What's With Washington

Calling all D.C. trivia nerds! We had so much fun at our first virtual trivia event in May so we're doing it again!

Join Mikaela Lefrak on Thursday, July 23, from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. for live, local trivia. Test your knowledge of D.C. area history, geography and culture in this free, community-building event that’s open to everyone.

To participate, register by 5 p.m. on July 23. All registered participants will receive an email with instructions on how to connect to our virtual event. The event is free, but donations to WAMU are welcome!

Register now at wamu.org/events.

Calling all D.C. trivia nerds! It’s time to test your knowledge and face off in WAMU’s first-ever virtual trivia event!

Join Mikaela Lefrak on Thursday, May 14 from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. for live, D.C.-themed trivia. Test your knowledge of D.C. history, sports, culture and quirks in this free, community-building event that’s open to everyone.

To participate, we ask that you pre-register on Eventbrite by 3 p.m. on May 14 (The event is free, but donations are welcome!). All registered participants will receive an email with instructions on how to connect to our virtual event.

Register now at wamu.org/events.

To see the latest coronavirus coverage, visit WAMU.org and DCist.com. We're updating our stories around the clock. We've also created a Facebook group. To join, search for "D.C. Area Coronavirus Updates" on Facebook.

The reporters behind What's With Washington have been hustling to cover COVID-19 in every way they can, and in this episode, we're highlighting some of their work. Daniella Cheslow, WAMU's power and influence reporter, joins Mikaela to break down a question many of us are asking: Why is it taking so long to get lots of people tested? Then, we look for ways to help our community and our region with stories from Elliot Williams, Maureen Pao, Jonquilyn Hill and Eliza Berkon.

More details on how to help:

Mikaela Lefrak (Arts and Culture Reporter, WAMU) talked about how you can donate blood at your local hospital.

Elliot Williams (Staff Writer, DCist) talked about the Mutual Aid network for Wards 7 and 8. You can also access the Mutual Aid Network's spreadsheet (bit.ly/dcmutualaidspreadsheet) or connect on Facebook.

Maureen Pao (Reporter, WAMU) talked about how you can donate non-perishable food items or volunteer with The Capital Area Food Bank (www.capitalareafoodbank.org).

Jonquilyn Hill (Producer, 1A and WAMU Podcasts) talked about how the Homeless Children's Playtime Project (playtimeproject.org) is putting together playsets for kids living in shelters. You can support their work by making a donation.

Eliza Berkon (Reporter, WAMU's Affordability Desk) talked about buying a gift card to your favorite local restaurants and donating to D.C.'s Virtual Tip Jar.

The former Iranian Embassy and ambassador's residence on D.C.'s Embassy Row have been boarded up for decades. But recently, a listener noticed construction outside one of them, and asked us to investigate. The story of the mansions involves wild '70s parties, the Iranian Revolution, and a landlord you wouldn't expect: the U.S. State Department. Monna Kashfi, the executive producer of WAMU's Kojo Nnamdi Show and an Iranian politics expert, joins the show.

If you LOVE What's With Washington, become a member! Head to wamu.org/donate to support the show and more great podcasts from WAMU.

To ask a question, visit wamu.org/whatswith.

A few weeks ago, What’s With Washington went on the road (to NPR’s D.C. headquarters, that is) for our first ever live event. We talked about what makes a good What’s With Washington question! There was a muralist! And there was a Washington-region trivia quiz! Host Mikaela Lefrak grilled WAMU and DCist reporters on their Washington knowledge. On this episode of What's With Washington, highlights from our live event.

Take our listener survey: whatswith.org/survey

If you LOVE What's With Washington, become a member! Head to wamu.org/donate to support the show and more great podcasts from WAMU.

To submit a question, visit wamu.org/whatswith.

You've seen the terrible drivers and empty store shelves. But is there a deeper reason why Washingtonians can't handle the snow? Or are we just wimps about winter weather? WAMU editor and Midwesterner Letese' Clark joins Mikaela to figure out the basis for our snow panic. Then Mikaela finds some real winter joy with photojournalist and Southerner Tyrone Turner.

Take our listener survey: whatswith.org/survey

If you LOVE What's With Washington, become a member! Head to wamu.org/donate to support the show and more great podcasts from WAMU.

To submit a question, visit wamu.org/whatswith.

What’s with the height limit on D.C. buildings? And if there were no limit, would the city be more affordable? Mikaela Lefrak gets a view from the top…of the Washington National Cathedral! Then, WAMU's chief zoning nerd Martin Austermuhle shares the history of this complicated rule and how it impacts affordable housing in the District.

You're invited to our live event on January 28th at NPR Headquarters! For more information and tickets, visit wamu.org/events.

Take our listener survey: whatswith.org/survey

If you LOVE What's With Washington, become a member! Head to wamu.org/donate to support the show and more great podcasts from WAMU.

To submit a question, visit wamu.org/whatswith.

Stymied by dating in the District, a listener wonders if her chances will improve when Amazon brings new jobs -- and perhaps an influx of dating prospects -- to the DMV. Business and Development reporter Ally Schweitzer speculates about whether the gender ratio will change and Mikaela phones a friend in Seattle to understand how Amazon has changed the other Washington.

If you LOVE What's With Washington, become a member! Head to wamu.org/donate to support the show and more great podcasts from WAMU.

To submit a question, visit wamu.org/whatswith.

Take our listener survey: whatswith.org/survey

Not everyone in D.C. is a white collar square, but nonetheless, ill-fitting navy suits and Ann Taylor Loft dresses are what come to mind when you imagine a “D.C. uniform.” Where does this stereotype come from, and is it even true? Mikaela Lefrak and 1A producer Jonquilyn Hill hit the streets to check out local fashion and figure out if D.C.’s retail clothing game has hit a ceiling.

If you LOVE What's With Washington, become a member! Head to wamu.org/donate to support the show and more great podcasts from WAMU.

To submit a question, visit wamu.org/whatswith.

What does it mean to "buy seasonal" in the D.C. area? A listener seeks a guide to the region's local produce, and to answer, reporter Esther Ciammachilli takes us on a tour of the region’s agricultural economy, from a Virginia farm to a D.C. restaurant that uses only ingredients they can buy directly from farmers.

If you LOVE What's With Washington, become a member! Head to wamu.org/donate to support the show and more great podcasts from WAMU.

To submit a question, visit wamu.org/whatswith.