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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.

Feds: Those Commanders stadium parking decks are too big

News

Let&#x27;s tone down those <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="11-story parking garages" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/19/commanders-stadium-parking-garages-height-11-stories" data-vars-content-id="f322f804-821c-403f-bafb-8db2bcfabae7" data-vars-headline="Feds: Those Commanders stadium parking decks are too big" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/19/commanders-stadium-parking-garages-height-11-stories" target="_self">11-story parking garages</a>, federal planners are telling the Commanders.Why it matters: While the classical-looking stadium is getting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lots of love" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/01/22/commanders-stadium-renderings-national-capital-planning-commission" data-vars-content-id="f322f804-821c-403f-bafb-8db2bcfabae7" data-vars-headline="Feds: Those Commanders stadium parking decks are too big" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/01/22/commanders-stadium-renderings-national-capital-planning-commission" target="_self">lots of love</a>, the Commanders are hearing the first major criticisms of their broader plans at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="RFK redevelopment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/07/29/what-the-new-rfk-stadium-neighborhood-will-look-like" data-vars-content-id="f322f804-821c-403f-bafb-8db2bcfabae7" data-vars-headline="Feds: Those Commanders stadium parking decks are too big" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/07/29/what-the-new-rfk-stadium-neighborhood-will-look-like" target="_self">RFK redevelopment</a>.

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.

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

The best public pools in the DMV — many free!

Things to Do

Surfs up, pool rats: D.C. public <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/07/26/dc-heat-wave-pools-museums" 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/2023/07/26/dc-heat-wave-pools-museums" target="_self">pools</a> and splash parks are in full swing for the summer season.Why it matters: Pools &gt; pools of sweat.

A secret ski heaven in the mid-Atlantic

Weather gurus call the Canaan Valley's climate its "cash crop."

Mid-Atlantic skiing is generally considered mid at best — unless you&#x27;re among those of us who&#x27;ve found the Canaan Valley in West Virginia.Why it matters: The snow is off the charts this year! And a major, ongoing transformation at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Timberline" data-vars-click-url="https://timberlinemountain.com/" data-vars-content-id="c037b093-b3a6-4d98-94fd-18cc9a2019c6" data-vars-headline="A secret ski heaven in the mid-Atlantic" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://timberlinemountain.com/" target="_blank">Timberline</a> — the main mountain in Canaan — means every season gets better than the last.

The best holiday teas around D.C.

Sun&#x27;s out, pinkies up — it&#x27;s tea season in Washington.Why it matters: Tea service is trending in D.C. and we can&#x27;t get enough little sandwiches and bite-size sweets.

The most festive holiday markets around D.C.

Where to shop local with hot drinks, Christmas music and winter cheer.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Holiday markets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/11/08/downtown-dc-holiday-market-ice-rink-light-display" data-vars-content-id="d52ee37b-88ac-43d5-b7c8-5b4cdef7859a" data-vars-headline="The most festive holiday markets around 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/2024/11/08/downtown-dc-holiday-market-ice-rink-light-display" target="_self">Holiday markets</a> are popping up all over the DMV.Why it matters: You can&#x27;t get hot drinks and winter cheer shopping online.

The best places to ice skate around D.C. this winter

Festive ice skating rinks are open for the winter season.Why it matters: There&#x27;s a DMV rink for every mood, from first dates to family fun.

D.C. bars and restaurants that welcome big groups with no extra charges

The only givens in life are death, taxes, and stress-searching for a bar or restaurant that welcomes big groups but doesn&#x27;t require room rentals or minimums.<ul><li>Luckily, we can help with those party needs (and maybe your <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="taxes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/15/file-taxes-irs-direct-file-program" data-vars-content-id="2f519ced-34e4-4cab-9bf9-458cecf39783" data-vars-headline="D.C. bars and restaurants that welcome big groups with no extra charges" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/15/file-taxes-irs-direct-file-program" target="_self">taxes</a>).</li></ul>The big picture: It&#x27;s common, especially around the holidays, for restaurants and bars to require minimums, private room rentals and/or prix-fixe menus.

