The Ward 5 Wave

Latest Episodes:

Voices of Ward 5: Clips from Ward 5 Day! Plus Public Safety, FILTER Act, and DYRS Hearing Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage catch up on the highlights from Ward 5 Day, and share clips of dozens of neighbors who said hello at the Ward 5 Day pop-up podcast studio. Councilmember Parker also reflects on recent legislative action on the Council—including passage of the FILTER Act—and an important hearing in the Committee on Youth Affairs for the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services. Finally, he shares important public safety updates following incidents impacting Ward 5. Melissa runs down the latest highlights in the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

Return from Recess, and Ward 5 Week & Day! Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage reflect on 9/11, 25 years after the terrorist attacks changed our country forever. They also highlight all of the fun events taking place September 13-19 for Ward 5 Week and Ward 5 Day. Councilmember Parker highlights an important markup as the Council returns for recess, ringing the alarm bells as a committee threatens to approve development rights for a developer who is actively being sued by the District and has a history of failed properties. Melissa also shares the latest highlights from the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

Ward 5 Housing Conditions Tour Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker chats on-site with tenants and tenant organizers about his Ward 5 Housing Conditions Tour, including visits to the Hecht Warehouse, The Gale - Eckington, and 1400 Florida Ave NE (the focus of this episode). The Councilmember's Director of Constituent Services, Oliver Stoute, shares about the office's work in escalating tenant concerns and coordinating with District agencies. Communications Director Melissa Littlepage shares the highlights from the latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

CM Elissa Silverman, Effective Oversight, and Summer Interns Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker sits down with the recently-sworn-in At-Large Councilmember Elissa Silverman, a familiar face (and voice) in the Wilson Building. They talk about effective oversight, CM Silverman's plans for the fall legislative session, and—of course—pizza. Ward 5 Council Office summer intern Autumn Peterson also joins to talk about her experience as a summer intern and offer encouraging words to high school and college students. Communications Director Melissa Littlepage shares the latest highlights from the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

Recess, DoorDash, Rats, Buses, and More! Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage catch up on Council Recess, a new congressional attempt to undermine DC Home Rule (supported by DoorDash), updates on rat abatement in Ward 5, budget wins for Ward 5 bus routes, and a save-the-date for Ward 5 Day (September 19, 2026). Melissa also shares highlights from the latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

Fight for Funding and Happy Pride! Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage catch up on budget markups, concerns with remaining gaps in the FY27 budget proposal, and look ahead to the June 9 vote on the budget. Conversations center around juvenile justice, Credible Messengers program, funding for housing vouchers, childcare, and SNAP benefits, securing retail grants for 12th St NE and Rhode Island Ave NE, adding funds for the Langdon Park Recreation Center modernization project, rerouting of Metrobus routes, and more. They also wish neighbors a Happy Pride Month and reflect on recent events including Councilmember Parker's 4th Annual Black Pride Celebration and the May 30 Healthy Communities Spring Cleaning. Melissa shares the latest updates from the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

Housing in the FY27 Budget, Youth Roundtable Reflections, and Talbert Street Homes May 08, 2026

Show notes

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage welcome At-Large Councilmember Robert White, Jr. to the show to talk about housing concerns in the Mayor's proposed FY27 budget, reflections on last week's youth rountable on "teen takeovers," and CM White's legislation on behalf of residents impacted by the Talbert Street homes saga. Melissa shares the latest highlights from the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

Teen Takeovers, SOUL Act, Future Land Use, and More Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage catch up on the coversations buzzing in the Wilson building about "teen takeovers" and juvenile curfews, with proposals on how to respond and the announcement of Councilmember Parker's youth-centered roundtable on April 30. They also talk about the SOUL Act and its impact on youth within DC's foster care system. Finally, they reflect on recent budget hearings and the draft Future Land Use Map put out by the Office of Planning. Melissa gives highlights from the latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

DC's Social Safety Net, Safeway Closing, and Economic Development Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage sit down with SPACEs in Action Policy Strategist Maneesh Horshin to talk about DC's child care subsidy, Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund, the child tax credit, and how all these programs work together to stabilize our workforce and grow the economy. UPO Director of Legislative Advocacy, Ed Lazere, talks about TANF and how this cash assistance supports rougly 25,000 children in the District and why we must avoid cuts to the program. Councilmember Parker also details his FY27 Budget Letter to Mayor Bowser, reflects on the announcement that the Safeway at Hechinger Mall is closing, and shares some of his vision for community-centered economic development in Ward 5. Melissa shares highlights from the latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

Potomac Interceptor Collapse Update with Councilmember Charles Allen Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker sits down with Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen, chair of the Council's Committee on Transportation and the Environment. Councilmember Allen shares updates about the Potomac Interceptor Collapse, what he learned when he visited the site, and what neighbors can expect as work continues to repair the interceptor and begin remediation of the District's rivers. Communications Director Melissa Littlepage shares highlights from the latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

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