Washington State News

Israeli diplomat, woman shot and killed in front of Capital Jewish Museum in DC

Wed, 21 May 2025 21:41:26 +0000

A man and woman were shot and killed in front of the Capital Jewish Museum in Northwest D.C. Wednesday evening.

The man was an Israeli diplomat, two sources familiar with the investigation confirmed.

The shooting took place about 9:15 p.m. in the area of 3rd and F streets in Northwest — in front of the Capital Jewish Museum and behind the FBI field office and the U.S. attorney’s office.

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon posted on the social media platform X that Israeli embassy employees were injured in the fatal shooting. He called it “a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism.”

News4 has not confirmed any additional victims other than the deceased man and woman.

The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is responding, sources familiar with the shooting told News4.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi posted on X that she went to the scene.

“Praying for the victims of this violence as we work to learn more,” she wrote.

The scene is just blocks away from D.C. police headquarters.

Police asked people to avoid the area.

The D.C. government recently announced a half million dollars in grants for local nonprofits to help offset security costs. One recipient is the Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum, which said it has serious concerns about security, not just because they are a Jewish organization, but also due to a new exhibit focused on the LGBTQ community.

Stay with NBC Washington for updates to this developing story.

‘Playing defense on every level': Advocates worry about future of Chesapeake Bay

Wed, 21 May 2025 20:57:26 +0000

The Chesapeake Bay is the healthiest it has been, according to the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. The 2024 Report Card gave the Bay a C+ — a grade the Bay hasn’t received since 2002.

But conservationists and advocates told the News4 I-Team they’ve never experienced anything like the chaos and proposed cuts of the past five months. According to those experts, it is already putting decades of environmental progress in jeopardy.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” Hilary Harp Falk, the president and CEO of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation told the I-Team. “I have been in this field for 40 years.”

Cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay has been a decades-long fight. Successful, the I-Team is told, because of cooperation between the federal government, six states, the District of Columbia and a host of nonprofits committed to restoring the Bay.

Falk told I-Team you can see, touch and swim in the progress that has been made, and she worries proposed budget cuts by President Donald Trump could undo the changes.

“It doesn’t make sense to me. It’s crab feasts and oysters. It is swimming in your local river — all of that,” Falk told the I-Team on a pier above the Bay. “It’s getting better and the idea that we would stop or take a step back really is hard to get your head around.”

Looming cuts impact on Bay

Falk said she’s worried about the impact of thousands of job losses in federal environmental agencies, frozen grants and those proposed budget cuts.

“The chaos is that every hour on the hour there’s a new announcement, a new rollback. There’s a phone call from a federal colleague who’s just lost their job,” Falk said.

While the federal government won’t release precise numbers, Falk said thousands of people have left agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture — all of which do important work on the Bay.

“There’s an incredible amount of talent right now that’s flooding out of the federal government,” Falk told the I-Team.

On top of the job losses, conservationists are tracking more than $7 billion in cuts to federal agencies proposed in President Trump’s recent budget outline. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation says it is money the USGS uses to monitor fish and stream health in the Bay. Money the Agriculture Department granted to farmers to adopt environmentally friendly farming techniques frozen.

Kristin Reilly, the director of the Choose Clean Water Coalition, said that’s hurt years of trust-building with farmers.

“I don’t think farmers are going to be alone in their hesitation on federal funding,” she said

Part of those massive proposed cuts, according to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, include $5 billion from the EPA budget — slightly more than half the agency’s budget last year. The EPA devotes $92 million annually to the Bay restoration alone, according to the foundation.

Terminated grants

Reilly said these days are full of anxiety for her and her team, too.

“I would be lying to say if we weren’t extremely worried about what’s going on,” Reilly said.

Her coalition is tracking dozens of grants Bay restoration groups count on that they say have been canceled. Reilly said some after work had already begun — resiliency projects like flood walls, urban tree planting to increase shade and fight climate change, and environmental justice grants. Reilly said even grants that are still funded have been frozen and unfrozen at least once in the past four months causing unease and confusion.

The future of the Bay

Facing intense questioning at a recent Senate committee, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin seemed to back the Bay.

“The Chesapeake Bay Program is an amazing program,” Zeldin told Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md. “Our team takes great pride in running it with a lot of success stories that span multiple states, including yours. We will make sure you also have a smile on your face … when the full budget is released and you see the numbers for the Chesapeake Bay.”

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It is promising, but not a guarantee in budget writing or law. Not yet.

Federal money spent on the Bay, both Falk and Reilly say, cannot be replaced by states or by private donors. The Bay Foundation’s Falk says it is taking them away from the job at hand.

“We are playing defense on pretty much every single level, and it’s really taking away from the work we should be doing,” Falk said.

Reported by Ted Oberg, produced by Rick Yarborough, and shot and edited by Jeff Piper.

50,000 bees: How hidden hives were discovered in a Chevy Chase home

Wed, 21 May 2025 19:27:02 +0000

A Chevy Chase resident called a repair guy because she had a leaky roof and learned she had a much bigger problem: 50,000 bees.

Lauren Ashburn said her family had seen some bees in an upstairs room but had no ideas there were tens of thousands.

Video shows swarms of bees lining Ashburn’s ceiling.

“If I had known I had 50,000 bees in my house, I think I would never have been able to sleep at night,” Ashburn said.

Who do you call when faced with a huge bee infestation?

Capitol Bee Care suited up and got to work.

“So we’re just rehousing them, we’re taking all of their furniture, all of their stuff from the pantry, their kids, the nursery, everything else, and we’re putting it in a new box and then we are reestablishing the adult bees.” said Rachel Grace, a beekeeper with Capitol Bee Care.

Using a special vacuum called a “bee vac,” they suctioned up the bees from the roof.

“This is like a holistic thing for me. I enjoy doing it,” said Sean McKenzie, another beekeeper with Capitol Bee Care.

Ashburn said she’s grateful the bees were found and are gone.

“I’ve never been more happy in my life to have a leak in my roof!” she said with a laugh.

The colony, including the queen bee, was moved to a bee sanctuary, along with the honeycombs they created.

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According to Pat McTavish, the roofer who discovered the bees, they “must have been inside the walls and inside the roof.”

This wasn’t the first time McTavish has played the role of beekeeper. He shared video of himself working on another infested property.

“Not only do we do roofing, but we now do bee removal,” he said.

When asked if he’s ever been stung during the removals, McTavish responded, “Yeah, but it’s nothing worse than getting your finger hit with a hammer.”

In a matter of two days, Capitol Bee Care cleared the home of the infestation and finished the remaining bee vacuuming.

The beekeepers said they’re called for these types of removals about a dozen times per year. As the Ashburns’ home, an area was patched and sealed so they can’t come back.

Ashburn described the whole encounter as frightening.

“They’re little but they’re really scary,” she said.

DC Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton awarded honorary degree from George Washington University

Wed, 21 May 2025 18:45:19 +0000

During Sunday’s George Washington University commencement, alongside the thousands of undergraduate and graduate students receiving degrees, a D.C. legend was also honored.

Eleanor Holmes Norton, the nonvoting Democratic delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives since 1991, was given an honorary degree from GW. She was recognized as an honorary Doctor of Public Service, for her tenure as the congressional representative for the District and for her work before that role, advocating for women, equality and human rights.

She received the honorary degree alongside real estate developer and Washington Nationals managing principal owner Mark D. Lerner, and philanthropist and American political history collector Mark R. Shenkman, both GW alumni.

“Mark Lerner, Eleanor Holmes Norton and Mark Shenkman exemplify the highest ideals of leadership, service, and excellent in their respective fields,” GW president Ellen M. Granberg said in a press release.

As a delegate representing D.C., Norton cannot vote on legislation in Congress. But, as an elected official, “she has been a tireless advocate for the passage of legislation that would grant the District of Columbia a voting representative in the House,” a release from GW said.

Her service to others began long before her first election victory, when she participated in the civil rights movement in the 1960s as a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, working with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and former Rep. John Lewis. She participated in sit-ins and protests including the March on Washington in 1963.

In 1965, Norton became the associate director for the American Civil Liberties Union, and in 1970, she represented 60 women in a claim the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) made against the magazine Newsweek. At that time, Newsweek only allowed men to become reporters. Norton’s advocacy led to the magazine hiring its first female reporters.

In 1977, she was appointed by former President Jimmy Carter to be the first female chair of the EEOC. She has also served as the head of New York City’s Human Rights Commission, the release said.

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Higher energy bills on the way for Maryland residents

Wed, 21 May 2025 18:43:50 +0000

Maryland residents are about to see higher costs on their energy bills unless federal regulators take action, state lawmakers say.

A bipartisan group of 87 Maryland senators and delegates sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) demanding action before the hike takes effect on Sunday, June 1.

“This is sort of our last chance to really ask FERC to change a ruling so that our consumers don’t see a significant increase on their bills coming this summer and fall,” Del. Lorig Charkoudian told News4. She’s leading the effort.

The higher bills are the result of a federal process that involves PJM Interconnection, the electrical grid operator for Maryland, as well as D.C. and 12 other states.

In their letter, lawmakers said there were flaws with PJM’s “capacity market auction” last summer, which is driving unnecessary cost spikes.

The capacity market is designed to ensure grid reliability by paying energy generators now to be available in the future.

“Just a straight up wealth transfer from our rate payers to energy companies that do not need these funds to operate,” Charkoudian said.

The process is complicated, but state lawmakers want residents to know they’re trying to intervene to limit the higher costs — which will hit just as the weather heats up and people start using their air conditioning.

If federal regulators don’t intervene, Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) customers are looking at an average $16 a month increase. Pepco customers would see an average $14 a month increase, while Potomac Edison customers would pay $18 more a month, officials said.

But costs could be more depending on how much electricity residents use.

“A high energy bill can be the difference between being able to stay in your home, afford your rent, afford your groceries, afford your prescription drugs or not,” said David Lapp with the Maryland People’s Counsel, which has filed a complaint with PJM.

Lawmakers and the People’s Counsel argue the federal commission approved the cost increase based on “deeply flawed” information and under rules that were changed after the auction last summer.

“So we filed complaint in April about, saying those rules that were in place led to unjust and unreasonable, and therefore unlawful, rates,” Lapp said.

PJM pushed back in a statement to News4, saying in part: “It is not legally possible to adjust the auction results at this time. And there is no reason to do so, as all actions were in accordance with the rules.”

The People’s Counsel is asking federal regulators to make a decision before June 1 or give a refund to customers if the rates are lowered after the deadline.

Measles is very contagious. Here's how to avoid it

Wed, 21 May 2025 15:45:32 +0000

New Jersey health officials are asking people who went to last week’s Shakira concert at MetLife Stadium to monitor for measles symptoms because a person went to see the singer while infectious.

There is no confirmed outbreak in New Jersey, but the U.S. and North America are seeing high measles activity this year — including hundreds sickened by the highly infectious airborne virus in West Texas — and declining rates of people getting the vaccine, which is 97% effective after two doses.

Schools and daycares are among the most common places for measles exposures, like one that happened in three western North Dakota public schools in early May that led to all unvaccinated students being held at home for 21 days under state law.

Here’s what to know about the measles and how to protect yourself.

What’s happening with measles in the U.S.?

Most U.S. children get vaccinated against measles before entering public school, but increasing numbers of people skipping shots for religious or personal reasons have fueled outbreaks in the U.S. and abroad this year.

Overall, the U.S. has seen more than 1,000 measles cases across 30 states since the beginning of the year, and 11 states with outbreaks — defined as three or more related cases. The largest outbreak in the U.S. has been in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. There are also large outbreaks in Mexico and Canada.

What is measles?

It’s a respiratory disease caused by one of the world’s most contagious viruses. The virus is airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It most commonly affects kids.

“On average, one infected person may infect about 15 other people,” said Scott Weaver, a center of excellence director for the Global Virus Network, an international coalition. “There’s only a few viruses that even come close to that.”

Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes and a rash.

The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. When the rash appears, the fever may spike over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the CDC.

There’s no specific treatment for measles, so doctors generally try to alleviate symptoms, prevent complications and keep patients comfortable.

People who have had measles once can’t get it again, health officials say.

Can measles be fatal?

It usually doesn’t kill people, but it can.

Common complications include ear infections and diarrhea. But about 1 in 5 unvaccinated Americans who get measles are hospitalized, the CDC said. Pregnant women who haven’t gotten the vaccine may give birth prematurely or have a low-birthweight baby.

Among children with measles, about 1 in every 20 develops pneumonia, the CDC said, and about one in every 1,000 suffers swelling of the brain called encephalitis — which can lead to convulsions, deafness or intellectual disability.

“Children develop the most severe illness,” said Weaver, who works at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. “The cause of death in these kinds of cases is usually pneumonia and complications from pneumonia.”

