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April 25, 2025 at 4:34 p.m. EDT

|Published April 25, 2025 at 5:00 a.m. EDT

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Welcome to cwg.live, updated around the clock by Capital Weather Gang meteorologists.

Happening now: A passing shower possible before dark, with a better chance of rain or a storm after 8 p.m. or so. Mild 60s for lows.

What’s next? Shower and storm chances throughout much of tomorrow, but dry moments, too. Mild and sun-filled Sunday and Monday. Very warm by Tuesday.

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Several comments focus on enjoying the warm weather before potential rain arrives. Some plan to attend events like the Reston Farmer's Market or a meeting at the Gaithersburg Library. Others express hope for rain due to drought conditions, with some planning to stay indoors due... Show more

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When Amazon executives and Virginia state officials inked a deal to bring the company’s second headquarters to Arlington, they laid out a timeline for the tech giant to gradually add 25,000 new jobs at that site by the end of this decade — or at least by 2038.

More than six years and 7,000 new positions later, though, the company is not so sure it will hit that target in time — just as the Washington region needs additional private-sector positions more than ever.

Amazon’s most recent application to Virginia for taxpayer subsidies said that its confidence it would meet that jobs target had dropped to a “moderate” level, according to a copy of the application obtained through a public records request. Every previous annual Amazon report to the commonwealth detailing its job growth at the HQ2 site noted a “high” level of confidence in the employment goal.

“Our second headquarters has always been and continues to be a long term investment, and we are proud of the progress we have made,” Holly Sullivan, an Amazon vice president, wrote in the application requesting more than $6.4 million in incentives from Virginia. “While we experienced incremental job growth in 2024, we exceeded hiring goals in previous years.”

The company had already been veering off its planned road map for growth in Arlington: In early 2023, Amazon halted its plans to break ground on the largest part of the new headquarters. That year, its workforce at HQ2 shrank, losing about 300 qualifying positions rather than adding the thousands anticipated in a deal signed in late 2018. (Amazon founder Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post.)

Amazon is back to adding new positions this year — just under 300 that qualify for state incentives — but that sluggish growth comes at a particularly volatile time for the job market in its second home. President Donald Trump’s efforts to slash federal positions and spending are dragging down a D.C. regional economy that is heavily reliant on the U.S. government and needs high-paying private-sector jobs to soften those economic blows.

“What would hope to be a mainstay of future growth is becoming a question mark,” said Mark Muro, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution who studies the geography of the tech industry. “And it is a challenging time for this region, with more question marks than clear ways forward. … It’s kind of a perfect storm, isn’t it?”

When cities across North America competed for the economic-development grand prize of Amazon HQ2, boosters for a D.C.-area bid pitched the project as a way to diversify the local economy and protect it from an overdependence on federal spending. But as Trump’s cuts send the public sector into free fall, Amazon’s stunted growth means it is hardly the cushion those officials had foreseen.

Sullivan, Amazon’s vice president of worldwide economic development, said in a statement that the company’s impact in Northern Virginia and the D.C. area goes beyond its qualifying jobs or physical footprint in Arlington.

The company has put $1.2 billion toward creating or preserving affordable housing and boosting regional nonprofit groups, she said. Executives have brought in more than a dozen small, local businesses to open street-level retail at its two soaring office towers in the Crystal City neighborhood, where more than 8,300 Amazon employees are required to work in person five days a week.

But that may be less effective at counteracting the federal cuts, Muro said, in an area where local officials had hoped to create a “tech hub” concentrated on HQ2 and the region’s large concentration of defense contractors — another industry that is likely to be affected.

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About 8.4 percent of workers in the District, Maryland and Virginia — or nearly 687,000 people — are employed by the federal government, one of the largest concentrations of such employees around the country. Amazon’s neighborhood alone is home to a handful of federal agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Marshals Service, as well as thePentagon just a few blocks from HQ2.

