The 51st
@51st.news
Information with representation, by and for D.C. residents.
Worker-led nonprofit newsroom, funded by readers like YOU.
🌐 https://51st.news
Support the work: https://51st.news/signup
Worker-led nonprofit newsroom, funded by readers like YOU.
🌐 https://51st.news
Support the work: https://51st.news/signup
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The 51st
@51st.news
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🧵 1/ It’s hard to find hope amidst so much collapse.
But in the wreckage of today’s crises, people are also powering solutions — and The 51st, backed by the community of D.C., is one of them.
Will you help us build a local newsroom that a billionaire can’t break?
But in the wreckage of today’s crises, people are also powering solutions — and The 51st, backed by the community of D.C., is one of them.
Will you help us build a local newsroom that a billionaire can’t break?
NEW: The years of growing revenues and rosy economic forecasts are over, and D.C.'s 2027 budget will be a tough one.
That’s the reality, City Administrator Kevin Donahue said this week. Some councilmembers and advocates, he added, may not be living in it.
More from @maustermuhle.bsky.social:
That’s the reality, City Administrator Kevin Donahue said this week. Some councilmembers and advocates, he added, may not be living in it.
More from @maustermuhle.bsky.social:
Wilson Building Bulletin: A cold dose of reality on D.C.’s budget
And Trayon White gets a new trial date.
51st.news
February 13, 2026 at 5:04 PM
NEW: The years of growing revenues and rosy economic forecasts are over, and D.C.'s 2027 budget will be a tough one.
That’s the reality, City Administrator Kevin Donahue said this week. Some councilmembers and advocates, he added, may not be living in it.
More from @maustermuhle.bsky.social:
That’s the reality, City Administrator Kevin Donahue said this week. Some councilmembers and advocates, he added, may not be living in it.
More from @maustermuhle.bsky.social:
Reposted by The 51st
Talking about the cuts at The Post is not fun, but talking about building worker-run alternatives to billionaire-owned news is.
"What we all need to agree and commit it to is that journalism is a public good. Journalism is a thing that we need. Particularly when it comes to local news."
For @inequality.org, @millsrodrigo.bsky.social interviewed two 51st co-founders, @abigailhiggins.bsky.social and @maddiepoore.bsky.social:
For @inequality.org, @millsrodrigo.bsky.social interviewed two 51st co-founders, @abigailhiggins.bsky.social and @maddiepoore.bsky.social:
A Worker-Led Alternative to Billionaire-Owned News in DC
A Q&A with two founders of the 51st, a worker-led nonprofit newsroom launched after the closure of the beloved local outlet DCist.
inequality.org
February 13, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Talking about the cuts at The Post is not fun, but talking about building worker-run alternatives to billionaire-owned news is.
"What we all need to agree and commit it to is that journalism is a public good. Journalism is a thing that we need. Particularly when it comes to local news."
For @inequality.org, @millsrodrigo.bsky.social interviewed two 51st co-founders, @abigailhiggins.bsky.social and @maddiepoore.bsky.social:
For @inequality.org, @millsrodrigo.bsky.social interviewed two 51st co-founders, @abigailhiggins.bsky.social and @maddiepoore.bsky.social:
A Worker-Led Alternative to Billionaire-Owned News in DC
A Q&A with two founders of the 51st, a worker-led nonprofit newsroom launched after the closure of the beloved local outlet DCist.
inequality.org
February 13, 2026 at 1:15 PM
"What we all need to agree and commit it to is that journalism is a public good. Journalism is a thing that we need. Particularly when it comes to local news."
For @inequality.org, @millsrodrigo.bsky.social interviewed two 51st co-founders, @abigailhiggins.bsky.social and @maddiepoore.bsky.social:
For @inequality.org, @millsrodrigo.bsky.social interviewed two 51st co-founders, @abigailhiggins.bsky.social and @maddiepoore.bsky.social:
Reposted by The 51st
NEW: Hand dance goes back to 1950s. Today, Washingtonians are still trying to keep it alive.
I spoke with dancers of all ages, visited a school that teaches hand dance & dug through books/documentaries/oral histories to understand what makes DC's official dance so unique.
51st.news/dc-official-...
I spoke with dancers of all ages, visited a school that teaches hand dance & dug through books/documentaries/oral histories to understand what makes DC's official dance so unique.
