This Halloween festival at the Workhouse Haunted Experience in Lorton offers two eerie walking trails, a blackout adventure, laser tag and a haunted courtyard with a live DJ.
Performers of the Halloween festival at the the Workhouse Haunted Experience in Lorton, Virginia.(WTOP/Mike Murillo)
Performers of the Halloween festival at the the Workhouse Haunted Experience in Lorton, Virginia.(WTOP/Mike Murillo)
The Smithsonian museums may be closed due to the government shutdown, but that doesn’t mean there’s a lack of things to do around the D.C. area.
If you’re looking for a scare, look no further than the Workhouse Haunted Experience in Lorton, Virginia, where your nightmares come true.
“This year, we decided to mix it up a little bit and make it more of a Halloween festival vibe,” said Joseph Wallen, director of performing arts at the Workhouse Arts Center.
The festival will include two walking trails, a seated blackout experience and laser tag.
While monsters don’t normally come out in the day, they’re already preparing for your arrival. Your journey will take you through a carnival run by clowns — and we’re not talking the funny kind.
“Each of our actors that work each scene, they understand the character that they are, and they understand how they’re contributing to the story experience and to the atmosphere as we go through,” Wallen said.
Then it’s into the apocalypse, where survival is the goal, but the monsters have other plans.
Wallen said there is also a haunted courtyard with a DJ, which is best for those who may not be looking for a scare.
“I hope they … share some laughs and some screams with their family and friends. Because, to me, that’s what life is ultimately, really about,” Wallen said.
Inside the Workhouse theater, “Evil Dead: The Musical” is splashing audiences with campy horror and laughs.
“One of the things that is fun for this show in particular is we do have splash zone seating. Without too much of a spoiler, the show does involve chain saws and shotguns, all simulated, but liquids are flying,” Wallen said.
The heart-stopping festival runs on weekends through Nov. 2.
Tickets range from $20-$55, with upgraded passes available for laser tag and blackout experiences. For tickets and details, visit their website.
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The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Transportation Planning Board is expected to decide whether a proposal to bring express lanes to the southern side of I-495 should remain on the table.
On Wednesday, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Transportation Planning Board is expected to decide whether a proposal to bring express lanes to the southern side of Interstate 495 should remain on the table.
The project, which has been pushed by the Virginia Department of Transportation since 2022, would add 11 miles of new express lanes from the Springfield Interchange in Fairfax County, Virginia, crossing the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and ending at the Maryland Route 210 interchange in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
The proposal has drawn mixed reactions from board members, whose approval is needed. Among those weighing in is David Snyder, a longtime board member and Falls Church City Council member, who said everyone agrees improvements are needed.
“The question is, what is the something and when?” Snyder said.
He added that while VDOT’s inclusion of transit components, such as a proposed bus route, was encouraging, more clarity is needed.
“It makes no sense to expand the highway in Virginia if it just creates a bottleneck right across the bridge in Maryland,” Snyder said.
Speaking at a meeting in July, VDOT mega projects Director Michelle Shropshire said the project, which would be a public-private partnership, would “pour millions of dollars into vital transit and transportation improvement projects.”
According to planners, the express lanes would be roughly 19 minutes faster than the general-purpose lanes and help commuters as peak travel times are expected to at least double by 2050.
Supporters also believe the lanes would improve job access by speeding up commutes and would include a new bus route between the Branch Avenue Metro station and Tysons.
But the project has faced many concerns from local leaders, especially in Maryland. Among them are air quality impacts in Prince George’s County, and whether the express lanes could block a future Metro extension across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, which was originally built with rail expansion in mind.
VDOT has said space would remain available for rail. Others have questioned whether the project is worth the high cost.
Neil Harris, vice chair of the transportation planning board and a Gaithersburg City Council member, said it doesn’t appear the support, especially in Maryland, is there for the project.
“The environmental piece is … really minimal,” Harris said. “But the local people who are closest to the situation are very adamantly against it.”
Maryland lawmakers and residents also raised concerns about safety on Maryland Route 210, equity and a lack of community engagement, all of which were prominent themes in public comments.
