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Tag: alan etter

  • In a first, organized female flag football hits Virginia high schools – WTOP News

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    Four Prince William County high school teams kicked off the first girls flag football season inside the “Bubble” at the Washington Commanders’ practice facility in Ashburn.

    For the first time, female high school students in Prince William County, Virginia, are playing organized flag football. And their opening games were held Tuesday at the Washington Commanders’ practice facility in Ashburn.

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    Prince William County introduces flag football for high school girls

    Four teams squared off in the “Bubble” a gigantic, white covered structure that has workout equipment and a regulation-size football field contained inside. Brentsville High School met Battlefield High, and Gar-Field played Osbourn Park.

    Twelve of the 13 high schools in Prince William County have fielded girls flag football teams after about two years of considering adding the sport.

    “I’ve always loved football, and I love that it’s like a sisterhood,” said Adriana, a 17-year-old senior at Gar-Field. She says she’s been playing football all her life and now appreciates the opportunity to play with girls from other schools within the county.

    Her coach, Ginger Scott, agrees, saying, “Gar-field has always been a home to me as an alumni and being a teacher now, so being able to bring a sport to the girls that love it, has been great.”

    The event at the Commanders’ facility on Tuesday was not only historic, it also drew out some Washington football legends as honorary coaches and cheerleaders.

    “I have three daughters,” said former Commanders running back Brian Mitchell. “I’m excited about it because it gives them a chance to go out there and play a game that they love,” Mitchell said.

    “When I heard about this game of flag, you know with the girls, I’ve been intrigued just to know that we’re able to share our sport with them,” said Santana Moss, a former Commanders wide receiver.

    Girls flag football is catching on.

    The National Federation of State High School Associations reports that participation in the 2024-25 school year increased by 60% compared to the year before — making it the fastest-growing high school sport for girls. Nearly 69,000 athletes took the field last year, and the number of schools offering the sport grew by almost 1,000 nationwide.

    “They’re very excited; they’re learning the sport, and they’re honing their athleticism,” said Jillian Ross, head coach of the Osbourn Park High School girls flag football team.

    “I feel good to be part of this team,” said Eliana, who says this is her first year playing flag football. “I feel like it’s basically a family here at Osbourne Park to do flag football, we can all relate on things together,” she said.

    Right now, 16 state associations officially sanction girls flag football, while another 18 states are running independent or pilot programs.

    The school system partnered with the Commanders to introduce girls to the sport, hosting a clinic in January at Woodbridge High School and two more in May.

    For now, competition is limited to Prince William County schools at the club level, though out-of-county opponents may be added in future seasons. The regular season runs through late October, with all teams advancing to the postseason. Semifinal and championship games will be held Nov. 8.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Alan Etter

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  • ‘It’s not fully over’: DC leaders talk about what’s next after the crime emergency ends – WTOP News

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    Now that the federal law enforcement surge in D.C. has come to an end, many don’t believe there will be a sudden disappearance of police and National Guard.

    Now that the federal law enforcement surge in D.C. has come to an end, many don’t believe there will be a sudden disappearance of police and National Guard. However, one Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner said he’s heard of fewer interactions with residents.

    “It’s not fully over, but I think there is a decrease in the number of instances I’m hearing about,” said Jeremy Sherman, who represents ANC single-member district 1A04 in Columbia Heights.

    But he added, “There are neighbors who are still afraid and scared and so I think this is a rebuilding time.”

    Sherman’s colleague in 1A06, Anthony Thomas-Davis, agreed there were lessons learned during the surge.

    “I think the surge exposed some gaps in our system that require some level of attention,” Thomas-Davis said. “That was largely around public safety and how our officers are deployed in certain manners across the neighborhoods … and largely how our public spaces are being maintained to either discourage crime or to incentivize public space activation in a way that may also deter crime.”

    Thomas-Davis said while D.C. residents, for the most part, did not want the law enforcement surge, as evidenced by the massive protests held over the past month, he does think lessons can be taken from it.

    “I hope as we pivot from the emergency, a lot of residents come together to push District government to address these issues,” Thomas-Davis said, adding that it was his hope D.C. can continue to develop in a way that would not give the Trump administration “an excuse” to impose another emergency.

