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Martin Austermuhle

@maustermuhle.bsky.social
9.8K followers 306 following 3.8K posts

D.C. reporter, @washingtonsun.bsky.social. Former: @51st.news, WAMU, and DCist.

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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 16h
Somewhat interesting claim from a supporter of Ward 8 Council member Trayon White that the $35,000 he accepted was merely a gift and that people don't have the right to ask about it. D.C. ethics law is pretty clear on gifts, especially from people who have city contracts.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 18h
Good and not-good economic news for D.C. today from the city's CFO. Good: The September revenue estimate says the city will close out the 2026 fiscal year with $205 million more revenue than expected. Not good: Revenue projections for next four years are down.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 20h
If you need a brief and happy reprieve from normal life (or at least the harder side of it), come sit in the Marriage Bureau at D.C. Superior Court for a few minutes. Plenty of happiness, despite the bureaucracy. (And sometimes because of it; the workers here are very pleasant!)
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 23h
Ward 8 Council member Trayon White's mistrial on federal bribery charges may have provided some relief for him, but it'll be short-lived. White could be retried, but even if he's not, he faces an array of investigations in ethics and campaign spending: www.washingtonsun.com/metro/trayon...
washingtonsun.com
Trayon White’s First Trial Is Over. The Political Saga Is Not.
It remains unclear whether White will be retried, whether his fellow council members will vote to expel him and how he’ll contend with an array of investigations, lawsuits and personal debts.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
NEWS: @robertwhitedc.bsky.social has a new package of D.C. housing-related bills he says are "designed to lower costs, speed project delivery, and make our limited housing dollars go further." Details in next few posts.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Interesting: A new report from the D.C. Office of Police Complaints recommends better guidance for officers on how and when to stop and cite drivers for having window tint that's too dark. In short: It's complicated, and tint has to be properly measured. policecomplaints.dc.gov/sites/defaul...
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Interesting: Per the D.C. Sentencing Commission, there were more than 6,500 felony arrests in D.C. in 2025, 13% more than the year before and the highest number since DCSC began reporting on arrest trends in 2018. Also: 79% of felony arrests prosecuted, higher than years before.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
On social media Ward 8 Council member Trayon White says the jury split in his federal bribery trial was 9-3 not guilty. His attorney confirms this to my @washingtonsun.bsky.social colleague Jenny Gathright.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
More trash AI maps of D.C.: This one has Arlington National Cemetery where the Palisades is; totally made up neighborhoods like Bag Park, North Glen, Farth Park, and Uven; and the Vietnam Vets Memorial on Roosevelt Island. WHY ARE THESE SO TERRIBLE?
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
One of my favorite parts of Montreal construction is the use of outdoor staircases to get up to the second floor of many smaller residential buildings.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
NEWS: A federal judge has declared a mistrial in the federal bribery trial of Ward 8 Council member Trayon White. What happens next is the big question: www.washingtonsun.com/metro/trayon...
washingtonsun.com
Judge Declares a Mistrial in Trayon White’s Bribery Case
The mistrial means that White, who would have been ineligible for public office in D.C. if convicted, can remain on the D.C. Council — at least for now.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Road construction is so perpetual in Montreal that the traffic drum has apparently become a pop culture symbol for the city. Love it.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
His name is Pepper, if you’re wondering.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
I am not a fan of Brutalism, but this residential building in Montreal is absolutely something to behold.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Hello-Bonjour from Montreal, such a damn cool city. Today: Explore by bike. This weekend: Watching the World Cycling Championship! (Fun fact: Three D.C.-area women raced in the junior field yesterday for the U.S.!)
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
As D.C. debates whether to legalize self-driving cars like Waymo, people ask: Do the cars get into crashes? My colleague @zaraleinorman.bsky.social wanted to find out, but learned that D.C. refuses to release crash reports: www.washingtonsun.com/metro/waymo-...
washingtonsun.com
Waymo Touts Its Crash Safety Data, But D.C. Won’t Release the Numbers
Autonomous vehicle companies — which could be permitted to operate in the District this fall — enjoy a blanket exemption from public records law.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
A federal judge in D.C. reportedly got 64 unsolicited pizza deliveries to their home. What could seem like a prank is an unsettling threat to judges, and the D.C. Council is considering a bill to keep more of their personal information private: www.washingtonsun.com/metro/dc-jud...
washingtonsun.com
Security Concerns Spur D.C. to Consider Privacy Protections for Judges
One federal judge is said to have received dozens of unsolicited pizza deliveries.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
NEWS: There's a notice from prosecutors in Ward 8 Council member Trayon White's federal bribery trial that law enforcement observed "improper juror contact" today. Someone in the public said within earshot of an alternate juror: "You broke our hearts. You were our hung jury."
