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 Obtained by WTOP, the letter claimed the group’s permit was revoked because its demonstration “presents a clear and present danger to the good order” and violates multiple conditions.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 The permit was revoked, and the event was removed.”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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D.C. United owners Jason Levine and Steve Kaplan discussed their decision to fire general manager Ally Mackay, the current state of the club, and their vision for restoring United to a competitive MLS team.
FULL INTERVIEW: WTOP’s José Umaña speaks with DC United’s Jason Levine and Steve Kaplan. Audio has been edited for clarity.
D.C. United is once again rebuilding for the future.
From left to right, D.C. United chairmen and owners Steve Kaplan and Jason Levien speak at an appearance. (Courtesy D.C. United)
From left to right, D.C. United chairmen and owners Steve Kaplan and Jason Levien speak at an appearance. (Courtesy D.C. United)
With less than a month remaining in the MLS regular season, the Black and Red are already out of playoff contention. A year filled with promise will end with three different head coaches, a new general manager and an undefined vision for the offseason.
The one constant has been United’s ownership group, led by Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan since 2018. This season, they have been inundated with calls from fans to sell the team.
Levien and Kaplan spoke to WTOP to discuss their decision to fire general manager Ally Mackay, the state of the club and their vision to restore United into a competitive outfit in MLS.
Poor results, player signings led to change
On Sept. 16, United fired Mackay, who oversaw all soccer operations, including player acquisition and recruitment.
Levien said the decision was results-based, with a search for a new general manager starting once it “became obvious to us that we’re going to have a disappointing season.”
Since his hiring in 2023, Mackay had overhauled the roster for two straight seasons. Despite telling WTOP that he would have no salary limitations, Mackay utilized league mechanisms to sign players at a more cost-effective rate. Salary numbers released by the MLS Players Union in June showed United ranked in the bottom third in the league for player compensation.
Entering 2025, United made 13 additions, including making three international pickups, but most have failed to find a groove. Levien said he expected United to utilize all three designated player spots, which would bring in high-priced talents whose wages would not entirely count against D.C.’s salary cap. Instead, United sent a spot to Atlanta when trading midfielder Mateusz Klich, leaving striker Christian Benteke as its only high-value talent.
“We didn’t find the right targets, and we didn’t confirm their arrival with us,” Levien said. “So that’s about execution, about finding the right players and bringing them in and closing those deals.”
D.C. opened the season by winning only one of its first six games and later went on a five-game winless streak, ultimately leading to the firing of head coach Troy Lesesne in June.
“Primarily, we didn’t get the results we wanted to achieve, that we expect to achieve, and we take responsibility for that,” Levien said. “We hold the people we empower accountable as well, and we felt like we needed a different leadership in soccer operations.”
After firing Mackay, Levien said United needed to hire his replacement quickly, citing the need to prepare for the offseason and the winter transfer window.
After speaking with WTOP, United announced the hiring of sports lawyer Erkut Sogut as its new managing director of soccer operations. Sogut was previously a sports agent whose most notable client was German midfielder Mesut Özil. In a news release, the club cites Sogut in “identifying and recruiting” new head coach René Weiler to D.C.
Both owners told WTOP they will leave roster construction decisions to Sogut and Weiler.
Yet, Kaplan and Levien would not give a specific time frame for the new management to make the club more competitive. Since 2020, United has had three head coaches and three general managers, with an average tenure of less than two years before leaving.
“We’re trying to build something that’s sustainable, that is consistently competitive, and we have all the confidence in the world now that (Weiler is) going to be able to do that,” Levien said. “We’ve got to get him the right players to do that as well.”
DC United’s Jason Levine on new head coach René Weiler.
D.C. United forward Jacob Murrell (17) is congratulated by forward Christian Benteke after he scored the side’s second goal against Inter Miami during the second half an MLS soccer match on Sept. 20, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Roster changes to come
With the focus on the 2026 season, Levien said they plan to make all the financial resources available to restock United with new signings, adding that all three designated player spots will be used.
To continue building talent, Kaplan said they plan to triple their investment in the club’s youth academy to attract some of the region’s best young players, which could lead to them to start their pro careers with United. The club also plans to announce a “partnership” with a MLS Next Pro team, which would allow some players to receive playing time in the third division league.
Previously, it was unclear what was United’s player recruitment strategy. After an offseason of thrifty purchases, Joe Mamo, a minority member of the United ownership group, publicly called on D.C. to spend on older, established soccer stars from Europe like Inter Miami did with Argentina midfielder Lionel Messi and Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez.
Levine said he would not give a “marketing plan” to the soccer operations team on how to approach roster construction. Instead, the hope is that money will be spent wisely on quality players that can bring results right away.
“In terms of spending, you can’t cover up a mistake by just spending more money,” Kaplan said. “You have to make fewer mistakes, and we’re determined to make fewer mistakes.”
DC United’s Jason Levien on signing big-named players as part of United’s plans.
When questioned about his own involvement in recruiting players to D.C. — as seen with English striker Wayne Rooney, Benteke and in a failed bid for French midfielder Paul Pogba — Levien said he has been “too hands off” recently with roster building but needs to allow his new front office hires to succeed.
“From my perspective, we want to win football games,” Kaplan said. “So, our number one focus, and our North Star, is going to be players that can help us win football games.”
One upcoming item that will need to be addressed is Benteke’s future. The Belgian striker, who turns 35 in December, is in the final year of a contract extension. Benteke has scored 46 goals in 89 matches for United, winning the Golden Boot award in 2024 for scoring the most regular-season goals (23).
While D.C. holds an option in his contract for the 2026 season, Levine confirmed to WTOP that discussions are ongoing to have Benteke stay with D.C. in the long term.
‘Sell the team’
With United failing to reach the postseason once again, some fans have had enough. Some are boycotting attending matches, while others have canceled their season tickets.
The traditional drumming and singing during matches at Audi Field’s supporter section have been replaced with silence and “sell the team” chants directed at United’s ownership.
“I understand that fans are frustrated because I’m frustrated,” Levein said. “We’ve got to turn this around on the pitch to create a winning environment, and that’s what everyone wants.”
Kaplan confirmed he’s heard the chants and said you need “a thick skin” when owning a sports team and didn’t take it personally. Instead, as owners, they must improve their outreach with the fans, he said.
Levein hopes that fans who gave up on the season will return soon to see the work being done under Weiler during United’s final matches of the 2025 season.
“I’m sympathetic to it because I understand it myself, and I’m living it,” Levein said about the fans’ responses. “We’ve got to turn things around and create a winning atmosphere.”
When asked if they would investigate adding new ownership in their quest to expand Audi Field, Levein said it is part of the conversation but that the current group is “very committed to the District” and working with Mayor Muriel Bowser and the D.C. Council to secure a public-private partnership for the expansion.
For now, the focus is on 2026, and another offseason of revamping awaits at Buzzard Point.
“The offseason is going to be very important for us,” Kaplan said. “We are going to add players to the roster in the offseason, and we’re determined to be a challenger next year.”
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Organizers for the largest Hispanic festival in the D.C. region said while plans to continue the two-day event this weekend remain, some of its workers have expressed concerns for their well-being amid increased federal immigration enforcement and the deployment of the D.C. National Guard.
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.
Organizers for the largest Hispanic festival in the D.C. region said while plans to continue the two-day event this weekend remain, some of its workers have expressed concerns for their well-being amid increased federal immigration enforcement and the deployment of the National Guard in D.C.
Maria Patricia Corrales, president of Fiesta D.C., told WTOP all local and federal agencies have approved for the event since January, and no changes have been made to its permit.
However, she has received feedback from vendors and performers on their safety and security. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have increased the number of arrests they’ve performed nationwide since the start of the second Trump administration. In August, during President Donald Trump’s law enforcement takeover of D.C., more than 40% of arrests made were related to immigration, according to The Associated Press.
Delegations from all 16 participating countries as well as those who work the event were given the option to opt out due to the current climate, Corrales said. While they have never asked to show documentation of the immigration status of their performers, all delegations have been receiving daily updates on possible security searches.
“If you have concern of coming out, please do not come,” Corrales said.
Nationwide ICE concerns comes to DC
Over the years. Fiesta D.C. has brought thousands of people to Pennsylvania Avenue to celebrate Latino culture through food, live performances and a beauty pageant. It is capped off with a parade featuring traditional outfits and dances from all over Latin America.
