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Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich said on the Politics Hour that the increase in extreme weather and flooding means current storm and drainage systems won't be adequate. They are studying fixes, which he says will be expensive.

Virginia state Sen. Majority Leader Scott Surovell is discussing the federal investigations into George Mason University.

Surovell says he is concerned about long-term damage to the school's reputation as it becomes "a political punching bag for no good reason

WAMU's Alex Koma says he expects the D.C. Council to make amendments and changes to the RFK Stadium deal before voting today. That includes changes the Washington Commanders suggested in a letter earlier this week.

We are now live on the Politics Hour with WAMU's D.C. Politics reporter Alex Koma, who is at the Wilson building as the D.C. Council gets ready to vote on the RFK Stadium deal.

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Get Out There: D.C. On A Discount This week on Get Out There, we're exploring D.C. while saving a few bucks.

It’s never a bad time to score a good deal. This week for Get Out There, our weekly segment about ways to explore the Washington region, WAMU’s Kayla Hewitt shared some of her favorite ways to have fun around the city without breaking the bank. buff.ly/bgcSoi0

You can join the conversation by leaving your comment below or calling into the show live at (800)-433-8850. buff.ly/EHSRwrm

This week on The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi, we’re joined by WAMU’s Senior D.C. Politics reporter Alex Koma, Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, and Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich.

Tick bites are on the rise across the D.C. region Tick activity this year has lead to a surge in emergency room and urgent care visits. Health officials in Virginia say more than 9,100 visits have been recorded so far this year related to tick bites…

Tick activity this year has lead to a surge in emergency room and urgent care visits. Health officials in Virginia say more than 9,100 visits have been recorded so far this year related to tick bites or tick-borne injuries — a stark increase from the previous year. buff.ly/g6rf98G

Fairfax court says some Youngkin appointees can’t serve on university boards -- for now The Tuesday ruling in a legal dispute between the governor and Democrats in the General Assembly comes before a key meeting of George Mason University's governing board at the end of the week.

A Fairfax circuit court ordered eight appointees to three public university governing boards to stop serving on those boards for now, while a legal dispute between Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, and a group of Democrats in the state senate moves forward.

Six months after the DCA plane crash, D.C. first responders still need help Members of the D.C. Fire and EMS Marine rescue unit were among the first to respond to the aircraft that crashed in the Potomac River. Some are still struggling with what they saw and experienced…

Members of the D.C. Fire and EMS Marine rescue unit were among the first to respond to the aircraft that crashed in the Potomac River. Some are still struggling with what they saw and experienced that night on the Potomac. buff.ly/JUmPyFz

D.C. lawmakers strike a new compromise on tipped minimum wage with final budget vote The D.C. Council approved capping planned increases to the tipped minimum wage after a lengthy debate on the matter. This was the most controversial part of the 2026 budget.

D.C. lawmakers passed a final budget, which includes a new compromise on a change to the tipped minimum wage. buff.ly/NRx2Bxc

On the list of this year's honorees are soccer icon Mia Hamm, former George Mason University head basketball coach Jim Larrañaga, Georgetown University and basketball star Alonzo Mourning.

The induction ceremony will be held ahead of the Nationals game on August 3.

Metro GM Randy Clarke is discussing the biggest bus system overhaul in 50 years. He says updated routes are meant to better match where people live and work, & to serve neighborhoods that have grown significantly.

"We are empathetic if your stop was removed or changed... we want to work with you."

D.C. Councilmember Parker says on The Politics Hour he’s introducing an amendment to impose an additional tax on capital gains. “The surcharge would be very modest and help us impose a tax cut for lower-income residents.”

D.C. Councilmember Zachary Parker said on the Politics Hour the RFK stadium deal that Council Chair Mendelson proposed with the Commanders moved negotiations in the right direction, but believes there's more to be done. "I don't think we should take for granted the [Council] votes are there."

The Politics Hour: What's in the revised RFK stadium deal; plus, Metro GM Randy Clarke on the bus overhaul The D.C. Council is planning to vote on the revised RFK stadium deal with the Washington Commanders Aug. 1. Also, we speak with Metro General Manager Randy Clarke about the new bus routes.

