D.C. United is looking to expand its reach to Baltimore, Maryland, proposing a new stadium for multiple teams and a youth academy in the Charm City.
D.C. United co-chairman and CEO Jason Levien (left) and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott during an event Feb. 12, 2026, announcing a planned partnership between the MLS team and the city of Baltimore.(WTOP/José Umaña)
D.C. United co-chairman and CEO Jason Levien (left) and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott during an event Feb. 12, 2026, announcing a planned partnership between the MLS team and the city of Baltimore.(WTOP/José Umaña)
D.C. United is looking to expand its reach to Baltimore, Maryland, with a proposal to build a new stadium for multiple teams and a youth academy in the Charm City.
The MLS club announced Thursday its push to pursue a 12,000-seat venue on the site of Carroll Park Golf Course, about three miles west of the Inner Harbor. United co-chair and CEO Jason Levien said the new stadium would house a new MLS Next Pro affiliate team, a new professional women’s soccer team and youth soccer academies.
“We want to build the professional soccer foundation in Baltimore that’s going to lead to growth in the future,” Levien said.
The push to Baltimore has been a yearslong process, since the Maryland Stadium Authority first approved conducting a stadium study for a new soccer-specific stadium in the Baltimore area in 2022. A more detailed report was released in May 2025, examining two sites, Carroll Park and Swann Park.
United chose the 80-arce Carroll Park site, which has been home to a public golf course since 1923. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott identified it as the city’s least used golf course, Levien said, making it the team’s best option for the project.
The project would include a stadium, a practice field and a 40,000-square-foot building, Levien said, with classrooms, a weight room, locker rooms, a gymnasium and a cafeteria.
United’s affiliate team in MLS Next Pro, a third-division professional soccer league, would be housed at the new stadium. However, the primary tenant would be a professional women’s soccer team owned by NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, who grew up in Baltimore after moving from Brooklyn during his childhood.
“Carmelo is someone who loves soccer. He owned a soccer team in Puerto Rico. He’s from Baltimore,” Levien said. “He’s going to lead that effort on the development but also with the professional women’s team.”
Two state lawmakers — Sen. Antonio Hayes and Del. Mark Edelson — have introduced bills to provide $216 million of state bonds for the project. Levien said it will be a “private-public partnership.”
“Now that we’ve got the legislation introduced; we’ve got the mayor on board; we’ve got Carmelo Anthony, who wants to be a sports team and owner with us and a partner in Baltimore … we think the stars have aligned for us to make this really happen,” Levien said.
The stadium announcement also comes after United moved its upcoming regular season match against MLS Cup Champions Inter Miami on March 7 to M&T Bank Stadium.
Miami features multiple high-profile stars, including Argentine midfielder Lionel Messi, bringing higher demand, Levien said, requiring the change. United’s home stadium, Audi Field, in Southwest D.C. only holds 20,000.
Mayor Scott attended the news conference, declaring March 7 as “B-More United Day.” He also pledged his support on the stadium project and United’s involvement in the city.
“We are proud to welcome D.C. United and professional soccer here to Baltimore next month, but more importantly, for the years to come,” Scott said. “We look forward to working with everyone to make sure that professional soccer has a home here in Baltimore.”
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Officials in Prince George’s County, Maryland, are seeking a new owner for the former Glenn Dale Hospital site to help turn the property into a senior living community.
The Glenn Dale Hospital, which sits 15 miles outside of D.C., opened as a tuberculosis hospital in the 1930s and closed in 1982.(Courtesy The Maryland- National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation)
The Glenn Dale Hospital, which sits 15 miles outside of D.C., opened as a tuberculosis hospital in the 1930s and closed in 1982.(Courtesy The Maryland- National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation)
Officials in Prince George’s County, Maryland, are seeking a new owner for the former Glenn Dale Hospital site to help turn the property into a senior living community.
Sonja Ewing, division chief for park planning and environmental stewardship for the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation, told WTOP that to redevelop the site where the former hospital is located, a new owner is needed to bring in developers to carry out the county’s vision.
Ewing first mentioned the search during a Glenn Dale Citizens Association meeting in late January.
“In order for it to move forward, we will need a stronger team and new partners to come to the table,” she told WTOP.
The 23 existing buildings that made up the former sanitarium sit on a 60-acre campus, located on about 210 acres of land owned by the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
The Prince George’s County department takes care of the grounds and has been tasked with finding a future owner of the site, Ewing said.
The hospital, which sits 15 miles outside of D.C., opened as a tuberculosis hospital in the 1930s and closed in 1982. In 2011, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, meaning that whoever takes over would have to reuse all the existing buildings.
Ewing said the department is open to talking with county and state agencies, as well as private organizations to redevelop the property, and that all ideas — including a public-private partnership and using government funding — are on the table.
The Alexander Company from Wisconsin was the previous developer linked to the project. However, their contract with the planning commission ended.
“We do own some historic properties for interpretation and other educational uses, but the future use that is envisioned for Glenn Dale Hospital is kind of outside of our core,” she said.
“For this project to be successful, we have to find a future owner to lead into those next steps of redevelopment and adaptive reuse.”
A generational project
While the Parks Department is not equipped to redevelop property, it is dealing with other tasks to make the property more attractive to prospective owners, including cleaning it up.
It is currently conducting a site assessment and has received some results, but Ewing said a second assessment will be needed to apply for an Environmental Protection Agency cleanup grant in the fall.
The department will also look to team up with the Department of Natural Resources and the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct environmental remediation, she said.
Ewing called the redevelopment a generational project that will take multiple years to finish. Those looking to get involved must also be in it for the long-term revenue gains from housing tax credits and adjacent development, along with the property.
“While the market continues to shift in turn and then, when the residential market really has a strong bounce back, that’s probably the highest opportunity for this site to get that attention from the private sector as well as the public sector partners,” she said.
The county sees the site as a senior-focused community, where older residents can have access to a doctor’s office and an assisted living facility, while remaining close to shops and restaurants, Ewing said, comparing it to Leisure World in Montgomery County.
“The project is only going to be successful with the super strong development team that has experience with housing redevelopment, historic tax credit, low-income housing tax credit, senior housing, and just the whole experience of adaptive reuse and redevelopment and putting together complex projects to create new communities,” she said.
Since its closure in 1982, Glenn Dale Hospital has been vacant and abandoned. It has inspired ghost stories and attracted graffiti artists and trespassers despite its dilapidated state.
With everything happening at the site, Ewing said residents and people “interested in the paranormal” should stay out of the property for their safety.
“If you want to learn more about it, you can find those things on YouTube,” she said. “Do not come out in person. It is not a place to take into your own hands.”
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The Professional Women’s Hockey League is bringing its Takeover Tour to Washington, D.C., as the New York Sirens face the Montreal Victoire at Capital One Arena in a regular-season matchup highlighting the league’s rapid growth.
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Women’s hockey brings Takeover Tour to DC
Women’s professional sports leagues continue to grow in popularity in the United States, with soccer and basketball leading the way. Now, women’s hockey is looking to forge its path.
In its third season, the Professional Women’s Hockey League organized a “Takeover Tour,” playing 16 regular season games on neutral sites during the 2025-26 season. One of those games will take place at D.C.’s Capital One Arena as the New York Sirens take on Montreal Victoire.
The game is set to take place on Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on Ticketmaster, with prices starting at $30.
However, the game will not be an exhibition. As of Friday, both teams sat in the upper half of the eight-team standings, with Montreal in second place with a 7-4 record and New York in fourth place, 6-5.
It’s the third season the PWHL has played games outside of its teams’ cities. The second tour drew over 123,000 fans across nine games.
Montreal forward Laura Stacey said the league’s quick growth in three years before a Winter Olympics puts it into perspective of how far the sport has come.
“We never dreamed about being where we are right now,” Stacey said. “The fact that we’re here, we’re now going to Washington to play in Capital One Arena. I think slowly, every single year, we’re getting these moments of ‘Where are we? How are we doing this?’ And I think it really blows our mind every time.”
