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Mitch Ryals

@mitchryals.bsky.social
831 followers 323 following 181 posts

Editor of the Banner in Prince George’s County. Former managing editor of Washington City Paper.

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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
The Banner needs your help! If you or someone you know have kids in Prince George's County Public Schools who rely on the bus, consider participating in our survey: www.thebanner.com/education/k-...
thebanner.com
Is your child’s PGCPS bus on time?
The Banner is assembling a group of PGCPS families to log their students’ daily bus experiences over the next few weeks.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
'You cannot put any lipstick on this legal pig,' Adrian Gardner says of the Prince George's Council's proposed changes to a controversial budget transfer that landed them in court. www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...
thebanner.com
Prince George’s council seeks to ‘clarify’ legislation ahead of pivotal court hearings
The County Council is expected to vote to “clarify” a controversial budget transfer at the center of a lawsuit between the county government and a separate bi-county agency that oversees the region’s ...
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
The city council voted 4-1 last night to remove Nembhard from office over her violations of a hiring freeze. Story by Ashley Clarke:
thebanner.com
New Carrollton City Council votes mayor out of office
The New Carrollton City Council voted out remove Mayor Phelecia Nembhard from office. She's pledged to run again.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Turmoil in New Carrollton has resulted in the ouster of Mayor Phelecia Nembhard, but she plans to run in a special election in November. “When we live in a glass house, don’t throw stones, because if you throw a stone and it comes my way, I’m going to throw it back,” she said.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Four Marylanders, including a U.S. citizen, are suing the Trump administration over warrantless arrests of Black and brown people perceived to be in the country illegally.
thebanner.com
Trump administration sued over warrantless ICE arrests in Maryland
A new federal lawsuit challenges warrantless immigration arrests in Maryland and seeks a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration’s enforcement practices.
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Reposted by Mitch Ryals
Zuri Berry @zuriberry.com · 04/09/2026
Prince George’s County schools close Friday after storms leave many without power
thebanner.com
Prince George’s County schools close Friday after storms leave many without power
Prince George’s County Public Schools are closed Friday following overnight storms that left a large number of buildings without power.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
A former Prince George's Co sheriff's lieutenant was charged with possession of explosive material. Micah Sam was a K9 handler and resigned from the agency several months ago. Story by @codyboteler.bsky.social www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
thebanner.com
PG County sheriff’s deputy charged in connection with Annapolis homemade explosives case
A lieutenant in the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office was charged in connection with the case of an Annapolis man accused of making homemade explosive devices.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Today is my last day @wcp.bsky.social, but I’m not going far. Thanks for reading, and stay tuned in a couple weeks for news from Prince George’s County via the Banner! washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7859...
washingtoncitypaper.com
Editor’s Note: After Eight Years, Mitch Ryals Signs Off
Goodbye for now, but I’ll be around.
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Reposted by Mitch Ryals
Alan Zilberman @alanzilberman.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Great to see @taylorruckle.bsky.social get nominated for his phenomenal music reporting. Congrats, Taylor!
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Heyyooo! @wcp.bsky.social is a finalist in three categories at the Association of Alternative Newsmedia's annual awards! aan.org/aan/announci...
aan.org
Announcing the 2026 AAN Award Finalists • AAN Publishers
Finalists in the AAN Awards for 2026 (covering content in 2025) have been announced. Read all about it!
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
A nonprofit watchdog filed an ethics complaint against @janeese4dc.bsky.social over some questions about her financial disclosures. @wcp.bsky.social contributor Suzie Amanuel draws the line from the nonprofit's board member to @kenyanmcduffie.bsky.social's campaign.
washingtoncitypaper.com
A Nonprofit Accusing Janeese Lewis George of Ethics Violations Has a Board Member With Ties to Kenyan McDuffie’s Campaign
Kenyan McDuffie’s mayoral campaign paid for “research services” from a firm whose vice president sits on the nonprofit’s board.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
The untruth was so significant that Djossou’s attorneys submitted an “adverse inference jury instruction,” indicating Smith is a potentially un-credible witness—a rare sanction and a terrible look for the chief of police.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
And there’s more: Djossou’s whistleblower lawsuit lingered for nearly five years; then less that two weeks before trial, @dcpolicedept.bsky.social turned over materials that revealed that former Chief Pamela Smith lied during a sworn deposition.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
And if you can make it to the end, you'll read about the former 2D commander who the department now wants to fire for manipulating crime stats. They tried to fire her several years ago for breaking into the bedroom of her ex-boyfriend—former NBA player Delonte West.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
She spoke with me about her on-duty rendezvous with Asst. Chief Andre Wright, who was just handed a termination notice this week. The department was aware of Wright’s behavior, she says, “and they continued to promote him.”
