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Critical. Subversive. Irrepressible.

AWOL

Critical. Subversive. Irrepressible.

AWOL

Critical. Subversive. Irrepressible.

AWOL

Former AUPD Chief Phil Morse, Officer Donnell Bullock and Senior Investigator Stephen McClary arrested Elaf Hasan on March 28, 2025. A judge and prosecutors dismissed the charges against her.
How the criminal case against a pro-Palestinian protestor fell apart
American University Police arrested Elaf Hasan during the former university president’s inauguration. But court documents, emails and interviews show that AUPD’s failure to produce video evidence brought prosecutors’ case down over a constitutional rights violation.
An environmental disaster leaves hanging threads
Ben Ackman • July 27, 2026
Former AUPD Chief Phil Morse, Officer Donnell Bullock and Senior Investigator Stephen McClary arrested Elaf Hasan on March 28, 2025. A judge and prosecutors dismissed the charges against her.
How the criminal case against a pro-Palestinian protestor fell apart
American University Police arrested Elaf Hasan during the former university president’s inauguration. But court documents, emails and interviews show that AUPD’s failure to produce video evidence brought prosecutors’ case down over a constitutional rights violation.
Will Sytsma • August 19, 2026
The killers of 11 transgender people in Washington have yet to be convicted
The killers of 11 transgender people in Washington have yet to be convicted
Experts say trust in police could be the cause.
Sam Epner • May 7, 2026
A Metropolitan Police Department car sits on Massachusetts Avenue on Feb. 6.
Trump’s takeover of local police was new. D.C. police departments’ rocky relationship with Black residents wasn’t.
Despite an increase in fear, underlying problems in MPD’s policing of Washington’s Black residents already existed, data and advocate interviews show.
Will Sytsma and Stevie Rosenfeld • April 27, 2026
Former AUPD Chief Phil Morse, Officer Donnell Bullock and Senior Investigator Stephen McClary arrested Elaf Hasan on March 28, 2025. A judge and prosecutors dismissed the charges against her.
How the criminal case against a pro-Palestinian protestor fell apart
American University Police arrested Elaf Hasan during the former university president’s inauguration. But court documents, emails and interviews show that AUPD’s failure to produce video evidence brought prosecutors’ case down over a constitutional rights violation.
Will Sytsma • August 19, 2026
For the past year and a half, student researchers have felt the impacts of the Trump administration's federal funding policies.
For American University’s student researchers, uncertainties cloud the horizon
Past funding cuts and incoming regulations have caused fear among student researchers and their mentors. While some have abandoned academia, others see hope in the future of their research.
Stevie Rosenfeld and Kristine Roque • July 6, 2026
AU's free speech policy changed three times in four years
AU’s free speech policy changed three times in four years
Protests, a legal complaint and a new president sparked the changes.
Joseph Albushies and Elias Garcia • May 4, 2026
James Biddle (left) has ebeen working to maintain the arboretum's legacy. Mike Mastrota (right) helped start the arboretum and was its first manager.
AU’s arboretum had the same manager since its start. That changed in February.
The landscape architect who helped create the arboretum passed the torch to an arborist this semester.
Caleb Ogilvie and Marisa Alvarez • May 1, 2026
Two eras of protest
Two eras of protest
Students protested the National Guard, sexual assault and war this year. Their protests looked different nearly 60 years ago.
Sela Quiniones • April 27, 2026
Daniel Kingery sits at his corner at 15th Street and I Street NW under a baking sun on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. He said Washington sanitation workers broke down his makeshift home, which had a roof and solar panels, as part of President Donald Trump’s October crackdown on homeless encampments in the city.
City authorities removed a veteran from Washington’s streets. It’s set to happen again.
After officials removed him in October under a mental health order, veteran and activist Daniel Kingery called their actions unconstitutional. As another removal approaches on Sept. 1, scholars say current laws back officials’ actions.
Josh Nagy-Koechlin • August 10, 2026
The killers of 11 transgender people in Washington have yet to be convicted
