Breakfast links: How Virginia became a rising passenger rail star
Virginia is prioritizing passenger rail
In order to get residents out of highway gridlock, Virginia is investing heavily in rail, including the recent $3.7 billion deal with Amtrak, VRE, and CSX. The state’s commitment to building out its rail network has earned it a national spotlight. (Luz Lazo / Post)
Maryland state of emergency ends July 1
Gov. Larry Hogan announced Tuesday that the state of emergency and mask mandate will end July 1. Residents will have until August 15 before the eviction moratorium and grace period for expired licenses ends. 72% of adults in the state are partially vaccinated. (Cydney Grannan / DCist. Tip: Chester B.)
Norton will host a public meeting on Beach Drive options
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton will have a virtual meeting on June 29 to hear from the community about whether to leave Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park open to people walking and biking, or to allow cars back onto the road. (Stacy Brown / Washington Informer. Tip: Chester B.)
DC Council approves DOPA updates
The Council approved changes to the District Opportunity to Purchase Act, the never-used law that allows DC to buy buildings to preserve affordable housing. The new language sets out definitions of affordability and provides for rent stabilization even if DC sells the building. (Will Schick / DC Line)
Maryland will offer utility bill aid
Maryland’s Public Service Commission is using $83 million in state aid money to forgive electric and gas utility debt, targeting help to low income residents and people with medical needs first. (Katherine Shaver / Post)
DC hits a vaccination goal
70% of adults in DC are at least partially vaccinated, meeting a goal set by both President Joe Biden and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser. Vaccination rates are not even across the whole city though, with fewer Black Washingtonians vaccinated than white residents. (Amanda Michelle Gomez / City Paper)
Pedestrian hospitalized after being hit by a driver in Alexandria
A driver struck a pedestrian on Jamieson Avenue in the Carlyle neighborhood of Alexandria. The man was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. (Vernon Miles / ALXnow)
Senate committee hearing on DC statehood set for June 22
A Senate committee is set to consider DC statehood next week. Former Senator and statehood supporter Joe Lieberman will testify along with Eleanor Holmes Norton and Mayor Muriel Bowser. (Jack Pointer / WTOP)
Road rage shooting trends are moving in the wrong direction
The number of injuries or deaths from motorist-involved shootings was 42 per month in the last year, a major increase from previous years when it was 22 per month. Both gun violence and road deaths have increased during the pandemic as well. (Kea Wilson / Streetsblog)
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