This year's Virginia primary elections were competitive and, at times, contentious. Voters made history with a number of their choices, including nominating a Democratic candidate who is likely to be the first Black woman to be Alexandria's mayor. We looked back and ahead to the general election with WAMU's Northern Virginia reporter Margaret Barthel.

One of the most closely watched races was the Democratic primary in Virginia's 10th congressional district. The projected winner, state Sen. Suhas Subramanyam, joined us. We discussed why he thinks district residents chose him and his plans for the general election in the fall.

Rent control is once again on top of residents' minds in Prince George's County. The county council is debating legislation to permanently cap rent hikes to three percent, plus inflation. However, some councilmembers think the bill doesn't go far enough. Prince George's County Council Chair Jolene Ivey joined the show to weigh in. Plus, she gave her take on long-time councilmember Mel Franklin being charged with embezzlement.

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After more than a month of early voting, the Virginia primary elections are finally here. The Washington Post’s Teo Armus broke down the biggest Northern Virginia races for us, including for Congress, Arlington County Board, and Alexandria City Mayor.

Last month, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb introduced legislation aimed at revamping how D.C.’s Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services works. The Attorney General joined the show to discuss the bill, plus why D.C. is part of a lawsuit against Ticketmaster and how the Office of the Attorney is helping to enforce the STEER Act.

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D.C. residents went to the polls this week, and the city's most contested race proved to be close with only a few hundred votes separating the top three candidates. On Thursday night, the Associated Press finally called the Ward 7 race for ANC Commissioner Wendell Felder. D.C Board of Elections Executive Director Monica Evans took us behind the scenes of how the votes were tallied and counted. Plus, she explained the concern for safety at the polls as angry callers besiege D.C. elections for following a new law that allows non-citizens to vote.

Then, Washington Post reporter Michael Brice-Saddler explained why status quo prevailed in the D.C. primary elections with the all of the incumbents emerging victorious.

Earlier this week, Montgomery County school officials announced they will have to lay off teachers and other school staff if they are to close a $30 million deficit. Councilmember and Chair of the Education Committee Will Jawando got behind the mic to give his thoughts. Plus, how is the county preparing for future incidents of extreme weather?

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Last week, in tight financial circumstances, the Prince George’s County Council approved its $5.6 billion budget, with an emphasis on public safety. Councilmember and chair of the public safety committee Wanika Fisher joins the show to walk us through the budget and explain why she is advocating hiring more law enforcement. Also, what the council can do to get more kids attending school?

The D.C. Council gave its initial approval on Wednesday to a $21 billion budget calling for tax hikes that will help avoid some big cuts proposed by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. Chairman Phil Mendelson breaks down the tax increases, who they might impact, and his response to Bowser’s “significant concerns” about the proposed hikes. Plus, Mendelson discusses why the city looks to be finally deciding to end its sports betting monopoly and allow private sportsbooks to operate in the District as soon as this summer.

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D.C.'s primary day is coming up fast and there are a number of notable races. In Ward 8, two challengers are attempting to unseat incumbent Trayon White. Washington Informer reporter Sam P.K. Collins joined the show to break down the race, and gave us the latest on the Ward 7 and Ward 4 contests.

After last week's primaries in Maryland, voters are turning their attention to November's general election. Neil Parrott - Republican nominee in Maryland's 6th Congressional District race - weighed in on his own primary win and what it will take to defeat the Democratic nominee April McClain Delaney later this year.

The fight over data centers in Loudoun County is intensifying with Google's announcement last month it was investing a billion dollars into Northern Virginia infrastructure. Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Juli Briskman got behind the mic to give her thoughts on the data center deal. Plus, Loudoun County schools pulls back on a delayed school start plan.

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It was a big win for Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate in Maryland. She beat out three-term congressman David Trone, despite being significantly outspent. Now, she moves on to the general election, where she will take on the popular former Maryland governor, Republican Larry Hogan, in a race that’s already garnering national attention. Alsobrooks joins the show to discuss how she defied the odds, what she heard from voters on the campaign trail, and how she’s preparing for November’s face-off against Hogan.

There were other important primary races in Maryland as well. Maryland Matters reporter Will Ford gets behind the mic to break down the results in several Congressional District elections, plus more insight into what propelled Alsobrooks to a win.

Congress is once again intervening in D.C. affairs. On Wednesday, the U.S. House voted to restrict the D.C. Council from passing any legislation changing sentencing laws in the District. While the bill still needs to pass the Senate and the president has expressed opposition, it has city officials deeply concerned. Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen discusses why he thinks the legislation is a bad idea. Plus, could bike lanes be back in the plans for Connecticut Avenue?

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With the primary now only days away, polls show a very tight race for Maryland’s Senate seat. The election is capturing national attention as record spending continues to define the campaign for the Democratic nomination. Josh Kurtz of Maryland Matters told us why the stakes are high, how it’s become so close, and what we might see happen on Tuesday.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and state lawmakers reportedly agreed on a deal for a new state budget. It’s been a long road to this point, but deal was reached that won’t include any tax increases. Delegate Mark Sickles was involved in these talks and joined us on the show to break down the deal for us.

Early Wednesday morning, D.C. police cleared an encampment of protesters on George Washington University’s campus. This came just before a U.S. House Oversight Committee hearing into the city’s refusal to clear the encampment earlier. With protests continuing, D.C. Councilmember Robert White got behind the mic to give his take.

Plus, D.C. reaches agrees on a settlement with two women who accused former mayoral aide John Falcicchio of sexual harassment.

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Last month, the D.C. Council voted to spend $515 million to help Monumental Sports renovate Capital One Arena. Now, negotiations are underway with owner Ted Leonsis on an agreement aimed at addressing public safety and development around the arena. Leonsis joins Kojo and Tom to discuss the deal and his vision for the future of the arena and the surrounding neighborhood.

It's gotten tense in the Maryland's 6th congressional district as frontrunners air attack ads against one another. MoCo360 politics reporter Ginny Bixby updates us on the race, why reproductive rights remain a top issue, and gives us a preview of the general election.

The Prince George's County Council approved a resolution on Tuesday expanding the youth curfew countywide. This comes as the council debates permanent legislation that would allow commercial districts, like National Harbor, to request police to put a curfew in place preventing unaccompanied minors from staying out past 5 p.m. It would also fine parents who allow their kids to violate curfew. The bill's sponsor, Prince George's County Councilmember Edward Burroughs, gets behind the mic to explain the legislation, why it's needed, and what comes next.

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