The killers of 11 transgender people in Washington have yet to be convicted
Experts say trust in police could be the cause.
Sam Epner • May 7, 2026
A Metropolitan Police Department car sits on Massachusetts Avenue on Feb. 6.
Trump’s takeover of local police was new. D.C. police departments’ rocky relationship with Black residents wasn’t.
Despite an increase in fear, underlying problems in MPD’s policing of Washington’s Black residents already existed, data and advocate interviews show.
Will Sytsma and Stevie Rosenfeld • April 27, 2026
Lawyers can prosecute crimes as hate crimes at the D.C. Superior Court, but experts say they may not because of evidence complications and legal strategies.
Washington’s hate crimes law infrequently delivers justice
For over a decade, charges under D.C.’s Bias-Related Crimes Act remained few. In lieu of legal solutions, some groups are fighting hate at its roots.
Sydnee Patak and Emma Pierce • April 21, 2026
Washington Wears
Exploring the impact of fashion in D.C.
Natalie Monga, Marisa Alvarez, Stevie Rosenfeld, Clair Sapilewski, and Chase Gorman • December 29, 2025
A band performs at Bossa Bistro + Lounge.
Latin dancers form community across Washington
Some leaders and participants of dance spaces say the locations provide fellowship through movement.
Sara De Almeida • April 27, 2026
Queens of Go-Go
Celebrating Go-Go and Cumbia in the District
Washington’s official music genre meets traditional Colombian rhythms for a night of dancing at Anthem Row.
Miles Hazo • October 27, 2025
Grounded in community
Grounded in community
A new wave of coffee culture is bringing a new approach to a D.C. scene dominated by chains
Will Sytsma • April 24, 2025
"Homeless Lives Matter," by Rose Jaffe, located at 2nd and D St. NW.
Mapping DC’s murals
Artists in the district explore statehood, homelessness and racial justice through murals.
Natalie Monga • April 24, 2025
Eyes from above
Eyes from above
Uncovering the National Cathedral’s open-air secrets.
Vanessa Levins • April 22, 2025
USAID's Bureau for Global Health lost 711 employees between Jan. 20, 2025, and Feb. 28, 2025, according to a USAID memo.
A year after confusing layoffs, some former federal workers are moving forward
Former federal workers look back on a period of confusion and heartbreak in their professional lives. They say they’re moving on.
Mary Clare Ingram and Ava Terry • May 6, 2026
A January of anti-ICE protests
A January of anti-ICE protests
A month of anti-ICE protests swept Washington after the killing of Renée Good.
Benjamin Austin • April 22, 2026
A protestor lifts a corner of an American flag at Farragut Square.
“We are not Afghans:” Protestors of Afghanistan’s diaspora deny responsibility for National Guard shooting
Tajik, Uzbek and Hazaran protestors said they are not collectively responsible for the Pashtun shooter’s actions.
Ben Ackman • December 9, 2025
A mourner for Charlie Kirk holds an electric candle at the vigil for Charlie Kirk in the School of International Service Founders Room on Sept. 15.
Charlie Kirk’s legacy celebrated, debated at vigil
Organizers of a Sept. 15 vigil for the slain conservative activist said Kirk was an early political inspiration to them. Others came to protest Kirk’s views.
Ben Ackman • November 20, 2025
Thousands gather for No Kings protest in Washington
Thousands gather for No Kings protest in Washington
Washingtonians rallied together to protest against recent policies put in place by President Donald Trump.
Conny Galvez, Sophia Berumen, Ben Ackman, and Lilly Barnett • November 20, 2025
The door closes to the lobby of 3201 New Mexico Avenue, which houses American University's Office of Equity and Title IX.
Professor’s exit fits national pattern of Title IX falling short
Title IX offices routinely fall short of student concerns, prioritize universities, experts said.
Ava Ramsdale • December 11, 2025
Waitlisted for well-being
Waitlisted for well-being
Students weigh in on current state of mental health services on campus.
Mia Kimm and Ali Filali • December 8, 2025
Missing medications
Missing medications
Shortages, pharmacies and Student Health Center limit ADHD prescriptions
Catherine Brennan • April 17, 2024
On medical leave
On medical leave
Absence requests impact college life for those facing health issues
Lily Tierney • April 17, 2024
AU amid a pandemic
AU amid a pandemic
COVID continues to have an impact on the student experience, safety and academics
Tom Langford and Jack Lunder • January 29, 2024