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PODCAST

The Ward 5 Wave

Councilmember Zachary Parker

Join DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker each week for updates on Council activities, highlights from the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter, and interviews with DC agencies and community partners. You can also send in questions for him to answer on the podcast!

government

All Episodes

00:38:20

Get to know CM Doni Crawford; Council Priorities,...

The Ward 5 Wave ·

2026/02/06

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker interviews the Council's new interim At-Large Councilmember, Doni Crawford. They talk Council priorities, books, music, Black History Month, the ongoing congessional interference in local policy, and more. Communications Director Melissa Littlepage shares the latest highlights from the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

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00:34:10

Season 3 Kickoff! Selecting a New Interim CM,...

The Ward 5 Wave ·

2026/01/16

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage talk about the Council's process for appointing a new, interim At-Large Councilmember following former CM McDuffie's resignation in December 2025. They also look ahead to upcoming performance oversight and mark-ups. Councilmember Parker discusses the unacceptable actions of ICE in DC and across the country. Melissa wraps up the episode by sharing the latest highlights from the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read

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00:39:55

Season 2 Finale! Child Tax Credit, 2025 Reflections,...

The Ward 5 Wave ·

2025/12/19

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage reflect on a busy fall legislative season, celebrating the big win for the District Child Tax Credit. They also discuss recent hearings on bills including environmental justice in Ivy City and improving access to PrEP. They also reflect on recent Committee on Youth Affairs hearings and the CARE for Youth Plan. Melissa wraps up with highlights from the most recent edition of the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at

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00:32:10

Changes to TOPA, SNAP Benefits at Risk, and Montana...

The Ward 5 Wave ·

2025/10/24

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker, Communications Director Melissa Littlepage, and Legislative Director Neferteria Brown chat about the Council's recent votes on the RENTAL Act making changes to TOPA. They also discuss the impending changes to SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown and passage of the "One Big Beautiful Bill" in Congress. Melissa and Councilmember Parker also share thoughts on the "Montana Triangle" (New York Ave, Montana Ave, and

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00:29:35

The CARE for Youth Plan

The Ward 5 Wave ·

2025/10/10

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker shares details of his recently introduced C.A.R.E. for Youth Plan - a 16-bill policy package designed to foster youth wellbeing in the District. Jenise "Mama Jo" Patterson, Founder and Director of Parent Watch, Inc., joins to share her perspective on how some of the legislation will help justice system-involved youth and their families. Committee on Youth Affairs staff Thomas Franco (Director) and Allison Bailey (Legislative Assistant) also detail

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00:22:56

Recap of Ward 5 Day, RFK Redevelopment and RENTAL...

The Ward 5 Wave ·

2025/09/26

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage reflect on a vibrant and joyful time with neighbors at Ward 5 Day. Councilmember Parker also discusses the Council's recent votes on the RFK Redevelopment Deal and the RENTAL Act. He also offers a preview of a forthcoming policy package to foster youth wellbeing in the District. Melissa shares a few highlights from the most recent Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. You can read at ward5.us/news and subscribe to get the

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00:25:42

Federal Overreach, Council's Next Legislative...

The Ward 5 Wave ·

2025/09/05

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage catch up on the latest news about federal overreach in the District, sharing lots of resources including ward5.us/toolkit, ward5.us/report, ward5.us/resist, and ward5.us/onthehill. Councilmember Parker also shares information about what to expect at the Council's next Legislative Meeting on September 17, and hypes up the bigger-and-better-than-ever Ward 5 Day! coming on Saturday, September 20. Read the latest

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00:37:15

Threats to DC Autonomy, DYRS Lawsuit, and Reflections...

The Ward 5 Wave ·

2025/08/08

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage talk about the federal government's latest threats against DC's autonomy, as well as a civil lawsuit against the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS). Councilmember Parker also reflects on the Council's second vote on the FY26 budget and the vote on the RFK Redevelopment deal. There are quick plugs for upcoming back-to-school events and Ward 5 Day on September 20 (mark your calendar!)

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00:46:32

First Budget Vote Reflections and I-82 with Andy Shallal

The Ward 5 Wave ·

2025/07/18

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Busboys and Poets Founder and CEO Andy Shallal talk about the Council's first vote on the FY26 Budget, including discussions around Initiative 82 and the tipped minimum wage. Andy shares his insights as the owner of Busboys and Poets, which has 8 locations in the DMV (5 in the District). They also reflect on the state of the RFK Redevelopment deal. Councilmember Parker discusses his proposal for a capital gains surchage to address growing economic

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00:24:31

Updates on RFK, Budget Oversight, and Cell Phones in...

