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Scoop: Actor Jon Bernthal buys $3.75M house in D.C.

"The Punisher" and "His & Hers" star is planting roots around his hometown.

News

Hollywood hotshot Jon Bernthal recently dropped $3.75 million on a home in Chevy Chase, D.C., real estate sources tell Axios — a sign &quot;The Punisher&quot; is planting roots back home.Why it matters: In a town where senators count as celebrity sightings, &quot;The Bear&quot; and &quot;Walking Dead&quot; star showing up at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Wizards games" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/WashWizards/status/2013376385692123593" data-vars-content-id="2295a3de-c2ba-4f2e-9250-797a8bff49f7" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Actor Jon Bernthal buys $3.75M house in D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/WashWizards/status/2013376385692123593" target="_blank">Wizards games</a> and beloved <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="red-sauce joints" data-vars-click-url="https://www.popville.com/2026/01/dcs-own-spotted-jon-bernthal-filomena/" data-vars-content-id="2295a3de-c2ba-4f2e-9250-797a8bff49f7" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Actor Jon Bernthal buys $3.75M house in D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.popville.com/2026/01/dcs-own-spotted-jon-bernthal-filomena/" target="_blank">red-sauce joints</a> qualifies as actual star power.

Exclusive: D.C. mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George reveals how she'd handle Trump

The democratic socialist dove deep into a range of topics for the first time.

Politics

Mayoral candidate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Janeese Lewis George" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/11/20/janeese-lewis-george-bowser-dc-mayor-election-zohran-mamdani" data-vars-content-id="3c850410-729e-40ed-aaa4-33038fc55d58" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: D.C. mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George reveals how she&#x27;d handle Trump" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/11/20/janeese-lewis-george-bowser-dc-mayor-election-zohran-mamdani" target="_self">Janeese Lewis George</a> would support a new business tax to fund child care for all. And says she&#x27;d work with President Trump on redeveloping downtown.Why it matters: Lewis George is vying against <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kenyan McDuffie" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/01/15/dc-mayoral-kenyan-mcduffie-janeese-lewis-george-campaign-election-fundraising-fair-elections" data-vars-content-id="3c850410-729e-40ed-aaa4-33038fc55d58" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: D.C. mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George reveals how she&#x27;d handle Trump" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/01/15/dc-mayoral-kenyan-mcduffie-janeese-lewis-george-campaign-election-fundraising-fair-elections" target="_self">Kenyan McDuffie</a> to lead the nation&#x27;s capital, and her strategy echoes that of fellow democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, the New York City mayor who isn&#x27;t shy about his disagreements with Trump but also seeks areas of cooperation.

Peak bloom may hit later due to our brutal winter

Plus: New saplings arrive at the Tidal Basin.

Peak <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cherry blossom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/02/22/cherry-trees-plum-trees-dc" data-vars-content-id="1fb62a16-0fe9-4c55-b09f-fc3c6b06ea11" data-vars-headline="Peak bloom may hit later due to our brutal winter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/02/22/cherry-trees-plum-trees-dc" target="_self">cherry blossom</a> bloom could arrive later than recent years thanks to D.C.&#x27;s record-breaking cold.Why it matters: It&#x27;s been a brutal winter — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="snowcrete" 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="1fb62a16-0fe9-4c55-b09f-fc3c6b06ea11" data-vars-headline="Peak bloom may hit later due to our brutal winter" 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</a>, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sewage spill" 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="1fb62a16-0fe9-4c55-b09f-fc3c6b06ea11" data-vars-headline="Peak bloom may hit later due to our brutal winter" 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">sewage spill</a> — and the District could use some floral joy ASAP.

D.C.'s Lunar New Year guide, other weekend events

D.C. caps its parade with a firecracker show on H Street Northwest.

Things to Do

Chinatown will celebrate the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Year of the Fire Horse" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/04/fire-horse-meaning-astrology" data-vars-content-id="a67224e4-96cd-40e1-9c5c-76e885702f6c" data-vars-headline="D.C.&#x27;s Lunar New Year guide, other weekend events" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/04/fire-horse-meaning-astrology" target="_self">Year of the Fire Horse</a> this Sunday with its annual Lunar New Year Parade.Why it matters: Fire Horse energy is intense, and D.C. will cap its parade with a firecracker show on H Street Northwest.

Exclusive: D.C. singles are embracing AI for romantic partners

D.C. singles rank second-highest in using bots for companionship.

Dating

More singles are getting romantic with an AI bot in D.C. than in most big cities, per Match data shared exclusively with Axios.Why it matters: Robot baes are just another example of how <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Washington&#x27;s loneliness crisis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/02/26/loneliness-crisis-why-explained" data-vars-content-id="2a0f8667-190d-4846-93eb-cf9b3927bd9e" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: D.C. singles are embracing AI for romantic partners" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/02/26/loneliness-crisis-why-explained" target="_self">Washington&#x27;s loneliness crisis</a> could be playing out.

D.C. dating is disrupted by DOGE cuts

The hunt for Beltway love is more partisan than ever.

