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John A. Wilson Building

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004

 

Phone: (202) 727-2643
Email: [email protected]

Chief of Staff:
Tomás Talamante <[email protected]>

City Administrator:
Kevin Donahue <[email protected]>

Director of the Mayor's Office of Legal Counsel:
Eugene Adams <[email protected]>

Senior Advisor:
Lindsey Parker <[email protected]>

Director of Mayor's Office of Community Affairs:
Lamont Carey <[email protected]>

Director of Mayor's Office of Community Relations and Services:
Phil Thomas <[email protected]> <[email protected]>

Scheduling Requests:
mayor.dc.gov/page/invite-mayor [ [link removed] ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


January 9, 2026

Letter from the Mayor

Dear Washingtonians,  

Let me start by congratulating everyone who participated in last week's Fresh Start 5K. Thank you for running with an idea I had back in 2014 for a New Year’s Day 5K and building it into what it was this year – thousands of people, kids and adults, from all eight wards (and beyond) starting the new year together on the iconic Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge.   

Here is how we came into 2026:  


* Violent crime was down 29% in 2025, including a 32% reduction in homicides and a 53% reduction over the past two years. Our homicide closure rate increased to 85%, the highest closure rate in 13 years.
* We exceeded our initial goal to build 36,000 homes by 2025 and passed the RENTAL Act, an important step in stabilizing our affordable housing market.
* Our latest graduation rate hit a record high and last year’s DC CAPE results showed the largest increase in proficiency rates made since the pandemic in both ELA and math, in all tested grades, in both DC Public Schools and DC public charter schools.
* We were named the #1 park system in the nation for the fifth year in a row. Today, 99% of Washingtonians live within a 10-minute walk of a park.
* Our 2025 Point-In-Time count showed a 9% overall decrease in homelessness, and to build on that progress, we opened the E Street Bridge Housing Program, the District’s second non-congregate bridge housing program.
* Since launching the new regional Talent Capital initiative in October, more than 62,000 people have used the AI-powered job matching and career navigation tool [ [link removed] ].

For Washingtonians, all of these numbers mean safer neighborhoods, stronger schools, and more opportunities for those who need them. And we’re not slowing down in 2026. In the past week, we swore in our new Chief of Police; we welcomed thousands of students back to school, and in just a few weeks we’ll kick off applications for the MBSYEP program; and with MPD and ABCA, we also marked a significant milestone in our commitment to ensuring a safe and healthy DC – 100 illegal cannabis business closures [ [link removed] ] since enforcement began in 2024.  

Let’s keep pushing for the next 12 months.  

Sincerely, 

Muriel Bowser
Officer Terry Bennet

"We mourn the tragic loss of sworn officer Terry Bennett, who died while serving in the line of duty. Read Mayor Bowser's full statement [ [link removed] ] on the passing of Officer Bennett."

In This Week's Newsletter:

* Sign Up to Walk in the MLK Day Parade [ #link_4 ]
* DYRS Community Resource Fair [ #link_3 ]
* Extended: Skate for Free at the New Fort Dupont Ice Arena [ #link_5 ]
* #BeDowntown: More Winter Fun and Sports Events [ #link_1 ]
* Leaf Collection Update: Second Pass in Section A Continues [ #link_2 ]

Sign Up to Walk in the MLK Day Parade
MLK Day Parade

Every year, on MLK Day, we honor the leadership, vision, and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and we invite you to join us! Sign up today to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King by walking with us in the 21st Annual MLK Holiday DC Peace Walk and Parade on January 19. 


* *When:* Monday, January 19 at 11:00 a.m. (line up at 10:30 a.m.)
* *Where: *Barry Farm Recreation Center, 1230 Sumner Road SE
* *RSVP:* tinyurl.com/DCMLKday2026 [ [link removed] ] 

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DYRS Community Resource Fair
DYRS Community Resource Fair

All DC residents are welcome to join the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services next Thursday for a community resource fair at the DYRS Achievement Center in Ward 8. Don’t miss this opportunity to access free resources from government agencies and community organizations and connect with local employment recruiters. 


* *When:* Thursday, January 15 at 4:00 p.m.
* *Where:* DYRS Achievement Center, 2101 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE
* *More information here [ [link removed] ] *

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Extended: Skate for Free at the New Fort Dupont Ice Arena
Ice Arena

Good news: the Department of Parks and Recreation has extended free skating and skate rentals at the Fort Dupont Ice Arena through Saturday, January 17. Now’s your chance to hit the ice with friends and family for an open skate session in the heart of Ward 7. 


* *Fort Dupont Ice Arena Hours: *
* Monday – Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
* Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

* *Where:* 3779 Ely Place SE
* *More information: *dprfortduponticearena.splashthat.com [ [link removed] ] 

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#BeDowntown: More Winter Fun and Sports Events
NBM Skating Rink

Lots is happening in Downtown DC this month. With the National Building Museum’s Winter Skate Spectacular [ [link removed] ] continuing through February 8, the National Mistletoe [ [link removed] ] up through the end of January, and the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden Ice Rink [ [link removed] ] open through March 1, there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy the winter season!  

And sports fans will be glad to know that there are lots of chances to come out and support our teams throughout January. Next Sunday, January 18, the Professional Women's Hockey League Takeover Tour is back, and the Montreal Victoire will take on the New York Sirens at Capital One Arena [ [link removed] ]. And our Capitals [ [link removed] ] have a slate of home games scheduled, and our Wizards [ [link removed] ] do too. 

So let’s get Downtown, get festive, and get behind our teams!

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Leaf Collection Update: Second Pass in Section A Continues
Leaf Collection

The second pass of leaf collection in Section A continues next week. Rake your leaves into the tree box or curb in front of your home. Paper bags are welcome if you’d like, but please don’t use plastic bags, as they can’t be composted. Check your collection section [ [link removed] ] and sign up for updates [ [link removed] ] to stay informed.

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Mayor Muriel Bowser

John A. Wilson Building | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW | Washington DC, 20004

(202) 727-2643

[email protected] | mayor.dc.gov [ [link removed] ] | @mayorbowser

 



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