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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.

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.

News

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.

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.

WorldPride DC organizers flag travel and safety risks as festival nears

"Our community is living in fear right now," says one organizer.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="WorldPride" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/11/18/worldpride-2025-dc-capital-pride-theme-parade" data-vars-content-id="33632c4a-e06e-4273-aa52-06c3f9a3c2b9" data-vars-headline="WorldPride DC organizers flag travel and safety risks as festival nears" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/11/18/worldpride-2025-dc-capital-pride-theme-parade" target="_self">WorldPride</a> has been years in the making for D.C. and a global coalition of organizations, but President Trump&#x27;s rhetoric is sparking safety and participation concerns just a month before the festivities kick off May 17.The big picture: This comes amid the Trump administration&#x27;s attacks on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="LGBTQ+" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/05/anti-trans-executive-orders-trump" data-vars-content-id="33632c4a-e06e-4273-aa52-06c3f9a3c2b9" data-vars-headline="WorldPride DC organizers flag travel and safety risks as festival nears" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/05/anti-trans-executive-orders-trump" target="_self">LGBTQ+</a> individuals and organizations — focusing especially on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="trans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/05/anti-trans-executive-orders-trump" data-vars-content-id="33632c4a-e06e-4273-aa52-06c3f9a3c2b9" data-vars-headline="WorldPride DC organizers flag travel and safety risks as festival nears" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/05/anti-trans-executive-orders-trump" target="_self">trans</a> community, as well as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="diversity, equity and inclusion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/21/trump-dei-rollback" data-vars-content-id="33632c4a-e06e-4273-aa52-06c3f9a3c2b9" data-vars-headline="WorldPride DC organizers flag travel and safety risks as festival nears" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/21/trump-dei-rollback" target="_self">diversity, equity and inclusion</a> programming.

Public Safety

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

WorldPride DC organizers flag travel and safety risks as festival nears