    “We want to see MPD get back to community policing and not infringing upon neighbors’ rights and building positive relationships,” Sherman said. “On the positive side, a lot of neighbors have come together. … There are a lot of WhatsApp and Signal groups that have formed over the past month, and those continue to be places for neighbors to connect and support each other.”

    Sherman and Thomas-Davis represent areas in Columbia Heights with a large Hispanic population and the location of several interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. They said they expect some of those interactions to continue.

    Sherman said he is hoping the city will come together now and support their neighbors and local businesses.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Alan Etter

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  • Virginia families face hurdles getting updated COVID-19 vaccine amid prescription confusion – WTOP News

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    Virginia families are hitting roadblocks getting the new COVID-19 vaccine, as shifting federal rules spark confusion over pharmacy prescription requirements.

    Virginia families are hitting roadblocks while getting the new COVID-19 vaccine, as shifting federal rules spark confusion over pharmacy prescription requirements.

    According to the Virginia Department of Health, pharmacists can give vaccines in two ways: with a prescription from a medical provider, or under statewide protocols that allow vaccinations without a prescription — as long as they follow the immunization schedule from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    The CDC’s current immunization schedule lists the 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccine, but not the 2025-26 version, which is why a prescription is now required for the newer shots.

    Jim Hardin, a 75-year-old resident of Haymarket, told WTOP he was asked to present a prescription recently when he tried to get a vaccination at a Giant Foods Pharmacy near his home. He said he’s never been asked for a prescription.

    “To me, this is kind of a federal bureaucracy … that’s really useless,” Hardin said. “If you think about it, what doctor is going to say, ‘No, I’m not going to give you a prescription for a COVID shot?’ I mean, they’ll all give it to you.”

    Hardin said he is retired veteran and can get a shot at a local military base. But he said that’s at least 20 miles away and not at all convenient.

    Several states have already acted on similar concerns. In Colorado, Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania, pharmacists can give COVID-19 vaccines without a prescription.

    The CDC’s vaccine advisory committee meets Sept. 18 and 19 to vote on updated COVID-19 shots. If approved, pharmacists could give the vaccines without a prescription.

    “I just think the government is trying to dissuade citizens from getting a shot,” Hardin said. “I think that’s wrong.”

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Alan Etter

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  • DC leaders react to lawsuit aimed at ending National Guard deployment – WTOP News

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    D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said her focus remains on planning for the exit out of President Donald Trump’s declared crime emergency, while council members supported the lawsuit.

    As legal and political tensions escalate over federal intervention in the District, Mayor Muriel Bowser is turning her attention toward the end of President Donald Trump’s declared crime emergency — while council members rally behind a lawsuit challenging the continued deployment of the National Guard.

    At a news conference on Thursday morning following the announcement of the lawsuit filed by D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb challenging the use of the National Guard, Bowser said, “This has been a legal question throughout the emergency, not just today. And I will just reiterate that my focus, and the focus of our emergency operations center, is on planning for the exit out of the emergency next week.”

    The Army later said it’s extending orders for the D.C. National Guard to remain in the nation’s capital through Nov. 30, two U.S. officials told ABC News on Thursday.

    The crime emergency is scheduled to end Sept. 10.

    Bowser said she has not been consulted on any possible extension.

    “I’m not sure that that’s an indication of how long they’ll be deployed. I know that there’s a lot of reporting about how weary they are. And I get that, because deployments are hard. People are away from their families, and they may not necessarily think they’re on mission,” Bowser said.

    “So, I think that the deployments themselves are running their course,” she added. “We are organized to best use our own public safety resources and any additional public safety resources. And I think that’s a message for the Congress.”

    Council members react to lawsuit

    Speaking to WTOP, Ward 3 Council member Matthew Frumin and At-Large Council member Robert White expressed support for the lawsuit.

    “There was just a decision that said the president has improperly deployed the National Guard in other places,” Frumin said. “So, the fact that the attorney general would capitalize on those findings in other jurisdictions to try to get us to where we want to be, which is not having armed soldiers on our streets, makes sense.”

    White echoed that support, saying he believes AG Schwalb has built a “strong case.”

    “What the president is doing is illegal. He’s not respecting Congress, he’s not respecting Home Rule, he’s not respecting D.C. residents,” White said.