However, the growing number of ICE arrests have made communities locally and nationwide worried of having Hispanic Heritage Month events due to safety concerns. Recently, officials in neighboring Montgomery County, Maryland canceled a Hispanic Heritage Month event in Wheaton, citing concerns for those who would attend amid increased ICE raids. Others have elected to continue their festivities, including the Manassas Latino Festival in Virginia.
Following the cancellation of Salvadoreñisimo Festival, an annual event in Gaithersburg, Maryland in June, Corrales has insisted that Fiesta D.C. will continue as scheduled. She met with a representative from Homeland Security in August to work on parking logistics for the festival’s performers and has spoken with D.C. police on their permit. However, no discussion on searches or possible raids during the festival were discussed.
Following the end of the federal takeover of D.C.’s police force, Mayor Muriel Bowser said that the District’s police department would no longer work with ICE as “immigration enforcement is not what MPD does.”
However, concerns remain.
National Guard troops are welcomed to come to the festival and enjoy the festivities, Corrales said. However, if random searches need to be executed, she is “praying to god” that the event goes off “as calmly as (it) usually is.”
“If they feel that they need to come and search the identity of every single (attendee), they will have to do a long, long, long line to do it,” she said.
‘I cannot participate this year’
Many people who’ve worked on Fiesta D.C. in the past have elected not to participate at all this year due to immigration concerns.
Sulema Pacheco, who handles the Honduran delegation of representatives and performers, told WTOP some people, including those with proper documentation, have elected to stay away and will either support from afar or monetarily through donations.
“Because of this, some people who have been with us before said, ‘I’m so sorry but I cannot participate this year,’’ she said in Spanish. She later added “We cannot expose people or force them to participate but we cannot show fear.”
In a normal year, the Honduran delegation would include upward to 20 dancers and several representatives from aboard to form a large group for the festival and parade. This year, she said she expects to have less than half its usual size.
“It is likely we will have 4 or 5 pairs of dancers performing,” Pacheco said. “That’s if they don’t change their minds at the last minute.”
Both Pacheco and Corrales confirm that requests have been made by people outside of the festival’s board to cancel the annual festival due to the concerns of possible ICE raids.
However, Corrales said the show must go on.
“We understand there is a risk of our community, but we have to embrace every single challenge,” she said.
As done every year, Fiesta D.C. will highlight a Latin American nation with special events and performances. Honduras will be the highlighted nation with a dancing “marathon” revolving around Punta — the country’s native dance.
Despite the smaller than usual attendance, Pacheco said all plans for her and the rest of delegation are a go, starting with a beauty pageant on Friday. She calls for the region to support the festival in person by attending to send a message: “we have the right to say and do what we want.”
“If only 2 or 3 of us go with the Honduran flag, our country will be represented,” Pacheco said.
WTOP has reached out to Homeland Security’s ICE office and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice for comment.
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Police in Prince George’s County, Maryland, have ended a multiday search and arrested a Waldorf woman accused in the stabbing death of her grandmother and of injuring a family member.
Police in Prince George’s County, Maryland, have ended a multiday search and arrested a Waldorf woman accused in the stabbing death of her grandmother and of injuring a family member.
Breante Thomas, 28, was arrested Thursday and faces first- and second-degree murder, attempted first- and second-degree murder and other related charges
According to police, officers arrived to the 500 block of Bonhill Drive for a welfare check at approximately 1:50 p.m. on Sunday.
There, they found the 81-year-old Helen Thomas, who is Breante Thomas’ grandmother, suffering from multiple stab wounds. Helen Thomas died at the scene. Police also found another family member who had been stabbed and they said was in critical but stable condition.
During her bond hearing Friday, Breante Thomas’ attorney Thomas Mooney waived the formal reading of the charges against his client and asked the court to conduct both a mental health evaluation and competency evaluation for Thomas.
The judge agreed.
Breante Thomas will remain in jail without bond.
Members of Thomas’ family appeared in court. Mooney told WTOP a plea will be entered once the evaluations are completed. The results will be revealed during a preliminary hearing on Oct. 17.
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D.C. United is dismissing general manager Ally Mackay with four games remaining in the 2025 season after the club failed to reach the postseason for the sixth consecutive campaign.
D.C. United is dismissing general manager Ally Mackay with four games remaining in the 2025 season after the club failed to reach the postseason for the sixth consecutive campaign.
Mackay was in his second season with the Black and Red and was in charge of overseeing all soccer operations, including player acquisition and recruitment. In a statement, the club said that after a “comprehensive review,” it decided to move on with a new approach.
“We would like to thank Ally for his work during his time with D.C. United and wish him every success in the future,” D.C. United Co-Chairmen Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan said in the statement.
A new hire will be announced in the future and will work alongside new head coach René Weiler, President of Business Operations Danita Johnson and the rest of the club’s leadership.
D.C. (5-15-10) currently sits in 14th place in the Eastern Conference and was the first team eliminated from playoff contention.
When hired in 2023, Mackay became the youngest active general manager in Major League Soccer at 37 years old. Prior to his arrival, he was the assistant general manager in Nashville, who made the playoffs in its first four years since joining MLS and finished the 2023 Leagues Cup as runners-up. Mackay took over for Dave Kasper, who had been with D.C. for over 20 years.
Mackay immediately began overhauling the roster and shedding large contracts left behind in previous years. After the 2024 season, he cut 11 players, including all four goalkeepers. United surrendered 70 goals, third most in the league that year.
Instead of completing huge money signings, United used every league mechanism possible entering 2025 to add as many players as possible, including the reentry draft, trades, wavier wire and the SuperDraft for college players, at a thriftier cost.
However, D.C.’s new additions failed to find a groove. United’s three international signings — Brazilian winger João Peglow, Australian defender Kye Rowles and South Korean goalkeeper Kim Joon Hong — have also struggled to produce. Lastly, designated player striker Christian Benteke, the club’s leading goal scorer for the last two seasons, has battled injuries.
Midway through the season, United went on a five-game winless streak and crashed out of the U.S. Open Cup before ultimately firing Lesesne.
Meanwhile, its rebuilt defense has surrendered 55 goals in 2025 with four matches remaining.
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Students and alumni from D.C.’s Duke Ellington School of the Arts are preparing for a special showcase as part of D.C.’s Art All Night festival.
Layla Bunch may only be 17 years old, but she has already accomplished more than many her age could ever dream. She attends the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Northwest D.C. as an opera singer and music theater student.
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DC students bring together music, art and fashion to special art showcase
She recently returned from Europe, where she and other students performed opera in France and Italy, including at the 1,000th anniversary of Our Lady of Chartres Cathedral in France.
“While we were performing there, our voices just rang throughout the cathedral, and it was just so beautiful and so touching,” Bunch said. “While I was in Italy, we were studying at an opera school, and we were five out of six of the youngest people there.”
Bunch was one of several Duke students preparing to perform Saturday for the “Culture on the Corner” showcase, which is part of D.C.’s Art All Night festival. The showcase brings together students and alumni from the art school to perform music, visual art and spoken word.
This year’s edition features a special performance with Bunch, joined by Grammy-winning artists Headliner and Rasa Don, of the hip-hop band Arrested Development, as well as harmonica virtuoso Frédéric Yonnet.
‘Opera is the base’
“Ever since I was younger, I’ve loved performing, and I’ve loved watching performances,” Bunch said.
Her journey began in the sixth grade after a teacher asked her to sing an opera song for a good grade. The teacher then recommended that she apply to Duke.
“Opera is the base of all music, kind of like ballet is the base of all dances, and Shakespeare is the base of all theater,” Bunch said. “It’s one of the main things that you need to learn.”
While she is taking advantage of all the opportunities that Duke has helped her achieve, she still has more goals to pursue. Bunch said she still has objectives to complete unrelated to her music career.
“I really do want to go to college so I can again learn and gain new experiences, because you truly never stop learning,” she said, adding that the European trip gave her a “head start” to dorm life.
Exhibition life
Sasha Goecke, 16, loves being creative. She told WTOP that she can put together jewelry and clothing, as well as write, draw, paint and take photographs.