For Hayley Scamurra, Sunday’s game is a mini homecoming.
While she was raised in New York, the Montreal forward is the daughter of former Washington Capitals defender Peter Scamurra, and her mother is from Maryland. Hayley also spent time in the D.C. area as a former coach for the Capitals Youth Development Program and ALL CAPS ALL HER initiative to bring hockey to women and girls.
Scamurra said she’s watched the D.C. region’s love for hockey grow, despite the region not having a notable women’s college hockey program. She added that, after speaking to people within the Capitals organization, the team and D.C.-area hockey fans will welcome the PWHL with open arms.
“Growing up, as a kid, no one knew what hockey was,” Scamurra said. “So now, to see so many girls playing hockey there, there’s like dedicated girls teams at the Caps organization and things like that. The growth has been immense.”
Before the game, both teams will host an open practice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia, where fans can meet players and received signed autographs. On Saturday night, Montreal’s Marie-Philip Poulin and Sirens player Kayla Vespa will participate in a ceremonial puck drop before the Capitals take on the Florida Panthers.
Vespa, a lifelong Capitals fan, said it is a “full circle moment” to be playing in D.C.
“I’ve only watched them play on TV, so to be able to be there, at an NHL venue, just shows how much the game has grown,” she said. “To be a lifelong fan, it means a lot, and to be able to bring both teams here … is very exciting, and it’s the next step for us.
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After wreaths were placed on every service member’s grave for the holiday season, the Arlington National Cemetery is calling for the public’s help to remove them this Saturday.
After wreaths were placed on every service member’s grave for the holiday season, the Arlington National Cemetery is calling for the public’s help to remove them this Saturday.
The annual “Wreaths Out” event will take place at Arlington and the Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery in Northwest D.C., starting at 8 a.m.
There are about 265,000 wreaths that need to be removed in Arlington and close to 14,000 in D.C.
While thousands are expected to attend, Karen Durham-Aguilera, executive director of Arlington National Cemetery, told WTOP the group of volunteers is always smaller for the removal of the wreaths than those who come during the “Wreaths Across America Day” in December.
“We typically have about 4,000 to 5,000 people that show up (for ‘Wreaths Out’) where, for ‘Wreaths In,’ we can get 30-40,000 people,” Durham-Aguilera said. “So, it’s a big difference.”
Those planning to attend should be prepared for larger than usual crowds since the cemetery will be open to the public as the cleanup takes place. However, vehicular access to cemetery grounds will not be allowed until normal operations resume.
All four entrances to the cemetery will be open, including the Memorial Avenue Welcome Center; the Ord and Weitzel Gate near the Marine Corps War Memorial; the Service Complex Gate near the Air Force Memorial; and the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Old Post Chapel Gate for Department of Defense cardholders.
The Welcome Center parking garage will open at 8 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.
Durham-Aguilera said visitors and volunteers can take Metro or a rideshare service to travel to the property as well. According to a news release, all visitors will need to pass through a security screening before entering the cemetery.
Because of the extra traffic around the cemetery, there will be no grave site shuttle or visitor tram service on Saturday.
For those who plan to volunteer, Durham-Aguilera recommends coming dressed for the weather, as the forecast suggests the day will be mostly rainy. She also said to bring something to help assist carrying the wreaths, such as a PVC pipe, rope, broomstick or hockey stick, that will allow more wreaths to be picked up take them to the trash trucks.
“What’s really easy, especially if you have two people, is that you use a PVC pipe or a broomstick, you can have a person in each end and then you can stack as many wreaths as you can,” Durham-Aguilera said.
Plastic water bottles will be allowed in the cemetery, and refillable water stations will be placed in numerous locations.
New this year for those assisting is the ability to sign up for the cemetery’s text message alerts system. By texting “Wreaths” to 844-794-5578, volunteers will know what’s going on at the property and what areas need additional help.
Durham-Aguilera also said people can follow the Arlington National Cemetery on social media or download its smartphone app, ANC Explorer, which will have directions and updated announcements.
“This is a joint cemetery, which means all branches of the Armed Services,” she said. “It really is an acknowledgment of people’s service and sacrifice to this great nation.”
Aaron Marckell Williams, 26, was killed after being struck in a multivehicle crash following a high-speed chase in Northwest D.C. on Wednesday afternoon. A 20-year-old man was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
While working Election Day in 2022, Sam Plo Kwia Collins Jr. drove alongside Aaron Marckell Williams to cover the evening results for the Washington Informer. As it became clear that Kenyan McDuffie would win his bid for an at-large seat on the D.C. Council, the duo rushed over to McDuffie’s victory party.
As soon as Collins Jr. parked his car, Williams “got to the front and took a very iconic photo” of McDuffie pointing at the crowd during his victory speech.
Over three years later, Collins Jr. saw the photo again on the Informer’s website and began thinking about his former colleague.
“Only to find out a couple of days later that he left us,” Collins Jr. told WTOP.
Williams, 26, was killed after being struck in a multivehicle crash following a high-speed chase in Northwest D.C. on Wednesday afternoon. A 20-year-old man was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
To those who know him, Williams, a D.C. native, was known for his chill personality and love of photography. His Instagram page is filled with event coverage featuring hip-hop artist Pharrell Williams and former President Barack Obama.
For Collins, Williams was “cool, down to earth, focused.”
The pair met after Williams returned to the District after graduating from the University of Miami.
During downtime, Williams was very personable, Collins said, and willing to share about his background growing up in D.C. and attending a boarding school before going to Miami. While his laid-back approach may have confused some, he was not lazy, Collins said, calling his photos “quality work.”
“He just made it look very effortless, and that just spoke to his personality,” Collins said.
Williams recently chose to take a break from the Informer to focus on freelance work.
Washington Informer Managing Editor Micha Green told NBC Washington he was traveling multiple countries, including Ghana, to continue working as an “amazing visual storyteller.”
“We are heartbroken over the loss of Marckell Williams — a talented photographer, storyteller, and beautiful soul who was once part of the Washington Informer family,” the outlet wrote in a statement posted on X. “His passion for capturing people, culture, and truth will never be forgotten.”
The last time Collins recalls seeing his former coworker, Williams was taking photos at a go-go event on Marion Barry Avenue. Even though he was focused on his craft, Williams stopped for a moment to talk with his former reporting partner. The love shown at that moment, Collins said, spoke about the person Williams was.
“Being laid back in a city like this, where it gets more expensive and there’s just so much going on, that’s a feat in itself,” Collins said. “He had that spirit. He was just too good for us.”
A nonprofit is pushing back on an emergency proposal to demolish buildings on the St. Elizabeths campus, on the site of the Department of Homeland Security HQ in Southeast D.C.
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DHS’ plan to demolish parts of St Elizabeths Hospital is under attack
A nonprofit is pushing back on an emergency proposal to demolish historic buildings on the site of the Department of Homeland Security headquarters in Southeast D.C.
In mid-December, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued an emergency declaration to demolish 17 vacant buildings on the St. Elizabeths West Campus, which houses the agency’s headquarters. In a memo sent to the General Services Administration, Noem called the proposal necessary to “prevent the loss of life and property.”
Robert Kirkbride, spokesperson and founder for PreservationWorks, told WTOP the nonprofit objects to Noem’s declaration to the GSA, saying the buildings are part of a national historic landmark. St. Elizabeths Hospital opened in 1855 and was the first federally operated psychiatric hospital in the U.S.
“These are structures that are part of American heritage,” Kirkbride said, who added that they were built “according to the humanitarian ideals of beauty as therapy.”
Following the law
The campus was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1990. Kirkbride said the buildings and the surrounding landscape fall under that designation.
Any changes must follow the process outlined in the National Historic Preservation Act. According to the GSA’s website, during projects that may affect landmarks, a federal agency must notify the appropriate parties, identify properties that may be affected by the project, assess the effects of the changes, and look for alternatives to mitigate impacts on historical resources.
The Washington Post reported the GSA notified D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office on Dec. 23, with Noem’s memo and a Dec. 19 safety assessment report.
