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National

A costly summer sendoff approaches

Persistent pump pain and pricey burgers mean this summer's last hurrah comes with a cost crunch.

Politics & Policy

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Persistent pump pain" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/31/iran-russia-diesel-gasoline-prices" data-vars-content-id="732a3f99-9ba2-494b-b19b-9800b6ba06a3" data-vars-headline="A costly summer sendoff approaches" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/31/iran-russia-diesel-gasoline-prices" target="_self">Persistent pump pain</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pricey burgers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/09/03/trump-beef-imports-kansas-ranchers" data-vars-content-id="732a3f99-9ba2-494b-b19b-9800b6ba06a3" data-vars-headline="A costly summer sendoff approaches" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/09/03/trump-beef-imports-kansas-ranchers" target="_self">pricey burgers</a> mean this summer&#x27;s last hurrah comes with a cost crunch.The big picture: Gasoline prices are almost certain to remain north of $4 per gallon over Labor Day weekend — a heavy travel stretch and the time when midterm election season intensifies.

Scoop: Trump administration drafting post-war Middle East plan

The White House is looking past the midterms and the Oct. 27 election in Israel.

World

The Trump administration is working on a post-war strategy focused on a regional effort to contain Iran and expand normalization of relations between Israel and its neighbors, according to two U.S. officials and two other sources with knowledge of the issue.Why it matters: While the plan is still in the early stages of drafting, it&#x27;s intended to guide the U.S. approach in the Middle East after the Iran war ends and in the final two years of President Trump&#x27;s term. Two big events loom over the planning: the Oct. 27 election in Israel and the U.S. midterm elections in November.

America's jobs scare recedes

Last month's gain was more than triple what economists had expected.

Economy

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="labor market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/economy/labor-market" data-vars-content-id="3567f88a-3f94-4dfd-9225-7180128613bb" data-vars-headline="America&#x27;s jobs scare recedes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/economy/labor-market" target="_self">labor market</a> looks considerably healthier than it did at the start of the summer.Why it matters: Friday morning&#x27;s jobs report recast the last two months as a period of modest job growth rather than of outright deterioration, capped by a gain last month that was more than triple what economists expected.

Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations

The world's smartest minds admit they can't fully control their AI because they don't fully understand it.

