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Axios DC
D.C. is a jobs hotspot for new graduates
Data: Handshake. Chart: Axios VisualsD.C. is one of the most sought-after job destinations for this year's graduating college seniors, per Handshake, the campus recruitment website.The big picture: More of this year's graduating college seniors are seeking the security of a government job, and fewer are applying to risky-seeming tech jobs, Handshake's data shows.Why it matters: The class of 2024 — which Axios has dubbed "the bummer generation" because of how COVID-19 warped the seminal events of their young lives — just wants stability and a comfortable income, thank you.Zoom in: Many young people seeking to work for Uncle Sam are...
The DMV's priciest home sales last month
All of the DMV's priciest home sales last month were in the 'burbs, with McLean, Virginia, clocking in with the top price at $9 million.Why it matters: The luxury housing market is outperforming the normal market in the mid-Atlantic according to a recent Bright MLS report, and our region is leading the charge.By the numbers: Six of the top 10 mid-Atlantic ZIP codes with the most luxury sales in 2024's first quarter were in the D.C. area.#5: $5,688,000Where: Potomac, 9837 Avenel Farm Dr.The seller: Not yet updated on Montgomery County's property records.The buyer: Not yet updated on Montgomery County's property...
D.C. grocery shoppers hop between these stores to stretch their dollars
Say TTYL to the one-stop shop: People are increasingly hitting up multiple grocery stores to save money as food gets pricier.Why it matters: Your Sunday shopping trip is a lot longer when you have to stop by Giant … and Whole Foods … and Costco … and Aldi.What they're saying: "I haven't [one-stop] shopped in years," says Claire McDonough of Alexandria.She buys staples online at Giant, using coupons and deals for gas discounts, then goes to pick it all up. For everything else, it's Whole Foods — the money she saves via Giant's discounts goes toward organic dairy, meat, and produce, she says.Pro tip: Many readers scan store discounts and take advantage of deals like Harris Teeter's BOGO sales.Here's how some locals break up their shopping:🛒Whole Foods: Fruits, vegetables, organic juice, organic meat, or harder-to-find cuts, and "healthy" things like polenta or semolina.🛒Trader Joe's: Staples like frozen veggies or meals, flour, yogurt, peanut butter, pasta sauce, crackers, cheese, and nuts.🛒Harris Teeter/Giant/Safeway: Staples like paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, flour, and cereal, as well as produce and meat.🛒Streets Market: Harder-to-find produce like chayote, cassava, and tomatillos.🛒Lidl: Eggs and milk.🛒Aldi: Fruits, veggies, milk, and orange juice.
The most popular grocery stores in the DMV
Data: Chain Store Guide. Note: Stores under the same brand name have been combined, e.g. Walmart and Walmart Supercenter. Chart: Axios VisualsGiant Food dominates the D.C. supermarket scene with the highest market share in the DMV.By the numbers: There are 112 Giant stores in the greater metro area.Safeway trails Giant with 84 stores and 12.9% of the market share.Wegman's may be cult-level popular, but it has the fewest stores — only 11!Catch up quick: Giant has D.C. roots. The first store opened in 1936 on Georgia Avenue NW before first expanding to Virginia and then to Maryland in the '40s.The intrigue: Does anyone else remember the now-defunct "Gourmet Giant" brand in McLean, Virginia?Of note: These rankings use data from Chain Store Guide, which was collected before last week's announcement that Foxtrot and Dom's were closing up shop.Tell us: What's your favorite grocery store?
D.C. homes with EV chargers could be worth more
Data: Realtor.com, Cox Automotive; Note: Among 100 biggest metro areas; Chart: Axios VisualsHomes with electric vehicle chargers could hold greater resale value in D.C. as more car buyers make the switch, Realtor.com chief economist Danielle Hale says.Why it matters: Access to at-home EV charging is a rare and increasingly desirable amenity.Between the lines: Home chargers are often more convenient than public ones, and faster than charging cables that come with most EVs.State of play: The District offers up to $1,000 in tax credits to help cover the cost of installation, which can cost upwards of $2,00–$3,000. It can be paired...
Peter Chang brings "Chinese tapas" to Arlington
"Chinese tapas" and baiju cocktails are on tap at NiHao, a Peter Chang restaurant that just opened in National Landing for all-day dining.Why it matters: Chang is justifiably famous for his classics but we're always eager to try new twists.The big picture: The Chang family opened NiHao in Baltimore in 2020. It won a big Esquire "Best New Restaurant" award, but daughter and business manager Lydia Chang says they're going full-tilt in Arlington — their 18th restaurant — without pandemic restrictions.Dig in: The modern Szechuan spot feels breezy with greenery, a patio, a bright bar, and a shareable menu. Lydia Chang says the idea is "big flavors, small plates" so guests can try more things.A big menu is filled with tapas and snacks, generally $4 to $15, plus two large-format branzino dishes.Cocktails like a sparkling lychee-vodka-grapefruit concoction are named after Chinese movies. The green room. Photo: courtesy NiHaoInsider recs: Chang says you should try her mom's chicken noodle soup, dad's homemade Szechuan sausage, and adventurous bites like pig ears or trip-and-tendon in chili oil.If you go: NiHao is open for lunch, dinner, and takeout. Delivery and a bottomless tapas brunch coming soon.