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How can you prevent measles?

The best way to avoid measles is to get the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old.

“Before a vaccine was developed in the 1960s, everybody got” measles, Weaver said. There is “great data” on the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, he said, because it’s been around for decades.

“Any of these outbreaks we’re seeing can easily be prevented by increasing the rate of vaccination in the community,” he said. “If we can maintain 95% of people vaccinated, we’re not going to see this happening in the future. And we’ve slipped well below that level in many parts of the country.”

Vaccination rates have declined nationwide since the COVID-19 pandemic, and most states are below the 95% vaccination threshold for kindergartners — the level needed to protect communities against measles outbreaks.

Do you need a booster if you got the MMR vaccine a while ago?

Not usually. People who are vaccinated are considered protected against measles for their lifetime.

Health care providers can test for antibodies and give boosters if needed.

Getting another MMR shot as an adult is harmless if there are concerns about waning immunity, the CDC says. People who have documentation of receiving a live measles vaccine in the 1960s don’t need to be revaccinated, but people who were immunized before 1968 with an ineffective vaccine made from “killed” virus should be revaccinated with at least one dose, the agency said.

People who have documentation that they had measles are immune, and those born before 1957 generally don’t need the shots because so many children got measles back then that they have “presumptive immunity.”

Weaver said people at high risk for infection who got the shots many years ago may want to consider getting a booster if they live in an area with an outbreak. Those may include family members living with someone who has measles or those especially vulnerable to respiratory diseases because of underlying medical conditions.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Why Zach Galifianakis keeps his family ‘away' from Hollywood

Wed, 21 May 2025 15:05:08 +0000

Originally appeared on E! Online

Zach Galifianakis knows that work and pleasure simply do not mix.

And that’s why the “Lilo & Stitch” star recently detailed why fans will never see him, his wife Quinn — whom he married in 2012 — or their two young sons walking a red carpet together.

“I keep show business away from my family,” he told People in an article published May 21. “I’ve never wanted my real life and show business to combine. This is my work, and that’s why they’re not here.”

Indeed, Galifianakis previously told his sons that he worked as a librarian, but now that his kids are old enough to see through his fib, he’s still maintaining a healthy distance between his family and the spotlight.

“I said that when they were younger because I didn’t want them to know anything,” he explained. “But now they’re older, they know that I’m down here promoting this.”

Despite not bringing them along to any of the film’s premieres, Galifianakis assured his family will see him star in the new “Lilo & Stitch” live action remake as Jumba.

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“They’ll see it,” he added. “Yeah, we’ll take them to the movie theater to see it in time. But we live pretty remotely, so I don’t know if it’s even going to be playing where we live.”

Galifianakis — who, per Vulture, owns property in British Columbia — may keep his family out of Hollywood, but he did let them tag along to Hawaii to film the Disney remake, which he called a “dream situation.”

“The Hangover” star’s rare comments on his family come after he shared that while his family was still living in Hollywood, his older son came face-to-face with a billboard of Galifianakis when he was a toddler.

“We were driving in my car,” Galifianakis explained during a 2016 appearance on Conan O’Brien’s late night show. “There was a bus with my face on it and my son said, ‘Look, Daddy’ and I didn’t know what to say because I hadn’t really thought about it. He goes, ‘Who’s that?’ and I don’t know why I said, ‘Oh some idiot.’”

He joked, “He thinks his dad is a professional idiot.”

Army reenactors, flyovers: What to expect at President Trump's military parade in DC

Wed, 21 May 2025 13:37:26 +0000

There’s now a timeline of events available for the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary parade scheduled to take place on June 14, which is also President Donald Trump’s birthday.

The America250 initiative shared the schedule on Wednesday, along with a statement about the parade and celebration in D.C., confirming new details about what the parade will look like.

The parade will commemorate the Army’s long history, “while looking boldly toward the next 250 years of American patriotism and technological advancement,” the statement says.

Attendees can expect historical reenactors with “period-accurate equipment,” Army vehicles, flyovers and military bands, the statement says.

The parade is expected to include 6,600 soldiers, 50 military aircraft and 150 vehicles, Lt. Col. Ruth Castro, a spokeswoman for the Army, confirmed to CNBC this month. It’s scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. and follow a route from the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, across the Memorial Bridge and then east on Constitution Avenue NW along the National Mall.

The parade will be followed by a parachute jump by the Army’s Golden Knights, a concert and fireworks, the Associated Press reported.

Trump will speak at the event, which will take place on his 79th birthday.

“President Donald J. Trump will join veterans, active-duty troops, wounded warriors, Gold Star Families, and Patriotic Americans from across the country to celebrate our heroes who have protected our country through strength and selflessness,” the statement says.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, the U.S. Army has been restored to strength and readiness,” it continues.

Trump attempted to put on a similar parade during his first term in office but had to cancel it because of cost concerns. The 2025 parade could cost between $25 million and $45 million, the Army said.

In an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker, Trump said the cost of the forthcoming parade was “peanuts compared to the value of doing it.”

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Part of the cost includes measures like the Army placing large metal plates at key points on D.C. streets to better protect the pavement from the movements of 25 M1 Abrams main battle tanks.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has said if tanks are used on the city’s roads, funding to repair any damage should also be part of the parade plans. It is unclear if that will happen. When asked for a response to the Army’s plan for metal plates earlier this month, Bowser’s office referred the AP to her past comments.

Here’s the schedule of events as laid out by America250:

At 8 a.m., doors open to guests who want to attend the Army Fitness Competition and Festival.
At 2 p.m., doors open to guests who want to attend the parade.
At 6:30 p.m., the parade and celebration begins
By 9:30 p.m. the event is over.

The early arrival times allow for security screening for all guests.

Anyone interested in attending the parade and other events can RSVP here.

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Trump administration formally accepts gift jet from Qatar

Wed, 21 May 2025 12:50:50 +0000

The Trump administration has formally accepted a Boeing 747 jet that was gifted by the government of Qatar, the Pentagon said.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accepted the plane “in accordance with all federal rules and regulations,” spokesman Sean Parnell said.
President Donald Trump said he wants to use the luxury jet as the new Air Force One.

The Trump administration has formally accepted a Boeing 747 jet that was gifted to the U.S. by the government of Qatar, the Pentagon said Wednesday.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accepted the luxury plane “in accordance with all federal rules and regulations,” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement to CNBC.

The Department of Defense will work to ensure that the jet, which President Donald Trump has said he wants to use as the new Air Force One, fulfills “proper security measures and functional-mission requirements,” Parnell said.

The announcement cements the U.S. government’s intention to take the plane, despite experts’ warnings and Democrats’ accusations of bribery.

In the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump called the gift “a great thing” and said Qatar handed over the plane “so they could help us out.”

The remarks came during an at times tense debate with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa about Trump’s unsubstantiated claims of a “genocide” against white people in South Africa.

“I am sorry I don’t have a plane to give you,” Ramaphosa said at one point.

Boeing has spent years working to convert two 747s into the next Air Force Ones in a deal struck during Trump’s first term as president. But the project is years behind schedule, and the planes may not be ready before the end of Trump’s second term.

Trump administration officials earlier this year said the president was frustrated with that pace and considering alternatives. “Boeing’s a little late, unfortunately,” Trump said Wednesday.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg told analysts on his company’s latest quarterly earnings call in April that its Air Force One program is being revised “to allow for an earlier first delivery while maintaining our focus on safety and quality.”

It’s far from clear if the 13-year-old Qatari jet, which has been valued at $400 million, could truly offer a quick fix.

Experts have said that converting that jet into an Air Force One could cost taxpayers over $1 billion and take years to complete.

Qatar’s gift has also raised swells of anger from Democrats and other critics, some of whom have condemned the exchange as effectively a bribe of a U.S. president.

“This unprecedented action is a stain on the office of the presidency and cannot go unanswered,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement Wednesday.

Schumer — who has introduced a bill that would bar any foreign aircraft from being used as Air Force One — vowed to continue holding up Trump’s political nominees to the Department of Justice until Americans “get transparency on this shady deal.”

Even some Republicans have raised concerns about the potential national security risks and other issues surrounding the gift.

“The transaction strikes me as being rife with political espionage, ethical and constitutional problems,” Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said Thursday.

But Trump has repeatedly defended accepting the plane, saying it would be “stupid” not to accept a free jet and insisting that it is going to the U.S. government, “not to me.”

— CNBC’s Leslie Josephs contributed to this report.

Congressman Gerry Connolly dies at age 75 after decades representing Northern Virginia

Wed, 21 May 2025 08:47:45 +0000

Rep. Gerry Connolly, who represented Northern Virginia in Congress for more than a decade, died early Wednesday, his family announced. He was 75.

“It is with immense sadness that we share that our devoted and loving father, husband, brother, friend and public servant, Congressman Gerald E. Connolly, passed away peacefully at his home this morning surrounded by family,” a statement posted to Connolly’s social media account said.

Connolly announced last month he is stepping down as the top Democrat on the powerful House Oversight Committee and would not seek reelection next year due to his cancer returning, ending his long career in public life.

“The sun is setting on my time in public service,” Connolly said in a statement in April. “With no rancor and a full heart, I move into this final chapter full of pride in what we’ve accomplished together over 30 years.”

Connolly served in Congress since 2009. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said in a statement last month that Connolly was a “relentless advocate for the incredible civil servants” in his district during the Trump administration’s “unprecedented attacks on federal employees.”

Connolly announced late last year that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and would undergo chemotherapy and immunotherapy. He said last month that after “grueling treatments,” he learned that the cancer had returned.

Concerns about Connolly’s health were a factor late last year as he ran for the top ranking position on Oversight, one of the most prominent committees in Congress.

Connolly represented Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, which includes the city of Fairfax and most of Fairfax County. He won reelection to Congress eight times, NBC News reported.

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Connolly was a member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors from 1995 to 2003 before becoming the board’s chairman.

On the county board, he steered the transition of Northern Virginia’s Tysons Corner from a traffic-heavy mall area to a downtown business hub. As chairman, he continued pushing for transportation investment that had been debated among officials for decades. Connolly sought billions in state and federal dollars to develop the regional rail system’s Silver Line connecting the national capital region to Tysons Corner.

Connolly’s dream was realized with the Silver Line’s opening in 2014, and eight years later, the rail line was extended an extra 11 miles to reach Dulles International Airport.

As the extension opened in 2022, Connolly said: “Doing big things is difficult — the world is filled with naysayers.”

Connolly’s local government experience launched his congressional career. He was elected in 2008 after flipping an open Republican-held seat by nearly 42,000 votes. In his victory speech, Connolly said he would use his position to ensure the federal bureaucracy is “a responsive, accountable instrument for the people we serve.”

“If we insist the government must work for all of our citizens again, we cannot fail,” Connolly said.

Connolly’s family said his legacy is visible throughout the region.

“More important than his accomplishments in elected office, Gerry lived by the ethos of ‘bloom where you are planted.’ From the Silver Line to the Oakton Library, Mosaic District to the Cross County Trail and beyond, his legacy now colors our region,” the family’s statement said.

Connolly remembered for impact on the region

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, of Virginia, said he’s heartbroken by the loss.

“I’ve known Gerry for more than 35 years. To me, he exemplified the very best of public service,” Warner said in a statement. “Gerry was a fighter. His sharp mind, boundless energy, and deep commitment to the people of Northern Virginia made him a force to be reckoned with, whether on the Fairfax Board of Supervisors or in Congress.”

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Congressman Gerry Connolly. His decades of public service reflect a deep commitment to Virginia. Suzanne and I send our heartfelt prayers to his family, friends, and all who mourn his loss,” Gov. Glenn Youngkin said.

Sen. Tim Kaine called him a one-of-a-kind public servant.

“I will miss his voice on the many issues that were lucky to benefit from his steadfast leadership, from delivering the congressional oversight the American people deserve and protecting NATO, to standing up for the many federal workers who call Virginia home and securing once-in-a-generation transportation infrastructure investments. His legacy will live on through all that he accomplished throughout his decades of public service and the countless people he inspired along the way,” Kaine said in a statement.

“Crushingly sad to learn of the passing of Gerry Connolly, my friend, colleague and fierce champion of federal workers, public integrity and the people of Virginia (though he never surrendered his hearty south Boston accent). May his memory be a blessing to us all,” Rep. Jamie Raskin said.

“Congressman Gerry Connolly was more than a public servant – he was a singular figure and force for good in our community, in the Commonwealth, and across the country. From his days on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to his leadership in Congress and on the world stage, he brought unmatched intellect, integrity, and energy to every challenge he faced,” Fairfax County Supervisor James R. Walkinshaw said in a statement.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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National Air and Space Museum blasts off summer by debuting 5 new galleries

Wed, 21 May 2025 08:33:21 +0000

To the air and space museum — and beyond!