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Tomorrow 12 jurors are expected to start deliberating the fate of Ward 8 Council member Trayon White in a federal bribery trial that lasted roughly eight days. My colleague Jenny Gathright sets the stage for the big decision to come: www.washingtonsun.com/metro/jurors...
washingtonsun.com
Jurors Are Set to Decide Trayon White's Fate
Prosecutors say the video evidence of White exchanging cash is “indisputable,” while the Ward 8 council member’s defense says he didn’t engage in a crime.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Ward 3 Council member Matt Frumin is formally pitching a NYC-style pied-à-terre tax for D.C. It would apply only to homes assessed at more than $2.558 million where the owner doesn’t live full time. Roughly 600 properties could be hit; $130 million in revenue over four years.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
NEWS: The D.C. Council gave initial approval to a bill adding new restrictions and slower timelines for ballot initiatives, largely by limiting them to a single subject (contra I-83, which had two issues). CM Silverman and @cmzparker5.bsky.social voted no, @cmlewisgeorgew4.bsky.social present.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
It looks like Ward 8 Council member Trayon White has joined the D.C. Council’s ongoing breakfast meeting… from federal court, where closing arguments in his bribery trial are expected later today. He’s the top left square on the Zoom option.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
In @washingtonsun.bsky.social's local newsletter I reported on D.C. Council bill that would add new restrictions and process on getting an initiative on the ballot. Proponents say it's to give the public more time to weigh in, critics say it's an effort to strange direct democracy.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Medicaid cards sent to potentially thousands of D.C. residents included a website address that redirected to some type of porn site. City officials tell us a URL domain wasn’t properly updated: www.washingtonsun.com/metro/dc-med...
washingtonsun.com
She Received a New D.C. Medical ID. It Sent Her to an Adult Website.
The Department of Health Care Finance says an old web address is still printed on some materials.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
In a new motion for acquittal that Ward 8 Council member Trayon White's defense team filed ahead of a hearing this afternoon, his attorneys say prosecutors say that even if he accepted $35,000 in cash he didn't intend to do anything official in exchange. Thus, no bribery.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Since we're all talking about schools, tomorrow the D.C. Council will vote on a ceremonial resolution recognizing 30 years of charter schools in D.C. Recall that charters came to be because of a partnership of congressional Republicans and D.C. advocates concerned about DCPS.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
It may happen: The years-long fight over rebuilding the Chevy Chase Library and Rec Center and putting housing on top is now with the D.C. Council. @mayorbowser.dc.gov has formally transferred her public-private development proposal with 177 units of housing, 90 of them affordable.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
I recently asked a government agency for information on a specific topic. A spokesman sent me a quote saying they had no information to offer, and said that quote about not having any information to offer was on background, so I couldn't directly attribute it to them. Huh?
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Interesting: A new study from the Institute for Justice shows that D.C. doesn't do a particularly great job compensating people whose property is damaged by police. The full report is here: ij.org/wp-content/u...
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
An important element of this story is the information vacuum. Since it's the feds taking the lead, it's very hard to know what's going on. When I initially asked DCPS whether they knew of anything going on, they said they didn't. That vacuum can quickly breed panic.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Interesting: In a response to questions from Ward 2 CM Brooke Pinto about MPD's use of Flock license plate readers, D.C. Police Chief Jeffery Carroll says a planned audit of who has requested data will be finished later this year and so far two potential cases of misuse have been found.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Interesting: In a new (legacy-building) letter to the D.C. Council, @mayorbowser.dc.gov says she's going to introduce bills to finalize some longstanding development projects in the city, including the Chevy Chase Civic Core, Poplar Point, Fletcher-Johnson, Georgetown Boathouse, etc.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Federal agents and the National Guard – assisted by a U.S. Park Police helicopter – flooded into Park View this morning, scaring parents of kids at Bruce-Monroe Elementary School. Federal officials say it's to help fight crime; critics say it's overkill: www.washingtonsun.com/metro/dc-fed...
washingtonsun.com
Neighbors Upset Over Federal Agents’ Presence at D.C. School
Agents and National Guard troops handed out fliers outside a Northwest elementary school, as a helicopter hovered overhead.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
INTERESTING: A new filing from Trayon White's attorneys is raising attention to the timing of his arrest by the FBI in August 2024. They say the timing gets to the "haste, competence, motivations, and results of the Government’s investigation and charging of Mr. White."
