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?
Looking for an additional reason to support local news in D.C. right now?
Russ will match your gift $$$ if you send him a screenshot of your support! ⬇️
Russ will match your gift $$$ if you send him a screenshot of your support! ⬇️
February 17, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Looking for an additional reason to support local news in D.C. right now?
Russ will match your gift $$$ if you send him a screenshot of your support! ⬇️
Russ will match your gift $$$ if you send him a screenshot of your support! ⬇️
Have your Pepco bills gone up? 📈🔌
We’re reporting on D.C. residents who have seen their Pepco bills rise, including what solutions exist to help bills go down.
Email 51st reporter Sam Delgado ([email protected]) to share your story or reply to this post!
We’re reporting on D.C. residents who have seen their Pepco bills rise, including what solutions exist to help bills go down.
Email 51st reporter Sam Delgado ([email protected]) to share your story or reply to this post!
February 17, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Have your Pepco bills gone up? 📈🔌
We’re reporting on D.C. residents who have seen their Pepco bills rise, including what solutions exist to help bills go down.
Email 51st reporter Sam Delgado ([email protected]) to share your story or reply to this post!
We’re reporting on D.C. residents who have seen their Pepco bills rise, including what solutions exist to help bills go down.
Email 51st reporter Sam Delgado ([email protected]) to share your story or reply to this post!
Mayor Bowser has received plenty of flack for her handling of January's snowstorm. So we asked those seeking to replace her: What would you have done differently?
Candidates weigh in on D.C.'s snowstorm response
It’s easy to critique how the city fared after the storm, but what would they have done differently?
51st.news
February 17, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Mayor Bowser has received plenty of flack for her handling of January's snowstorm. So we asked those seeking to replace her: What would you have done differently?
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:
We want the regular explainers we publish to serve you, so... what do you want explained?
Let us know — and see some examples — here:
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 17, 2026 at 1:56 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:
We want the regular explainers we publish to serve you, so... what do you want explained?
Let us know — and see some examples — here:
"I’ve experienced the unique beauty of Chocolate City, growing up in close-knit communities that supported various aspects of my life. But I’ve also witnessed how much the city has changed over the last 20 years."
Our latest Ask a D.C. Native column considers: Is D.C. still Chocolate City?
Our latest Ask a D.C. Native column considers: Is D.C. still Chocolate City?
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 16, 2026 at 9:09 PM
"I’ve experienced the unique beauty of Chocolate City, growing up in close-knit communities that supported various aspects of my life. But I’ve also witnessed how much the city has changed over the last 20 years."
Our latest Ask a D.C. Native column considers: Is D.C. still Chocolate City?
Our latest Ask a D.C. Native column considers: Is D.C. still Chocolate City?
Seven area natives share how the spirit of Chocolate City is still alive in this excerpt from PROOF OF LIFE, a recent book from D.C.-based content and experience company The Pack World:
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 16, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Seven area natives share how the spirit of Chocolate City is still alive in this excerpt from PROOF OF LIFE, a recent book from D.C.-based content and experience company The Pack World:
Reposted by The 51st
I'm gonna toss in a sweetener here because Valentine's Day sucked and I need a pick-me-up.
TONIGHT ONLY: if you make a donation to/buy a membership for @51st.news tonight - of any amount - not only will I match it, but I will send $50 to a good cause in Minneapolis (TBD, but it'll be legit).
TONIGHT ONLY: if you make a donation to/buy a membership for @51st.news tonight - of any amount - not only will I match it, but I will send $50 to a good cause in Minneapolis (TBD, but it'll be legit).
You can help build billionaire-free local news.
Repost this -> I give $1
Follow @51st.news -> I give $1
Follow me -> I give $1
Donate -> I match your gift
Let's fight misinformation, help good journalists to make a decent living, and stick a big ol' finger in Jeff Bezos' eye.
Repost this -> I give $1
Follow @51st.news -> I give $1
Follow me -> I give $1
Donate -> I match your gift
Let's fight misinformation, help good journalists to make a decent living, and stick a big ol' finger in Jeff Bezos' eye.
February 16, 2026 at 3:25 AM
I'm gonna toss in a sweetener here because Valentine's Day sucked and I need a pick-me-up.