The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum is one step closer to completing its multiyear renovation this summer.

On Monday, July 28, the museum will debut five new exhibitions, the Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater and its redesigned entrance on Jefferson Drive along the National Mall.

Several new artifacts will be on display in the new exhibitions such as the Sopwith F.1 Camel, Virgin Galactic’s RocketMotorTwo and a Goddard 1935 A series rocket.

Visitors will be transported to several galaxies away in the “Futures in Space” exhibition, where they can ask anything. From the future of tourist and commercial spaceflight to how humans can stay alive in new environments, this exhibition has you covered.

Wondering how climate change is affected by new aerospace innovations? Explore the Allan and Shelley Holt Innovations Gallery. See how airplanes laid the foundation for military aviation and combat in the “World War I: The Birth of Military Aviation” gallery.

Here is the full list of galleries opening on July 28:

“Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall”
“Futures in Space”
“Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight”
“World War I: The Birth of Military Aviation”
Allan and Shelley Holt Innovations Gallery

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The museum is set to complete its orbit of renovations on July 1, 2026, just in time for its 50th anniversary and the U.S.’s 250th anniversary, the Smithsonian said.

Here are the galleries opening on July 1, 2026:

“Textron How Things Fly”
“At Home in Space”
“RTX Living in the Space Age Hall”
“Jay I. Kislak World War II in the Air”
“Modern Military Aviation”
“U.S. National Science Foundation Discovering Our Universe”
Flight and the Arts Center

Fan-favorite artifacts such as the Spirit of St. Louis, Apollo Lunar Module 2, North American X-15 and the John Glenn’s Mercury Friendship 7 capsule will be back on display in reopened galleries.

The National Air and Space Museum in D.C. is free to visit, but timed-entry passes are required. Passes for the new galleries opening this summer will be available on the museum’s website on June 13.

Navy Yard residents call for an earlier DC youth curfew after fights and disorderly behavior

Wed, 21 May 2025 00:14:10 +0000

Some residents in D.C.’s Navy Yard neighborhood have begun an aggressive push to lower the District’s youth curfew to 8 p.m., or even earlier, after dozens of teenagers, and even younger children, swarmed the area Saturday.

There were reports of fights, disorderly conduct and two alleged robberies. Over the weekend, police linked a robbery to a group of teens who had been involved in a large fight. Now, residents are telling News4 that young people even made their way onto the upper floors of some apartment buildings.

“Summer hasn’t even begun yet,” said Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Edward Daniels, whose district includes parts of Navy Yard. “Memorial Day, the unofficial start to summer, is this coming weekend. We’ve seen this twice in three weeks.”

He said what happened around 9 p.m. Saturday, on top of a similar event in April, warrants a change in the District’s curfew law. Currently, those 17 and under cannot be on the streets without an adult between midnight and 6 a.m.

There’s now a call to make it earlier. In an interview with News4, Daniels mentioned 7 p.m.

“As parents, because I’m a parent of a teen, you have to make the executive decision for safety,” said Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Markita Bryant, who also represents parts of the Navy Yard neighborhood. “We saw what was happening down at the Wharf, and they implemented an 8 p.m. curfew. Now it’s Navy Yard and U Street left, so what do we do? I recommend we have a curfew down here.”

Bryant said constituents told her some of the teens passed security at apartment buildings and were running through the upper floors. She called on parents to take accountability.

“What I saw was that parents knew where their children were because they picked them up at the end of the night,” she said.

Resident Carolette Sweatt said she believes the solution requires a multi-layered approach.

“The schools are the target area, and that’s our link to find the families that have troubles or that have barriers that are stopping them,” she said.

Curfew regulations, and any changes to them, must be approved by the D.C. Council.

Neighbors worried about safety

After the robberies, fights and rowdy behavior over the weekend, some residents said they fear for their safety.

“I want my kids, not only my kids, I want everybody to be safe, you know?” Navy Yard resident Narda Loureiro said. “And when I see kids outside, if there is a problem going on, I always kind of think, ‘Are my kids going to be OK in the neighborhood?’”

Despite the current curfew, the last time D.C. police transferred a minor to the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services for violating the curfew was in April. Some think adjusting the curfew could help.

“I think earlier would probably be better,” Navy Yard resident Annemarie Reisch said. “Twelve is maybe a little bit late for young kids in high school, so maybe around 10 or 11.”

Deshawn Johnson, who works at a restaurant in Navy Yard, said he thinks those who are underage should always be accompanied by adults to avoid future dangerous situations.

“I don’t even feel safe working here anymore because that’s like all these people who just come in, come out just because they want to have fun,” he said.

Capital Jewish Museum receives DC security grant amid concerns about LGBTQ exhibit

Tue, 20 May 2025 23:11:24 +0000

The D.C. government announced a half million dollars in grants for local nonprofits to help offset their costs for security.

One recipient, the Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum, is having serious concerns about security, not just because they are a Jewish organization, but also due to a new exhibit focused on the LGBTQ community.

The Capital Jewish Museum has only been open for about two years, but the cornerstone of the museum is the oldest purpose-built synagogue in the District.

“We are sitting in the historic sanctuary right now, which is part of our historic synagogue,” said Executive Director Beatrice Gurwitz. “It is a two-story synagogue that was dedicated in 1876.”

Gurwitz told News4 like many Jewish institutions, they are faced with serious security concerns.

“Jewish institutions all around town, all around the country, are concerned about security due to
some very scary incidents that some institutions have faced and because of a climate of antisemitism,” Gurwitz said. “So, we invest a lot of money in security to make sure that we can keep our doors open to the broad public, that this is a welcoming space, but that people are also safe in this space.”

The museum has just opened a new temporary exhibit — LGBT Jews in the Federal City — to coincide with World Pride coming to the District. The exhibit has ramped up the museum’s concerns about safety.

“We recognize that there are threats associated with this as well,” Gurwitz said. “And again, we want to ensure that our space is as welcoming and secure for everybody who comes here while we are exploring these stories.”

The museum is one of 11 nonprofits in the District to receive a grant from the D.C. government to help with security costs.

“We got a little over $30,000 in the grant, which makes a big difference. That helps us defray the costs of security officers at the front desk and roaming around the museum to make sure that everybody is safe and that we are prepared in the event of an emergency,” Gurwitz said. “And it also helps our staff prepare so that we are ready to not only make sure that our staff is safe, but also our visitors. And you know, we have school groups in here, we have tour groups in here, and then we have, you know, just people coming to visit the museum, and it’s important that we are ready to protect everybody who visits and all of those different combinations.”

The Capital Jewish Museum is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Applications for the next round of the Safe and Secure DC nonprofit fund grants will open in February 2026.

Metro cleared to return to automatic control on Green, Yellow lines

Tue, 20 May 2025 21:19:31 +0000

Metro got the green light to run computer controlled automated trains on the Green and Yellow lines.

The transit agency’s main safety watchdog — the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission — said Metro substantially satisfied the prerequisites to run automatic train operation, meaning the Green and Yellow lines will join the Red Line in returning to automation.

It hasn’t been an easy road, though. Earlier this month, the commission raised concerns about some trains on the Red Line that were overrunning station platforms in automatic mode.

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But the commission said it is now comfortable moving forward with ATO on the Green and Yellow lines.

No exact timetable has been given for when the switch may happen.

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GW Parkway reopens after cleanup from deadly storms

Tue, 20 May 2025 19:49:09 +0000

A stretch of the George Washington Memorial Parkway that was closed for cleanup since Friday’s severe storms has reopened in time for the Wednesday morning commute, the National Park Service said.

The 2.5-mile section stretching between Belle View Boulevard and Alexandria Avenue in Fairfax County was closed due to excessive damage from the storms.

Over the past several days, NPS staff and contractors worked extended hours to address more than 50 fallen or damaged trees and ensure the road is safe for the public.

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Drivers have been taking detours, which have had significant rush-hour traffic delays.

Two people died when trees fell on their vehicles during the storms Friday, including one incident on the GW Parkway.

The dogtor is in: Meet the dogs working full-time at Children's National Hospital

Tue, 20 May 2025 17:25:24 +0000

A few of the full-time employees at Children’s National Hospital have a knack for healing hearts — despite having no background in cardiology.

Tux, Hampton, Montana and Company are specially trained in their own right, working 9 to 5 days at the hospital in Northwest D.C. just like other staff.

They even have their own badges.

Charlotte Stinebiser broke her arm playing soccer last year and said rehabbing an injury is a lot more fun with a furry friend by your side.

“I got to play fetch with him,” Sinebiser said after playing with Tux, a black Labrador.

That game of fetch is part of the physical therapy program at Children’s National.

“That patience and that ability to kind of self-soothe is something really important for our facility dogs,” said Allison Proctor, who oversees the hospital’s Animal Visitation and Therapy Program.

The program began during the pandemic, when only essential employees were allowed inside the hospital.

“Pediatric hospitals have figured it out really quickly,” Proctor said.

Unlike therapy dogs, facility dogs are paired with licensed professionals — not volunteers — which means they’re part of the staff.

They’re goal-oriented, treat motivated and have had two years of training to work in different departments.

“Dogs assist with physical therapy appointments. So, whether that’s a game of fetch to try and get range of motion increases or an obstacle course to help with balance,” Proctor said.

Providing calm and comfort to kids is a big part of their job, too.

“We do a lot of grounding exercises with kids who might have anxiety on an upcoming procedure,” Proctor said. “We do medical play. So our child life specialists will grab a doctor’s stethoscope and a bandage and they will use the dog as the patient and the patient gets to practice what is about to happen to them.”

Making the rounds isn’t easy, and just like any full-time employee, the dogs take a lunch break to re-charge.

“He loves what he does,” Proctor said while scratching Company beside her.

Eventually, the dogs will transition to retirement.

“[Company] has been here since 2020 and I’m starting to have that conversation with myself and my leadership about, ‘Okay, at what age do we start talking about maybe going to part time?'” Proctor said.

News4 asked Company if he has a work-from-home policy.

He’s like, “Um, we are developing one,” Proctor said jokingly.

But until that day comes, children like Stinesbiser are glad to have the dogs around.

“It helps me a lot,” Stinebiser said.

Children’s National hopes to expand the program and add more dogs to their payroll to help as many patients as possible.

Retired Maryland firefighter sexually assaulted teen for years in '90s, police say

Tue, 20 May 2025 15:40:32 +0000

A former firefighter sexually assaulted and abused a teenage boy who was a junior firefighter for years in Prince George’s County, Maryland, police say.

Prince George’s County police began investigating 61-year-old John Inman last July after learning of allegations against him dating back to the 1990’s.

An investigation revealed Inman, who was a paid firefighter for the Prince George’s County Fire and EMS Department, sexually assaulted the teen multiple times between 1991 and 1996, according to police. The victim was between 13 and 17 years old during those years, police said.

“I can say that our victim finally felt comfortable enough and wanted to go forward so he contacted the Hyattsville Police Department since this originally occurred in Hyattsville. And then they transferred it to us because that’s – our child abuse detectives handle it for the county, child abuse cases,” Cpt. Danielle Selway said.

The alleged assaults happened at several places, including the Hyattsville Fire Station on Belcrest Road, the Cole Field House on the University of Maryland campus and Inman’s home, police said.

Inman, who now lives in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, retired from the fire department in 2017.

Detectives got a warrant for Inman’s arrest on May 12 and he turned himself in on May 17.

He was charged with second-degree rape, child abuse and related charges.

“The allegations brought forward against retired Prince George’s County firefighter John Inman are deeply troubling,” acting County Executive Tara Jackson said in a statement. “We commend police for their thorough investigation and resulting arrest.”

Inman’s attorney, Andrew Jezic, disputed the allegations in a statement to News4, saying, “He’s 100% innocent and he’s a great guy. He’s going to have the support of dozens of colleagues from the firefighters organizations and other organizations that he was a part of because he had a stellar reputation.”

Police said they’re investigating to see if there could be more victims. They’re asking anyone who would like to speak to a detective to call 301-772-4930.

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1 person killed in shooting near DC elementary school track meet

Tue, 20 May 2025 15:30:54 +0000

One person was killed in a shooting near an elementary school track meet in Northeast D.C. on Tuesday afternoon, school officials told families. No students or staff were reported to have been hurt.

The shooting occurred near the former Spingarn High School. Three nearby schools were put on alert status.

Someone opened fire in the 800 block of 26th Street NE, near Benning Road, police said. Emergency crews were called to the area just before 2 p.m.

The victim was walking on the sidewalk near Spingarn Track Field when he was approached by three suspects and was shot, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith said in a briefing.

The suspects are being described as three males who were seen fleeing in a vehicle, Smith said. Officers located the vehicle, which was on fire, in the Fort Lincoln area.

