blue, red, and white police lights
Credit: Darrow Montgomery/File

Another pedestrian was killed while crossing a D.C. street. Nina Larson was struck by a driver as she crossed Columbia Road NW in Adams Morgan Saturday. D.C. police say Larson was transported to a local hospital where she died of her injuries. Larson’s mother, Matilde Larson, told the Washington Post that she “brought beauty to the world.” A recent American University graduate, Larson was working at Mintwood Place restaurant while training her voice to one day perform as a professional opera singer.

“She had so much promise,” Matilde Larson told the Post. “And she was cut down in broad daylight in a crosswalk. I want to know what happened.”

Matilde Larson told the paper she wants a “full investigation” into her daughter’s death, adding: “This was not an accident. This was someone making the choice to drive recklessly, and they killed my beautiful girl.”

Vision Zero, D.C.’s initiative to reduce traffic deaths (currently under audit), reported 17 pedestrians and cyclists have been killed this year as of Friday. Larson’s death makes that 18. Police say the investigation is still ongoing. Mintwood Place closed for the weekend due to her death.

Here are some other stories to start your week:

Howard University, Protesters Reach Agreement

A student sit-in at Howard University is likely drawing to a close. The university wrote on Twitter it had come to an agreement with the students who have occupied the Blackburn University Center. Howard President Wayne Frederick will share more details later today.

Students took over the campus building due to the conditions of their on-campus housing. Reports of mold, roaches, mice, and flooding led to the longest student protest the historically Black university has seen, according to Jessica Joof, a Howard student participating in the protest.

“Why are we fighting just to have our voices heard on the board?” Joof, the sit-in’s press liaison, said earlier this month. “Why are we fighting to have our rooms clean? When we voice our concerns, just hear us or this will continue to happen.” 

Trump Hotel Sale Inked

The Trump Organization reportedly will sell the federal lease for the building containing the Trump International Hotel. A Wall Street Journal report said it will be sold for $375 million to Miami-based CGI Merchant Group. The Trump Organization began leasing the Old Post Office building in 2013—two years before Donald Trump would announce his run for president. Throughout his exhausting campaign and presidency, the hotel became a popular gathering spot for protesters to congregate and flip off Trump’s gold-plated name as well as foreign leaders and executives seeking to curry favor with the former president. The sale has yet to be officially announced.

The Triangle Circle’s Makeover

The most chaotic Wendy’s in the country has been closed for over a month, and today D.C. will announce the intersection’s redesign. DDOT is unveiling the plans to redesign Dave Thomas Circle to untangle the traffic mess at the intersection of Florida Avenue NE and New York Avenue NE. D.C. used eminent domain to purchase the property for $13 million. The plan is to “realign and add two-way traffic to First Street, NE, restore two-way traffic on Florida Avenue, NE, add protected bicycle lanes,” and add relaxing public green spaces next to a six-lane thoroughfare. The meeting runs from 7 to 8:30 p.m and you can tune in here.

—Bailey Vogt (tips? bvogt@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • To see today’s COVID-19 data, visit our coronavirus tracker.
  • The city plans to extend a mental health support pilot to direct certain 911 calls to social workers. [City Lab] 
  • Police in Prince George’s County want your help identifying a man they believe assaulted a woman on the Metro yesterday. [WUSA9]
  • Today is the last day for families with members under 18 to apply for child tax credits. [Twitter]

By Ambar Castillo and Bailey Vogt (tips? acastillo@washingtoncitypaper.com and bvogt@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • AG Karl Racine called on Mayor Muriel Bowser to improve conditions in the DC Jail. [Post, Kojo]
  • Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White finally files paperwork for his mayoral campaign. [Post, Twitter]

By Mitch Ryals (tips? mryals@washingtoncitypaper.com)

Credit: David Brothers

Can a Trendy Food Hall and New Dining Halls Fix GWU’s Hunger Problem?

George Washington University is reshaping its entire meal plan after years of trying different strategies […]

  • Where to buy pies and other desserts for Thanksgiving. [Washingtonian]
  • Good Food Markets opens and becomes the second grocery store in Ward 8. [DCist]

By Laura Hayes (tips? lhayes@washingtoncitypaper.com)

City Lights: Launch Preparing Dinosaurs

Who counts as a scientist? In an effort to answer that daunting question, Caitlin Wylie […]

  • The Duke Ellington School of the Arts has delayed renaming its theater after Dave Chappelle, but still intends to name it after the alum, who’s recent comedy special was riddled with transphobic and homophobic jokes. [DCist] 
  • Round House Theatre and Arena Stage spotlight the work of prolific playwright Lauren Yee. [Post] 
  • Starting tomorrow, MLK Library will offer guided tours on Tuesdays and Saturdays of its recently renovated space. [Twitter]

By Sarah Marloff (tips? smarloff@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Trinity Rodman and Ashley Sanchez scored in the Washington Spirit’s 2-1 win over OL Reign yesterday in the NWSL Playoffs semifinal. The Spirit will play in the championship match against the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday, Nov. 20. [Black & Red United] 
  • The Washington Football Team had a 19-play, 10-minute-plus drive to seal its 29-19 win over Tom Brady and Tampa Bay Buccaneers yesterday for one of the franchise’s biggest upsets in recent memory. [NBC Sports Washington]
  • The 9-3 Washington Wizards, who sit atop the Eastern Conference standings, look to make it five straight wins in a row tonight against the New Orleans Pelicans. [Bullets Forever]
  • The Caps have re-signed center Nic Dowd to a three-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $1.3 million. [NHL.com]

By Kelyn Soong (tips? ksoong@washingtoncitypaper.com)

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