While the vote could remove the project from the region’s long-range transportation plan, Harris said it wouldn’t necessarily be the end, as Maryland and Virginia could continue discussions in the coming months.
“Any project could always come back at a later date,” Harris said.
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An anti-Trump encampment has returned to Columbus Circle outside Union Station after being removed two weeks ago when its permit was unexpectedly revoked.
An anti-Trump encampment has returned to Columbus Circle outside Union Station in D.C. after being removed two weeks ago when its permit was unexpectedly revoked.
The group, known as FLARE USA, which stands for “For Liberation and Resistance Everywhere,” had maintained a 24/7 presence at the site since May 1.
“We have a right to express ourselves legally and peacefully, and that is what we’re doing here,” said David Mytych, FLARE’s congressional outreach lead.
In the early morning hours of Oct. 3, U.S. Park Police cleared the encampment, citing safety concerns. In a letter obtained by WTOP, the Department of the Interior claimed the group posed a “clear and present danger to the good order” and alleged a Park Police officer had been assaulted. FLARE members dispute that, saying the incident involved individuals not affiliated with the group.
Michael, a coordinator with FLARE USA, was present during the removal.
“They kidnapped all of our stuff against our will, and it was illegally done,” Michael said.
After weeks of outreach and legal review, Mytych said FLARE USA was granted a new permit by the National Park Service. The group’s seized belongings — including what members estimate to be $20,000 worth of property — have now also been returned, he said.
“FLARE is back in business,” Mytych said. “The First Amendment right now, as of today, is still alive.”
The group said it plans to reestablish its footprint in the coming days and continue its peaceful demonstration.
“We are rebuilding very, very soon,” Michael said.
The permit, which the group showed to WTOP, allows for the encampment at Columbus Circle until Feb. 13, 2026.
The National Park Service has been contacted for comment.
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After losing his six-figure job as a federal contractor last year, Quentin Adams, of Bowie, Maryland, now delivers food and online orders to make ends meet.
Last year, Quentin Adams, of Bowie, Maryland, was living his dream, developing websites and apps as a contractor for the federal government.
But when that job ended, it began one of the darkest chapters in his life.
“They called me in the office and said, ‘Yeah, your last day will be Friday.’ This was like Thursday. And I’m like, ‘What?’” Adams said.
Adams, 61, had spent over a year building web applications for USAID as a contractor. He was let go unexpectedly last year, prior to this year’s DOGE cuts. While the exact reason for his departure wasn’t made clear, he was told there was no money left to continue his role.
At the time, Adams was earning a six-figure salary. Now, he is delivering food and online purchases for Uber Eats and DoorDash to survive.
“I go from that to $300–$400 a week, not being able to afford a car note, not being able to afford a mortgage,” he told WTOP.
He said the emotional toll of not being able to get back into a job in his field weighs heavily.
“It’s hard. It’s touching my faith,” Adams said, adding that his church’s reverend helps keep him encouraged.
Despite 28 years of experience in software development, Adams has applied to many jobs he said with no success. At first, he believed the holiday season was to blame, but come January he realized similar positions were far and few between.
“I realized I put in application after application on job boards, and I guess there’s so much competition, we’re all vying for the same job,” he said.
“I have software development skills; I have some business skills; I have some project management skills, but I can’t seem to get a job,” he said.
While Adams lost his job last year, this year’s DOGE cuts have flooded the job market with thousands of newly displaced federal workers and contractors, making it even harder for him to find a position similar to the one he held.
Experts say the surge in federal layoffs has intensified competition for tech and contracting roles, especially in the D.C. region, where many rely on government work.
Adams recently received a job offer, but now fears it is off the table due to the current government shutdown.
As he continues to work gig jobs, he worries about losing his car and falling deeper into financial hardship.
“Sometimes I wonder, what’s the end result? Yesterday, I started looking at bankruptcy possibilities,” Adams said. “If I file bankruptcy, what does that do for my potential clearance and getting my next job?”
Still, he is thankful for the income he earns through deliveries.
“It’s something. At least it puts money in my gas tank,” he said.
And he remains hopeful.
“Keep hope alive. Stay close to prayer,” Adams said. “Keep trying.”