Economists have warned it is still too early to measure the full impacts of the Trump administration’s federal spending cuts. Yet signs of strain exceeding the impact of the pandemic are starting to show: More than 6,500 D.C.-area workers captured in unemployment data were laid off in the first three months of this year, according to a Post analysis earlier this month.

Meanwhile, the country’s largest tech companies — including Amazon — have slowed their growth as they continue to face economic headwinds. In a letter to shareholders earlier this month, CEO Andy Jassy signaled his focus on growing Amazon’s network of fulfillment centers and artificial intelligence efforts while “rooting out bureaucracy” and getting “the most done with the least number of resources.”

Muro, of Brookings, said Amazon’s aggressive pursuit of AI could likewise slow its hiring efforts. “The tech industry itself is no longer the generator of thousands of local jobs here or in most regions,” he added.

The company has added more jobs than listed in the application — about 8,330 employees were working at HQ2 as of the end of last year, including 534 new positions added last year — but any positions must meet certain criteria on salary, location and other factors to qualify for state subsidies.

Amazon said in its application for Virginia incentives that it had 7,232 qualifying jobs in Arlington, including 293 new positions added last year.

Economic development experts, including Muro, have generally praised Virginia for the structure of its incentives package, which rewards the company with taxpayer dollars only for jobs it has already created and maintained. No money has been paid out to date.

Both jobs figures are still short of the 14,000-worker capacity at the two existing buildings that opened in mid-2023, known as Met Park. Several floors in one of those two towers will begin housing an Arlington alternative high school, which had initially meant to go down the street at PenPlace — the part of the HQ2 campus where officials still have not broken ground.

Construction permits to break ground on that phase of the project, including a futuristic “Helix,” were set to expire this month. Arlington County Board members in June will consider a request from the company to extend those permits.

Whether you prefer high-end designers or secondhand steals, there are plenty of places in the DC area to go for everything from handbags to vintage glassware. Here’s a guide.

For luxe designer brands, the DC area has two major hubs: in nearby Virginia, the Tysons Galleria shopping mall is home to brands such as Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Cartier, Celine, Chanel, Saint Laurent, and Versace. In downtown DC, CityCenterDC is a mixed-used neighborhood where the breezeways are lined with restaurants and shops that include Akris, Breitling, Dior, Carolina Herrera, Christian Louboutin, Hermes, and Gucci.

Other neighborhoods that double as shopping destinations include Adams Morgan, which has an eclectic mix of secondhand and vintage shops like Miss Pixie’s; the 14th Street corridor, where you’ll find more modern favorites such as Parachute, Shinola, and Salt & Sundry; and Georgetown, which has popular high-end brands like Tuckernuck, Hobo, and Everlane—plus designer furniture and home goods stores along Cady’s Alley. Outside of town in Maryland, Bethesda Row is home to more high-end brands brands like Veronica Beard, Anine Bing, Reformation, and the locally owned women’s boutique, Wylie Grey.

There’s also the Brookland Arts Walk, a “pedestrian promenade of 27 art studios representing local & independent artists, makers, crafters and more,” in Northeast DC. (Note: The studios keep their own hours and not all are open daily.)

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The city also has a wealth of independent bookstores—including East City Bookshop, Harambee Books and Artworks, Kramers, Loyalty Bookstore, Mahogany Books, and Old Town Books to name a few, and independent chocolatiers, too—including, Chocolate Chocolate, Craving for Chocolate, and more.

For everything from fashion and accessories to stationery, here are 45 more DC-area shops to check out.

Clothing and Accessories

A Capitol Hill boutique offering lines of cashmere, athleisure wear, jewelry, leather goods, and more with a focus on sustainability.

A new record shop in Capitol Hill that “that reflects the city’s culture and history, including DC punk, soul, go-go, and hip-hop.”

A preppy, lake-life-inspired shop offering apparel and accessories for men, women, and children–including a “tailgate” line for game-day merch–plus home goods and gifts.

Current ready-to-wear new women’s clothing and luxury pre-owned consignment.

A pop-up-turned-retail-shop that carries clothing from 15 Chinese designers plus its own line of cashmere and silk.