    Frumin also spoke about the mayor’s position, describing it as “incredibly difficult.” He acknowledged the criticism Bowser has faced but said she is trying to find a way forward.

    “If we could get to a place where the ICE activity got under control and the National Guard left, that would be a vast improvement over where we are,” he said.

    He said Bowser likely has the clearest sense of what might lead to the end of the emergency, given her direct communication with federal officials.

    “I have to believe she knows this might not work, but she’s made the determination that this is the best, most constructive path forward. And I want to support her in that,” Frumin said.

    White, however, took a sharply different view. He warned the mayor’s recent order establishing an operations center to coordinate with federal law enforcement could send the wrong message and undermine D.C.’s autonomy.

    “We have to protect D.C., Home Rule and democracy,” White said. “It’s hard for national voices, other governors, members of Congress, to say ‘stop what’s happening in D.C.’ if they’re getting a message that D.C. welcomes it. D.C. does not welcome it.”

    Bowser, in responding to criticism on Wednesday, said her goal is to end the emergency, not to invite federal intervention.

    Still, White accused the mayor of trying to appease the president, a strategy he believes is bound to fail.

    “It’s not going to work,” he said. “We have to make sure we work with our allies, those who believe in democracy and Home Rule, to protect it.”

    The White House has defended the federal effort. On Tuesday, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the deployment of federal law enforcement and National Guard troops in D.C. “has yielded tremendous results in such a short time. Violent crime has plummeted, and dangerous criminals are being removed from the streets every single night.”

    Frumin acknowledged the drop in crime but cautioned that the current approach is not sustainable. He said some residents now feel unsafe while simply being outside.

    White agreed. He warned that while crime may be down, the long-term damage to the community’s trust in the government could make the city less safe in the future.

    “So, when the military leaves our city, we are left with that broken reputation that’s going to make us less safe,” he said.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Mike Murillo

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  • New Carrollton neighborhood braces for the loss of a popular grocery store – WTOP News

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    Residents of New Carrollton, Maryland, are facing the closure of their longtime Shoppers Food Warehouse on Riverdale Road, one of four Maryland locations shutting down by Oct. 11. Locals expressed concern over limited grocery options and hope a new store will replace the beloved neighborhood fixture.

    The Shoppers Food Warehouse grocery store, a New Carrollton fixture for decades in the 7700 block of Riverdale Road, is shutting down next month.(WTOP/Alan Etter)

    In New Carrollton, Maryland, residents are bracing themselves for a major change in their grocery shopping habits.

    Their local Shoppers Food Warehouse grocery store, a neighborhood fixture for decades in the 7700 block of Riverdale Road, is shutting down next month. It’s one of four Maryland locations set to close in October.

    For longtime shoppers, the news comes as a tough blow. Many say the store has been more than just a place to buy groceries. But with the doors closing, neighbors worry about what comes next.

    “It’s just bad that they’re closing stores that’s close to neighborhoods that people depend on,” said Neal, a neighbor to the store that’s slated for closure.

    He lives right around the corner and has been coming to this particular Shoppers for two years, ever since he moved to the neighborhood.

    “I’m just trying to figure out what would they turn this into if they close this down for the community?” Neal said.

    “It’s going to be an inconvenience to have to find another Shoppers, because we like Shoppers,” he added. “Now, it’s going to take us out of the way, but we have to go.”

    There are two other grocery stores in walking distance of the Shoppers, and are the only other grocery stores in the city.

    “A lot of families depend on Shoppers to feed their families,” said Chiquita from Capitol Heights, who said she’d been coming to this Shoppers for about 15 years.

    “I don’t know why they would do that, unless they’re going to give us some food for free,” she said with a laugh. “That’s a bad idea.”

    She worries about people in the neighborhood who don’t have transportation being able to get their groceries.

    “Some walk if they have apartments in the area. Or if they don’t, they depend on walking to the store to get their food,” she said. “If the Shoppers is not here, where are they going to go to get their food?”

    “It’s a good access to the community. It shouldn’t close at all, for real,” said Don, a neighbor who has been shopping at this Shopper’s for about a decade. “I know they closed the one on Martin Luther King (Jr. Highway) at one time. And then they reopened it. I don’t even know why they closed that one. It’s a shame, though. This shouldn’t go nowhere.”

