Hey everyone! Happy New Year! As long as it’s still January, I assume we can say that. It’s been a very intense, very crazy month here on the Hill and beyond– but then again, every month is a crazy month, so let’s just get on with it.
The city has been cracking down on illegal dispensaries, starting in the middle of last month–– although walking down Barracks Row, you’d be none the wiser. Outlaw Report
In case you missed it, we do have a new Interim police chief, Jeffrey Carroll. He started his tenure on January 1. WTOP
Interestingly, the office of Ward 1 councilmember Brianne Nadeau wants to call on the Mayor and the Interim chief to rescind the orders that allow MPD to cooperate with Federal law enforcement such as ICE, and in a recent report, she focuses on the erosion of trust between MPD and the community. Brianne Nadeau press release
When asked about the killing of Renée Good in Minneapolis, Mayor Bowser blamed Congress’ funding, however. NBC-4
And at a recent community walk, she pushed back on the idea that community walks are nothing but show. WJLA
Interested in the future of the Rumsey Pool? There will be a special meeting tomorrow, January 14, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. More information about the project over at the Hill Rag.
By the way, there is a petition from some neighbors who would like to add a hot tub and a sauna at the new Rumsey pool, which could go over at the newly-added second floor. Sauna? Count me in. MoveOn
What a way to start the year: An off-duty cop thwarted a robbery at gunpoint on January 2 right in the heart of Barracks Row (400 block of 8th Street SE). WJLA
If you had come to rely on the AllCare Urgent Care facility on H Street, it looks as though it might have closed, per PoPville.
In major sad/gossipy news, Tyra Banks will not be opening her ice cream shop across from Eastern Market because she’s getting sued by her landlord, Christopher Powell, for breach of contract. She also moved to Australia. You might want to read the serious version of the story from NBC or the gossipy version at the Daily Mail.
And! Even though the sign has been up for years, it looks as though the new JiuJitsu studio on H Street is finally open! Via PoPville, check out the studio info here.
Urban Turf reports that there will be a new study drawn up to figure out how to”give a boost” to H Street NE, from 3rd to 15th Streets NE. Here’s one thought–– how about extending the streetcar instead of killing it? I know, I know.
If you really were curious about how Butterworth’s, allegedly the “hottest” restaurant in DC is run, Bloomberg’s Odd Lots team talked to co-owner Bart Hutchins about that. (Can only assume that the hotness comes from the direct connection to the pits of hell.)
Nevin Martell looks at Chef Carlos Delgado’s trajectory and oh man… anyone else remember how absolutely magical Ocopa was? Fine Dining Lovers
Look for 250 new trees being planted across our local parks this spring by Casey Trees in cooperation with the National Park Service. This is a part of the America 250 celebration. You can even donate to the effort or sponsor a tree. Learn more here. But fixing Major General Nathanael Greene’s broken stirrup, WHEN?!
Incidentally, we won’t be sharing many stories from the Washington Post going forward. The WaPo editorial board has always been prodigiously tone-deaf, a flaw we were willing to overlook until this editorial opinion published on January 3, 2026. The editorial board’s decision to praise and rationalize illegal acts makes them sound like cheerleaders for indefensible strongmen.