As part of the showcase, she created two fashion pieces that will be on display in “The Adolescent Perspective” exhibit. Goecke first created a ski mask, also known as a “Sheisty,” out of rubber bands. She also created a Met Gala-style gown made entirely of soda tabs she had been collecting since the fifth grade.
“I watched this movie about Joan of Arc, and she had chain mail on,” Goecke said. “I thought it was really interesting how the metal linked together, and I wanted to try and recreate that.”
Alum Cire Wilson discovered his love for photography while attending Duke. Now, alongside fellow Duke alumnus Locke Randall, they are the founders of photography company Elemental Studios.
Work created in collaboration with student muralist Benjamin “Benji” Rivera will be featured at D.C.’s “Culture on the Corner” showcase. (Courtesy Elemental Studios)
The duo first created at the Anacostia Arts Center before bringing it to the Saturday event. Now, they hope to build new relationships to continue living out their artistic dreams.
“(Photography) just became a passion where I can express myself and my views through a lens,” Wilson said, who added he hopes his art will keep him connected to his D.C. roots.
“It started from being in yearbook and just doing little shoots from here and there, doing events and doing just stuff around the school,” Randall said. “But I fell in love with it, so I wanted to pursue it. I knew in my heart that I was an artist at heart.”
Meanwhile, as Arrested Development and Yonnet finish their rehearsal on Friday night, Benjamin “Benji” Rivera, 16, strokes his paintbrush up against a wall where he is making his first mural.
Generally used to paint on canvases, Rivera said his goal was to show iconic events, such as the H Street Festival, in full color.
“I typically like to do stuff like this, where it’s leading heavy more into the color, and kind of bending more like the representational and making it playful and just more childlike,” he said.
The student hopes not only to build connections through his work but to find opportunities outside the norm. Instead of one canvas that a collector could purchase, Rivera wants to create art that “everybody could appreciate it.”
“My hope is to just like reach out and touch places that don’t really necessarily get recognized or get appreciated,” Rivera said. “Just have working spaces there to just brighten it up.”
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For the last three Washington Spirit home matches, Meredith Bartley has been keeping her eyes locked on the game clock.
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Washington Spirit supporters to continue chanting ‘Free DC’ despite end of federal surge
For the last three Washington Spirit home matches, Meredith Bartley has been keeping her eyes locked on the game clock.
Once the game clock displays 51:00 — meaning the start of the 52nd minute of the game — Bartley, the president of the Spirit Squadron supporters group, will lead a stadiumwide chant that has become a rallying cry for D.C. residents since the start of President Donald Trump’s law enforcement surge in the District: “Free D.C.”
“When the ’51’ shows on the clock, we get going, and it is stunningly fast to take over the whole stadium,” Bartley told WTOP. “I can’t even describe it. There’s nothing to compare it to with how quickly it takes over.”
Spirit supporters have sung the “Free D.C.” chant at all four of its home matches at Audi Field during the surge. Now that it’s complete, Bartley said she and the rest of the Spirit Squadron will continue leading the chant as support for D.C. statehood.
“The outpouring of support for this ‘Free D.C.’ chant has been amazing, and it’s one of the loudest times I’ve heard Audi, let alone the loudest organized chant, not just going crazy for a goal,” she said.
It began after members of the Free D.C. organization reached out to the Squadron, the Spirit’s longest-serving supporters group, for a possible collaboration. Throughout the 2025 season, the supporters section at the Buzzard Point stadium displayed banners and signs in support of D.C. statehood.
Once the two organizations came together, Bartley said the idea of chanting “Free D.C.” emerged organically the morning before the Spirit’s match against Racing Louisville on Aug. 15. It unfolded just days after Trump’s emergency order took effect, and was quickly communicated to the other three groups occupying the supporters’ section and posted on social media.
‘We love D.C.’
Douglas Reyes-Ceron, co-founder of the Rose Room Collective fan group, said he was a little uncertain if fans would be engaged or receptive at first. However, as more supporters shared their support for the cause on social media, his feelings changed.
“Living here, a lot of folks are just so tired and pissed at everything going on,” Reyes-Ceron said. “I think they’ve been looking for some kind of outlet to let loose on a little bit. And this has probably been one of the best expressions we’ve had publicly to like uniformly say, ‘No, we’re not here for this.’”
Most chants and songs sung by Spirit fans are confined to the supporters section in the north stands, which has a capacity of 1,500. However, the “Free D.C.” chant became the only one sung stadiumwide, with the Spirit averaging around 14,000 fans per match.
Fans start by singing the words “Free D.C.,” followed by a drumbeat. Once the clock displays 52 minutes, all of Audi Field cheers and applauds.
The response to the chant garnered attention.
Soon after the Louisville match, fans began bringing signs and banners, all in support of D.C. Bartley said other supporters around the National Women’s Soccer League sang the chant, including during the Spirit’s road match against Bay FC in San Francisco.
Aaron Bland, of the Rose Room Collective, is a D.C. native. He called the use of the chant a “call to action” that was important for all fans to recognize, and hopes it continues even after “the occupation” is over.
Washington Spirit fans began bringing signs and banners, all in support of D.C.
“Even as simple as it being like a chant in the stadium, I think it’s just very meaningful and impactful,” Bland said. “To see it in the stadium and even reverberate in some markets outside of the city, too, it just means the world.”
The Washington Spirit remains the only D.C.-area professional sports team to address the federal surge. In a statement addressed to the District, the soccer club said it would stand by the city: “As your neighbors, we walk beside you.”
During his postgame news conference Sunday, head coach Adrián González called the chanting “something really powerful.”
“We love D.C.,” González said. “We love the community and we (have) a great connection with our fans. We are very close, and I think it is something powerful that people can come to Audi Field and enjoy with their families. We are creating a safe space here.”
Bartley said the plan is to continue leading a “Free D.C.” chant going forward “until D.C. is free,” with the goal of supporting a push for statehood for the District.
Even if the federal emergency expired, Bartley said the presence of National Guard troops and House bills attempting to wrestle power over the city government means the battle for D.C.’s autonomy rages on.
“We decided to do it, but we won’t decide to end it,” she said. “They’re coming after Home Rule next, and I think it’ll continue on, hopefully organically, until D.C. is free, which for us and for the Free D.C. group is statehood.”
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Allie Coyle became the first women to lead a boys soccer team to a Maryland state title. Now, she prepares Blair High School to defend its standing.
From saving on school supplies to the impact of federal cuts, the WTOP team is studying up on hot-button topics in education across the D.C. region. Follow on air and online in our series, “WTOP Goes Back to School” this August and September.
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Md. boys’ soccer coach ready for new season after team’s historic state title win
A light drizzle fell at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Maryland, as Allie Coyle marched the sidelines watching the boys’ soccer team play in an intersquad scrimmage. At the time, the 31-year-old stood silently, observing her players’ movements, passing and defending.
Yet, once a mistake is made, like crowding passing lanes or standing offsides, Coyle stepped on the field and demanded answers. If she shouted, it was a directive or advice.
“Hey, use your left,” she yelled at a striker. “I like it!”
Last year, Coyle made history, becoming the first women to lead a boys soccer team to a Maryland state title when the Blazers defeated Richard Montgomery 1-0 to become 4A champions.
Entering her fourth season in charge of Blair’s varsity team, Coyle told WTOP the weight of that victory has fueled her team’s drive to win its second consecutive title.
‘Can you coach us?’
Coyle never envisioned herself coaching boys soccer. She played high school soccer at River Hill High School in Howard County and was coaching Blair’s girls soccer junior variety squad. One evening, multiple boys players participating in a Montgomery County Recreation program for high-risk youth called Soccer4Change needed a coach and turned to their science teacher for help.
“The boys needed a coach, and so I had them in class, and they kept seeing me at the girls JV team,” she said. “They’re like, ‘Can you coach us?’”
That pull to boys soccer continued when Coyle became Blair’s JV boys coach. In 2022, she took over the varsity program, and in that first season, the Blazers made it to the state semifinals.
“They’re just awesome kids, and they sucked me in,” Coyle said. “They got me in as their coach, and then I couldn’t leave them, and then, it just led all the way to the boys varsity team.”
Yet, there were challenges. Early on, some parents questioned Coyle’s decision-making on cutting certain players. Coyle recalled speaking to Blair’s former boys soccer coach, who said they questioned her because, “You’re young and you’re female.”