Technology

Never in the history of industry or inventions have leading companies created entire divisions to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="understand and interpret" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/22/ai-llms-black-box-interpretability-evaluation" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/22/ai-llms-black-box-interpretability-evaluation" target="_self">understand and interpret</a> what they had created and unleashed. Why it matters: The world&#x27;s smartest minds, backed by the largest investment in human history, admit they can&#x27;t fully control their AI because they don&#x27;t fully understand it.<ul><li>They don&#x27;t know exactly how it thinks — or what it&#x27;s truly capable of when set loose to do work autonomously with other AI agents. </li></ul>The race to understand the models is all the more urgent after Thursday&#x27;s release by OpenAI of GPT-6 Astra, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="billed as" data-vars-click-url="https://openai.com/index/gpt-6-astra/" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://openai.com/index/gpt-6-astra/" target="_blank">billed as</a> &quot;the world&#x27;s most intelligent and aligned model.&quot; President Greg Brockman <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="called" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/03/openai-astra-gpt-6-agi-brockman" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/03/openai-astra-gpt-6-agi-brockman" target="_self">called</a> Astra a &quot;generational leap in capability,&quot; and said the model could qualify as AGI — artificial general intelligence, with human-like power.<ul><li>OpenAI CEO Sam Altman <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wrote Tuesday" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/sama/status/2094934592062959832" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/sama/status/2094934592062959832" target="_blank">wrote Tuesday</a> in an Astra preview: &quot;AI is getting extremely capable; no one fully understands the consequences of this.&quot;</li><li>The companies are racing toward superintelligence with no required oversight — not a federal agency, the Defense Department, or an outside consortium of safety experts. It&#x27;s foot on the gas.</li></ul>Between the lines: The technology is advancing so fast, in so many ways, that the companies, much less the federal government, are unsure of the real risks — or best ways to mitigate them.<ul><li>Yes, some AI leaders are calling for pauses when something they see freaks them out. But the companies, with very light federal regulation, decide when to report worrisome AI behavior.</li><li>The big AI companies know their creation can carry out potentially catastrophic cyberattacks. That&#x27;s why they <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="signed a letter" data-vars-click-url="https://openai.com/collective-cyberdefense/" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://openai.com/collective-cyberdefense/" target="_blank">signed a letter</a> sounding the alarm and calling for &quot;collective action.&quot;</li></ul>The intrigue: Every frontier lab now fields a team with the mission of figuring out what its own AI is doing.<ul><li>Anthropic has an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Interpretability team" data-vars-click-url="https://www.anthropic.com/research/team/interpretability" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.anthropic.com/research/team/interpretability" target="_blank">Interpretability team</a> (&quot;Safety through understanding&quot;) with the goal: &quot;discover and understand how large language models work internally, as a foundation for AI safety and positive outcomes.&quot;</li></ul>How it works: Nobody writes these systems line by line. &quot;As compared with traditional software, it&#x27;s much less like you&#x27;re able to design the specific behaviors of these models,&quot; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Alex Mallen" data-vars-click-url="https://substack.com/@atmallen" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://substack.com/@atmallen" target="_blank">Alex Mallen</a>, who works on AI safety at Redwood Research, tells Axios. &quot;Instead, you&#x27;re sort of growing it.&quot;<ul><li>So the labs test a model&#x27;s behavior the way you&#x27;d test a person: Give it a task and watch what it does. Researchers call this <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="alignment" data-vars-click-url="https://alignment.openai.com/#page=1" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://alignment.openai.com/#page=1" target="_blank">alignment</a>, or how well a model sticks to the intended goal it was given.</li></ul>Zoom in: July&#x27;s Hugging Face hack is what misalignment looks like. OpenAI agents, given a coding benchmark to solve, targeted an outside company&#x27;s systems instead, and knew they were doing it.<ul><li>One agent&#x27;s own reasoning, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="read by investigators" data-vars-click-url="https://metr.org/blog/2026-08-26-openai-hugging-face-incident-investigation/" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://metr.org/blog/2026-08-26-openai-hugging-face-incident-investigation/" target="_blank">read by investigators</a> afterward: &quot;External infrastructure exploit is outside intended scope. However task impossible, peers doing it. We should continue.&quot;</li><li>There was so much evidence from this incident that the humans were forced to &quot;heavily delegate our analysis to often-unreliable AI agents,&quot; an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="outside investigation" data-vars-click-url="https://metr.org/blog/2026-08-26-openai-hugging-face-incident-investigation/" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://metr.org/blog/2026-08-26-openai-hugging-face-incident-investigation/" target="_blank">outside investigation</a> concluded.</li><li>The hack stopped OpenAI cold. The company <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="slowed" data-vars-click-url="https://openai.com/index/pacing-model-development-cyber-capabilities/" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://openai.com/index/pacing-model-development-cyber-capabilities/" target="_blank">slowed</a> its most advanced training to implement <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stronger security" data-vars-click-url="https://openai.com/index/hugging-face-incident-and-the-road-ahead/" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://openai.com/index/hugging-face-incident-and-the-road-ahead/" target="_blank">stronger security</a>.</li></ul>State of play: Researchers are trying to open up their machines to see what goes on inside. This type of research is called interpretability: Instead of testing what a model does, researchers look at the wiring inside it. <ul><li>Google DeepMind, which in December released the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="largest open set" data-vars-click-url="https://deepmind.google/blog/gemma-scope-2-helping-the-ai-safety-community-deepen-understanding-of-complex-language-model-behavior/" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://deepmind.google/blog/gemma-scope-2-helping-the-ai-safety-community-deepen-understanding-of-complex-language-model-behavior/" target="_blank">largest open set</a> of these tools so far, describes them as &quot;a microscope&quot; that lets researchers &quot;look inside models, see what they&#x27;re thinking about, and how these thoughts are formed.&quot;</li><li>What they&#x27;re hunting for, in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="DeepMind&#x27;s words" data-vars-click-url="https://deepmind.google/blog/gemma-scope-2-helping-the-ai-safety-community-deepen-understanding-of-complex-language-model-behavior/" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://deepmind.google/blog/gemma-scope-2-helping-the-ai-safety-community-deepen-understanding-of-complex-language-model-behavior/" target="_blank">DeepMind&#x27;s words</a>: &quot;discrepancies between a model&#x27;s communicated reasoning and its internal state.&quot; That is, the gap between what a model says it is doing and what it is doing.</li></ul>What we&#x27;re watching: Expect to see much more interpretability research in the next phase of AI safety. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Evan Hubinger" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/EvanHub/status/2094600628056244574" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/EvanHub/status/2094600628056244574" target="_blank">Evan Hubinger</a>, who leads alignment stress-testing at Anthropic, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wrote" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/EvanHub/status/2094600628056244574" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/EvanHub/status/2094600628056244574" target="_blank">wrote</a> Tuesday: &quot;Alignment auditing is starting to get really hard and we&#x27;re going to need new techniques (e.g. interpretability-based) if we want to keep up.&quot;<ul><li>Axios&#x27; Andrew Kay contributed reporting.</li></ul><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Go deeper" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/03/openai-astra-gpt-6-agi-brockman" data-vars-content-id="63548cef-989d-44ba-b4b8-da491800e921" data-vars-headline="Behind the Curtain: AI creators race to understand their creations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/03/openai-astra-gpt-6-agi-brockman" target="_self">Go deeper</a>: &quot;Welcome to the AGI era.&quot;

U.S. labor market booms, with 162,000 jobs added in August

The better-than-expected report eases fears that a hiring slowdown had taken hold.

Business

U.S. employers added 162,000 jobs in August, while the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unemployment rate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/02/august-jobs-manufacturing-adp" data-vars-content-id="fe2402ec-9fad-4a20-af9f-b2f8c056503d" data-vars-headline="U.S. labor market booms, with 162,000 jobs added in August" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/02/august-jobs-manufacturing-adp" target="_self">unemployment rate</a> held steady at 4.1%, the Labor Department said on Friday.Why it matters: The better-than-expected report is fresh evidence of the labor market&#x27;s resilience, easing fears that a hiring slowdown had taken hold.

Washington's fourth airport gets closer to takeoff

Manassas is one step closer to becoming the region's fourth commercial airport, as Washington's aviation landscape gets a multibillion-dollar makeover.

News

Washington&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="next commercial airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/05/01/manassas-regional-airport-flights" data-vars-content-id="a6895dab-2f2c-4d85-8003-18df8718e7af" data-vars-headline="Washington&#x27;s fourth airport gets closer to takeoff" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/05/01/manassas-regional-airport-flights" target="_self">next commercial airport</a> is one step closer to takeoff.Why it matters: Manassas Airport is poised to become the region&#x27;s fourth — and smallest — commercial airport, expanding flight options for locals and potentially creating more room for low-cost carriers.

Data center fears are driving some Northern Virginians to move

Real estate agents say worries over noise, development and the unknown are causing some to pack up.