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Retired @dcpolicedept.bsky.social Sgt. Charlotte Djossou blew the whistle on police officials juking the stats years ago. Now she’s out with a tell-all book with details about her affair with a superior officer and how women are mistreated in the department. washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7853...
washingtoncitypaper.com
Sex in the Stairwell and Threesomes in the Office: Former D.C. Police Sergeant’s Tell-All Book Reveals the Department’s Grimy Secrets
Former MPD Sgt. Charlotte Djossou talks with City Paper about her affair with Asst. Chief Andre Wright, who was served with a termination notice this week.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Several high-ranking @dcpolicedept.bsky.social officials received notices of termination today following an internal investigation into crime stats: washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7852...
washingtoncitypaper.com
Multiple High-Ranking D.C. Police Officials Were Served With Notices of Termination Following an Investigation of Crime Stats
As many as 19 officials are facing disciplinary action ranging from suspension to termination.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
Here's more info about the conference: conference.dchistory.org
conference.dchistory.org
DC History Conference
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
Today, @tpaperny.bsky.social and I will be at the DC History Conference at the MLK Library from 12 to 2 p.m. Come by and say hi and learn about her dope column about hidden and forgotten places: washingtoncitypaper.com/article/cate...
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Dammit! Deleted and reposted with the correct tag
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
At least 15 high-ranking @dcpolicedept.bsky.social officials—including captains, commanders, and assistant chiefs—are implicated in a sweeping investigation of crime statistics, two sources told me. washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7851...
washingtoncitypaper.com
At Least 15 High-Ranking D.C. Police Officials Are Implicated in a Sweeping Internal Investigation of Crime Statistics
The sustained findings against at least 15 high-ranking officials come as Republicans in Congress have renewed their focus on crime in D.C.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
A teenager in was allowed to walk free on a gun charge because a @dcpolicedept.bsky.social officer failed to show up for the detention hearing. Three days after the teen was released, he allegedly shot and killed a man in a dispute over a PlayStation 5. washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7837...
washingtoncitypaper.com
A Teenager Accused of Murder Was Released from Jail Three Days Earlier Because a D.C. Cop Didn’t Show Up For Court
An 18-year-old was allowed to walk free from a gun charge because a cop failed to show up for court.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
Two recent departures and a yearlong vacancy on the five-member board that's made of mostly mayoral appointments is to blame. As many as 40 cases are awaiting hearings. The soonest they'll be heard is June.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
The Board of Zoning Adjustment hasn't been able to establish a quorum for more than a month, bringing housing renovations and development to a screeching halt. Suzie Amanuel spoke to an elderly couple who are caught in the middle: washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7838...
washingtoncitypaper.com
The Board of Zoning Adjustment Hasn’t Had a Quorum For More Than a Month, Snarling Housing Renovation and Development
A series of recent departures and a yearlong vacancy have effectively halted crucial zoning decisions. Cases have been pushed back to June—at the earliest.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
White responded with his own statement calling for Pinto to withdraw from the race after crossing a line that “decent people should never cross.”
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
In a statement provided to @trsdc.bsky.social, Pinto calls White a hypocrite who ”repeatedly attacks me, my family, and our campaign despite admitting that he ‘has no ideology.‘“
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Brooke Pinto posted her campaign's entire 67-page opposition file on Robert White: washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7811...
washingtoncitypaper.com
A Running Tally of All the Times Robert White and Brooke Pinto Have Dunked on Each Other
Updated semi-regularly.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
A frequent scene at 1940s Club Madre: “Odessa would make her grand entrance into her club—mink from ear to ankle. ... [She] would lead an entourage—a trail of about six or seven beautiful ‘yella gals,’ mostly all for sale, followed by a train of lusty, well-heeled ‘E-lite’ gents.”
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
In the race for D.C.'s congressional delegate, Brooke Pinto has received nearly $170k from donors with histories of giving to Donald Trump and other Republicans. washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7832...
washingtoncitypaper.com
Republican Donors Line Up For Brooke Pinto
Pinto’s campaign for congressional delegate has received nearly $170,000 from donors with histories of contributing to Donald Trump and other Republicans.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Appiah's letter also states that the subject of another HSI shooting, just a month later, declined to allow the release of that body cam footage, as is permitted under DC law. The HSI agent that fired in that incident is Adrienne Gardner.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
The HSI agent who fired is Benedict Bebber, according to a letter from Dep. Mayor Lindsey Appiah. dmpsj.dc.gov/sites/defaul...
dmpsj.dc.gov
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
MPD released two angles of the incident, neither of which show the actual shooting: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRpW... www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOIw...
youtube.com
Outside Agency UOF: 10/17/25, 3900 b/o Benning Rd, NE, MPD Witness Officer 2 BWC Redacted
YouTube video by Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
@dcpoliceincidents.bsky.social has released body cam footage of the non-fatal shooting of Phillip Brown by a Homeland Security Investigations agent last October: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Asbu...
youtube.com
Outside Agency Community Briefing: Serious Use of Force, 10/17/25, 3900 b/o Benning Rd, NE
YouTube video by Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Council Chair Phil Mendelson is facing ethics complaints for using his Council office to print hundreds of pages of materials for his reelection campaign. Councilmembers attended ethics training just days before the apparent violation. washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7829...
washingtoncitypaper.com
Council Chair Phil Mendelson Draws Ethics Complaint For Using Government Office For Campaign Activity
“It was a mistake,” the chair said.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Where's @darrow-m.bsky.social this week?
washingtoncitypaper.com
Where in D.C. Is Darrow Montgomery?
