Breakfast links: Amtrak is seeking another $1.5 billion from the federal government to stay on track
Amtrak at Union Station in DC by Loco Steve licensed under Creative Commons.
Amtrak needs more aid to survive
Amtrak has seen a 95% drop in ridership and expects a 50% ridership decrease through 2021. It has already reduced and suspended some service, but in order to maintain operations Amtrak says it will need an additional $1.5 billion in federal aid on top of the stimulus money it has already received. (Luz Lazo / Post)
Northern Virginia is opening up with masks on
Governor Northam announced that Northern Virginia jurisdictions will reopen like the rest of the state starting Friday after meeting the majority of the reopening benchmarks. He also said that Virginians must now wear masks anywhere the public convenes, with exceptions for eating, drinking, and exercising. (Drew Hansen / Business Journal)
Today could be the day DC announces reopening
Barring another last-minute spike in cases, Mayor Bowser is expected to announce that DC can enter Phase One of reopening this Friday, and may announce more details about further reopening. The city has been waiting for a 14-day decline in community spread of COVID-19 to lift emergency measures. (Martin Austermuhle / DCist)
Ballot delays are complicating the Maryland primary
Maryland is sending ballots to all voters in order to reduce the need for in-person voting, but 336,000 ballots in Baltimore City and 670,000 in Montgomery County were mailed out late. The state says that after the June 2 primary it will conduct an audit of its ballot vendor. (Jenna Portnoy / Post)
Renters tend to stay longer in affordable apartments
A report from the DC Chief Financial Officer found that renters using the city’s affordable housing funds stayed in their units for an average of 4.3 years, while market rate renters who make over $75,000 a year stayed for an average of 2.9 years. (Nena Perry-Brown / Urban Turf)
Arlington is adding more outdoor restaurant seating
The county board authorized a fast-track temporary outdoor seating permit process as Arlington looks to reopen outdoor-only dining so restaurants and cafes can quickly apply for and add tables on sidewalks, in parking lots, or in on-street parking spots. (ARL Now)
Local Congress members argue against July 4th parade
Senators and Congress members representing the Washington region wrote a letter to the Department of Defense and the Department of the Interior aking them to cancel plans for another July 4th military parade because of the pandemic and the costs. (Mitchell Miller / WTOP)
Rock Creek Park is a longstanding oasis in DC
Rock Creek Park was the site of a Confederate invasion in 1864 and almost became the country’s first ever national park in 1867. It has served as an escape for Washingtonians who need to spend time in nature since the 1800s until today. (Dustin Renwick / DCist)
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