TONIGHT ONLY: if you make a donation to/buy a membership for @51st.news tonight - of any amount - not only will I match it, but I will send $50 to a good cause in Minneapolis (TBD, but it'll be legit).
TONIGHT ONLY: if you make a donation to/buy a membership for @51st.news tonight - of any amount - not only will I match it, but I will send $50 to a good cause in Minneapolis (TBD, but it'll be legit).
Are you a D.C. native? Want to test your hometown knowledge in front of a live audience?
We're looking for contestants for "Ask A D.C. Native, Live!" — our trivia game show presented in partnership with Black.Native.Creative.
More info + how to apply:
We're looking for contestants for "Ask A D.C. Native, Live!" — our trivia game show presented in partnership with Black.Native.Creative.
More info + how to apply:
Sign up to be a contestant on Ask A D.C. Native, Live!
Ask A D.C. Native, Live! is a trivia game show presented by The 51st and Black.Native.Creative. Hosted by Dwayne Lawson-Brown, two teams of D.C. natives go head-to-head in five rounds, testing their…
docs.google.com
February 15, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Are you a D.C. native? Want to test your hometown knowledge in front of a live audience?
We're looking for contestants for "Ask A D.C. Native, Live!" — our trivia game show presented in partnership with Black.Native.Creative.
More info + how to apply:
We're looking for contestants for "Ask A D.C. Native, Live!" — our trivia game show presented in partnership with Black.Native.Creative.
More info + how to apply:
Four D.C. native friends launched The Pack World in 2018 as a way to preserve D.C. history — and put its culture on the map with cities like New York City and Los Angeles.
@christurdisani.bsky.social spoke to Nayion Perkins and Kluse about their work — and their recent project PROOF OF LIFE:
@christurdisani.bsky.social spoke to Nayion Perkins and Kluse about their work — and their recent project PROOF OF LIFE:
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 15, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Four D.C. native friends launched The Pack World in 2018 as a way to preserve D.C. history — and put its culture on the map with cities like New York City and Los Angeles.
@christurdisani.bsky.social spoke to Nayion Perkins and Kluse about their work — and their recent project PROOF OF LIFE:
@christurdisani.bsky.social spoke to Nayion Perkins and Kluse about their work — and their recent project PROOF OF LIFE:
Today's event picks from @jb4nay.bsky.social's weekend guide:
⚜️ Mardi Gras on H Street, 12 - 7 p.m.
🎻 Accord Symphony Black History Month Concert, 3 - 5 p.m.
🐶 Meet adoptable dogs at Wunder Garten, 2 - 4 p.m.
More things to do over the long weekend:
⚜️ Mardi Gras on H Street, 12 - 7 p.m.
🎻 Accord Symphony Black History Month Concert, 3 - 5 p.m.
🐶 Meet adoptable dogs at Wunder Garten, 2 - 4 p.m.
More things to do over the long weekend:
16 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 15, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Today's event picks from @jb4nay.bsky.social's weekend guide:
⚜️ Mardi Gras on H Street, 12 - 7 p.m.
🎻 Accord Symphony Black History Month Concert, 3 - 5 p.m.
🐶 Meet adoptable dogs at Wunder Garten, 2 - 4 p.m.
More things to do over the long weekend:
⚜️ Mardi Gras on H Street, 12 - 7 p.m.
🎻 Accord Symphony Black History Month Concert, 3 - 5 p.m.
🐶 Meet adoptable dogs at Wunder Garten, 2 - 4 p.m.
More things to do over the long weekend:
Know about a cool event happening in (or around) the city soon? Let us know via the form below.
We publish two roundups each week — one featuring fun weekend events, and the other sharing opportunities to get more civically engaged. Submitting by Sunday night ensures we see it in time!
We publish two roundups each week — one featuring fun weekend events, and the other sharing opportunities to get more civically engaged. Submitting by Sunday night ensures we see it in time!
Submit your events to The 51st
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airtable.com
February 14, 2026 at 10:44 PM
Know about a cool event happening in (or around) the city soon? Let us know via the form below.
