Deborah Simmons

Donald Trump, Mike Pence get school choice mostly right

A lot of Americans disagree with Donald Trump for lots of reasons. Yet, when it comes to school reform and school choice, he gets a lot of things right. So pay attention to this crucial domestic issue. Published September 12, 2016

Redskins, Steelers and Monday night’s football matchup

My birth town Pittsburgh Steelers are taking on my hometown Washington Redskins. In the season opener. On Monday night. This NFL girl couldn't ask for more -- except a win, of course. Published September 8, 2016

Kratom: Facts, fiction, DEA ban

Obliged to continue a discussion on the botanical kratom that I began on Tuesday, let us begin. Published September 7, 2016

Nancy Pelosi’s son, Navy mom at odds over kratom

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's only son, Paul Jr., and a Navy mom are on opposing sides when it comes to kratom, a so-called anti-opioid substance. Published September 6, 2016

A Frenchman’s legacy, America’s black history museum

Do you know who Philip Simmons was? Published September 1, 2016

The Rev. Cynthia Hale, DNC platform official, to speak at black caucus event

A vice chairman of the Democrats' convention platform committee will deliver the keynote address at this month's Congressional Black Caucus prayer breakfast. Published August 31, 2016

Memo to D.C. parents

Now that the doors have swung wide for the 2016-17 school year, it is time to direct some gnawing questions toward the Bowser administration. Published August 29, 2016

Power stuggle on D.C. Council

Meet Rosemary Smith. Published August 9, 2016

Rigged D.C. elections set up White to replace Orange

The Democrats clearly know how to get into City Hall, but they don't know nothin' about nothin' when it comes to filling voluntary vacancies on the D.C. Council. Published August 8, 2016

Unions blast charter school funds, Philly dummies dumpster dive

Let's momentarily step away from the new 24/7 reality show "Republican Apprentice." (Spoiler alert: Donald Trump is trying to prove he never was on the Republican reservation.) Published August 4, 2016

Paul Wiedefeld, Metro GM, moves into Phase 3

Hear ye! Hear ye! Job cuts at the region's Metro system are coming. Published August 2, 2016

John Hinckley out, NBA in with Events DC plans

John Hinckley, the man who tried to assassinate Ronald Reagan, is out. The NBA and WNBA basketball teams are in -- and add to that list whatever other "entertainment" proposals that pop into the minds of Events DC staffers. Published August 1, 2016

Karl Racine, D.C. attorney general, nabs school frauds

It has been an inside joke since the 1960s and '70s. What do parents do when their children are prepubescent? Move to Maryland or Virginia. Published July 28, 2016

John Hinckley release shows too quick a judgment

With the Democratic Party's ongoing kumbaya moment in Philadelphia sucking the wind out of front page-worthy news, this is as good a time as any to note two national criminal justice stories. Published July 27, 2016

Hillary Clinton 2.0 pairs with Charles Ramsey 2.0

We learned this week that Charles Ramsey is scheduled to step into the political spotlight next week at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, where the coronation of you-know-who will be held. Published July 21, 2016

‘We don’t need to march,’ ‘shoot cops’

A self-described disciple of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Omar Parker of Washington, North Carolina, is a victim and a visionary, a mentor and a teacher -- and a quick look at where he has been explains why he no longer sees various shades of gray. Published July 18, 2016

(Wo)man your flank against ‘Day of Rage’

Bill Maher usually cracks me up. This week, though, when the host of "Real Time" told the host of "Hardball" that, without police, America "would look like that movie 'The Purge,'" my brows furrowed for so long I thought perhaps Mr. Maher was losing his edginess. Published July 14, 2016

Utility costs in D.C. to increase with Pepco merger

It's budget recalibration time, especially if you're a senior citizen and on a fixed income. Published June 30, 2016

‘Racist’ brownie flap among third-graders

Grown folk, pay attention. A third grader talked about the brownies that were going to be served at his class' end-of-school party. A classmate said his comment was "racist." The teacher called the police. The boy was suspended. Child protection services began a probe. Parents are livid. Published June 29, 2016

Easy summer vacation checklist

With you and the family renting a cottage for summer vacation instead of booking a hotel room, some of the best advice you should follow are these four words: Be prepared and enjoy. Published June 28, 2016