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According to an annual list from U.S. News and World Report, Maryland, Virginia and D.C. are home to top hospitals that specialize in pediatric care.
You hope your child never needs specialized medical care, but if they do, the D.C. region seems to be a good place to be.
According to an annual list from U.S. News and World Report, Maryland, Virginia and D.C. are home to top hospitals that specialize in pediatric care. Leading the pack is Children’s National Hospital in D.C.
“Children’s National Hospital — it ranked among the best in the country for all 11 specialties that we looked at,” said Ben Harder, chief of health care analytics at U.S. News and World Report.
In the 2025 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings, Children’s National shared the honor roll with nine other top hospitals across the country. Among them were Boston Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Hospitals were ranked based on their ability to address a wide range of pediatric specialties. These include pediatric cancer, neonatology, cardiology, orthopedics, behavioral health and more.
Researchers considered how well hospitals treat medically complex children, how many patients recover without complications and how closely hospitals follow best practices.
“Some hospitals are really good at adhering to best practices … from every nurse washing their hands before they touch a patient to making sure every patient gets the right medication at the right time,” Harder said.
Harder said Children’s National stood out for its outstanding patient outcomes, strict adherence to best practices and robust clinical resources.
While Children’s National earned the highest marks, the D.C. region is also home to several other highly ranked children’s hospitals.
In Maryland, Harder highlighted Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore. In Virginia, he pointed to the University of Virginia Children’s Hospital in Charlottesville, the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, and Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital in Falls Church.
Harder said the fact that the Greater Washington and Baltimore region has five nationally ranked hospitals is something to be proud of.
“For families, it’s reassuring that there are a lot of good options if they do have a child who has a complex medical need,” he said.
The rankings also break down hospitals by region and specialty. Harder said the goal is to help parents choose the best hospital for their child’s specific condition.
“We want to make sure that the data we have worked so hard to obtain and analyze is available and useful to families who depend on it,” he said.
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A D.C.-area realtor explains artificial intelligence is being used on home listings, not just to write descriptions, but to virtually stage homes.
You may have already seen it — an empty condo transformed into a sleek, modern space with designer furniture. But when you show up for a tour, it’s just bare walls.
Some realtors are now using artificial intelligence not just to write descriptions, but to virtually stage homes. It’s a cost-saving tool for sellers who may not have the budget for physical staging.
“It creates nice images online that can show the potential of the property, and hopefully you get those buyers to come in and see the property,” said Eldad Moraru, a D.C.-area realtor with Compass Real Estate agency.
Moraru warns that AI staging can backfire if buyers walk in expecting fancy lighting or upgraded appliances, only to find none of it was real.
“There is a little bit of that bait and switch feeling … their expectation was not met,” he said.
He believes physical staging is still the most effective way to help buyers connect emotionally with a space. Cost, however, is often the reason that sellers choose AI.
It is best practice to disclose AI use in a listing, but Moraru noted that buyers often miss it while skimming through photos and descriptions. He also cautions sellers that while AI can help write property descriptions, it often misses the emotional or personal details that truly sell a home.
“It might have been the way the sun sets every night, or the breeze, or the trees in the backyard,” Moraru said. “Things that the buyer of your home is also going to fall in love with.”
For many potential homebuyers, location is very important, and so are popular spots that make a neighborhood special which could really move a home further up on a person’s list of properties to look at.
“Maybe it’s that amazing coffee shop that everybody loves and everybody congregates at down the street,” he said. “You might want to put that in there. AI is probably not going to pick up on that.”
The bottom line for sellers is to use caution if AI is used with a listing, he said. For possible buyers, before falling in love with a listing, check the fine print and be ready for a reality check when you walk through the door.
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The government shutdown is creating uncertainty for low-income women and children who rely on WIC — the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children.
The ongoing government shutdown is creating uncertainty for low-income women and children who rely on WIC — the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children.
While WIC is currently being sustained by a $150 million emergency fund, that money is only expected to last a few weeks. If it runs out, states and local jurisdictions may need to step in to keep the program going.
“Without the help of WIC, I know that the families are going to need a lot more help,” said Megan Joe, executive director of the hunger relief program at So What Else. “And they are already struggling to have enough funds at the state that they’re in.”