When times got hard, Coyle leaned on a support group of coaches and athletic director Rita Boule, who coached boys soccer in the past.
Blair’s players also stood by Coyle. During one game, a rival coach referred to Coyle as “lady” the entire match. After the Blazers won, the team’s student-run Instagram account posted the final score with “Lady” as its caption as a measure of revenge.
Senior midfielder Jorge Mejia said he doesn’t see the difference in the way Coyle approaches the sport compared to previous male coaches. Instead, he said Coyle set boundaries for the players to build chemistry among each other and is harder on them about their grades.
“She’s a really good coach,” senior midfielder Lyon Alvarez said. “People doubt her just because she’s a female, but when it comes to conditioning, tactics in game, subs, she has like a discipline and everything. … She knows what she can do.”
Championship statement
The 2024 season was a culminating year for the Blair boys soccer program. Many of its seniors had been with Coyle since her JV days, anchoring the Blazers to a 17-3-4 record. After losing to Walt Whitman 4-1 in the regular season, Blair bounced back with a 3-1 victory in the state semifinals.
The night before the state title game, Coyle recalled one of her senior players told her that she could become the first woman to win a state title coaching boys soccer.
“I just kind of blew it off,” she said.
However, when a reporter asked her about it, Coyle attempted to look it up. Once confirmed, she attempted to block it out of her mind, even on game day.
Once the final whistle blew in the Maryland 4A championship, winning Blair’s first boys soccer state title since 1975, Coyle was speechless. After the game, she received so many emails and texts of congratulations, she elected to leave her phone in her car for the night to give herself time to take in the moment.
The Montgomery Blair High School boys’ soccer team won the Maryland state 4A title in 2024.
(Courtesy Tino Pham/Montgomery Blair High School )
Courtesy Tino Pham/Montgomery Blair High School
Allie Coyle looks on during training at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Maryland.
(WTOP/José Umaña)
WTOP/José Umaña
A Montgomery Blair High School boy’s soccer player speaks to head coach Allie Coyle during training in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Montgomery Blair High School’s Allie Coyle observes training in Leesburg, Virginia.
(Courtesy Washington Spirit )
Courtesy Washington Spirit
Montgomery Blair High School boys’ soccer coach Allie Coyle participated in the Washington Spirit’s coaching mentorship program.
(Courtesy Breanna Biorato/Washington Spirit)
Courtesy Breanna Biorato/Washington Spirit
Montgomery Blair High School’s boys’ soccer team participate in training in Silver Spring, Maryland.
(WTOP/José Umaña)
WTOP/José Umaña
“I’m not someone who necessarily likes the spotlight,” she said. “I want it on my team and my players. I would not have gotten there if it wasn’t for them.”
The attention came from all angles: local media outlets covered the historic moment, while ESPN dedicated a social media post on the achievement. Coaches from Coyle’s youth reached out to express their support, too.
“They reached out saying how much it meant to their daughters,” she said. “I think it meant the most from all of it is knowing that actual people did find impact from it.”
RaShauna Hamilton, the Spirit’s vice president of fan growth and community, told WTOP in a statement the program aims to create opportunities for female coaches through access to on-field training sessions, interactive lectures with the coaching staff and an online master class on using technology and analytics to develop players.
“Allie has been an impressive coaching mentee throughout her time in the program and is a great representative of what we want this program to be,” Hamilton said.
The mentorship program was the final accolade Coyle needed to celebrate the championship success. As the summer break ended, her focus shifted to meet the standards she set for the Blazers program. She said athletic director Boule as well as her players and their families, helped remind her that to win another title, the team will need to be built up again.
“We knew what we had going into that season,” Coyle said. “We knew it was going to be our chance, and so we pushed harder than we’ve ever pushed to make sure that it all paid off.”
Preparing for the 2025 season
Thirteen players from last year’s title-winning side are returning for the 2025 season, seven of whom are seniors. They will be joined by 14 new players who have never played on Blair’s varsity team.
Some new players are getting accustomed to Coyle’s direct approach, which involves speaking to them in straightforward terms while encouraging them to work harder in training. At the same time, she allows her captains to run the drills, and during scrimmages, players can pick the positions that best suit them.
That balance of being a disciplinarian while finding a player’s strength is essential in team building, Coyle said.
“I want them to push themselves as hard as they can so that they see the hard work paying off if they do it over and over,” she said. “I think that’s a bigger life lesson — is hard work will pay off.”
Almost a year removed from the historic victory, Coyle said there is pressure to repeat last year’s success. She also understands her accomplishment will serve as a catalyst for others who want to coach in male sports.
One piece of advice she offers to any woman looking to make the leap is to have a support system that can keep you grounded and focused on the task at hand.
“It’s a lot of pressure on my shoulders, and not a lot of the pressure that I can really control,” she said. “You can say and teach them as much as you want, but really, at some point it’s got to be: How bad do they want it, also? I think this team might want it. We’ll see.”
Blair opens regular season play on Sept. 8 on the road at Clarksburg and at Blake on Sept. 10. The Blazers will finally play their first home match on Sept. 15 against county rivals Wheaton.
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About 100 people crammed the Columbia Heights Civic Plaza in Northwest D.C. on Friday afternoon, calling for unity against the federal surge by President Donald Trump.
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Faith leaders call for unity amid DC’s federal surge
About 100 people crammed the Columbia Heights Civic Plaza in Northwest D.C. on Friday afternoon, calling for unity against the federal surge by President Donald Trump.
The “Multi-Faith Prayer Vigil for Healing and Justice” event brought together religious leaders from around the region to speak on their disapproval of the Trump administration’s recent actions in D.C., including the growing number of law enforcement officials and the displacement of the city’s homeless population.
“The power that is animated by hate can never, never, ever triumph over a power that is built with love,” said Rabbi Aaron Alexander, of Adas Israel Congregation.
During the prayer vigil, attendees brought signs denouncing the Trump administration’s actions and asked for the president to end his actions. Federal authorities have set up checkpoints around the city, sometimes asking people for their immigration status and detaining them.
DC residents need to fight back
Religious leaders called on residents to fight back against intimidating actions.
“But it’s going to take far more than protests to reclaim the beauty of this place,” Alexander said.
Pastor Donna Claycomb Sokol, of Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church, spoke out against the removal of the city’s homeless population, stating their security was set aside “all in the name of beauty.”
Joani Horchler traveled from Cheverly, Maryland, to be part of the vigil, carrying a sign attacking Trump’s claim that the surge is designed to improve the District’s crime levels: “If you cared about crime, you wouldn’t have attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6.”
“Now, he is going to take over D.C., and it’s not right,” she said.
D.C.’s shadow representative Oye Owolewa told WTOP he was proud to see the number of people in the crowd, which led him to interrupt the proceedings to get them off the road and into the plaza. He added that the amount of minority faces voicing support for D.C. statehood and against Trump’s actions is a strong contrast to the description of “elderly white hippies” White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller called D.C. protesters.
“It was really good to see a crowd of people who looked like me but are united on a common mission, which is controlling our own destiny,” Owolewa said.
The crowd was encouraged to stay in contact with their faith-based communities for additional events in the future. Priscilla Soto said she hopes events like the vigil could unite more people than those who don’t like Trump.
“I would like to reach out to all those people who are supporting him and hope that they come to the point that enough is enough,” she said.
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After 160 days of separation, Kilmar Abrego Garcia was finally reunited with his wife, children and family Friday — but the joy is clouded by the looming threat of deportation
Kilmar Abrego Garcia hugs his youngest son, with his wife Jennifer to his right.
(Courtesy CASA)
Kilmar Abrego Garcia hugs his youngest son, with his wife Jennifer to his right.
(Courtesy CASA)
After 160 days of separation, Kilmar Abrego Garcia was finally reunited with his wife, children and family Friday — but the joy is clouded by the looming threat of deportation.
Abrego Garcia was released from custody in Tennessee, allowing him to return home to Maryland.
But on Saturday, immigration officials said they intend to deport him to Uganda after he declined an offer to be sent to Costa Rica in exchange for remaining in jail and pleading guilty to human smuggling charges, according to a court filing.
Jossie Flor Sapunar of CASA, which has been providing legal assistance to Garcia and his family, described the moment as “bittersweet.”
Garcia is “hugging and kissing his little kids, which is beautiful,” she told WTOP, but warned that “at any time, he could be grabbed by ICE and disappeared again to another country.”