51st.news/dc-official-...
After 75 years, hand dance is still bringing Washingtonians together
The history of D.C.'s official dance.
51st.news
February 12, 2026 at 9:02 PM
NEW: Hand dance goes back to 1950s. Today, Washingtonians are still trying to keep it alive.
I spoke with dancers of all ages, visited a school that teaches hand dance & dug through books/documentaries/oral histories to understand what makes DC's official dance so unique.
51st.news/dc-official-...
I spoke with dancers of all ages, visited a school that teaches hand dance & dug through books/documentaries/oral histories to understand what makes DC's official dance so unique.
51st.news/dc-official-...
NEW: How are you getting involved around the city this week?
Our weekly Civics Roundup includes a film screening about D.C.'s gentrification, a general strike teach-in, and more ways to show love to your community.
More from @colleengrablick.bsky.social:
Our weekly Civics Roundup includes a film screening about D.C.'s gentrification, a general strike teach-in, and more ways to show love to your community.
More from @colleengrablick.bsky.social:
Dive deep into Chocolate City: Your weekly Civics Roundup
A film screening about D.C.'s gentrification, a general strike teach-in, and more ways to show love to your community.
51st.news
February 13, 2026 at 12:29 AM
NEW: How are you getting involved around the city this week?
Our weekly Civics Roundup includes a film screening about D.C.'s gentrification, a general strike teach-in, and more ways to show love to your community.
More from @colleengrablick.bsky.social:
Our weekly Civics Roundup includes a film screening about D.C.'s gentrification, a general strike teach-in, and more ways to show love to your community.
More from @colleengrablick.bsky.social:
NEW: The Pack World's PROOF OF LIFE showcases the stories of people and places that capture the spirit of Chocolate City — evidence of a people refusing to be erased, the creatives behind it say.
Read an excerpt from the book:
Read an excerpt from the book:
New book 'Proof of Life' highlights D.C. history, culture
Seven area natives share how the spirit of Chocolate City is still alive.
51st.news
February 13, 2026 at 12:01 AM
NEW: The Pack World's PROOF OF LIFE showcases the stories of people and places that capture the spirit of Chocolate City — evidence of a people refusing to be erased, the creatives behind it say.
Read an excerpt from the book:
Read an excerpt from the book:
NEW: Contributor India Kea asked D.C. natives from across the city to reflect on what it was like growing up here — and the pivotal moments when they realized their hometown was no longer the same.
From changing faces and street signs to rows of newly planted trees, here's what they said:
From changing faces and street signs to rows of newly planted trees, here's what they said:
PHOTOS: When did you first realize the District had changed?
Eleven D.C natives on how they remember their city.
51st.news
February 12, 2026 at 11:20 PM
NEW: Contributor India Kea asked D.C. natives from across the city to reflect on what it was like growing up here — and the pivotal moments when they realized their hometown was no longer the same.
From changing faces and street signs to rows of newly planted trees, here's what they said:
From changing faces and street signs to rows of newly planted trees, here's what they said:
NEW: Hand dance first took root in D.C. at 1950s house parties.
Over the last 75 years, it has cemented itself in our cultural history.
Now, @samdelgado.bsky.social reports, a tight-knit community is doing what they can to help D.C.’s official dance stay alive:
Over the last 75 years, it has cemented itself in our cultural history.
Now, @samdelgado.bsky.social reports, a tight-knit community is doing what they can to help D.C.’s official dance stay alive:
After 75 years, hand dance is still bringing Washingtonians together
The history of D.C.'s official dance.
51st.news
February 12, 2026 at 11:00 PM
NEW: Hand dance first took root in D.C. at 1950s house parties.
Over the last 75 years, it has cemented itself in our cultural history.
Now, @samdelgado.bsky.social reports, a tight-knit community is doing what they can to help D.C.’s official dance stay alive:
Over the last 75 years, it has cemented itself in our cultural history.
Now, @samdelgado.bsky.social reports, a tight-knit community is doing what they can to help D.C.’s official dance stay alive:
NEW: What are you doing with your one wild, rare trifecta of a weekend?
Here are @jb4nay.bsky.social's picks for how to enjoy the warmer weather amid a Saturday Valentine’s Day, early Mardi Gras and Lunar New Year celebrations, and (if you're lucky) three days off.
