The Ward 5 Wave

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker sits down for a conversation on DC's education landscape with Scott Goldstein, Founder and Executive Director of EmpowerED and Author of "Human-Centered Schools," Robert Henderson, current Ward 5 State Board of Education Representative, and Dr. Lynn Jennings, newly elected Ward 5 State Board of Education Representative. Communications Director Melissa Littlepage shares the latest highlights from the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news and susbcribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage sit down for two engaging conversations with Ward 5 neighbors. Rayceen Pendarvis shares the history and origins of Black Pride in the District and reflects on the 39th Annual 17th St High Heel Race and 20th Anniversary of the Mayor's Office of LGBTQ Affairs. Rania Hassan joins to share insights into her vision and process in creating "Curve," a new sculpture in Ward 5 at the intersection of Florida Ave and New York Ave NE in honor of Mamie "Peanut" Johnson. Melissa also gives the latest highlights from the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward.5us/news, subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage catch up on the highlights from Ward 5 Day, and share clips of dozens of neighbors who said hello at the Ward 5 Day pop-up podcast studio. Councilmember Parker also reflects on recent legislative action on the Council—including passage of the FILTER Act—and an important hearing in the Committee on Youth Affairs for the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services. Finally, he shares important public safety updates following incidents impacting Ward 5. Melissa runs down the latest highlights in the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage reflect on 9/11, 25 years after the terrorist attacks changed our country forever. They also highlight all of the fun events taking place September 13-19 for Ward 5 Week and Ward 5 Day. Councilmember Parker highlights an important markup as the Council returns for recess, ringing the alarm bells as a committee threatens to approve development rights for a developer who is actively being sued by the District and has a history of failed properties. Melissa also shares the latest highlights from the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker chats on-site with tenants and tenant organizers about his Ward 5 Housing Conditions Tour, including visits to the Hecht Warehouse, The Gale - Eckington, and 1400 Florida Ave NE (the focus of this episode). The Councilmember's Director of Constituent Services, Oliver Stoute, shares about the office's work in escalating tenant concerns and coordinating with District agencies. Communications Director Melissa Littlepage shares the highlights from the latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker sits down with the recently-sworn-in At-Large Councilmember Elissa Silverman, a familiar face (and voice) in the Wilson Building. They talk about effective oversight, CM Silverman's plans for the fall legislative session, and—of course—pizza. Ward 5 Council Office summer intern Autumn Peterson also joins to talk about her experience as a summer intern and offer encouraging words to high school and college students. Communications Director Melissa Littlepage shares the latest highlights from the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage catch up on Council Recess, a new congressional attempt to undermine DC Home Rule (supported by DoorDash), updates on rat abatement in Ward 5, budget wins for Ward 5 bus routes, and a save-the-date for Ward 5 Day (September 19, 2026). Melissa also shares highlights from the latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage catch up on budget markups, concerns with remaining gaps in the FY27 budget proposal, and look ahead to the June 9 vote on the budget. Conversations center around juvenile justice, Credible Messengers program, funding for housing vouchers, childcare, and SNAP benefits, securing retail grants for 12th St NE and Rhode Island Ave NE, adding funds for the Langdon Park Recreation Center modernization project, rerouting of Metrobus routes, and more. They also wish neighbors a Happy Pride Month and reflect on recent events including Councilmember Parker's 4th Annual Black Pride Celebration and the May 30 Healthy Communities Spring Cleaning. Melissa shares the latest updates from the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage welcome At-Large Councilmember Robert White, Jr. to the show to talk about housing concerns in the Mayor's proposed FY27 budget, reflections on last week's youth rountable on "teen takeovers," and CM White's legislation on behalf of residents impacted by the Talbert Street homes saga. Melissa shares the latest highlights from the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage catch up on the coversations buzzing in the Wilson building about "teen takeovers" and juvenile curfews, with proposals on how to respond and the announcement of Councilmember Parker's youth-centered roundtable on April 30. They also talk about the SOUL Act and its impact on youth within DC's foster care system. Finally, they reflect on recent budget hearings and the draft Future Land Use Map put out by the Office of Planning. Melissa gives highlights from the latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.