Julia Airey
Articles by Julia Airey
D.C. to collect trash on federal properties during government shutdown
D.C. officials say the city is prepared to pick up trash on federal land and process unemployment insurance claims for the duration of the federal government shutdown, but it's uncertain whether the District will be reimbursed. Published December 30, 2018
Residents in D.C. hotel for homeless report mold
A Northeast hotel that houses homeless people is dealing with a mold problem that homeless advocates say could be widespread. Published December 26, 2018
Mary Cheh, Charles Allen seek funds to repair DC FEMS failing fleet
As the D.C. Council prepares for oversight hearings next year, one key issue will be the D.C. Fire and EMS Department's fleet of emergency vehicles, which The Washington Times has reported is depleted and in need of repair. Published December 24, 2018
Regional transportation officials move forward on toll policies, bus rapid transit, bike trail plans
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Government (COG) is kick-starting transportation changes in the region with a resolution directing local jurisdictions to develop policies on highway tolls and bike trail expansions, among goals set out by COG's Visualize 2045 plan. Published December 19, 2018
D.C. Council passes gun, climate change, and education watchdog bills
In its last legislative session before the new year, the D.C. Council on Tuesday unanimously approved new standards to combat climate change, and passed legislation to allow authorities to remove weapons from dangerous persons and to create an independent education data watchdog. Published December 18, 2018
Metro lifts ban on paratransit drivers calling 911
Metro has lifted a ban on paratransit drivers calling 911 in medical emergencies, and is considering replacing first aid kits on MetroAccess vans after having removed them over liability concerns. Published December 16, 2018
Metro board approves special event fare hikes
The Metro board on Thursday overwhelmingly approved allowing the transit agency to charge higher fares during major events, but postponed a discussion on restoring late-night service. Published December 13, 2018
D.C. Council to reintroduce movie theater caption screening bill
The D.C. Council plans to reintroduce legislation that would require movie theaters to provide more open caption screenings, after a Tuesday hearing in which dozens testified about frequent failures of captioning glasses. Published December 11, 2018
Rainfall this week in D.C. could break regional records
The National Weather Service says that rain expected this week in the D.C. area could set the annual precipitation record for the region. Published December 11, 2018
Number of homicides in District up 45 percent from 2017
With three weeks left in 2018, the number of homicides in the District is nearly 45 percent higher that last year's total, prompting one lawmaker to say the city is in a "state of emergency." Published December 10, 2018
D.C. city, fire officials challenge report connecting firetruck shortage to woman’s death
Two D.C. Council members are inquiring about the fire department's apparatus, as fire and city officials push back against a report in The Washington Times citing senior department sources who said a lack of reserve vehicles contributed to a woman's death in a fire late Tuesday. Published December 9, 2018
D.C. firetruck shortage connected to woman’s death
A 96-year-old woman died after a fire consumed her house in Shaw late Tuesday as her neighborhood's assigned firetruck was covering Southeast amid a shortage of reserve emergency vehicles. Published December 5, 2018
George Washington University, Howard could partner on D.C. hospital
The D.C. Council debated a proposed change to plans to set up a new hospital east of the Anacostia River run by George Washington University Hospital during a long legislative session Tuesday. Published December 4, 2018
‘Khashoggi Way’ sign placed outside Saudi Embassy in D.C.
A liberal political action committee on Tuesday placed an unofficial "Khashoggi Way" street sign outside the Saudi Embassy in Northwest to protest the suspected involvement of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in the Oct. 2 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Published December 4, 2018
2 Metro workers arrested on fraud charges in ‘timekeeping scheme,’ official says
Metro's Office of Inspector General has accused a D.C.-area man and woman of a "fraudulent timekeeping scheme" involving their employment at Metro and Amtrak. Published December 4, 2018
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser picks Lewis D. Ferebee new schools chancellor
Mayor Muriel Bowser on Monday named Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Lewis D. Ferebee of as the new chancellor of D.C. Public Schools, apparently rejecting her advisory panel's recommendation. Published December 3, 2018
Barracks Row sewer line clogged by ‘mountain’ of restaurant grease
DC Water workers spent six hours Sunday clearing a "massive mountain of grease" from a clogged sewer line at Barracks Row, a utility spokesman says. Published December 3, 2018
D.C. Council approves clean energy bill
A unanimous D.C. Council gave preliminary approval Tuesday to a major climate change legislation with some last-minute revisions that worry environmentalists. Published November 27, 2018
D.C. Council considers new office to resolve sign-language woes
The D.C. Council is considering creating a separate office for deaf and hard-of-hearing residents because disability advocates say the city fails to provide qualified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters. Published November 26, 2018
D.C. Council passes first campaign finance reform bill vote
The D.C. Council gave overwhelming preliminary approval Tuesday to a sweeping campaign finance reform bill. Published November 20, 2018