A building in disrepair is seen on the campus of what used to be St. Elizabeths Hospital in Southeast D.C.
(Courtesy General Services Administration)
Courtesy General Services Administration
A building on the old St. Elizabeths campus in Southeast D.C.
(Courtesy PreservationWorks)
Courtesy PreservationWorks
The interior of a building on the old St. Elizabeths campus in Southeast D.C.
(Courtesy General Services Administration)
Courtesy General Services Administration
The interior of a building on the old St. Elizabeths campus in Southeast D.C.
(Courtesy General Services Administration)
Courtesy General Services Administration
A building on the old St. Elizabeths campus in Southeast D.C.
(Courtesy PreservationWorks)
Courtesy PreservationWorks
However, DHS failed to demonstrate full compliance with the law, Kirkbride said, arguing that it did not allow a full public review. The emergency declaration came before the Christmas holiday, leaving less time to review it before the end of the year.
The public was not allowed to consider adaptive reuse plans for the buildings or to question any ecological issues in the demolition plans, he said. This includes making sure not to damage the site’s trees.
“There was virtually no window for any public review or commentary on these proposals, which, of course, is strategic,” Kirkbride said. “We demand that there is meaningful public engagement in the process of this review in order to evaluate alternatives.”
In a statement to WTOP, GSA Associate Administrator for Strategic Communications Marianne Copenhaver said the agency is following “all applicable laws and regulations” regarding the property at the St. Elizabeths campus.
Security risk concerns
In a security and safety risks assessment, DHS described the structures as “old, vacant, dilapidated buildings” located in the middle of the campus and along the perimeter. The assessment added that their presence can be exploited by “an insider to stage a sniper attack.”
In a statement to WTOP, DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said Noem’s emergency proposal is about safety. She added that the agency’s security and safety assessments found the buildings on the property pose security and emergency response risks.
“Several of these structures cannot be safely accessed or cleared by law enforcement or first responders, creating security blind spots adjacent to senior leadership and critical operations,” McLaughlin said. “Demolition is the only permanent corrective action that eliminates these.”
However, Kirkbride said it is concerning that the agency is raising security concerns, as the campus is a walled site.
“It’s a bit of a silly ploy, and also self-damning,” Kirkbride said.
With all the renewed attention surrounding the site’s future, Kirkbride said officials should pause the emergency declaration until the National Historic Preservation Act is properly followed and both sides work together to determine what’s best for the site.
He called DHS’s emergency declaration a “repeated motif” seen with the Trump administration’s construction of a new ballroom at the White House. He said he hopes the same does not happen at St. Elizabeths.
“The use of emergency is now simply a new wrinkle that they’re using, that they’re going to use repeatedly, unless we put the brakes on undemocratic behavior, illegal behavior,” Kirkbride said.
WTOP reached out to the mayor’s office and D.C.’s Office of Planning for comment.
The D.C. region was ranked in the top 20 for worst traffic congestion in the world, according to a recent report on traffic data.
The D.C. region was ranked in the top 20 for worst traffic congestion in the world, according to a recent report on traffic data.
The report, titled the 2025 Global Traffic Scorecard, examined 942 urban areas worldwide. It concluded that the D.C. region ranked 19th in the world and eighth in the United States in terms of congestion. On average, D.C.-area drivers lost about 70 hours in congestion, the report said. Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, told WTOP that the D.C. region is part of a worldwide trend of growing congestion in urban areas around the world.
“Traffic is increasing in general,” Pishue said. “A lot of urban areas are still growing in population, and growing in business and the economy, and the infrastructure is always playing keep up. Especially now (in) a tough time. … We can expect traffic to continue to get a little bit worse.”
The time spent in traffic also means money lost to those stuck in it. According to the report, a D.C.-area driver loses an average of $1,289 sitting in traffic.
“In D.C., the cost is probably higher,” Pishue said. “That’s because you could be spending your time with friends, with loved ones, at work, at some other purpose that you would rather be doing, other than just sitting in traffic.”
Two area highways also ranked among the study’s top 25 busiest corridors. Listed at No. 21 was a stretch of Interstate 495 between Clermount Avenue in Montgomery County, Maryland, and the Interstate 295 interchange. Travelers driving during the 4 p.m. peak hour would lose about 64 hours to traffic congestion.
The northbound portion of the Anacostia Freeway between the I-695 interchange and the Maryland border at 4 p.m., ranked no. 22.
Micromobility may be a remedy
Those living in the District have turned to some solutions to the traffic, specifically the expanded focus on micromobility, or the use of bikes, e-bikes and electric scooters. The report found D.C. reported a 48% increase in the use of these vehicles.
“While this growth is suitable for those trying to move around the city, especially downtown, it wouldn’t make a dent in helping those commuting from their suburban homes to work in urban areas, which is the typical congestion drivers deal with,” Pishue said.
Working from home and mass transit can help
According to U.S. Census data, 13.8% of U.S. workers worked from home in 2023 — more than twice the 5.7% in 2019, despite declines from its COVID-19 pandemic peak.
“Despite the drop, working from home and changing trip times can help reduce traffic on the road,” Pishue said.
Another alternative for those looking to avoid congestion is using mass transit. While it won’t solve many traffic problems, it can help travelers avoid sitting on packed highways when commuting in urban areas.
“Transit nationwide is still down about 20% versus pre-COVID level,” Pishue said. “It’s been a slow return, not like driving or the explosion from working from home. So, transit still has a little bit of catching up to do.”
Other cities have seen growth in the use of autonomous vehicles as another solution for drivers looking to avoid getting stuck in traffic. Robotaxi service Waymo added D.C. to its list of cities to expand to in 2026 as it is currently mapping out streets and corridors for its upcoming service.
Getting involved
The purpose of the report was to provide road authorities, transportation planners, engineers, policymakers and the public the traffic data to prioritize solutions that best fit their respective areas.
While lawmakers consider expanding roads and highways, the cost realities may play a factor in what to prioritize. The data provided in its report can help move some resources to other areas of need, whether that is improving traffic lights or creating efficient parking spaces.
“We look at 900 cities, dozens of countries, but really the main takeaway from this is congestion continues to grow,” Pishue said. “(In the report,) You can see if it went up … see if it went down and then dive deeper to really get into it.”
Pishue recommends drivers concerned about the amount of traffic they see get involved with local neighborhood groups.
Detectives from the department’s financial crimes unit, along with members of the U.S. Secret Service, found 20 credit card skimming devices during a countywide detection operation.
Police in Fairfax County, Virginia, are warning holiday shoppers to monitor a potential credit card scam as they pay at the register.
Detectives from the department’s financial crimes unit, along with members of the U.S. Secret Service, found 20 credit card skimming devices during a countywide detection operation.
According to a news release, the devices were found at convenience stores, discount stores and grocery stores throughout Fairfax County and the Town of Herndon.
Public Information Officer Ingrid Palencia told WTOP the investigation, known as Operation Skim Scam, was done right before the holidays as people are using their credit cards more and shopping often. No arrests have been made in Operation Skim Scam.
“We want to prevent our community members (from being) victimized by these skimmers,” she said.
The devices can steal a person’s personal information, including their card’s PIN entry. Criminals then use the data to make unauthorized purchases or open a new credit card on a person’s behalf.
Detectives are reviewing “recording devices” at the locations where the devices were found to identify the installers, Palencia said. In total, 287 point-of-sale (POS) terminals, 158 ATMs and 46 gas pumps were searched for skimming devices during the operation.
Credit card skimming devices are small and designed to be placed with real card readers. Palencia said people should be mindful of several things next time they make a credit card purchase.
“This is an easy way to capture a lot of information in a little bit of time,” Palencia said. “If there’s a lot of people coming to the same store and using the credit cards; within an hour, they can have 10 people’s credit card information.”
Palencia recommended checking for any loose or bulky machines and if they have mismatching colors compared to the rest of the machine. That’s a sign, Palencia said, that a skimmer device was placed on top of the machine.
“If the PIN pad doesn’t match the machine of the color, if the PIN pad is loose, if it’s bulky — you want to make sure you’re pulling on it to make sure it’s not a cover on top of the actual machine,” she said.