MPD said the ATF and the FBI are assisting with the investigation, and police are reviewing surveillance video from the area.

An elementary-age track meet of the District of Columbia Interscholastic Athletics Association (DCIAA) was being held at Spingarn High. Efforts were underway to return all students to their schools, school officials said.

“We thought they were like testing the starting pistol,” said student athlete Erin Schmidt. “[…] Then I glanced at the field and I was like, wait, nobody’s on there.’”

Erin was hoping to run the 200 and the 400, but instead, the 11-year-old and her teammates wound up running for cover. Hundreds of fourth and fifth graders were on the field when bullets started flying.

“After a couple more, my mom and everybody, like all of the adults that were there, were yelling ‘Get down,!” Erin said.

Phelps High School, J.O. Wilson Elementary School and Browne Education Campus were on alert status, a DC Public Schools spokesman said. “All students are safe and accounted for,” he said.

“Sad, scared, worried for anybody that was out there,” Erin said.

One mother was headed to see her son compete when she saw police cars speed past.

“I can’t believe it’s actually happening to us,” she said.

Hours later, D.C.’s chief of schools, Kim Jackson, sent a letter home to families informing them that
“[…] no one associated with the meet was involved with the shooting, and for the safety of our students, coaches, and staff, the meet was cancelled and return transportation was coordinated as quickly as possible.”

“It’s a bummer because I really wanted to run and, like, this was the last meet of the year,” Erin said.

Anyone who has information that could help with the investigation is being asked to contact police.

“We’re going to do everything we can to find out who these individuals are and we’re going to hold them accountable,” Smith said. “[…] No child should ever have to experience what was experienced on today. Today’s incident is completely unacceptable, during an elementary school track meet.”

Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.

‘Amazing woman': Husband of driver killed by falling tree on GW Parkway shares who she was

Tue, 20 May 2025 11:42:07 +0000

A 61-year-old woman was killed when a tree crashed onto her car as a powerful storm tore through Fairfax County, Virginia, on Friday evening.

Marla Holden was the victim, her husband of 16 years said in an interview with News4.

Holden was an “amazing woman,” Wesley Holden said.

“Many hats. I was telling friends, she’s just a bunch of accomplishments. She had good things to say to everyone, and the way she did her direction, the way she guided people and stuff – she would always get you to do things by encouragement, and she would always recognize your strength,” he said.

Marla Holden was headed home from work at George Washington’s Mount Vernon and driving along George Washington Memorial Parkway when huge trees fell onto the roadway just south of Morningside Lane.

Men who live nearby, in the Fort Hunt area south of Alexandria, ran to the roadway with axes to try to help police and rescue units get to Holden, witnesses said.

Her husband was at work at the time.

“I was getting home around 11. Last thing I said to my wife was ‘I love you.’ She said ‘I love you’ on the phone,” he said.

When he got home from work, he thought his wife was in bed asleep. Then, U.S. Park Police knocked on his door.

“Definitely a shock,” he said.

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The couple had dreams and plans.

“The only thing we didn’t accomplish is growing old together. That was that last thing that we wanted to do. We bought a house. We just finished our kitchen, and we were just going to work on retirement and see our grandkids,” Wesley Holden said.

A second driver, also a woman, was killed by a falling tree at about the same time, on Frye Road in the Woodlawn area. Information on her identity was not immediately available.

A portion of the parkway remained closed Tuesday morning, as cleanup efforts continued and crews chopped down trees more than three days after the storm.

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Tue, 20 May 2025 11:00:25 +0000

10 kids, 2 adults hurt after school bus crash in Silver Spring

Tue, 20 May 2025 08:51:36 +0000

Twelve people, mostly children, were taken to hospitals after a crash involving a school bus in Silver Spring, Maryland, on Tuesday morning, officials said.

Ten children and two adults were hurt after a school bus crashed near New Hampshire Avenue and Norwood Road, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Department spokesperson David Pazos said.

None of their injuries are considered life-threatening, Pazos said.

A photo from the scene shows a white vehicle with a crumpled hood standing on a sidewalk, near a yellow school bus with a sign reading, “Montgomery County Schools.”

More than 20 kids were on board the bus, and Montgomery County Public Schools are contacting parents, Pazos said.

Authorities didn’t immediately say what led to the crash.

Some lanes near the crash are blocked.

7 ways to honor Memorial Day in the DC area, from the U.S. Capitol to Arlington Cemetery

Tue, 20 May 2025 07:43:01 +0000

Enjoy a concert at the U.S. Capitol, place flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider or see a moving tribute with 600,000 poppies on the National Mall to mark Memorial Day in the nation’s capital.

Memorial Day is an occasion to honor the sacrifices of all those who have died serving in the United States military.

Arlington National Cemetery says it hosted the first official national celebration of Memorial Day in 1868, when it was known as Decoration Day because people would bring flags and flowers to the graves of fallen servicemembers.

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In Washington, D.C., Memorial Day is marked every year with official ceremonies at war memorials and Arlington National Cemetery, as well as events like the Rolling to Remember demonstration ride raising awareness about prisoners of war and those missing in action (POW/MIAs).

Here’s how to salute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

National Memorial Day Concert

Sun., 8 p.m., U.S .Capitol, free
Details

Head to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for a patriotic concert featuring U.S. military bands and celebrity performers.

Gates, located at the southwest corner of the Capitol grounds, are expected to open at 5 p.m. Sunday. The performance is set to run from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public; you don’t need any tickets to attend.

Most years, U.S. Capitol Police say concertgoers may bring a picnic, nonalcoholic beverages and camp chairs that are low to the ground. Expect a security screening and searches of all backpacks, closed containers and coolers.

Alcohol, bikes, pets, large umbrellas, luggage, drones and other items are usually prohibited.

“Taking the Metro to the concert site is strongly advised due to traffic volume and street closures put in place for the event. The nearest stations are Federal Center SW (Orange/Blue lines) and Union Station (Red line),” according to PBS, which is hosting the concert.

Pro tip: If you can’t make it on Sunday or want to try and avoid crowds, go to the dress rehearsal. It happens at the same time, but on Saturday.

USAA Poppy Wall of Honor

Fri. to Sun., National Mall, free
Details

More than 600,000 poppies – the flower of remembrance – will cover a 133-foot-long wall on the National Mall to commemorate servicemembers who have lost their lives in combat since World War I.

The display will also include video and audio of surviving family members sharing their lost loved ones’ stories.

The poppy wall will be open during these times:

Friday, noon to 9 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Head to the southwest corner of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which is near the Korean War Memorial, to see the display.

Arlington National Cemetery

Details

On Thursday, members of The Old Guard will place flags at each gravestone to pay respects. Flags In is not open to the public, but visitors will be able to see the acknowledgment at 260,000 headstones.

The public is invited to participate in Flowers of Remembrance Day on Sunday. It’s “the only time of the year where visitors can walk across the Memorial Plaza and place a flower before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,” The Memorial Day Flowers Foundation has said.

At 10 a.m., cemetery historians will also offer a talk on the history of the event.

On Monday at 11 a.m., Arlington National Cemetery is set to recognize fallen servicemembers. Seating will be first come, first served. Parking is free and will open at 8 a.m. Visitors must take a tram from the Welcome Center.

“Scheduled events for the observance include: “The President’s Own” the United States Marine Band and the U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters performing a prelude in the amphitheater at 10:15 a.m.; a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier conducted by a joint service team; and the national observance inside the Memorial Amphitheater with a parade of colors by Veterans’ organizations and remarks from dignitaries,” the website says.

If you’re visiting Arlington National Cemetery, brush up on the parking and security rules. All visitors over the age of 16 should be prepared to show a REAL ID.

National Mall war memorials

Details

The National Park Service will host wreath-laying ceremonies at the major war memorials on the National Mall.

The first ceremony will be at the World War II Memorial on Saturday at 10 a.m.

Monday’s ceremonies include:

10 a.m.: Vietnam Women’s Memorial
1 p.m.: Vietnam Veterans Memorial
1 p.m.: United States Navy Memorial
4:15 p.m.: Korean War Veterans Memorial
5 p.m.: Taps played across the National Mall

National Memorial Day Parade

Mon., 2 p.m., Constitution Avenue between 7^th and 17^th Streets NW, free
Details

Line up anywhere along the parade route to watch marching bands and more in the Memorial Day parade against the backdrop of some of D.C.’s major memorials and historic sites.

Pre-parade performances are set to begin at 1 p.m., followed by the big event itself stepping off at 2 p.m.

“The National Archives/Penn Quarter/Navy Memorial stop on the Green and Yellow lines are located one block from the route. Federal Triangle & Smithsonian on the Orange, Blue, and Silver lines are also a short walk from the route,” The Americans Veterans Center said.

Parades and concerts in Virginia and Maryland

The Bowie Memorial Day Parade steps off from the Belair Annex on Belair Drive at 11 a.m. Saturday.

“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band will play a concert at Wold Trap’s Filene Center in Vienna, Virginia, on Sunday. Doors open at 6 p.m. before the show at 8 p.m. and fireworks at 9:45 p.m. It’s free, but registration is recommended.

The Rockville Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade includes a 9 a.m. ceremony and 12:30 p.m. parade Monday at Rockville Town Center, following the two-day Hometown Holidays celebration with music, food, shopping and kids’ activities.

In Falls Church, the 43rd annual Memorial Day Parade & Festival will begin with a 3K fun run before a ceremony and blood drive, leading up to the parade with live music at 2 p.m.

Mon, 19 May 2025 21:59:35 +0000

The Washington Commanders president gave a group of local business leaders a glimpse of what to expect from a new stadium in D.C. if the deal is approved — potentially including hosting big events beyond football.

Commanders President Mark Clouse spoke at the D.C. Economic Club luncheon Monday. Mostly, he spoke mostly about his career that brought him to Washington, but he did make a few comments about the team’s vision for a new stadium, including owner Josh Harris’ desire to recreate the feel of RFK Stadium’s heyday when the bleachers would bounce.

“I’m like, well, I’ll stand behind your chair and shake it if you want,” Clouse joked.

“Much more than just simply building a stadium,” he said. “This is an opportunity to take 180 acres that should be the crown jewel of the District and turn it into both an economic and community engine that is going to be absolutely part of the roadmap for the future, and living into that, but in a contemporary, relevant way that feels like you are at the absolutely premiere facility in all of sports.

“And that’s the goal with a view that looks up the Mall and that is iconic, but yet, you know, fierce,” Clouse continued. “And that’s what we’re building.”

He also reaffirmed the plan that the new stadium would have a dome.

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“There is a roof on the stadium, and I think that’s gonna enable us to bring, you know, 30-to-40 world-class events,” Clouse said. “I mean, we will be the only roofed facility of this size in the Mid-Atlantic, and so, you know, whether that’s Taylor Swift or the Final Four or — any WWE wrestling fans out there? — WrestleMania could come, but we are going to be able to host everything that’s in the city on a national stage. And because of that roof, it gives us a chance to actually create a pipeline of jobs and development.”

Clouse also mentioned one of the amenities neighbors of the RFK Stadium campus have been asking for: a new grocery store.

“There’s a pipeline here of real jobs that can be created and thus then start to create this economic engine, which would be housing, grocery store, services, transportation, all the things that are great,” he said. “And the good news is we’re starting from a site that actually had a stadium, so a lot of the infrastructure thinking was contemplated in the original RFK.”

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Teens accused in DC robbery, shooting after Pennsylvania halfway house escape

Mon, 19 May 2025 21:09:36 +0000

A teenager arrested in a robbery and shooting in D.C. is part of a group that escaped from a halfway house just hours before the crime, police said.

Just before 11 p.m. Sunday on 8th Street NE, a Land Rover pulled up behind two people talking, police said. Several masked gunmen got out and announced a robbery.

Gunfire began. Neighbor Brendan Gehrke said he heard a half-dozen shots.

“People are ducking down for cover behind the cars, just trying to avoid the crossfire,” he said.

One man was hit by the gunfire but will survive his injury. According to a neighbor who spoke with the man, he was treated and released from a hospital.

The gunmen stole the wounded man’s watch before driving away from the scene.

D.C. police said their real-time crime center received information about three juveniles who left a Division of Youth and Rehabilitation Services contracted facility in Pennsylvania, allegedly stole a 2016 Land Rover and drove to D.C.

With the help of the real-time crime center and a helicopter, police were able to track the car and arrest three of the five suspects in the car, police said.

“It’s really scary,” Gehrke said. “There’s been a lot of crimes here. We’ve written the mayor, we’ve written the councilmen, we’ve invited the councilmen — Councilman (Charles) Allen — over to the house, and we have been asking for a police presence on this corner of 8th and H for years now, at this point.”

