Katie Mettler
@kemettler
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@washingtonpost reporter covering state government and criminal justice in Maryland. @PostGuild always. Hoosier in my heart.
Washington, DC
Joined January 2011
Exclusive report from me on Maryland’s maximum security psychiatric hospital, where years of understaffing and mismanagement created dangerous conditions that drove away staff and left patients vulnerable. I talked to nearly 30 people for this one: https://t.co/3cthBPxHDq
washingtonpost.com
A Washington Post investigation found that officials didn’t act on staff complaints about facility violence, which culminated in a patient brawl, rape and death.
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SCOOP from @emilyopilo & @LeeOSanderlin: Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates said he is “terminating” his coordination with the mayor’s public safety office, which oversees the city’s flagship anti-violence initiative
thebanner.com
Ivan Bates outlined numerous complaints about the office, according to a seven-page letter sent to Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott Tuesday.
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This fall, DYRS Director Sam Abed presented a potential solution to overcrowding at D.C.'s youth detention center: a Maryland facility. But turns out there were at least 2 problems: the Md. facility was decrepit, and it was also unavailable. w/ @kemettler:
washingtonpost.com
The Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services director caused an uproar by suggesting a shuttered detention facility in Maryland that isn’t available could be used to fix an overcrowding problem.
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D.C.'s DYRS is under fire for chronic overcrowding issues re: detained kids. One proposed solution: Use an old Maryland youth jail for overflow. The problem: It was condemned in 2022. The other problem: It's... not for sale (to DC). w/ @jennygathright
https://t.co/LDtS95Km0H
washingtonpost.com
The Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services director caused an uproar by suggesting a shuttered detention facility in Maryland that isn’t available could be used to fix an overcrowding problem.
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This is why it's vital to have a robust local news operation in every city in America
“Bluntly, the taxpayers of D.C. are being screwed.” New investigation from @stevesthompson details how developers w political ties to Mayor Bowser stand to collect millions from an affordable housing project near the RFK Stadium. https://t.co/1t3hGkmNZp
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“Bluntly, the taxpayers of D.C. are being screwed.” New investigation from @stevesthompson details how developers w political ties to Mayor Bowser stand to collect millions from an affordable housing project near the RFK Stadium. https://t.co/1t3hGkmNZp
washingtonpost.com
The Ethel was built on land provided by the city and benefited from a cascade of government subsidies that helped enrich its developers, a Washington Post investigation found.
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Over 700 people stood in line in the cold for a chance at emergency rental aid in D.C. on the one day they could apply this year, after the phone lines crashed due to overwhelming demand. Here are their stories.
washingtonpost.com
Many had lost jobs and fallen behind on rent. But D.C.’s emergency rental aid program is limited after major budget cuts.
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Overheard at the Tune Inn has to be one of the most D.C. politics things ever
Scoop: Progressive council member Janeese Lewis George is all-in on a Zohran Mamdani-style campaign for D.C. mayor. A tipster overheard it all and spills the details: Ambitious plan wants 5,000 volunteers and a digital guru from Mamdani camp.
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Jose Antonio Sanchez Matute is the latest person to be stopped by D.C. police for a nonviolent traffic infraction, then end up in an ICE detention center, even as Mayor Bowser says she is working to end D.C. police patrols with DHS. https://t.co/PAdwT4lH48
washingtonpost.com
The arrest comes as some D.C. residents have expressed mounting frustration with city officials over the level of police cooperation with immigration officials.
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This week, I was fired from @SunSearchlight. I was let go from the organization less than 24 hours after myself & several staff members raised serious workplace misconduct issues with our EIC. We had documented proof of questionable AI uses, including hallucinated quotes.
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A Homeland Security agent shot at a car during a chase in Southeast D.C. tonight, police officials say. It’s the second time in a month that an HSI agent has fired at a car while patrolling with D.C. police. Both began as traffic stops. https://t.co/xxPe7ljcqZ
washingtonpost.com
The shooting marks the second time in the past month that a Homeland Security agent has shot at a car while patrolling with D.C. police.
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BREAKING: We did win! Today the 3rd Circuit Court ordered the @PittsburghPG to restore our contract it illegally tore up 5 years ago. That’s our health care, PTO, right to a 40-hr. week, short-term disability and so much more we’ve struck for for 3+ years.
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Our top story: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit orders the PG to restore the striking journalists' contract, including its health care plan, and bargain a new one, and strikers are looking forward to returning to work:
unionprogress.com
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit on Monday morning ruled for the journalists of the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh in the federal case behind their more than three-year strike at the...
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D.C. police chief Pamela A. Smith yesterday denied allegations by lawyers that city police were part of a cover-up. “I’ll stand 10 toes down in saying there is no cover-up.” She called parts of The Post’s reporting “misleading.” She did not dispute that a Homeland Security
washingtonpost.com
Chief Pamela A. Smith on Thursday defended an officer whose police report about a traffic stop omitted that a federal agent shot at the driver.
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LETTER FROM THE EDITORS: IDS to continue printing after IU reverses course
idsnews.com
Our next edition will hit the stands Nov. 20.
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New: Correctional staff at a Western Maryland prison shut off the water to a mentally ill man’s cell, then allowed him to suffer for eight days before he finally died of dehydration, according to a lawsuit.
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Still on the job, with or without Pentagon access. Tips still welcome on Signal at danlamothe.30
Today, the Department of War is announcing the next generation of the Pentagon press corps. We are excited to announce over 60 journalists, representing a broad spectrum of new media outlets and independent journalists, have signed the Pentagon’s media access policy and will be
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This would strip *thousands* of DC residents who live in 2-4 unit buildings of their TOPA rights. TOPA is the first right to buy your home — a key tenant right in DC. DC residents had ZERO opportunity to testify on this because it was a last-minute amendment to the bill. Awful.
Tomorrow the D.C. Council will take a final vote on the RENTAL Act, which would speed up some evictions and exempt newer buildings from the law that gives tenants first right to buy. Also: @AnitaBondsDC’s amendment to exempt 2-4 unit buildings from TOPA. Rationale is below.
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I wrote about what's happening with the student paper at Indiana University right now
nytimes.com
The administration at Indiana University Bloomington fired the adviser to the paper and barred the publication from putting out a print edition.
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How are @idsnews alumni celebrating IU homecoming? Fighting for a free press, of course! Today, 243 IDS alums urged @IUBloomington @IUMediaSchool to restore the Indiana journalism program to the crown jewel it once was. 📨LETTER:
docs.google.com
Oct. 17, 2025 President Whitten, Provost Shrivastav, Chancellor Reingold, and Dean Tolchinsky: We, a group of 243 Indiana Daily Student (IDS) alumni as far back as the Class of 1970, are writing to...
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The @purdueexponent’s “Operation Clandestine Delivery” was a success! We delivered special edition Exponents to the IU campus after the University admin there canceled @IDSnews print editions. Student journalism solidarity. 👊🏼
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