A leather-goods brand offering handbags, wallets, and accessories that began in Annapolis and recently opened a shop in Georgetown.

A 65-year-old shop offering a high-end, sustainably made selection of clothing, home goods, and both costume and fine jewelry.

A high-end consignment shop of men’s and women’s clothing and accessories with locations in Bethesda and Georgetown.

Classic American (read: preppy) men’s and women’s clothing, accessories, and home goods.

This consignment shop carries designer women’s clothing and accessories.

A high-end consignment shop featuring designer and other pre-loved women’s clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories, with locations in Clarendon, Old Town Alexandria, and 14th Street.

A high-end consignment shop featuring designer and other pre-loved women’s clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories, with locations in Clarendon, Old Town Alexandria, and 14th Street.

High-end clothing, shoes, and accessories (think Sam Edelman, Ulla Johnson, Veronica Bear, Agolde, etc.) for women in historic Old Town.

Jewelry designer Mallory Shelter’s shop sells ready-to-wear and custom pieces—including wedding and engagement jewelry—plus welded bracelets and other fine jewelry. The store features more than 100 independent designers near Union Market in DC.

Children’s Stores

A children’s store near Union Market that focuses on sustainably made toys and high-end baby/kid gear, with an expansive list of in-stock strollers at its “Stroller Shoppe.”

A terrific children’s toy shop.

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Best of Washington 2024: Where to Shop

Home Goods and Gifts

A “casual lifestyle” brand offering an assortment of bags, from totes and insulated cooler bags to makeup bags and card holders.

More than 5,000 products—apparel, jewelry, home goods, art, beauty products, gifts, and more—from hundreds of DC makers, with locations in Georgetown, Union Market, the Wharf, and Canopy Embassy Row.

A Georgetown spa with a retail shop of small batch and natural skincare, beauty, and bodycare products.

A record shop near Union Market.

An ethically-sourced jewelry, vintage leather, clothing, and home decor store—started by a University of Maryland alumna, inspired by her Istanbul roots—at Union Market.

Vintage and other eclectic home goods, accessories, and glassware in the Union Market District.

A “home and lifestyle” boutique with gifts, candles, soaps, tabletop and other accessories, paper goods, home goods, and more, with locations in Union Market and Logan Circle.

The gift shop associated with this Eckington floral shop offers fun trinkets like candles, matchbooks, and jewelry.

More than 5,000 products—apparel, jewelry, home goods, art, beauty products, gifts, and more—from hundreds of DC makers, with locations in Georgetown, Union Market, the Wharf, and Canopy Embassy Row.

A high-end paper goods shop in Ivy City featuring popular journals, calendars, planners, and more.

In the Northeast DC neighborhood of Langdon, Angel Gregorio‘s spice shop is inspired by her motto, “food is fashion.”

Locally made candles of all-natural soy wax, plus beauty goods, all designed for “slow, mindful living,” in Brookland.

Groceries and unique food-related items in Mount Pleasant—goodies from here, paired with a cookbook from the culinary-focused bookstore next door, Bold Fork Books, make for a great gift.

This new spot offers a mix of used books, plants, and vintage decor.

This Takoma Park gift shop offers jewelry, home decor, quirky socks, stationery, stuffed animals, books, and more.

A gift shop with products from more than 100 independent makers and designers.

Candy, chocolate-covered Oreos and pretzels, popcorn, and more—including some treats decorated with patriotic or political motifs.

A family-owned retailer of all-natural bath and beauty products.

This shop is chock full of puzzles and tabletop games.

An eclectic home goods and gift shop.

A destination for green thumbs, plant parents, and rare plant collectors; its four area locations are in Shaw, Arlington, Capitol Hill, and Cabin John, Maryland.

A new record shop that “that reflects the city’s culture and history, including DC punk, soul, go-go, and hip-hop.”

A plant boutique and interior plant design company founded by a husband and wife duo.