One of the three escapees is the teenager who pleaded guilty in the shooting of Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. during a carjacking attempt in August 2022, sources familiar with the investigation said. He was sentenced to remain in juvenile custody until he turns 21.

How the three juveniles escaped the halfway house hasn’t been disclosed. The teen escapee who was caught will be charged as an adult. The other two remain on the loose.

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Caps' Alexander Alexeyev arrested after fight in Arlington

Mon, 19 May 2025 19:26:35 +0000

A Washington Capitals player is charged with public intoxication after an alleged fight in the Clarendon neighborhood of Arlington, Virginia.

A witness flagged down officers on patrol just before 3:30 a.m. Saturday and reported a fight, police said.

Officers saw 25-year-old Alexander Alexeyev fighting with another man, police said. Officers observed Alexeyev assault the other man.

One officer used pepper spray while they took Alexeyev into custody, police said. He was treated at the scene.

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“We are aware of the situation involving Alexander Alexeyev and in the process of gathering additional information,” a Caps spokesperson said.

A few weeks ago in the Caps’ first round playoff series against Montreal, the defenseman lost three teeth due to a high stick.

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FBI agent faces gun charges in deadly Stafford County shooting

Mon, 19 May 2025 19:06:15 +0000

An FBI agent is facing gun charges in connection to a shooting death investigation in Stafford County, Virginia, according to an indictment. In February, a 61-year-old man was shot and killed by an off-duty FBI agent in Stafford County.

The Sheriff’s Office said the victim was a hero, rushing from his nearby home to help officers during an altercation in the street. The Stafford Sheriff’s Office said at some point, an off-duty agent shot and killed the man, but it has released very little information about why the agent shot his gun.

Monday in court, News4 confirmed FBI Agent Benjamin Spinale is facing four misdemeanor charges for brandishing a firearm. Grand jury indictments show two of the charges are from an incident on Feb. 28 — the same day the Stafford County Sheriff’s office says an off-duty FBI agent shot and killed a man who was trying to help police — but court documents don’t specify what actually happened.

Spinale was indicted in April on four charges of brandishing a weapon. But in a motion, prosecutors asked the judge to seal the indictments because, according to court documents, they relate to a broader investigation into a shooting death.

The two other brandishing charges are from an incident in October and another in early February, according to the indictments.

It’s not clear what indictments specifically relate to the shooting death investigation, but attorneys asked the judge to keep the indictments sealed until the shooting death investigation had been completed.On Monday, the county prosecutor told News4 that investigation is complete.

News4 has requested a copy of the investigative report from the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office. So far, police haven’t shared much about what happened the day of the shooting.

Police said this started when the off-duty FBI agent got into an altercation with a hispanic teenager for riding his dirt bike down their neighborhood street. The teen told his father and brother that a guy just pulled a gun on him.

The father later told News4 that the three of them went back to the area to figure out the name of the street so they could report it to police but as they were pulling up, the father said, a Stafford County deputy stopped them and started questioning them.

The father said during the questioning, a man in plain clothes stood behind the deputy with a gun pointed at them, escalating the situation.

The father said his family never got into any physical altercation with police, but he and his two sons were charged for assaulting law enforcement.
Police said while they were interacting with the teenager’s family, a 61-year-old named Harold Chamberlain, who goes by Jason, got involved and was shot by the off-duty agent.

Police have not said what happened in the moments before the shooting, and no one has been charged for killing Chamberlain.

In the days after the shooting, the FBI confirmed the agent involved in the shooting was under internal investigation.

News4 requested an update on the internal investigation on Monday and has not heard back.

News4 also asked if Spinale is an agent in the FBI’s Washington Field Office and was told, “no comment.”

News4 also left a message with Spinale’s defense attorney, who has not responded. Spinale is scheduled to be back in court on the four misdemeanor gun charges in June.

Trump admin reaches $5M settlement in fatal Jan. 6 shooting of Ashli Babbitt

Mon, 19 May 2025 18:29:00 +0000

The Trump administration agreed to pay just under $5 million to settle a wrongful death lawsuit that Ashli Babbitt’s family filed over her shooting by an officer during the U.S. Capitol riot, according to a person with knowledge of the settlement. The person insisted on anonymity to discuss with The Associated Press terms of a deal that have not been made public.

The settlement will resolve the $30 million federal lawsuit that Babbitt’s estate filed last year in Washington, D.C. On Jan. 6, 2021, a Capitol police officer shot Babbitt as she tried to climb through the broken window of a barricaded door leading to the Speaker’s Lobby.

The officer who shot her was cleared of wrongdoing by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, which concluded that he acted in self-defense and in the defense of members of Congress. The Capitol Police also cleared the officer.

Settlement terms haven’t been disclosed in public court filings. On May 2, lawyers for Babbitt’s estate and the Justice Department told a federal judge that they had reached a settlement in principle but were still working out the details before a final agreement could be signed.

Justice Department spokespeople and two attorneys for the Babbitt family didn’t immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

Babbitt, a 35-year-old Air Force veteran from San Diego, was unarmed when she was shot by the officer. The lawsuit alleges the plainclothes officer failed to de-escalate the situation and did not give her any warnings or commands before opening fire.

The suit also accused Capitol Police of negligence, claiming the department should have known that the officer was “prone to behave in a dangerous or otherwise incompetent manner.”

“Ashli posed no threat to the safety of anyone,” the lawsuit said.

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The officer said in a televised interview that he fired as a “last resort.” He said he didn’t know if the person jumping through the window was armed when he pulled the trigger.

Thousands of people stormed the Capitol after President Donald Trump spoke to a crowd of supporters at his Jan. 6 “Stop the Steal” rally near the White House. More than 100 police officers were injured in the attack.

In January, on his first day back in the White House, Trump pardoned, commuted the prison sentences or ordered the dismissal of charges for all of the more than 1,500 people charged with crimes in the riot.

___

Associated Press writer Alanna Durkin Richer contributed to this report.

Maryland man accused of killing 72-year-old mother

Mon, 19 May 2025 16:37:04 +0000

A man killed his mother and assaulted another woman at a home in Bowie, Maryland, on Sunday, police say.

James Calero, 40, assaulted 72-year-old Susan Calero and the second woman during a fight at a home on Blackwell Lane, Prince George’s County police said.

Bowie officers found Susan Calero unconscious and suffering from severe trauma when they responded to the domestic incident just before 4 p.m., according to police. She died at the home.

The second victim suffered serious injuries that were not life-threatening.

James Calero left the home after the assault, police said. Anne Arundel County police arrested him later that day.

Calero was charged with first-degree murder, assault and other charges.

ATV driver killed, woman hurt after Prince George's crash

Mon, 19 May 2025 14:12:18 +0000

An ATV crashed into a pickup truck in Brandywine, Maryland, over the weekend, killing the driver and seriously injuring a woman riding on the ATV, police say.

The crash happened about 6:20 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of Dyson Road and Missouri Avenue, Prince George’s County police said.

The person driving the ATV was critically hurt. He died a short time later at a hospital, police said.

The woman riding with him remains hospitalized in serious condition, police said.

No others were hurt in the crash.

Police said they will release the name of the driver once they notify his family.

Investigators are asking anyone who has information about the crash to call 301-731-4422.

Supreme Court allows Trump to strip protections from some Venezuelans; deportations could follow

Mon, 19 May 2025 13:25:45 +0000

The Supreme Court on Monday allowed the Trump administration to strip legal protections from 350,000 Venezuelans, potentially exposing them to deportation.

The court’s order, with only one noted dissent, puts on hold a ruling from a federal judge in San Francisco that kept in place Temporary Protected Status for the Venezuelans that would have otherwise expired last month. The justices provided no rationale, which is common in emergency appeals.

The status allows people already in the United States to live and work legally because their native countries are deemed unsafe for return due to natural disaster or civil strife.

A federal appeals court had earlier rejected the administration’s request to put the order on hold while the lawsuit continues.

The case is the latest in a string of emergency appeals President Donald Trump’s administration has made to the Supreme Court, many of them related to immigration. Last week, the government asked the court to allow it to end humanitarian parole for hundreds of thousands of immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela, setting them up for potential deportation as well.

The high court also has been involved in legal battles over Trump’s efforts to swiftly deport Venezuelans accused of being gang members to a prison in El Salvador under an 18th century wartime law called the Alien Enemies Act.

The administration has moved aggressively to withdraw various protections that have allowed immigrants to remain in the country, including ending the temporary protected status for a total of 600,000 Venezuelans and 500,000 Haitians. That status is granted in 18-month increments.

The protections had been set to expire April 7, but U.S. District Judge Edward Chen ordered a pause on those plans. He found that the expiration threatened to severely disrupt the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and could cost billions in lost economic activity.

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Chen, who was appointed to the bench by Democratic President Barack Obama, found the government hadn’t shown any harm caused by keeping the program alive.

But Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote on behalf of the administration that Chen’s order impermissibly interferes with the administration’s power over immigration and foreign affairs.

In addition, Sauer told the justices, people affected by ending the protected status might have other legal options to try to remain in the country because the “decision to terminate TPS is not equivalent to a final removal order.”

Congress created TPS in 1990 to prevent deportations to countries suffering from natural disasters or civil strife.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said she would have rejected the administration’s emergency appeal.

Judge strikes down DOGE takeover of the U.S. Institute of Peace

Mon, 19 May 2025 13:19:45 +0000

A federal district judge on Monday tossed out the takeover of the U.S. Institute of Peace by the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency, declaring that actions by “illegitimately-installed leaders” were “unlawful” and had to be declared “null and void,” NBC News reports.

U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell ruled that “the removal of USIP’s president, his replacement by officials affiliated with DOGE, the termination of nearly all of USIP’s staff, and the transfer of USIP property to the General Services Administration” were “effectuated by illegitimately-installed leaders who lacked legal authority to take these actions, which must therefore be declared null and void.”

Howell wrote in her decision that USIP Acting President George Moose would continue to serve as president of the organization and banned defendants from “further trespass against the real and personal property belonging to the Institute and its employees, contractors, agents, and other representatives.”

The lawsuit was filed in March, after members of the DOGE team took over the U.S. Institute of Peace with the help of law enforcement. Most U.S. Institute of Peace employees were subsequently laid off.

This story first appeared on NBCNews.com. More from NBC News:

GW Parkway closure for storm cleanup causes heavy traffic

Mon, 19 May 2025 12:36:46 +0000

Part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway remains closed as crews continue to clean up the damage left behind from Friday’s deadly storm. Officials say the road will likely stay closed through the Tuesday morning rush.

All lanes of the road are shut down between Belle View Boulevard in Alexandria, Virginia, and Alexandria Avenue in the Fort Hunt area.

Drivers who rely on that section of the road have to take detours through neighborhood streets, which caused significant backups during the Monday morning rush.

“These are 25 mile-an-hour streets and there’s a lot of new traffic. A lot of folks aren’t paying attention, checking their route on Waze or other maps,” said Jenn Folsom, a resident in the area.

Intense storms brought down about 15 trees onto the Parkway Friday night, the National Park Service (NPS) said. Many more trees were damaged.

Crews were still working to cut up large trees and clear them from the road Monday morning.

“Before the road can safely reopen, hazardous trees that pose the most immediate risk must be removed,” NPS said in a release.

Officials said the stretch of the road will likely stay closed through the Tuesday morning rush.

Two people died in the storms because trees fell on their cars.

“That thing hit so fast — and left so fast,” resident Nick Kappa said.

Kappa said he was able to walk right down the middle of the GW Parkway during his morning exercise routine.

“I walked the actual parkway where traffic usually is, and that was very eerie. Very much like a modern day episode of Twilight Zone,” he said.

Thousands of people across the D.C. area lost power.

“Really intense. Really short, but pretty quickly, folks were out of power. We’ve got power back but still don’t have internet, so if you’re working from home today, that’s a little challenging,” Folsom said.

Man acquitted of Maryland shootout murder of 2-year-old in stroller

Mon, 19 May 2025 12:24:28 +0000

A Maryland man was acquitted of murder but convicted of three lesser charges after prosecutors said he got into a shootout that killed a 2-year-old boy when the toddler and his mother were caught in the crossfire.

Johnny Turcios was found guilty Monday on three of 11 counts: attempted second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and illegal possession of a regulated firearm.

He was not convicted of murder for the death of Jeremy Poou-Caceres, as prosecutors argued for.

His mother said in an exclusive interview with News4 that she’s disappointed by the verdict.

“We’ve been fighting for a long time already, with my dad. Trying to get some justice for Jeremy, but I guess we’re not getting justice for Jeremy,” she said. She asked News4 not to identify her, for her safety.

Jurors deliberated for portions of five days and had several questions as they weighed the case, including on whether they had to agree unanimously on every count, and on liability as an accomplice.

