Potomac Interceptor Collapse Update with Councilmember Charles Allen
02/27/2026 | 14 mins.
DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker sits down with Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen, chair of the Council's Committee on Transportation and the Environment. Councilmember Allen shares updates about the Potomac Interceptor Collapse, what he learned when he visited the site, and what neighbors can expect as work continues to repair the interceptor and begin remediation of the District's rivers. Communications Director Melissa Littlepage shares highlights from the latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.
Budget Challenges, Advancing Adult Education, and Remembering Rev. Jesse Jackson
02/20/2026 | 42 mins.
DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker is joined by several community members and advocates from REACH (the Roundtable on Education in Adult Charter Schools), including Faith Gibson Hubbard. Guests share the importance and wide-ranging impacts of adult education opportunities and the ways adult charter schools help entire communities thrive. Communications Director Melissa Littlepage and Councilmember Parker discuss the recent Mayor-Council breakfast and anticipated budget challenges. They also reflect on the life and legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson. Melissa shares the latest highlights from the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.
Get to know CM Doni Crawford; Council Priorities, Black History Month, Congressional Interference, and More
02/06/2026 | 38 mins.
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.
Season 3 Kickoff! Selecting a New Interim CM, Oversight, and ICE
01/16/2026 | 34 mins.
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 at ward5.us/news and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.
Season 2 Finale! Child Tax Credit, 2025 Reflections, 2026 Changes
12/19/2025 | 39 mins.
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 ward5.us/news and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter. Share your thoughts and offer recommendations for future episode topics and/or guests at [email protected].
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!