Check for a hidden camera on the machine trying to capture your PIN number and don’t accept help from anyone you don’t know while using an ATM or payment machine.
When you are out shopping, officials say to cover your PIN by using your hand to shield the keypad as you enter your number. Use familiar and well-lit locations whenever possible and use ATMs inside banks or high-traffic areas. Lastly, monitor your bank and credit card accounts for any unauthorized transactions.
Palencia recommends using contactless payment options, such as tap-to-pay cards or mobile wallets on smartphones.
“Your actual card is not being compromised,” Palencia said. “Your actual physical card data is not being transferred onto these devices. That would be better than using your actual card.”
If you locate a suspicious device, don’t remove it. Instead, call Fairfax County Police’s non-emergency number at (703) 691-2131 so officers can come to the scene to remove it properly while preserving as much data as possible.
Anyone with information regarding skimming devices found around the county are encouraged to call the department’s financial crimes unit at 703-246-3533 or leave an anonymous tip on the Fairfax County Crime Solvers website.
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D.C. hosted WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event show at Capital One Arena featuring John Cena’s final match.
Pro wrestling star Gunther (upper left) applies a chocking move on John Cena (bottom center) during Cena’s retirement match at WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event in D.C.’s Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025.
(Photo by Rich Freeda/WWE)
Photo by Rich Freeda/WWE
A wide shot of over 19,000 spectators at WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event in D.C.’s Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025.
(Photo by Mike Marques/WWE)
Photo by Mike Marques/WWE
John Cena aims to hit Gunther during his retirement match on WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event in D.C.’s Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025.
(Photo by Rich Freeda/WWE)
Photo by Rich Freeda/WWE
John Cena prepares to do his signature move on Gunther during his final professional wrestling match at WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event in D.C.’s Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025.
(Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE)
Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE
Professional wrestler John Cena plays to the crowd as Gunther watches before his retirement match WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event in D.C.’s Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025.
(Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE)
Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE
John Cena looks at the audience after losing his retirement match WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event in D.C.’s Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025.
(Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE)
Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE
Professional wrestler John Cena makes his entrance before his retirement match at WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event in D.C.’s Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025.
(Photo by WWE)
Photo by WWE
John Cena bows to the crowd in D.C.’s Capital One Arena after WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event show on Dec. 13, 2025.
(Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE)
Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE
WWE wrestler Gunther applies a sleeper move on John Cena during WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event in D.C.’s Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025.
(Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE)
Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE
Professional wrestler John Cena salutes the crowd in D.C.’s Capital One Arena after WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event show on Dec. 13, 2025.
(Photo by WWE)
Cena took on Austrian pro wrestling star “The Ring General” Gunther and lost after a brutal 24-minute match.
WTOP’s José Umaña talked to fans about the results, with many traveling long distances to get to D.C. for the event.
“It really sucked that John Cena lost,” said Winston, who traveled from California for the match. “We lost a great legend today. It won’t be the same and there won’t be another John Cena.”
Antonio also came from California to see Cena one last time.
“I did not think I would ever see Cena tap out,” Antonio said.
After a career spanning over 20 years, he said it was hard to see it end like that.
“John Cena’s model was always ‘never give up,’” Antonio said.
But, he said, it was worth the trip across the U.S. for the event.
“I had to see the ‘GOAT,’ the greatest of all time, retire. It’s 100% worth it. Win or lose, it didn’t matter. He’s still the best,” he said.
Patrick said it was his first WWE match and he traveled from Florida for it.
“It was a great match,” Patrick said. “I kind of figured it was going to come to an end like that, but the rest of the other matches were pretty good.”
Earl B. Bryant told WTOP that the match showed those watching what the future holds.
“Tonight it didn’t go the way that the people wanted, but the ‘The Ring General’ did what was necessary by taking the energy out of this place and paving the way for the new,” Bryant said. “Gunther is the future of wrestling.”
Blake came from Nova Scotia in Canada said the matches the whole night were entertaining for fans.
“I really enjoyed the card, but just the ending could have been a lot better,” Blake said. “It was probably his idea to tap out, honestly. But, I mean, wonderful career. He’s the ‘GOAT’ for a reason,” he said.
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After violations, high school athletic directors, coaches and principals attended a mandatory “refresher” on Maryland’s policies for transfers and student participation,
After two of its high schools received punishments for breaking student eligibility rules during the football season, Prince George’s County Public Schools said it is responding to ensure policies aren’t broken again.
High school athletic directors, coaches and principals attended a mandatory meeting and training session as a “refresher” of the Maryland school system’s policies for transfers and student participation, Director of Secondary Programs Mar-c Holland told WTOP.
During the meeting, athletic officials were reminded that they are responsible for ensuring a student-athlete is compliant with the system’s policies. Holland said it is also important for athletic stakeholders to have open communication with a student-athlete’s family to ensure rules are being followed, calling it “a collaborative effort.”
“We felt it deemed necessary to pull those together that oversee this area to make sure that they are familiar and informed of those specific policies and procedures,” she said.
The meeting comes after two high schools — Charles H. Flowers and DuVal — were found to use ineligible players during varsity football games. It is the third time in two years that a football program was found breaking the system’s policies, Holland said.
Following an investigation, each school forfeited games won “in which the violation occurred,” Holland said. Flowers, which was undefeated at the time, vacated four wins while DuVal forfeited one game. Both teams’ head coaches were also suspended for the rest of the season.
In recent years, schools around the D.C. region have been barred from postseason play after recruiting and eligibility rules were broken. In Virginia, Fairfax High School’s football team was banned from the state playoffs after Fairfax County Public Schools determined the program violated recruiting policies.
However, officials did not assess postseason bans for Flowers and DuVal. According to Holland, issuing a playoff ban was not considered, as the investigation followed “state and district policies and procedures.”
To ensure it does not happen again, Holland said athletic directors and principals will participate in an ongoing monthly training. Some of its rules are also being evaluated.
“We are definitely reviewing how we monitor eligibility, including rosters, transfers, academic checks and so forth,” Holland said.
PGCPS’ zero tolerance on rule breaking will continue as the winter sports season begins in December. While football draws the most attention, Holland told WTOP that other sports are dealing with similar eligibility issues.
“We need to ensure that rules are followed, and we lead with integrity,” Holland said.
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Fairfax Co. schools to install weapons detectors at high school football playoff games after a string of incidents around the D.C. region during the fall athletic season.
Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia will install weapons detectors at high school football playoff games starting this weekend, following a string of incidents around the D.C. region during the fall athletic season.
In a statement to WTOP, the school system said additional safety measures, “including the weapons detection system,” will be in place at all postseason football games held at its schools. The measures are part of an ongoing effort to “enhance our layered security” at its schools, the statement said.
“Our hope is that these new measures will enhance safety for everyone who attends our games,” the statement said.
Schools will be using the OpenGate weapons detectors system, which the county started using in April. It is designed to detect handguns, long guns and knives. At the time, school officials said OpenGate is faster and more selective than traditional metal detectors.
Schools are advising sports fans to come early and to purchase their tickets online. Students attending games must obtain a wristband identifying which school they attend.
If a student from a non-participating school tries to attend a playoff game, they will receive a different type of wristband and must stay with a parent or guardian for the entire contest.
A spokesperson for the Virginia High School League — the governing body for the state playoffs — told WTOP that Fairfax County schools, along with other school districts, determine the security measures for regional playoff football games.
Throughout the fall season, security measures increased at area high school football events following multiple incidents at games.
In Prince George’s County, Maryland, metal detectors and extra police were added to games after a robbery happened after a football game at Dr. Henry Wise Jr. High School in Upper Marlboro on Sept. 19.
D.C. Public Schools also established a new policy requiring students to have an adult chaperone at games, citing “multiple instances of spectator conflict.”
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The Washington Spirit are set for their third NWSL semifinal in five years, facing the Portland Thorns at a sold-out Audi Field this Saturday.