‘Tried to save my son’

Jeremy’s mother was pushing him in his stroller in Langley Park the evening of Feb. 8, 2024, when multiple shooters opened fire off Kanawah Street. His mother was shot in the leg as she tried to rush the little boy to safety. She saw his injuries when she lifted him out of his stroller.

“I grabbed my son and tried to save my son. That was all I could think about,” she told Telemundo 44 after the tragedy.

Jeremy was taken to Children’s National Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators have said two groups shot at each other over drug territory.

Prince George's County Feb 8, 2024

‘I pray they weren't trying to kill a child': Boy, 2, shot to death in Langley Park

Gun violence Feb 12, 2024

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Man tried for murder of 2-year-old in Prince George's

Turcios faces a possible life sentence

Despite being acquitted of murder, Turcios could serve life in prison plus 45 years. The conspiracy charge carries a possible life sentence.

A prosecutor said he hopes Jeremy’s family takes comfort in the possible sentence.

“I hope that they will take at least some solace in the fact that Johnny Turcios is now being held responsible, generally, for his actions that day,” he said.

Two witnesses, including Jeremy’s mother, identified Turcios in court as one of the shooters.

She said she’s pleased he will face substantial jail time but said she doesn’t feel he was held accountable for the death of her son.

“It’s just like they’re not putting the same attention to the fact that they killed a kid,” she said.

Teen who took plea testified against Turcios

David Medina, who was 17 when he was charged in connection with the murder, admitted his involvement in the crime and named Turcios as one of the shooters. Medina testified he was driving a stolen vehicle the day of the shooting, saying Turcios forced him inside at knifepoint and ordered him to drive to the Langley Park apartment complex where the shooting occurred.

Medina said Turcios fired about two shots with a handgun and another suspect, Israel Fuentes Jr., fired an AK-47. Medina said he believes Turcios’ gun jammed after firing those shots.

Medina claimed he didn’t participate in the crime. He said he didn’t have a weapon, never got out of the car and didn’t know the shooting was going to happen ahead of time.

He acknowledged he entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors and agreed to testify in the case. Medina was facing murder and other charges that carried multiple life sentences, but under the agreement, he pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact and faces one to six years in prison when he’s sentenced.

Turcios’ attorney said no DNA or fingerprint evidence links Turcios to any gun recovered in the investigation. Prosecutors agreed to drop six charges against Turcios for lack of evidence.

Fuentes’ trial is set to begin in January.

Popular Maryland state parks to require reservations on busiest days

Mon, 19 May 2025 11:55:26 +0000

Visitors who want to spend a weekend or holiday at some of Maryland’s most popular state parks must start planning ahead this summer.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says it is launching a day pass reservation system to cut down on overcrowding.

Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis and Greenbrier State Park in Boonsboro will require visitors to make reservations for visits on peak days from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Reservations will be required for anyone visiting those parks on weekends or holidays starting May 24, 2025.

The reservation system went live on Monday.

“No same-day drive-up access will be allowed. Reservations must be made online and can be made starting seven days in advance of a visit. Reservations may be edited or canceled until 8 a.m. the day before the visit,” a release from the DNR said.

Day-use fees will be charged when visitors book their reservations. The form allows people to get their discounts from special access passes, including the Maryland Park Passport and Golden Age Pass, but users must show their physical passes at the parks.

Other parks, including Point Lookout, Newtowne Neck and North Point, will also require reservations later this summer. The exact dates will be announced in the coming weeks, the Maryland DNR said.

“The goal of this new day use reservation system is making our parks more welcoming and accessible to all,” Maryland Park Service Director Angela Crenshaw said in a press release. “By allowing visitors to plan ahead, we’re helping families make the most of their time outdoors — with less stress and more confidence that they’ll have a great day in our state parks.”

Visits to state parks have surged since the COVID-19 pandemic. Maryland State Parks welcomed an average of 10.8 million visitors per year from 2010 to 2019. Since 2020, an average of 18.7 million people have visited the parks annually.

Parks with swimming and beach access are among the most popular. The crowds have led to traffic backups and people getting turned away, the Maryland DNR said.

Putin says Russia ready to work to end Ukraine fighting after Trump call

Mon, 19 May 2025 05:01:59 +0000

What to Know

President Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin today for two hours about the ongoing war in Ukraine. After the call, Putin said Russia was ready to continue discussing an end to the fighting but indicated there was no major breakthrough in what he termed a “very informative and very frank” conversation.
The president signed legislation this afternoon that will ban the nonconsensual online publication of sexually explicit images and videos, including AI-generated “deepfakes.”
The Supreme Court today gave the Trump administration the green light to revoke Temporary Protected Status for thousands of Venezuelan immigrants.
Former President Joe Biden thanked supporters in a social media post this morning following his cancer diagnosis, his first comment on his illness since it was announced yesterday.
Trump will look to build momentum with House Republicans for his tax cut and immigration bill with a visit to the Capitol on Tuesday.

This live blog on the Trump administration for Monday, May 19, 2025, has ended. See more coverage here.

Key House committee advances Trump agenda bill after appeasing conservatives

Sun, 18 May 2025 23:17:21 +0000

The House Budget Committee advanced President Donald Trump’s multitrillion-dollar domestic policy package Sunday night, two days after a group of conservatives voted to reject it.

The vote was 17-16 along party lines, with the four Republicans who opposed the bill in committee Friday voting “present.”

The outcome is a positive sign for the massive party-line bill after a significant setback Friday, but it will still need changes before it secures the votes to pass the full House. And if it does, it will face plenty of challenges in the Senate, where Republicans have made it clear it won’t pass without major changes.

The package includes a major spending increase for immigration enforcement and the military, and it would extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts (which are scheduled to expire at the end of this year). It includes a series of cuts to Medicaid, food assistance and clean energy funding to pay for the trillions of dollars in tax cuts and new red ink.

The successful vote was a product of Republican leaders’ making inroads over the weekend with conservative hard-liners who said the bill failed to achieve meaningful spending cuts and would increase the U.S. deficit. Those conservatives have insisted that Medicaid work requirements take effect immediately and that the clean energy tax credits be eliminated sooner.

“I’m excited about the changes we made, and I will vote present,” one of the conservative hard-liners, Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., said before the vote. He ignored questions from committee members about what changes he was referring to.

Norman, along with Reps. Chip Roy of Texas, Andrew Clyde of Georgia and Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma, all voted “present.” They voted against the bill Friday, preventing it from advancing.

The committee’s top Democrat, Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania, began by asking Chairman Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, to be transparent with the committee about what “side deals” were struck to flip votes.

“Deliberations continue at this very moment. They will continue on into the week and I suspect right up until we put this big, beautiful bill on the floor of the House,” Arrington said. “We’re not going to disclose the deliberations. I’m not sure I could disclose all the deliberations.”

“I don’t know anything about the side deals or any deal,” he said, adding that there is no score on deficits and impact from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

Arrington added in response to inquiries about what changed in the bill, “There are no formal or final changes.”

Roy said on X that the changes included making the Medicaid work requirements — currently scheduled to take effect in 2029 — kick in sooner and reducing “the availability of future subsidies” for clean energy.

“But the bill does not yet meet the moment,” Roy said, adding: “We can and must do better before we pass the final product.”

House GOP leaders struck an optimistic note earlier in the day.

“We’re on track, working around the clock to deliver this nation-shaping legislation for the American people as soon as possible. … This really is once-in-a-generation opportunity that we have here,” Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said on “Fox News Sunday” earlier in the day.

Johnson said he expects the package will move to the Rules Committee by the middle of the week and to the House floor by the end of the week, so House Republicans can meet their self-imposed Memorial Day deadline for final passage.

This article originally appeared on NBCNews.com. Read more from NBC News:

‘Never been so scared': Arlington firefighter's family loses Maryland home in fire

Sun, 18 May 2025 20:03:00 +0000

A firefighter’s family narrowly escaped a fire that destroyed their home in Montgomery County on Friday.

“You always think this happens to other people, but it’s happened to a firefighter,” Arlington County Fire Capt. David Zuniga said.

Even though he’s been a firefighter for 20 years, Zuniga said he could have never prepared for this.

“I’ve been in lots of fires,” he said. “I’ve never been so scared. I thought I was going to lose my family that day.”

On Friday, a fire broke out outside his home of five years in Gaithersburg.

His 18-year-old daughter woke up to the flames.

“Normally, I look outside my window, it was glowing orange this morning,” Lindsey Zuniga said. “I was expecting the most beautiful sunrise of my life, but it was my neighbor’s backyard on fire, and it was getting to my window.”

Thinking quickly, she grabbed her phone.

“I called 911, but I remember my whole family’s asleep, so I ran upstairs to go wake up my parents,” she said.

She was able to alert her family so they could all rush out of the house.

David Zuniga then ran over to his neighbors’ homes to get them all out.

He said it’s vital families have working smoke detectors and an emergency escape plan.

The fire destroyed the Zunigas’ home and damaged three others. The family lost everything.

The community, including Montgomery County’s fire department, which responded to the call, has stepped up to help, raising about $30,000 to get them back on their feet.

“The love and support, again, has been overwhelming, and I will forever be grateful,” Zuniga said. “Thank you for taking care of me and my family.”

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Former President Joe Biden diagnosed with aggressive form of prostate cancer

Sun, 18 May 2025 16:18:03 +0000

Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, his personal office announced Sunday.

“Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms,” his personal office said in a statement. “On Friday he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone.”

Metastasis means the cancer has spread from its primary site (in Biden’s cancer, the prostate) to other tissue in the body.

“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management,” the statement continued. “The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.”

A spokesperson for Biden’s office did not have any additional comment.

Biden and his family are meeting with doctors and considering “multiple treatment options,” including hormone treatment, according to a source familiar with Biden’s and his family’s thinking.

Biden is at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, the source said, but it is unclear where he will receive treatment.

Biden’s Gleason score of 9 (Group grade 5) means the cancer is likelier than others to grow and spread.

“Gleason 9 is, by definition, aggressive, but you don’t know how bad it is unless you know what the PET scan looks like,” said Dr. Alan Tan, genitourinary section lead at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Tan was not involved with Biden’s case.

Tan said that type of prostate cancer is not rare. “This is the most common thing I see in my clinic,” he said. “This is bread-and-butter genitourinary oncology.”

Most men diagnosed with prostate cancer do not die of it. And that Biden’s cancer is hormone-sensitive suggests he will respond to treatment, experts said.

Dr. Chris George, a prostate cancer specialist at Northwestern Medicine who is not involved with Biden’s case, said that if Biden responds to treatment, he could live for years as the treatment keeps the disease in check.

President Donald Trump said he and first lady Melania Trump were “saddened to hear about” Biden’s diagnosis.

“We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris said she and former second gentleman Doug Emhoff are keeping the former first couple “in our hearts and prayers.”

“Joe is a fighter — and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership. We are hopeful for a full and speedy recovery,” Harris wrote on X.

Former President Barack Obama said he is praying “for a fast and full recovery” and credited Biden for spearheading efforts to reduce cancer deaths.

“Michelle and I are thinking of the entire Biden family. Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe, and I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace,” Obama wrote in a statement.

About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. The cancer is common in older men, and it is the second-leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind lung cancer, according to the organization.

A spokesperson for Biden disclosed last Tuesday that a “small nodule” was found on Biden’s prostate during a routine physical examination, which “necessitated further evaluation.”

At 82, Biden is the oldest president in U.S. history.

Experts usually do not recommend the prostate-specific antigen test, a blood test that helps detect prostate cancer, for men over 70, but in some cases it may be warranted.

“It’s a risk-benefit analysis, and given he was vice president and then president, the benefit of screening was high,” said Dr. Kavita Patel, a physician who worked in the Obama administration. “I have ordered and screened 80- and 86-year-olds if they are otherwise in good health and or have a family history.”

Democrats face a reckoning over whether Biden should have run for a second term in the first place. Biden’s run — and subsequent withdrawal — stoked deep divisions in the party over whether a campaign at his age helped contribute to Trump’s win in November.

But the party immediately rallied around him after he disclosed the diagnosis, temporarily forgoing its post-election analysis to wish him a full recovery.

“President Joe Biden is a great American patriot. Paul and I join the millions across the country and around the world praying for him to have strength and a swift recovery in the battle against cancer. Sending love to him and his family,” said Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the former House speaker, who helped lead efforts to encourage Biden to end his re-election bid.

“Over the years, the Biden family has confronted unimaginable adversity with grace and steadfast perseverance,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said in a statement. “We stand with President Biden as he confronts this moment with the same courage and resilience he has shown throughout his life.”

“Praying for my friend and former colleague, Joe Biden, after hearing news of his diagnosis,” said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. “Loretta and I will be keeping Joe, the entire Biden family, and the medical professionals treating him in our thoughts during this time. Continue to keep the faith, Joe.”