We publish two roundups each week — one featuring fun weekend events, and the other sharing opportunities to get more civically engaged. Submitting by Sunday night ensures we see it in time!
We publish two roundups each week — one featuring fun weekend events, and the other sharing opportunities to get more civically engaged. Submitting by Sunday night ensures we see it in time!
The 51st is a worker-led nonprofit newsroom — so our team is deeply involved in both the day-to-day and major decisions involved in running the organization.
See if you can spot us in this @innovationrji.bsky.social research 👀
See if you can spot us in this @innovationrji.bsky.social research 👀
Worker-friendly newsrooms are not all the same
Co-ops, staff-run nonprofits and democratic newsrooms take a mix-and-match approach to how they operate.
rjionline.org
February 14, 2026 at 5:40 PM
The 51st is a worker-led nonprofit newsroom — so our team is deeply involved in both the day-to-day and major decisions involved in running the organization.
See if you can spot us in this @innovationrji.bsky.social research 👀
See if you can spot us in this @innovationrji.bsky.social research 👀
Dive deep into Chocolate City by showing up for your D.C. community this week: 51st.news/dc-civic-eng...
February 14, 2026 at 1:16 PM
Dive deep into Chocolate City by showing up for your D.C. community this week: 51st.news/dc-civic-eng...
D.C. residents infamously suffer taxation without representation, but congressional Republicans are complicating even the taxation part of our second-class reality.
It's the first time they've targeted local legislation setting tax policy for the city’s residents, @maustermuhle.bsky.social reports:
It's the first time they've targeted local legislation setting tax policy for the city’s residents, @maustermuhle.bsky.social reports:
Republicans just f*cked D.C.’s tax-filing season. City leaders could fight back.
Congress' repeal of a D.C tax bill could cost the city more than $600 million in revenue.
51st.news
February 13, 2026 at 10:36 PM
D.C. residents infamously suffer taxation without representation, but congressional Republicans are complicating even the taxation part of our second-class reality.
It's the first time they've targeted local legislation setting tax policy for the city’s residents, @maustermuhle.bsky.social reports:
It's the first time they've targeted local legislation setting tax policy for the city’s residents, @maustermuhle.bsky.social reports:
Reposted by The 51st
New to @51st.news? Learn more about how we're sustainably building a newsroom for and with our community via this recent Q&A w/ @inequality.org.
The structures that support and produce journalism can change, and are changing, for the better. We're just one example.
inequality.org/article/a-wo...
The structures that support and produce journalism can change, and are changing, for the better. We're just one example.
inequality.org/article/a-wo...
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 8:01 PM
New to @51st.news? Learn more about how we're sustainably building a newsroom for and with our community via this recent Q&A w/ @inequality.org.
The structures that support and produce journalism can change, and are changing, for the better. We're just one example.
inequality.org/article/a-wo...
The structures that support and produce journalism can change, and are changing, for the better. We're just one example.
inequality.org/article/a-wo...
Reposted by The 51st
The @51st.news is great--here's an easy way to support their work!
You can help build billionaire-free local news.
Repost this -> I give $1
Follow @51st.news -> I give $1
Follow me -> I give $1
Donate -> I match your gift
Let's fight misinformation, help good journalists to make a decent living, and stick a big ol' finger in Jeff Bezos' eye.
Repost this -> I give $1
Follow @51st.news -> I give $1
Follow me -> I give $1
Donate -> I match your gift
Let's fight misinformation, help good journalists to make a decent living, and stick a big ol' finger in Jeff Bezos' eye.
February 13, 2026 at 8:03 PM
The @51st.news is great--here's an easy way to support their work!
Reposted by The 51st
I'm so grateful @russ41.bsky.social is back to help us add local reporters covering DC. When Bezos fire, we hire!
Even if you've already supported or can't—you can help by sharing his challenge on other social media platforms: Every follow + repost=another $!
All details are in his thread here ⬇️
Even if you've already supported or can't—you can help by sharing his challenge on other social media platforms: Every follow + repost=another $!
All details are in his thread here ⬇️
You can help build billionaire-free local news.
