WAMU 88.5 - American University Radio

01/19/2025

Immigrants and their loved ones worry about their future under President-elect Donald Trump, who has sworn to carry out the largest deportation in U.S. history.

Evelio Menjivar was in the U.S. without legal status when he first arrived from El Salvador. Now he’s a U.S. citizen, and an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Washington. In that role, Menjivar is a faith leader for immigrants, many of whom look to the Catholic Church for support and hope in hard times.

“Let’s continue building up communities that support each other, no matter where people come from.”

https://wamu.org/story/25/01/16/dc-immigrant-community-hope-in-faith/

01/18/2025

Eight years ago the Women's March brought tens of thousands of protesters to D.C. on the eve of Donald Trump's first inauguration. Saturday, protestors converged on the District again for the People's March, to bring attention to a slate of issues including women's rights, immigration, and climate. 📸 by

01/18/2025

Saturday morning, D.C. residents celebrated the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a peace walk, rally, and parade. The rally and walk started at Shepherd Park, followed by the parade - which ended with indoor activities at the Entertainment and Sports Arena (ESA) in Congress Heights. This year's theme: "Commit to the Noble Struggle for Equal Rights."

01/17/2025

Multiple roads around the National Mall will be closed, downtown Metrorail stations will shutdown, and dozens of bus routes will be adjusted for Inauguration Day.

01/17/2025

Many in the D.C. region plan to mark Martin Luther King Jr Day by volunteering. WAMU’s Margaret Barthel visited the Capital Area Food Bank’s warehouse in Fairfax County to check out this year’s donation efforts.

Nearly 40% of local residents were food insecure at some point last year. Capital Area Food Bank distributed 64 million meals to help thanks to the work of 13,000 volunteers.
Dozens of volunteers spent this past week on the floor of the distribution center packing bags of food for local seniors, ripping open cardboard boxes of lentils, applesauce, and canola oil to fill bags using a conveyer belt.

Participants ranged from 74-year-old Chevy Chase resident Jan Augustine (top) who has been volunteering with the food bank for years, to Howard sophomores Jaymi Robinson and Mariah Hayvner (bottom right and middle), who say volunteering is a way to connect with the D.C.-area community.

Will you be volunteering in the region this weekend?

01/17/2025

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Matthew Graves has been the top federal prosecutor in the District for just over three years. It’s a wide-ranging job which includes prosecuting most adult crimes in D.C., as well as federal crimes that take place in the city. Graves will step down this week, ahead of the inauguration of the President-elect Donald Trump.

Host Natalie Yuravlivker sat down with Graves at his D.C. office to discuss his tenure, including what it took to prosecute the Jan. 6 cases, why pardons won’t undo that work, and why he’s stepping down now.

https://wamu.org/story/25/01/14/outgoing-us-attorney-for-dc-matthew-graves/

01/16/2025

This week on The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnmadi, we check in on security for all of the all of the events going on this weekend in the District and preview what President-elect Donald Trump’s second term could mean for local federal workers.

Our guests include D.C. Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Lindsey Appiah, US Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger, Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen, and U.S. Congressman Gerry Connolly, representing VA's 11th District.

You can join the conversation by leaving your comment below or calling into the show live at 800)-433-8850.

01/16/2025

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore puts forward a "growth agenda' in proposed budget.

Moore's proposed budget would give tax cuts to two-thirds of Maryland taxpayers, but includes significant increases for those making $500,000 or more.

01/16/2025

As they look ahead to a new presidency, many in D.C.'s immigrant community feel uncertainty and fear. President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to carry out the largest deportation in U.S. history and has even supported deporting Americans and revoking birthright citizenship.

Immigrants and their loved ones worry about their future under President-elect Donald Trump, who has sworn to carry out the largest deportation in U.S. history.

01/16/2025

U.S. Attorney for D.C. Matthew Graves on why pardons won't undo his work on Jan. 6 prosecutions.

Graves discusses his office's work prosecuting the Jan. 6th attackers, one of the largest investigations in the country's history.

01/15/2025

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Matthew Graves reflects on tenure, days before stepping down.

Graves discusses his office's work prosecuting the Jan. 6th attackers, one of the largest investigations in the country's history.

01/15/2025

D.C. residents should prepare for a busy long weekend -- with events ranging from a Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade to a Trump rally at Capitol One Arena and tens of thousands of people coming to the region for a People's March. Expect heavy security throughout the city, plus road and train station closures.

Tens of thousands of people will be coming to the D.C. region. Donald Trump’s second inauguration will overlap with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and will be preceded by rallies and marches throughout…

01/14/2025

Tens of thousands of people will be coming to the D.C. region this weekend leading up to Inauguration Day -- which will also overlap with Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year. Prepare for road closures and rallies.

Tens of thousands of people will be coming to the D.C. region. Donald Trump’s second inauguration will overlap with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and will be preceded by rallies and marches throughout…

01/14/2025

Two companies that were contracted to set up D.C.’s first sports betting app will be paying millions to the District as part of a settlement. The companies are Intralot – which has run the D.C. Lottery since 2009 - and its local subcontractor VSC.

Following a Council vote in 2019, the companies won a multiyear, multimillion dollar contract with the District to run its first sports betting platform GambetDC.

As part of the settlement, Intralot will have to pay $5 million dollars to the District – VSC will be paying $1.5 million

01/13/2025

PROGRAMMING NOTE: Federal government workers are a top target for the new Trump Administration. Just over three million people work for the federal government, 15% live here in DC. What needs does the federal government meet? How will reforms impact communities?

On Wednesday, January 22 at 8:00 p.m. ET*, 1A will be airing The Future of The Federal Workforce, a live, one-hour call-in special. Hosted by Todd Zwillich and joined by special guests, the program will act as a space to hear about the hopes, fears, and challenges that lie ahead for the approximately three million people on the federal payroll.

* Please note, this an updated date and time

01/10/2025

Attorney General Brian Schwalb says the U.S. government has been Anacostia’s “number one driver of pollution,” using the river as a “cost-free dumping ground” for more than 150 years.

Schwalb called the pollution a “blatant disregard for human health and safety that wreaked havoc on generations of Washingtonians.”

The lawsuit cites the dumping of hazardous chemicals at Navy Yard, waste at the former Kenilworth Landfill, and chemical waste released from federal printing facilities. The lawsuit also asks that the U.S. government pay for cleanup scheduled to begin this year.

01/09/2025

Many gathered Thursday morning outside of Washington D.C.'s National Cathedral to pay their respects to former President Jimmy Carter, for what would be his final public tribute before his remains are transported back to Georgia for a private ceremony and burial in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.

01/09/2025

This week on The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi, we’re joined by Maryland House Majority Leader David Moon and Virginia Senate Majority Whip Barbara Favola. A multi-billion dollar budget gap, casinos and taxes are set to dominate debates with both legislative bodies back in session.

This week’s episode will be guest hosted by WAMU’s Kayla Hewitt. You can join the conversation by leaving your comment below or calling into the show live at 800)-433-8850.

Maryland House Majority Leader David Moon on the projected $3 billion budget gap. Plus, Virginia Senate Majority Whip Barbara Favola talks tax cuts, a Tysons Corner casino, and constitutional…