DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage welcome At-Large Councilmember Robert White, Jr. to the show to talk about housing concerns in the Mayor's proposed FY27 budget, reflections on last week's youth rountable on "teen takeovers," and CM White's legislation on behalf of residents impacted by the Talbert Street homes saga. Melissa shares the latest highlights from the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage catch up on the coversations buzzing in the Wilson building about "teen takeovers" and juvenile curfews, with proposals on how to respond and the announcement of Councilmember Parker's youth-centered roundtable on April 30. They also talk about the SOUL Act and its impact on youth within DC's foster care system. Finally, they reflect on recent budget hearings and the draft Future Land Use Map put out by the Office of Planning. Melissa gives highlights from the latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage sit down with SPACEs in Action Policy Strategist Maneesh Horshin to talk about DC's child care subsidy, Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund, the child tax credit, and how all these programs work together to stabilize our workforce and grow the economy. UPO Director of Legislative Advocacy, Ed Lazere, talks about TANF and how this cash assistance supports rougly 25,000 children in the District and why we must avoid cuts to the program. Councilmember Parker also details his FY27 Budget Letter to Mayor Bowser, reflects on the announcement that the Safeway at Hechinger Mall is closing, and shares some of his vision for community-centered economic development in Ward 5. Melissa shares highlights from the latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker sits down with Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen, chair of the Council's Committee on Transportation and the Environment. Councilmember Allen shares updates about the Potomac Interceptor Collapse, what he learned when he visited the site, and what neighbors can expect as work continues to repair the interceptor and begin remediation of the District's rivers. Communications Director Melissa Littlepage shares highlights from the latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker is joined by several community members and advocates from REACH (the Roundtable on Education in Adult Charter Schools), including Faith Gibson Hubbard. Guests share the importance and wide-ranging impacts of adult education opportunities and the ways adult charter schools help entire communities thrive. Communications Director Melissa Littlepage and Councilmember Parker discuss the recent Mayor-Council breakfast and anticipated budget challenges. They also reflect on the life and legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson. Melissa shares the latest highlights from the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker interviews the Council's new interim At-Large Councilmember, Doni Crawford. They talk Council priorities, books, music, Black History Month, the ongoing congessional interference in local policy, and more. Communications Director Melissa Littlepage shares the latest highlights from the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage talk about the Council's process for appointing a new, interim At-Large Councilmember following former CM McDuffie's resignation in December 2025. They also look ahead to upcoming performance oversight and mark-ups. Councilmember Parker discusses the unacceptable actions of ICE in DC and across the country. Melissa wraps up the episode by sharing the latest highlights from the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage reflect on a busy fall legislative season, celebrating the big win for the District Child Tax Credit. They also discuss recent hearings on bills including environmental justice in Ivy City and improving access to PrEP. They also reflect on recent Committee on Youth Affairs hearings and the CARE for Youth Plan. Melissa wraps up with highlights from the most recent edition of the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter. Share your thoughts and offer recommendations for future episode topics and/or guests at [email protected].

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker, Communications Director Melissa Littlepage, and Legislative Director Neferteria Brown chat about the Council's recent votes on the RENTAL Act making changes to TOPA. They also discuss the impending changes to SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown and passage of the "One Big Beautiful Bill" in Congress. Melissa and Councilmember Parker also share thoughts on the "Montana Triangle" (New York Ave, Montana Ave, and Bladensburg Rd NE) hearing in the Zoning Commission. Melissa wraps up the episode by giving highlights from the latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker shares details of his recently introduced C.A.R.E. for Youth Plan - a 16-bill policy package designed to foster youth wellbeing in the District. Jenise "Mama Jo" Patterson, Founder and Director of Parent Watch, Inc., joins to share her perspective on how some of the legislation will help justice system-involved youth and their families. Committee on Youth Affairs staff Thomas Franco (Director) and Allison Bailey (Legislative Assistant) also detail some of the conversations and agency dynamics that informed the writing of the legislation. Communications Director Melissa Littlepage invites neighbors to get involved by learning more at ward5.us/careforyouth and sharing their thoughts at ward5.us/dcyouth. She also shares highlights from the latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.