Real Estate

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data center debate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/27/data-center-backlash-pr-strategy" data-vars-content-id="664fd833-7b20-4045-8c99-a7a2af063fdb" data-vars-headline="Data center fears are driving some Northern Virginians to move" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/27/data-center-backlash-pr-strategy" target="_self">data center debate</a> has hit full force — and Northern Virginia real estate agents say it&#x27;s driving some residents out of the area.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NoVa" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/virginia-has-a-data-center-boon-officials-debate-whether-its-time-to-scrap-its-tax-breaks" data-vars-content-id="664fd833-7b20-4045-8c99-a7a2af063fdb" data-vars-headline="Data center fears are driving some Northern Virginians to move" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/virginia-has-a-data-center-boon-officials-debate-whether-its-time-to-scrap-its-tax-breaks" target="_blank">NoVa</a> spent decades welcoming <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhL7j3zzrVc" data-vars-content-id="664fd833-7b20-4045-8c99-a7a2af063fdb" data-vars-headline="Data center fears are driving some Northern Virginians to move" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhL7j3zzrVc" target="_blank">data centers</a>, and it now has the world&#x27;s highest concentration of them.<ul><li>Now, growing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="public backlash" data-vars-click-url="https://www.notus.org/metro/northern-virginia-data-centers-politics" data-vars-content-id="664fd833-7b20-4045-8c99-a7a2af063fdb" data-vars-headline="Data center fears are driving some Northern Virginians to move" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.notus.org/metro/northern-virginia-data-centers-politics" target="_blank">public backlash</a> has some local governments rethinking where — and how much — the industry can grow.</li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fairfax" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/node/857" data-vars-content-id="664fd833-7b20-4045-8c99-a7a2af063fdb" data-vars-headline="Data center fears are driving some Northern Virginians to move" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/node/857" target="_blank">Fairfax</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Loudoun" data-vars-click-url="https://virginiamercury.com/2026/07/30/loudoun-county-other-virginia-localities-consider-hitting-the-brakes-on-data-center-development" data-vars-content-id="664fd833-7b20-4045-8c99-a7a2af063fdb" data-vars-headline="Data center fears are driving some Northern Virginians to move" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://virginiamercury.com/2026/07/30/loudoun-county-other-virginia-localities-consider-hitting-the-brakes-on-data-center-development" target="_blank">Loudoun</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Prince William" data-vars-click-url="https://virginiamercury.com/2026/07/09/after-digital-gateway-project-fails-prince-william-supervisors-reject-dulles-cloud-south-data-center-proposal/" data-vars-content-id="664fd833-7b20-4045-8c99-a7a2af063fdb" data-vars-headline="Data center fears are driving some Northern Virginians to move" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://virginiamercury.com/2026/07/09/after-digital-gateway-project-fails-prince-william-supervisors-reject-dulles-cloud-south-data-center-proposal/" target="_blank">Prince William</a> counties have all moved to rein in growth in recent years.</li></ul>

Five ways D.C. can begin acting like a state

D.C. has an opportunity to reset its statehood strategy.

Politics

D.C. has an opportunity to reset its statehood strategy, with a new mayor and delegate to Congress coming in January.Why it matters: The District doesn&#x27;t have to wait to start acting more like a state.

Two positions could haunt the Commanders all year

Center and cornerback are looking very thin in the first version of the 53-man roster.

Sports

Roster-watchers are scratching their heads over the Commanders&#x27; plans at center and cornerback. Why it matters: Without more wheeling and dealing from general manager Adam Peters, Washington could struggle to protect <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the quarterback" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/17/commanders-quarterbacks-mariota-hartman-kaliakmanis" data-vars-content-id="ec959207-bb6b-44b5-a5b3-9ccd5c45db1e" data-vars-headline="Two positions could haunt the Commanders all year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/17/commanders-quarterbacks-mariota-hartman-kaliakmanis" target="_self">the quarterback</a> and defend the pass this season.

RFK site looms larger as D.C. construction slows

The proposal aims to build out the site with 6,000 housing units.

Development

Sometime in the next few decades, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="RFK Stadium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/30/dc-unveils-sweeping-master-plan-for-commanders-stadium-and-rfk-campus" data-vars-content-id="c8b929cf-d9dc-401e-8029-5e77fa0865e2" data-vars-headline="RFK site looms larger as D.C. construction slows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/30/dc-unveils-sweeping-master-plan-for-commanders-stadium-and-rfk-campus" target="_self">RFK Stadium</a> site will look as tall as downtown or Navy Yard.<ul><li>That&#x27;s the goal, at least, after Mayor Muriel Bowser this week proposed designating the 190-acre site for &quot;high-density&quot; commercial and residential development.</li></ul>Why it matters: The city is effectively sketching out a new chunk of D.C. while the construction market <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="is slowing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bisnow.com/news/washington-dc/construction-development/dc-construction-starts-down-for-third-year-in-a-row-133995" data-vars-content-id="c8b929cf-d9dc-401e-8029-5e77fa0865e2" data-vars-headline="RFK site looms larger as D.C. construction slows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bisnow.com/news/washington-dc/construction-development/dc-construction-starts-down-for-third-year-in-a-row-133995" target="_blank">is slowing</a>, making the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="190-acre RFK campus" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/07/29/what-the-new-rfk-stadium-neighborhood-will-look-like" data-vars-content-id="c8b929cf-d9dc-401e-8029-5e77fa0865e2" data-vars-headline="RFK site looms larger as D.C. construction slows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/07/29/what-the-new-rfk-stadium-neighborhood-will-look-like" target="_self">190-acre RFK campus</a> even more consequential.

National Mall poised to see a wave of new memorials

What to expect at each one — plus when they'll be finished.

A slew of new memorials is reshaping Washington.Why it matters: Several long-planned memorials are finally reaching the construction phase, while President Trump pushes his own additions to Washington&#x27;s landscape, including the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arch" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/21/trump-historic-preservation-changes-arch" data-vars-content-id="4bc886d2-e3a4-448b-b5a7-ae2f14e2bc58" data-vars-headline="National Mall poised to see a wave of new memorials" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/21/trump-historic-preservation-changes-arch" target="_self">Arch</a> and his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Garden of American Heroes" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/trump-heroes-garden-national-mall-washington-e57a3f6f2090802d28c3833ca66034c0" data-vars-content-id="4bc886d2-e3a4-448b-b5a7-ae2f14e2bc58" data-vars-headline="National Mall poised to see a wave of new memorials" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-heroes-garden-national-mall-washington-e57a3f6f2090802d28c3833ca66034c0" target="_blank">National Garden of American Heroes</a>.