The Ward 5 Wave ·

2025/06/13

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage discuss recent news about the RFK Stadium site redevelopment and reflect on a week full of budget oversight hearings. Phelps ACE High School (in Ward 5!) Principal, Cara Fuller, joins the episode to discuss new policies banning cell phones in DC Public Schools. The episode wraps up with reflections on last weekend's WorldPride festivities and preparations for this coming weekend's military parade and the

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00:19:01

I-82, RFK, WorldPride, and More

The Ward 5 Wave ·

2025/06/06

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage catch up on a busy week including a vote on emergency legislation about I-82 (Tipped Minimum Wage) on the Council, a letter to the Washington Commanders about labor agreements for the RFK stadium site redevelopment, the June 7th WorldPride Parade, and highlights in the midst of budget oversight season. Melissa also shares the latest from the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news and subscribe at

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00:40:10

A Budget for All of Us

The Ward 5 Wave ·

2025/05/30

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker discusses the Mayor's proposed FY26 budget with advocates and shares his alternative view: a budget for all of us. Joined by Kimberly Perry, Executive Director of DC Action, and Erica Williams, Executive Director of the DC Fiscal Policy Institute, the conversation explores the Mayor's proposed cuts to countless social services and what this means for District residents. Communications Director Melissa Littlepage shares highlights from this week's

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00:19:14

The Budget is Coming!

The Ward 5 Wave ·

2025/05/16

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage reflect on a busy week involving oversight in the Committee on Youth Affairs, a community meeting on the future of the RFK Stadium site, and the opening of the new Trader Joe's in Brookland. They also look ahead to the release of the budget coming soon and the priorities guiding the Ward 5 Council Office as the Council finally heads into budget season. Melissa shares highlights from the latest edition of the Ward 5

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00:29:09

Council Hot Topics with Chairman Mendelson

The Ward 5 Wave ·

2025/05/09

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker sits down with Chairman Phil Mendelson to discuss current hot topics on the Council: RFK, I-82, World Pride, and more. Communications Director Melissa Littlepage shares highlights from the latest edition of the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter. Get in touch with Councilmember Parker’s office anytime through his website — zacharyparkerward5.com — or by contacting his office directly: 202-724-8028,

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00:19:51

The Future of RFK (plus I-82, Upcoming Events, and...

The Ward 5 Wave ·

2025/05/02

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage catch up on some of the District's biggest news this week, including plans for the future of the RFK Stadium site, conversations about restaurants and I-82, upcoming events, and reflections about the movie Sinners, in theaters now. You can register for Councilmember Parker's Future of RFK: Community Listening Session at ward5.us/rfk. Melissa also gives highlights from the latest edition of the Ward 5 Weekly

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00:20:32

Upcoming Ward 5 Events, DC Emancipation Day, Spring...

The Ward 5 Wave ·

2025/04/11

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage share updates on the status of DC’s budget fix on the Hill, upcoming Ward 5 events including the Healthy Communities Spring Cleaning day on April 26, and the next Ward 5 Public Safety Call on April 30. Next week (April 14-18) is Spring Break for DC Public Schools and Council Recess. Melissa also shares highlights from the latest edition of the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news and subscribe at

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00:39:10

Recent Council Votes: Rental Assistance Reform and...

The Ward 5 Wave ·

2025/04/04

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker talks with Ward 3 Councilmember Matt Frumin about the Council’s recent votes on ERAP (Emergency Rental Assistance Program) reform, and on emergency legislation to amend the Open Meetings Act. Both topics have been marked by controversy in public discussion. The Councilmembers distill the various viewpoints and explain their votes. Communications Director Melissa Littlepage shares highlights from the latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, and

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00:24:13

Moving the Providence Redevelopment Forward

The Ward 5 Wave ·

2025/03/28

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker shares the latest news about the Providence Redevelopment following a new deal secured this week by the Office of the Attorney General (learn more here). To talk more about what this redevelopment means for Michigan Park, Ward 5, and the District, two guests share their perspectives: ANC 5A Chair, Commissioner Emily Singer Lucio, and Evan Goldman, Executive Vice President of Acquisition and Development at EYA, LLC. Later in the episode, Communications Director

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00:23:05

Recess at the Capitol

The Ward 5 Wave ·

2025/03/21

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker invites Jhonna Turner, Chief Strategy Officer of CARE Washington, DC, to share about her experience helping organize students and families to rally at the Capitol and defend DC’s budget last week. They also discuss what’s the come as a standalone measure to protect DC’s local budget heads back to the House. Councilmember Parker wraps up the episode by reflecting on the Committee of the Whole’s Student Voices Roundtable and efforts to address truancy

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00:09:52

Power to the People

The Ward 5 Wave ·

2025/03/14

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker heads to Capitol Hill to lobby U.S. Senators to protect DC’s budget in the GOP’s Continuing Resolution. Communications Director Melissa Littlepage shares highlights from the latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter; read at ward5.us/news and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

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51 results

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