Culture

The hunt for love in D.C. is more fraught than ever — and matchmakers and local singles say you can blame <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Trump&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/01/29/trump-federal-workforce-overhaul-buyouts-fork-in-road" data-vars-content-id="0f28edef-32c8-4da2-bae8-e4f3fcb97745" data-vars-headline="D.C. dating is disrupted by DOGE cuts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/01/29/trump-federal-workforce-overhaul-buyouts-fork-in-road" target="_self">President Trump&#x27;s</a> second-term policies.The big picture: It&#x27;s not news that dating has become highly partisan, especially in a town as politically obsessed as Washington.

We asked ChatGPT how to dump someone in D.C. Its answers are unhinged

If the idea of doing a prix-fixe <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Valentine&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/02/10/valentines-day-ideas-last-mintue-dc-galentines" data-vars-content-id="1a156fef-749a-4738-912c-b7562a0426d6" data-vars-headline="We asked ChatGPT how to dump someone in D.C. Its answers are unhinged" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/02/10/valentines-day-ideas-last-mintue-dc-galentines" target="_self">Valentine&#x27;s</a> dinner with your situationship is giving you heartburn instead of heart jitters, we&#x27;ve got you covered: ChatGPT told us the best places to break up with someone in D.C.Why it matters: If it goes badly, you can just blame it on the &#x27;bots.

Forget your ex: D.C. has a ton of single people

More Americans are delaying or foregoing marriage for a host of reasons.

If you&#x27;re looking to find a last-minute Valentine&#x27;s Day bae in D.C., you&#x27;re in luck: The District has an especially high share of unmarried 20-and-older residents.Why it matters: More Americans are<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" delaying or foregoing marriage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/02/25/marriage-declining-single-dating-taxes-relationships" data-vars-content-id="83db2b38-ef47-4a8d-a7b5-6c4bd1bb9811" data-vars-headline="Forget your ex: D.C. has a ton of single people" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/02/25/marriage-declining-single-dating-taxes-relationships" target="_self"> delaying or foregoing marriage</a> for a host of reasons, but it remains a bedrock of U.S. socioeconomic life and a<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" strong predictor of happiness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/09/marriage-wellbeing-happiness-survey" data-vars-content-id="83db2b38-ef47-4a8d-a7b5-6c4bd1bb9811" data-vars-headline="Forget your ex: D.C. has a ton of single people" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/09/marriage-wellbeing-happiness-survey" target="_self"> strong predictor of happiness</a>.

More people are getting licensed to wed in D.C. than before COVID

While some Washingtonians rushed to get <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="married" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/09/marriage-wellbeing-happiness-survey" data-vars-content-id="212cd197-3405-4e20-8b05-b761fa32c875" data-vars-headline="More people are getting licensed to wed in D.C. than before COVID" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/09/marriage-wellbeing-happiness-survey" target="_self">married</a> during COVID, city marriage license numbers declined overall during the pandemic, per D.C. Superior Court data. The big picture: D.C. mirrored the national trend of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="marriage numbers" data-vars-click-url="https://blogs.cdc.gov/nchs/2023/02/14/7278/" data-vars-content-id="212cd197-3405-4e20-8b05-b761fa32c875" data-vars-headline="More people are getting licensed to wed in D.C. than before COVID" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://blogs.cdc.gov/nchs/2023/02/14/7278/" target="_blank">marriage numbers</a> dropping during the pandemic, but then rebounding after.

This news-based dating app might be the most D.C. thing ever

InPress connects users via news articles.

A new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="matchmaking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/02/14/find-love-single-matchmaker-dating-kailen-rosenberg-minnesota" data-vars-content-id="469d646e-f28d-4768-a393-b37510c06db2" data-vars-headline="This news-based dating app might be the most D.C. thing ever" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/02/14/find-love-single-matchmaker-dating-kailen-rosenberg-minnesota" target="_self">matchmaking</a> app wants to connect locals over a classic D.C. hobby: being obsessed with the news.The big picture: This comes as many Washingtonians are increasingly turning to IRL <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="meet-up events" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/08/18/timeleft-app-dinner-friends-dc" data-vars-content-id="469d646e-f28d-4768-a393-b37510c06db2" data-vars-headline="This news-based dating app might be the most D.C. thing ever" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/08/18/timeleft-app-dinner-friends-dc" target="_self">meet-up events</a> thanks to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dating app burnout" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/05/06/dating-apps-burnout-singles-events" data-vars-content-id="469d646e-f28d-4768-a393-b37510c06db2" data-vars-headline="This news-based dating app might be the most D.C. thing ever" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/05/06/dating-apps-burnout-singles-events" target="_self">dating app burnout</a> and a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="loneliness crisis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/02/26/loneliness-crisis-why-explained" data-vars-content-id="469d646e-f28d-4768-a393-b37510c06db2" data-vars-headline="This news-based dating app might be the most D.C. thing ever" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/02/26/loneliness-crisis-why-explained" target="_self">loneliness crisis</a>.

D.C.'s new dating question: Do we freeze embryos

It's a hot topic as people wait longer to have kids.