The nonprofit serves families across Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and Baltimore in Maryland, along with D.C. and Virginia. So What Else supports 40,000 families each week with food, diapers, clothing and baby formula, Joe said.
Joe said WIC sometimes refers families directly to them for assistance, underscoring how government programs and nonprofits work hand in hand to meet basic needs.
“If that funding is cut, it’s going to put a lot more pressure and stress on these families,” she said. “The more they worry about providing basic necessities … the harder it is for them to have the mental strength to keep up.”
Maryland’s Department of Health said Gov. Wes Moore’s administration is committed to keeping major federal programs such as WIC operational, assuming the state will be reimbursed for eligible expenses. Virginia’s Department of Health said its WIC program is continuing normal operations for now and is closely monitoring the situation.
D.C.’s Department of Health said in a statement to WTOP that the city’s WIC program will “continue to operate as normal” and program participants are encouraged to use their benefits and schedule appointments.
Joe said So What Else hasn’t yet finalized plans for a potential surge in demand, but internal conversations are underway — including possibly raising the diaper limit and coordinating with the D.C. Diaper Bank.
“Anybody who comes to our warehouse will be served,” she said. “I urge (lawmakers) to go in person to some of these food banks and diaper banks, and really see the impact that those decisions make, because it really is so catastrophic for a lot of these families.”
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Surge of service — one lineman’s mission to keep the lights on
In the D.C. region, conversations often start with, “What do you do?” WTOP’s “Working Capital” series profiles the people whose jobs make the D.C. region run.
In Upper Marlboro, James Wells and fellow lineman Jennings Buckeler moved with quiet precision, like surgeons of the grid. The two threaded a new lifeline of electricity from the pole to the home, reconnecting a family to the power they’d lost. No words were needed as they clipped, wired, and tested before the house came alive again.
It’s dangerous work, climbing into the bucket of box truck in the worst weather and handling thousands of volts of electricity. But it’s a job that, in many cases, means the difference between life and death for those it helps. James Wells of Pepco is one of the unsung heroes who keeps the lights on for millions. Pepco serves nearly 900,000 customers in Maryland alone, making the work of linemen like Wells essential to everyday life.
“The joy I get from serving the community, powering the DMV area, it’s a humbling experience,” Wells said.
Wells grew up in Southern Maryland and said he’s known many people throughout his life who worked in the power industry. He never imagined becoming a lineman himself, but eight years ago, at age 23, he decided to give it a try and began working for Pepco.
“I haven’t looked back since,” Wells said.
He said what draws him to the work is not only the ability to help his community, but also the thrill of working with electricity, often high above the street and in the worst conditions.
“I feed off the adrenaline. This line of work suits me very well,” Wells said.
Getting to this point wasn’t easy. It took more than five years of training before he was given the keys to his own work truck and allowed to respond to calls without supervision.
While there is some classroom instruction, Wells said most of the training is on the job. And when dealing with high-voltage electricity, there’s no room for complacency.
“You’ve got to mentally prepare yourself for this line of work,” he said.
Though the adrenaline excites him, Wells said safety is always his top priority.
“When you’re coming up to a job, I mean before anything, you’ve got to make sure the scene’s safe, to yourself and the public,” he said.
So, for someone who enjoys the dangerous part of the job, what’s the biggest challenge? He joked that it’s the desk work.
“The most difficult part of the job is not actually doing the work, but the stuff behind the scenes that people don’t see,” Wells said.
It’s dangerous work, climbing into the bucket of box truck in the worst weather and handling thousands of volts of electricity.
(WTOP/Mike Murillo)
WTOP/Mike Murillo
But it’s a job that, in many cases, means the difference between life and death for those it helps.
(WTOP/Mike Murillo)
WTOP/Mike Murillo
Pepco linemen keep the lights on for millions.
(WTOP/Mike Murillo)
WTOP/Mike Murillo
Pepco serves nearly 900,000 customers in Maryland alone.
(WTOP/Mike Murillo)
WTOP/Mike Murillo
Linemen work hard to help their community.
