By Wyatt Gordon (Virginia Correspondent) • November 2, 2020
For the vast majority of queer people, cities serve as the backdrop for the first time they find safety, community, and romance, but do we queers only flock to urban spaces for the relative acceptance they provide, or does our love affair go deeper — to the unique ways cities allow us to live, move, and connect.
By Mike English (Guest Contributor) • November 2, 2020
On October 27 the Montgomery County Council voted 7-2 to override the County Executive’s veto on Bill 29-20, which will provide property tax incentives for developers to create high rises on WMATA owned land by exempting them from all property taxes for their first 15 years, though the bill itself sunsets in 12. While the terms of the bill were dry and technical, the debate around it highlighted the severe housing needs in Montgomery County and the tension surrounding development and growth policies.
People across the Washington region are lining up to vote in person on a tense election day. Polls are open until 8 pm in DC and Maryland, and 7 pm in Virginia. In addition to the presidential race, voters will decide on local elections like the DC Council race and ANCs, as well as multiple ballot initiatives. (Dan Friedell and Rick Massimo / WTOP, Post)
Many businesses in DC, especially near the White House, have boarded up their exteriors and taken other safety precautions in anticipation of the potential for unrest on Tuesday. The White House also put up extra security fencing, and Capital Bikeshare is suspending services near the White House at noon. (Eliza Berkon and Nathan Diller / DCist)
Authorities used facial recognition software to identify and arrest a man accused of assault during a June protest in Lafayette Square, the first public acknowledgment of the use of this software during President Donald Trump’s order to clear the area for a photo op. (Justin Jouvenal and Spencer S. Hsu / Post)
District election officials brought mobile ballot boxes to some older voters ahead of the election, allowing them to vote without facing coronavirus risks or the physical challenges of long lines. But critics say the program could have done more. (Kavitha Cardoza / DCist)
Drivers killed two pedestrians in separate incidents in Montgomery County over the last week. Kenneth Charles Zirkle, 61, was killed while crossing Germantown Road on Friday; and Jose Amaya Flores, 59, was killed crossing Shady Grove Road on Monday. (Dan Schere / Bethesda Beat, Dan Schere / Bethesda Beat)
DC will no longer bring high-needs students back to classrooms next week because of disputes with the teachers’ union. Meanwhile, Arlington has paused plans to bring younger students back to class until 2021, but will continue with plans to bring back students with disabilities. (Perry Stein / Post, ARLNow)
Developer KETTLER has broken ground on The Mile project’s next phase, a 411-unit mid-rise apartment building. The first units are expected by 2022. (Vernon Miles / Tysons Reporter)