Here are @jb4nay.bsky.social's picks for how to enjoy the warmer weather amid a Saturday Valentine’s Day, early Mardi Gras and Lunar New Year celebrations, and (if you're lucky) three days off.
17 things to do around D.C. this weekend
We've got a rare trifecta: a Saturday Valentine’s Day, early Mardi Gras and Lunar New Year celebrations, and (for the lucky among us) three days off.
51st.news
February 12, 2026 at 10:44 PM
NEW: What are you doing with your one wild, rare trifecta of a weekend?
Here are @jb4nay.bsky.social's picks for how to enjoy the warmer weather amid a Saturday Valentine’s Day, early Mardi Gras and Lunar New Year celebrations, and (if you're lucky) three days off.
Here are @jb4nay.bsky.social's picks for how to enjoy the warmer weather amid a Saturday Valentine’s Day, early Mardi Gras and Lunar New Year celebrations, and (if you're lucky) three days off.
Reposted by The 51st
“As of Wednesday, 42,264 [DC] residents had already filed their local tax returns.”
NEW: Congress' repeal of a D.C tax bill could cost the city more than $600M in revenue.
Will city leaders fight back?
Sources tell @maustermuhle.bsky.social that part of their hesitation could be coming from D.C.'s CFO Glen Lee, who is dealing with the ongoing tax-filing season.
Will city leaders fight back?
Sources tell @maustermuhle.bsky.social that part of their hesitation could be coming from D.C.'s CFO Glen Lee, who is dealing with the ongoing tax-filing season.
Republicans just f*cked D.C.’s tax-filing season. City leaders could fight back.
Congress' repeal of a D.C tax bill will cost the city more than $600 million in revenue.
51st.news
February 12, 2026 at 10:37 PM
“As of Wednesday, 42,264 [DC] residents had already filed their local tax returns.”
NEW: "We — as people in an ever-changing D.C. that is not at all reflective of where we grew up — occasionally see these special glimpses and you're like, 'Oh, shit, it's still there.'"
Meet two co-founders of The Pack World, who work to capture how the D.C. that raised them is still alive:
Meet two co-founders of The Pack World, who work to capture how the D.C. that raised them is still alive:
How these D.C. natives are fighting to preserve the city's Black culture
By creating content, merch, and experiences that are for and about Chocolate City
51st.news
February 12, 2026 at 10:33 PM
NEW: "We — as people in an ever-changing D.C. that is not at all reflective of where we grew up — occasionally see these special glimpses and you're like, 'Oh, shit, it's still there.'"
Meet two co-founders of The Pack World, who work to capture how the D.C. that raised them is still alive:
Meet two co-founders of The Pack World, who work to capture how the D.C. that raised them is still alive:
NEW: Congress' repeal of a D.C tax bill could cost the city more than $600M in revenue.
Will city leaders fight back?
Sources tell @maustermuhle.bsky.social that part of their hesitation could be coming from D.C.'s CFO Glen Lee, who is dealing with the ongoing tax-filing season.
Will city leaders fight back?
Sources tell @maustermuhle.bsky.social that part of their hesitation could be coming from D.C.'s CFO Glen Lee, who is dealing with the ongoing tax-filing season.
Republicans just f*cked D.C.’s tax-filing season. City leaders could fight back.
Congress' repeal of a D.C tax bill will cost the city more than $600 million in revenue.
51st.news
February 12, 2026 at 10:17 PM
NEW: Congress' repeal of a D.C tax bill could cost the city more than $600M in revenue.
Will city leaders fight back?
Sources tell @maustermuhle.bsky.social that part of their hesitation could be coming from D.C.'s CFO Glen Lee, who is dealing with the ongoing tax-filing season.
Will city leaders fight back?
Sources tell @maustermuhle.bsky.social that part of their hesitation could be coming from D.C.'s CFO Glen Lee, who is dealing with the ongoing tax-filing season.
📬 This week's special edition newsletter:
PROOF OF LIFE, in partnership with The Pack World
🍫 Is D.C. still Chocolate City?
✊🏾 Two D.C. natives fighting to preserve the city's Black culture
💃🏾 The history of D.C.'s official dance style
Get the next edition in your inbox: www.51st.news/signup
PROOF OF LIFE, in partnership with The Pack World
🍫 Is D.C. still Chocolate City?