D.C.'s would-be young homebuyers are living with their parents 

Prince George's has the mid-Atlantic's most "shadow buyers."

A chunk of young <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Washingtonians" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/28/washington-luxury-housing-market-sellers-high-end-home-sales-inventory" data-vars-content-id="bcb24b46-bae5-4c65-abc4-cf446210fc0d" data-vars-headline="D.C.&#x27;s would-be young homebuyers are living with their parents " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/28/washington-luxury-housing-market-sellers-high-end-home-sales-inventory" target="_self">Washingtonians</a> with jobs are living with their parents while earning nowhere near enough to buy a typical home, according to a new report.Why it matters: It&#x27;s more evidence of how difficult it is to get your foot in the door as a first-time buyer in our expensive region.

Washington homebuyers get a new AI-powered search tool

Looking for a four-bedroom home near a Red Line Metro stop under $1.2 million? There&#x27;s a new AI <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="real estate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/28/washington-luxury-housing-market-sellers-high-end-home-sales-inventory" data-vars-content-id="af03e9e0-e5cf-48b3-8118-4a7c7cd01f78" data-vars-headline="Washington homebuyers get a new AI-powered search tool" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/28/washington-luxury-housing-market-sellers-high-end-home-sales-inventory" target="_self">real estate</a> platform that can help Washingtonians with that.Why it matters: Buyers already have the upper hand in much of the D.C. area&#x27;s housing market — but new search tools don&#x27;t hurt.

Fireworks, sharks, cage fights: It's 12-year-old Boy Summer in D.C.

Fireworks, sharks, cage fighting, and so many planes.

Summer 2026 is almost over — and it wasn&#x27;t Hot Girl Summer or Brat Summer or even <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rabid Beaver Summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/07/beaver-attack-rabies-cunningham-park" data-vars-content-id="d4315706-3aa8-411d-aa2c-b9729c9af4c1" data-vars-headline="Fireworks, sharks, cage fights: It&#x27;s 12-year-old Boy Summer in D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/07/beaver-attack-rabies-cunningham-park" target="_self">Rabid Beaver Summer</a>.<ul><li>Nope, we&#x27;re calling it now: This was 12-year-old Boy Summer in D.C.</li></ul>

Sunny Sandler's new Netflix movie was inspired by its D.C. screenwriter's life

The film starts streaming on Netflix Friday.

Culture

A heartfelt new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="movie" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/05/09/free-outdoor-movie-guide-dc" data-vars-content-id="80ad72c1-4095-4462-8f8e-2f3782162235" data-vars-headline="Sunny Sandler&#x27;s new Netflix movie was inspired by its D.C. screenwriter&#x27;s life" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/05/09/free-outdoor-movie-guide-dc" target="_self">movie</a> out Friday on Netflix was inspired by a local screenwriter&#x27;s days as a high school musical star in D.C.Why it matters: The coming-of-age dramedy <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Don&#x27;t Say Good Luck&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.netflix.com/title/81975622" data-vars-content-id="80ad72c1-4095-4462-8f8e-2f3782162235" data-vars-headline="Sunny Sandler&#x27;s new Netflix movie was inspired by its D.C. screenwriter&#x27;s life" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.netflix.com/title/81975622" target="_blank">&quot;Don&#x27;t Say Good Luck&quot;</a> stars Sunny Sandler — aka Adam Sandler&#x27;s daughter — and is produced by the Sandman himself.<ul><li>It also stars big names like Melanie Lynskey, Max Greenfield and Steve Buscemi.</li></ul>

IndyCar's greatest active driver is an underdog in D.C.

Scott Dixon has won most everything there is to win in IndyCar, but there's never been a D.C. Grand Prix.

Scott Dixon has won most everything there is to win in America&#x27;s open-wheel racing series — but there&#x27;s never been a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="D.C. Grand Prix" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/09/indycar-national-mall-race-course-map-trump" data-vars-content-id="e3ec250f-e8a6-410c-b03a-581b9d724109" data-vars-headline="IndyCar&#x27;s greatest active driver is an underdog in D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/09/indycar-national-mall-race-course-map-trump" target="_self">D.C. Grand Prix</a>. Why it matters: Already a Motorsports Hall of Famer and, as of last year, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a knight" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/scott-dixon-indycar-knighthood-new-zealand-0bef4246df62437ae0d47bcfa1b9acc3" data-vars-content-id="e3ec250f-e8a6-410c-b03a-581b9d724109" data-vars-headline="IndyCar&#x27;s greatest active driver is an underdog in D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/scott-dixon-indycar-knighthood-new-zealand-0bef4246df62437ae0d47bcfa1b9acc3" target="_blank">a knight</a>, the New Zealander is looking for a new accolade in his No. 9 Honda.<ul><li>&quot;Alongside the Indy 500, this is the one you&#x27;re going to want to win,&quot; Dixon tells Axios.</li></ul>

Inside the Trump admin's patriotic vision for Art in Embassies

A new exhibit brings into public view a State Department program that has showcased American art abroad for more than 60 years.

