data</a> from the CDC shows that 75.4% of D.C. children have already been infected with COVID-19.Driving the news: Released earlier this month, the CDC&#x27;s survey examined samples from 384 D.C. children between the ages of 6 months to 17 years.

A veteran DCPS teacher recaps the school year

We spoke with a DCPS teacher about navigating this first year back in person. Here's what she told us.

DCPS last week finished its first in-person pandemic school year after more than a year of virtual learning. We spoke with a DCPS teacher about navigating this first year back in person.

D.C. sees a smooth start to toddler vaccinations

Parents who sought vaccines at D.C.’s public COVID centers this week told Axios the process was smooth.

For D.C. parents who want them, finding a COVID-19 dose for their toddler has proved fairly successful in the first days of availability. Why it matters: Many D.C. parents have been waiting for what might have seemed like an eternity for these vaccines, and now may be pleasantly surprised at how frictionless the experience is.

How to get your toddler vaccinated in the DMV

Local health officials encourage families to reach out to their pediatricians first for vaccinations.

Children under the age of five can now get their COVID-19 shots after both the Pfizer and Moderna doses were recommended by the CDC.Why it matters: COVID is one of the five leading causes of death in children, CDC advisers said this past weekend.

COVID 🦠

New COVID vaccine rules could raise costs and cut access in the DMV

What to know about the new COVID vaccines in D.C.

Pandemic mental health diagnoses increased in D.C.

A quarter of D.C. students out of compliance as vaccine deadline looms

COVID cases are low in D.C. schools, but data reporting has changed