Where people from the D.C. area are moving

Some aren't going far. Virginians, however, are peacing out.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="People who are moving" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/03/american-states-moving-population-migration" data-vars-content-id="c4a83c0b-f3a6-4efa-9ffc-f326eba97a5d" data-vars-headline="Where people from the D.C. area are moving" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/03/american-states-moving-population-migration" target="_self">People who are moving</a> from D.C. and Maryland often aren&#x27;t going far, per new census data. Virginians, however, seem to be peacing out.Why it matters: There&#x27;s a lot of moving around within the DMV as people shift where they live to find more space and affordability in an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expensive area" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/05/14/home-prices-record-high" data-vars-content-id="c4a83c0b-f3a6-4efa-9ffc-f326eba97a5d" data-vars-headline="Where people from the D.C. area are moving" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/05/14/home-prices-record-high" target="_self">expensive area</a>, and as they reconfigure how close they need to be to work in an evolving <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="office environment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/04/17/office-buildings-empty-sales-drop" data-vars-content-id="c4a83c0b-f3a6-4efa-9ffc-f326eba97a5d" data-vars-headline="Where people from the D.C. area are moving" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/04/17/office-buildings-empty-sales-drop" target="_self">office environment</a>.

What it takes to be in the 1% in D.C., Maryland and Virginia

The threshold to reach the status is going up.

It&#x27;s getting pricier to be a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="1 percenter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/08/18/dc-virginia-maryland-1-percent-how-much-income" data-vars-content-id="fff5644d-3623-475d-8ac5-d4dd1e07af65" data-vars-headline="What it takes to be in the 1% in D.C., Maryland and Virginia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/08/18/dc-virginia-maryland-1-percent-how-much-income" target="_self">1 percenter</a> in D.C., where Washingtonians now need to earn $1.21 million to reach that status.The big picture: Just over 3,300 D.C. residents make the 1%, according to an analysis of IRS tax filer data from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="SmartAsset" data-vars-click-url="https://smartasset.com/data-studies/top-1-percent-income-2024" data-vars-content-id="fff5644d-3623-475d-8ac5-d4dd1e07af65" data-vars-headline="What it takes to be in the 1% in D.C., Maryland and Virginia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://smartasset.com/data-studies/top-1-percent-income-2024" target="_blank">SmartAsset</a>.

New speed camera is the biggest moneymaker in D.C.

In the first half of 2024, the camera raked in nearly $5.9 million.

Transit

The most lucrative <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="speed camera" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/11/27/car-speed-traffic-camera-i295-tickets-revenue" data-vars-content-id="c2d6a5c4-9960-42be-b586-1f0596733b03" data-vars-headline="New speed camera is the biggest moneymaker 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/2023/11/27/car-speed-traffic-camera-i295-tickets-revenue" target="_self">speed camera</a> in D.C. is a relatively new one installed on the Potomac River Freeway, issuing tickets in the first half of 2024 totaling nearly $5.9 million.Why it matters: D.C. is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increasing penalties" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/01/17/new-traffic-penalties-speed-cameras-licenses" data-vars-content-id="c2d6a5c4-9960-42be-b586-1f0596733b03" data-vars-headline="New speed camera is the biggest moneymaker 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/2024/01/17/new-traffic-penalties-speed-cameras-licenses" target="_self">increasing penalties</a> for dangerous driving and adding more speed cameras, becoming an even greater contributor to the city&#x27;s budget.

New weekend getaways for food lovers near D.C.

Dreaming of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="summer escape" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/05/17/taylor-swift-eras-tour-europe-trips-dc" data-vars-content-id="13dafa5c-9ca4-42fa-89f4-29cdcd3bf810" data-vars-headline="New weekend getaways for food lovers near 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/2024/05/17/taylor-swift-eras-tour-europe-trips-dc" target="_self">summer escape</a>? You don&#x27;t need a flight to feel transported at one of these new getaways fit for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="food" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/food-and-drink" data-vars-content-id="13dafa5c-9ca4-42fa-89f4-29cdcd3bf810" data-vars-headline="New weekend getaways for food lovers near 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/food-and-drink" target="_self">food</a> lovers — all under 150 miles from D.C.The big picture: Several inns and B&amp;Bs with a foodie focus are popping up in the region, plus some exciting new culinary (and poolside!) draws at old favorites.

Newcomers Guide

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

A secret ski heaven in the mid-Atlantic

The best holiday teas around D.C.

The most festive holiday markets around D.C.

The best places to ice skate around D.C. this winter