America at 250

A rare local art exhibition showcasing the State Department&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Art in Embassies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/09/15/jenny-holzer-national-mall-projection-art-in-embassies" data-vars-content-id="7f590d81-9325-4ac7-bec6-3611089f4856" data-vars-headline="Inside the Trump admin&#x27;s patriotic vision for Art in Embassies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/09/15/jenny-holzer-national-mall-projection-art-in-embassies" target="_self">Art in Embassies</a> program is opening in D.C. soon.Why it matters: &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Passport to Patriotism: 250 Years of Diplomacy" data-vars-click-url="https://art.state.gov/freedom-250/" data-vars-content-id="7f590d81-9325-4ac7-bec6-3611089f4856" data-vars-headline="Inside the Trump admin&#x27;s patriotic vision for Art in Embassies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://art.state.gov/freedom-250/" target="_blank">Passport to Patriotism: 250 Years of Diplomacy</a>&quot; offers a window into how the Trump administration is shaping a decades-old cultural diplomacy program around patriotism and America&#x27;s 250th anniversary.

Virginia is the college football team to watch in the DMV

Maryland and Virginia Tech hope to engineer big turnarounds.

The college football hierarchy in the DMV has shifted to Charlottesville.<ul><li>Virginia looks to build on a surprising 11-win season last year with a shiny new quarterback plucked from the SEC.</li></ul>Why it matters: College football season kicks into high gear this weekend.

D.C. is having a designer hot dog moment

Caviar crowns, Wagyu franks and even a hot dog tower: D.C.'s humble glizzy has become the affordable indulgence du jour.

Food and Drink

This summer, hot dogs were the new oysters.Why it matters: Whether crowned with caviar or stacked on plateaus, glizzies overtook bivalves as D.C.&#x27;s affordable indulgence du jour.

Lafayette Park could get first permanent fence since 1800s

The Secret Service plan would add gates around the historic protest site across from the White House.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lafayette Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/05/10/lafayette-square-reopen-after-year" data-vars-content-id="22e18670-9e68-40d1-a837-0f0048188cb2" data-vars-headline="Lafayette Park could get first permanent fence since 1800s" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/05/10/lafayette-square-reopen-after-year" target="_self">Lafayette Park</a> could soon be closed off by a large fence, if the Secret Service gets its way.Why it matters: The park has long been a site for gatherings and protesters, and the project is receiving <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pushback" data-vars-click-url="https://www.npr.org/2026/07/16/nx-s1-5893465/dc-lafayette-square-park-permanent-fencing-proposal" data-vars-content-id="22e18670-9e68-40d1-a837-0f0048188cb2" data-vars-headline="Lafayette Park could get first permanent fence since 1800s" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.npr.org/2026/07/16/nx-s1-5893465/dc-lafayette-square-park-permanent-fencing-proposal" target="_blank">pushback</a> from those who think it would limit <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Americans&#x27;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.acludc.org/cases/no-fence-lafayette-park/" data-vars-content-id="22e18670-9e68-40d1-a837-0f0048188cb2" data-vars-headline="Lafayette Park could get first permanent fence since 1800s" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.acludc.org/cases/no-fence-lafayette-park/" target="_blank">Americans&#x27;</a> ability to visit and voice their opinions at the president&#x27;s door.<ul><li>This would also mark the first time the square has been enclosed by a permanent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fence" data-vars-click-url="https://abcnews.com/US/wireStory/trumps-plan-fence-lafayette-park-white-house-gets-136163394" data-vars-content-id="22e18670-9e68-40d1-a837-0f0048188cb2" data-vars-headline="Lafayette Park could get first permanent fence since 1800s" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://abcnews.com/US/wireStory/trumps-plan-fence-lafayette-park-white-house-gets-136163394" target="_blank">fence</a> since the late 1800s.</li></ul>

Your Labor Day Weekend: Jazz Fest, DC State Fair, Monday brunch 

Dance to Afrobeats, catch a circus, eat your way through festivals and squeeze every last drop out of summer.

Things to Do

It&#x27;s Labor Day weekend — and D.C. is sending summer off with jazz, circus acts, global food and fair fun.Why it matters: The unofficial finale of summer comes with an unusually stacked calendar. Here&#x27;s where to spend it.

Why apple picking is scarce around D.C. this fall

A devastating spring freeze left some local orchards with sparse crops — and others with barely any pick-your-own season at all.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Apple-picking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/10/08/things-to-do-fall-pumpkin-patches-cider-foliage" data-vars-content-id="22e60731-a2a6-4a01-bef7-b794b8f8451f" data-vars-headline="Why apple picking is scarce around D.C. this fall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/10/08/things-to-do-fall-pumpkin-patches-cider-foliage" target="_self">Apple-picking</a> season is here — but one of fall&#x27;s favorite pastimes will be shorter, sparser or canceled altogether at some D.C.-area orchards after last spring&#x27;s devastating frost.Why it matters: Picking — and eating — local apples is an autumn ritual in the DMV. This year, farms and markets are getting creative to keep apples available and traditions alive.<ul><li>Still, local apple lovers may find higher prices and fewer varieties. </li></ul>

Best and worst times for D.C. Labor Day 2026 travel 

Labor Day weekend is almost here — and so is the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="traffic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/19/memorial-day-2026-best-times-to-travel" data-vars-content-id="c21444c9-d68c-4c5f-b65a-87764923afaa" data-vars-headline="Best and worst times for D.C. Labor Day 2026 travel " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/19/memorial-day-2026-best-times-to-travel" target="_self">traffic</a>.The big picture: Sorry, travelers — this long weekend is expected to be particularly pricey.<ul><li>The national average for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.gasbuddy.com/newsroom/pressrelease/2026/09/01/gasbuddy-2026-poised-to-be-most-expensive-labor-day-at-the-pump-on-record-1173" data-vars-content-id="c21444c9-d68c-4c5f-b65a-87764923afaa" data-vars-headline="Best and worst times for D.C. Labor Day 2026 travel " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.gasbuddy.com/newsroom/pressrelease/2026/09/01/gasbuddy-2026-poised-to-be-most-expensive-labor-day-at-the-pump-on-record-1173" target="_blank">gas</a> could top $4 a gallon, which would be a record high for Labor Day weekend — up from $3.16 last year.</li><li>And domestic fliers are shelling out 2% more for roundtrip <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flights" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2026/08/labor-day-travel-trends/" data-vars-content-id="c21444c9-d68c-4c5f-b65a-87764923afaa" data-vars-headline="Best and worst times for D.C. Labor Day 2026 travel " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2026/08/labor-day-travel-trends/" target="_blank">flights</a> compared to last year, with fares to top domestic locations costing 20% higher.</li></ul>