“The joy is here, but it’s agonizing knowing he faces that deportation threat,” she said in an interview.
According to Sapunar, the Trump administration had signaled potential plans to deport Garcia on Friday, adding that federal officials appear determined to “cover up their error in sending him out of the country by mistake.”
“Unfortunately, nothing we have seen so far gives us the lasting optimism that Kilmar’s reunification with his family will be permanent,” she said.
Despite the uncertainty, Sapunar credited “pure, relentless activism” for Garcia’s temporary return.
“Everyday people fighting for Kilmar to be a household name” helped pressure officials into allowing his reunification, she said. CASA and supporters plan to continue the campaign to “keep Kilmar home.”
For now, the family is focused on reclaiming lost time — birthdays, anniversaries and everyday moments they missed during Garcia’s absence. “No moment will be wasted,” Sapunar said, though she acknowledged the “dark cloud” of possible deportation still hangs over them.
“Truly, it’s bittersweet,” she said.
The legal fight continues as Garcia awaits further court proceedings.
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“Sixty-five percent of African Americans have limited or no swimming ability, and we drown at three times the rate of our white counterparts,” Howard University’s Nick Askew said, referencing a 2023 Consumer Product Safety Commission report on fatal and nonfatal drowning reporting.
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Why Howard Univ. is pushing underserved communities to swim
However, for Nicholas “Nik” Askew, the director of swimming and diving at Howard University, the swim meet is more than a competition. The sold-out event, which will feature a watch party in the Bison’s basketball arena in Burr Gymnasium, is another chance to remind people of the lack of water spaces for underserved communities.
“Sixty-five percent of African Americans have limited or no swimming ability, and we drown at three times the rate of our white counterparts,” Askew said, referencing a 2023 Consumer Product Safety Commission report on fatal and nonfatal drowning reporting.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report released in May, there are about 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths every year in the United States, with significantly higher rates among people of color. The data also says about 55% of U.S. adults have never taken a swimming lesson, with only 37% of Black people saying they had taken classes.
The information is shocking to Askew, who jumped into the pool at an early age and swam competitively in high school. He started at Howard University in 1996 as a dual-sport athlete as a swimmer and tennis player. He became the swim team’s captain and became a six-time conference champion in the pool.
However, he understands the history of African Americans being forced out of bodies of water and the lack of water spaces in urban settings. He joined the Pool Safety program over the summer and recorded a PSA on the history of African Americans in water spaces and why people of any age should learn to swim.
According to its website, Pool Safety was launched by the Consumer Product Safety Commission to teach people the simple steps to save lives and develop a national education campaign to reduce drownings.
“Drowning is known as the silent killer, and because not a lot of people really talk about it, there’s not a lot of news about it, but the stats are out there,” Askew said.
As the NCAA’s only Division I swimming and diving team at a historically Black college, Askew said there a measure of responsibility to be a visible representation for African Americans and other people of color who may be apprehensive in getting in the water.
Events like the Battle of the Burr are a starting point. The dual, men’s and women’s competitions are a one-of-a-kind competition for the athletes from the two high-profile universities and the spectators who experience it.
“Being able to look at the pool deck and see people who you can see yourself as, is important because that allows you to start thinking ‘that space is for me,’” he said.
One of the first things Askew encourages is learning water safety and proper protocols when in a body of water, regardless of if it’s a pool or the ocean. He encourages families to take also advantage of resources in their communities, including free or low-cost classes at local YMCAs, parks and recreational organizations.
“Water is a therapeutic space, so you may not want to be a competitive swimmer, but you can do aqua aerobics, aqua cycling,” he said. “You can just come in here for just therapy alone and just tread water as part of the therapy, and it’s calming. So, it truly is a space for everyone, at every age.”
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Musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center have finalized a contract, ending a brief strike in D.C. on Friday that threatened the cancellation of some performances.
Members of the Washington D.C. Federation of Musicians Local 161-710 gather in red shirts along a picket line outside the Kennedy Center on September 27, 2024. (WTOP/Cheyenne Corrn)(WTOP/Cheyenne Corin)
Members of the Washington D.C. Federation of Musicians Local 161-710 gather in red shirts along a picket line outside the Kennedy Center on September 27, 2024. (WTOP/Cheyenne Corrn)(WTOP/Cheyenne Corin)
Musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center have reached a tentative labor agreement, ending a brief strike in D.C. on Friday that threatened the cancellation of some performances.
The new 18-month contract, valued at $1.8 million, will increase wages by 4% in the first year and 4% in year 2, with negotiations to start in early 2026, the Kennedy Center said in a statement later Friday.
“The new contract will bring the base salary for musicians to $165,268 in year 1 and $171,879 in year 2,” the statement said. “The NSO musicians will retain their position as one of the highest compensated orchestras in the country.”
The Kennedy Center in a statement earlier Friday said along with the NSO, they put forward a “competitive, 4-year growth contract,” and the musicians were “among the highest compensated orchestras in the country.”
Meanwhile, dozens of musicians wore matching cherry-red shirts, stood outside of the venue Friday and began picketing, holding signs with slogans such as “KEEP NSO WORLD-CLASS” and “NO PAY, NO PLAY.”
#BREAKING A few hours after the National Symphony Orchestra began their strike, the union & the Kennedy Center reached a contract. See below for a picture I took an hour ago, as compared to now. This means tomorrow’s season opening gala concert is happening @WTOPpic.twitter.com/GSK3r23fP1
The Kennedy Center said an opening gala performance Saturday would be affected while the strike was underway, promising ticket holders would get a full refund.
However, with the strike over, the opening gala performance on Saturday “and all future performances will now proceed as scheduled,” a statement from The Kennedy Center said.
“Since becoming an organization of the Kennedy Center in 1986—in an arrangement unique among American orchestras—the NSO has been an artistically vital part of the National Cultural Center. This agreement will ensure the future stability of both the NSO and Kennedy Center,” the statement said.
In addition to the wage increase, the agreement also includes expanded health care options, paid parental leave, updates to audition and tenure processes and funding for another position, among others.
“This 18-month contract will provide all parties time to come together to settle a longer-term agreement that demonstrates our respect for their artistic contributions and maintains the orchestra’s competitiveness in the field,” union members and NSO officials said in the joint statement. “This agreement also allows the Kennedy Center and National Symphony Orchestra to operate in a way that is fiscally responsible and sustainable.”
How it started: ‘Pay disparity’ and ‘reasonable wage increases’
National Symphony Orchestra musicians hold signs reading “National Symphony On Strike,” “Solidarity #UnionStrong” and “The Kennedy Center Against The Performing Arts” during the short-lived strike in Washington D.C. on September 27, 2024. (WTOP/Cheyenne Corin)
The negotiations had been going on since May, with the musicians advocating for better wages on par with other orchestra members throughout the country.
Members cited ongoing pay disparity when compared to musicians in major metro areas, arguing the high cost of living in the D.C. area created more challenges for attracting and retaining high quality talent for the orchestra.
“All across the country, we’ve seen employers agree to contracts with substantial wage increases in recognition of the impact that inflation has had on employee’s cost of living,” Ed Malaga, the union’s president, said in a statement before the strike ended.
By Monday, the union had unanimously voted to authorize a strike, Malaga said in a statement from the DC Federation of Musicians.
In the statement, Malaga argued that the reasonable 6.25% wage increase every year through the next four years was reasonable given a double-digit percent increase of musician salaries for peer orchestra members across the country.
“As of today, the NSO musicians are making substantially less than are the musicians in the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic and San Franciso Symphony,” Malaga said. “That pay disparity combined with the high cost of living in the D.C. area make it harder for the NSO to attract and retain talent commensurate with the reputation of the National Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center itself as a premier performance venue.”
Kennedy Center and National Symphony Orchestra Association officials said the original demands brought by the union included a 25% wage increase, which was deemed “not financially viable” for the organization.
“While the Center’s current proposal calls for fair wage increases each year, the musicians appear intent to restore wages lost as a result of the pandemic (2020-2021),” the center said Monday.
In addition, the NSO and Kennedy Center said the original financial package for musicians, including a 12% wage increase and health insurance expansion, would better the financial realities projected through 2028.
