ASHRAF KHALIL

Reporter

Khalil writes about local issues in Washington, D.C., for The Associated Press and covers the social safety net around the country.

The Library of Congress wants more visitors. Spider-Man, Santana and Lincoln are on deck

The Library of Congress is unveiling an eclectic new exhibit drawing on the institution’s vast historical archives and designed to make the Library a more popular and accessible destination for visitors and tourists.

Kids are upstaging their political parents — by acting like kids

For one shining moment this week, the country’s ongoing political crises were swept away by the comedic power of one wildly exuberant 6-year-old. Rep.

George defeats two challengers in Ward 4 Democratic primary in race centered on public safety

Janeese Lewis George defeated a pair of challengers in Tuesday’s Democratic primary and will head into November’s general election as a heavy favorite to retain her Ward 4 seat on the D.C.

Off-duty police officer injured in shooting in Washington, DC

A off-duty police officer in Washington, D.C., was injured Monday afternoon when a suspect opened fire as the officer was driving to work.

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters rally in the rain in DC to mark a painful present and past

Hundreds of protesters rallied within sight of the U.S. Capitol, chanting pro-Palestinian slogans and voicing criticism of the Israeli and American governments.

Police clear pro-Palestinian protest camp and arrest 33 at DC campus as mayor’s hearing is canceled

Republicans are welcoming a police crackdown that cleared a pro-Palestinian tent encampment at George Washington University and led to the arrests of 33 protesters.

World Central Kitchen is saving lives with food but paying a price in blood

The deaths of seven World Central Kitchen workers in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza was a tragic turn for an American homegrown charity that, in less than 15 years, has mushroomed from the grassroots brainchild of a celebrity chef into one of the world’s most recognized food relief organizations.

Comedian Kevin Hart joins an elite group honored with the Mark Twain Prize for American humor

Kevin Hart rose from the open mics and comedy clubs of his native Philadelphia to become one of his country’s most recognizable performers.

More than 100 iconic cherry trees in Washington are being cut down. So long, Stumpy

The sun is setting on Stumpy, the gnarled old cherry tree that has become a social media phenom. This year’s cherry blossom festivities in Washington will be the last for Stumpy and more than 100 other cherry trees that will be cut down as part of a multiyear restoration of their Tidal Basin home.

Housing Secretary Fudge resigning. Biden hails her dedication to boosting supply of affordable homes

Housing and Urban Development Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman will serve as acting secretary when Marcia Fudge’s resignation takes effect March 22.

Two fragile DC neighborhoods hang in the balance as the Wizards and Capitals consider leaving town

The proposed move of the Capitals and Wizards sports teams to nearby Virginia has stoked concern in a pair of fragile Washington neighborhoods.

A sure sign of spring: The iconic cherry trees in the nation’s capital will soon begin to bloom

It’s cherry blossom season again, and officials in the nation’s capital are predicting a banner year for the signature pink blooms.

National Archives working to clean up red powder dumped on Constitution display by protesters

Conservationists at the National Archives are still working to clean up the building’s rotunda area after a pair of protesters dumped reddish powder Wednesday afternoon on the display case housing the original U.S.

Burning insulation causes DC to evacuate Metro station and suspend service on multiple lines

Authorities in D.C. have evacuated an underground Metro station and shut down parts of three Metro lines after an insulator under a rail car caught fire and sent smoke into the station.

Protesters pour red powder on US Constitution enclosure, prompting evacuation of National Archives

The National Archives building and galleries were evacuated after two protesters dumped powder on the protective casing around the U.S. Constitution.

The crane attacked potential mates. But then she fell for her keeper

One of the great interspecies love stories of our time has come to an end. Walnut, a white-naped crane who fell for her keeper at the National Zoo’s campus in Virginia, has passed away at age 42.

In snowy DC, the March for Life rallies against abortion with an eye toward the November elections

Thousands of opponents of abortion rights went marching in Washington after speakers urged the impassioned crowd to capitalize on the movement’s major victory in the Supreme Court and keep fighting until abortion is eliminated.

DC to consider major new public safety bill to stem rising violent crime

Local lawmakers in the nation’s capital are introducing public safety legislation aiming to bring down spiraling violent crimes rates.

Federal agency blames ‘poor safety culture’ for 2021 DC Metro train derailment

A top federal transportation safety official is harshly criticizing Washington’s regional transit agency, saying a “poor safety culture” led to an October 2021 derailment that caused hundreds of new Metro railcars to be pulled from service.

Technology built the cashless society. Advances are helping the unhoused so they’re not left behind

Just as technological shifts created the cashless society, further advances are now helping charitable groups and advocates for the unhoused reach those most in danger of being left behind.

Kennedy Center Honors fetes new inductees, including Queen Latifah, Billy Crystal and Dionne Warwick

New Kennedy Center honorees including comedian Billy Crystal and rapper and actor Queen Latifah have been feted at a star-studded event commemorating their lifetime achievement in arts and entertainment.

Toppled White House Christmas tree is secured upright, and lighting show will happen as scheduled

Repair crews have installed concrete blocks and cables to secure the National Christmas Tree in front of the White House after the tree blew down.

Homicides are rising in the nation’s capital, but police are solving far fewer of the cases

As the number of homicides in Washington, D.C., rises, the percentage that are solved by the Metropolitan Police Department has dropped this year.

The District of Columbia is combating car thefts and carjackings with dashcams and AirTags

The government and police in the nation’s capital are handing out tracking devices and dashboard cameras to local drivers to help stem rising crime rates.

Could America’s giant panda exodus be reversed? The Chinese president’s comments spark optimism

Panda lovers in America have received a much-needed injection of hope as Chinese President Xi Jinping says his government is “ready to continue” lending the black and white icons to American zoos.

Kevin Hart will receive the Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize for lifetime achievement in comedy

Comedian Kevin Hart has been chosen to receive the Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize for lifetime achievement in American humor.

National Zoo’s giant pandas fly home amid uncertainty about future panda exchanges

The day that panda lovers have been dreading has finally come.

DC Murder suspect who escaped police custody recaptured after seven weeks on the run

Police have recaptured a murder suspect who escaped custody in September, forcing an hours-long shelter-in-place order at George Washington University.

The Biden administration is encouraging the conversion of empty office space to affordable housing

The Biden administration is launching a multi-agency effort to encourage states and cities to convert more empty office buildings into housing units, with billions of federal dollars available to help spur such transitions.

DC pandas will be returning to China in mid-November, weeks earlier than expected

The National Zoo’s three three celebrity pandas will be heading home a little earlier than expected.