    Some hope another grocery store will take the place of the Shoppers. The New Carrollton, Waldorf, Essex and Westminster locations are set to close by Oct. 11.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Alan Etter

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  • DC Council poised to cut down heritage trees for RFK Stadium redevelopment – WTOP News

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    The D.C. Council has advanced the RFK Stadium redevelopment plan, allowing the removal of 31 protected heritage trees to make way for a $3.7 billion project backed by the Washington Commanders. Environmental advocates warn the move could set a dangerous precedent for future developments across the District.

    A Casey Trees employee measures a heritage tree near the RFK Stadium. (Credit Casey Trees)

    The D.C. Council is moving forward with legislation that would allow the removal of dozens of protected trees as part of a multibillion-dollar plan to redevelop the RFK Stadium campus.

    The “Robert F. Kennedy Campus Redevelopment Act of 2025,” backed by Mayor Muriel Bowser, would permit the Washington Commanders to cut down 31 “heritage trees,” large and mature trees that are normally protected under city law.

    The council voted 9-3 on Aug. 1 to give the redevelopment plan initial approval.

    Instead of paying nearly $1 million in penalties, the team will be charged a reduced fee.

    The exemption is part of a $3.7 billion redevelopment package that includes a new football stadium, housing, retail, restaurants and public spaces. The Commanders have pledged $2.7 billion toward the project, with the city contributing more than $1 billion.

    If approved, it would be only the third exemption to the District’s tree canopy protections since they were enacted in 2002. The legislation could set a bad precedent for other developers who would remove similar large trees without regard to the impact to the environment, according to Casey Trees, a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of the tree canopy in D.C.

    “Developers should be considering each existing heritage and special tree on a case-by-case basis instead of cutting down everything that took decades to grow,” communications director Vincent Drader told WTOP.

    “It’s not just about RFK. If left unchecked this kind of exemption could set a troubling precedent that would turn RFK into a blueprint for future unsustainable development across D.C.,” he added.

    Drader said the loss of mature trees could increase temperatures in surrounding neighborhoods.

    “They provide shade for the community and stormwater runoff protection,” Drader said, adding the surrounding area already doesn’t have enough trees. “The trees on this site are over 60 years old, some of them are over four feet wide.”

    The proposal comes as the Department of Energy and Environment faces significant budget reductions. Bowser’s fiscal 2026 budget plan would cut more than $70 million from the agency, though the council restored a portion of that funding.

    The nonprofit has launched a petition asking the council to remove the exemption before its final vote that’s scheduled for Sept. 17.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Alan Etter

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  • Large DC rally held in support of union workers, blasts Donald Trump’s policies – WTOP News

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    Nearly 400 pro-union activists and supporters gathered at Dupont Circle park on Thursday to march and kick off what they called a season of solidarity.

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    Massive rally in DC in support of union workers and against Trump’s policies

    Nearly 400 pro-union activists and supporters gathered at Dupont Circle park on Thursday to march and kick off what they called a season of solidarity.

    The “solidarity season” is a week full of pro-union events, and those gathered at the park on Thursday set the tone — starting with their complaints over what they called destructive policies of President Donald Trump’s administration.

    The event was organized by the Metropolitan Washington Council of the AFL-CIO, which represents about 150 union organizations in the D.C. area. President Sam Epps said union workers must stick together through what he called a crisis in government.

    “Labor will continue to fight for freedom, fairness and security,” Epps told the crowd.

    “Our solidarity extends to our members who live in the District of Columbia, who deserve to live free from this administration’s harmful and unlawful occupation,” Epps said. “We say ‘Free D.C.!’”

    Also speaking at the event was Keya Chatterjee, executive director of the Free D.C. organization.

    She told the crowd, “Here in D.C., we need to fight back right now, the same way that labor unions do all the time.”

    “We demand the escalated federal forces leave immediately!” Chatterjee said to cheers. “We demand that [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents] get out of our communities. We demand that federal workers get their jobs back. We demand power over our own budget, laws and justice system here in D.C. And we demand that D.C. is admitted as the 51st state.”

