D.C. Has Nation’s Highest Unemployment Rate. For Black Workers, It Tops 10%
Washington, D.C., recorded the nation’s highest overall unemployment rate in the first quarter of 2026, driven largely by federal workforce cuts that pushed Black unemployment in the District to 10.1%.
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Wisdom Walkers: Steps That Change Lives
Wisdom Walkers, a nonprofit founded by Sharon Robinson Goods, promotes healthy living and addresses heart disease among African Americans through organized walking groups and global excursions.
A Look Back at the 2026 Mubadala DC Open
The Mubadala DC Open concluded at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center with victories for Taylor Fritz and Alexandra…
VIEWPOINTS
In light of recent political efforts to alter historical narratives, several individuals highlighted the importance of the Smithsonian Institution’s…
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Justice for Nolan
Two opinion pieces express concern over the death of Nolan Wells and argue against the deployment of the National…
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Business
D.C. Residents Carry $102,400 in Debt as Homeowners Increasingly Turn to Equity for Cash
D.C. residents face higher-than-average household debt, a burden exacerbated by significant racial disparities in homeownership and access to home equity.
Civil Rights Groups Warn AI Could Become the Next Front in the Fight Against Discrimination
A coalition of civil rights and consumer advocates is challenging the Trump administration’s efforts to limit state oversight of artificial intelligence, arguing that such actions…
A Closer Look at the Restaurant Closure That Rocked Deanwood
The sudden closure of Smokehouse at The Strand in Deanwood following a rent dispute between owner Gregory J. Casten and joint venture partners has left…
AmeriStarRail Unveils ‘Libertyliner 250’ Proposal to Rebrand Amtrak’s NextGen Acela Fleet
AmeriStarRail has proposed a privately financed initiative to rebrand Amtrak’s NextGen Acela fleet as the Libertyliner 250, aiming to modernize passenger rail along the Northeast…
Maryland Lawmakers Urge Federal Regulators to Stop Shifting Data Center Costs to State Ratepayers
Maryland’s Democratic congressional delegation urged federal regulators to stop billions of dollars in electricity transmission costs tied to out-of-state data centers from being passed on…
This week’s issue & Special Sections
DMV
Things to Do, DMV: Weekend Rundown, Aug. 13-16
Several events are scheduled across the DMV area this weekend, including a Tomato Party, an All-Star Comedy Show, the DC Hot Air Balloon Festival, Panda Fest…
Things to Do, DMV: Weekend Rundown, July 30 – Aug. 2
Several community events, ranging from carnivals and dance classes to fundraisers and flea markets, are scheduled to take place in the DMV area between late…
VIEWPOINTS
People are staying cool during the intense DMV heat by drinking plenty of water, wearing light clothing, and staying inside with the AC on.
Investing in a Safer, More Reliable Energy Future
Washington Gas is investing in the DMV’s energy future through its Accelerated Pipeline Replacement Programs, which have invested over $2.4 billion in infrastructure upgrades to…
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: What Should We Do?
Tamika Mallory’s powerful message in ‘State of Emergency’ is an urgent call to action to address systemic injustices and work towards meaningful change.
Money Talk
Financial education series dedicated to closing the racial wealth gap.
Prince George’s County
Prince George’s County Business Updates
Prince George’s County leaders approved a new development district for a 14-acre Sphere project while Kevin Anderson was appointed to lead the Maryland-National Park and Planning…
Prince George’s County Political Updates
Maryland’s presiding officers have called for a special legislative session in early August to focus on congressional redistricting, while the state also announced plans for…
UCAP’s Second Annual Housing Resource Fair Boosts Long-Term Stability
Prince George’s County residents accessed housing and financial resources at United Communities Against Poverty’s 2nd Annual Housing Resource Fair in Capitol Heights.
2026 Primary Election Results Certified, New Countywide Leadership Changes
The 2026 Maryland primary results have been certified, featuring a decisive win for Gov. Wes Moore and several key shifts in Prince George’s County leadership.
Celebrating Prince George’s History at 250
Prince George’s County, Maryland, has a rich and diverse history, from its origins as the county with the largest population of enslaved Africans to its…
Community
Racial Healing in Black America: What the Data Tells Us
This report explores how Black Americans define racial healing, where they experience the deepest harms, and what they believe is needed to move the country forward,…
D.C. Faces Questions Over Whether Opioid Settlement Money Is Expanding Treatment or Paying Existing Bills
Advocates and officials are disputing whether the District’s planned use of opioid settlement funds to cover existing expenses violates laws requiring the money to supplement…
Remembering Rev. Cleveland B. Sparrow Sr.
The Rev. Cleveland B. Sparrow Sr., a prominent pastor, civil rights activist, and community leader in Washington, D.C., died on June 26 at the age…
Word In Black Report Explores What Racial Healing Means for Black America
Racial healing is the process of addressing and reversing the harms of systemic racism, disparities, and disenfranchisement experienced by Black individuals and communities. Through its…
First Impression Staffing to Pay $400,000 After D.C. Alleges Hundreds of Workers Were Denied Paid Sick Leave
Maryland-based First Impression Staffing LLC has agreed to pay nearly $400,000 to settle an investigation into allegations that it withheld legally required paid sick leave…
Let’s Talk
Video | Clearing the Air: How DC Is Working Toward Fully Electrifying Transportation by 2045
Washington, D.C., has committed to fully electrifying its transportation sector by 2045, but what will it take to reach that goal? Watch: Washington Informer reporter Mya…
Late Night Hype Creates a Safe Space for Teens in Washington, D.C.
The D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation’s Late Night Hype program returned for its fifth season on June 5, 2026, with a kickoff event at…
Video: D.C. Voter Guide Helps Seniors Navigate Ranked Choice Voting
As the June 16 primary approaches, AARP D.C., the League of Women Voters D.C., and the D.C. Board of Elections have joined forces to create…
DCision 2026 Debate Video: A Brief Look at the Mayoral and Delegate Debates
The Washington Informer, in partnership with the DC Democratic State Committee (DC Dems), the Washington Association of Black Journalists, the Greater Washington Black Chamber of…
Video: Real Safety D.C. Roundtable – Level Setting on Public Safety in Washington, D.C.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GW250xKBx1M In partnership with the Public Welfare Foundation and its Real Safety D.C. education campaign, The Washington Informer hosted a powerful discussion exploring how communities…
LIFESTyle
D.C. Youth Continue to Grow Through the Game of Chess
Following the revocation of its US Chess Federation affiliation, the DC State Chess Federation and its partners hosted community-focused events like the DC Women and Girls Health & Wellness Chess Fair to provide accessible chess training and mentorship to local youth.
41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards Bring Gospel’s Biggest Stars to Charlotte
The 41st annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards are scheduled to take place on Aug. 15 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, with Kirk…
Things to Do, DMV: Weekend Rundown, Aug. 6-9
A series of community events, including festivals, movie screenings, and pop-up experiences, is scheduled to take place across the DMV area from Aug. 6 to…
‘Soul Searcher’: The Chuck Brown Biography Years in the Making
Historian Sundiata Ramin has released “Soul Searcher: Life and Legend of Chuck Brown, Godfather of Go-Go,” a new biography exploring the life of the legendary…
Things to Do, DMV: Weekday Rundown, July 27-30
A variety of community events, ranging from professional sports like the Mubadala D.C. Open to musical performances and charity fundraisers, are scheduled across the DMV…
