WAMU 88.5 - American University Radio

12/31/2024

This year may have seemed like one big build-up for the November elections. However, there were plenty of local happenings and stories in D.C. and the surrounding area, and the journalists of the WAMU newsroom were out there to capture it all.

Below is a selection of the best photos from some of the stories we covered in 2024. Enjoy! https://wamu.org/story/24/12/18/dc-region-photos-2024-year-in-review/

12/30/2024

TONIGHT at 8pm, WAMU will air a new NPR special, “The Life & Legacy of Former President Jimmy Carter.”

12/30/2024

TODAY at 11am, WAMU will air a Diane Rehm special to honor the passing of President Carter. Over the years, the late President sat down with Diane 12 times - more than any other U.S. President. This special will feature highlights from those conversations.

12/30/2024

Thousands of spectators donned their best Western wear and packed the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Md. last month to watch Black cowboys and cowgirls compete in the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo.

The Maryland championship event capped the 40th anniversary season for the rodeo, one that was chock full of steer wrestling, bull riding, calf roping, barrel racing and other events.

“I’m from South Texas so we have a lot of Black cowboys and cowgirls at home where we’re from. It’s cool to show people something that they don’t see everyday that we are fortunate enough to grow up…

12/28/2024

The Capital Area Food Bank has set up four pantries, called food pharmacies, at hospitals across the region to help address the nutrition side of diet-related illnesses.

President and CEO Radha Muthiah told WAMU’s Morning Edition host Esther Ciammachilli the food pharmacies are part of her vision of bundling food and nutrition.

“A patient going in to get medical care can also go to the food pharmacy to be able to get the good, nutritious food that they need to either prevent the onset of a particular chronic disease or help manage an existing chronic disease,” she said.

The locations operate much like a standard pharmaceuticals pharmacy. A doctor at one of the hospital locations will write a patient a prescription based on their illness.

“You might have a prescription for dark, leafy greens or lean ground meat or low-sugar cereal,” explained Muthiah. https://wamu.org/story/24/12/18/capital-area-food-bank-food-pharmacy-program/

12/27/2024

Riders of the D.C. Circulator have until Dec. 31 to take trips on the soon to be shuttered bus system. Metro has made it clear that they will not be absorbing the Circulator bus system, but the transit agency has made tweaks to Metrobus routes in order to provide alternatives for riders.

12/27/2024

At Van Ness, nearly 40% of students were chronically absent last school year, meaning they had absences – both excused and unexcused – for at least 18 days. 36.9% are truant, meaning they had unexcused absences for at least 10 full days.

Those rates are hardly unusual, or even that high compared with other D.C. public schools.

Over 40% of D.C. students were chronically absent last school year, and that number jumps to 60% for high schools. Experts say it’s a crisis that demands aggressive solutions.

12/26/2024

Deadheads are everywhere. Yes, even in buttoned-up Washington, D.C., there’s a thriving community of tribute bands that play music from the extensive catalogue of the countercultural, legendary rock band, the Grateful Dead.

Deadheads are everywhere — yes, even in buttoned-up Washington, D.C. And there are several Grateful Dead-themed shows coming up in the area.

12/26/2024

There’s been a steady growth in pollinator gardens and native plants around the District, according to local environmentalists.

The local grassroots organization DC Natives is helping residents create colorful sanctuaries for pollinator insects and beautifying private spaces for free.

On a seasonably warm afternoon in May, more than two dozen D.C. residents gathered in Lia Cheek’s Deanwood home for what they hope will be the start of a regular plant meet-up.

The nonprofit is working with residents to attract bees and butterflies by adding native plants to the landscape.

12/24/2024

In 1984, brothers Chris and Charles Turner were two of eight young men from the H Street Corridor convicted for the murder of Catherine Fuller.

They maintain their innocence, saying they were wrongfully convicted. Now they're asking President Biden to pardon them.

“No we don’t believe that we’ve been wronged,” Charles told WAMU All Things Considered host Tamika Smith. “We know. Belief is ‘perhaps’ – you can use the word perhaps behind that. We know: to know is a certainty.”https://wamu.org/story/24/12/19/dc-chris-charles-turner-presidential-pardon-fuller-murder/

12/24/2024

The 2024 tree climbing championship held by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (MAC-ISA) took place this spring at the Crofton Country Club, situated midway between Washington, D.C. and Annapolis. The event, which is in it’s 45th year, is held annually at different sites across the area.

The two day competition also acts as a reunion of sorts for the arborists who participate.

12/23/2024

Subramanyam will represent Virginia’s 10th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Subramanyam will represent Virginia's 10th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

12/23/2024

'Resident Alien' actress Meredith Garretson stopped by to talk about the show and about growing up in the D.C. region.

Meredith Garretson co-stars in the SyFy series Resident Alien. Season 4 premieres later in 2025.

12/23/2024

Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray was honored last week by the D.C. Council to commemorate his decades of public service.

Gray did not run for re-election. In October, he stepped back from his council duties and announced that he has dementia.

During his tenure in public office, Gray served as council chair and D.C. mayor. At the D.C. Council's last meeting of the year, his colleagues took time to reflect on Gray's career. Gray's legislative achievements include universal Pre-K and the construction of the Cedar Hill Hospital in Ward 8.

Incoming Ward 7 councilmember Wendell Felder will replace Gray on the council on January 2nd.

12/21/2024

The family run Crisfield Seafood restaurant in Silver Spring will close its doors for the final time on Sunday after nearly 80 years of operation.

In the middle of a weekday afternoon, you might not expect to see a line of people winding down a block of Georgia Avenue, but on Wednesday that was the scene outside Crisfield.
Customers discussed their favorite orders, but many were eager to share memories of visiting the popular diner-style restaurant. Colin England says he’d been waiting to be seated for an hour and a half.

“I’ve been coming here off and on for 50 years. And my first date with my wife 48 years ago was here,” said one returning customer.

Inside, the restaurant was crammed with people all waiting for their last taste of Crisfield’s famous stuffed shrimp or lobster tails. Arnisha Dickinson says she first visited in the 1950s.
“Growing up, my father couldn’t afford much, but every once in a while, this was a treat. We used to line up out the door back then too.”

She’d eaten her meal, and was waiting on a second order, to bring home with her.

12/20/2024

It might be hard to believe, but Christmas is less than a week away!

That means it’s time to bundle up (or grab your umbrella) and check out the region’s holiday lights before they’re gone.

And that’s why this week for Get Out There, our weekly conversation about ways to explore the Washington region, we’re getting in the holiday spirit with all the twinkle lights we can muster. WAMU’s Justin O’Neill highlighted some of the region’s best and lesser-known holiday light displays for festive family fun.https://wamu.org/story/24/12/19/get-out-there-festive-holiday-lights/

12/20/2024

In D.C., with its lack of statehood and close relationship with the federal government, the prospect of a shutdown is particularly troubling.

Congress has less than a day to avert a government shutdown. A stop-gap funding bill to keep the federal government’s lights on for three more months fell apart in a House vote on Thursday.https://wamu.org/story/24/12/20/dc-what-a-government-shutdown-could-mean/

12/20/2024

In 1984, Chris and Charles Turner were two of eight young Black men from the H Street Corridor convicted for the murder of Catherine Fuller. They are now asking President Biden to pardon them.

In 1984, Chris and Charles Turner were two of eight young men from the H Street Corridor convicted for the murder of Catherine Fuller. They are asking President Biden to pardon them.