We are now live on The Politics Hour! Joining us first is Ward 5 D.C. Councilmember Zachary Parker. Then, Metro GM Randy Clarke. Call us with your questions... 800-433-8850

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Upgrades for Rock Creek Tennis Center are in the works. Neighbors say they've had no input The city hopes to renovate the home of the Mubadala Citi DC Open tennis tournament, but people living near the facility say it will increase traffic, illegal parking, and other headaches.

The Rock Creek Tennis Center, home of the DC Open tournament, is set to see some major upgrades. Neighbors would be glad to see some changes there, but any expansion also could create big headaches around traffic, parking, and more. buff.ly/hIdCVTF

This week on The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi, we’re joined by Metro General Manager Randy Clarke and Ward 5 D.C. Councilmember Zachary Parker.

You can join the conversation by leaving your comment below or calling into the show live at 800)-433-8850. buff.ly/6dZgDs7

The National Cancer Institute faces steep budget cuts and a staff exodus Current and former employees report that morale has "tanked" as the administration hollows out the agency, with many scientists leaving in frustration. The cuts are already impacting basic operations…

The National Cancer Institute is being targeted by Trump administration’s downsizing. Part of the National Institutes of Health, the NCI has long been supported by bipartisan funding and plays a critical role in cancer research globally. buff.ly/ep5qfUX

Prince George's County nonprofits want lawmakers to stop playing politics with funding Local organizations in Prince George are experiencing whiplash as council members battle over funding decisions. Local organizations in Prince George are experiencing whiplash as council members…

The Prince George's County Council has allocated, then rescinded nonprofit funding, frustrating local organizations. buff.ly/c1yIgWM

WAMU says it's prepared to weather the loss of federal funding As hundreds of public radio and television stations brace for federal funding cuts, WAMU's leadership says the station has operated as a fixture in Washington D.C. for 64 years and will continue its…

Congress voted to rescind government funding for public media last week. The loss of federal dollars has already had an impact on public television. We spoke with WAMU’s General Manager Erika Pulley Hayes about how defunding public radio will impact the station. buff.ly/rsYtW77

Protect our Public Media Federal funding for public media has been eliminated. WAMU now faces the loss of $1.5 million each year — about 4-5% of our budget.

Congress has voted to rescind federal funding for public media.

At WAMU, we share your belief that trusted journalism is not just important — it’s essential. It informs our communities, strengthens our democracy, and connects us to one another.

👉 Keep WAMU strong and give today:

And if you’re hoping to score a last-minute seat? Act fast. “Tickets are still available, but they’re in high demand,” Smith said. “There’s maybe two to five percent left.” The Mubadala Citi DC Open runs July 19th-27th, with early rounds beginning Monday.

Get Out There: D.C.'s premier tennis tournament returns to Rock Creek Park The Mubadala Citi DC Open returns this year with elite players, from Maryland-native and 12th ranked Francis Tiafoe to icon, Venus Williams.

The Mubadala Citi DC Open returns to Rock Creek Park this weekend, bringing some of the biggest names in tennis to the nation’s capital. More than 80,000 spectators are expected to see elite players like Naomi Osaka, Taylor Fritz, Venus Williams, and Maryland native Frances Tiafoe.
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Thank you, Steven! It means so much to me and everyone @wamu.org.

WAMU's Maryland reporter Jenny Abamu says on the Politics Hour that President Trump's demand that the FBI HQ remain in D.C. instead of moving to Prince George's County is a "huge blow."

"It's not just a building, it's jobs," she says.

D.C. Council Chair Mendelson says he still does not support ranked-choice voting, despite voters passing the initiative, and some advocates saying it could have changed the results of the Ward 8 special election. Mendelson says, however, he will allow the funding to remain in the budget.

On the Politics Hour, Chair Mendelson says it remains premature to say whether the council will expel Trayon White a second time, now that White has been re-elected to represent Ward 8 despite federal bribery charges.

On the Politics Hour, D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson says he was surprised by a letter from House Oversight Committee chair James Comer pushing for an RFK vote before the August recess. He says more time is needed to ensure a good deal for the city.

The Politics Hour: D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson on budget cuts and Trayon White's re-election D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson talks Congressional pressure to pass the RFK stadium deal and compromising on tipped minimum wage. WAMU's new Maryland reporter Jenny Abamu discusses what federal…

We are now live on The Politics Hour with D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson and WAMU's new Maryland reporter Jenny Abamu. Tune into WAMU 88.5!

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