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Trump's Freedom Plaza statue display could be coming down

The statues went up in Freedom Plaza in May

News

The Trump administration&#x27;s 13 bronze statue installation at Freedom Plaza appears to be nearing an end.Why it matters: They&#x27;re meant to honor Revolutionary War heroes, but the likeness of Caesar Rodney drew <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local backlash" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-administration-display-statue-founding-father-who-enslaved-dozens-2026-03-19/" data-vars-content-id="71d7c1e8-3824-4f23-9b1b-e6e5bc5359f0" data-vars-headline="Trump&#x27;s Freedom Plaza statue display could be coming down" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-administration-display-statue-founding-father-who-enslaved-dozens-2026-03-19/" target="_blank">local backlash</a> earlier this year. He&#x27;s a founding father whose statue was removed in Delaware during 2020&#x27;s Black Lives Matter protests because of his history as a slave owner. <ul><li>The statues are a big presence, installed as part of America&#x27;s 250th celebrations. </li></ul>

Capital One Arena fans can claim cash from $4.5M settlement

A $4.5 million settlement could mean cash for Caps, Wizards and concert fans. Here's how to claim your share.

Check your inbox: Thousands of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Capital One Arena" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/11/capitol-one-arena-renovation-renderings-beer-hall" data-vars-content-id="2b9698ca-cce0-4cea-b6d6-10e465719025" data-vars-headline="Capital One Arena fans can claim cash from $4.5M settlement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/11/capitol-one-arena-renovation-renderings-beer-hall" target="_self">Capital One Arena</a> customers may be eligible for a payout from a $4.5 million settlement over a 3% &quot;venue fee&quot; tacked onto concessions.Why it matters: The multimillion-dollar deal raises the stakes in D.C.&#x27;s long-running fight over mandatory fees and how they&#x27;re disclosed.

Alex Ovechkin's farewell tour begins

The NHL's all-time goals leader will retire after 22 seasons as the face of the Capitals.

Sports

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Alexander Ovechkin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/10/02/capitals-schedule-ovechkin" data-vars-content-id="a55e228f-a077-4492-b2ea-899045b5acf4" data-vars-headline="Alex Ovechkin&#x27;s farewell tour begins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/10/02/capitals-schedule-ovechkin" target="_self">Alexander Ovechkin</a> is calling it a career when this — his 22nd NHL season — is done.Why it matters: The NHL&#x27;s all-time leading goal-scorer has been the face of the Washington Capitals for more than two decades, transforming them from an afterthought into one of D.C.&#x27;s most consistently relevant teams.

D.C.-area homebuyers pull back as mortgage rates climb

Loudoun saw the region's steepest decline in new purchase contracts, falling 35%.

Real Estate

Washington&#x27;s real estate showings and contracts are slowing down amid high mortgage rates.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mortgage rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/01/mortgage-rates-housing-sales" data-vars-content-id="f4b2f5ac-3ac1-43aa-8b5a-f3512151599d" data-vars-headline="D.C.-area homebuyers pull back as mortgage rates climb" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/01/mortgage-rates-housing-sales" target="_self">Mortgage rates</a> recently crossed the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="7% threshold" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/23/mortgage-interest-rates-7-percent" data-vars-content-id="f4b2f5ac-3ac1-43aa-8b5a-f3512151599d" data-vars-headline="D.C.-area homebuyers pull back as mortgage rates climb" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/23/mortgage-interest-rates-7-percent" target="_self">7% threshold</a> and hit their highest levels in almost three years, causing mortgage applications to drop.

D.C. food writer Emily Heil serves up a spooky new novel

The Washington Post journalist's debut mixes ghosts, food and a Virginia-inspired coastal town.

