Mayoral candidates lay out plans on budget and policing

In separate interviews with 7News ahead of the Nov. 3 election, the three candidates for mayor described how they would handle the city's budget gap, policing and the federal government. Democrat Janeese Lewis George plans an agency-by-agency spending audit and pledged not to tax working families; independent Rhonda Hamilton opposes raising business taxes and wants closer review of contracts; and D.C. Statehood Green Party candidate Robert L. Gross proposes a citywide audit in his first 90 days and says he sees no current need for higher taxes.

Context  The mayor leads D.C.'s city government, and the seat is open for the first time in 12 years because Mayor Muriel Bowser is not seeking reelection. On policing, Lewis George supports better recruitment and moving some mental health and traffic duties away from police, Hamilton wants more oversight and mental health services, and Gross wants to support current officers rather than hire more. On the federal government, Lewis George says her team is in contact with the Trump administration and pledged to end police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement in her first 100 days; Hamilton says she would work with the president while protecting D.C.'s independence; and Gross emphasized statehood, which would require action by Congress. WJLA notes that Gross's estimate of $1.2 billion in possible savings has not been independently verified.

WJLA 7News  ·  FOX 5 DC (open seat)

D.C. police are searching for a 16-year-old who is wanted in the shooting death of his identical twin brother, Jabrell Young, 16, inside the family's home in the 200 block of 46th Street NE on Sunday morning. Police are investigating the death as a homicide and say the brother is believed to be armed; the boys' mother and aunt told FOX 5 the shooting was accidental and that the teen is frightened and ran away.

Context  The Metropolitan Police Department is the city's police force, and its homicide detectives handle cases like this one. FOX 5 reports that police have not said what led to the shooting or where the gun came from, and the article does not mention any charges. Police ask anyone with information to call 202-727-9099 or text 50411.

At a campaign rally in Lubbock, Texas, on Tuesday for Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton, President Trump said his administration is "terminating" a 2024 rule meant to cut methane emissions from oil and gas drilling. He said the change would save companies and consumers billions of dollars and open up 210 million barrels of oil; Environmental Defense Fund President Fred Krupp said it gives companies a free pass at consumers' expense.

Context  The Environmental Protection Agency, led by Administrator Lee Zeldin, previewed the changes last month: ending the Super Emitter Program, which requires companies to find and repair large methane releases, and setting looser standards for small wells. Zeldin has said the rule would cost $18 billion, while federal officials under former President Biden estimated $98 billion in benefits by 2034 using a method the current EPA rejects. AP did not report whether the repeal has been finalized.

U.S. District Judge Julia Kobick in Boston has paused, through Nov. 6, a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services rule that cuts the time refugees have to respond to notices ending their legal status from 30 days to 10. She said the pause keeps things as they are until another judge can hear the case.

Context  USCIS, part of the Department of Homeland Security, handles immigration benefits, and DHS estimates the rule could affect up to 186,000 refugees. Refugee advocacy groups and four refugees who sued say the administration's policies leave refugees in "legal limbo," while USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler called the suit frivolous and the administration says the shorter process is needed for national security and to prevent fraud. The order does not decide the broader lawsuit or block a separate review of refugees admitted under former President Biden.

Reuters (via KFGO)  ·  The Hill (via Yahoo News)

Wednesday, 8:30 a.m.  ·  Early vote centers across D.C.

In-person early voting is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Sunday, Nov. 1, and mail ballot drop boxes are open until 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.

Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.  ·  Online (Zoom)

A public committee meeting of the D.C. State Board of Education.

Thursday, 2:30 p.m.  ·  Online (Microsoft Teams; email vision.zero@dc.gov for the link)

The quarterly public meeting of the city's Major Crash Review Task Force.

Thursday, 7 p.m.  ·  Sixth & I, 600 I St. NW  ·  $27.50 in person; $12 virtual

Authors Kelly Corrigan and Jennifer Wallace give talks and hold an on-stage conversation with local educators.