It was quite a year in local politics. Last spring, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s longtime top aide resigned amid scandal; Congress blocked D.C.’s overhaul of its criminal code; and Arlington eliminated single-family zoning. Then, over the summer, Maryland legalized recreational marijuana, the District got a new police chief, Montgomery County passed rent control legislation, and the D.C. Council approved an emergency crime bill. The fall and winter had the District moving closer to gaining control of the RFK Stadium site, Prince George’s County being selected as the new home for the FBI, and, finally, the Wizards and Caps announcing a plan to move to Alexandria.

Our panel of reporters provides insight and analysis of the year that was and what might be in store in 2024. Josh Kurtz of Maryland Matters, Washington Post’s Teo Armus, and WAMU reporter Jenny Gathright join us.

We also sit down with Arlington County Board Chair Christian Dorsey to talk about the vote this week that makes ranked choice voting a permanent fixture in county elections. And we ask what’s next for the long-time board member after he steps down from the role at the end of this year.

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It’s been a big news week. On Wednesday, Virginia officials and Monumental Sports announced a region-shaking deal to move the Washington Wizards and Capitals from D.C.’s Capital One Arena to a new complex to be built in Alexandria’s Potomac Yard neighborhood by 2028. The announcement left D.C. officials reeling, and some local sports fans happy, others very unhappy. Virginia state Senator and soon-to-be Majority Leader Scott Surovell discusses what the proposed deal could mean for Alexandria and the General Assembly’s role in all of this.

Metro unveiled its budget earlier this week, proposing massive service cuts as a budget crisis looms. The closing of Metro stations, eliminating bus routes, layoffs, and fare hikes are all on the table if Metro does not receive the additional subsidies from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia it’s asking for. General Manager Randy Clarke joins the show to lay out what’s needed to avoid the catastrophic cuts.

Finally, controversy continues to swirl around the General Services Administration’s decision last month to relocate the FBI headquarters to Maryland. This week, a U.S. House hearing was held where an FBI official again questioned the process in which the Greenbelt was chosen. Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks weighs in and explains why she thinks Prince George’s County is the right place for the FBI headquarters.

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We are talking land use this week on The Politics Hour. A major vote on a massive data center in Prince William County is set for next week. The issue has split local Democrats and will have huge ramifications on the future of the suburban county. Virginia state Senator-elect (and current Delegate) Danica Roem joins the show to weigh in on data centers and what the Board of Supervisors should be doing with the land. Plus, the Democratic sweep in the Virginia General Assembly elections last month has the local party making big legislative plans. Sen.-elect Roem gives us a preview of the upcoming session.

The Alexandria City Council voted to eliminate single-family-only zoning as part of its "Zoning for Housing" plan with the goal of boosting the city's housing supply. City Councilmember John Chapman gets behind the mic to discuss why, despite voting in favor it, he still has some reservations. And Councilmember Chapman tells us what's being done to keep schools and students safe.

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This week, the public weighed in on D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser's latest crime and policing bill. D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson was there for the hours of testimony. He joins us in the studio to give his thoughts about the issue and what comes next. Plus, the Washington Teachers Union is urging the school system to come back to the table for contract negotiations. We ask Chairman Mendelson what the Council can do to get the two sides to agree on new terms.

A judge ruled earlier this week that a Montgomery County gun law that bans the concealed carry of a firearm outside of one’s home or business is not allowed under state law.  The judge said he will issue a permanent injunction preventing the county from enforcing the provision. County Executive Marc Elrich joins Kojo and Tom in the studio to weigh in on the ruling. And a new council bill would loosen parking requirements for new housing developments. How might this legislation tackle two pressing problems at once?

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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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