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
"It's all single women and dogs," said Ward 8 Council member Trayon White about Navy Yard, caught on a secret video recorded by the D.C. businessman-turned-informant who alleged bribed him.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Remember Empower, the controversial ride-hailing service that was driven out of D.C. because regulators and courts deemed it illegal? @brianneknadeau.bsky.social's D.C. Council committee is out with a new report on summarizing how it says Empower ignored city law on ride-hailing services.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Interesting: A bill to ramp up parking enforcement in D.C. should be getting its first vote in the D.C. Council next week. It would allow BIDs/event organizers to pay DPW parking enforcement officers to work during off-hours; this is like the reimbursable detail model MPD has.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Here's the story on what happened outside the Wilson Building yesterday when former D.C. attorney general Karl Racine crashed a press conference put on by tenants of a building whose owner is his client — and is being sued by the current attorney general. www.washingtonsun.com/metro/karl-r...
washingtonsun.com
Former D.C. Attorney General Crashes Protest to Defend Landlord
Karl Racine represents a developer being sued by D.C.’s current attorney general over poor housing conditions.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Interesting (and potentially useful): D.C. DPW has a new online map that allows anyone to check the status of a trash or recycling pickup. dpw.dc.gov/collection-s...
dpw.dc.gov
Trash and Recycling Collection Status Map
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Reposted by Martin Austermuhle
Zara Norman @zaraleinorman.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
A former D.C. Attorney General crashed a tenant protest to defend a landlord being sued by his successor — stunning council members & members of the public alike. Wild read from @maustermuhle.bsky.social in @washsunmetro.bsky.social: www.washingtonsun.com/metro/karl-r...
washingtonsun.com
Former D.C. Attorney General Crashes Protest to Defend Landlord
Karl Racine represents a developer being sued by D.C.’s current attorney general over poor housing conditions.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
SUMMER'S OVER. (For the D.C. Council, that is.) The city's lawmakers return to session today, and they've got a packed agenda. Since it's the end of the two-year legislative cycle – and four members are departing – there's going to be a rush to get things done.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
I've been curious about the balancing act that professional female athletes have to deal with when they become moms, and @emmabaccellieri.bsky.social does a great job explaining how four Washington Spirit players have managed it — with help from their teammates: www.washingtonsun.com/sports/spiri...
washingtonsun.com
The Spirit’s New Moms Navigate the Season with Babies in Tow
A league policy allows players to have their babies — and their spouses — travel with the team.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
It was an eventful day in federal court, where Ward 8 Council member Trayon White faced his first day of a federal bribery trial. Today was all about competing arguments: Brazen bribery, or government setup? In @washingtonsun.bsky.social: www.washingtonsun.com/metro/trayon...
washingtonsun.com
Trayon White Trial Hinges on One Question: Bribery or Setup?
White is the first sitting D.C. elected official to go to trial for an alleged crime since his self-professed political mentor, Marion Barry.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
In an unexpected scene, today former D.C. attorney general Karl Racine spoke at a protest held by tenants of buildings owned by his client, developer Buwa Binitie, who has been sued by the current attorney general over bad housing conditions. Litigation is ongoing.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Opening statements just wrapped up, and they give very strong indications about how both sides will argue their cases. Prosecutors are leaning on the video footage they have of White taking cash, the defense argues White was set up by a corrupt businessman trying to save himself.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Today is the day two years in the making: Ward 8 Council member Trayon White goes on trial on federal bribery charges. A conviction could mean prison and immediate expulsion from the D.C. Council. Here's what you need to know: www.washingtonsun.com/metro/trayon...
washingtonsun.com
What to Know About D.C. Council Member Trayon White’s Bribery Trial
Including a surprising approach to White’s defense.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
D.C. and the Commanders have unveiled renderings of what two parking decks that would fit 6,000 cars would look like. One is currently planned north of the stadium between Kingman Park and what would be recreation fields, the other to the southeast amidst residential buildings.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
My cyclist grievance for the morning: If we’re going to ask for and take advantage of cycling infrastructure, can we all pledge not to RIDE AGAINST THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC IN A NARROW ONE-WAY LANE? Looking at you, Rosslyn riders. It’s dangerous for everyone, including pedestrians.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Later this week D.C. could see something it hasn't in decades: a sitting elected official on trial. The federal bribery trial of Ward 8 Council member Trayon White is upon us, so here's a primer on the charges he faces, his likely defense, and more. www.washingtonsun.com/metro/trayon...
washingtonsun.com
What to Know About D.C. Council Member Trayon White’s Bribery Trial
Including a surprising approach to White’s defense.
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Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
The Art All Night scene in Mt. Pleasant tonight is the perfect case for shutting down the street to cars for the night. Huge crowds, very cool scene, lots of crowding on sidewalks.
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