Culture

A D.C. journalist is out with a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="novel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/09/30/dc-public-library-most-popular-books-summer-reading-2026" data-vars-content-id="9fefe32e-b9e7-41e4-895e-4dc1e3d6aa09" data-vars-headline="D.C. food writer Emily Heil serves up a spooky new novel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/09/30/dc-public-library-most-popular-books-summer-reading-2026" target="_self">novel</a> this week that&#x27;s the perfect spooky season read for foodies.Why it matters: Capitol Hill resident <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Emily Heil" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/emily-heil/" data-vars-content-id="9fefe32e-b9e7-41e4-895e-4dc1e3d6aa09" data-vars-headline="D.C. food writer Emily Heil serves up a spooky new novel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/emily-heil/" target="_blank">Emily Heil</a> covers food at the Washington Post. Her first novel, &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="A Pinch of Magic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/emily-heil/a-pinch-of-magic/9781538779910/?lens=forever" data-vars-content-id="9fefe32e-b9e7-41e4-895e-4dc1e3d6aa09" data-vars-headline="D.C. food writer Emily Heil serves up a spooky new novel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/emily-heil/a-pinch-of-magic/9781538779910/?lens=forever" target="_blank">A Pinch of Magic</a>&quot; is what she calls a &quot;cozy paranormal&quot; about a cookbook ghostwriter who accidentally conjures an actual ghost.

D.C.'s newest mini-bookstore is hiding underground

A $40 bookshelf is creating a new showcase for small press writers from across the DMV.

A new bookshelf in Dupont Underground wants to spotlight books by local authors who publish with smaller presses.Why it matters: It can be hard and financially difficult for small press authors to land spots in larger brick-and-mortar <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bookstores" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/14/alexandria-bookstore-long-dark-house" data-vars-content-id="21e18cbf-4a87-4d9b-a052-e55aab3917af" data-vars-headline="D.C.&#x27;s newest mini-bookstore is hiding underground" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/14/alexandria-bookstore-long-dark-house" target="_self">bookstores</a>, says bookshelf organizer Theodore Carter.

D.C.'s most popular library books this summer, ranked

From "Dog Man" to literary fiction, these were D.C. library readers' favorite summer checkouts.

Washingtonians went big on reading this summer.The big picture: D.C. celebrated its 250 summer in style — and so did its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="libraries" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/12/public-library-250-exhibit-american-pride-district-vibes" data-vars-content-id="9ca4730d-8d67-4d79-aa95-9a1a06451fe7" data-vars-headline="D.C.&#x27;s most popular library books this summer, ranked" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/12/public-library-250-exhibit-american-pride-district-vibes" target="_self">libraries</a>.

New Union Station art show explores America's competitive side

More than 30 artists explore America's competitive side.

Things to Do

The art of the game is on display at Union Station, where a new pop-up gallery explores sports through the eyes of artists.The big picture: &quot;America: The Game&quot; looks at how competition and rivalries have shaped American culture and identity, featuring work from more than 30 artists through Oct. 10.

Kennedy Center could close today. This Trump ally has big ideas.

The Kennedy Center says it&#x27;s crumbling and teetering toward bankruptcy. But a President Trump ally sees something else entirely: a chance to turn it into a glammed-up, luxurious cultural destination.Why it matters: Trump-appointed board members will push during a Tuesday meeting to start a controversial two-year renovation while again trying to put <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump&#x27;s name" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/29/trump-kennedy-center-name-removed-closure" data-vars-content-id="177768c6-eb0d-43db-9932-d41400db0384" data-vars-headline="Kennedy Center could close today. This Trump ally has big ideas." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/29/trump-kennedy-center-name-removed-closure" target="_self">Trump&#x27;s name</a> on the building.

Fireworks, sharks, cage fights: It's 12-year-old Boy Summer in D.C.

Fireworks, sharks, cage fighting, and so many planes.

Summer 2026 is almost over — and it wasn&#x27;t Hot Girl Summer or Brat Summer or even <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rabid Beaver Summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/07/beaver-attack-rabies-cunningham-park" data-vars-content-id="d4315706-3aa8-411d-aa2c-b9729c9af4c1" data-vars-headline="Fireworks, sharks, cage fights: It&#x27;s 12-year-old Boy Summer 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/2026/08/07/beaver-attack-rabies-cunningham-park" target="_self">Rabid Beaver Summer</a>.<ul><li>Nope, we&#x27;re calling it now: This was 12-year-old Boy Summer in D.C.</li></ul>

Soupergirl founder Sara Polon launches D.C. one-woman show

The D.C. entrepreneur turns hard life events into a funny, dark one-woman show.