WTOP’s Abigail Constantino, Cheyenne Corin and José Umaña contributed to this report.
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Two popular beach destinations along the coasts of Maryland and Virginia — Ocean City and Assateague Island — reopened to swimmers after closing for nearly a week following reports of medical waste washing ashore.
Two popular beach destinations along the coasts of Maryland and Virginia — Ocean City and Assateague Island — reopened to swimmers after closing for nearly a week following reports of medical waste washing ashore.
In a message posted Friday, Emergency Services Director for the Town of Ocean City Joe Theobald said, after several days of multiple high tides and beach sweeps, it is no longer “experiencing waste washing ashore.” He added that tests show that the water levels are normal.
“We are confident that it is now safe to reopen the ocean for swimming and surfing,” Theobald said.
In a statement, officials in Assateague Island said ocean access to lifeguarded beaches reopened after sweeps of the beach found only “a handful of items” and nothing new in the last two days. The Oceanside Campground Beach and South Beach will reopen on Saturday.
“As a precaution, visitors are advised to wear shoes on the beach and in the unlikely event that any medical waste is found, to contact a lifeguard or ranger,” the statement read. “We have done an intensive cleanup effort-but the risk is not zero.”
However, the North End of Assateague Island remains closed as it had a large amount of the medical and other waste wash ashore. It is likely that it will remain closed for another week or “possibility longer,” as cleanup continues.
Both Ocean City and Assateague Island officials said the source of the waste remains unclear. Some of the material found includes used needles, hygiene products, smoking products and miscellaneous plastics, according to a statement.
Both beaches closed on Sunday as officials began investigating reports of “medical waste,” including needles, washing up on shore. Local officials said Thursday that they were hopeful to reopen their beaches to the public “in the next few days.”
Meanwhile in Delaware, swimming and wading are not allowed in Fenwick Island as well as Bethany, Dewey and Rehoboth beaches. The state’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control issued a recreational water advisory in response to the medical waste washup and asked future visitors to check each municipality for additional restrictions.
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The Washington Spirit have added a new and recognizable name to its investor group: NBA legend Magic Johnson.
NBA legend Magic Johnson speaks with Washington Spirit primary owner Michele Kang before a soccer clinic in Northwest D.C. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.
(WTOP/José Umaña)
WTOP/José Umaña
New Washington Spirit investor and NBA legend Magic Johnson gives high-fives to youth soccer players during a soccer clinic in Northwest D.C. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.
(WTOP/José Umaña)
WTOP/José Umaña
New Washington Spirit investor Magic Johnson speaks to students at Ida B. Wells Middle School in Northwest D.C. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.
(WTOP/José Umaña)
WTOP/José Umaña
New Washington Spirit investor Magic Johnson speaks to students at Ida B. Wells Middle School in Northwest D.C. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.
(WTOP/José Umaña)
WTOP/José Umaña
Middle and high school soccer players join NBA legend Magic Johnson and Washington Spirit primary owner Michele Kang pose for a photo after a soccer clinic in Northwest D.C. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.
(WTOP/José Umaña)
WTOP/José Umaña
From left to right: Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang, NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, Ida B. Wells principal William Lyles, D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Lewis Ferebee and school staff pose for a photo in Northwest, D.C.
(WTOP/José Umaña)
WTOP/José Umaña
NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson speaks while wearing a Washington Spirit jersey before a soccer clinic in Northwest D.C. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.
(WTOP/José Umaña)
WTOP/José Umaña
The Washington Spirit have added a new and recognizable name to its investor group: NBA legend Magic Johnson.
Johnson, whose given name is Earvin, announced his purchase of a stack into the National Women’s Soccer League club during an appearance on CBS Mornings on Thursday alongside team owner Michele Kang.
On Friday, Johnson — donning the club’s black home jersey — appeared for the first time as a Spirit investor at a youth soccer clinic at Ida B. Wells Middle School in Northwest D.C. Afterward, he received a round of applause after being introduced by D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Lewis Ferebee before speaking to students inside the school’s gymnasium.
“Women’s sports are on the rise, probably bigger than any other sport,” Johnson said. “When Michele called and we met, it was a no brainer for me, and I’m just happy to be a Spirit owner.”
The former Los Angeles Lakers star met with Kang, and the pair immediately connected over sports. Johnson was impressed with her work in owning three women’s soccer teams, while still keeping the standards high in Washington by acquiring highly skilled players and adding “a world class team of coaches (and) trainers.”
“We have the same mindset,” Johnson said. “We believe in excellence and doing things in a first-class manner, and she’s competitive like I am, so it was just easy for me to say yes.”
Kang said meeting the NBA Hall of Famer was “surreal,” but once they began talking about sports, she wanted Johnson to be involved in Washington. Johnson agreed, adding that working with a partner like Kang and the Spirit is “an opportunity of a lifetime.”
“While he may be physically living in LA I think that his actually connections to D.C. are potentially deeper,” she said. “I am absolutely grateful for him to come to D.C. and be part of our family.
While terms of Johnson’s investment into the Spirit were not disclosed, Kang said his involvement is more than financial. She referenced Johnson’s time a star player during the 1980s and his business acumen after his playing career. Along with his community engagement, Kang said his leadership and mentorship will be an excellent addition to her NWSL club.
“One of the major reasons why I’m just grateful for his involvement is that it’s not only somebody like Magic could be a role model for our players, but even me as an owner,” Kang said. “There’s so much to learn in the sports world and how to really turn the Spirit into sort of a long-lasting championship team.”
Johnson’s investment in the Spirit comes after he joined Josh Harris’ ownership group to purchase the Washington Commanders last year. He also has shares in Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers, WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks and Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC.
“Now I’ll be in D.C. a lot. I thought I’d be here only on Sundays,” he said jokingly.
Johnson acknowledged he still needs to learn more about the Spirit, but has started to watch previous matches as part of the deal. He praised Washington’s U.S. women’s national team players that won gold in the Paris Olympics — Trinity Rodman, Croix Bethune and Casey Krueger — and said he plans to meet Spirit players before their Saturday match against Portland.
Immediately following Thursday’s announcement, Spirit midfielder Hal Hershfelt — who was an alternate for the U.S. at the Paris Olympics — told WTOP that the new investor signals a shift in women’s sports.
“That’s just insane,” Hershfelt said. “I think it just goes to show how much the women’s game has grown recently to have big time investors like that, so it’s really cool for us.”
Kang said the additional of other investors for Washington in the future are “absolutely” on the table. The addition of Johnson comes after Kang named her international multi-team women’s soccer organization Kynisca Sports International, with a goal to raise $100 million to support women’s sports.
In the meantime, the focus returns to on the field as Washington sits in second place in the NWSL standings. Johnson hopes the team continues its run of form heading into the latter portion of the regular season.
“We understand that we have a team that can win the championship,” Johnson said. “So what Michele and I want now is for them to stay healthy, and get us to November, get us to the playoffs, and then take it from there.”
WTOP’s Emily Venezky and The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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After winning gold in the Paris Olympics, Virginia native Emily Fox explains how the U.S. women’s soccer team improved during the tournament and how she looks forward to her club season.
U.S. women’s national team defender and Arsenal’s Emily Fox interacts with elementary-age students from DC Scores at George Mason University on Aug. 20, 2024, in Fairfax, Virginia.
(Courtesy David Price/Arsenal FC)
Courtesy David Price/Arsenal FC
U.S. Olympian Emily Fox poses for a photo at the USA House at Paris 2024 on Aug. 11, 2024 in Paris, France.
(Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for USOPC)
Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for USOPC
U.S. defender Emily Fox in action during of the women’s soccer semifinal match between United States and Germany during the Olympic Games at Stade de Lyon on August 06, 2024 in Lyon, France.
(Getty Images/Claudio Villa)
Getty Images/Claudio Villa
United States defender Emily Fox fights for the ball with Germany’s Nicole Anyomi during a women’s semifinal soccer match between the United States and Germany at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, at Lyon Stadium in Decines, France.
(AP/Silvia Izquierdo)
AP/Silvia Izquierdo
U.S. women’s national team defender and Arsenal’s Emily Fox interacts with elementary-age students from DC Scores at George Mason University on Aug. 20, 2024, in Fairfax, Virginia.