Why big concerts skip D.C. for Baltimore
Sorry, D.C. music fans — if you want to see some of the summer's hottest shows, they're in Baltimore.Why it matters: Billie Eilish, Pearl Jam, The Black Keys — they're all skipping D.C. for Charm City.The intrigue: Musicians are flocking to Baltimore's CFG Bank Arena. The 14,000-plus-seat venue reopened downtown last year after a $250 million renovation and was christened by The Boss (who skipped D.C. due to health reasons).The arena has big-name backing from L.A.-based operator Oak View Group — which runs major venues nationally — plus Kevin Durant's investment company, Live Nation, and artist Pharrell Williams.Zoom in: Mayor...
"The Sixth" documentary focuses on D.C. locals' Jan. 6 experiences
A new documentary from D.C.-based filmmakers examines the Jan. 6 insurrection from the perspective of six people who lived through it.Why it matters: "The Sixth" is an up-close look at how Washingtonians who simply showed up to work that day watched an event unfold with far-reaching consequences.Zoom in: The film includes never-before-seen footage and personal accounts from Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), former D.C. Police Chief Robert J. Contee, two of his officers, a photographer, and a then-Hill staffer.It was produced by production company A24 and the studio Change Content, which is spearheaded by the D.C.-based, Oscar- and Emmy-winning filmmaking duo...
Here's what's happening in D.C. this weekend
This weekend in D.C., check out a celebration of Hawaiian culture and events for Mother's Day. 🌺 Aloha at Hō'ikeThis Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, celebrate Hawaiian culture at Hō'ike, a showcase of dance and music.Why it matters: "Sometimes the 'PI' or Pacific Islander part of AAPI doesn't get as much representation," says Sara Kehaulani Goo, executive editor of Axios Live and a member of Hālau Nohona Hawai'i, a nonprofit that recognizes Hawaiian culture in the DMV."But what's awesome is that there is a strong community of people who live in the D.C. area and have...
Maryland cracks down on fake concert tickets and junk fees
Concert prices can be shockingly high, but a new Maryland law will create more transparency around ticket sales for live entertainment and in some cases help drive down costs.Why it matters: Popular shows have become luxury experiences for the uber-wealthy — and wallet-breaking for average consumers — but tighter regulation of the ticketing process can help level the playing field for artists and fans.Driving the news: Gov. Wes Moore signed off Thursday on an anti-scalping law that makes it illegal for resale sites like StubHub or VividSeats to charge sneaky junk fees, and bans the sale of "speculative tickets."The law,...
Spotted: A black bear in Brookland
A black bear is back in Brookland!Why it matters: Last year Franklin the Brookland Bear stole our hearts and we've been beareft since.Zoom in: Diane Ashton, a spokesperson for the Humane Rescue Alliance that's monitoring the situation, tells Axios that the black bear spotted in a Northeast D.C. yard is an untagged juvenile. (Franklin is thriving elsewhere).Threat level: Low. Black bears are "typically non-aggressive and rarely pose a threat to humans," says Ashton. Unless you're dumb and take a bear-ie. "We advise calmly backing away."The intrigue: The bear wandered into the yard of James Warner, co-founder of City State Brewing Co., which coincidentally has bears on all of its cans.Zoom out: Spring is bear sighting season around D.C. as juveniles explore. HRA and wildlife agencies are keeping tabs but ideally let the bears roam freely out of urban areas.Highly trained officers are equipped to "safely sedate and relocate the bear if deemed necessary," says Ashton.Call the field services team at 202-723-5730 if you spot a bear, or any wildlife in distress.
We tried Sweetgreen's fancy new steak
Sweetgreen just added steak to its menu nationwide, so naturally we had to try it.The big picture: The D.C.-born salad chain is always on trend, whether it's frozen yogurt or music festivals (RIP) and what's hot right now is ... meat! The plant-based pendulum has swung and fast-casuals like Taim and Cava are beefing up their menus, targeting protein fiends and dinner customers looking for heartier meals.Dig in: Sweetgreen's "caramelized garlic steak" has restaurant-level ambitions. In ads, it looks like the steak from "The Devil Wears Prada," minced parsley and all.The beef is grass-fed and pasture-raised to fit in the...
D.C. congressional hearing canceled after police clear GW encampment
A congressional hearing on D.C.'s prior decision not to take action regarding George Washington University's pro-Palestinian encampment was canceled after D.C. police cleared the area and arrested more than 30 people early Wednesday.The big picture: This comes as university administrations have cracked down on student demonstrators in unprecedented ways as protests grow in size and intensity, with the majority of arrests happening at encampments and sit-ins.More than 2,900 people have been arrested at pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses across the country in recent weeks.Driving the news: D.C. police began clearing the encampment early Wednesday, during which demonstrators clashed with officers...
