Late last week, the General Services Administration announced it had selected a site in Prince George's County as the new home for the FBI headquarters. This decision didn't sit well with many Virginia elected officials, who were angling to have Fairfax County be the FBI's new home. U.S. Senator Mark Warner tells us why he's calling for an investigation into the selection process. Plus, the federal government once again narrowly avoided a federal shutdown. We ask Sen. Warner what impact these constant shutdown threats are having on the commonwealth's federal workforce.

A new bill introduced in the D.C. Council this week would prevent property owners with histories of housing code violations from renting to tenants. WAMU's Housing and Development reporter Morgan Baskin joins the show to break down the legislation.

As thousands this week rallied on the National Mall in support of Israel, Montgomery County officials are responding to an immigrant rights organization's recent statements about the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Montgomery County Council Vice Chair Andrew Friedson is in studio with Kojo and Tom to give his thoughts. Plus, new legislation would require public restrooms in the county to supply free menstrual products.

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It's a jam-packed week as we dive into the ramifications of this week's Virginia elections and the announcement that the FBI headquarters is planning a move to Prince George's County.

This week, word came that federal officials had chosen a site in Greenbelt, Maryland to be the new home of the FBI headquarters. It's a decision that's been years in the making and has sent shockwaves through the local political landscape. Long-time U.S. Representative Steny Hoyer has advocated for years to bring the headquarters to Prince George's County. He joins Kojo and Tom to discuss the news.

Virginians went to the polls on Tuesday and voted to give Democrats full control of the General Assembly. The outcome is a major blow to Gov. Glenn Younkin, who campaigned hard for a Republican "trifecta" in Richmond. WAMU's Northern Virginia reporter Margaret Barthel breaks down what it all means. Then, the Chair of the Virginia Democratic Party Susan Swecker is in studio to tell us why she thinks Virginia Democrats had such success at the polls this year.

Finally, data centers were at the top of voters' minds this week in Prince William County. Deshundra Jefferson was a big winner there, campaigning against the massive Prince William Digital Gateway project. The Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chair-elect joins the show this week to discuss her victory and the county's future.

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Control of Virginia’s legislature is up for grabs as residents head to the polls next week. All 140 seats in Virginia’s General Assembly are on the ballot this year. Currently, Republicans hold the House of Delegates, and the Democrats narrowly control the state senate, but that could change after Tuesday’s elections. The outcome could have major implications for abortion rights, tax cuts, statewide educational reforms, and climate policies throughout the commonwealth. WAMU’s Northern Virginia reporter Margaret Barthel gives us a preview of what’s at stake. Plus, how will early voting impact the results?

As more cannabis dispensaries open in Maryland, Prince George’s County is weighing whether to restrict where they can operate. The state is paying close attention and deciding if it should intervene. Prince George’s County Council Vice Chair Wala Blegay joins Kojo and Tom to discuss the potential legislation and what it might mean for the cannabis industry in the county. Plus, a new bill will require many apartment buildings to install surveillance cameras as the county looks to curb crime.

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D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has unveiled her latest crime bill to address increasing violent crime in the city. The legislation calls for rolling back some police reforms and reinstating temporary “drug-free zones.” D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb is responsible for prosecuting many of the crimes committed in the District. He joins us to share his thoughts on the proposal and what it would mean for his office. Plus, why D.C. and 41 other states are suing the social media giant Meta and how the largest environmental settlement in the District’s history came to be.

A recently published investigation from WAMU’s Criminal Justice reporter Jenny Gathright found that some D.C. police officers worked so much overtime they became the city’s highest-paid employees, even out-earning the Mayor. Gathright sits down with Kojo and Tom to discuss her reporting. And, she also weighs in on the Mayor’s public safety legislation and the chances it will be approved by the D.C. Council next month.

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It’s now Alexandria’s turn to debate new zoning rules with the goal of building more housing. A proposal on the table would eliminate single-family zoning, much like what Arlington did earlier in the year, among a number of other changes. Mayor Justin Wilson joins the show to discuss his thoughts, why it’s so controversial, and when a proposal could be passed. Plus, what Alexandria is doing to mitigate flooding that’s become so frequent in the city.

The debate over eliminating the tipped minimum wage has gotten heated in Montgomery County in recent days. Council President Evan Glass takes a seat behind the mic to talk about why the proposed legislation elicits such strong emotions. And last month, the Montgomery County Council passed the Safe Streets Act. Glass explains why this is a big deal and how it will help keep pedestrians safe on county roads.

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In recent months, Metro has not only increased the frequency of trains, but is now expected to start offering 24-hour bus service on more than a dozen routes starting in December. This comes despite a looming financial crisis as the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) faces a $750 million budget gap. Metro General Manager Randy Clarke joins the show to discuss this balancing act. Plus, what more can be done to stop fare evasion?

The terrorist attacks in Israel and the resulting war have emotionally impacted many locals, with vigils and memorial services taking place across the region this week. WAMU's Immigrant Communities reporter Héctor Alejandro Arzate attended one at Meridian Hill Park, where more than a hundred people gathered to say the Mourner's Kaddish, a Jewish prayer for the dead, and mourn for lives lost in Israel and Palestine. He talks with Kojo and Tom about what he saw and heard. Plus, a look at how officials in the region are responding to the events in the Middle East, including added security at local places of worship.

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It’s an all-Maryland Politics Hour this week. In Montgomery County, councilmembers continue questioning school leaders about an ongoing investigation into a school principal who was promoted despite sexual harassment allegations. At-Large Councilmember Gabe Albornoz sits down with Kojo and Tom to discuss. Plus, a new stricter gun law took effect in Maryland this past weekend, but a federal judge had already struck down parts of it. We ask Councilmember Albornoz his thoughts and how it compares to legislation he introduced last year.

Prince George’s County is considering a bill that would increase the minimum wage for tipped workers, following other local jurisdictions. Councilmember Edward Burroughs introduced the legislation and will join the show. And a bill that will allow councilmembers to vote virtually finally passed, but not without some controversy and political debate. We get Councilmember Burroughs‘ take on it all.

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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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The D.C. Council is back from summer recess and lawmakers are debating a wide variety of bills. That includes legislation about crime, dangerous drivers, and ebikes. Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen joins the show to discuss a number of his own bills, as well as his thoughts on what his colleagues are proposing. Plus, a bill extending D.C.’s lease on the RFK Stadium site is moving forward in Congress. Does that mean a new home for the Washington Commanders is next? We ask Allen about the possibility of a new football stadium and why it could be years before we see any development on the site.

A federal shutdown appears to be looming and the impact on this region could be massive. U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) talks with Kojo and Tom about what is being done to prevent it and what locals can expect if a shutdown happens. Virginia Rep. Jennifer Wexton announced her retirement earlier this week because of a recent medical diagnosis. We ask Sen. Kaine his thoughts, including the political ramifications of the open seat.

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Violent crime in D.C. continues to increase at a rate the city hasn’t seen in decades. It’s left locals shaken and officials looking for answers. Because of the District’s unique status, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Matthew Graves is the one who prosecutes most adult crimes in the city. He joins Kojo and Tom to discuss how his office manages prosecutions, why they chose not to prosecute many who’ve been arrested, and what else can be done.

Plus, the D.C. Council is back this month with a hefty legislative session on its docket. WAMU/DCist reporter Colleen Grablick joins the show to break down a number of the major bills the Council is taking up this session. Those include legislation addressing public safety, increasing penalties for dangerous drivers, and improving the availability of affordable housing.

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