D.C. is getting more dog parks

Time to let the dogs out: D.C.&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dog" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/08/26/d-c-s-fave-doggos" data-vars-content-id="4362a819-4e73-4595-b158-6d6d7caa686e" data-vars-headline="D.C. is getting more dog parks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/08/26/d-c-s-fave-doggos" target="_self">dog</a> parks are multiplying — and getting spruced up.Why it matters: The District&#x27;s official network of dog parks has grown by roughly two-thirds in less than a decade, and more are on the way.

Latino museum finds a home as fight for National Mall space heats up

The Smithsonian's decision solves a yearslong site search — and reshapes the fight over who gets space on the National Mall.

The Smithsonian&#x27;s long-awaited <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Museum of the American Latino" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/01/smithsonian-latino-museum-funding-diaz-balart-gonzales" data-vars-content-id="b8bc2530-e0da-425d-ac58-30ec6b46c97c" data-vars-headline="Latino museum finds a home as fight for National Mall space heats up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/01/smithsonian-latino-museum-funding-diaz-balart-gonzales" target="_self">National Museum of the American Latino</a> has a permanent home: the historic Arts and Industries Building on the National Mall.Why it matters: Repurposing an existing Smithsonian building allows the museum to move forward without waiting for Congress to approve new construction on protected National Mall land.

Your D.C. Weekend: Femme Art Fair, Yoga Fest and more

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="FEMME&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://femmeartfair.com/" data-vars-content-id="c9ee6b33-ff1e-4573-b3ec-cdde1ec2faec" data-vars-headline="Your D.C. Weekend: Femme Art Fair, Yoga Fest and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://femmeartfair.com/" target="_blank">FEMME&#x27;s</a> mission is to center women in the arts, and they&#x27;ll be holding a four-day fair in D.C., starting Thursday.Why it matters: See 100+ artists&#x27; work, with panels, exhibits and film.

Soupergirl founder Sara Polon launches D.C. one-woman show

The D.C. entrepreneur turns hard life events into a funny, dark one-woman show.

The founder of the D.C. brand <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Soupergirl " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/pro/retail-deals/2023/05/24/soupergirl-raising-a-series-a-extension" data-vars-content-id="2c2b3ad3-40db-48aa-bb62-902f07e76063" data-vars-headline="Soupergirl founder Sara Polon launches D.C. one-woman show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/pro/retail-deals/2023/05/24/soupergirl-raising-a-series-a-extension" target="_self">Soupergirl </a>is launching a one-woman show about the worst year-and-a-half of her life.Why it matters: You likely know Sara Polon for, well, soup, but “<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="I Regret Nothing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.iregretnothingshow.com/" data-vars-content-id="2c2b3ad3-40db-48aa-bb62-902f07e76063" data-vars-headline="Soupergirl founder Sara Polon launches D.C. one-woman show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.iregretnothingshow.com/" target="_blank">I Regret Nothing</a>” will reveal a new side of the entrepreneur when it premieres next month.

Your D.C. weekend: National Book Festival, plus fair fun

Yes, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Grand Prix" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/29/freedom-250-grand-prix-road-closures-security" data-vars-content-id="ecbbdf2e-5ccd-49a0-b910-bc810dd8a2aa" data-vars-headline="Your D.C. weekend: National Book Festival, plus fair fun" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/29/freedom-250-grand-prix-road-closures-security" target="_self">Grand Prix</a> is happening this weekend, but there’s also another big event hitting downtown D.C.: The Library of Congress’ <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Book Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/07/national-book-festival-2026-lineup" data-vars-content-id="ecbbdf2e-5ccd-49a0-b910-bc810dd8a2aa" data-vars-headline="Your D.C. weekend: National Book Festival, plus fair fun" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/07/national-book-festival-2026-lineup" target="_self">National Book Festival</a> on Saturday.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a chance to see tons of big-name writers and celebs all in one day and all in your backyard.

Summerween hits D.C. with parties and pumpkin spice

Nothing is spookier than a PSL in this heat.

If there’s one thing we know about D.C., it’s that we go hard for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/09/11/fall-foliage-guide-dc-maryland-virginia" data-vars-content-id="e0ad026b-848e-4bf0-bae9-f8248bc413e6" data-vars-headline="Summerween hits D.C. with parties and pumpkin spice" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/09/11/fall-foliage-guide-dc-maryland-virginia" target="_self">fall</a> … perhaps too hard.Why it matters: Something wicked this way comes. Yes, we’re referring to Summerween.

Inside the D.C. supper club introducing young adults to art galleries

A new art-centric dinner series is bringing young Washingtonians together while also introducing them to the local gallery scene.The big picture: This comes as more people are looking for ways to beat <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="loneliness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/02/26/loneliness-crisis-why-explained" data-vars-content-id="364e5f45-cd01-40c8-8e41-36e8967da608" data-vars-headline="Inside the D.C. supper club introducing young adults to art galleries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/02/26/loneliness-crisis-why-explained" target="_self">loneliness</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="connect IRL" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/05/06/dating-apps-burnout-singles-events" data-vars-content-id="364e5f45-cd01-40c8-8e41-36e8967da608" data-vars-headline="Inside the D.C. supper club introducing young adults to art galleries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/05/06/dating-apps-burnout-singles-events" target="_self">connect IRL</a>.

Your D.C. Weekend: Panda Fest makes its debut

Panda Fest is bringing nearly 100 Asian food vendors and panda-themed fun to Pennsylvania Avenue.

