In this Hearing the Council interview with At-Large Councilmember Robert White, we follow up on his recent marathon hearing on COVID and facilities during Back to School season. We talk about why outdoor lunch is lagging, the gap between a work order being marked as complete and actually being completed, and what the prospects may be for an efficient rollout of youth vaccination. Plus, we discuss the personal impact of being a parent during these complex COVID times.

Council of the District of Columbia

Robert White Talks COVID, Schools, Virtual Learning, and Child Vaccination

In this Hearing the Council interview with Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau, we discuss the successes, struggles, mysteries, and disappointments of how COVID has impacted the 2021 Back-to-School season.

Brianne Nadeau Talks COVID and Back-to-School

In this Hearing the Council interview with At-Large Councilmember Robert White, we talk about serious matters (his newly-proposed affordable housing bill, the budget) and lighthearted (handling diaper blowouts, & the time a Zoom witness testified before him from an airport bathroom stall). There's something for everyone here. Please listen!

Robert White Talks Affordable Housing, and the Lighter Side of Council Service

In this latest Hearing the Council video, Vincent Gray discusses his current budget and Health Committee priorities. We discuss the planned new hospital and urgent care centers East of the River, but also the status of the United Medical Center and the financial control board to be imposed there. We also tackle childcare, including how federal stimulus funding could benefit the District's Birth-to-Three program. Finally, we talk about food deserts, and how the redeveloped Skyland shopping center could become a retail/restaurant destination in Ward 7.

Vince Gray Talks Hospitals, Birth-to-Three, Food Deserts, and Cicadas

When Councilmember Nadeau's grandfather passed away two days before our long-planned interview, she did not cancel (or allow us to). She did the opposite--she insisted we proceed, but asked at the last minute if she could talk a bit about her grandfather. In the end, we dedicated the whole interview to him, while also touching on local policy: - how the isolation of COVID quarantine has impacted our seniors - the unlikely issue, near and dear to all of us, that was the subject of the final text the Councilmember's grandfather sent her - how, in the same day, she both successfully amended the draft Comprehensive Plan rewrite, and bid a final farewell to her grandfather Needless to say, this was not the interview either of us intended to have. But you will likely find it interesting and insightful nonetheless.

Brianne Nadeau Pays Tribute to Her Late Grandfather

In our interview with Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, we talk about the family debate about how to pronounce her first name, how her grandmother got her started loving vintage clothing, and whether being a "progressive prosecutor" is a contradiction in terms. Plus, as always in our initial interview, she ranks her favorite dessert categories.

Getting to Know Janeese Lewis George

Our first interview with each Councilmember always takes a biographical, getting-to-know-you approach, so that residents have insight into who their Councilmembers are and what makes them tick. In our conversation with At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson, we hear about her growing up as an Army brat, how her time working as a Council staffer prepared her for her current role, and her take on Chuck Schumer as Senate Majority Leader. Plus, as always in our initial interview, she ranks her favorite dessert categories.

Getting to Know Christina Henderson

Check out our latest #HearingTheCouncil interview with Councilmember Elissa Silverman! We discuss at length her work assisting District residents with Unemployment Insurance since COVID began, including training and serving as a Department of Employment Services call center volunteer staffer. We talk about the intricacies of the application process and the different UI sub-funds. Plus, to lighten things up a bit, we somehow find time for a tour of my DC-themed wallhangings, and the Councilmember seeks input on her COVID hair strategy.

Elissa Silverman, Live Home Edition

We’re the District’s legislature, responsible for crafting laws. Our goal is to engage with residents in an informative and conversational way. "Hearing the Council" is our radio show on DC Radio.

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Council of the District of Columbia

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