✊🏾 Two D.C. natives fighting to preserve the city's Black culture
💃🏾 The history of D.C.'s official dance style
Get the next edition in your inbox: www.51st.news/signup
Is D.C. still Chocolate City?
These native Washingtonians have found "proof of life."
51st.news
February 12, 2026 at 10:03 PM
📬 This week's special edition newsletter:
PROOF OF LIFE, in partnership with The Pack World
🍫 Is D.C. still Chocolate City?
✊🏾 Two D.C. natives fighting to preserve the city's Black culture
💃🏾 The history of D.C.'s official dance style
Get the next edition in your inbox: www.51st.news/signup
PROOF OF LIFE, in partnership with The Pack World
🍫 Is D.C. still Chocolate City?
✊🏾 Two D.C. natives fighting to preserve the city's Black culture
💃🏾 The history of D.C.'s official dance style
Get the next edition in your inbox: www.51st.news/signup
NEW: Gentrification in the District has displaced large numbers of longtime residents.
What pieces of a Black utopia remain?
For our "Ask a D.C. Native" column, Nayion Perkins of The Pack World reflects:
What pieces of a Black utopia remain?
For our "Ask a D.C. Native" column, Nayion Perkins of The Pack World reflects:
Ask A D.C. Native: Is D.C. still Chocolate City?
Gentrification in the District has displaced large numbers of longtime residents. What pieces of a Black utopia remain?
51st.news
February 12, 2026 at 10:00 PM
NEW: Gentrification in the District has displaced large numbers of longtime residents.
What pieces of a Black utopia remain?
For our "Ask a D.C. Native" column, Nayion Perkins of The Pack World reflects:
What pieces of a Black utopia remain?
For our "Ask a D.C. Native" column, Nayion Perkins of The Pack World reflects:
This afternoon, we've been victims of a Bluesky bug that's keeping us from posting links!
It's poorly timed, with our special edition newsletter drop but...
iykyk, new stories at www dot 51st dot news
It's poorly timed, with our special edition newsletter drop but...
iykyk, new stories at www dot 51st dot news
February 12, 2026 at 9:51 PM
This afternoon, we've been victims of a Bluesky bug that's keeping us from posting links!
It's poorly timed, with our special edition newsletter drop but...
iykyk, new stories at www dot 51st dot news
It's poorly timed, with our special edition newsletter drop but...
iykyk, new stories at www dot 51st dot news
Reposted by The 51st
NEWS: Congress has repealed a D.C. tax bill, potentially throwing tax-filing season into total chaos for residents and businesses. City officials could fight it, but it's unclear if they will. For @51st.news: 51st.news/republicans-...
Republicans just f*cked D.C.’s tax-filing season. City leaders could fight back.
Congress' repeal of a D.C tax bill will cost the city more than $600 million in revenue.
51st.news
February 12, 2026 at 9:37 PM
NEWS: Congress has repealed a D.C. tax bill, potentially throwing tax-filing season into total chaos for residents and businesses. City officials could fight it, but it's unclear if they will. For @51st.news: 51st.news/republicans-...
Reposted by The 51st
Today @chmnmendelson.bsky.social announced that the 30-day congressional review period, during which a D.C. bill can be repealed, actually wrapped up last night. That means, per his office, that the D.C. tax decoupling bill is the law of the land, and can't be repealed by Congress.
February 12, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Today @chmnmendelson.bsky.social announced that the 30-day congressional review period, during which a D.C. bill can be repealed, actually wrapped up last night. That means, per his office, that the D.C. tax decoupling bill is the law of the land, and can't be repealed by Congress.
Reposted by The 51st
NEWS: As expected, the Senate has approved a resolution repealing the D.C. tax decoupling bill, following the House's lead earlier this week. The Senate vote was 49-47, fully along party lines.
There's a wrinkle, though...
There's a wrinkle, though...
February 12, 2026 at 6:05 PM
NEWS: As expected, the Senate has approved a resolution repealing the D.C. tax decoupling bill, following the House's lead earlier this week. The Senate vote was 49-47, fully along party lines.
There's a wrinkle, though...
There's a wrinkle, though...