Panda Fest is bringing nearly 100 Asian food vendors and panda-themed fun to Pennsylvania Avenue Saturday and Sunday for its D.C. debut.Why it matters: In panda-crazy D.C., another bear bash is always welcome — and this nationally touring <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/panda-fest-dc-2026-tickets-1989030708392?aff=oddtdtcreator" data-vars-content-id="3187f6a7-e8a4-4a70-9bfd-f0837f83c873" data-vars-headline="Your D.C. Weekend: Panda Fest makes its debut" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/panda-fest-dc-2026-tickets-1989030708392?aff=oddtdtcreator" target="_blank">festival</a> brings together food, culture and family-friendly activities.

Tree removals at East Potomac golf course raise alarms

The Interior Department says the tree work is "routine maintenance." But park advocates are on high alert.

Crews are cutting down trees in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="East Potomac Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/30/trump-east-potomac-golf-course" data-vars-content-id="379b72e0-7a77-4791-931a-4c0356a62032" data-vars-headline="Tree removals at East Potomac golf course raise alarms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/30/trump-east-potomac-golf-course" target="_self">East Potomac Park</a>, putting park advocates on high alert over what comes next.Why it matters: Golfers, bikers and birders are watching like hawks for signs the Trump administration will begin work on its planned overhaul of the municipal golf course on Sept. 1, as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the president has said" data-vars-click-url="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116829203090822692" data-vars-content-id="379b72e0-7a77-4791-931a-4c0356a62032" data-vars-headline="Tree removals at East Potomac golf course raise alarms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116829203090822692" target="_blank">the president has said</a>.<ul><li>But with that start date days away, the public still hasn&#x27;t seen a final plan or price tag.</li></ul>

What Nationals games are like for a dog

There are doggie photo booths, bandanas and fresh sod for, um, relief.

The Nationals are 62-72 and have a 0.1% chance of making the playoffs, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Baseball-Reference.com" data-vars-click-url="https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/WSN/2026.shtml" data-vars-content-id="9ce47d41-00cb-40c2-b40a-0c53ba48d550" data-vars-headline="What Nationals games are like for a dog" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/WSN/2026.shtml" target="_blank">Baseball-Reference.com</a>. Let&#x27;s meet some good dogs. Why it matters: Pups in the Park is a happy day at the stadium no matter what the standings look like.<ul><li>I went to Nationals Park on Tuesday to see how the promotion has grown.</li></ul>

AJ Dybantsa wants your phone number

SMS marketing is a growing platform for building and studying fan communities.

You can text the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, and someone on his team will see it. He might even text back. Why it matters: Wizards rookie <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AJ Dybantsa" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/25/wizards-land-a-future-in-aj-dybantsa" data-vars-content-id="03a2efff-ec06-4f26-862e-8c448f037e3f" data-vars-headline="AJ Dybantsa wants your phone number" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/25/wizards-land-a-future-in-aj-dybantsa" target="_self">AJ Dybantsa</a> has a rare opportunity to capitalize on a new level of fame.<ul><li>He&#x27;s exploring new ways to give fans the access they crave. </li></ul>

Photos: Inside D.C.'s loud, patriotic Freedom 250 Grand Prix

Fans packed the National Mall as IndyCars raced past the Capitol.

Military flyovers buzzed above the National Mall. Race cars roared past the Capitol at 180 mph. President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="aa7c07c0-79f8-4bb9-b739-a4c2d430d656" data-vars-headline="Photos: Inside D.C.&#x27;s loud, patriotic Freedom 250 Grand Prix" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Trump</a> waved the green flag.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Freedom 250 Grand Prix" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/19/dc-freedom-250-grand-prix-indycar-formula-one" data-vars-content-id="aa7c07c0-79f8-4bb9-b739-a4c2d430d656" data-vars-headline="Photos: Inside D.C.&#x27;s loud, patriotic Freedom 250 Grand Prix" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/19/dc-freedom-250-grand-prix-indycar-formula-one" target="_self">Freedom 250 Grand Prix</a> brought a loud, patriotic spectacle to some of D.C.&#x27;s most hallowed spaces.

IndyCar, not F1, is taking over D.C. Here's the difference.

D.C.'s first downtown race could help IndyCar gain ground with viewers.

Raise your hand if you know the difference between Formula One and IndyCar. Why it matters: One racing league is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="taking over D.C." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/10/dc-indycar-race-bud-denker-freedom-250-grand-prix" data-vars-content-id="f194ee9e-b312-4b00-857a-d33a96063f2d" data-vars-headline="IndyCar, not F1, is taking over D.C. Here&#x27;s the difference." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/10/dc-indycar-race-bud-denker-freedom-250-grand-prix" target="_self">taking over D.C.</a> this weekend — and it&#x27;s not the one with a movie starring Brad Pitt.

D.C. eateries extend Restaurant Week deals after strong demand

More than 100 restaurants are extending their summer deals into September — after some saw big demand from diners hungry for a bargain.

It may be the start of meteorological fall, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Summer Restaurant Week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/04/dc-restaurant-week-2026-new-and-classic-restaurants" data-vars-content-id="aef65b2e-7378-4165-bd21-629684b03447" data-vars-headline="D.C. eateries extend Restaurant Week deals after strong demand" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/04/dc-restaurant-week-2026-new-and-classic-restaurants" target="_self">Summer Restaurant Week</a> is sticking around.Why it matters: Several restaurateurs tell Axios this year&#x27;s later-than-usual Restaurant Week brought a bigger bump in business than past editions, prompting some to keep the deals going.

Ted's Bulletin owner has big plans for former Woodmont Grill

Owner Steve Salis tells Axios how he plans to turn the longtime Bethesda institution into Ted's biggest bet yet.

