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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.

Savannah Bananas save their biggest show for D.C.

The Savannah Bananas became a hit on TikTok. Now their show is mainstream.

Sports

A Vienna native is preparing for the biggest game of his career Saturday at Nationals Park.<ul><li>That means lots of work on his dance moves.</li></ul>The big picture: Pitcher Danny Hosley and his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Savannah Bananas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/06/09/savannah-bananas-draw-148-000-people-in-charlotte" data-vars-content-id="63add06f-2c6a-423e-b5bb-160f85734ede" data-vars-headline="Savannah Bananas save their biggest show for D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/06/09/savannah-bananas-draw-148-000-people-in-charlotte" target="_self">Savannah Bananas</a> teammates are wrapping up their season in D.C. with the first Banana Bowl — a championship game the novelty baseball league is billing as its grandest spectacle yet.

New laws could bring more ADUs to Maryland and Virginia

New rules make it easier to add ADUs as the D.C. region grapples with a housing crunch.

Real Estate

New state laws are making it easier to build ADUs across Maryland and Virginia.Why it matters: The push for more local ADUs — accessory dwelling units, or small housing units built on the same land as a bigger home — comes as the region sees a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing crunch" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/10/05/real-estate-market-mortgage-rates-home-sales" data-vars-content-id="d563d5b1-db65-4b93-8d91-6c4259c595a3" data-vars-headline="New laws could bring more ADUs to 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/2026/10/05/real-estate-market-mortgage-rates-home-sales" target="_self">housing crunch</a>.

D.C. is expanding parking ticket enforcement. One lawmaker is fighting back

There&#x27;s a new debate about the cost of D.C. traffic tickets.Why it matters: D.C. is expanding parking and traffic enforcement as lawmakers wrestle with the cost of fines at a time when everyday expenses are going up.

D.C. wants to build a 15-acre wellness resort on the Anacostia. Some are skeptical.

Therme's plan calls for pools, saunas and more at Poplar Point — but major hurdles remain.

A proposal to put a massive wellness resort along the Anacostia River is gaining steam. But will it ever get built?Why it matters: It&#x27;s an extravagant idea — thermal pools, saunas, cold plunges and then some, over what could be 600,000 square feet — and one that would juice development on prime real estate.

Exclusive: Waymo's opposition grows with D.C. rally

One of the biggest topics this fall at the D.C. Council: Robotaxis.

Waymo&#x27;s foes are assembling in D.C.Why it matters: Labor unions and even churches are ramping up pressure on the D.C. Council to reject a bill legalizing robotaxis.

D.C. releases master plan for RFK Stadium redevelopment

D.C. is mapping out the RFK site for years to come.

An <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expanded" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/12/metro-commanders-stadium-rfk-stadium-armory" data-vars-content-id="583277a8-d4df-4542-a958-5b958a0c7d3f" data-vars-headline="D.C. releases master plan for RFK Stadium redevelopment" 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">expanded</a> Stadium-Armory Metro station and new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gold Line buses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/18/randy-clarke-metro-gold-line-rfk-stadium" data-vars-content-id="583277a8-d4df-4542-a958-5b958a0c7d3f" data-vars-headline="D.C. releases master plan for RFK Stadium redevelopment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/18/randy-clarke-metro-gold-line-rfk-stadium" target="_self">Gold Line buses</a> will be ready to ferry fans to the new Commanders stadium by the home opener in fall 2030, Mayor Muriel Bowser declared Thursday.Why it matters: Bowser&#x27;s pledge comes as D.C. releases a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="RFK site master plan" data-vars-click-url="https://app.box.com/s/28w39w3ty2o04i0db8e703ijx8wkies7" data-vars-content-id="583277a8-d4df-4542-a958-5b958a0c7d3f" data-vars-headline="D.C. releases master plan for RFK Stadium redevelopment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://app.box.com/s/28w39w3ty2o04i0db8e703ijx8wkies7" target="_blank">RFK site master plan</a> guiding how the neighborhood around the stadium will grow for decades to come.

As local economy weakens, D.C. will consider tax increases

A tax on upscale secondary homes is on the table.

D.C. will be considering tax increases very soon, with a pied-à-terre tax being one of the ideas.Why it matters: D.C.&#x27;s economy is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flashing red" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/maustermuhle/status/2098104437667414355/photo/3" data-vars-content-id="c0302d8f-7063-4025-9b3a-0eed5b7f16c1" data-vars-headline="As local economy weakens, D.C. will consider tax increases" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/maustermuhle/status/2098104437667414355/photo/3" target="_blank">flashing red</a>: 36,000 jobs have been lost since last year, the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="5.7% unemployment" data-vars-click-url="https://does.dc.gov/release/district-columbia-unemployment-rate-57-percent-august?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="c0302d8f-7063-4025-9b3a-0eed5b7f16c1" data-vars-headline="As local economy weakens, D.C. will consider tax increases" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://does.dc.gov/release/district-columbia-unemployment-rate-57-percent-august?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">5.7% unemployment</a> is higher than the U.S. average, and home prices are declining.

