Good morning. The Rev. Jesse Jackson died Tuesday. He was 84. Obituaries: Washington Post; New York Times.
Foggy in places this morning, then partly sunny with a high around 56. A low around 42 overnight. 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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I can’t stop listening to:
Say She She, “Astral Plane.” Let’s start this week elsewhere—like, say, in another dimension! Say She She play the Atlantis tonight with Katzù Oso.
Take Washingtonian Today with you! I made a playlist on Spotify and on Apple Music of last year’s music recommendations. I’ll make one soon for 2026.
Tell *us* where to go: Typically, we’re the ones giving readers travel recommendations. But this year, we’re asking you to share your opinions, too. Nominate your favorite place to stay in our travel survey. Your picks could end up in the May issue.
Here’s some administration news you might have blocked out:
Shutshow, Part III: The Department of Homeland Security shut down Saturday. ICE and US Customs and Border Protection operations won’t be affected, but most of the agency’s workers will have to once again show up without getting paid. (AP) Air traffic controllers won’t work without pay during this one. (NYT) Congress doesn’t return until February 23. The State of the Union address will take place on February 24. (Politico) The Coast Guard, FEMA, and TSA are all affected by the shutdown. (Government Executive)
Epstein, Epstein, Epstein: The government’s release of files regarding the deceased, disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein continues to reverberate. New Mexico’s legislature ordered an investigation into Zorro Ranch, where Epstein often entertained wealthy and powerful people. (Reuters) The family of Donald Huffines, a Republican running for comptroller in Texas, now owns the ranch. (Guardian) Thomas Pritzker resigned as the executive chairman of Hyatt, saying he “exercised terrible judgment” by remaining in touch with Epstein and his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell. (WSJ) Columbia University took punitive actions against two people who helped Epstein’s girlfriend Karyna Shuliak get into dental school there after her application was rejected. (NYT) The Hollywood mogul Casey Wasserman will sell his talent agency amid the fallout. (WSJ) Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called on Wasserman to step down from the committee organizing the 2028 summer Olympic games there. (NBC Los Angeles) “Longevity influencer” Peter Attia has left several positions after appearing in the files. (Axios) He’s still a contributor at CBS News. (TNR)
Administration perambulation: The National Park Service must reinstall exhibits about slavery at Independence National Historical Park, a federal judge ruled yesterday. The exhibits had been removed to comply with an executive order by President Trump. (Washington Post) A Democratic-led push in the House to limit Trump’s pardon power just got a Republican cosponsor. (Axios) Trump, who has slapped his name on buildings around DC since his return to power, claimed he wasn’t behind the (apparently failed?) idea to rename Penn Station and Dulles for him. (NBC News) He threatened the kidnappers of Nancy Guthrie with the death penalty. (New York Post) Trump associate Steve Bannon is in hot water over some crypto something-or-other. (Bulwark) Anderson Cooper will leave “60 Minutes.” He reportedly “had grown increasingly uneasy with the rightward direction” of CBS News. (Status) Former President Obama said that aliens are “real, but I haven’t seen them.” (Washington Post)
Recently on Washingtonian dot com:
• The surprising turmoil inside DC’s first cat cafe, which led to it closing.
• Bar Japonais has reopened as Katsumi, a vibe-y Japanese restaurant.
• I spoke with Center for Democracy & Technology CEO Alexandra Reeve Givens about regulating AI—and whether the children of superheroes hang out together.
• How Concierge Auctions finally sold Dan Snyder‘s Potomac mansion.
• Tips for buying the perfect engagement ring.
• Photos from our Top Doctors reception.
Local news links:
• Trump claimed Maryland Governor Wes Moore was at fault for the chronic sewage spill into the Potomac and said he would deploy FEMA—which eagle-eyed readers will note has had to curtail operations during the partial shutdown—to help end it. The spill is not Maryland’s responsibility; DC Water and the feds are in charge of this one. (AP) DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said the spill endangers the region’s water supply. It does not. (Kristi Noem/X)
• Republicans are angry that Abigail Spanberger is governing as a Democrat. (NYT)
• A federal judge approved a class action suit by parents who want changes to DC’s school bus system. (WTOP)
• A bus driver in Prince George’s county won $50K from a scratcher. (DC News Now)
• David Crawford, the former police chief of Laurel, got 55 years for arsons he committed against his perceived enemies—including his stepson—over a span of almost a decade. (NBC4 Washington)
• An appliance exploded in Arlington on Sunday. No one was injured. (DC News Now)
• Robert Duvall died Saturday at his home in Virginia. He was 95. (Washington Post) Regulars at the Old Salem Cafe in Marshall remember the Hollywood legend as approachable and generous. (WTOP)
• Tre’ Johnson, a history teacher at Landon and former Commanders lineman, died Sunday. He was 54. (AP)
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.
