Good morning. This is the NOTUS Metro newsletter for Aug. 28, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free!
THE LATEST
Flock has its eyes on D.C., but we know surprisingly little about how the powerful license plate readers are used.
The cameras have drawn plenty of national attention recently, with reports of police officers using them and the data they store to track their former lovers and commit other abuses. Civil liberties groups have also raised concerns of mass surveillance of otherwise law-abiding motorists.
Trending
But proponents hail Flock as a powerful tool to fight crime, especially because — unlike past iterations of license plate readers — it allows police in one jurisdiction to search the databases for license plates scanned in others. Police officials say this allows for almost real-time tracking of vehicles and suspects — including as they cross county or state lines.
D.C. has 67 Flock cameras, capable of scanning some 400,000 license plates every day — data that is then kept for 90 days. Police officials say the cameras have helped solve crimes, including at least two homicides last year. The footage also gives the Metropolitan Police Department the ability to track suspects if they flee the city.
Little else is known about how the massive amount of data has been used. NOTUS’ Martin Austermuhle and Jenny Gathright report that MPD set up some guardrails for its system this year, but it went almost a full year with no such limits in place. Additionally, MPD has rejected open-records requests — including one from NOTUS — for data on who has been searching the city’s database, and why.
D.C. lawmakers have largely been quiet on Flock, though At-Large council member Christina Henderson has sought answers from MPD. She says that her views on the technology have evolved over the past few months, and that she thinks MPD is using it appropriately. Still, she understands why some residents may have concerns.
“I think we have to figure out what the balance is, and I think that’s the conversation that we should be having as policymakers,” she says. “Not necessarily to completely discard a system, but to ensure there are protocols and guardrails in place, and also periodic audits to make sure that those who have been ensured with this system are using it appropriately.”
FROM THE DISTRICT
A special grand jury empaneled by U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro has been looking into truancy and graduation rates in D.C. Public Schools, The Washington Post reports. The rarely used tool allows prosecutors to investigate but not necessarily file charges for wrongdoing — the grand jury can instead issue a report on its investigation.
Pirro has raised concerns about oversight of D.C. teenagers over the past year, threatening to prosecute parents for allowing their children out past curfew and pushing to change city law to give her office authority to prosecute more teens as adults.
What will D.C. do with its Meta millions? Henderson suggested Thursday on X that the District could “finally” fund a youth psychiatric treatment facility in the city with the settlement money from the social media giant.
The tribe has spoken. A federal prosecutor living in D.C. is among the castaways set to compete on the 51st season of “Survivor,” People magazine reports.
Hyperlocal politics can get physical, it seems. An advisory neighborhood commissioner in Ward 5 has been charged with simple assault after authorities said she shoved a woman at a public meeting. The dispute stemmed from a disagreement over a proposed bike lane in the Bloomingdale neighborhood. Karla Lewis, the accused commissioner, has raised concerns over the bike lane that could run along R Street Northwest.
FROM MARYLAND
The University of Maryland’s flagship campus in College Park is predicting a 30% decline in new graduate student enrollment this fall due to President Donald Trump’s new visa restrictions, The Banner reports.
METRO MOMENTS
Last month, we sent photographer Jared Soares out to Nats Park to take some pictures of Natty, the much-loved team dog. Our story on Natty came out earlier this week, and we would highly recommend checking it out. But there were just too many good photos to choose from. So, here’s a favorite from the cutting room floor.
SPORTS
The Nats are no longer in the playoff hunt, but that doesn’t mean this season has lost all meaning. In fact, NOTUS’ Jesse Dougherty argues that the idea of no-stakes baseball is a myth. Every game means a whole lot to somebody, whether it’s a captivated fan in Section 226 or a recent call-up on the mound.
Fire away, Commanders fans: NOTUS’ Martenzie Johnson will be doing an AMA at noon today over on r/Commanders.
What to Watch This Weekend
Friday
NFL preseason: Commanders at Ravens, 6 p.m. (WUSA9)
MLB: Nationals vs. Marlins, 6:45 p.m. (Fox5)
WNBA: Mystics at Sparks, 10 p.m. (Ion)
Saturday
MLB: Nationals vs. Marlins, 4:05 p.m. (MLB.TV)
MLS: D.C. United vs. LAFC, 7:30 p.m. (Apple TV)
Sunday
MLB: Nationals vs. Marlins, 12:15 (Peacock)
NWSL: Spirit vs. Bay FC, 12:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
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The newsletter was produced by Jaden Amos, Michael Errigo and Nikie Johnson. Photo by Jared Soares for NOTUS.
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