Star witness in Trayon White bribery trial denies family ties

It could undercut the defense's opening argument.

The government on Wednesday called up its star witness — Allieu Kamara, who as part of an FBI sting handed D.C. Council member <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trayon White" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/09/14/trayon-white-s-bribery-trial-will-be-d-c-s-biggest-courtroom-drama-in-years" data-vars-content-id="32d57c7f-d3e4-4d48-aca6-cbf4bbd18e7a" data-vars-headline="Star witness in Trayon White bribery trial denies family ties" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/09/14/trayon-white-s-bribery-trial-will-be-d-c-s-biggest-courtroom-drama-in-years" target="_self">Trayon White</a> cash that prosecutors allege were bribes.<ul><li>And Kamara cleared something up from the beginning. &quot;I&#x27;m not related to him,&quot; Kamara said, after White&#x27;s defense attorney claimed the day before that they were brothers-in-law.</li></ul>Why it matters: The denial undercuts defense attorney Gary Kohlman&#x27;s opening argument: that Kamara can&#x27;t be trusted, not least because he&#x27;s a serial fraudster, but also, who betrays his own brother-in-law?

In bribery trial, Trayon White's defense tries to discredit star witness

The D.C. Council member's bribery trial could hinge on the informant's credibility.

Politics

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trayon White" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/09/14/trayon-white-s-bribery-trial-will-be-d-c-s-biggest-courtroom-drama-in-years" data-vars-content-id="44df7856-57fc-4c9a-9c97-59204ef7f740" data-vars-headline="In bribery trial, Trayon White&#x27;s defense tries to discredit star witness" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/09/14/trayon-white-s-bribery-trial-will-be-d-c-s-biggest-courtroom-drama-in-years" target="_self">Trayon White</a>&#x27;s legal team is trying to discredit the government&#x27;s star witness — a D.C. businessman-turned-informant who&#x27;s alleged to have handed the Ward 8 council member cash bribes.Why it matters: Allieu Kamara is at the center of the bribery case.

Trayon White's bribery trial will be D.C.'s biggest courtroom drama in years

White's lawyers plan to argue that he took the money, but it wasn't a bribe.

Council member Trayon White&#x27;s federal bribery trial begins Monday, two years after his arrest rocked D.C.Why it matters: D.C.&#x27;s biggest corruption case in more than a decade could put city officials and contractors on the witness stand and cost White the seat he won back last year.

Lonnie Bunch is leaving. The fight over the Smithsonian isn't

The Smithsonian is losing its longtime leader at a pivotal moment.

Smithsonian Secretary <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lonnie Bunch&#x27;s retirement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/08/smithsonian-trump-lonnie-bunch-retire" data-vars-content-id="c1788588-e27b-4a42-8553-e3b493d1ca2a" data-vars-headline="Lonnie Bunch is leaving. The fight over the Smithsonian isn&#x27;t" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/08/smithsonian-trump-lonnie-bunch-retire" target="_self">Lonnie Bunch&#x27;s retirement</a> is leaving Washington with a big question: Who will lead one of the city&#x27;s most cherished — and politically embattled — institutions next?Why it matters: Bunch&#x27;s departure comes at a pivotal moment for the Smithsonian, as the Trump administration pushes to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reshape" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/21/trump-smithsonian-woke-museums-culture-war" data-vars-content-id="c1788588-e27b-4a42-8553-e3b493d1ca2a" data-vars-headline="Lonnie Bunch is leaving. The fight over the Smithsonian isn&#x27;t" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/21/trump-smithsonian-woke-museums-culture-war" target="_self">reshape</a> the world&#x27;s largest museum complex — particularly how it tells American history.

Five ways D.C. can begin acting like a state

D.C. has an opportunity to reset its statehood strategy.

D.C. has an opportunity to reset its statehood strategy, with a new mayor and delegate to Congress coming in January.Why it matters: The District doesn&#x27;t have to wait to start acting more like a state.

Politics 🇺🇸

D.C. is expanding parking ticket enforcement. One lawmaker is fighting back

D.C. wants to build a 15-acre wellness resort on the Anacostia. Some are skeptical.

Exclusive: Waymo's opposition grows with D.C. rally

D.C. releases master plan for RFK Stadium redevelopment

As local economy weakens, D.C. will consider tax increases