    The D.C. chapter of the AFL-CIO sponsored a huge rally and march in support of unions, while blasting what they call the “destructive policies” of President Donald Trump, including the deployment of the National Guard and federal police onto the streets.
    (WTOP/Alan Etter)

    WTOP/Alan Etter

    The group ended their march in front of a restaurant on 14th Street called Le Diplomate, which is owned by Starr Restaurants.
    The group ended their march in front of a restaurant on 14th Street called Le Diplomate, which is owned by Starr Restaurants.
    (WTOP/Alan Etter)

    WTOP/Alan Etter

    The group ended their march in front of a restaurant on 14th Street called Le Diplomate, which is owned by Starr Restaurants.
    The group ended their march in front of a restaurant on 14th Street called Le Diplomate, which is owned by Starr Restaurants.
    (WTOP/Alan Etter)

    WTOP/Alan Etter

    Nearly 400 pro-union activists and supporters gathered at Dupont Circle park on Thursday to march and kick off what they called a season of solidarity.
    Nearly 400 pro-union activists and supporters gathered at Dupont Circle park on Thursday to march and kick off what they called a season of solidarity.
    (WTOP/Alan Etter)

    WTOP/Alan Etter

    Nearly 400 pro-union activists and supporters gathered at Dupont Circle park on Thursday to march and kick off what they called a season of solidarity.
    Nearly 400 pro-union activists and supporters gathered at Dupont Circle park on Thursday to march and kick off what they called a season of solidarity.
    (WTOP/Alan Etter)

    WTOP/Alan Etter

    After the rally at the park, the group marched east along P Street behind a large red banner that read “Solidarity” with a white shape of the District of Columbia.

    The group ended their march on 14th Street in front of a restaurant called Le Diplomate, which is owned by Starr Restaurants.

    Employees of Le Diplomate have been trying to form a union of their own, but have been met with resistance from Starr. The demonstrators marched in front of the restaurant, located at 14th & Q Streets NW, shouting, “Le Diplomate is unfair to its workers,” and carrying signs that read in part, “Le Diplomate has no union contract.”

    In a February statement, Starr Restaurants said the vote to unionize within its St. Anselm restaurant was “unlawfully tainted” by “coercive tactics” from the union and its supporters.

    UNITE HERE Local 25, a union representing hotel and restaurant workers in the D.C. area, has called on customers and restaurant workers to boycott the Logan Circle eatery over the labor disputes.

    A person who said he was a manager of the restaurant told WTOP that most of their employees don’t want to join a union.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Alan Etter

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  • Prince George’s Co. police want help catching person planting explosive devices – WTOP News

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    Over the course of the last few months, someone has allegedly been placing incendiary devices on the property of fire station 805 in Capitol Heights, Maryland.

    The person is dressed in black pants and wearing a unique jacket from the “Members Only” brand with red letters that say “Tom and Jerry” and a cartoon bulldog with a caption that reads “1 bad boy.”
    (Courtesy Prince George’s County Police)

    Courtesy Prince George’s County Police

    suspect in arson wearing unique jacked with tom and jerry characters
    The video shows a person carrying what appears to be Molotov cocktails and placing them at the base of a flagpole and in a mailbox.
    (Courtesy Prince George’s County Police)

    Courtesy Prince George’s County Police

    officials at fire station hold news conference
    Officials held a news conference on Aug. 27, 2025, to ask for the public’s help in locating a suspect.
    (WTOP/Alan Etter)

    WTOP/Alan Etter

    Officials in Prince George’s County said it has happened three times over the past “few months.” They did not want to be specific about dates and times for fear of compromising the investigation.
    (WTOP/Alan Etter)

    WTOP/Alan Etter

    Over the course of the last few months, someone has allegedly been placing incendiary devices on the property of Fire Station 805 in Capitol Heights, Maryland.

    Officials in Prince George’s County said it has happened three times over the past few months. They did not specify dates and times for fear of compromising the investigation.

    During a news conference Wednesday, police, along with officials from the Prince George’s County Fire & EMS Department, the Capitol Heights Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, released information, including a video that officials said shows a suspect committing the crimes on Aug. 13.

    The video shows a person carrying what appears to be Molotov cocktails and placing them at the base of a flagpole and in a mailbox.

    He’s dressed in black pants and wearing a unique jacket from the “Members Only” brand with red letters that say “Tom and Jerry” and a cartoon bulldog with a caption that reads “1 bad boy.”