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Washington Spirit prepares to defend DC in NWSL semifinals
After conquering the National Women’s Soccer League quarterfinals Nov. 8 in a penalty kick shootout, the Washington Spirit prepare to play their third semifinal match in five years on Saturday. However, the NWSL team is not alone.
The No. 2 seeded Spirit will be at home in front of its “Rowdy Audi” supporters at D.C.’s Audi Field when they take on the Portland Thorns on Saturday. Players and coaches say it’s that support from those in the stadium and around the region that is providing the proper motivation heading into the semifinals.
“I can’t sleep, unfortunately, because I’m so anxious for the game,” midfielder Croix Bethune said.
Team officials announced the match is sold out, marking Washington’s sixth sell-out of the year. Fans looking to snag a last-minute ticket will need to use TicketMaster’s reseller site or another third-party vendor.
The match will be broadcast on CBS, giving Washington a national spotlight in its third semifinal match in five years.
The growth started in 2023, when the Spirit moved to Audi Field in Southwest D.C full time. Since then, the Spirit has attempted to charm itself within the D.C. area through community events while building a winning team.
Head coach Adrián González said the Spirit’s roster represents the city’s makeup — filled with diversity. He added the players try to channel that support and give it back to the fans with their plays and spend time with supporters during the postgame.
“I think it’s important to have that connection, and we can see the power that we have when we play at home,” González said. “The connection that we are having, I think, that’s an extra push, and obviously we are so thankful for that.”
As the Donald Trump administration’s law enforcement surge began in the District, Spirit fans chanted “Free D.C.” as a sign of protest. The club responded, becoming the only D.C.-area professional sports team to address the development, stating it stands by the city: “As your neighbors, we walk beside you.”
For Bethune, the Spirit represents more than a team looking to win a soccer title.
“With everything going on, we’re just trying to be the light for the city,” she said.
Since being drafted to Washington last year, midfielder Hal Hershfelt said D.C. has become a second home. Hershfelt credits the fans and the Spirit for making her feel comfortable to grow as a player.
“Even though I’m not from here and literally have no past connection, I’m like, ‘I love D.C.’ Just because I feel so proud to play in front of them every weekend, and it’s awesome,” Hershfelt said.
If Washington wins, it would be the second professional D.C.-based sports team to compete in a championship game this year, next to the UFL’s DC Defenders. When asked what it would mean to accomplish the feat, González called it “a huge privilege.”
“It means a lot, not just for us, but for D.C.,” Bethune said. “We’re the Washington Spirit for a reason, so we’re putting on for our city.”
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The nation’s largest union representing federal workers calls for solidarity among its members as the government shutdown surpasses a month.
The nation’s largest union representing federal workers calls for solidarity among its members as the government shutdown surpasses a month.
The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents 820,000 government workers, held a special town hall Thursday with other union leaders to discuss how the organization plans to move forward as the shutdown continues.
Everett Kelley, AFGE’s national president, said over 2,000 workers sent in questions to be answered. For timing purposes, only five of the most requested questions were answered during the event.
“It’s a time filled with uncertainty, frustration and anger,” Kelley said, adding that the shutdown is testing federal workers “not just financially, but emotionally and morally.”
According to Kelley, many federal workers are struggling to get by during the government shutdown without food to eat or a paycheck to pay their bills. Recently, he urged Senate Democrats to join Republicans in reopening the government immediately “under a clean continuing resolution that allows continued debate on larger issues.”
During Thursday’s town hall, he reiterated that plea, adding that no federal worker should have to go hungry to “make a point to win a political fight.”
“They want to pretend as if our livelihoods are nothing more than bargaining chips in a contest to see which party wins and which party lose,” Kelley said.
Kelly Keating is the chair of AFGE Local 2065 and the Council for the Marine Corps Base, which represents civilian employees in Quantico, Virginia. She never imagined that representing federal workers would also mean locating food banks for employees, or calling sweet potato farmers for donations.
Keating called for everyone in the town hall to call their congressional representatives and demand they end the shutdown.
“We need to be reminding them of the oath that they took,” she said. “We need to be loud, and we need to tell them to do their damn job, and we need to do it every day.”
Those looking for additional assistance were directed to the AFGE’s website, where there are links to a nationwide map with resources for federal workers, including food assistance discounts and financial assistance. Kelley also promoted hardship loans and shutdown grants through the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund. Lastly, those who cannot pay their union dues were directed to make a request with their local union chapter.
Rounding out the town hall, Kelley called for members to stick together and push lawmakers to end the shutdown. Those who hadn’t joined the union that were on the call were encouraged to join, Kelley said, as with more members speaking together, change can happen.
“We are the backbones of this country,” he said. “We need to remember that our power to win these fights come from our solidarity.”
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D.C.-area leaders expressed relief and agreement after two federal judges ordered President Donald Trump’s administration to continue paying SNAP benefits during the shutdown.
Most D.C.-area leaders agree with two federal judges’ rulings Friday, ordering President Donald Trump’s administration to continue paying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, using emergency reserve funds during the government shutdown.
State attorneys general and governors from 25 states, as well as D.C., sued the Trump administration as the Department of Agriculture planned to freeze payments to SNAP starting on Monday. The administration argued that the department could no longer keep funding the program due to the shutdown.
In both cases, the federal government must provide a plan on how the program will be funded by Monday. The administration did not say whether it would appeal to the rulings.
Prior to the judge’s ruling, Maryland and Virginia declared states of emergency and D.C. announced a backup plan to keep supporting its SNAP recipients.
Maryland
Following the ruling, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown said the court agreed that the Department of Agriculture cannot “lawfully cut off Marylanders’ SNAP benefits.” Brown joined the lawsuit and said he plans to continue fighting in court “to force the federal government to fund SNAP benefits” for families that rely on it to put food on the table.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said he was “encouraged” by the ruling and called for the Department of Agriculture to release the emergency funds. On Thursday, Moore declared a state of emergency to keep food banks operating across the state.
“We have long said: The Trump administration must follow the law, release contingency funding for SNAP, and lead congressional Republicans in ending the federal government shutdown,” Moore said in a statement. “For millions of Americans — including 680,000 Marylanders — SNAP is a lifeline.”
Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman said she is “deeply relieved” by the ruling and called it “a victory for the more than 680,000” residents who rely on the program. Had the suspension of SNAP funding continued, Lierman said the ripple effects could have harmed the state’s economy.
“SNAP is a critical safety net and an important economic stabilizer,” Lierman said. “Every dollar in SNAP benefits circulates quickly through our communities, supporting Maryland’s grocers, farmers, and retailers, and generating measurable growth in our state GDP.”
DC
In a post on X, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb said the Department of Agriculture acted “unlawfully” in suspending SNAP payments for November.
“Families should not go hungry when there are billions in contingency funds for this very purpose,” Schwalb said. “We will keep fighting because every meal matters.”
In the interim, Schwalb confirmed that D.C. will follow its backup plan and use local funds to ensure residents on SNAP and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC, receive their November benefits.
The city will use $29 million from its contingency cash reserve for SNAP and $1.5 million for WIC, including direct benefits and support services.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser previously stated about 85,000 households in D.C. receive SNAP, and that more than 12,500 residents benefit from WIC.
Virginia
After announcing a state of emergency, Virginia launched the Emergency Nutrition Assistance initiative to help fill the funding gap for its SNAP recipients.
Under the program, people receiving SNAP will automatically get payments added to their existing EBT cards. Instead of receiving their full monthly benefits at once, recipients will get smaller payments every week in November.
Attorney General Jason Miyares told WTOP’s Nick Iannelli that Virginia’s budget surplus allows the state to use its funds to protect its residents’ SNAP benefits.
“You never know what’s going to happen in a judge’s ruling,” Miyares said. “That’s exactly why we have these reserve funds. When you have emergencies like this, you never know how a judge is going to rule.”
WTOP’s Nick Iannelli, Mike Murrillo and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Volunteers shoveled up soil at one of two new gardens being added inside a Langley Park, Maryland, neighborhood that officials hope will benefit the local community in multiple ways.
The gardens are one of four new greenspaces being built around the region through a grant by Natural Forward.
