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
Pinned
The 51st
@51st.news
· 17h
🧵 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?
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. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Parents feel the impacts of cuts to programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families directly.
In a recent focus group conducted by @dcfpi.bsky.social, one D.C. mother said, “If my children can’t eat, they can’t go to school and be productive.”
Proposed cuts could go into effect this year:
In a recent focus group conducted by @dcfpi.bsky.social, one D.C. mother said, “If my children can’t eat, they can’t go to school and be productive.”
Proposed cuts could go into effect this year:
Opinion: DC must restore TANF, pull children out of poverty
Planned changes to Temporary Cash Assistance for Needy Families will impact 15,000 children, pushing them deeper into poverty.
51st.news
February 11, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Parents feel the impacts of cuts to programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families directly.
In a recent focus group conducted by @dcfpi.bsky.social, one D.C. mother said, “If my children can’t eat, they can’t go to school and be productive.”
Proposed cuts could go into effect this year:
In a recent focus group conducted by @dcfpi.bsky.social, one D.C. mother said, “If my children can’t eat, they can’t go to school and be productive.”
Proposed cuts could go into effect this year:
Hey there, can you send along where you saw this from DPW? Thanks!
February 11, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Hey there, can you send along where you saw this from DPW? Thanks!
Thank you, Joshua! We're so glad to be building this with you.
February 11, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Thank you, Joshua! We're so glad to be building this with you.
Reposted by The 51st
Supporting local news like The 51st is one of the most powerful ways we can create accountability in this world. I support The 51st already and hope you will too.
🧵 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?
February 11, 2026 at 1:33 PM
Supporting local news like The 51st is one of the most powerful ways we can create accountability in this world. I support The 51st already and hope you will too.
Reposted by The 51st
We have some suggestions: www.dcfpi.org/all/lawmaker...
February 11, 2026 at 3:26 PM
We have some suggestions: www.dcfpi.org/all/lawmaker...
And if this has you curious about how the Council works, have we got an explainer for you (from @maustermuhle.bsky.social of course!):
Everything you need to know about the D.C. Council
Be it resolved, you will learn plenty about the city's legislature.
51st.news
February 11, 2026 at 3:16 PM
And if this has you curious about how the Council works, have we got an explainer for you (from @maustermuhle.bsky.social of course!):
Councilmember @brianneknadeau.bsky.social, who chairs the committee overseeing DPW, said she plans to use an oversight hearing Thursday to raise issues with how the city responded to the storm.
Want to testify? Sign up here: lims.dccouncil.gov/Hearings/hea...
What that means and how it works:
Want to testify? Sign up here: lims.dccouncil.gov/Hearings/hea...
What that means and how it works:
How to Testify before the Council • Council of the District of Columbia
Testifying Before the Council An engaged citizenry and active advocacy community makes our government stronger. The Council encourages all District residents, workers, and organizational representativ...
dccouncil.gov
February 11, 2026 at 3:12 PM
Councilmember @brianneknadeau.bsky.social, who chairs the committee overseeing DPW, said she plans to use an oversight hearing Thursday to raise issues with how the city responded to the storm.
Want to testify? Sign up here: lims.dccouncil.gov/Hearings/hea...
What that means and how it works:
Want to testify? Sign up here: lims.dccouncil.gov/Hearings/hea...
What that means and how it works:
NEWS: Some D.C. residents say they haven’t gotten their trash picked up in three weeks.
The post-storm collection challenges have also tied into some broader concerns with services from the D.C. Department of Public Works, @maustermuhle.bsky.social reports:
The post-storm collection challenges have also tied into some broader concerns with services from the D.C. Department of Public Works, @maustermuhle.bsky.social reports:
After snowstorm delays, D.C. is rushing to catch up on trash collection
Some D.C. residents say they haven’t gotten their trash picked up in three weeks.
51st.news
February 11, 2026 at 3:12 PM
NEWS: Some D.C. residents say they haven’t gotten their trash picked up in three weeks.
