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Exclusive: Smithsonian Castle reopens with iconic artifacts and lobster rolls

Go to see Amelia Earhart's flight suit, stay for the lobster rolls.

Things to Do

The Smithsonian Castle is temporarily reopening on the National Mall next week after a years-long closure, complete with historic treasures and New England eats.Why it matters: If Amelia Earhart&#x27;s flight suit doesn&#x27;t lure you in, maybe lobster rolls inside the Smithsonian&#x27;s oldest building will.

Scoop: Trump allies want D.C.'s July 4 fireworks to set world record

The spectacle will run nearly twice as long as last year's show on the National Mall — and require more than 810,904 fireworks.

Politics & Policy

Trump allies want to smash the Guinness World Record for the world&#x27;s biggest fireworks show, planning over 30 minutes of pyrotechnics in D.C. this July 4.Why it matters: The supersized spectacle for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="America&#x27;s 250th" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/04/07/dc-america-250-events-locals-guide" data-vars-content-id="1f6837de-fbaa-43cf-a4c9-42774c8a9693" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Trump allies want D.C.&#x27;s July 4 fireworks to set world record" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/04/07/dc-america-250-events-locals-guide" target="_self">America&#x27;s 250th</a> birthday is the latest Trump touch on D.C., including a never-before-seen UFC cage fight on the White House lawn next month — putting Washington on its highest-ever July 4 security footing.

Why D.C. homeowners are designing "analog" rooms

People want quiet spaces to escape constant stimulation.

Homes Brief

Move over, smart homes: Washingtonians want quiet spaces to escape constant stimulation from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="screens" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/09/10/restaurant-phone-ban-hush-harbor-dc" data-vars-content-id="f4c9b40d-5512-4e66-bac2-630dd9b53557" data-vars-headline="Why D.C. homeowners are designing &quot;analog&quot; rooms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/09/10/restaurant-phone-ban-hush-harbor-dc" target="_self">screens</a> and notifications, designer Zoë Feldman tells Axios.The big picture: More homeowners nationwide are creating &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dumb homes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/01/smart-home-analog-design" data-vars-content-id="f4c9b40d-5512-4e66-bac2-630dd9b53557" data-vars-headline="Why D.C. homeowners are designing &quot;analog&quot; rooms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/01/smart-home-analog-design" target="_self">dumb homes</a>,&quot; says Beth McGroarty, vice president of research at the Global Wellness Institute. It&#x27;s part of a broader &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analog wellness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/23/analog-bag-screen-free-wellness" data-vars-content-id="f4c9b40d-5512-4e66-bac2-630dd9b53557" data-vars-headline="Why D.C. homeowners are designing &quot;analog&quot; rooms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/23/analog-bag-screen-free-wellness" target="_self">analog wellness</a>&quot; movement.

D.C. market trails suburbs in spring housing rebound

D.C. and Prince George's are lagging, but NoVa and Montgomery County stay strong.

Real Estate

Washington-area real estate saw a bump in activity last month, per a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="BrightMLS report" data-vars-click-url="https://assets.ctfassets.net/1g8q1frp41ix/2GKsiKnaZ9U2agzCGR208V/3ac4578126f769fdf5d01442820c7f33/Washington__D.C._Metro_2026-04.pdf" data-vars-content-id="e7173972-572c-4ff2-b41c-fe4f927ef742" data-vars-headline="D.C. market trails suburbs in spring housing rebound" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://assets.ctfassets.net/1g8q1frp41ix/2GKsiKnaZ9U2agzCGR208V/3ac4578126f769fdf5d01442820c7f33/Washington__D.C._Metro_2026-04.pdf" target="_blank">BrightMLS report</a> — a ray of sunshine after a gloomy stretch.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/10/22/housing-market-inventory-buyers-options-grow" data-vars-content-id="e7173972-572c-4ff2-b41c-fe4f927ef742" data-vars-headline="D.C. market trails suburbs in spring housing rebound" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/10/22/housing-market-inventory-buyers-options-grow" target="_self">local market</a> has been sluggish in the wake of federal government cuts and economic worries.

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.

News

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.

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.

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.

Best and worst times for D.C. Memorial Day 2026 travel

It's officially the start of summer travel season.