(WTOP/Jose Umana)
WTOP/Jose Umana
Volunteers at a Langley Park, Maryland, neighborhood on Friday, Oct. 18, 2025.
(WTOP/Jose Umana)
WTOP/Jose Umana
Volunteers shoveled up soil at one of two new gardens being added inside a Langley Park, Maryland, neighborhood on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025.
(WTOP/Jose Umana)
WTOP/Jose Umana
Children were allowed to paint on the new log seats while CASA volunteers set up picnic tables.
(WTOP/Jose Umana)
WTOP/Jose Umana
One of the gardens is a rain garden, which collects and absorb rainwater runoff from roofs and driveways to reduce flooding.
(WTOP/Jose Umana)
WTOP/Jose Umana
Volunteers shoveled up soil at one of two new gardens being added inside a Langley Park, Maryland, neighborhood Friday afternoon that officials hope will benefit the local community in multiple ways.
The gardens — located on 15th Avenue outside of the headquarters of immigrant advocacy organization CASA — are one of four new greenspaces being built around the region through a grant by Natural Forward, a local agricultural group. One of the gardens is a rain garden, which collects and absorb rainwater runoff from roofs and driveways to reduce flooding.
Alice Sturm, director of restoration for Natural Forward, told WTOP choosing the CASA headquarters made sense for its place as a community hub sitting in the middle of several garden-style apartments. It also was an ideal location due to the building’s structure, which Sturm called “the perfect place to demonstrate conservation landscaping.”
“There needs to be water that’s being collected from an impermeable surface, like a roof or a driveway, that needs to sink in somewhere,” Sturm said. “So this is a big building, and it has a big roof.”
The grant included $100,000 from the Klingenstein Family Foundation and contributions from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Chesapeake Bay Trust.
It paid for the materials to build a rain garden, purchase native plants to rebuild the organization’s community garden, payment for those who worked on the project, and garden kits for those who live in the area.
Sturm said Natural Forward will also assist in training to members of CASA’s workers’ cooperative, the Workers Co-op Without Borders, who work in landscaping to help maintain both gardens. Swamp Rose Co-Op, a worker-owned cooperative based out of Silver Spring, did the work on the gardens and will assist in the trainings.
Shannon Wilk, director for education for CASA, said the new gardens — specifically the rain garden — will do more than just make the area look beautiful.
“There is an issue in this community right now with drainage,” she said. “We’re seeing drainage that is running off into residents’ basements. We’re seeing drainage that is making it into our sewer system after picking up a lot of pollutants.
Landscapers from Swamp Rose Co-op arrived early Friday morning to start working on the rain garden. Cesar Garzon for the co-op said his team had to use special equipment, including a drill, to dig holes for the shrubs added to the garden.
“We had a little bit of hard time here because the soil was very compacted, and years of mowing and just cutting the lawn just compact the soil in a way,” Garzon said.
In the afternoon, volunteers and neighbors arrived on the secondary garden. Signs were posted in Spanish to let the community know about the new native plants added to the area. Children were allowed to paint on the new log seats while CASA volunteers set up picnic tables.
With the neighborhood lacking greenspaces, Wilk said refurbishing its community garden through the grant will allow many to enjoy the space, just as the neighborhood children enjoy using its mini-soccer fields, basketball court and pool.
“They are extremely social,” Wilk said. “They want a community gathering place where they can be safe and in community with each other.”
Wilk said the success of the two gardens will hopefully encourage other organizations to team up with CASA to clean up other spaces in the Langley Park community, including a nearby playground.
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WTOP spoke with members of the D.C. region’s immigrant community for their feedback on President Donald Trump’s moves against immigrants and how the community has responded.
President Donald Trump’s return to the White House brought along a sweeping immigration crackdown when he said he would deport “the worst of the worst.”
That pledge has led to raids and arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, including many people currently detained with no criminal convictions. According to a Department of Homeland Security report in September, over 2 million people have been deported or willingly left the United States since Trump’s inauguration.
A Pew Research Center analysis found that as of June 2025, 19% of the U.S. labor force were immigrants, down from 20%, with Trump’s anti-immigrant actions becoming a main factor for the drop.
Those actions have brought fear and anxiety to the immigrant communities throughout the nation.
WTOP spoke with members of the D.C. region’s immigrant community for their feedback on Trump’s moves against immigrants and how the community has responded.
Finding work
José arrived in the United States from Mexico in 1995. He’s been living in the D.C. region for over a year, working either for companies in plumbing-related jobs or for the Workers Co-op Without Borders through CASA, one of the largest immigration rights organizations in the country.
While he has been able to find work, José told WTOP he knows many of his friends and co-workers are struggling to make ends meet.
“I have heard that for many people, jobs are scarce because of what’s happening,” José said in Spanish.
Yet, the recent government shutdown is affecting José and others as work has dried up.
“A lot of the work the companies got was from government workers,” José said. “And now, they don’t want to spend.”
‘Risks of being profiled’
Cesar Garzon, a naturalized citizen from Venezuela, works for a worker-owned landscaping company, the Swamp Rose Co-op, based out of Silver Spring, Maryland. He said while the economic outlook led to some cancellations, he and his team have remained busy with steady work for the last eight months.
However, Garzon admitted it has been harder to find people who can help provide an additional hand.
“There has been a reducing workforce,” Garzon said. “A lot of people have kind of decided to either leave or they’re just not working.”
With the current political climate, Garzon said he and his co-workers established some strategies in case they are wrongly identified during a possible interaction with an ICE agent, including setting up a contact person.
“We face the risks of being profiled, and of course, that’s not fun,” Garzon said.
New skills to find new jobs
Lindolfo Carballo, senior director of the community economic development department for CASA, told WTOP that he has seen an uptick in immigrants applying for jobs at the organization’s job centers. However, he has also seen an increase in immigrants attempting to learn skills for different types of work.
But there is still some fear in the community. Carballo said the Trump administration’s continued actions are making it difficult for employers to hire workers and for workers to find jobs.
“The truth of the matter is that there is a need for workers,” he said. “It’s a very large need of workers.”
Carballo encourages those immigrants who are still in the U.S. to continue fighting for their rights.
“We need to fight back,” Carballo said. “We need to be resilient. We need to stand up for our rights and, of course, right now, it’s very difficult. But we know that we will overcome.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Interruptions dominated the one and only Virginia gubernatorial debate between Republican Winsome Earle-Sears and Democrat Abigail Spanberger Thursday night.
“She’s talking about affordability, talking about education, talking about people losing jobs,” Ramadan said. “That’s resonating with the independent voter.”
After an “exhausting” debate, Ramadan, a former Republican member of the Virginia House of Delegates, said the interruptions did not give the public a chance to learn real information, possibly resulting in no changes in support for either candidate.
However, if there was a winner, Ramadan said Spanberger’s strategy of sticking to “kitchen table issues” throughout her campaign and the debate helped sway independent voters. Before the debate, a Washington Post/Schar School poll found Spanberger ahead of Earle-Sears by 12% among likely voters.
“It’s the independent voter that any candidate who wants to win needs to attract,” he said. “It’s obvious that Spanberger’s message is resonating with (the) independent voter.”
Spanberger largely avoided addressing her Republican opponent directly, opting for a more sterile and bipartisan tone.
“Concentrating on your own campaign versus others that you cannot control is a smart way of running a debate and running a campaign, especially when you’re only four weeks away,” Ramadan said.
Ramadan said Earle-Sears bringing up Gilbert’s text messages during the debate may sway voters on their choice for attorney general, “but it’s not going to sway voters on who are they going to vote for governor and for lieutenant governor.”
“In Virginia, even though there are two parties, and there are three people from each party running. They all run individually and independently. There’s no tickets that are in there. The voter doesn’t walk in and cast one vote for three candidates. You cast one vote per candidate,” Ramadan said.
Earle-Sears’ strategy
In her campaign ads, Earle-Sears highlighted transgender and social issues, which echo what Gov. Glenn Youngkin ran on four years ago. Ramadan said that these may not be resonating for Earle-Sears, however, “because she is anywhere between seven to 12 points behind.”