Reposted by The 51st
NEWS: Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White’s trial on federal bribery charges has been delayed to September 14. It was supposed to start on March 24, but a judge said an “unforced error” by prosecutors on turning over documents led him to support pushing back the date as White’s attorney requested.
February 12, 2026 at 7:33 PM
NEWS: Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White’s trial on federal bribery charges has been delayed to September 14. It was supposed to start on March 24, but a judge said an “unforced error” by prosecutors on turning over documents led him to support pushing back the date as White’s attorney requested.
Good news, in these times...
We’re less than 151 people away from reaching 1,000 new members since Jeff Bezos’ gutting of The Washington Post.
Join today to help us reach this milestone and build a people-powered newsroom for D.C. 🤝
We’re less than 151 people away from reaching 1,000 new members since Jeff Bezos’ gutting of The Washington Post.
Join today to help us reach this milestone and build a people-powered newsroom for D.C. 🤝
The 51st is expanding
D.C. needs more local journalists. You can help us hire them.
51st.news
February 12, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Good news, in these times...
We’re less than 151 people away from reaching 1,000 new members since Jeff Bezos’ gutting of The Washington Post.
Join today to help us reach this milestone and build a people-powered newsroom for D.C. 🤝
We’re less than 151 people away from reaching 1,000 new members since Jeff Bezos’ gutting of The Washington Post.
Join today to help us reach this milestone and build a people-powered newsroom for D.C. 🤝
Reposted by The 51st
Help keep DC's local news alive by becoming a member or donating to the @51st.news.
51st.news/the-51st-is-...
51st.news/the-51st-is-...
The 51st is expanding
D.C. needs more local journalists. You can help us hire them.
51st.news
February 12, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Help keep DC's local news alive by becoming a member or donating to the @51st.news.
51st.news/the-51st-is-...
51st.news/the-51st-is-...
It's newsletter day! Are you signed up?
Get this week's 👀special edition👀 in your inbox this afternoon:
Get this week's 👀special edition👀 in your inbox this afternoon:
Join The 51st
The 51st is a worker-led nonprofit news source for D.C. Our reporting is rooted in our conviction that local journalism is meant to make people’s lives better — no paywalls, ever. But that's only…
51st.news
February 12, 2026 at 1:40 PM
It's newsletter day! Are you signed up?
Get this week's 👀special edition👀 in your inbox this afternoon:
Get this week's 👀special edition👀 in your inbox this afternoon:
Reposted by The 51st
Interesting update: A D.C. judge has found the city in contempt for refusing to turn over budget documents in long-running legal fight with a public interest law firm. The judge has given D.C. 21 days to turn over the documents; if it doesn't, daily fines of $1,500 will be assessed.
Do you think Judge Judy would settle a little intra-government dispute?
ICYMI: @maustermuhle.bsky.social breaks down why the D.C. Council is considering taking legal action against Mayor Bowser in a year-long fight over budget documents.
ICYMI: @maustermuhle.bsky.social breaks down why the D.C. Council is considering taking legal action against Mayor Bowser in a year-long fight over budget documents.
DC Council could sue Mayor Bowser for budget documents
A years-long fight over budget documents has escalated.
51st.news
February 11, 2026 at 9:19 PM
Interesting update: A D.C. judge has found the city in contempt for refusing to turn over budget documents in long-running legal fight with a public interest law firm. The judge has given D.C. 21 days to turn over the documents; if it doesn't, daily fines of $1,500 will be assessed.
Reposted by The 51st
The 51st has produced so much valuable reporting in just a single year, with only one full-time reporter. Can you imagine what a second year could look like if this newsroom had triple the reporting capacity?
The good news is that we don't have to imagine — we can make it happen. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
The good news is that we don't have to imagine — we can make it happen. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
5/ We want to be the newsroom D.C. needs — so we’re raising funds to triple (!!!) our reporting capacity, and beef up our editing team to support these writers.
More on our plans here, and how you can help 👇
More on our plans here, and how you can help 👇
The 51st is expanding
D.C. needs more local journalists. You can help us hire them.
51st.news
February 11, 2026 at 8:26 PM
The 51st has produced so much valuable reporting in just a single year, with only one full-time reporter. Can you imagine what a second year could look like if this newsroom had triple the reporting capacity?
The good news is that we don't have to imagine — we can make it happen. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
The good news is that we don't have to imagine — we can make it happen. ⬇️⬇️⬇️