(Courtesy David Price/Arsenal FC)
Courtesy David Price/Arsenal FC
Trinity Rodman #5 of the United States celebrates scoring with Emily Fox #2 during extra time against Japan during the Women’s Quarterfinal match during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Parc des Princes on August 03, 2024 in Paris, France.
(Photo by Brad Smith/ISI/Getty Images)
Photo by Brad Smith/ISI/Getty Images
As the final whistle blew in Paris on Aug. 13, the U.S. women’s national soccer team rejoiced as it defeated Brazil to win its first Olympic medal in 12 years.
The victory was a mission accomplished for Ashburn, Virginia, native Emily Fox, who wrote a paper in elementary school about her dream of playing in the Olympics. After all the celebrating, Fox planned to take the gold medal back to England with her when she resumed her club career with London side Arsenal.
However, once she arrived home to Ashburn, the 26-year-old elected to leave it behind with her parents. While one of her teammates exposed how fragile the medal was played a factor in her decision, Fox said moving forward with her career was the biggest factor.
“I was like, ‘this is too much stress and responsibility,’ so I didn’t even need see that,” Fox said.
Fox returned home to the D.C. region in late August to take part of Arsenal’s preseason preparations while enjoying some downtime with her family in Virginia. Coming back to the region was a full-circle moment for the defender, who, before the games, spent over a month at home in Ashburn, the longest break she experienced in over a year.
“It’s a lot, but it’s a privilege in many ways is how I think about it,” Fox said, adding that she is “grateful” to representing the United States.
Winning Olympic gold
Fox was featured in all six Olympic matches for the U.S. as a key cog in the defense playing as an outside back. She played the second-most minutes in the back line (572), focused on limiting right-sided attacks by their opponents.
The U.S. “were just clicking” throughout the two weeks, Fox said, in implementing new head coach Emma Hayes’ strategies while handling the demands of playing a match every three days.
A scary moment occurred during the second extra time period in the quarterfinal match against Japan as Fox collided with striker Riko Ueki, who attempted a shot off a corner kick. The defender was pulled for the remainder of the match and needed help to walk off the field. Fox’s injury history — tearing her left ACL twice during her collegiate career — weighed heavily on fans’ minds.
But she returned to play both the semifinals and finals without an issue. The defender said the collision was a “suck it up and just do it” moment that each player faced as part of the demands of winning the goal medal.
“I feel like for all of us, no matter what, we want to learn, we want to grow, and we embraced it,” Fox said. “I just feel like (after) each game during the Olympics, we got better and better.”
Moving forward with Arsenal
After completing a childhood dream, Fox said she likes to remain active and busy. Less than two weeks after standing on the Olympic podium, the defender joined Arsenal in its preseason training at George Mason University in Fairfax. Despite not playing in the actual match, she participated in warm-ups during the Gunners’ preseason finale against Chelsea on Aug. 25 on D.C.’s Audi Field.
But it hasn’t only been work on the field: She also joined several of her teammates for a poetry master class with students from Bancroft Elementary School in a partnership with DC Scores, a community-based nonprofit that blends soccer and community service for D.C. Public School students.
Fox also admitted seeing a sports psychologist following the Olympics to help with the process of moving on.
“I think that’s really important, just in terms of having a closing chapter on a huge event, and then being ready for a whole another year,” Fox said. “That’s been very helpful of navigating my feelings for the rest of the season.”
With the Olympics in the rearview and the next Women’s World Cup two years away, Fox’s attention shifts to accomplishing a new career goal: competing in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. After finishing third in league-play last season, Arsenal must win a two-game mini-tournament to qualify for Europe’s largest women’s soccer club competition.
Fox called the prospect of playing two must-win matches “nerve-racking,” but, like the Olympics, she welcomes the challenge.
“I’ve always wanted to play in the Champions League, so I think we’re really excited for the opportunity. I think we’re doing everything we can to be the most prepared to start strong and fast for that game,” Fox said. “Every game we want to win, so I really feel like the mentality shouldn’t change. It is win or lose, but if we treat every game like that, we’re doing good.”
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D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said Thursday morning she has tested positive for COVID-19.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said Thursday morning she has tested positive for COVID-19.
In a statement posted on X, Bowser said she will be following all public health guidelines, adding that she will miss the first day of school for pre-K students.
“I’m disappointed to not be able to celebrate the first day of Pre-K with our littlest learners,” she said.
Yesterday, I tested positive for COVID-19.
I’m disappointed to not be able to celebrate the first day of Pre-K with our littlest learners. I will continue to follow public health guidelines.
Bowser’s sister Mercia died in 2021 from complications linked to COVID-19.
Although deaths and serious infections have dropped dramatically since the height of the pandemic, COVID-19 hospitalizations slightly crept up during the summer. As a result, the U.S. Health and Human Services plans to allow Americans to order free virus test kits to be mailed to their homes, starting in late September.
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The first bells of the 2024-2025 school year are set to ring for thousands of students across Maryland and D.C. on Monday morning.
From vaping, the cost of school supplies to cellphone policies, the WTOP team is studying up on hot-button topics in education across the D.C. region. Follow on air and online in our series “WTOP Goes Back to School” this August and September.
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Teachers in DC attend energetic rally ahead of the new school year
Thousands of students across Maryland and D.C. began the 2024-2025 school year Monday morning.
In Maryland, public schools in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Howard County and Anne Arundel County welcomed students — some for the first time. Public schools in D.C. did the same, after making progress in last year’s standardized tests.
Here’s what you need to know.
DC
WTOP’s Luke Lukert reports from Jackson-Reed High School in D.C. on the first day of school
More than 51,000 students across all eight wards headed to classes on Monday morning. Pre-K students will start on Thursday.
WTOP’s Luke Lukert was at Jackson-Reed High School in Northwest D.C. as students were welcomed with performances from the school’s band and dancers.
Lukert reported that a lot of the students heading through the doors on Monday morning looked happy to return.
“A lot of hugs and a lot of high fives,” he said. “I’ve been talking to a lot of the students and staff here at Jackson-Reed and it kind of made me want to go back to high school. They said that they have so many different clubs and if you wanted to start a new club, you could.”
One of the clubs students said they were excited about on Monday was the World Dish Club, where students bring in food from different countries.
Jackson-Reed also offers 38 different team sports, including rugby, which some students said they were excited to try this school year after the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.
The first day of school comes as data shows D.C. students are meeting or exceeding expectations in reading and math, according to the city’s Office of the State Superintendent of Education.
D.C. Public Schools is also entering the second year of the 6th grade academy initiative. The academies work to ensure a smooth transition to middle school. Last week, teachers were welcomed back with go-go music, snacks and pep talks from schools chancellor Lewis Ferebee.
Mayor Muriel Bowser was scheduled to celebrate the first day of school at Miner Elementary School in Northeast.
Montgomery County
Maryland’s largest school district welcomed more than 160,000 students back to school.
WTOP’s Neal Augenstein interviewed Taylor on Monday outside of Albert Einstein High School in Kensington, just before students started the new school year.
“I could not be more excited to welcome students,” Taylor said.
His tenure begins as Marcus Jones, the newly appointed chief of security and compliance for the school system, shared data that showed the number of “serious” safety incidents in its schools dropped overall last year.
Taylor said one of the biggest obstacles for the first couple of weeks of school is transportation.
“In the DMV we have a lot of construction around and a lot of traffic. We have that Purple Line construction that happening right now,” Taylor said. “So we know that there are going to be anticipated delays.”
Taylor encouraged parents to reach out to their transportation hotline for the school system regarding any issues so they can be resolved.
He said that Montgomery County schools is 100% staffed in transportation positions and 99% staffed in instructional positions.
Heading into the first day of the new school year, Taylor said it’s important to focus on the student as a whole.
“I’m hoping that we are offering a level of support and a level of planning at MCPS where our kids can thrive in an academic space, but also thrive in a social space,” he said.
Prince George’s County
WTOP’s Mike Murillo reports from Tulip Grove Elementary School on the first day of school in Prince George’s County
Just over 130,000 students returned to classes in Prince George’s County, where multiple schools are adjusting to new start and dismissal times.
WTOP’s Mike Murillo was on the scene Monday morning, as student walked through the doors of Tulip Grove Elementary School in Bowie for the first day of the new school year.
“We had a great summer, we had a great time and now it’s time to get back to work,” said Kimberly, a mother who was dropping off her son Lance.