Ramadan said Earle-Sears’ debate strategy did not work.
“I guess the tactic was to try to derail Congresswoman Spanberger from sticking to her talking points that are resonating and by interrupt, interrupt. And it did not work,” Ramadan said.
While it’s a long shot for any candidate, not just Earle-Sears, to come back from being 7 to 12 points behind, Ramadan said informing the public about some of the policies Earle-Sears would be supporting could help, but he’s doubtful it’s enough to close the gap.
“(Earle-)Sears, to the best of my knowledge, does not even have any policy on her website,” Ramadan said.
Spanberger, however, has talked about Virginians being out of work due to DOGE cuts and the recent government shutdown, which Ramadan said is working for Spanberger. While Earle-Sears, Ramadan said, had “a couple of mishaps,” including when she commented, amid the height of DOGE cuts earlier this year, that job loss was a common experience.
There’s also her support of President Donald Trump’s administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which Ramadan said was not resonating in Northern Virginia.
Ramadan said to win any statewide race, candidates need a hefty margin in Northern Virginia.
“The DOGE and the federal cuts are better issues for Democrats and better issues for Spanberger than they are for Earle-Sears and Republicans,” he said.
With fewer than 30 days until the general election, Spanberger needs to stay the course and keep focusing on the kitchen table issues that are winning topics for her, Ramadan said.
The size of her victory could indicate what’s to come nationwide during the midterms.
“If it’s a small margin, the case then becomes, ‘OK, that was good for Virginia, it doesn’t mean it’s going to work for the rest of the country,’” Ramadan said. “If the margin ends up a big margin, as we’re seeing in today’s polls and last week’s polls, then this is a teaching lesson in a bellwether moment for the entire country for the 2026 elections.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Craig Heist, a former WTOP Sports broadcaster and a D.C.-area sports journalist who became a mainstay inside the press boxes of the region’s professional sports teams, has died. He was 66.
A long-time Nationals radio broadcaster, Craig Heist was a fixture in the press box, in the clubhouse and on the baseball field. (Courtesy Baltimore Orioles)
A long-time Nationals radio broadcaster, Craig Heist was a fixture in the press box, in the clubhouse and on the baseball field. (Courtesy Baltimore Orioles)
Craig Heist, a former WTOP Sports broadcaster and a D.C.-area sports journalist who became a mainstay inside the press boxes of the region’s professional sports teams, has died. He was 66.
Heist reported on sports in the D.C. region for over 30 years, covering almost all of the area’s major sports teams. He had just covered the Washington Capitals’ NHL season opener on Wednesday and was set to attend the Washington Commanders game on Monday night.
The cause of his death is unknown.
Known affectionately as “Heisty” by friends and colleagues, Heist became a press box staple, covering in-person for multiple outlets, including 15 years for WTOP. He also was an anchor and reporter for 106.7 The Fan and the postgame host on the Nationals Radio Network since 2013.
“He believed in getting the job done regardless of what it took,” WTOP Sports Director George Wallace said, adding that he was “a grinder.”
WTOP Sports anchor Dave Preston was alongside Heist for the Capitals game on Wednesday. He said his former co-worker was in “good spirits” and ready for another season.
“(He was) more than a co-worker,” Preston said. “He was a really good friend, especially to all of us who lived in those press boxes, from Wizards to Caps to Nationals to college football and basketball season.”
WTOP Sports anchor Dave Preston was alongside Craig Heist for the Capitals game on Wednesday. He said his former coworker was in “good spirits” and ready for another season.
Heist began his career covering sports at WKHI in Ocean City, Maryland, and he graduated from Salisbury University in 1987.
WTOP Sports Director Emeritus Dave Johnson remembers meeting Heist in the 1980s covering Baltimore Orioles games at Memorial Stadium. In the ’90s, Johnson said he recommended Jim Farley, WTOP’s program director at the time, to hire Heist because he fit “the DNA of WTOP.”
“He truly was someone who absolutely loved his work, and it came through, not only in the quality of his work, but also how he approached it,” Johnson said.
Former WTOP Sports anchor Jonathan Warner sat in with Heist at multiple games, saying he admired Heist’s ability to find the story. With Heist’s death, he said, the region is losing over 30 years of D.C. sports knowledge.
“He was one of the first people in the press box, and he’d go right down to the locker room or the clubhouse, and he would get to know the players,” Warner said. “They get to know him. He would go to spring training, he would go to training camp, he got to know these players and the managers and the coaches on a personal level.”
Wallace, who had known Heist for 25 years, said his former co-worker took him and any new interns under his wing to learn how to cover games for radio.
“He was at a ballpark 162 nights a year, 81 for the Nats, 81 for the Orioles,” Wallace said. “When he was working with us, he would do a lot of things on his own, just because he knew that the story needed to be covered, or he knew that the game needed to be covered.”
In the newsroom, Warner said if Heist loved you, “you had a friend for life.” In baseball press boxes, he sat in a center seat and would try to engage in with other reporters.
“He had an electric pencil sharpener, and I think some of the writers would just come over and use that as an excuse just to talk to Heisty,” Warner said.
Yet, Johnson said Heist was not an attention seeker. Instead, he was someone who would help anyone out if asked.
“There was only one Craig, and there was only one Craig that was at every baseball game, every Nationals or Orioles, every Capitals, Wizards, go right down the list, he was there,” he said. “He was the one you could say, ‘all right, he was at all of these sports,’ and that made him truly one of a kind.”
Heist is survived by his wife, Suzanne.
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The D.C. United right back started his pro career representing the United States. Now, the 28-year-old is part of a revitalized Guatemalan side looking to qualify for its first-ever World Cup.
WTOP celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month this Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, with stories spotlighting the contributions, culture and accomplishments of Hispanic communities across the D.C. region.
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DC United’s Aaron Herrera embraces his Guatemala roots
On a dark, quiet evening in Panama City, Aaron Herrera was relaxing with his teammates of the Guatemala men’s soccer national team by playing cards before resting for a World Cup qualifying match.
Suddenly, a large truck pulled up next to the team’s hotel, blaring loud music into their bedrooms. After several minutes, hotel staff removed the truck from the property. As Herrera and his teammates attempted to laugh about the situation, multiple fireworks exploded outside their windows.
“I think it shows how passionate the fans are, and the lengths they’re willing to go to help their team out,” Herrera said. “I respect it. It’s something that shows how passionate these fans are in these countries.”
The tactic — known in Latin American nations as a way to keep opposing players from resting before game day — was something Herrera had mentally prepared for before joining Guatemala. The D.C. United right back started his career representing the United States before being persuaded to switch allegiances to play for Los Chapines.
Now, the 28-year-old is part of a revitalized Guatemalan side looking to qualify for its first-ever World Cup.
Making the switch
Born and raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico, by a Guatemalan father and an American mother, Herrera became a U.S. prospect early. Before playing three seasons with the University of New Mexico, he played on multiple U.S. national youth teams and was a part of the Real Salt Lake Youth Academy.
“Growing up, the dream was always a play for the U.S.,” Herrera said. “They were the team that was here. They were the team that I watched all the time.”
Once he turned pro, he continued to receive call-ups from the U.S., including being named to the 2021 Olympic qualifying team for the Tokyo Games.
However, after making only one appearance on the senior team in 2021 and the growing depth chart at his position, Herrera began examining his international career. A possible option was appealing to FIFA, soccer’s governing body, to make a one-time switch of allegiance to representing Guatemala.
“I didn’t think too far into it, because I didn’t know that it was a real possibility,” Herrera said.
The push grew as Herrera’s then-Salt Lake teammate Rubio Rubin pressured the defender to fill out the paperwork to join Guatemala. Rubin, who also played in the U.S. youth system, had also elected to make the switch to join the Central American side.
“(Rubin) would bug me every day before training and stuff, being like, ‘Hey, when you going to come play for Guate? We’re waiting for you,’” Herrera said, admitting that Rubin helped with submitting the paperwork.