    “We were very fortunate to get very, very good pictures and video of the suspect,” said Assistant Fire Chief Carroll Spriggs. “And so now, we have a great opportunity to get that person in and to question him.”

    There have been no other such incidents at any other county fire stations, and Spriggs believes the Capitol Heights station is being specifically targeted in order to intimidate the personnel there.

    No one has been injured from the devices.

    Officials are particularly interested in catching the suspect because the areas in which the devices have placed are accessible by the public. Schools are located nearby, and there is concern a child might come in contact with one of the devices.

    A $7,500 reward is being offered for information leading to a conviction.

    Officials are asking anyone with information to contact Crime Solvers online, the “P3 Tips” mobile app or call 866-411-8477.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Alan Etter

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  • Mortgage payments outpacing wages, putting home ownership out of reach for many – WTOP News

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    A new analysis shows mortgage payments have more than doubled over the past decade in every major U.S. city — driven largely by higher interest rates.

    The cost of owning a home in America is climbing — and it’s not just about rising prices.

    A new analysis shows mortgage payments have more than doubled over the past decade in every major U.S. city — driven largely by higher interest rates.

    While home prices have gone up, incomes haven’t kept pace, putting pressure on family budgets and stretching the timeline for first-time buyers.

    Real estate platform Zoocasa looked at data from 50 cities, comparing median home prices and mortgage payments from 2014 to 2024.

    In some U.S. cities, mortgage payments haven’t just doubled — they’ve tripled over the last decade.

    The Zoocasa report shows that from 2014 to 2024, average monthly mortgage payments jumped by more than 200% in 17 cities. And it’s not just in high-priced markets like Miami — even traditionally affordable cities like Buffalo saw sharp increases.

    The biggest shock? Tampa.

    Back in 2014, the average mortgage payment there was just $617. Fast forward to this year, and it’s skyrocketed to $2,204 — a jump of over 257%.

    During that time, Tampa’s median home price climbed from $156,000 to $405,000, but incomes only rose about 48% — widening the gap between what homes cost and what buyers can afford.

    In the D.C. area, mortgage payments rose 132% while incomes rose only 37%, something Jacob Bournazian, with EXP Realty, says is bad, but it’s not as bad as other parts of the country.

    “In 2014, your average mortgage payment was $1,600, and it increased to $3,700 in 2024,” Bournazian said. “That’s a $2,100 increase per month,” he said.

    “So the average homeowner in Washington, D.C. pays an extra $25,000 in ’24 compared to 2014 to own a home,” said Bournazian.

    Researchers assumed a 20% down payment and used Freddie Mac’s average 30-year fixed rates to calculate their data.

    Back in May 2014, rates averaged 4.29%. This year? 7.22% — a jump that’s making monthly payments far more expensive, even for the same home.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Alan Etter

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  • New school year, new emotions: Helping your kids cope with back-to-school anxiety – WTOP News

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    After a full summer of vacations and playtime, it’s time to hit the books again. While many kids anticipate the first day of school with excitement, for some, that first day can be stressful.

    After a full summer of vacations and playtime, it’s time to hit the books again.

    While many kids anticipate the first day of school with excitement, for some, that first day can be stressful.

    “The uncertainty may be greater if they are entering a school that is new to them, such as kindergarten, or moving from elementary school to middle school,” said Dr. Cindy Smith, a professor in Virginia Tech’s Department of Human Development and Family Science and director of the university’s Children’s Emotions Lab.

    “Encouraging children to express emotions can help parents to understand how their children are feeling, and then parents can help children figure out ways to deal with their emotions,” Smith added.

    Children returning to school often feel stressed by uncertainties — such as who their teachers will be, whether they’ll have friends in class, riding the bus for the first time or even finding their way to classrooms, according to Smith.

    She said it’s important to recognize subtle changes in children’s behavior that could signal stress.

    “They might get an upset stomach, or they might not want to go to school because they’re worried about what’s going to happen,” Smith said.

    She said parents can help deal with their children’s anxiety by engaging in activities that are enjoyable like arts and crafts or reading a book together.

    “Let children express the emotions that they’re feeling,” she said. “That allows the parents to have an opportunity to help them learn to deal with those feelings.”