No longer are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="couples" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/30/sex-intimacy-myth-the-spark-emily-nagoski" data-vars-content-id="bc9a11d2-f10f-4e6f-aee4-9592eedb6209" data-vars-headline="D.C.&#x27;s new dating question: Do we freeze embryos" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/30/sex-intimacy-myth-the-spark-emily-nagoski" target="_self">couples</a> just having the DTR talk (&quot;define the relationship&quot;) — now many also want to DTFE: &quot;decide to freeze embryos.&quot;Why it matters: As awareness and conversation around <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fertility preservation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/05/29/fertility-testing-egg-freezing-doctors" data-vars-content-id="bc9a11d2-f10f-4e6f-aee4-9592eedb6209" data-vars-headline="D.C.&#x27;s new dating question: Do we freeze embryos" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/05/29/fertility-testing-egg-freezing-doctors" target="_self">fertility preservation</a> increase — in part spurred by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Covid" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/covid" data-vars-content-id="bc9a11d2-f10f-4e6f-aee4-9592eedb6209" data-vars-headline="D.C.&#x27;s new dating question: Do we freeze embryos" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/covid" target="_self">Covid</a> — more people are rethinking the way they approach having kids.

More D.C. singles are ditching dating apps for in-person events

"People are craving more authentic human interaction," one local says.

Single Washingtonians experiencing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dating app burnout" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/31/well/mind/burnout-online-dating-apps.html" data-vars-content-id="834f6d2c-5716-43f5-b007-18f6dd985ff3" data-vars-headline="More D.C. singles are ditching dating apps for in-person events" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/31/well/mind/burnout-online-dating-apps.html" target="_blank">dating app burnout</a> are turning to a radical idea: actually meeting people … in person.The big picture: Singles are increasingly swapping virtual for IRL connections as a way out of what many see as a bleak dating app landscape and to feel less socially isolated post-pandemic, users tell Axios.

D.C. is seeing a growing interest in nonmonogamous relationships

One major factor that led to this moment: the pandemic.

This <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Valentine&#x27;s Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/02/dating-culture-valentines-day-gen-z-situationships" data-vars-content-id="7a0143e8-0592-4bca-a173-e08ad3ec5808" data-vars-headline="D.C. is seeing a growing interest in nonmonogamous relationships" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/02/dating-culture-valentines-day-gen-z-situationships" target="_self">Valentine&#x27;s Day</a>, more D.C. people are thinking about love — beyond monogamy.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Media" data-vars-click-url="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/01/01/american-poly-christopher-gleason-book-review-more-a-memoir-of-open-marriage-molly-roden-winter" data-vars-content-id="7a0143e8-0592-4bca-a173-e08ad3ec5808" data-vars-headline="D.C. is seeing a growing interest in nonmonogamous relationships" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/01/01/american-poly-christopher-gleason-book-review-more-a-memoir-of-open-marriage-molly-roden-winter" target="_blank">Media</a><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" coverage" data-vars-click-url="https://nymag.com/press/2024/01/on-the-cover-of-new-york-a-practical-guide-to-polyamory.html" data-vars-content-id="7a0143e8-0592-4bca-a173-e08ad3ec5808" data-vars-headline="D.C. is seeing a growing interest in nonmonogamous relationships" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nymag.com/press/2024/01/on-the-cover-of-new-york-a-practical-guide-to-polyamory.html" target="_blank"> coverage</a>, a buzzy <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new memoir" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/13/books/molly-roden-winter-more-book-open-marriage.html" data-vars-content-id="7a0143e8-0592-4bca-a173-e08ad3ec5808" data-vars-headline="D.C. is seeing a growing interest in nonmonogamous relationships" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/13/books/molly-roden-winter-more-book-open-marriage.html" target="_blank">new memoir</a>, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shows" data-vars-click-url="https://www.businessinsider.com/riverdale-season-7-finale-quad-polyamorous-relationship-archie-betty-jughead-veronica-2023-8" data-vars-content-id="7a0143e8-0592-4bca-a173-e08ad3ec5808" data-vars-headline="D.C. is seeing a growing interest in nonmonogamous relationships" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/riverdale-season-7-finale-quad-polyamorous-relationship-archie-betty-jughead-veronica-2023-8" target="_blank">shows</a> like &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Couple to Throuple" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/08/hulu-peacock-netflix-new-movies-tv" data-vars-content-id="7a0143e8-0592-4bca-a173-e08ad3ec5808" data-vars-headline="D.C. is seeing a growing interest in nonmonogamous relationships" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/08/hulu-peacock-netflix-new-movies-tv" target="_self">Couple to Throuple</a>&quot; are bringing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="polyamory" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/14/polyamory-laws-nonmonogamy-stigma" data-vars-content-id="7a0143e8-0592-4bca-a173-e08ad3ec5808" data-vars-headline="D.C. is seeing a growing interest in nonmonogamous relationships" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/14/polyamory-laws-nonmonogamy-stigma" target="_self">polyamory</a> into mainstream conversations, but limited laws are only beginning to protect people from the stigma that can come with being in a relationship with more than one person.