Yet, concerns remained. While Herrera grew up with a Spanish-speaking father, his Spanish was, admittedly, “not very good.”
Guatemalan officials still persisted, with coaches and Rubin assuring him that he would fit in perfectly.
It would take one more year before Herrera completed the process and joined Los Chapines.
“Everyone over there is really nice,” he said. “They welcomed me with open arms from Day One.”
Guatemala-American balance
Since making his debut on July 15, 2023, Herrera has made 18 appearances for Guatemala, becoming a focal point in its attack as a wing player.
Over the summer, Herrera and his teammates led Guatemala to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament after an upset victory over Canada. During that match, he shined with a diving header save in the first half and scoring his penalty kick in the shootout, earning the nickname “El MVP guatemalteco” by the TURN commentary team.
His status as an American-born player within the Guatemalan national team places extra responsibility to perform in high-pressure moments like the Gold Cup. Herrera said he embraces it, understanding that his American identity will go wherever he goes.
He said the switch helped him grow up and embrace all of his roots.
When he’s in Guatemala, he enjoys eating the local cuisine and spending time with his family. However, he still carries some of his American flair with him.
Herrera admits that he’s working on his “broken Spanish” while his teammates join him in speaking English. During workouts, he plays country or rap music, surprising his entire team’s delegation.
“It’s special being able to blend the two,” Herrera said. “It’s a lot of fun being able to sort of embrace both cultures, both ways.”
Aaron Herrera of Guatemala kicks the ball against the United States during the first half the Gold Cup 2025: Semifinal round at Energizer Park on July 2, 2025 in St. Louis, Missouri.
(Getty Images/Kyle Rivas)
Getty Images/Kyle Rivas
Canada forward Tani Oluwaseyi, left, and Guatemala defender Aaron Herrera (7) battle for the ball during the second half a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Minneapolis.
(AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
AP Photo/Abbie Parr
Guatemala’s defender Aaron Herrera celebrates his team’s win at the end the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group D football match between Guadeloupe and Guatemala at the Red Bull Arena, in Harrison, New Jersey on July 4, 2023.
(AFP via Getty Images/KENA BETANCUR)
AFP via Getty Images/KENA BETANCUR
United States defender Aaron Herrera (2) heads the ball in front of Trinidad and Tobago forward Jabari Mitchell (11) during the second half an international friendly soccer match, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021, in Orlando, Fla.
(AP/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
AP/Phelan M. Ebenhack
Guatemala defender Aaron Herrera, left, and United States forward Patrick Agyemang battle for control of the ball during the second half a CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal soccer match, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in St. Louis.
(AP/Scott Kane)
AP/Scott Kane
Aaron Herrera #7 of Guatemala controls the ball against Cuba during the first half at DRV PNK Stadium on June 27, 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
(Getty Images/Megan Briggs)
Getty Images/Megan Briggs
Personal growth
The switch allows Herrera to make trips to Guatemala more frequently, even if it is for soccer-related reasons. Before that, he had last visited the country when he was 6 years old. Family members travel from a neighborhood in Guatemala City to watch him play.
His father, Diego Herrera, thinks “it’s the best thing ever” that his son is on the Guatemalan national team, Aaron Herrera said. Diego arrived to the U.S. at 15 years old, so he did not have the chance to become a professional soccer player.
Now, Diego travels to all over North America and the Caribbean with his mother, Aaron’s grandmother, to watch his son play.
“For him, he’s able to sort of live his dream through me a little bit,” Aaron Herrera said. “All the fans know who he is. … He’s got this big bald head that everyone can spot from a mile away, and so he’s taking pictures with all the fans.”
When he is back in D.C., Herrera said he meets a Guatemala fan “at least once a day.” His wife Lily helps “shell-shocked” fans take their photo with her husband.
Once, a group of construction workers near his home in D.C. pulled over their truck to meet Herrera and thank him for joining Guatemala.
For Herrera, representing Guatemala is “very special to me.”
Now, all of his focus shifts toward helping Guatemala qualify for the 2026 World Cup. While it is a personal goal to play in the tournament, helping Guatemala qualify would be “the biggest thing that I could possibly achieve in my career,” Herrera said.
“I’ve grown a ton as a player, as a teammate, as a friend, and just overall as a person,” Herrera said. “I think it’s a big credit to Guatemala and them welcoming me there.”
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An encampment protesting President Donald Trump outside of Union Station was removed early Friday morning. However, the group that spearheaded the site says it will continue to protest Trump while it fights the revoking of its permit.
An encampment protesting President Donald Trump outside of Union Station was removed Friday morning. However, the group that spearheaded the site says it will continue to protest Trump while it fights the revoking of its permit.
The encampment, put together by FLARE USA, had been up since May 19, organizer Randy Kindle told WTOP.
The organization’s mission states it fights the “rise of fascism in the United States” through the “nonviolent occupation” of Columbus Circle, with the goal leading to the “impeachment and removal” of Trump.
However, on Friday, Kindle received an early morning call from one of the organization’s members stating that they were being “decamped.” By the time he arrived, the organization’s possessions were removed, with members of the U.S. Park Police, National Park Service and U.S. Marshalls surrounding the area.
“They were standing around with lots of guns and taking our stuff from us and putting them in flatbed trucks and not telling us anything about why they were doing it,” Kindle said.
Members of FLARE at the encampment received a letter from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service and Park Police. Obtained by WTOP, the letter claimed the group’s permit was revoked because its demonstration “presents a clear and present danger to the good order” and violates multiple conditions.
One of the conditions said the group “personally assaulted” a U.S. Park Police officer.
Kindle denies the assault claim and said no formal notice was issued before the encampment’s removal. FLARE intends to appeal the permit revocation.
“There’s been no reports of violence here,” Kindle said. “We have not had one protester arrested at any of our events. No one has ever been arrested here. No one’s ever been arrested from our organization.”
In a statement, a Department of Interior spokesperson said the encampment “violated the terms of their permit. The permit was revoked, and the event was removed.” There was no reference to the letter in the statement.
FLARE members and other demonstration groups rallied together Friday afternoon to protest the decision at the scene of where the campsite once stood. Over 80 people arrived holding anti-Trump signs while playing music.
Demonstrators hold signs protesting President Donald Trump outside of D.C.’s Union Station on Oct. 3, 2025.
(WTOP/José Umaña)
WTOP/José Umaña
Three demonstrators hold signs and dress in costume during a protest outside of D.C.’s Union Station on Oct. 3, 2025.
(WTOP/José Umaña)
WTOP/José Umaña
Nadine Seiler wears a “Protect Free Speech” T-shirt outside of D.C.’s Union Station on Oct. 3, 2025.
(WTOP/José Umaña)
WTOP/José Umaña
Over 80 people gathered on Columbus Circle outside Union Station to demonstrate support for an encampment calling on the impeachment of President Donald Trump.
(WTOP/José Umaña)
WTOP/José Umaña
Nadine Seiler traveled from Waldorf, Maryland, to learn that her speaker and other belongings inside the encampment were taken with no information on how to retrieve them. She said the experience made her feel like her rights were being trampled on, and wished Americans would be fighting for their rights alongside groups like FLARE.
“We are right now like a frog in boiling water, we don’t realize that we are dying,” Seiler said. “Democracy is dying, and people don’t seem to be taking it seriously enough.”
Walker Cook had grown accustomed to seeing FLARE’s tent as he walked to work in the mornings. The decision to take it down attacks one’s free speech, he said, motivating him to join the protest alongside the other demonstrators.
“I’m here protesting for the right to protest for our freedom of speech, because if we don’t use it, we could lose,” Cook said.
The removal of the encampment “galvanized” FLARE members to call for Trump’s impeachment more, especially once Congress returns to work following the shutdown, Kindle said.
He added that FLARE will continue coming back to Columbus Circle and demonstrating in a non-violent action, until being asked to leave in a legal fashion.
“It was unfortunate, but now we know that we’re getting under the skin, and that’s exactly what we want,” he said.
WTOP reached out to U.S. Park Police for comment.
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