Axios D.C.

November 28, 2022
🍵 Welcome back! It's Monday.
Today's weather: Mostly sunny with a high of 56.
🧪 Situational awareness: Did you upload your DCPS student's COVID test result? You can also send them to school with a photo or copy showing proof of a negative test.
Today's newsletter is 975 words — a 4-minute read.
1 big thing: 💻 Highlighting internet disparities

A new investigation by The Markup reveals rampant disparities when it comes to internet service for marginalized communities in major U.S. cities, including D.C.
Driving the news: People in low-income, historically redlined neighborhoods are routinely paying the same price for slower internet as what residents in high-income areas pay for higher-speed internet, the analysis found.
Why it matters: Digital discrimination harms populations that already face systemic inequalities, particularly when it comes to accessing remote learning and job opportunities, Axios' Alayna Alvarez reports.
Zoom in: In D.C. — where The Markup analyzed internet service by Verizon — nearly twice as many households in low-income neighborhoods are offered slower internet packages than those in wealthier communities, the investigation shows.
Thirty-two percent of low-income neighborhoods in D.C. were given slow internet plans, compared to 13% of high-income areas.
- Verizon did not respond to Axios' request for comment.
Between the lines: Before the pandemic, 28% of D.C. households lacked access to broadband internet or a home computer, according to the D.C. Policy Center. This disparity was further highlighted by the rise in remote work and virtual learning during the pandemic.
The big picture: The Markup's findings reveal that 92% of the 38 major U.S. cities examined had disparities based on income when it came to internet service, and two-thirds had discrepancies based on race and ethnicity.
- Of the 22 cities with historical redlining maps, internet inequities showed up in all of them.
What to watch: The FCC formed a task force this year to draft policies to combat digital redlining and foster equal internet access.
2. 🤩 We wish you a simulated Christmas
Photo: Chelsea Cirruzzo/Axios
Artechouse, known for stunning visual displays, is back with "Spectacular Factory," a Christmas installation running through Jan. 8.
Admission is $25, but D.C. residents can get tickets for $20. The $20 per-person date night special includes admission for two, welcome drinks, and cocktails at the XR Bar.
🎁 The experience: As with any Artechouse installation, stimulation is the name of the game. Stand in the main exhibit and experience a cluster of animated nutcrackers, candy canes, gifts, wreaths, and snowflakes flying at you from all directions, accompanied by ethereal music.
- Screens in smaller rooms depict a futuristic Christmas story with robots and sentient nutcrackers. In one room, wave your hand at the screen to open digital presents.
🍸 Feeling thirsty? Visitors can spend $15 for holiday cocktails, such as an upscale vodka cranberry, and spiked hot chocolate at the XR Bar.
- Each drink comes with a card that can be scanned to reveal a 3D visual, like a stand mixer or a chute funneling presents.
3. Around the Beltway: MoCo lights out
Emergency workers stabilize the plane that crashed into power lines before rescuing those inside. Photo: Robb Hill/The Washington Post via Getty Images
A small plane crashed into power lines in Montgomery County last night, resulting in 85,000 PEPCO customers losing power, which has since been restored. Two people were rescued from inside the plane and sent to the hospital with serious injuries. (WTOP)
- Montgomery County Public Schools are closed today as staff assess the impact of the outage on school buildings.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin says he'll still cautiously pursue tax cuts, one of his top campaign promises, despite a potential recession next year. He says the state is in a good position to handle possible tax revenue drops. (Washington Post)
A Metrobus was hit by gunfire Saturday during a potential road rage incident near Pennsylvania Ave. SE. No injuries were reported. (Fox5)
The Washington Teachers' Union and DCPS say they have reached a tentative contract agreement, three years after the expiration of the previous one. (Axios)
The former home of George Washington's aunt, which was built in 1699 and sits on a 17-acre lot in Richmond County, is on sale for $1.81 million. (InsideNoVa)
The Commanders are now 7-5 after beating the Falcons 19-13 yesterday afternoon at FedEx Field, putting them in playoff contention. (Washington Post)
4. 🎮 D.C. gets in the game
The Division 2 takes you through a post-apocalyptic Washington, D.C. Screenshot: Ubisoft/Axios
👋 Hi, it’s Chelsea, your resident reporter-slash-gamer.
Lately, I've been lost in the Lands Between, but that hasn't stopped me from seeking out video games set right here in D.C., both to play and judge their accuracy.
Here are three to check out and maybe add to your holiday lists:
Tony Hawk Proving Ground
D.C. accuracy rating: 4/10
In this 2007 Playstation 2 game, you play as legendary skater Tony Hawk performing tricks in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and D.C, where you can shred around the U.S. Capitol and the National Mall.
Realism: The game takes some liberties with the facade of the Capitol, adding railings, fountains, and a swimming pool-sized gap in front of the building.
The Division 2
D.C. accuracy rating: 10/10
From Axios Gaming’s Stephen Totilo: The Division’s D.C. is set several months after a biological weapon attack sent most citizens fleeing.
Ubisoft’s developers spent two years creating a 1:1 rendition of the city, a company spokesperson tells me. It puts to shame rival video game re-creations of cities like New York and Los Angeles.
- I can personally attest that spending dozens of hours playing this game made navigating real D.C. easier for me.
Realism: Major missions are set in real government buildings and memorials, as well as re-creations of several notable museums, including Air & Space and the defunct Newseum.
Fresh job openings around town
🤿 Dive into a new role with our Job Board.
- Operations Assistant at Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC).
- Director, Government Relations at National Electrical Manufacturers Association.
- Principal Engineer - Application Security & Strategy Innovation at Wells Fargo.
- Assistant Vice President, Community and Government Relations at American University (DC).
- Director of Advocacy, Criminal Justice at Arnold Ventures.
Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.
Hiring? Post a Job.
5. 🤑 Low-cost lunches
Tacos from Taqueria Habanero. Photo: Paige Hopkins/Axios
POV: You're tired of cooking after Thanksgiving, but don't want to break the bank for lunch. Axios' Maxwell Millington has got you covered with tasty lunch options under $15.
What's on the menu: The Habanero family opened an authentic Mexican restaurant in 2014 in Columbia Heights. Their recipes come from their hometown of Puebla, Mexico.
- Enjoy tacos (starting at $4.25), quesadillas ($11), huarache ($11), burritos ($13), and Cuban sandwiches ($14).
🍜 Basebowl
What's on the menu: Located across the street from Nationals Park, Basebowl serves ramen, poke tuna nachos, dumplings, soup, and skewers.
- Enjoy ramen (starting at $13), bento boxes (starting at $14), dumplings (starting at $6), and small plates (starting at $5).
🎄 Have you put up your Christmas tree yet? According to an Axios Local survey, 55.5% of readers across the country put their trees up in November but after Thanksgiving.
Today's newsletter was edited by Kayla Sharpe and copy edited by Patricia Guadalupe.
Sign up for Axios D.C.

Get smarter, faster on what matters in D.C. with Mimi Montgomery, Cuneyt Dil, and Anna Spiegel.



