Good morning. Gusty winds will make today’s high of around 36 feel much colder. The strong breezes persist overnight, with snow flurries possible and a low near 26. You can find me on Bluesky, I’m @abeaujon.87 on Signal, and there’s a link to my email address below.
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Here’s some administration news you might have blocked out:
Dark stages: More artists have canceled performances at the Kennedy Center because President Trump renamed the complex for himself: the Cookers, a jazz supergroup, won’t perform two scheduled shows on New Year’s Eve, and the group Doug Varone and Dancers canceled performances scheduled for April. (Washington Post) Continuing the center’s apparent communications strategy of speaking past the arts world, Kennedy Center honcho Richard Grenell blasted the artists, calling them “far-left political activists.” (NYT) Kristy Lee also canceled a show scheduled for next month. (NBC News)
Administration perambulation: The CIA hit a dock in Venezuela. (CNN) The US killed two more people in the Pacific Ocean. (NYT) The administration secured a work visa for Lauren Chen, a Canadian right-wing operative whose Tenet Media operation was secretly funded by Russia. (The Bulwark) Trump publicly mulled suing Fed Chair Jerome Powell, though it “wasn’t clear what specific claims Trump was referring to Monday, or how or when a suit could be brought.” (Washington Post) Attorney General Pam Bondi “said U.S. attorneys and federal agents were investigating Obama-Biden era officials at her direction in an ongoing election-meddling conspiracy.” (Democracy Docket) A federal judge in California ruled that the administration may share some Medicaid data with ICE. (Politico) A judge in Utah ordered the release of a transcript in proceedings against Tyler Robinson, who is accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk. (AP) Services at the Social Security Administration “have become worse by many key measures” under Trump. (Washington Post) A look at how RFK Jr. has reshaped public health since Trump took office. (Washington Post) Democrats plan to bring up the subject of the deadly riot Trump supporters held at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, next week. (NYT) A profile of outgoing US Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who talks about her break with Trump and MAGA. (NYT)
New Year’s Eve for earlybirds, by Daniella Byck:
I have a confession: I have zero intention of staying up until midnight on New Year’s Eve. Beyond jet lag, I’m simply tired, and 2026 will still be there when I wake up in the morning. But kids who can’t stay up don’t need to wait until the early hours of January 1 to celebrate the new year. Plenty of places around town will host early celebrations on December 31 with ball drops, fireworks, and more. Noon Yards Eve at Navy Yard has a ball drop and bounce houses, all wrapped up by 1 PM. In Brentwood, pickleball and roller skating spot Kraken will drop balloons at noon, and Metrobar will host an afternoon event with games for kids and hot cocktails for adults. If little ones (or tired adults) aren’t going to make it until midnight for fireworks, First Night Alexandria is an annual event with pyrotechnics over the Potomac River at 7:30 PM, and then again at midnight. Early fireworks are also being launched at Merriweather Symphony of Lights in Columbia, illuminating the sky at 7 PM.
Recently on Washingtonian dot com:
• From the wings at Upstate FTW to the acorn squash at Lutèce, these are Ann Limpert, Jessica Sidman, and Ike Allen‘s favorite dishes of the year.
• The theme of this nautical wedding was “coastal whimsy.”
Local news links:
• The Department of Homeland Security says it needs to demolish buildings on the St. Elizabeths campus, citing an “emergency” that preservationists say exists only as a “unilateral declaration.” (Washington Post)
• Ramanullah Lakanwal made his first court appearance yesterday. He’s accused of killing one National Guard soldier and wounding another just before Thanksgiving. (NBC4 Washington)
• A special prosecutor in Loudoun County detailed allegations against Purcellville’s vice-mayor, Ben Nett, in a civil case. (NBC4 Washington)
• Records show VCU athletics director Ed McLaughlin was arrested “for drunken driving over the summer after he crashed his Cadillac into a ditch near Gainesville.” (InsideNoVa)
• Time has vanished at the US Naval Observatory. (PoPville)
• Fairfax County’s meals tax will begin January 1. (WUSA9)
• Four Northern Virginia booksellers got bonus checks from James Patterson. (Northern Virginia Magazine)
• Capitol Hemp has closed. (PoPville)
Tuesday’s event picks:
• “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” opens at the National Theatre.
• Jazz legend Monty Alexander plays the first of two nights at Blues Alley.
See more picks from Briana Thomas, who writes our Things to Do newsletter.
Andrew Beaujon joined Washingtonian in late 2014. He was previously with the Poynter Institute, TBD.com, and Washington City Paper. He lives in Del Ray.
