By Ron Thompson (Transportation Equity Organizer) • August 25, 2020
Historically, how has transportation been used to advance systemic racism? What has COVID-19 revealed about the ties between the Black community and bus transit? What changes are needed to advance racial equity? We discussed these questions and more during GGWash’s recent “Riding While Black” panel discussion, which focused on making the bus better for every rider.
WMATA finshed installing new LED lights at all of the 48 underground Metro stations in the system ahead of schedule in order to provide brighter illumination with lower energy consumption. (Alejandro Alvarez / WTOP)
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced an audit of the quasi-public Maryland Environmental Service after they paid their outgoing CEO a large bonus when he left the organization to work for Hogan. (Ovetta Wiggins / Post)
Mayor Bowser mandated that health insurers in the city cover the cost of COVID-19 tests for asymptomatic but high-risk people even without a doctor’s referral for the duration of the public health emergency, which lasts until October 9. (Colleen Grablick / DCist)
Franselene St. Jean, the vice chair of the Housing Authority Board, was removed from her seat after the mayor’s office said she was ineligible because she no longer received housing vouchers. St. Jean says that she has not received vouchers in years and was removed now because she questioned the DCHA director about whistleblowers and affordable housing. (Mitch Ryals / City Paper)
The Alexandria Planning Commission will vote on a zoning amendment that will allow school buildings to occupy more of their lots, and add extra density with additional permits. The change is intended to make it easier to rebuild existing schools to house the growing school population in the city. (Vernon Miles / ALX Now)
Montgomery County Public Schools had been offering free meals to all students, but with the start of the new school year they will return to charging students who don’t qualify for free meals for their breakfasts and lunches and will only distribute food from schools, not community locations. (Michelle Murillo / WTOP)
Virginia State Senator Bryce Reeves of Spotsylvania tested positive for the novel coronavirus after meeting with the rest of the state senate for a special legislative session last week. He has quarantined away from the rest of the legislators. (Laura Vozzella / Post)
Reemberto Rodriguez, a county government regional office director is walking every street in Silver Spring during the pandemic and blogging about his route through the region as he stops to speak with residents about their local concerns. (Matt McDonald / Bethesda Beat)