(WTOP/Mike Murillo)
WTOP/Mike Murillo
“If you’re looking to get into this industry, it’s a great industry with a lot of opportunities, and you’ve got longevity,” Wells said.
(WTOP/Mike Murillo)
WTOP/Mike Murillo
As they work, Wells and Buckeler seem to be in sync, knowing without words what’s needed next in the repair process. Wells said that connection comes from the “brotherhood” at Pepco’s Forestville location, where he’s based.
“Everybody looks after everybody. A lot of senior guys are passing down knowledge to the younger generation,” he said.
Even when the weather is nice and power is stable in the D.C. region, Wells is still on call. Pepco line workers are often deployed to other states when storms or disasters strike and extra help is needed.
Wells has responded to emergencies in Chicago and New Jersey. While the work is rewarding, it’s also exhausting.
“A lot of long days and longer nights. You’re literally waking up, going to work for 16 hours, and then going back to a hotel to sleep,” he said.
Fortunately, Wells said he has a strong support system at home.
“People who know this line of work know that shift work is coming, and they’re always there for you, in your corner, no matter what, no matter the long hours,” he said.
Though he doesn’t speak directly about what’s next, Wells said he sees himself staying in the industry for the long haul. The combination of adrenaline, purpose, and community connection keeps him grounded in the work.
“If you’re looking to get into this industry, it’s a great industry with a lot of opportunities, and you’ve got longevity,” he said.
And there are perks, like the views from high above the ground. One of his favorite days on the job? The Fourth of July.
“You’re up in there working, and you see fireworks going off all around you. It makes you feel like you’re home away from home,” he said.
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As cooler weather arrives, so does a rise in seasonal illnesses. One in particular is drawing concern from health experts for its impact on young children.
As cooler weather arrives, so does a rise in seasonal illnesses. One in particular is drawing concern from health experts for its impact on young children.
“RSV peak season is upon us,” said Dr. Juanita Mora, an allergist, immunologist and National Medical spokesperson for the American Lung Association.
Cases of RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, typically spike from October through March and the illness is especially dangerous for infants and toddlers.
“One out of every two babies who gets RSV will be hospitalized,” Mora said.
That troubling statistic is why doctors are urging parents to take steps to protect their children from the highly contagious virus. RSV can cause severe respiratory issues in infants, whose lungs are still developing.
“A baby can’t handle all the phlegm that’s being produced by this virus as it hits their lungs,” Mora explained. “It causes them to have trouble breathing, and they start using their little muscles in the chest to try to breathe, and their neck as well, too.”
Parents should be alert to early signs of RSV, which often resemble a common cold but can quickly escalate.
“One is shortness of breath or wheezing,” Mora said. “The other is signs and symptoms of dehydration.”
Fatigue, fewer wet diapers and poor feeding are also red flags that a child may need medical attention.
There are now tools to help protect infants from RSV.
“There are two ways to protect these babies: one is by giving the RSV vaccine to pregnant moms, the other is by giving a monoclonal antibody shot to babies from birth to eight months,” she said.
The vaccine for moms is administered between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, passing immunity to the baby for the first six months of life. The monoclonal antibody shot offers direct protection to infants, and is also recommended for high-risk children up to 19 months old.
Mora said that prevention doesn’t stop with babies and parents, emphasizing that it should extend to grandparents and caregivers.
“An RSV vaccine also exists to basically protect those greater than 65 years and over,” she said. “So we have to protect the whole village.”
Health officials also recommend frequent handwashing, masking when sick and keeping ill children home from day care or school to help reduce the spread of RSV.
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While the final turnout fell short of what organizers had hoped, WorldPride 2025 still delivered a major economic boost to the D.C. region, according to a newly released impact report.
It was an almost monthlong celebration that brought members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies from around the world to D.C. in May. While the final turnout fell short of what organizers had hoped, WorldPride 2025 still delivered a major economic boost to the region, according to a newly released impact report.
The event ran for 23 days, featuring more than 400 events across all eight wards of the city. In total, 1.2 million people attended, bringing a wave of spending to hotels, restaurants, shops and entertainment venues.
Organizers had projected a $787 million economic impact. The final tally came in at $310.7 million, driven by lodging, dining, retail, entertainment and tax revenue. Metro ridership surged nearly 12% during the final weekend, with 1.27 million riders.
