The Needle: Hundreds Protest Sexual Assault on National Mall, Army Issues Report on Jan. 2025 Plane-Helicopter Crash, Metro Fares May Increase, and More
Posted
Gail O'Hara (via Washington CityPaper)
Lock them up: Photographer Alejandro Alvarezshared images on Bluesky of hundreds of students “converging … after a nationwide walkout from classes against sexual violence, sparked by the Cornell rape case,” at the Washington Monument last night. Local artist Robin Bell was projecting images reading “Justice for Survivors, We Are With Jane Does, We Believe Survivors, No More Cornells, Academics Not Assaults” with the National Women’s Law Center for #StopSexualViolence day. Plus five points for standing with survivors. +5 [Post, WTOP]
Reporting for duty: The U.S. Army issued a report on the Jan. 2025 collision at National Airport between a passenger jet and a Black Hawk helicopter that killed 67, and recommended steps the military should take to prevent future accidents. It was shared with families involved, but AP obtained a copy Thursday. The report suggests the air traffic controller could have prevented the crash, but outlines other factors—including communication issues, broken radio transmissions, night vision goggles, a poorly designed helicopter route—and pushes for safety reforms that would require all airplanes to be trackable by all. Plus one point for insight and reforms. +1 [AP News]
Heightened alert: The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA union, which represents 55,000 flight attendants from 20 airlines, has concerns about convicted felon and President Donald Trump’s proposed arch and its proximity to National Airport. Union president Sara Nelson says the 250-foot arch compounds multiple safety concerns that haven’t been addressed from the deadly crash. The union disapproves of his plan to turn the arch into “a top grade military complex” able to host drones and snipers and joins veterans groups, members of Congress, and citizens who are worried about safety and sight lines. Plus one point for pushback. +1 [NBC4]
Arch enemy: The Trump administration is facing a new lawsuit from Arlington County over his arch. On Thursday, the county board, which is being represented by Democracy Forward, filed a lawsuit in the Eastern District of Virginia opposing its construction and the fast-tracking of the process. The lawsuit wants to slow it down until “proper analysis and testing be done.” Plus one point for slowing it down. +1 [AP News]
Not fare: Metro fares could jump by 11 percent, according to a new proposal shared Monday: Metrorail rates could go from $2.25–$6.75 to $2.50–$7.50, and Metrobus fares could go from $2.25 to $2.50. Metro officials say it’s due to inflation and higher operating costs and wages. It’s possible all kids and teens ages 5 to 18 will ride free next year (kids under 4 already ride free), if Virginia and Maryland pitch in a bit more. The transit org is also considering changes to late-night fares, parking fees, and weekend caps. The rate changes could come as soon as July. Minus one point for higher prices. -1 [NBC4]
25 days … until the midterm elections. Plus one point for hope. +1