Recall campaigns produce unusual time in D.C. politics
It's an unusual time in D.C. politics, where recall campaigners are collecting thousands of signatures in hopes of achieving the unprecedented: booting out two sitting council members, Charles Allen and Brianne Nadeau.Why it matters: The swirl of politicking is drawing unconventional campaign tactics, national consultants working on local, and boatloads of money. Caught in the middle: Out-of-the-loop bystanders being asked to sign petitions.State of play: The Ward 6 Allen Recall campaign has "around 4,500" signatures, says spokesperson Rich Masters, but they aim for over 10,000. The leader of the Ward 1 Nadeau Recall, Diana Alvarez, said the campaign "feels good...
Why Uber wait times may be getting longer around D.C.
You're not alone: Uber wait times recently feel longer in the D.C. area and can be more expensive.Why it matters: Rideshares are a popular, efficient — and pre-pandemic, pretty wallet-friendly — way to navigate the city, and any change to the norm will cause a stir.State of play: A myriad of factors are causing delays with Uber, drivers tell NBC4, including some who say they prefer shorter pickup distances — which could lead to fewer drivers in less densely populated and lower demand areas.Nonetheless, drivers are paid to travel once they accept a ride, no matter the length.The big picture:...
D.C. saw flipped home sales drop last year
Data: ATTOM. Note: A flip is defined as any transaction between an unrelated buyer and seller within 12 months of a previous transaction. Chart: Axios VisualsThe share of home sales in the D.C. area that were flips dropped at the end of last year compared to the same period in 2022, per real estate data company ATTOM.Why it matters: 2023 saw decreased inventory and sales across the board as people held on to homes while waiting out mortgage rates, or because they were locked into pandemic-era rates.The big picture: In 2023, house flipping activity nationwide dropped 29.3%, the biggest annual decline since 2008, according to the report.The return on investment at 27.5% hasn't been this bad since 2007. The ROI was down from 28.1% in 2022 and 35.7% in 2021.By the numbers: At the end of 2023, the share of total DMV sales that were flipped homes was 5.4% — a 17.4% decrease from the same period in 2022.What's next: Buying a fixer-upper is one way for wishful homeowners to squeak out a deal in some U.S. markets if they can beat investors. In D.C., buying a house that needs some work could save $74,900, per a recent StorageCafe study.
Classic D.C. restaurant Marcel's shutters, may reopen in Bethesda
Fine dining destination Marcel's is closing on Sunday after 25 years, but chef Robert Wiedmaier tells Axios he's actively looking for a new restaurant home in Bethesda.Why it matters: Wiedmaier is among a growing group of restaurateurs moving or expanding to the 'burbs — plus a Marcel's revival would be big for Bethesda.Driving the news: The chef says lease negotiations with a new overseas landlord fell through and ultimately forced him to close the West End dining room.Between the lines: Wiedmaier tells Axios that worries over crime and carjackings, paired with low office return, impacted his clientele and drove down...
D.C. to consider "big ideas" for how to reimagine Chinatown
D.C. could reimagine Chinatown with wide pedestrian promenades, thousands of new housing units, and more of an emphasis on its Chinese heritage, per a new report.Why it matters: The District's Chinatown task force released eight "big ideas" — some that feel aspirational, to be sure — to make the neighborhood more livable and energetic.One of the most noticeable changes would turn the road-heavy perimeter of the National Portrait Gallery into a gathering place.On top of that, a raised pedestrian promenade would be built through the center of 8th Street.Capital One Arena, set for a $515+ million modernization, is a "large,...
"The Wolves of K Street" and Washington's lobbying dynasties
"The Wolves of K Street," out Tuesday, is a complete history of the unstoppable rise of Washington lobbying — in spite of scandal and the Donald Trump era.Why it matters: The book by reporter-brothers Brody and Luke Mullins charts Democratic and Republican lobbying dynasties from the 1970s to the present day.They write of the late Tommy Boggs, a pioneer of Democratic lobbying whose last name makes up the law firm Squire Patton Boggs.In the 1980s, Charlie Black, Paul Manafort, Roger Stone, and Lee Atwater built "Washington's GOP house of lobbying," they write, per a review of the book in The...
Foxtrot Dupont Circle cleared of thousands of pounds of food for donation
After Foxtrot Market abruptly closed, perishable food is still sitting on D.C. store shelves with no explanation as to why or how long the inventory will remain. But at one location, it's going to feed those in need.Why it matters: Food Rescue US-DC is clearing out Foxtrot's Dupont Circle location with the help of the building's owner, and will deliver an estimated 3,000-4,000 pounds of food to pantries and feeding organizations.The nonprofit, which has "rescued" millions of pounds of food from local businesses to give to social service agencies, hopes to follow suit at other locations.Catch up quick: Chicago-based Foxtrot...
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Axios DC, anchored by Chelsea Cirruzzo, Cuneyt Dil and Paige Hopkins, is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.
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