What subjects was Lance most excited to start?
“Recess, math and science,” he said.
Superintendent Millard House II was at Tulip Grove on Monday morning greeting students as they headed to their classrooms.
Last year there were some issues getting students to school due to a bus driver shortage. House told WTOP that a new transportation plan aims to tackle that.
“I think the masses will show that we’re having the kind of progress in transportation that we want to see,” he said.
Meanwhile, some parents are raising concerns that their children will not be allowed to attend class after Prince George’s County Public Schools switched to a new system for registering students, and some parents were not aware or have been experiencing issues to register before classes start.
One positive: its school bus drivers are ready for the new school year, as schedules have been streamlined, bus stop locations have been updated and families are being supplied with information on apps dedicated to helping them get ready to get to school.
Anne Arundel County
First graders through ninth graders returned to class in Anne Arundel County on Monday, while the remaining grade levels return on Tuesday.
Over 57,000 students are expected to attend their first day of classes this week.
Howard County
This fall, the school system is assessing students use of cellphones. Under current policy, personal devices are supposed to be off and put away during the school day.
This is a developing story. Stay with WTOP for the latest.
WTOP’s Jose Umana, Luke Lukert, Valerie Bonk, Neal Augenstein and Mike Murillo contributed to this report.
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This Saturday, the District will once again honor “The Godfather of Go-Go” with its 10th annual Chuck Brown Day festival, with about 10,000 expected to attend.
Organizers believe about 10,000 people are expected to attend this year’s Chuck Brown Day festival.
(Courtesy D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation)
Courtesy D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation
Attendees are encouraged to use free shuttles coming from the Minnesota Avenue Metro Station to travel to the festival.
(Courtesy D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation)
Courtesy D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation
This year’s Chuck Brown Day festival will start an hour earlier than years prior.
(Courtesy D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation)
Courtesy D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation
There will be a kids zone offering games and face painting.
(Courtesy D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation)
Courtesy D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation
The event is free and attendees can bring lawn chairs and blankets.
(Courtesy D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation)
Courtesy D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation
Over 10 years since his passing, Chuck Brown’s legacy continues to live on in D.C. through his music’s melodic sound.
This Saturday, the District will once again honor “The Godfather of Go-Go” with its 10th annual Chuck Brown Day festival. Considered the largest summer celebration of go-go music, the festival commemorates the pioneer of the subgenre of funk music, which has become the official sound of the District.
“He infused jazz, funk, African music all together to make this special sound that is what we call go-go,” Thennie Freeman, the director of the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation, told WTOP. “It is not your traditional sound, but it is a iconic sound, and a sound that belongs to the District of Columbia.”
It is the second consecutive year that Chuck Brown Day festivities will take place at Fort Dupont Park. Originally held at Chuck Brown Memorial Park in Northeast D.C., organizers moved it to the Southeast park last year due to safety and space concerns.
The move proved to be successful as the Department of Parks and Recreation reported over 8,500 people in attendance. Freeman said expectations are that about 10,000 people will attend this year, so organizers added an extra hour, starting the festivities at 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Gates will open at noon.
“It’s just going to be a magical day,” she said.
Along with three D.J.’s, four bands are set to perform, headlined by The Chuck Brown Band, who are anchored by the late musician’s son Wiley Brown. The ensemble are seen as keeping the genre alive while passing down Chuck Brown’s memory to a new generation.
Freeman recalled seeing how excited Wiley Brown was to perform in last year’s event on the same stage and city that his father performed in. It has been important for the department to keep the Brown family involved in the planning, vision and creativity of the event, she said.
“It is their father’s legacy,” Freeman said. “Although he meant so much to the city, we thought it was important to keep them in the loop and a part of the communication and collaboration.”
Part of that collaboration includes hosting a “Back to School Giveaway” at the park with members of Brown’s family. Freeman said portions of the festival will be geared toward families as well, including a kids fun zone, an art exhibit and activations with The Go-Go Museum, Howard University and the DC Library system.
“In order to keep go-go, the sound of our city, embedded in the fabric of our city, we have to introduce our children to the to the sound,” Freeman said.
Those set to attend are asked to wear comfortable clothes and to bring lawn chairs and blankets to rest on. While food trucks will be available, attendees are encouraged to bring nonalcoholic beverages and food. A list of prohibited items can be found on the festival’s website.
For those using Metro or public transportation, a free shuttle will be provided to and from the festival at the Minnesota Avenue Metro Station. With limited parking available, Freeman encourages those driving to park at the station to take the shuttle.
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An overnight fire at a church in Montgomery County, Maryland, damaged the organ, piano and the roof, costing some $5 million to repair, fire officials said.
Firefighters in Montgomery County, Maryland, fight a church fire in Silver Spring.
(Courtesy Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service)
Courtesy Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service
The fire caused more than $5 million in damages.
(Courtesy Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service)
Courtesy Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service
An overnight fire at a church in Montgomery County, Maryland, destroyed its organ, piano and roof, costing some $5 million in damages, fire officials said.
A fire was reported at Spencerville Seventh-day Adventist Church on New Hampshire Avenue in Sliver Spring around 1:45 a.m. Friday. Smoke was leaking through the church’s roof when fire crews arrived.
“Likely the fire had been burning for a while, at least smoldering, because when firefighters first got here, they did have some very high heat conditions and some pretty heavy smoke,” Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Pete Piringer told WTOP’s partners at 7News, adding that it took three hours to beat the flames.
The fire appeared to have started inside the audiovisual control booth of the church near the sanctuary area. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service said on X that the fire was “accidental” and told the church the cause was “electrical.”
Update — Spencerville Seventh Day Adventist Church, automatic fire alarm activated; Origin/Cause, sanctuary area, accidental, unknown malfunction/failure of an electrical item (electronic equipment, electrical cords, power strips); Damage likely >$5M; no injury pic.twitter.com/8irRyTKhrM
The fire cause caused significant damages to the building, including the sanctuary, church officials said in a statement. The organ was left with “virtually no pipes remaining,” while the technical systems for the audio booth area were destroyed. The piano was also damaged in the fire.
The building was vacant at the time of the fire. No injures have been reported.
Spencerville Church plans to hold its Saturday Sabbath worship services in the auditorium of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, located at 12501 Old Columbia Pike in Silver Spring starting at 11:30 a.m.
Below is a map of where the fire took place:
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Two people are dead and a child is in critical condition following an apartment building fire in Prince George’s County, Maryland, Tuesday morning.
Flames seen from apartment building in Largo, Md., on July 2, 2024.
(Courtesy Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department via X)
Courtesy Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department via X
WTOP’s Luke Lukert reported this dog, which was inside the apartment during the fire, was rescued and resuscitated.
(WTOP/Luke Lukert)
WTOP/Luke Lukert
Fire engine on scene of apartment building fire in Largo, Md., on July 2, 2024.
(WTOP/Luke Lukert)
WTOP/Luke Lukert
A collapsed roof and broken windows can be seen following an apartment building fire in Largo, Md., on July 2, 2024.
(WTOP/Luke Lukert)
WTOP/Luke Lukert
Two people are dead and a child is in critical condition following an apartment building fire in Prince George’s County, Maryland, Tuesday morning.
The Prince George’s Fire and Rescue Department said first-responders arrived on Harry S. Truman Drive at the Northampton Apartment Homes in Largo, after receiving a call just after 3:45 a.m.
When crews arrived at the scene, part of a stairwell collapsed, and flames could be seen coming through the top of one of the apartment complexes.
Fire officials told WTOP that the fire happened on the third level of the apartment building and caused the roof to collapse. Crews were able to put out the fire just before 4:45 a.m.
The young boy pulled out of the fire remains in “very critical condition.”
The body of an adult female was found under the rubble after an adult male was declared dead.
A neighbor told WTOP’s Luke Lukert that the man was a father, but his relationship with the boy has not been verified.
Damage was mostly contained to the one apartment building, but officials told WTOP that some of the fire extended to nearby buildings.
A dog that was inside the apartment during the fire was also rescued and resuscitated.
Lukert reported that smoke continued to smolder hours after flames were extinguished.
Fire investigators are at the scene. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
A map of the area where the fire happened is below.
WTOP’s Luke Lukert reported from the scene in Largo.
This story is developing. Stay with WTOP for updates.
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