AWOL

How the criminal case against a pro-Palestinian protestor fell apart

Will Sytsma, Editor-in-Chief — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:45:33 +0000

Do you have information about this story or another? AWOL wants to hear from you. Contact the editor at awolau@gmail.com or on the encrypted messaging app Signal at willsytsma.27. Elaf Hasan woke up on March 28, 2025, with a plan. The School of International Service graduate student went to Home Depot, bought a wooden stick...

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City authorities removed a veteran from Washington’s streets. It’s set to happen again.

Josh Nagy-Koechlin, Staff Writer and Podcast Staff Member — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 13:00:36 +0000

Update on Aug. 21 at 3:42 p.m.: Authorities pushed the newest encampment cleanup from Aug. 20 to Sept. 1, a photo that Kingery sent to AWOL after this story’s publication shows. The story has been updated to reflect the new cleanup date. A rusty bike leaned against a signpost at the corner of I Street...

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An environmental disaster leaves hanging threads

Ben Ackman, Multimedia Director — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 12:50:40 +0000

For 18 years, Richard Farino has equipped Washington’s fishermen to catch shad on the Potomac River. This spring, he said, was the worst season for demand he’s ever seen. Farino owns District Angling, a tackle shop in Arlington specializing in fly-fishing gear. It supplies customers for the shad run, a yearly period where American and...

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For American University’s student researchers, uncertainties cloud the horizon

Stevie Rosenfeld and Kristine Roque — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 13:00:47 +0000

Sophia Gagliardi, a graduate student at American University, heard that the National Institutes of Health would make cuts to research grants when the news first broke in early 2025. Gagliardi, a biology major and a public health minor, said the news was a lot to take in. She worried about the labs at the agency...

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The killers of 11 transgender people in Washington have yet to be convicted

Sam Epner, Staff Writer — Thu, 07 May 2026 12:00:13 +0000

On October 14, 2023, someone killed A’nee Roberson. An unknown person pushed Roberson into the street, where a car struck and killed her, according to the Metropolitan Police Department’s web page about Roberson. MPD released photos and a video of a person of interest, but the killer was never prosecuted. Roberson is one of six...

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A year after confusing layoffs, some former federal workers are moving forward

Mary Clare Ingram and Ava Terry — Wed, 06 May 2026 15:00:17 +0000

Nadine Bùi was a tuberculosis program analyst for the United States Agency for International Development. She worked there for four years. Then, in January 2025, the Department of Government Efficiency began laying off federal employees. Bùi said she felt numb when she was laid off from USAID. She broke down for the first time when...

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AU’s free speech policy changed three times in four years

Joseph Albushies and Elias Garcia — Mon, 04 May 2026 14:08:44 +0000

Content warning: This article contains violent messages against Palestinians and Jewish people. Discretion is advised. Over three months after Oct. 7, 2023, the administration of former American University President Sylvia Burwell issued temporary speech policies, writing in a Jan. 25, 2024, announcement that it would evaluate the policies at the end of the semester. Current...

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AU’s arboretum had the same manager since its start. That changed in February.

Caleb Ogilvie and Marisa Alvarez — Fri, 01 May 2026 12:00:20 +0000

James Biddle was taking notes on American University’s arboretum before he even became its arboretum manager. Walking across campus to interview for the job last October, he admired how plants added depth and prevented runoff on the field between the McKinley Building and the Hall of Science. The trees also looked healthy despite being vulnerable...

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Latin dancers form community across Washington

Sara De Almeida, Staff Writer, Multimedia Contributor and PR Staff Member — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:00:59 +0000

In a small back room in Northwest Washington, during the frigid month of January, the air was thick with laughter. Purple and red lights illuminated the space, highlighting the drum, saxophone and cowbell on the stage. Samba and jazz music pulsed through the room, and hardly anyone stood still. Heels rhythmically struck the hardwood floor...

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Two eras of protest

Sela Quiniones, Assistant Editor — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:00:31 +0000

Over 1,000 American University students took to Ward Circle during rush hour on May 6, 1970. They were protesting the fatal shooting of four student protesters at an anti-Vietnam War protest at Kent State University in Ohio. Students laid down in the streets, blocked traffic and created noise as part of the protest, according to...

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