Biden has also received messages of support from the Republican members of Congress who were once eager to make his health the centerpiece of the 2024 election.

“I’m sorry to see this news. Cancer is truly awful. My Dad passed away in 2021 with cancer,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said, urging supporters to pray for Biden and his family.

“This is certainly sad news, and the Johnson family will be joining the countless others who are praying for the former President in the wake of his diagnosis,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said.

During his presidency, Biden aimed to prevent millions of cancer deaths through the relaunch of his public-private Cancer Moonshot initiative, which funded research into treatments, expanded no-cost screening programs and, according to Biden administration records, resulted in nearly 8 million people being screened for prostate, breast, colorectal, lung, cervical and skin cancer.

At his first event after he left the 2024 presidential race, Biden announced $150 million in new grants to support research and “allow surgeons to provide more successful tumor-removal surgeries for people facing cancer.”

Biden initially began leading the Moonshot program in 2016, as vice president, roughly six months after his eldest son, Beau, died of brain cancer.

In 2021, Biden underwent a colonoscopy at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, during which a “single 3 mm benign-appearing polyp” was identified and removed, the White House physician at the time, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, revealed.

O’Connor said in a letter that the polyp was a “slow-growing, but thought to be precancerous lesion” for which no more action was required. Biden had a similar polyp removed in 2008, he said.

Biden’s last annual physical exam as president was in February 2024, after which O’Connor billed him as a “healthy, active, robust 81-year-old.”

Syedah Asghar, Marina Kopf and Akshay Syal contributed.

This article originally appeared on NBCNews.com. Read more from NBC News:

Teens involved in large fight in Navy Yard may be connected to nearby robbery

Sun, 18 May 2025 13:27:12 +0000

After fights broke out in the Navy Yard area of D.C. Saturday night, police said some of the teens involved may be connected to a nearby robbery.

Video from a News4 viewer shows a large crowd of what appear to be dozens of teens at New Jersey Avenue and M Street SE. Multiple police cruisers responded to the block, and some people appeared to be running away.

D.C. police confirmed Sunday afternoon that a large group of juveniles engaged in disorderly behavior in the Navy Yard area.

A spokesperson for WMATA said a large group of teens were fighting, which caused them to close the New Jersey Avenue side of the Navy Yard-Ballpark station.

No one was arrested, but members of that group are believed to be connected to a nearby robbery where multiple suspects allegedly approached two victims and assaulted them. That crime happened at 9:25 p.m. at Half and M streets, and one of the victims was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

As that investigation continues, some residents say they fear for their safety.

While a curfew was in effect in Navy Yard on Saturday and Sunday from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. for those under 17, the last time D.C. police transferred a minor to the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services for violating the curfew was in April. Some think adjusting the curfew could help.

“I think earlier would probably be better,” Navy Yard resident Annemarie Reisch said. “Twelve is maybe a little bit late for young kids in high school, so maybe around 10 or 11.”

Deshawn Johnson, who works at a restaurant in Navy Yard, said he thinks those who are underage should always be accompanied by adults to avoid future dangerous situations.

“I don’t even feel safe working here anymore because that’s like all these people who just come in, come out just because they want to have fun,” he said.

D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith plans to meet with District and community members this week to address concerns, “reinforce our shared commitment to public safety” and talk about solutions, according to a Monday release from police.

“We are also urging parents and guardians to take accountability for knowing where their children are and what they are doing, particularly during the evening and overnight hours,” the release from MPD continued. “Public safety is a shared responsibility, and we all have a role to play in keeping our communities safe and helping guide our youth toward positive, productive engagements.”

Those who live in the area say it’s not the first time they’ve seen groups of young people with no adult supervision in the area. Another video shows a group of minors allegedly with no adult supervision inside a restaurant near M Street SE Saturday night. Johnson, who shared the video with News4, said he had to call police after trying to ask the teens to leave the premises.

“They come down here, they trash everything,” he said. “They treat our place like it’s a lounge.”

Last month, D.C. police arrested six young people after fights broke out at The Wharf.

Anyone with information or video related to this weekend’s incidents is asked to call MPD at 202-727-9099 or text the department’s tip line at 50411.

Journalism wins the 150th Preakness Stakes in swift last-second push

Sat, 17 May 2025 19:29:49 +0000

Journalism has made a comeback… on the race track.

After falling just short at the Kentucky Derby two weeks earlier, 3-year-old colt Journalism won the 150th Preakness Stakes in a photo finish at the old Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.

The victory marks the second Preakness win for trainer Michael McCarthy.

“A lot of bouncing around there,” McCarthy said after the race. “When I saw that, I kind of resigned myself to the fact it was another fantastic effort and maybe come up a little bit short. But it just goes to show the testament that this horse has. Couldn’t be prouder of him.”

Gosger was second by a half-length. Internet favorite Sandman, who also made a last minute push to the front, rounded out the top three, and Bob Baffert-trained Goal Oriented came in fourth. Journalism went 1 3/16 miles in 1:55.37.

Umberto Rispoli, atop Journalism, reacts after winning the the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes horse race Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Goal Oriented and Derby favorite Journalism were the betting favorites in the days leading up to the race.

Clever Again took a commanding lead from the jump and held on through much of the race, but the early push proved too much for the young colt, who was overtaken by Gosger in the final seconds.

Journalism seemingly struggled in the early part of the race, sitting at sixth through much of the course. But just as Gosger came within reach of the finish line, Journalism used a last burst of energy to pull ahead by a half-length at the post.

“I still can’t realize what this horse did,” jockey Umberto Rispoli said after the race. “It’s all about him. It’s a pleasure and privilege to ride a horse like him.”

For Rispoli, the win holds a special meaning. Not only is it his first in a Triple Crown race, he’s also the first Italian jockey to ever take home a trophy in either of the three legs.

“When I crossed the wire, the first things that comes up to my mind, it’s all of the 20 years of my career that pass in front of me,” Rispoli said. “I had to wait so long to be on a champion like that.”

Umberto Rispoli, atop Journalism, reacts after winning the the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes horse race Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Sovereignty, who won the first leg of the Triple Crown May 3, opted out of the Preakness just three days after his last-second victory at Churchill Downs, ending the bid for a potential Triple Crown winner for the seventh consecutive year. This was the fifth Preakness to not feature the reigning Kentucky Derby winner since Justify’s Triple Crown triumph in 2018.

The race featured a $2 million prize purse for the second year in a row — the highest purse in Preakness history, though still less than half of what the Kentucky Derby offered.

At last year’s 149th Preakness, Seize the Gray pull ahead by 2 1/4 lengths for a commanding victory over then-reigning Kentucky Derby champion Mystik Dan.

Journalism’s victory marks a historic moment for the The Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown as it will be the last win earned in the old Pimlico Race Course, which is set to be demolished and renovated beginning in June.

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Explosion at Palm Springs fertility clinic was intentional act of terrorism, FBI says

Sat, 17 May 2025 15:53:45 +0000

One person was killed and at least four were injured Saturday when a car exploded in a powerful blast at a Palm Springs fertility clinic that the FBI deemed an intentional act of terrorism.

The explosion was reported sometime before 11 a.m. on the 1100 block of North Indian Canyon Drive, near Desert Regional Hospital, in a parking lot near American Reproductive Centers.

Speaking at an afternoon news conference, Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the FBI Los Angeles field office, called the blast an intentional act of terrorism.

“Make no mistake, this is an intentional act of terrorism,” Davis said. “The FBI is investigating it as such. Our Joint Terrorism Task Force is here, working in lock step with the Palm Springs police department, the ATF and a whole host of agencies.”

Multiple law enforcement tactical officers were seen outside a Twentynine Palms residence late Saturday night.

Sources familiar with the investigations confirm to NBC News that the scene in the Twentynine Palms residence is related to the ongoing investigation into the explosion in Palm Springs.

The FBI announced it will host a press conference at 10 a.m. Sunday, to provide more information on the investigation into the car explosion.

Palm Springs Police Department Chief Andy Mills said in a post online that the blast field extended for blocks with debris scattered in the streets of the desert community east of Los Angeles. Davis estimated the debris field extended for about 250 yards.

Video from the scene showed several first responders in the area and a thick plume of smoke billowing from the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic. Officials believe the suspect’s anti-natalism beliefs were the motive behind the blast.

Authorities have identified the suspect as 25-year-old Guy Edward Bartkus.

The city’s police chief said there is no wider threat to the community

“Terrorism came knocking on the door of Palm Springs,” Chief Andrew Mills said. “We survived. And I can tell you that this city will rise.”

In a statement Saturday afternoon, the American Reproductive Centers clinic said the vehicle exploded in the parking lot near the clinic building. Aerial video showed what appeared to be a mangled car in the parking lot a few feet from the building.

No employees were injured and the lab, including eggs, embryos and reproductive materials, were secure and not damaged, the clinic said.

“We are heartbroken to learn that this event claimed a life and caused injuries, and our deepest condolences go out to the individuals and families affected,” the statement continued. “Out of every tragedy, there is an opportunity to come together with deeper purpose. While today’s events have shaken us all, they also shine a light on the strength of our community, the bravery of our first responders, and the resilience of the families we serve.”

The clinic said it will reopen Monday morning.

As a result of the explosion, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has deployed investigators, bomb technicians and evidence response teams to the scene. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)’s Los Angeles division is also involved in the investigation.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said he’s aware of the incident and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is assisting with the response.

The AFT deployed a team of technical experts to assist with the investigation.

This is a developing story. Please refresh as more updates become available.

More than 2 million lost power across the DMV overnight

Sat, 17 May 2025 12:50:22 +0000

UPDATE: Go here for the latest power outage numbers.

The same severe weather that downed trees, flooded roads and killed at least two people on Friday led more than 2 million people in D.C., Maryland and Virginia to lose power on Friday night.

By mid-morning Saturday, tens of thousands of people were still waiting for their power to come back on — and some may have to wait until Sunday or even Monday.

As of 11 a.m. Saturday, Pepco said that 2,700 of its customers were still without power. That’s still a marked decrease from 9:45 p.m. on Friday, when 518 outages left at least 18,403 Pepco customers without power.

Dominion Energy said, as of 11 a.m., more than 24,000 Northern Virginia customers were left without power. That’s still just a quarter of the 86,927 customers that saw outages at 9:45 p.m. on Friday.

According to Dominion Energy, most of the Northern Virginia outages are concentrated in Fairfax County.

It said it hopes to have service restored by early Sunday morning.

As of 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, more than 17,000 BGE customers across just central Maryland were still without power. The hardest hit areas were Howard, Carroll and Baltimore Counties and Baltimore City, according to a press release from the company.

BGE expects to have power restored to 80% of the 74,200 total customers affected by outages by 8 p.m. on Saturday, the release said. Most customers will see power return by midnight on Sunday, but some areas with “extensive damage” may continue without power into Monday.

The power outages leave many people without air conditioning on a day that temperatures are expected to reach the mid-80s.

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Traffic is also moving slowly in Northern Virginia, especially in Old Town Alexandria. Alexandria police said on social media that entry and exit to I-395 from Seminary Road was closed due to power outages.

“E/W travel is open but very slow,” Alexandria Police said. “Multiple intersections along Seminary & Duke remain without power. Van Dorn remains closed in both N/S directions. Use alternative routes.”

The severe weather that whipped through the D.C. area on Friday night took down trees across the region and flooded some roads. Hail, wind, and lightning all pummeled the DMV as the fast-moving storms poured down gallons of water.

Two people in Northern Virginia were killed by falling trees. One was a woman in her car in the Mount Vernon and Woodlawn area. The other was someone in their car on the GW Parkway near Morningside Lane.

Neither has been identified to the public yet.

100-year-old Maryland real estate agent shares secrets to success

Sat, 17 May 2025 10:36:03 +0000

A Maryland woman is celebrating her 100th birthday and is one of the oldest active real estate agents in the country.

Like many of us, Mary Wykes drives herself to work every day. But unlike most of us, she was born in the 1920s.

“I have a license until I’m a hundred and six,” she said with a laugh.

Wykes has been a real estate agent since 1979, when she decided at age 54 to leave her job in the federal government after nearly 20 years and change careers. She worked as an employee development specialist after jobs with IBM and other companies. She also worked as a church secretary and a high school teacher.

Wykes said she decided to become a real estate agent because of something her father said as she grew up on their family farm.

“My dad, who was a dairy farmer, always said, ‘Mary, work for yourself.’ And I could never figure out a way to do that. Until one time I heard that a secretary [colleague] had just taken the real estate course,” she said.

Wykes has helped people buy and sell their homes ever since.

“It’s just a pleasure, and I love the people I work with,” she said.

Wykes’ boss told News4 Wykes is active and earning commission checks.

