Pull over, Los Angeles — D.C. ranks No. 1 for the worst traffic in the nation, per a new Consumer Affairs ranking.

Why it matters: You're not imagining it. It's bad out there.

Driving the news: D.C. dethroned LA for its famous congestion, topping the list of America's 50 most populous cities with the worst congestion.

🚗 By the numbers:

• Average daily commute: Over 33 minutes (longest in the U.S.)
• Average length of weekday congestion: 6 hours, 35 minutes.

😱 That's the equivalent of 71 days spent in traffic per year.

Between the lines: The timing coincides with back-to-office orders for federal government employees, and many private sector organizations following suit.

Threat level: Low for fatal car crashes. Perhaps a silver lining of all the gridlock: D.C. ranks in the bottom 10, with less than 6 fatal crashes per 100,000 people, according to Consumer Affairs.

Yes, but: DMV drivers are still pretty risky.

• D.C. and Baltimore drivers have some of the shortest gaps on average between reported collisions among motorists from the 200 biggest U.S. cities, per Allstate claims data.

The big picture: Allstate determined risk by analyzing how many years drivers go without a reported collision for its 2025 America's Best Drivers Report.

• The nationwide average is over 10 years. D.C. drivers clock a collision nearly every four years, while Baltimore runs just over four.
• Alexandria, Virginia, is pretty risky, too — an average six years between collisions.

The intrigue: D.C. recently passed a new set of road rules designed to deter and penalize dangerous drivers, levying lawsuits and heavy fines — including on out-of-state offenders — who've racked up violations.

• Lookin' at you, Maryland drivers.

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Dulles expects tens of millions more passengers by the end of the century — and it's deciding now how it'll accommodate them all.

Why it matters: The airport's newly approved master plan — its first in 40 years — calls for more concourses, parking and a possible farewell to the people movers.

• It comes on the heels of Dulles seeing a record-setting 27 million passengers last year.

The big picture: The plan anticipates that by 2045 the airport will serve 45 million passengers a year across 154 gates (up from 130).

• At final buildout — sometime around 2080 or 2090 — it expects 90 million annual passengers passing through 218 gates.

State of play: The outline — approved last week by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority board — calls for the expansion of the Aerotrain to all of the concourses, which could mean RIP people movers.

• It also details a completed Concourse E/F, part of which is under construction via United's expansion.
• Also included: a fifth runway, new parking garages and a new Concourse G/H to replace Concourse C/D.

Zoom out: The planning isn't limited to immediate airport grounds. The area surrounding Dulles could be developed into entertainment venues, mixed-use office space, retail and hotels.

• Plus: Data centers are also a consideration.

What's next: The plan is headed to the Federal Aviation Administration for final sign-off.

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D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson has reached an agreement with the Washington Commanders that would allow for a stadium vote before the end of the month, NBC4 reports, citing multiple sources.

Why it matters: Pressure is building to hold a vote as soon as possible, with President Trump and House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) recently piling on the council to approve the deal.

State of play: Mendelson's agreement includes tweaks to the financial terms of the project, NBC4 reports. He hasn't yet announced the changes.

• The public will comment on the project's $1.1 billion taxpayer subsidy, which includes a $2.7 billion privately funded stadium, at a public hearing next Tuesday. Over 400 people have signed up so far to testify.
• The vote could come days after the hearing.

What they're saying: Mendelson said on Tuesday that he'd like some portion of tax revenue generated on the site to be shared with the District.

• Mendelson's spokesperson did not comment on the NBC4 report. The Commanders did not immediately return an email seeking confirmation.

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🔌 Pepco will take weeks to fix severe damage from a recent fire at the 22nd Street substation that left many in Dupont Circle without power. High energy use sparked the fire, Pepco said. (WUSA9)

The Trump administration directed National Park Service workers to flag memorials and displays that "disparage" Americans. Among the content reported: A sign on the National Mall describing "enslaved people" who worked on docks until the end of the Civil War. "Is the word 'enslaved' OK here?" one employee wrote. (NY Times)

🍳 Steak 'n Egg, the Tenleytown greasy spoon, is closing after recently expanding its footprint, citing Initiative 82 "labor costs" and taxes. (Eater)

🏛️ See who's hiring around D.C.

1. Construction Inspector IV at STV.
2. Knowledge Management Specialist at Peraton.
3. Regional Channel Manager, Mid-Atlantic at Darktrace.
4. Administrative Assistant at Whitman Transition Advisors Job Community.
5. Leasing Consultant at Brookfield Properties

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Crabs, corn, peaches — but make it a festival.

State of play: Peak summer ingredients are celebrated at these fests.

🦀 Annapolis Crab Feast | Aug. 1 | 1 hour from D.C.

• All-you-can-eat crabs, barbecue, beer and more at the Naval Academy's stadium. Tickets start at $105 for adults, $40 kids.

🌽 Old-Fashioned Corn Roast | Aug. 3 | 1.5 hours

• Historic Union Mills Homestead in Maryland puts on an old-time corn roast, plus fried chicken, tomatoes and more. Tickets: $20 adults, $10 kids.

🍑Hagerstown Peach Festival | Aug. 9-10 | 2 hours

• Cobblers, pies, ice cream — it's all peachy at this annual festival, plus savory eats like barbecue and live music. No tickets required.