    Parents get stressed, too.

    Smith said parents should take time for themselves, slow down and take deep breaths if they’re feeling overwhelmed. She added that it’s important parents always keep communication lines open with children.

    She said to avoid using phrases like “it’s going to be fine,” or “don’t worry” — that can make them less likely to open up about their feelings.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Alan Etter

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  • Several schools in the DC area make US News & World Report best high schools list – WTOP News

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    U.S. News & World Report is out with its 2025 ranking of the nation’s best high schools, and one Virginia high school made the top 10.

    U.S. News & World Report is out with its 2025 ranking of the nation’s best high schools, and one Virginia high school made the top 10.

    Schools making the honor roll in our area include Alexandria’s Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, ranked No. 5 nationally and No. 1 in Virginia. It’s also the 5th ranked STEM school in the nation. Following controversial changes to its admissions policy in 2021 to boost diversity, Thomas Jefferson slipped out of the the top 10 nationally in 2023.

    Langley High in McLean and Woodson High School in Fairfax also ranked in the top five in the state.

    As for Maryland, U.S. News ranked Baltimore’s Eastern Technical No. 125 nationally and No. 1 in the state. Other standout high schools in the state include Walt Whitman (#2), Wootton (#3), Poolesville (#4) and Winston Churchill (#8) — all in Montgomery County.

    In D.C., BASIS DC was ranked No. 139 nationally. Benjamin Banneker Academy High School was ranked No. 178 nationally. In the city, the top-ranked school this year is the School Without Walls, a public magnet high school in Foggy Bottom.

    The top three high schools in the nation:

    1. BASIS Tucson North, Tucson, Arizona
    2. Signature School, Evansville, Indiana
    3. Central Magnet School, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

    The top three charter schools:

    1. BASIS Tucson North, Tucson, Arizona
    2. Signature School, Evansville, Indiana
    3. The Albuquerque Institute of Math and Science, Albuquerque, New Mexico

    The top three science, technology, engineering & math (STEM) schools:

    1. High Technology High School, Lincroft, New Jersey
    2. BASIS Chandler, Chandler, Arizona
    3. BASIS Peoria, Peoria, Arizona

    The U.S. News Best High Schools rankings evaluate data from over 24,000 public high schools across the country. About 18,000 of those schools were ranked based on six key factors — college readiness, state assessment proficiency, state assessment performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth and graduation rate.

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    Alan Etter

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  • DC students get one last summer blowout before school starts next week – WTOP News

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    It’s the final week of summer vacation for D.C. Public Schools students, and the city’s Department of Human Services held a “Back to School Party” at The Fields at RFK Campus on Tuesday.

    It’s the final week of summer vacation for D.C. Public Schools’ students, and the city’s Department of Human Services held a “Back to School Party” at The Fields at RFK Campus on Tuesday.

    “Today’s about community. It’s about the District, it’s about families, and it’s about young people,” DHS Chief of Staff David Ross said. “It’s about ensuring our youth have everything they need to be successful in school, in life and in the District.”

    Ross was on hand to highlight everything his agency does, including its Youth Services Division.

    “We’re offering services that support families and parents. So we want to make sure the community knows we’re here to support them,” Ross said.

    A DJ played music from the soundstage while others served pizza, sandwiches and drinks to the kids. Others staffed various booths showcasing a number of D.C. services, including D.C. Fire and EMS and the Metropolitan Police Department. There was face painting and a moon bounce.

    Several raffles were held. Bentley, who attends Langdon Elementary School, won a mountain bike.

    “All about this bike, man. It’s two of my favorite colors. I just came up to it and was like, ‘That’s the bike I want!’” he said.

    Eleven-year-old Callie, who will be attending Eliot-Hine Middle School this school year, enjoyed the pizza and the art station.

    She said her favorite subject was “lunch!”

    “I don’t know. It’s just my strong point,” she said with a laugh. “It’s actually my first year going to middle school, so I don’t know what’s going to happen. But I’m excited for it to start though!”

    Eight-year-old Kendricks, a student at Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School, was standing in line to get her face painted.

    “My favorite subject is recess because I like playing a lot,” she said.

    Kids attending the event also got free school supplies, clothes and even haircuts.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Alan Etter

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