Image by Blink O’fanaye licensed under Creative Commons.

Airbnbs turn insurrectionists into next-door neighbors

DC residents have been spotting insurrectionists and white supremacists staying in Airbnbs in their neighborhoods after a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol Wednesday. The company says it has cancelled some reservations, citing policies against domestic terrorism and violent hate group members.  (Ruth Tam / DCist, Andrew Beaujon / Washingtonian)  

A fence is going up around the Capitol

After the Capitol was breached Wednesday, officials are putting up a “non-scalable” fence seven feet tall around the perimeter for at least the next 30 days, cutting off a public space DC residents use for commuting, running, bicycling, or meeting up with friends.  (Jordan Pascale / DCist)  

Reminder: there’s still a pandemic

Coronavirus cases continue to rise, setting records in DC, Maryland, and Virginia as vaccines begin rolling out across the region.  (Rachel Chason and Jenna Portnoy / Post)  

What DC’s public emergency means for you

Another layer of “emergency” is in place in DC through the presidential inauguration after a mob stormed the Capitol Wednesday, allowing for business closures and curfews at a few hours’ notice. Mayor Muriel Bowser encouraged residents to sign up for the emergency alert system.  (Amanda Michelle Gomez / City Paper, Jane Recker / Washingtonian, Alex Koma / Business Journal)  

Alexandria is opening its public housing waitlist

Alexandrians have a three-day window to submit an application for public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers from January 11 to 13.   (Vernon Miles / ALXNow)  

Why Maryland couldn’t send its National Guard to the Capitol

Gov. Larry Hogan said in a press conference that he needed Department of Defense authorization to send the Maryland National Guard to assist the Capitol Police on Wednesday because the Capitol is federal property, but that the approval was delayed for 90 minutes.  (Heather Mongilio / Baltimore Sun, Laura Wainman / WUSA9)  

The director of Maryland’s Beltway widening plan retires

Lisa Chopin, who oversaw the widening plans for the Beltway and I-270 at the Maryland Department of Transportation, retired December 31 in the middle of the procurement process.  (Katherine Shaver / Post)  

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Libby Solomon is a writer and editor for GGWash. She was previously a reporter for the Baltimore Sun covering the Baltimore suburbs and a writer for Johns Hopkins University’s Centers for Civic Impact. A Baltimore resident, Libby enjoys running and painting in her spare time.