“The city became a living rainbow — alive with music, protest, dancing and joy. From our LGBTQ+ family to our friends and allies, we stood side by side, declaring that our movement is unstoppable,” Capital Pride Alliance Board President Ashley Smith said.
But the celebration wasn’t without challenges. Safety concerns and political uncertainty led some potential attendees to stay home and at least one confirmed sponsor to withdraw support.
Capital Pride Alliance Executive Director Ryan Bos said the team knew the outcome of the 2024 presidential election would shape what the event would ultimately become.
“The relentless attacks left so many of us searching for hope amid the calls to cancel, to boycott, to turn away from the work we had begun. All of these factors led to a significant reduction in financial support, from corporate pullback to a reallocation of city funds. Despite a 50% reduction in funds, WorldPride DC not only successfully proceeded, but we managed to award $1.4 million in grants to the community,” Bos said in the report.
Despite falling short of projections, city officials and local businesses said the event still brought a meaningful boost to tourism and visibility for D.C.’s LGBTQ+ community.
WorldPride 2025 marked the 50th anniversary of Pride in D.C., and organizers said the event showcased the city’s vibrant neighborhoods, diverse communities and enduring commitment to equality.
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With a government shutdown just hours away, one of the sticking points between Republicans and Democrats involves health care, specifically whether to extend premium subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.
With a government shutdown just hours away, one of the key sticking points between Republicans and Democrats involves health care, specifically whether to extend premium subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.
The debate centers on enhanced tax credits that help millions of Americans afford insurance through ACA marketplaces. These subsidies are currently scheduled to expire at the end of 2025, but Democrats are pushing for action now to avoid disruptions during the upcoming open enrollment period.
“Twenty-two million people across the country get their coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces,” said Anne Reid, policy director of the Funders Forum on Accountable Health at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University.
“The vast majority of those folks have some level of subsidization of their coverage, which is tied to their income.”
Reid warns that without an extension, millions could lose coverage or face unaffordable premiums.
The credits were expanded in recent years to raise income thresholds, allowing more Americans to qualify for help.
“The credits were enhanced in the sense that a higher minimum income was set so more people could qualify to receive some relief toward these premiums,” Reid said.
Reid previously served as a senior congressional staffer, where she contributed to health workforce policy during the development of the Affordable Care Act.
Democrats want the extension included in the continuing resolution needed to keep the government open. Reid said they view it as a must-pass provision.
“Democrats are arguing that we need to handle this in must-pass legislation, which at the moment is the appropriations bill.”
They also want to reverse earlier Medicaid cuts that could result in more than 10 million people losing coverage.
But Republicans argue the funding bill should be a “clean” continuing resolution, focused solely on keeping the government running.
“Let’s just keep the government going on current fiscal year levels through the middle of November, to give us some time to work things out and negotiate a longer-term package,” Reid said, summarizing the GOP position.
University of Maryland finance professor David Kass said Democrats are pushing to extend the expanded benefits into 2026, but Republicans want to debate the issue separately from the stopgap funding measure.
“Fewer Americans would be able to purchase health insurance” if the premium help isn’t available as open enrollment begins, Kass said.
Reid said the timing is critical, not just for consumers, but for insurers who need clarity to set rates.
“Days and weeks matter in terms of being able to rightsize the premium levels.”
The potential shutdown could also hit the D.C. region particularly hard, given its large federal workforce.
“Job security and financial security would very acutely be felt in the D.C. region, given our demographics and who all comprises the federal workforce,” Reid said.
With open enrollment approaching and budget negotiations stalled, Reid said the lack of clarity could leave consumers in limbo and millions of Americans at risk of losing affordable health coverage.
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As the federal government inches closer to a shutdown, the D.C. region faces a uniquely precarious moment, and it’s a moment that economic experts said is unlike any previous shutdown.
As the federal government inches closer to another shutdown, the D.C. region is in a precarious position — a point that economic experts said is unlike any previous shutdown.
“I don’t think we’ve seen anything like this before. So no, this is in many respects unprecedented. We’re charting new territories,” said Terry Clower, director of the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University.
