The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi

Apr 26 2024 111
The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi Podcast artwork

Join Kojo and resident analyst Tom Sherwood on Fridays at noon for our weekly review of the politics, policies and personalities in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Each week Kojo and Tom help make sense of legislation, hold elected officials accountable and provide in-depth analysis of local issues and elections. The Politics Hour is also a vital forum for Washingtonians to engage directly with their local leaders.

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Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks wants to be Maryland’s next U.S. Senator

Apr 26 2024 50 mins  
The race is heating up for the open U.S. Senate seat in Maryland. With the Democratic primary only three weeks away, Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and Congressman David Trone compete for endorsements, air time, and Maryland’s votes. Alsobrooks joins the show to talk about the campaign, money in politics, and how former Maryland governor Larry Hogan’s late

Montgomery County avoids tax hikes; Virginia General Assembly reconvenes

Apr 19 2024 50 mins  
The Virginia General Assembly reconvened on Wednesday to consider Governor Glenn Youngkin’s 223 budget amendments and a record-setting number of vetoes. A deal was quickly struck between the governor and the legislature to work together on a new state budget, averting a crisis — at least for now. Virginia Delegate Marcus Simon, who represents Falls Church and parts of Fairfax C

WMATA GM Randy Clarke on how Metro is avoiding drastic cuts… for now

Apr 12 2024 50 mins  
This week on The Politics Hour, Metro General Randy Clarke took Kojo, Tom, and listeners on a ride through Metro’s upcoming budget decisions, why he’d like to see a regional tax, and the significance of Metro teaming up with COG. Clarke said he’s very happy overall that D.C., Maryland, and Virginia are all stepping up with additional funding for Metro. Because of that, Metro

‘Tis budget season: Big cuts in D.C. and school spending in Montgomery County

Apr 05 2024 49 mins  
It’s budget season on The Politics Hour. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser released her budget proposal on Wednesday calling for some tax increases and hefty cuts, including to the Early Childhood Pay Equity Fund. The cuts were met with pushback from some councilmembers, including Christina Henderson who made an emotional plea to save the fund. She explains why she disagrees with some ele

A D.C. comeback: Why the Washington Wizards and Capitals are staying in the District

Mar 29 2024 50 mins  
It's game over for the Alexandria arena with the Washington Wizards and Capitals now poised to stay in the District. On Wednesday, D.C. councilmembers, Mayor Muriel Bowser, and Monumental Sports owner Ted Leonsis announced a deal to keep the sports teams at Capital One Arena in D.C. until 2050. It came weeks after a proposal to move the teams to a new arena in Alexandria fell apart

Maryland's budget dilemma, VA governor's vetoes, and the D.C. AG threatens Monumental Sports

Mar 22 2024 50 mins  
On Friday’s Politics Hour, resident analyst Tom Sherwood broke news that D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb sent a letter earlier in the week to Monumental Sports saying that Wizards and Capitals are legally bound to the District until 2047. In a since publicly-released letter, the District’s Attorney General accused Monumental Sports and owner Ted Leonsis of breaking promises

U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves on D.C. crime and Maryland Governor Wes Moore talks avoiding a tax increase

Mar 15 2024 50 mins  
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser signed the Secure D.C. omnibus bill earlier this week. Now, the question is how it will be implemented. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Matthew Graves is set to have a big role in its rollout and joins the show. Plus, he’ll explain why he advocated for the DNA collection provision. And we ask about newly released data showing the U.S. Attor

Is it game over for the proposed Alexandria arena?

Mar 08 2024 49 mins  
The deal bringing the Washington Wizards and Capitals to a new arena in Alexandria appears to be in trouble. On Thursday, Virginia lawmakers announced that they had stripped language authorizing the building of the arena from the state budget. It’s a move that Governor Glenn Youngkin has called a “colossal mistake.” Del. Mark Sickles, who represents parts of Alexandria and is

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser discusses crime, the Commanders, and her 'Comeback Plan' for downtown

Mar 01 2024 50 mins  
On Friday, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser joined the show to discuss the future of the RFK Stadium site and a major crime bill. Earlier this week, the U.S. House of Representatives passeda bipartisan bill allowing D.C. to redevelop the old RFK Stadium site. It's a major step in potentially bringing the Commanders back to the District. While it still has to pass the U.S. Senate, Bowser sa

Montgomery County struggles with pedestrian safety, Hogan’s surprise announcement, and Alexandria arena bill complications

Feb 16 2024 49 mins  
This past weekend, a pedestrian in Silver Spring was killed by a driver of a vehicle. It marked the first pedestrian death this year and comes on the heels of the Montgomery County Council approving a pedestrian safety plan late last year. Montgomery County Council President Andrew Friedson gets behind the mic to talk about what the county is doing to keep pedestrians safe. Plus, t