National links: What can we learn from California’s housing affordability crisis?

By Jeff Wood (Contributor) • January 15, 2021

Lessons from three years covering California’s housing crisis. How the federal government could empower cities. We can create better neighborhoods with small-scale change at the same time as we work on bigger structural shifts.

MAP: Where roads are closed for the inauguration

By Libby Solomon (Writer and Editor), Dave Murphy (Contributor) • January 15, 2021

Let’s keep it simple: If you can avoid going anywhere near downtown until after Inauguration Day on January 20, you should. It’s going to be a mess. This map offers a bird’s-eye view to help you navigate.

Breakfast links: Life in DC’s ever-expanding security perimeter

By Libby Solomon (Writer and Editor) • January 19, 2021

‘Like Gotham City’: Life in DC’s security zone

Threatened right-wing marches did not materialize over the weekend, but DC’s massive security zone is growing by the day, expanding into places DC residents live. Now many people face checkpoints and security screenings and are struggling just to run errands or leave the house. People experiencing homelessness carry the burden especially acutely as services are disrupted and expanding security perimeters threaten to displace people.  (DCist, Mikaela Lefrak / DCist)

Mapping the security measures, checkpoints, and closures

The Washington Post maps street closures, vehicle checkpoints and the locations of heavy duty fencing around central DC ahead of a locked-down inauguration.  (Post)

Maryland lawmakers look to dismantle racism

Maryland House Speaker Adrienne Jones is announcing a “Black agenda” to dismantle inequalities in health, housing, banking, and other areas. Proposals include extending Medicaid for pregnant women, requiring healthcare providers to receive bias training, and making it easier to prove creditworthiness.   (Ovetta Wiggins / Post)

Rent in Tysons drops, but it was high to begin with

Rent has fallen about 10% during the coronavirus pandemic in Tysons, but it was so high to begin with that housing costs are still unaffordable for many people.   (Tysons Reporter / Tysons Reporter)

A Greenbelt police officer has died after being struck by a driver

A Greenbelt police officer, Christine Peters, died last week, 12 days after she was struck by a driver while responding to a different car crash.  (Dan Morse / Post. Tip: Chester B.)

Baltimore Safe Streets advocate shot and killed

Dante Barksdale, a well-known face of Baltimore’s violence prevention program Safe Streets, was shot and killed over the weekend. Barksdale worked to mediate conflict and steer people away from violence.  (Justin Fenton and Hallie Miller / Baltimore Sun)

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