Clower pointed to a troubling convergence of factors: 18,000 federal jobs lost this year, a decline of 8,500 jobs in professional and business services and a sluggish tourism sector. These stressors, he said, make the region especially vulnerable.
“All of these things make this to where the impact of the shutdown will be felt more severely,” he said.
While federal employees typically receive back pay after shutdowns, contractors and service workers often do not. Many are still recovering from earlier rounds of government cutbacks.
“If they’re in survival mode now, it’s going to make surviving even harder because they may not have those cash reserves,” Clower said.
What makes this shutdown different, Clower added, is the uncertainty stemming from messaging by the Office of Budget Management, which he said is suggesting the shutdown could be used as a pretext for mass firings.
“It makes it just a lot more uncertain about how long it would last, and what the net impacts would be on the federal workforce.”
If layoffs do occur, they could further strain the job market. For those workers let go, finding another job won’t be easy and retraining programs often only kick in after formal unemployment, leaving many in limbo.
“It’s not just like you can stop being an administrator in the federal government and just go find a job that’s equivalent in the private sector,” Clower said.
The shutdown could also impact community organizations and nonprofits. Clower warned it may push more residents into financial stress and food insecurity, with already limited resources available to help.
“This is going to put some more people into financial stress … and how do we respond to the need? Because, again, we don’t know exactly how it’s going to play out,” he said.
As Congress remains gridlocked, Clower said the region is bracing for impact while still hoping for a swift resolution.
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Montgomery County Ride On bus driver Tilwanna Gollman Stevenson is being hailed as a hero after helping reunite a missing elderly woman with dementia with her family.
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Ride On bus driver’s instinct reunites missing women with her family
A Montgomery County Ride On Bus operator is being praised for her swift action and compassion after helping reunite a missing woman with dementia and her family.
On Monday night, bus operator Tilwonna Gollman Stevenson was driving her usual route through Germantown when a woman boarded her bus.
“When she got on the bus, she stood out to me because she’s not one of my regulars,” Stevenson recalled.
Shortly after, a countywide alert went out to Ride On drivers to be on the lookout for an elderly woman with dementia who had wandered away from a nearby hospital.
Police, acting on the belief that the woman may have taken the bus, pulled over Stevenson’s bus, but no one on board exactly matched the description.
“I was thinking, maybe a young person,” Stevenson said. “The 55 is a very busy bus.”
A few minutes later, Stevenson took another look at the woman who had caught her attention earlier.
“I looked over and said, ‘Hold up.’” she said.
Stevenson got on the radio, asked for more details, and when she learned the missing woman was in her 80s, she realized she had found her.
Stevenson pulled the bus over, contacted Central Communications, and calmly engaged the woman, who didn’t speak English, while waiting for help.
“I turned and I looked at her, and she looked at me, and she stood up like she knew. … I said, ‘Your family’s looking for you. Someone’s on their way to get you,’” she said.
Stevenson stayed with the woman until police arrived and confirmed her identity.
“I didn’t know how long she had been missing, how long she had been traveling on the bus. I just wanted to keep her calm, and I wanted her to know that she was safe,” she said.
Ride On later commended Stevenson with a certificate of appreciation for her actions, but she said she wasn’t looking for recognition.
“It could have been my grandmother who got turned around and maybe confused about where they were going,” she said.
She credited both her instincts and her training as a bus operator for helping her recognize something wasn’t right.
“I’m glad that I was the one who was able to help her,” Stevenson said.
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Montgomery County, Maryland, has canceled what was to be an annual Hispanic Heritage Festival in Wheaton, citing concerns about community safety amid increased federal immigration enforcement.
Montgomery County, Maryland, has canceled what was meant to be its second annual Hispanic Heritage Festival in Wheaton, citing concerns about community safety amid increased federal immigration enforcement.
The decision, announced during Hispanic Heritage Month, has sparked criticism from some local leaders who said the move sends the wrong message.
“It was not an easy decision to make,” said Luisa Cardona, assistant chief administrative officer for County Executive Marc Elrich.
While Cardona said the county believes the Hispanic community deserves to be celebrated, the decision was made out of caution and concern for the well-being of those who would attend the event.