Goodbye, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Woodmont Grill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/10/30/woodmont-grill-hillstone-closed-bethesda-why" data-vars-content-id="acd45398-9e6c-4102-95c4-85fa91b4dd9a" data-vars-headline="Ted&#x27;s Bulletin owner has big plans for former Woodmont Grill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/10/30/woodmont-grill-hillstone-closed-bethesda-why" target="_self">Woodmont Grill</a>. Hello, Ted&#x27;s Bulletin.<ul><li>Restaurateur Steve Salis bought the prime Bethesda property that Hillstone Group vacated last year in a $7 million deal — and plans to turn it into a splashy Ted&#x27;s flagship.</li></ul>

Wonder is taking over the DMV. Can it win over diners, robots included?

Wonder is opening food halls at breakneck speed. But can billions in backing, high-tech kitchens and delivery robots keep diners coming back?

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Wonder" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/10/23/wonder-food-hall-delivery-pickup-expansion-dc-md-va" data-vars-content-id="a9f7d1e7-c4e7-410e-8057-0f4edfda095b" data-vars-headline="Wonder is taking over the DMV. Can it win over diners, robots included?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/10/23/wonder-food-hall-delivery-pickup-expansion-dc-md-va" target="_self">Wonder</a> opened its first D.C. virtual food hall on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="14th Street" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/07/09/wonder-food-hall-dc-jose-andres" data-vars-content-id="a9f7d1e7-c4e7-410e-8057-0f4edfda095b" data-vars-headline="Wonder is taking over the DMV. Can it win over diners, robots included?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/07/09/wonder-food-hall-dc-jose-andres" target="_self">14th Street</a> just over a year ago. Now, they&#x27;re seemingly everywhere.Why it matters: The food tech company says the DMV is one of its fastest growing markets, with more than 30 locations planned by year&#x27;s end.

Summer Restaurant Week deals flying under the radar

From $25 brunches to a $65 wagyu tasting, these D.C. Restaurant Week sleeper hits are worth a reservation.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Summer Restaurant Week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/21/dc-restaurant-week-guide-menus" data-vars-content-id="ccee09c8-d564-4432-94be-4870faf02bba" data-vars-headline="Summer Restaurant Week deals flying under the radar" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/21/dc-restaurant-week-guide-menus" target="_self">Summer Restaurant Week</a> is here. If you missed reservations at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="buzziest spots" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/04/dc-restaurant-week-2026-new-and-classic-restaurants" data-vars-content-id="ccee09c8-d564-4432-94be-4870faf02bba" data-vars-headline="Summer Restaurant Week deals flying under the radar" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/04/dc-restaurant-week-2026-new-and-classic-restaurants" target="_self">buzziest spots</a>, don&#x27;t panic: Some tasty menus — and terrific deals — aren&#x27;t on every hot list.Here&#x27;s where I&#x27;d look.

After a decade of buzzy Thai pop-ups, Alfie's is here to stay

Chef Alex McCoy's cult-favorite Thai restaurant finally gets a permanent home in Georgetown — with fiery curries, local ingredients and plenty of wine.

If you’ve been around D.C. long enough, you probably know <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Alfie’s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/17/dc-new-restaurants-new-kitchens-on-the-block" data-vars-content-id="f332ea9b-4531-4fac-9f27-b7615e10af7a" data-vars-headline="After a decade of buzzy Thai pop-ups, Alfie&#x27;s is here to stay" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/17/dc-new-restaurants-new-kitchens-on-the-block" target="_self">Alfie’s</a>: chef Alex McCoy’s Thai pop-up he launched <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a decade ago" data-vars-click-url="https://washingtonian.com/2016/02/01/alfies-pop-up-alex-mccoy-park-view-petworth-open/" data-vars-content-id="f332ea9b-4531-4fac-9f27-b7615e10af7a" data-vars-headline="After a decade of buzzy Thai pop-ups, Alfie&#x27;s is here to stay" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://washingtonian.com/2016/02/01/alfies-pop-up-alex-mccoy-park-view-petworth-open/" target="_blank">a decade ago</a> — and has revived again and again.<ul><li>But if not, get excited: The scrappy 25-seat restaurant and wine bar feels like a globetrotting friend finally settled down.</li></ul>

A software engineer hacked D.C. Restaurant Week — and built a better guide

A new site lets diners search thousands of dishes, compare deals and discover hundreds of Restaurant Week menus.

We food writers have plenty of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Restaurant Week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/04/dc-restaurant-week-2026-new-and-classic-restaurants" data-vars-content-id="d29f57a5-9ecb-4632-ab5f-ad491abe0457" data-vars-headline="A software engineer hacked D.C. Restaurant Week — and built a better guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/04/dc-restaurant-week-2026-new-and-classic-restaurants" target="_self">Restaurant Week</a> hacks, but it took a software engineer to truly crack the code on D.C.’s event.Why it matters: Like the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="D.C. tech wonks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/31/311-app-alternatives-josh-jacobson-civic-tech-government-tools" data-vars-content-id="d29f57a5-9ecb-4632-ab5f-ad491abe0457" data-vars-headline="A software engineer hacked D.C. Restaurant Week — and built a better guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/31/311-app-alternatives-josh-jacobson-civic-tech-government-tools" target="_self">D.C. tech wonks</a> building better versions of the city&#x27;s apps, Adam Stambouli tackled one of Restaurant Week&#x27;s biggest headaches: searching hundreds of menus scattered across the internet.<ul><li>His free new site <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Let&#x27;s Eat, DC" data-vars-click-url="https://letseatdc.com/" data-vars-content-id="d29f57a5-9ecb-4632-ab5f-ad491abe0457" data-vars-headline="A software engineer hacked D.C. Restaurant Week — and built a better guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://letseatdc.com/" target="_blank">Let&#x27;s Eat, DC</a> lets diners hunt for specific dishes, new restaurants, highly rated spots, dietary options and good deals.</li></ul>

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