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THE NEWS:

The #MeToo movement is not over (just ask if its founder). Individuals are still engaging in predatory behavior and abusing their positions of power. And survivors of this behavior are still speaking out. 

These days, people are speaking out about the founder and artistic director of Flying V Theatre, Jason Schlafstein. Multiple people who have worked with him alleged a history of sexual harassment spanning more than a decade. For this week’s cover story, City Paper’s Emma Sarappo shares some of their stories.  

“Multiple people wrote that Schlafstein was known for sexism, making inappropriate advances, and retaliation against people who rejected his advances,” writes Sarappo. “While he does admit to some professional misconduct, he denies that his behavior was harassing.” 

Read the full story online. 

On a separate note, City Paper is looking into contact tracing. Have you tested positive for COVID-19 and received a call from one of the city’s contact tracers? Perhaps you were a close contact of someone who tested positive? Let me know about your experience! You do not have to be named in the article.  —Amanda Michelle Gomez (tips? agomez@washingtoncitypaper.com)

CITY DESK LINKS, by Amanda Michelle Gomez (tips? agomez@washingtoncitypaper.com)  

  • As of July 9, D.C. reported four additional deaths related to COVID-19 and 37 new positive cases, bringing the total numbers to 568 and 10,679, respectively. [EOM]

  • Metro agrees to a $50 million solar power deal across four sites, making it the largest community solar project in the D.C. region. [Post] 

  • If Mayor Muriel Bowser signs the bill, D.C. will join Maine and Vermont in letting incarcerated people vote. They would be able to vote in the November election. [Post, Appeal]  

  • The region’s largest commercial real estate firms received anywhere between $150,000 and $10 million from the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program. [BizJournal] 

  • The Council grants initial approval of a new Ward 8 hospital that’ll replace United Medical Center. The vote wasn’t as contentious as it was in the past. [DCist] 

  • ICYMI: D.C. hospitals are each setting their own visitor restrictions related to COVID-19. Pregnant patients laboring in D.C. hospitals have to choose between birthing with their partner or doula, while those laboring in Virginia hospitals don’t. [WCP] 

LOOSE LIPS LINKS, by Mitch Ryals (tips? mryals@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

  • Video contradicts Chief Peter Newsham’s claim that MPD wasn’t involved in clearing Lafayette Square for the president. [WCP] 

  • Lawsuit alleges MPD engages in a pattern and practice of targeting dirt bike riders with excessive force. [WCP]

  • D.C. Council restores funds for violence interruption using funds from MPD’s budget. [DCist]

  • Ward 4 Council nominee Janeese Lewis George promotes guaranteed income in D.C. [Twitter, Time] 

  • ICYMI: At-Large Councilmember Anita Bonds “wholeheartedly” supported reallocating funds for public housing repairs right before she voted against doing so. [WCP]

YOUNG & HUNGRY LINKS, by Laura Hayes (tips? lhayes@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

  • Fried chicken expert Roaming Roosteris adding a U Street NW location. [Eater DC]

  • Seven local restaurants that sell picnic baskets for two. [Post]

  • An Azerbaijani bakery called Sharbat opened in Adams Morgan. [PoPville]

ARTS LINKS, by Kayla Randall (tips? krandall@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • With classes canceled or redesigned, the pandemic has changed local dance schools and impacted the next generation of dancers. [WCP]

  • Local photographer Violetta Markelou talks about her portrait project Inbox Full, which explores what small business owners are experiencing right now. [WCP]

  • D.C. museums are having to ponder their futures and redesign their spaces in response to the pandemic. [DCist]

SPORTS LINKS, by Kelyn Soong (tips? ksoong@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • A global pandemic, canceled races, and a lack of sponsors haven’t stopped American University alum Keira D’Amato from running Olympic times on the track. [WCP]

  • Amazon is pulling merchandise of the local NFL team from its website, joining major retailers like Target and Walmart, which have done the same. [AP]

  • Elena Delle Donne and Tina Charles have entered the WNBA player medical evaluation protocol and will await the results before making a decision to join their Mystics teammates in Florida for the 22-game regular season. [CBS Sports]

 

CITY LIGHTS, by Emma Sarappo (Love this section? Get the full newsletter here. Tips? esarappo@washingtoncitypaper.com)

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