“I’ve never met anybody quite so positive and quite so inspirational. At a hundred! You would never know it. She works all the time. She’s fastidious about what she does. She’s just good people,” said Janice Raffel of Long and Foster.

Wykes said longevity runs in her family. Her mother lived to 99, an aunt was 100 and her father’s cousin was 105, she said.

So, what’s her secret?

“My granddaughter asked me that the other day and my answer to her was: good genes and a lot of luck and believing in the kindness of people and – take one day at a time and [believe] in livelong learning,” she said. “Never retiring. Enjoy your work. Never retire.”

Wykes has no plans to slow down. In fact she just ordered a new box of business cards.

She’ll celebrate her 100th birthday on Saturday with friends and family, including great-grandchildren.

Nonverbal painter and poet with autism uses his art to be heard

Sat, 17 May 2025 00:22:12 +0000

Artists often use their work to share a message. A local painter and poet who is nonverbal also uses his art to be heard.

Charles Lenny Lunn has autism and apraxia, which prevents him from speaking.

In the studio, Lunn uses rollers and brushes to express himself.

His style is modern and uniquely his own. His paintings are colorful, bold and sometimes paired with poems.

To write, Lunn points to letters on an alphabet board dictating his words to a communication partner. Many of his poems are about his fight to communicate and be heard.

“Just as I found words for poems in my life, I found colors for my paintings quite easily,” Lunn said. “Looking for words and colors gives me something to do in my silence. I want others to not think of me as silent and stupid.”

His paintings and poetry are featured in an exhibit at Lost Origins Gallery in Northwest D.C. titled “Nonsense & Hopeful Songs: My Inner Fight to Be Heard.” It is Lunn’s first art show. His mother hopes the exhibit will inspire others.

“This is absolutely about giving children who are non-speaking a voice and letting the world know that they are in there,” she said. “When Charles was 10 months old, I was told he would be a vegetable, he would never walk, he would not get off all fours and to put him in a home. And I gotta tell you, that’s not my son. So, you’ve gotta believe. You’ve gotta believe in competence. There’s a voice in there; there’s a human in there, and just give them a way to express themselves.”

Sarah Tanguy and Jason Hamacher curated the exhibit of 20 paintings and several poems. But it’s not just about the art, they say.

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“We all have struggles; we’ve all experienced frustration and pain,” Tanguy said. “And there is so much joy and overcoming and liberation in these paintings.”

“What I’m hoping to illustrate with this is that what we see and what we experience does not translate to what’s inside of someone, and so this, for me, is important,” Hamacher said.

Lunn’s work can be seen at the Lost Origins Gallery through June 8.

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DC Council chairman optimistic about stadium deal — but hurdles remain

Thu, 15 May 2025 23:20:48 +0000

The chairman of the D.C. Council said he believes the Council will approve the deal to bring the Washington Commanders back to D.C. — but it’s going to take longer than the team and the mayor have agreed to.

After months of delays, Mayor Muriel Bowser sent her 2026 budget to the Council. It includes funding for the stadium development and her 2025 supplemental budget, which includes $400 million in cuts imposed by Congress.

Since the announcement that Bowser and Commanders owner Josh Harris reached a deal to bring the team back to D.C., the big question has been: Will the D.C. Council approve the deal to spend more than $1 billion of D.C. taxpayer money?

On Thursday, Council Chairman Phil Mendelson — who has opposed public funding for the stadium — said a stadium deal will likely be approved.

“Let me be clear. I think that we, I think that ultimately, the Council will agree with the stadium. But I think that we can make the deal better,” he said. “It’s what the Council has done with every stadium proposal in the past. But this all takes time. We don’t even have the documents concerning the stadium.”

Mendelson warned there are still some obstacles, with the first being timing: The deal signed by the mayor and the team calls for Council approval by July 15 or the Commanders can pull out.

Mendelson said he doesn’t see a way the Council can approve the Commanders deal — and the budgets — until late July or early August.

“I think the July 15 deadline, which was negotiated without any collaboration or discussion with the Council, is going to be very difficult,” he said. “The members met yesterday to discuss what the budget schedule would look like, and that’s going to be difficult.”

Mendelson also expressed concerns about the financial impact of the deal for taxpayers, but he is optimistic those can be worked out.

“I have found the Commanders to be very cooperative, and they want to get this deal done, and we want to get this deal done,” Mendelson said.

The Commanders deal is far from the biggest issue facing D.C. residents in the budgets just submitted by the mayor. Both budgets will include hundreds of millions of dollars in cuts, including about $400 million in cuts imposed by Congress that have to be made before October.

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Mendelson has a sober warning to D.C. residents about what those cuts will mean: “I think they should be bracing for bad news, but I don’t know exactly what that looks like. And when I say bad news, that there will be service reductions. There’ll be contracts frozen and probably some furloughs.”

The Council plans to hold public hearings on both the stadium deal and the budget cuts in coming weeks.

If the District misses that July 15 deadline to get the Commanders deal approved, the team and the District could agree to extend that deadline, or the team could opt to restart negotiations with Maryland or Virginia.

Caps' playoff run ends with 3-1 Game 5 loss to Canes

Thu, 15 May 2025 22:01:48 +0000

The Washington Capitals lost Game 5 3-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes, ending their Stanley Cup Playoffs run.

Andrei Svechnikov scored the go-ahead goal with just under two minutes left and the Carolina Hurricanes won the second-round series and advanced to the Eastern Conference final for the second time in three years.

Captain Jordan Staal got his first goal of the playoffs, and Frederik Andersen stopped 18 of the 19 shots he faced, including several on Alex Ovechkin.

After a give-and-go with defenseman Sean Walker, Svechnikov’s shot got through Logan Thompson from a bad angle with 1:59 remaining, and that was the difference in a game that was back and forth.

Seth Jarvis sealed it with an empty-net goal with 26.1 seconds remaining.

The Hurricanes improved to 10-5 in potential close-out games in seven trips to the postseason with coach Rod Brind’Amour. They will face either Florida in a rematch of the 2023 East final or Toronto. The Panthers are up 3-2 with the chance to eliminate the Maple Leafs with a win Friday night.

Carolina is 35-7-2 through 82 games and then two rounds when scoring first.

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Despite an unassisted goal by Anthony Beauvillier and some important saves among the 18 from Thompson, the Capitals saw their season end after finishing atop the conference and the Metropolitan Division and beating Montreal in the first round to win a playoff series for the first time since their Stanley Cup run in 2018.

Washington started strong, got a few quality scoring chances but could not get through tight-checking defense to prolong the series.

After giving up the back-breaker to Svechnikov, Thompson was pulled for an extra attacker and the Capitals were unable to equalize and let Jarvis get to the loose puck for the empty-netter.

EV uncertainty: How Trump's charging station funding freeze is affecting the DC area

Thu, 15 May 2025 21:25:15 +0000

For a while, the road to driving a fully electric vehicle was gaining speed, with tax credits helping to fuel sales and dealer incentives driving up interest.

“They were like, ‘Hey, we have a two-year incentive to give you free charging with Electrify America,’” EV driver Antonio Zorrilla said as he plugged in at a charging station in Falls Church, Virginia.

That sold Zorilla, who said it’s been easy to stay on the road in the D.C. area with just a 30-minute charge.

There are more than 3,500 public charging stations in the D.C. area and there were supposed to be more coming.

But on President Donald Trump’s first day in office, he signed an executive order directing federal agencies to freeze funds allocated by the Biden-era bipartisan infrastructure law, including billions of dollars for states to install charging stations.

In February, the Federal Highway Administration said no new projects could begin while the program is under review. A Department of Transportation spokesperson told the News4 I-Team the program needs “major reform.”

How the federal freeze has affected EV charging station construction in the DC area

For now, Maryland is waiting to see if they’ll get almost $35 million. The state Department of Transportation already began work on 22 charging stations – work that is allowed to continue since the funding freeze came after they started. But plans for future EV charging stations are on hold, mostly along busy highways.

“We are currently waiting on the DOT to provide that guidance,” said Joe McAndrew, assistant secretary at Maryland’s DOT.

Virginia is limbo now, too, waiting for the majority of its $83 million from the federal program. A spokesperson for the state Department of Transportation told the I-Team only one new charging station is operating from the program so far at a Pilot Travel Center located in Skippers, Virginia. Awards for 51 other projects were withdrawn.

“Without that infrastructure and without that federal support, it means that a lot more of the burden is going to be on states in that area,” said Michael Brooks with the Center for Auto Safety.

So far in the D.C. area, there are this many charging stations, according to the Department of Energy:

D.C.: 334
Maryland: 1,462
Virginia: 1,786

A lawsuit filed by D.C. and several states, including Maryland, argued the federal government is illegally withholding EV charging station funds awarded to states. The I-Team asked the DOT about the lawsuit and have not heard back.

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‘People are kind of hesitant to buy EVs at this point’

Questions about infrastructure are the biggest holdup now for many drivers considering going fully electric, Brooks said.

“People are kind of hesitant to buy EVs at this point because of some of that uncertainty,” he said. “They don’t know, for instance, what the charging infrastructure in America is gonna look like in five years.”

Almost 6 million EVs are on the road now, in a new high, according to the Alliance of Automotive Innovation. There’s only one public charging port for every 30 vehicles.

The FHA said it aims to publish new guidance for the EV program after getting public comment this spring.

An EV driver named Cooper said he moved from a hybrid to a fully electric car and isn’t overly concerned about the pause in federal funding for charging stations. But he’s keeping a close eye on what might be coming down the road.

“If the existing infrastructure starts to crumble, will I be forced to go back to a gas engine? In that case then yeah, you know, probably will have to,” he said.

Search for publicly available charging stations here.

Reported by Susan Hogan; produced by Rick Yarborough; shot by Carlos Olazagasti, Jeff Piper and Steve Jones; and edited by Jeff Piper.

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Toddler survives fall from 15th floor of Silver Spring apartment building

Thu, 15 May 2025 19:38:14 +0000

A 2-year-old reportedly fell from the 15^th floor of an apartment building in Silver Spring, Maryland, but bushes broke the fall.

The boy was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Montgomery County police and fire and rescue received a report after 2 p.m. of the toddler’s fall from a building in the 11200 block of Oak Leaf Drive.

First responders found a boy had landed in the bushes after falling off a balcony.

Adults were home at the time, investigators said. It’s unclear what caused the child to fall.

The investigation continues, and no criminal charges have been filed so far.

Trump's military parade cost: Up to $45 million for D.C. march

Thu, 15 May 2025 17:47:47 +0000

An upcoming military parade in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary could cost up to $45 million, the Army said.
The event coincides with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.
The June 14 parade is slated to feature 6,600 soldiers, as well as 50 military aircraft and 150 vehicles, Lt. Col. Ruth Castro, a spokeswoman for the Army, confirmed to CNBC.

An upcoming military parade in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the U.S. Army‘s 250th anniversary — which coincides with President Donald Trump‘s birthday — could cost up to $45 million, the Army confirmed Thursday.

The parade on June 14, the day Trump turns 79, is slated to feature 6,600 soldiers, as well as 50 military aircraft and 150 vehicles, Lt. Col. Ruth Castro, a spokeswoman for the Army, told CNBC.

About 5,000 of the participating service members will arrive a few days before the parade and sleep in either the General Services Administration building or the Agriculture Department building, Castro said.

The spokeswoman confirmed the top-end price tag that NBC News reported earlier in May, though she noted that the final cost of the parade could end up between $25 million and $45 million.

Additional details about the parade were revealed earlier Thursday in a report by The Washington Post, which Castro verified.

Trump has expressed interest in a military parade through the nation’s capital stretching back to his first term as president. A parade scheduled for November 2018 was canceled in the wake of reporting about the high cost of staging such an event.

But in an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker that aired May 4, Trump said the cost of the forthcoming parade was “peanuts compared to the value of doing it.”

The parade is the grand finale of a series of events scheduled throughout the week leading up to 250th anniversary of the Army on June 14, 1775.

A fireworks display, military demonstrations and musical performances are also planned to complement the parade.

Teen stabbed outside Takoma Park Metro

Thu, 15 May 2025 16:20:28 +0000

A teenager was stabbed and seriously hurt at the Takoma Park Metro Station Thursday afternoon, police say.

About 2 p.m., Metro Transit Police officers responded to the report of a robbery outside the Metro station’s entrance.

Officers found a teenage boy with a stab wound to his upper body, police said. He was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.

Metro Transit Police arrested three suspects who ran off to nearby Takoma Park Elementary School on Holly Avenue, police said.

Police said there was no danger to students or the community, but the school had to direct parents to pick up their children from another side of the building as investigators closed off part of the area.

Police said the incident began in D.C. before the people involved crossed into Takoma Park, Maryland.

Metro service was not affected by the stabbing, police said.

Stay with News4 for updates to this developing story.