The founder of the D.C. brand <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Soupergirl " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/pro/retail-deals/2023/05/24/soupergirl-raising-a-series-a-extension" data-vars-content-id="2c2b3ad3-40db-48aa-bb62-902f07e76063" data-vars-headline="Soupergirl founder Sara Polon launches D.C. one-woman show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/pro/retail-deals/2023/05/24/soupergirl-raising-a-series-a-extension" target="_self">Soupergirl </a>is launching a one-woman show about the worst year-and-a-half of her life.Why it matters: You likely know Sara Polon for, well, soup, but “<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="I Regret Nothing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.iregretnothingshow.com/" data-vars-content-id="2c2b3ad3-40db-48aa-bb62-902f07e76063" data-vars-headline="Soupergirl founder Sara Polon launches D.C. one-woman show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.iregretnothingshow.com/" target="_blank">I Regret Nothing</a>” will reveal a new side of the entrepreneur when it premieres next month.

Sunny Sandler's new Netflix movie was inspired by its D.C. screenwriter's life

The film starts streaming on Netflix Friday.

A heartfelt new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="movie" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/05/09/free-outdoor-movie-guide-dc" data-vars-content-id="80ad72c1-4095-4462-8f8e-2f3782162235" data-vars-headline="Sunny Sandler&#x27;s new Netflix movie was inspired by its D.C. screenwriter&#x27;s life" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/05/09/free-outdoor-movie-guide-dc" target="_self">movie</a> out Friday on Netflix was inspired by a local screenwriter&#x27;s days as a high school musical star in D.C.Why it matters: The coming-of-age dramedy <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Don&#x27;t Say Good Luck&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.netflix.com/title/81975622" data-vars-content-id="80ad72c1-4095-4462-8f8e-2f3782162235" data-vars-headline="Sunny Sandler&#x27;s new Netflix movie was inspired by its D.C. screenwriter&#x27;s life" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.netflix.com/title/81975622" target="_blank">&quot;Don&#x27;t Say Good Luck&quot;</a> stars Sunny Sandler — aka Adam Sandler&#x27;s daughter — and is produced by the Sandman himself.<ul><li>It also stars big names like Melanie Lynskey, Max Greenfield and Steve Buscemi.</li></ul>

The story behind D.C.'s viral Metro goat

Bob's Metro rides made him a viral sensation. Then videos of his owner being detained by Metro police sparked a new round of questions. Metro says the detention had nothing to do with the goat. Here's what happened.

A goat is riding Metro — and no, we&#x27;re not talking about G.O.A.T. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Randy Clarke" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/01/30/randy-clarke-dc-mayor" data-vars-content-id="a1f0547a-5744-4ffc-91f8-566933c86261" data-vars-headline="The story behind D.C.&#x27;s viral Metro goat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/01/30/randy-clarke-dc-mayor" target="_self">Randy Clarke</a>.Why it matters: A viral police encounter involving D.C.&#x27;s most famous goat — aka Bob — has turned an ordinary Metro policy into the internet&#x27;s latest debate.

Inside the Trump admin's patriotic vision for Art in Embassies

A new exhibit brings into public view a State Department program that has showcased American art abroad for more than 60 years.

America at 250

A rare local art exhibition showcasing the State Department&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Art in Embassies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/09/15/jenny-holzer-national-mall-projection-art-in-embassies" data-vars-content-id="7f590d81-9325-4ac7-bec6-3611089f4856" data-vars-headline="Inside the Trump admin&#x27;s patriotic vision for Art in Embassies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/09/15/jenny-holzer-national-mall-projection-art-in-embassies" target="_self">Art in Embassies</a> program is opening in D.C. soon.Why it matters: &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Passport to Patriotism: 250 Years of Diplomacy" data-vars-click-url="https://art.state.gov/freedom-250/" data-vars-content-id="7f590d81-9325-4ac7-bec6-3611089f4856" data-vars-headline="Inside the Trump admin&#x27;s patriotic vision for Art in Embassies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://art.state.gov/freedom-250/" target="_blank">Passport to Patriotism: 250 Years of Diplomacy</a>&quot; offers a window into how the Trump administration is shaping a decades-old cultural diplomacy program around patriotism and America&#x27;s 250th anniversary.