Spring is here, and so are teen takeovers.

Why it matters: The massive and often disruptive youth gatherings are leading city hall to make another go at extending a controversial curfew.

Driving the news: Council member Brooke Pinto and Council Chairman Phil Mendelson are whipping votes to continue allowing D.C. police to declare youth curfew zones in certain neighborhoods like Navy Yard and Gallery Place.

• The current law is scheduled to sunset on April 15.

Flashback: Earlier this month, about 200 teenagers took over the large park in front of the Navy Yard Metro station, leading to a 15-year-old firing a gun into the air, two robberies and a 16-year-old arrested, police said.

Friction point: While proponents say the temporary law helped crack down on fights and public nuisances, Pinto admitted last week that there weren't enough council members willing to keep curfews in place.

• That's because a handful of lawmakers believe they're a harsh response to young people, the vast majority of whom aren't violent at the gatherings, which are often organized on social media.

What they're saying: No arrests have been made in any of the zones so far, Pinto tells Axios — they're "a preventive tool."

• Without curfews, she says, MPD would need to deploy its short-staffed department to responding to large gatherings as they pop up.
• "It's really important as we head into spring break," Pinto says.

The big picture: Youth curfew zones were implemented last summer. They bar people 18 and under from congregating in groups of nine or more in certain geographic areas that police determine ahead of time.

• The curfews can be imposed starting as early as 8pm, earlier than the citywide daily curfew of 11pm.

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It's Metro's golden jubilee — today marks 50 years since the first red line rail carried passengers 4.6 miles and changed how Washington moves.

Why it matters: Metro may not feel a day over 25 with its cool merch and spiffy new trains and buses, but it took half a century to go from a modest subway to a six-line, 130-mile system that's the backbone of D.C.'s commute.

State of play: Metro begins months of celebrations today, including:

• A birthday party at Metro Center this morning (8:30-10:30am) with giveaways and historic photos
• Vintage wrapped trains rolling out today
• Limited-edition 50th merch at the spring pop-up shop (through April 12) — including fresh Randy Clarke-approved quarter zips
• Decade-themed SmarTrip cards.

What's next: Look for a coffee table book — perfect for your fave D.C. transit nerd — and vintage items like signs for sale (Metro carpet tbd).

🚆Stunning stat: Customers have taken over 15 billion trips across rail and bus since 1976 — and 147 million rail trips in 2025 alone.

⚾️ The Nats beat the Cubs 10-4 on Opening Day yesterday, a glimmer of hope despite a gloomy outlook for this season. Home opener is next Friday.

Ⓜ️ Metro is closing service on Red Line stations between North Bethesda and Friendship Heights this summer, from July 6 to Sept. 7. Free shuttle bus service will replace trains during the construction work. (NBC4)

🛜 An Arlington software startup called ORAN Development raised $45M from tech darling Nvidia and other investors as it builds a product that turns cell towers into mini data centers. (WBJ)

✈️ José Andrés' World Central Kitchen, with the help of local chefs, is on the ground at U.S. airports, delivering free meals to TSA agents who've been pushing through the shutdown.

• With many workers struggling to take care of pets, WCK is also working with Greater Good Charities to donate dog and cat food and supplies to airports — starting with BWI.

If you're blossom-hunting beyond the Tidal Basin, you're in luck: The D.C. area is packed with cherry trees — including plenty of under-the-radar groves.

Why it matters: It's tough to find springtime zen when you're shoulder-to-shoulder with tourists.

By the numbers: Nonprofit Casey Trees, which plants and protects D.C.'s urban canopy, has an interactive map with more than 30,400 cherry trees across the District.

• Beyond the Tidal Basin's famous Yoshinos, you can find nearly a dozen varieties like Okame, Kwanzan and chokecherry.

Where to go: Skip the crowds and head to quieter, blossom-filled spots on the map like Catholic University, Congressional Cemetery and Oxon Run Park.

😌 The intrigue: For an even calmer vibe in Maryland, skip the Kenwood crowds and head to Prince George's County.

• The Neighborhood Design Center's Cherry Blossom Locator Map highlights trees planted along local roadways — including bloom-heavy stretches near National Harbor along Oxon Hill Road.

Glorious Stumpy news: Cuttings from D.C.'s favorite lil' tree (RIP to our short king) bloomed for the first time this spring at the National Arboretum — and could make their grand Tidal Basin return as early as next year.

👑Yes, but: It'll take years for Stumpy's saplings to fill his royal roots, so we must crown a successor in the meantime.

• Thankfully, Anna spotted several noble specimens during peak bloom yesterday.

The criteria: Stunted imperfection. Missing limbs, a plus. Bulbous knobs, a requirement.

To the poll: Vote here!