The post-storm collection challenges have also tied into some broader concerns with services from the D.C. Department of Public Works, @maustermuhle.bsky.social reports:
The post-storm collection challenges have also tied into some broader concerns with services from the D.C. Department of Public Works, @maustermuhle.bsky.social reports:
Reposted by The 51st
It’s been such a rough few weeks but getting together with other people and dreaming what a different world could look like — say, perhaps, where Jeff Bezos doesn’t stand between us getting the information we need about our neighbors and our city — is what is getting me through. Hope you'll join us.
🧵 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?
February 11, 2026 at 1:58 PM
It’s been such a rough few weeks but getting together with other people and dreaming what a different world could look like — say, perhaps, where Jeff Bezos doesn’t stand between us getting the information we need about our neighbors and our city — is what is getting me through. Hope you'll join us.
7/ Our goal is to become D.C.’s go-to source for local news, one where residents of all 8 wards feel seen, heard, and connected.
Help us get there by signing up as a monthly or annual member — or upping your recurring tax-deductible contribution, if you’re already on board. ⤵️
Thanks for reading!
Help us get there by signing up as a monthly or annual member — or upping your recurring tax-deductible contribution, if you’re already on board. ⤵️
Thanks for reading!
The 51st is expanding
D.C. needs more local journalists. You can help us hire them.
51st.news
February 11, 2026 at 1:31 PM
7/ Our goal is to become D.C.’s go-to source for local news, one where residents of all 8 wards feel seen, heard, and connected.
Help us get there by signing up as a monthly or annual member — or upping your recurring tax-deductible contribution, if you’re already on board. ⤵️
Thanks for reading!
Help us get there by signing up as a monthly or annual member — or upping your recurring tax-deductible contribution, if you’re already on board. ⤵️
Thanks for reading!
6/ As a small team, we’re under no illusion that we alone can fill the void left by the journalists we’ve lost at The Post.
But we also know that we’re building in a steady and sustainable way, funded predominantly by reader support — far sturdier than a billionaire's whims.
But we also know that we’re building in a steady and sustainable way, funded predominantly by reader support — far sturdier than a billionaire's whims.
February 11, 2026 at 1:31 PM
6/ As a small team, we’re under no illusion that we alone can fill the void left by the journalists we’ve lost at The Post.
But we also know that we’re building in a steady and sustainable way, funded predominantly by reader support — far sturdier than a billionaire's whims.
But we also know that we’re building in a steady and sustainable way, funded predominantly by reader support — far sturdier than a billionaire's whims.
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 1:31 PM
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 👇
4/ The 51st grew out of the ashes of another catastrophic loss in WAMU’s decision to shutter DCist and lay off 16 people.
With your help, we’re fighting back *again* against the destruction of journalism — creating news that makes people’s lives better, funded by readers + led by local journalists.
With your help, we’re fighting back *again* against the destruction of journalism — creating news that makes people’s lives better, funded by readers + led by local journalists.
February 11, 2026 at 1:31 PM
4/ The 51st grew out of the ashes of another catastrophic loss in WAMU’s decision to shutter DCist and lay off 16 people.
With your help, we’re fighting back *again* against the destruction of journalism — creating news that makes people’s lives better, funded by readers + led by local journalists.
With your help, we’re fighting back *again* against the destruction of journalism — creating news that makes people’s lives better, funded by readers + led by local journalists.
3/ Less than 3 days after the layoffs, we had 700+ new paying members — with more joining every day to say loudly and clearly: D.C. needs local news.
🥳 To those who’ve helped us spread the word about The 51st: Thank you!
🤗 To our new members and followers: Welcome!
🫵 You can join us today:
🥳 To those who’ve helped us spread the word about The 51st: Thank you!
🤗 To our new members and followers: Welcome!
🫵 You can join us today:
The 51st is expanding
D.C. needs more local journalists. You can help us hire them.