Guess the location, win a prize!
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
And everyone say thank you to @sarahmarloff.bsky.social for assembling the entire package—a herculean task.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
I don't want to hear any complaints about being bored this season. @wcp.bsky.social's Spring Arts Guide is chock full of stuff to do: washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7814...
washingtoncitypaper.com
Spring Arts Guide 2026: Discover What’s All Around You
Shake off winter, leave your comfort zone, and enjoy the thrill of exploring something new in the local arts scene this season.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
The story is part of a larger pattern from Sinclair Broadcast Group (WJLA's parent company), pushing the narrative of overly protective, pro-tenant laws that protect "squatters" to the detriment of landlords, Matt Hill of the Human Right to Housing Project tells WCP contributor Suzie Amanuel.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
The settlement was filed on the same day WJLA ran its story. It contains a rather unusual provision that requires the landlord, Veronica Hegens, to contact the station and request a retraction of planned reporting.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
The woman, Gwendolyn Broadie, was living with her longterm partner, who had housing voucher that helped pay the rent. He died suddenly, leaving the woman with no where to go. She couldn't afford the rent, and after a relatively brief court dispute, she and the landlord settled.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
7 on whose side? WJLA-7 ran a story this week about a dispute between a landlord and a tenant, who the station called a "squatter" despite a judge's order affirming her tenancy.
washingtoncitypaper.com
7 On Whose Side? WJLA’s ‘Squatter’ Narrative Highlights Landlord Woes, Demeans Low-Income Tenants
A recent eviction case settlement requires the landlord to ask the outlet for a retraction of planned reporting.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
VO Sr. declined to comment on the case, but in a text, he tells me that his son has a concealed carry permit in VA that expires in 2030 and a firearms registration certificate in DC. VO is one of the several candidates looking to get on the ballot for the mayoral primary election in June.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
H/t to NBC4 reporter Mark Segraves, who initially reported the charges and VO Sr.'s representation of his son. x.com/SegravesNBC4...
x.com
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Vincent Orange Sr. was in court yesterday defending his son, VO Jr., on felony charges of illegal possession of a firearm. Police initially stopped VO Jr. because his VA vehicle tags weren't registered with the state (or any state). Police also found a sword in the trunk.
washingtoncitypaper.com
Mayoral Candidate Vincent Orange’s Son Arrested, Found With Illegal Handgun and Sword
Vincent Orange Sr. was in court on Thursday to represent his son, Vincent Orange Jr., on felony charges.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
And there appears to be some resistance to Pettigrew's arrival in the Windy City: x.com/byaliceyin/s...
x.com
Alice Yin on X: "Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office does NOT officially recognize Keith Pettigrew as the next CHA CEO yet: “The Mayor's Office is reviewing the resolution passed today by the CHA Board. There were a number of irregularities in the lead up to the vote which require further evaluation.”" / X
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office does NOT officially recognize Keith Pettigrew as the next CHA CEO yet: “The Mayor's Office is reviewing the resolution passed today by the CHA Board. There were a number of irregularities in the lead up to the vote which require further evaluation.”
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Gilliam also raised concerns about Pettigrew's hiring of "a large number of senior leadership staff at significantly inflated salaries" and the agency's struggle to meet its biweekly payroll obligations.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Gilliam says in the letter that the Dept. of Buildings has issued notices of infractions and eventually condemned the building. He tells me this evening that an inspector visited today and said the issues were fixed, but he remains concerned that the rats are still there
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
According to the letter, the building smelled like a "hog slaughterhouse," employees climbed on tables to avoid the rats, and the rats chewed through plastic cabinets and destroyed case management files.
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
The president of the union that reps DCHA employees sent an email on Sunday to the Board of Commissioners and some members of @councilofdc.bsky.social, skewering Pettigrew for alleged financial mismanagement, poor leadership, and failure to address conditions in a building apparently overrun by rats
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Mitch Ryals @mitchryals.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
DCHA Executive Director Keith Pettigrew was just hired as CEO of the Chicago Housing Authority: chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/...
chicago.suntimes.com
Chicago Housing Authority appoints Keith Pettigrew as new CEO
The agency has been without a CEO for 16 months, and its vote also marks a win for the board over Mayor Brandon Johnson, who pushed for the appointment of retired Ald. Walter Burnett.
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