Fairfax voters this week overwhelmingly elected Democrat James Walkinshaw to succeed the late Gerry Connolly in Congress in Virginia's 11th district. Walkinshaw, who was sworn in on Wednesday, takes over for his mentor during a particularly tumultuous time for Northern Virginia. Congressman Walkinshaw joined the show to discuss the 51,000 civilian federal workers who live in the district, a potential regional recession, and the possibility of a federal shutdown. Plus, we asked him to weigh in on Virginia's upcoming statewide elections.

The House Oversight Committee advanced a series of bills this week that threaten to further undermine D.C.'s autonomy, including legislation replacing the locally elected D.C. attorney general with a presidential appointee, allowing youth 14 years or older to be tried for certain offenses, and ending cashless bail in the District. Introduced amendments also called for revoking the city's ban on right turns on red and prohibiting automatic traffic enforcement cameras. Also, this week, the federal takeover of D.C. police expired. Ward 6 D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen took the mic to discuss what comes next and why he believes the legislation would make the District less safe. We'll also asked about the upcoming second RFK stadium vote.

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With students across the region returning to class, local school superintendents discussed student safety, cell phone policies, and concerns over immigration enforcement.

In Prince George's County, schools continue to deal with the fallout from the federal government freezing and then unfreezing millions of dollars in education funds. While funds are expected to be dispersed by next month, more federal cuts could be on the horizon. Interim Prince George's County Public Schools Superintendent Shawn Joseph joined the show to discuss the potential implications for Prince George's County schools. Plus, we discussed bus driver shortages, cell phone policies, test scores, and how schools are preparing for a possible increase in federal immigration enforcement.

Joseph said the county experienced a decline in school attendance last year, and officials believe it’s at least in part due to concerns about immigration enforcement.

"43% percent of our students were out of school eighteen days or more, and it's significant within our immigrant population, and we think it's because of the fear of ICE and things happening," he said.

Joseph said they are monitoring school attendance and want to send the message to the county’s immigrant population that school remains a safe place.

Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia's largest school district, is also dealing with concerns over immigration enforcement. Superintendent Michelle Reid got behind the mic to talk about how Fairfax County schools are supporting students, families, and staff. Plus, FCPS is suing the U.S. Education Department in an effort to prevent the agency from freezing federal funding due to the district's gender policies.

Superintendent Reid said the school system's current policy of allowing students to use bathrooms that match their gender identity is both legal and in the best interest of students.

"We felt and still feel strongly that our policy is in accordance both with Virginia and federal law. And it still is aligned with the Title IX principles currently on the books," she said.

Reid said the millions the federal government is threatening to withhold go in part to fund free and reduced-price lunches.

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The federal takeover of D.C. police is now in its third week, and we were joined on this week’s show by guests with different perspectives on the federal law enforcement surge in the District.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore joined the show to weigh in. He has called the federal police takeover “disrespectful” and unconstitutional. Additionally, the Governor discussed his recent public spat with President Trump, with the White House hinting at the possibility of sending National Guard troops to Baltimore and potentially clawing back federal funding for rebuilding the Key Bridge.

D.C. Police Union Chairman Gregg Pemberton joined the show to explain why he welcomes the federal law enforcement surge in the District, which he says has helped the MPD bring down crime and improve morale among local police. Plus, Pemberton discussed why he believes the D.C. Council should go further and repeal a 2022 police reform act, which limited certain uses of police force and increased police transparency. Congress voted to block certain aspects of the bill.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said this week she appreciates the additional federal resources, and she shared numbers showing violent crime, and specifically carjackings, have decreased significantly in the city since the surge began.

However, several D.C. Councilmembers have come out strongly against the federal law enforcement surge. Ward 4 D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George got behind the mic to weigh in on the federal takeover of local police and what she’s heard from residents.

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