The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi

We take the Politics Hour on the road this week, broadcasting live from the Prince George's Publick Playhouse in Hyattsville, Maryland!The midterm elections are just over a week away, and Democrats are cautiously optimistic about the party's chances of flipping both the House and Senate. U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) has been traveling around the country campaigning for Democratic candidates. She joins Kojo and Tom on stage to talk about what's at stake in the midterms and the message she is sharing with voters. Plus, we ask her to share her thoughts on the proposed change to the state constitution that would change how congressional districts are drawn and what she is doing to help make life more affordable for Maryland.Prince George's lawmakers are grappling with a widening controversy over the dispensing of millions of dollars in county grants to groups run by friends of council leaders.  We ask Prince George's Council Chair Krystal Oriadha what exactly happened and what comes next. Prince George's County leaders have their sights set on a Vegas-style entertainment venue as a key economic driver. In recent months, county lawmakers have advanced legislation that would allow a mini-Sphere to be built at National Harbor.l Chair Oriadha sits down to discuss why she's putting her faith in this $1.4 billion project.Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected] us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

A federal judge this week temporarily blocked the Trump administration from cutting down any more trees at East Potomac Golf Links. This comes after the federal government had contractors hastily chop down hundreds of trees at the public course last weekend, claiming it was related to a 2019 rehabilitation plan. For months, President Trump has threatened to take over and close the District's largest public golf course to turn it into a "championship-level" course. Virginia Congressman Don Beyer has been at the forefront of the fight to protect the course and joins the show to discuss what's next. And we ask why he and other Democrats are calling for the FAA to stop using an AI air traffic control tool.D.C. students, staff, and parents remain very concerned about the presence of National Guard troops and federal agents near schools. Ward 2 D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto held a community listening session this week where residents shared their experiences. She joins Kojo and Tom to explain what she heard and what she plans to do. Plus, we get her thoughts on possible tax hikes and why D.C. police data shows one category of violent crime is on the rise.Sorting political fact from fiction, and having fun while we’re at it. Join us for our weekly review of the politics, policies, and personalities of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia at 12 p.m. on Friday.Produced by Matt BlitzSend us questions and comments for guests: [email protected] us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

In recent months, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb has used his office to improve housing conditions across the city, including filing lawsuits that force landlords to clean up trash and stop illegal activities. The city's top lawyer joins Kojo and Tom to explain why this is one of his top priorities. Plus, the Attorney General breaks down the settlement with Amazon over the company's discriminatory delivery practices in Wards 7 and 8, and how his office is working to reduce youth crime.Maryland Governor Wes Moore did not promise to serve a full second term if reelected during this week's gubernatorial debate. Moore's comments have made many political experts think he might run for President in 2028. WAMU's Maryland reporter Jenny Abamu explains what the future could hold for the governor. Plus, the Prince George's County Council unanimously advanced legislation for the proposed Sphere project at National Harbor without a union labor agreement. Jenny explains how community members are reacting and what it means for the project moving forward.Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected] us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

Virginia officials are scrutinizing the proposed $67 billion Dominion-NextEra merger, which would create the world's largest regulated electric utility company. Federal lawmakers this week warned the proposed merger could raise electricity prices for customers. Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi recently went on a listening tour to hear Virginia residents' thoughts on the proposed merger. She joins the show to share what she learned. Plus, we ask her about Governor Spanberger's plans to restrict data center development and the three constitutional amendments Virginians are voting on in this year's elections.A judge has declared a mistrial in the federal bribery case of Ward 8 D.C. Councilmember Trayon White. His legal, financial, and political future remains very uncertain. The D.C. Council could expel him again, but many councilmembers are not yet commenting publicly.  D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson will play a central role in the decision. He sits down with Kojo and Tom to discuss. We also ask the Council Chair to preview an upcoming hearing on ways to raise the city's revenue, including potential tax hikes, and why he's advocating spending hundreds of millions of dollars to renovate two of D.C.'s major sports stadiums.

Montgomery County lawmakers are talking trash. More specifically, the county council is deciding what to do about its aging trash incinerator. Council President Natali Fani-González joins the show to talk about the future of the county's trash. The county's police chief abruptly resigned last week after a county report showed he misused county funds and made false statements. We ask Council President Fani-González for her thoughts, plus we talk about Maryland Governor Wes Moore's statewide data center plan and colleague Will Jawando's return to the council after a recent heart attack.The D.C. Council returned for its first legislative hearing of the fall this week. They quickly moved to support a proposal that restricts ballot initiatives. We ask Ward 5 D.C. Councilmember Zachary Parker why he was against it. We'll also ask him his thoughts on D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser's proposed master plan for the RFK campus.And, the jury is still deliberating in the federal bribery trial of Ward 8 D.C. Councilmember Trayon White. We get the latest on the District's trial of the year.We want to hear from you!  Send your questions for Council President Natali Fani-González and Councilmember Parker to [email protected]. You can also call in at noon on Friday to 1-800-433-8850.Sorting political fact from fiction, and having fun while we’re at it. Join us for our weekly review of the politics, policies, and personalities of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia at 12 p.m. on Friday.