One-off furniture, textiles, and other home goods plus some women’s clothing, on U Street.

A home goods store that aims to blend French and Italian inspiration with Southern hospitality.

An independent cards, stationery, paper goods, and gift store.

This home goods emporium offers seasonal and other decor, kitchen tools, tabletop accessories, cookbooks, paper goods, gifts, and more.

More than 500 products—apparel, jewelry, home goods, art, beauty products, gifts, and more—from more than 300 Virginia makers.

A legal fight is heating up between the District and a company that provides e-scooters and bikes in Washington.

Spin, which has over 4,000 bikes and scooters across the District, has been operating in the city since 2019. The District limits the number and type of scooters in the city to avoid crowding sidewalks and streets, and D.C.’s vendors are required to apply regularly for permits for the rental bikes and scooters. Those decisions are made by a District evaluation committee that scores the vendors on a point-based system and certain criteria, such as “equity and affordability,” “safety” and “innovation,” legal documents show.

Despite earning high marks on previous permit applications, Spin scored third last year, prompting D.C.’s Department of Transportation (DDOT) to award the permit to other companies, including Lime and Veo.

In a lawsuit against the DDOT, Spin alleges that the agency gave a Europe-based competitor, Hopp by Bolt, “preferential treatment.”

“It is a requirement that agencies stick to their own guidelines,” said Spin’s attorney, Michael Klebanov of Husch Blackwell LLP. “This is really about how DDOT operates and whether their decision making process is being done lawfully.” Spin did not name Hopp by Bolt as a party in its lawsuit.

The DDOT initially had a deadline of Friday for removing Spin’s bikes and scooters from the District, but it reached an agreement with Spin to allow it to operate for another 30 days while it appeals the process, Klebanov said.

Companies are required to meet certain deadlines for their applications to operate in the city, including a Nov. 4 deadline for an in-person demonstration to city officials, Klebanov said. Spin alleges that Hopp was given an extension on the deadline, while Spin and others were forced to adhere to it.

The DDOT did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In legal filings, the agency denied Spin’s allegations.

In this week’s ruling denying Spin’s request for a preliminary injunction, U.S. District Judge Jia M. Cobb ruled that “D.C. statute and regulations give the DDOT discretion to pick new permit holders based on its assessment of each applicant’s performance on a set of criteria.” Cobb said that there was no evidence the demonstration was a factor in Spin’s failure and that Spin did not ask for an extension.

The judge went on to write that “Spin has not met its burden to show that the DDOT failed to apply its published scoring criteria.”

Hopp by Bolt, which is based in Estonia, launched around 720 scooters in D.C. in January. It is the first company in D.C. to offer scooters priced by distance rather than time; its scooters are also equipped with a cognitive test meant to screen out drunk riders.

“Hopp is committed to operating with the highest level of integrity and in full compliance with all regulations in Washington D.C.,” said Daniel Howell, Hopp’s regional public relations manager for Western Europe and North America.

“We participated in the recent permitting process with transparency and are confident that the District’s decisions were made fairly and based on the merits of each application.”

Editor’s Note: The ministers of foreign affairs of Rwanda and DR Congo on Friday, April 25, signed the Declaration of Principles for Peace, in a ceremony witnessed by United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington D.C. Below are the details of the agreement as published on US State Department website.

Declaration of Principles

Between the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Government of the Republic of Rwanda (the Participants), in support of a pathway to peace, stability, and integrated economic development in the eastern DRC region and the resumption of normal bilateral relations between the Participants. Signature of this document affirms the political commitment of the Participants set forth herein.

Signed at Washington on April 25, 2025, in duplicate, in the English language.

Witnessed by:

THE GOVERNMENT OF

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

__________________ _________

Marco Rubio

Secretary of State

LIST OF ACRONYMS

AU – African Union

DRC – Democratic Republic of Congo

EAC – East African Community

IDPs – Internally Displaced Persons

MONUSCO – United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

SADC – Southern African Development Community

UN – United Nations

UNSC – United Nations Security Council

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