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Today’s newsletter is 997 words — a 4-minute read.

A federal judge temporarily blocked construction of President Trump's much-contested triumphal arch, hours after the project received final planning approval.

Why it matters: The 14-day order halts the Trump administration's plans to begin work immediately on the 250-foot arch as the court considers lawsuits challenging the project's legality.

Driving the news: U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan issued a temporary restraining order late last night barring construction of the arch for 14 days in response to a lawsuit brought by D.C. and Virginia.

• The order prohibits construction, excavation, land disturbance, utility installation and road closures related to the arch. The administration must certify its compliance to the court by Monday.

The backdrop: The ruling came hours after the National Capital Planning Commission — stacked with Trump loyalists — gave the project final approval last night during a packed virtual hearing that saw over 100 people testify and stretched over nine hours.

• Opposing speakers included the D.C. Preservation League's executive director, military veterans and some of the family members of those buried at Arlington Cemetery.

Zoom in: The judge is considering separate legal challenges to the arch: One from D.C. and Virginia, and another from veterans.

• The lawsuits argue that the administration lacks the necessary congressional authorization and has failed to comply with federal requirements.

The big picture: The proposed 250-foot arch has also been the source of fierce public objection and protests.

• Critics have accused the administration of sidestepping necessary federal historic-preservation reviews and congressional sign-off, among other concerns.
• Meanwhile, some Democratic lawmakers have suggested they'll make it harder for Trump to push his D.C. projects through once they assume Congressional control come January.

Between the lines: Critics of the project say it would overshadow and dishonor nearby Arlington Cemetery, snarl traffic during construction, hurt the local environment and create airspace safety issues at DCA, among other issues.

• Building the project would take two to three years, with crews working 20 hours a day, per the administration.

What they're saying: The Trump administration has argued that the arch would improve the Arlington Cemetery visitor experience, as well as improve national security by containing drones and snipers, although final plans submitted to the NCPC didn't show these elements.

• Trump earlier this week called the project "one of the great things we've ever done."

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Here come the bright lights: The Sphere at National Harbor will be a 302-foot-tall glowing orb just off the Beltway.

Why it matters: New images show how the futuristic entertainment venue would light up the DMV skyline, a mini version of the Las Vegas original.

Driving the news: Prince George's County planning commissioners advanced plans for the 6,000-person Sphere's design yesterday.

• Outside: An exterior LED that would be less bright than the larger Vegas Sphere.
• Inside: There would be a 16K wraparound screen, with immersive sound and 4D effects like vibrating seats.

Friction point: An off-site parking site is yet to be finalized, with approximately 2,100 spaces needed.

• Sphere is required to build out the parking before the venue can open, officials said.
• Covered walkways would also greet rideshare passengers, and the developers claim all patrons would be able to exit the venue within 30 minutes of a show's end.

The visuals are dramatic — look at that giant shark!

Catch up fast: The county approved financing plans with $215 million in public bonds for the project last month.

• The $1.4 billion project is expected to open in early 2030.

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⚓️ Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expanding the National Guard's operations in D.C., authorizing troops to use boats, Humvees, marked police cars and other military vehicles to support law enforcement. (Politico)

👋 Meanwhile, D.C. Council members said at a hearing yesterday that they would urge the governors of newly blue states to withdraw their National Guard troops from D.C. come January. There are around 628 National Guard members from states with incoming Democratic governors: Georgia, Iowa, Nevada, Ohio and Texas. (Washington Post)

🌉 Federal officials gave the OK to replace the Chesapeake Bay Bridge with two new, four-lane structures with the goal of reducing congestion. Expect design work to kick off in 2028, and construction as soon as 2032. (Washington Business Journal)

There's a new movie theater in Southwest D.C. screening films you wouldn't normally find on the big screen.

Why it matters: It's the Southwest neighborhood's only dedicated cinema outside of the IMAX at the Air and Space Museum, and comes as several beloved indie cinemas in D.C. have closed in recent years.

State of play: 4EYE Film Center launched last month in the new Revada Arts Center, which also houses theater and opera groups.

• The nonprofit screens its films in the space's 58-seat cinema, but there's also a 140-seat black box theater and a cafe in the Revada building. (And, yes, you can bring your wine into the movie with you.)

What they're saying: "We won't be doing Marvel," says 4Eye founder Emily Lenzner, who once worked in Hollywood and at the Motion Picture Association, and who previously led an effort to revive the Uptown Theater.

• Instead, 4Eye will screen films by indie and local filmmakers, documentaries, international films and the classics.

Lenzner says movie-goers are looking for more of an experience from their theaters now, and so she plans to host Q&As and panels tied to the featured films, as well as themed movie series.

• Think: an upcoming run of food-centric movies called "Reel Food" with post-screening convos facilitated by food writers, says Lenzner.
• Also expect: Matinees tailored to people with young kids or older folks.

If you go.

🍻 Cuneyt is catching up with friends from college.

🛍️ Mimi is spending the weekend shopping for vintage furniture.

✈️ Anna is OOO.

Today's newsletter was edited by Alexa Mencia Orozco.