WAMU: Local News

To mark a year since the tragedy over the Potomac occured, WAMU spoke with some of those who lost loved ones in the crash - partners, family members and children. 

In Wards 7 and 8, most students go to public school - but a small number have the opportunity to attend the Washington School for Girls, an independent catholic school that offers full scholarships to its students. This year, with a new campus at the heart of the Southeast community, the girls are looking forward to the start of a new chapter.

Norton's campaign raised just $2,520 during the last three months of 2025. Her campaign hasn't yet announced a formal decision on her future.

"We're really wanting to trouble, in many ways, that narrative of our founding," says The 1619 Project creator Nikole Hannah-Jones.

A single mom with serious health challenges saw her benefits drop after federal cuts. She and her 10-year-old son recently went grocery shopping, aiming to stretch their shrinking monthly food budget.

Healthcare worker shortages are straining hospitals and clinics nationwide, including in the D.C. region. A local student health conference with middle and high school students is focused on getting early exposure to careers that could help fill those gaps.

This week on Get Out There, we preview three concerts from local artists you will not want to miss this winter.

D.C. is set to receive more than 80 million dollars in opioid settlement money over the coming years. Survivors and their families say it's difficult to follow how it is actually spent.

This week WAMU will be previewing the start of the legislative sessions in the Virginia and Maryland General Assemblies, plus we're taking a look at some not to miss concerts by D.C. area artists this winter.

Legislative session begin in both Maryland and Virginia this week, and lawmakers are tackling a big budget shortfall in Maryland and a slew of constitutional amendments in Virginia.

In 1985, D.C. punks sought to reset the politics and music of the D.C. punk scene. 40 years later, punks carry Revolution Summer into middle age.

WAMU arts and culture reporter Darryl C. Murphy paid a visit to some of the region's top record stores to find out what new albums from 2025 topped their favorites list, as well as some local acts to look out for in 2026. 

WAMU's arts and culture reporter Darryl C. Murphy searched the region for some of the finest chocolatey sips, and put together a short list of the best!

In WAMU's series Hidden City, we uncover the stories behind the history, people, and places in our region.

Dr. Glenn Wortmann, Medical Director of Infection Prevention at the MedStar Institute of Quality and Safety, joins WAMU to discuss how to prepare for the upcoming flu season, which he and other medical experts warn will be a "tough one."

This week on Get Out There, we're getting out on the ice.

This week WAMU will be taking a region-wide look at critical issues surrounding data centers, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser will be our guest on The Politics Hour, and a guide to top ice skating spots this winter.

This week on Get Out There, we celebrate the season with a holiday theater preview.

Hundreds of people live in D.C. without shelter, despite available beds. As winter sets in, the city's bridge housing programs may be critical to keeping homeless people safe and indoors, but they have limited capacity.

The local chapter of a socialist party has drawn hundreds of people to protests and meetings opposing data centers, sparking action by the county council.

This week on Get Out There, we're getting ready for Thanksgiving with some of the best places to enjoy a meal away from home.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser faces the difficult task of appeasing the interests of a President her city voted overwhelmingly against. Washington Post investigative reporter Jonathan O'Connell shares how she has she fared one year into his term.

Stories WAMU is following this week include a data center project in Montgomery County generating controversy, a vote on Metro funding, and The Politics Hour hitting the road.

City agencies overspent their budgets by more than $300 million last year. Strong revenue in past years helped blunt the impact, but recently it's becoming more difficult for lawmakers to cover the gaps.

Federal cutbacks to the social safety net and a flagging Northern Virginia economy will be major challenges for Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger and the Virginia General Assembly in January.

Stories we are following this week include an outlook on the challenges facing the victorious Virginia Democrats, possible changes coming to consumer credit scores vis-a-vis medical debt and a look at Thanksgiving catering options in the D.C. region.

Three Arlington public schools are offering free dinners to families every weekday during the ongoing government shutdown.

Fairfax Democrat Dan Helmer led the campaign to expand his party's majority in the Virginia House of Delegates. He speaks with WAMU about Democrats' big wins in Virginia.

In WAMU's new series Hidden City, we uncover the stories behind the history, people, and places in our region.

Stories we are following this week include the Virginia general election, changes this year to open enrollment in the Affordable Care Act and WAMU's new series "Hidden City."

This week on Get Out There, we're going leaf peeping!

Artwork, old newspapers, postcards, brochures and other forms of media illustrate how artists outside the mainstream literally made places for themselves to create and display their work from the 1970s through today.

Health care has been a consistent talking point in the campaign for governor in the commonwealth.

The unprecedented Democratic primary challenge to the civil rights icon suggests a growing consensus that after three decades representing D.C. in Congress, Norton should step aside.

Montgomery County Council President Kate Stewart explains how the county is dealing with federal cuts an shutdown. Plus, Ward 1 D.C. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau on why she decided not to run for reelection.

Some federal workers are also helping others, setting up dedicated food drives for fellow government employees now in need.

Four weeks into the federal government shutdown and there's little sign of compromise. KFF's Julie Rovner explains why healthcare remains the key sticking point for Democrats.

District leaders used creative accounting to spend hundreds of millions in revenue, despite federal lawmakers holding up the money.

For more than seven years, Geri Mitchell has been a familiar voice on WAMU 88.5.

The D.C. region has been preparing for an economic slowdown. But surprisingly, the outlook isn't all bad, and there may even be some bright spots, including for defense contractors in Northern Virginia.

The Bright Center was already operating on a shoestring. Now the program's sustainability is even more in doubt.

For this week's Get Out There, we celebrate all things fall.