Memorial Day weekend is approaching, which means, yes, the start of summer, but also the start of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="summer travel traffic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/13/memorial-day-weekend-best-worst-drive-times" data-vars-content-id="709239c2-e125-4e7d-9c2a-6f6af6e78e8e" data-vars-headline="Best and worst times for D.C. Memorial Day 2026 travel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/13/memorial-day-weekend-best-worst-drive-times" target="_self">summer travel traffic</a>.Why it matters: This holiday weekend is expected to set a record for domestic travel, with 45 million Americans traveling, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AAA" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2026/05/45-million-americans-planning-memorial-day-weekend-getaways/" data-vars-content-id="709239c2-e125-4e7d-9c2a-6f6af6e78e8e" data-vars-headline="Best and worst times for D.C. Memorial Day 2026 travel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2026/05/45-million-americans-planning-memorial-day-weekend-getaways/" target="_blank">AAA</a>. Plan your trip wisely.

Feds turn up pressure on D.C. safety, pushing council to reinstate teen curfew

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro says that parents whose children commit crimes at teen takeovers will be charged.

U.S. Attorney <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jeanine Pirro" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/02/trump-gun-control-dc-second-amendment-gop" data-vars-content-id="e23f826a-4f3f-4797-aebc-553e638fa5e8" data-vars-headline="Feds turn up pressure on D.C. safety, pushing council to reinstate teen curfew" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/02/trump-gun-control-dc-second-amendment-gop" target="_self">Jeanine Pirro</a> and Mayor Muriel Bowser are urging the D.C. Council to reinstate youth curfew zones with immediate effect.Why it matters: The pressure comes after a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fight" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tmz.com/2026/05/18/washington-dc-chipotle-fight-video/" data-vars-content-id="e23f826a-4f3f-4797-aebc-553e638fa5e8" data-vars-headline="Feds turn up pressure on D.C. safety, pushing council to reinstate teen curfew" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tmz.com/2026/05/18/washington-dc-chipotle-fight-video/" target="_blank">fight</a> inside a Navy Yard Chipotle went viral over the weekend — and Pirro&#x27;s promise to prosecute parents of troublemakers.

How D.C.'s mayoral race became a restaurant industry battle

RAMW is endorsing Kenyan McDuffie and other candidates for the first time in years — highlighting growing tensions over wages, streateries, public safety and the future of independent restaurants in D.C.

Politics

The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington is jumping into D.C.&#x27;s increasingly contentious mayoral race, endorsing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kenyan McDuffie" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/12/kenyan-mcduffie-dc-mayor-election-janeese-lewis-george" data-vars-content-id="7f16a4d0-59c3-4b88-a2ad-f5d90c90d208" data-vars-headline="How D.C.&#x27;s mayoral race became a restaurant industry battle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/12/kenyan-mcduffie-dc-mayor-election-janeese-lewis-george" target="_self">Kenyan McDuffie</a> and flexing its political muscle in a way it hasn&#x27;t in years.Why it matters: The next mayor could shape the future of D.C.&#x27;s dining scene — from decisions on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="labor costs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/12/08/the-next-war-over-wages-in-dc" data-vars-content-id="7f16a4d0-59c3-4b88-a2ad-f5d90c90d208" data-vars-headline="How D.C.&#x27;s mayoral race became a restaurant industry battle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/12/08/the-next-war-over-wages-in-dc" target="_self">labor costs</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="streateries" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/01/dc-streatery-era-ending-whats-next" data-vars-content-id="7f16a4d0-59c3-4b88-a2ad-f5d90c90d208" data-vars-headline="How D.C.&#x27;s mayoral race became a restaurant industry battle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/01/dc-streatery-era-ending-whats-next" target="_self">streateries</a> to policies that operators warn could either stabilize or sink independent restaurants.

