Acting D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith testified before the D.C. Council’s Judiciary and Public Safety Committee earlier this week, kickstarting the process to confirm her as the next chief. This comes as D.C. hit a tragic milestone, logging its 200th homicide at the earliest point in the year in more than a quarter of a century. Smith joins Kojo and Tom to discuss her plan to address crime in the District.

A federal shutdown Oct. 1 is looking more and more likely. It could wreak havoc on the local economy and lead to many lower-wage federal contractors not being paid.  WAMU/DCist Northern Virginia reporter Margaret Barthel discusses the local political ramifications and why Virginia might be most at risk during a federal government shutdown.

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