👋🏼 It's Cuneyt, back with Town Talker — my column on money and power.

Randy Clarke fixed Metro. Maybe he can fix D.C. next?

Why it matters: We need someone to run for mayor!

The big picture: Clarke arrived in D.C three years ago. He made the trains run faster (addressing an age-old problem), redrew the decades-old bus map (somehow avoiding an uproar from folks hyper-attached to their line's name), and brought in tap-to-pay.

• All on a tight budget. And without coffee. His pursuit of savings summed up earlier this year to me: "I'm the OG of DOGE. I'm 100% into effective government."

⚡️ My thought bubble: Clarke could be the technocrat D.C. needs. A recession is in the forecast, and City Hall needs a steady hand on the wheel. Time for efficiency.

• Classic government services need an overhaul, too. Most people hate visiting the DMV or getting a business license.
• Clarke's Metro mantra: "The best customer service for us is in and out," he told the "Statecraft" podcast.
• Train nerds, don't fret. Under Randy's reign, transit funding could grow.

Between the lines: Clarke may be the long-lost heir to Anthony Williams, D.C.'s last great technocrat.

• When he ran in 1998, Williams was a Harvard-educated, bow-tie-wearing political nobody. But he knew the city's finances better than anybody.
• A bankrupt city recovered. Transitioning from bookish bureaucrat to political animal, Mayor Williams muscled through the deal to bring baseball back to Washington.

🧐 Yes, but: When asked about Clarke's electoral chances, D.C. political scholar Michael Fauntroy said: "Who?"

• "I have no idea who that is." Neither do most people.

Reality check: No one's whispering that Clarke is interested. His spokesperson declined to comment.

• If he cares about the moolah, no way he runs. It's a 50% pay cut.
• But the thought experiment is relevant. The tea leaves say Mayor Muriel Bowser may not run a fourth time. Is it time for an outsider?

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With federal paychecks on hold and SNAP benefits at risk, D.C.-area groups are racing to feed more people in need.

Why it matters: The region is already struggling to meet a surge in demand following federal job losses and funding cuts. Nonprofits warn a hunger crisis is looming.

Driving the news: Capital Area Food Bank opened five distribution hubs last week for federal workers and contractors in D.C., Alexandria, Hyattsville and elsewhere.

• CAFB served 1,500 federal workers in the first week — double what organizers tell Axios they expected.
• A government ID is required for household boxes, which include pantry items and produce.

By the numbers: Roughly 141,000 D.C. residents rely on SNAP — including 47,000 kids and 24,000 seniors. A freeze in November could devastate households.

• Food banks can replace only one of every nine SNAP meals, according to the nationwide network Feeding America.

Zoom in: Grassroots groups like Food Not Bombs and the DC Mutual Aid Network are stepping up with neighborhood-level programs.

• Chef José Andrés' World Central Kitchen — which launched an emergency kitchen during 2018's shutdown — is partnering with local restaurants like Lebanese Taverna and 2Fifty Texas BBQ to serve free lunches for federal workers around D.C.
• A rep says they've served around 8,450 meals and will continue through at least this week (see locations).

What we're watching: If D.C. will tap into its reserves to fund food benefits if there's a SNAP disruption.

• In the meantime, the city's Food Policy Council is pointing residents toward resources like weekly veggie giveaways, as well as orgs like Bread for the City and Central Union Mission, which is also providing groceries to furloughed federal workers.

Go deeper

💔 Locals are mourning Bethesda's Woodmont Grill, which announced its immediate closure Tuesday night after more than three decades. Reps tell Axios some of the long-term factors include less parking and "the challenge to keep the restaurant adequately staffed to ensure our service standards."

🍴Virginia will launch a state-funded food aid program to temporarily replace SNAP if funding freezes Saturday. (Axios)

❌ Earlier this week, the White House fired the arts commission expected to review President Trump's construction projects, such as the new ballroom or the arch he wants to build near Memorial Circle. (Washington Post)

🌸 Japan is giving D.C. 250 cherry trees to celebrate America's 250th birthday next year. Also on the gift list: Japanese fireworks for the July 4 bash. (The Hill)

🦠 Maryland's health department launched a combined-data dashboard to monitor respiratory illnesses — including COVID-19, flu and RSV — that tracks cases, vaccinations, deaths and more. (Maryland Matters)

DMV tattoo shops are offering Halloween flash events, part of a nationwide trend of tat spots offering discounts for the holiday.

Why it matters: Because what's spookier than inking your body with something that will stay there forever ... and ever ... and ever??

• Extra creepy-crawly bonus points if you get your situationship's name tattooed on your lower back. We dare you!

State of play: Arlington's Banana Peel Tattoo is offering $50 themed tats on Halloween.

• And over in Alexandria at La Casa de Tinta, you can get a small tattoo for $50.

The bottom line: For some D.C. folks, the only thing scarier than getting a tattoo on Halloween is crossing the river into the 'burbs for one.

🗓️ Mark your calendar with our Event Board.

TEDxMidAtlantic 2025 at Sidney Harman Hall on Nov 1: Speakers include DHS whistleblower Miles Taylor, Russia expert and author Michael McFaul, and the youngest female member of Congress, Yassamin Ansari. $79.

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

These photos show how quickly D.C. is dismantling the old RFK stadium to make room for the Commanders' new home.

• Groundbreaking on the $3.7 billion stadium is expected in late 2026.
• The goal is to have the new stadium open for the 2030 season, and hopefully to host a Super Bowl.

Two architectural firms are vying to design the new stadium, per The Athletic:

• HKS, which designed SoFi Stadium in LA, and HNTB, the team behind Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

📣 1 fun thing: RFK Stadium's stands bounced in the heyday of Washington football. Commanders ownership wants to revive that vibe.