51st.news
February 11, 2026 at 1:31 PM
3/ Less than 3 days after the layoffs, we had 700+ new paying members — with more joining every day to say loudly and clearly: D.C. needs local news.
🥳 To those who’ve helped us spread the word about The 51st: Thank you!
🤗 To our new members and followers: Welcome!
🫵 You can join us today:
🥳 To those who’ve helped us spread the word about The 51st: Thank you!
🤗 To our new members and followers: Welcome!
🫵 You can join us today:
2/ One week ago, The Washington Post's billionaire owner fired the majority of the paper's local reporters.
It's a brutal blow to D.C.’s ability to hold elected officials accountable, make informed decisions, and feel connected to our neighbors.
But this is a city of people who get the job done.
It's a brutal blow to D.C.’s ability to hold elected officials accountable, make informed decisions, and feel connected to our neighbors.
But this is a city of people who get the job done.
February 11, 2026 at 1:31 PM
2/ One week ago, The Washington Post's billionaire owner fired the majority of the paper's local reporters.
It's a brutal blow to D.C.’s ability to hold elected officials accountable, make informed decisions, and feel connected to our neighbors.
But this is a city of people who get the job done.
It's a brutal blow to D.C.’s ability to hold elected officials accountable, make informed decisions, and feel connected to our neighbors.
But this is a city of people who get the job done.
🧵 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?
February 11, 2026 at 1:31 PM
🧵 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?
One of our goals as a newsroom is to make living in the District easier for the residents who call it home.
We want the regular explainers we publish to serve you, so... what do you want explained?
Let us know — and see some examples — here: forms.gle/LNfsAMsndiT6...
We want the regular explainers we publish to serve you, so... what do you want explained?
Let us know — and see some examples — here: forms.gle/LNfsAMsndiT6...
Help us explain D.C.
At The 51st, we aim to make living in the District easier for the residents who call it home. To that end, one of our editorial focus areas is explainers: stories that demystify opaque city services…
forms.gle
February 10, 2026 at 10:41 PM
One of our goals as a newsroom is to make living in the District easier for the residents who call it home.
We want the regular explainers we publish to serve you, so... what do you want explained?
Let us know — and see some examples — here: forms.gle/LNfsAMsndiT6...
We want the regular explainers we publish to serve you, so... what do you want explained?
Let us know — and see some examples — here: forms.gle/LNfsAMsndiT6...
We were so impressed with the feedback email Rayna sent us (she was quite unhappy we didn't mention school openings or student experiences in our reporting), so inviting her to write an op-ed was the logical next step! We're hoping to platform more youth voices around D.C. this year.
February 10, 2026 at 3:40 PM
We were so impressed with the feedback email Rayna sent us (she was quite unhappy we didn't mention school openings or student experiences in our reporting), so inviting her to write an op-ed was the logical next step! We're hoping to platform more youth voices around D.C. this year.
Reposted by The 51st
this is where I used to teach in DC! so proud of this kiddo for writing this and putting it out there (and thanks to @51st.news for running it!)
Kids deserve consideration in school reopening plans, writes a Jackson-Reed High School student in this opinion piece: 51st.news/opinion-dc-s...
February 10, 2026 at 3:36 PM
this is where I used to teach in DC! so proud of this kiddo for writing this and putting it out there (and thanks to @51st.news for running it!)
Kids deserve consideration in school reopening plans, writes a Jackson-Reed High School student in this opinion piece: 51st.news/opinion-dc-s...
February 10, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Kids deserve consideration in school reopening plans, writes a Jackson-Reed High School student in this opinion piece: 51st.news/opinion-dc-s...
Reposted by The 51st
do not sleep on the DC tax ratfuckery either s/o @51st.news 51st.news/republican-b...
February 10, 2026 at 12:50 AM
do not sleep on the DC tax ratfuckery either s/o @51st.news 51st.news/republican-b...
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 9, 2026 at 9:18 PM
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.