Repost this -> I give $1
Follow @51st.news -> I give $1
Follow me -> I give $1
Donate -> I match your gift
Let's fight misinformation, help good journalists to make a decent living, and stick a big ol' finger in Jeff Bezos' eye.
Repost this -> I give $1
Follow @51st.news -> I give $1
Follow me -> I give $1
Donate -> I match your gift
Let's fight misinformation, help good journalists to make a decent living, and stick a big ol' finger in Jeff Bezos' eye.
February 13, 2026 at 7:56 PM
I'm so grateful @russ41.bsky.social is back to help us add local reporters covering DC. When Bezos fire, we hire!
Even if you've already supported or can't—you can help by sharing his challenge on other social media platforms: Every follow + repost=another $!
All details are in his thread here ⬇️
Even if you've already supported or can't—you can help by sharing his challenge on other social media platforms: Every follow + repost=another $!
All details are in his thread here ⬇️
Reposted by The 51st
Here's a fun - and potentially doubly impactful! - way to help @51st.news hire more local journalists. You can help even if you can't donate money!
You can help build billionaire-free local news.
Repost this -> I give $1
Follow @51st.news -> I give $1
Follow me -> I give $1
Donate -> I match your gift
Let's fight misinformation, help good journalists to make a decent living, and stick a big ol' finger in Jeff Bezos' eye.
Repost this -> I give $1
Follow @51st.news -> I give $1
Follow me -> I give $1
Donate -> I match your gift
Let's fight misinformation, help good journalists to make a decent living, and stick a big ol' finger in Jeff Bezos' eye.
February 13, 2026 at 7:59 PM
Here's a fun - and potentially doubly impactful! - way to help @51st.news hire more local journalists. You can help even if you can't donate money!
Reposted by The 51st
You can help build billionaire-free local news.
Repost this -> I give $1
Follow @51st.news -> I give $1
Follow me -> I give $1
Donate -> I match your gift
Let's fight misinformation, help good journalists to make a decent living, and stick a big ol' finger in Jeff Bezos' eye.
Repost this -> I give $1
Follow @51st.news -> I give $1
Follow me -> I give $1
Donate -> I match your gift
Let's fight misinformation, help good journalists to make a decent living, and stick a big ol' finger in Jeff Bezos' eye.
February 13, 2026 at 6:50 PM
You can help build billionaire-free local news.
Repost this -> I give $1
Follow @51st.news -> I give $1
Follow me -> I give $1
Donate -> I match your gift
Let's fight misinformation, help good journalists to make a decent living, and stick a big ol' finger in Jeff Bezos' eye.
Repost this -> I give $1
Follow @51st.news -> I give $1
Follow me -> I give $1
Donate -> I match your gift
Let's fight misinformation, help good journalists to make a decent living, and stick a big ol' finger in Jeff Bezos' eye.
Make sure you show @russ41.bsky.social your donations to get them matched 1:1!
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- I can only match your donations if you TELL ME (quote-post, reply, or DM) how much!
- memberships DO count as donations
- if you sign up for a monthly membership, I'll match the first year's worth
- I can only match your donations if you TELL ME (quote-post, reply, or DM) how much!
- memberships DO count as donations
- if you sign up for a monthly membership, I'll match the first year's worth
February 13, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Make sure you show @russ41.bsky.social your donations to get them matched 1:1!
Here's a quick and EASY way to make a big $$$ impact for The 51st! Help spread the word, and get your dollars matched!!
Thanks for your generosity and support, Russ!
Thanks for your generosity and support, Russ!
You can help build billionaire-free local news.
Repost this -> I give $1
Follow @51st.news -> I give $1
Follow me -> I give $1
Donate -> I match your gift
Let's fight misinformation, help good journalists to make a decent living, and stick a big ol' finger in Jeff Bezos' eye.
Repost this -> I give $1
Follow @51st.news -> I give $1
Follow me -> I give $1
Donate -> I match your gift
Let's fight misinformation, help good journalists to make a decent living, and stick a big ol' finger in Jeff Bezos' eye.
February 13, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Here's a quick and EASY way to make a big $$$ impact for The 51st! Help spread the word, and get your dollars matched!!
Thanks for your generosity and support, Russ!
Thanks for your generosity and support, Russ!
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-...