Exclusive: Metro CEO Randy Clarke's message to Trump

Clarke talks about where he's taking Metro

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Randy Clarke" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/10/30/randy-clarke-metro-dc-mayor-muriel-bowser-election" data-vars-content-id="f16bcf11-f892-4a09-a3b2-3ffa9f6b5984" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Metro CEO Randy Clarke&#x27;s message to 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/2025/10/30/randy-clarke-metro-dc-mayor-muriel-bowser-election" target="_self">Randy Clarke</a> sees Metro&#x27;s future in the Gold Line: A zippy, dedicated bus route from Georgetown to the new Commanders stadium.<ul><li>And the transit system&#x27;s general manager has a message for a powerful man who loves gold: </li><li>&quot;President Trump and the entire administration say they want to build,&quot; Clarke says, &quot;and they want to build faster.&quot;</li><li>&quot;Metro wants to build stuff, and we want to build faster.&quot;</li></ul>Why it matters: The Gold Line is more ambitious than just a bus lane. It tries to solve a new problem (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stadium transit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/12/metro-commanders-stadium-rfk-stadium-armory" data-vars-content-id="f16bcf11-f892-4a09-a3b2-3ffa9f6b5984" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Metro CEO Randy Clarke&#x27;s message to 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/2026/05/12/metro-commanders-stadium-rfk-stadium-armory" target="_self">stadium transit</a>) and a very old problem (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="no Georgetown metro" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/10/04/georgetown-metro-stop-when-date" data-vars-content-id="f16bcf11-f892-4a09-a3b2-3ffa9f6b5984" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Metro CEO Randy Clarke&#x27;s message to 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/2023/10/04/georgetown-metro-stop-when-date" target="_self">no Georgetown metro</a>) — and fix K Street.

A massive "human composting" facility just opened outside D.C.

Earth Funeral just opened the East Coast's largest natural organic reduction facility in Howard County.

The green burial boom is here — a huge &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="human composting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/11/21/human-composting" data-vars-content-id="161dad19-c1af-4064-b682-e1395ec040ed" data-vars-headline="A massive &quot;human composting&quot; facility just opened outside D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/11/21/human-composting" target="_self">human composting</a>&quot; site just opened outside D.C., bringing a fast-growing, eco-friendly death care option close to home.Why it matters: Maryland legalized human composting two years ago, paving the way for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Earth Funeral" data-vars-click-url="https://earthfuneral.com/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=ppc&amp;utm_campaign=GA_Search_Brand_Exact_US_2&amp;utm_content=623022695674&amp;utm_term=earth%20funeral&amp;utm_campaign_id=18387002872&amp;utm_adgroup=GA_Search_Brand_Exact&amp;utm_adgroup_id=141533093277&amp;utm_ad_id=623022695674&amp;utm_placement=&amp;utm_match_type=e&amp;utm_device=c&amp;utm_network=g&amp;utm_location=9007537&amp;utm_site_domain=&amp;utm_site_id=kwd-927024177258&amp;hsa_acc=9039600664&amp;hsa_cam=18387002872&amp;hsa_grp=141533093277&amp;hsa_ad=623022695674&amp;hsa_src=g&amp;hsa_tgt=kwd-927024177258&amp;hsa_kw=earth%20funeral&amp;hsa_mt=e&amp;hsa_net=adwords&amp;hsa_ver=3&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=18387002872&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAoXksEqgCGzov0vRiRJKvFCCs85gu&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwiJvQBhCYARIsAMjts3KsDEm5ia_PnjhXZJNav0zPtomtHxPvG8rmP_heOPFLUglRkf2J4XAaAqdJEALw_wcB" data-vars-content-id="161dad19-c1af-4064-b682-e1395ec040ed" data-vars-headline="A massive &quot;human composting&quot; facility just opened outside D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://earthfuneral.com/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=ppc&amp;utm_campaign=GA_Search_Brand_Exact_US_2&amp;utm_content=623022695674&amp;utm_term=earth%20funeral&amp;utm_campaign_id=18387002872&amp;utm_adgroup=GA_Search_Brand_Exact&amp;utm_adgroup_id=141533093277&amp;utm_ad_id=623022695674&amp;utm_placement=&amp;utm_match_type=e&amp;utm_device=c&amp;utm_network=g&amp;utm_location=9007537&amp;utm_site_domain=&amp;utm_site_id=kwd-927024177258&amp;hsa_acc=9039600664&amp;hsa_cam=18387002872&amp;hsa_grp=141533093277&amp;hsa_ad=623022695674&amp;hsa_src=g&amp;hsa_tgt=kwd-927024177258&amp;hsa_kw=earth%20funeral&amp;hsa_mt=e&amp;hsa_net=adwords&amp;hsa_ver=3&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=18387002872&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAoXksEqgCGzov0vRiRJKvFCCs85gu&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwiJvQBhCYARIsAMjts3KsDEm5ia_PnjhXZJNav0zPtomtHxPvG8rmP_heOPFLUglRkf2J4XAaAqdJEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Earth Funeral</a> to open one of the world&#x27;s largest facilities in Howard County — giving East Coast families access to a process that often required transporting loved ones across the country.

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.

News 🗞

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

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

Soft serve margaritas hit D.C.

Best and worst times for D.C. Memorial Day 2026 travel

Feds turn up pressure on D.C. safety, pushing council to reinstate teen curfew