“We didn’t think that a festival at this time was the best medium, due to growing fears and concerns of federal immigration enforcement,” Cardona said. “The fear in the community was palpable.”
Last year marked the first time Montgomery County hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month festival in Wheaton.
Cardona said concerns were raised this year by local businesses, nonprofits and county partners, including the Latino Health Initiative. The festival, which would have taken place at Marian Fryer Town Plaza, was seen by some as a potential target for immigration enforcement activity.
“A lot of our partners expressed really deep concerns … fears that, by creating this event, the community would be targeted. And that is certainly the last thing we wanted to do,” Cardona said.
Instead of a public gathering, the county is offering grants of up to $2,000 to Wheaton-area elementary schools to host their own cultural events. Schools must apply, and the funding can be used to bring in performers of Hispanic heritage who reflect Hispanic culture.
“We thought about our local schools as trusted community spaces … to celebrate local artists and performers in safe community spaces,” Cardona said.
Each student will also receive a take-home packet with a craft project and resource information for immigrant families, including housing, legal aid and health care access.
But the canceling of the festival caught Montgomery County Council member Natali Fani-González off guard.
“I was shocked when I heard that the county executive canceled that Hispanic Heritage Month festival in my district for no reason,” she said.
Fani-González, who represents Wheaton and is originally from Venezuela, said the county should not let fear dictate its decisions.
“There is no space for fear in my community,” she said.
Fani-González said she was not consulted before the decision was made. She added that several events have taken place safely, including a festival in Glenmont this past Sunday. Several other events are also scheduled in the coming weeks, including the Wheaton Arts Parade.
“This is a time for communities to come together, support each other, support local businesses and restaurants that need help right now. Hiding and canceling things is not the way to go,” she said.
The county said it will revisit the idea of holding the festival again next year.
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More than seven years after a deadly mass shooting at a newsroom in Annapolis, the city is honoring the five people killed that day with a new roadside dedication that thousands will see as they travel in and out of Maryland’s capital.
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Annapolis honors Capital Gazette victims with roadside dedication
More than seven years after a deadly mass shooting at a newsroom in Annapolis, the city is honoring the five people who lost their lives with a new roadside dedication that thousands will see as they travel in and out of Maryland’s capital.
On Rowe Boulevard, just blocks from the State Capitol building, a newly unveiled sign reads: “The Capital Gazette Five.”
It honors Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara, Rebecca Smith and Wendi Winters. They were killed in June 2018, when a gunman entered the Capital Gazette newsroom.
Marty Padden with the Capital Gazette said the sign is a powerful reminder of those the community lost.
“As thousands of people travel along Rowe Boulevard, they will see this sign and be reminded of the lives taken far too soon and of the resilience that defines this community,” Padden said.
Families of the victims watched as the sign was unveiled. Among them was Winters Geimer Larca, Winters’ daughter.
“I don’t want people to forget that these were journalists and staff members who died because someone didn’t like what was written about him in the paper — even though it was true,” Larca said.
Paul Gillespie, a former Capital Gazette photographer, hopes the sign sparks curiosity and remembrance.
“They’re going to, hopefully, want to know what it’s about, and then look into it more — and keep Rob, Gerald, Wendi, John and Rebecca’s names alive, and their legacy alive,” Gillespie said.
The Maryland Transportation Commission approved the dedication.
“This dedication, while for the Capital Gazette Five, is not honoring the tragedy that happened. It is honoring those five individuals for each being a Marylander of significance,” said Commissioner Justin Towles.
Annapolis city officials unveil a sign commemorating The Capital Gazette Five on Rowe Boulevard. (WTOP/Mike Murillo)
The Capital Gazette Five will ‘live on’
Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley, who was in office when the shooting occurred, said the highway marker is not solely about the tragedy or the essential role journalists play in defending democracy through a free press.
“It’s also, more and more, a far more personal thing. It’s the story of who they were, all that they achieved and stood for, and all the ways they shaped us,” Buckley said.
He added that the highly visible highway marker helps keep their memories alive.
“They live on — still speaking to us, still shaping our stories, still and always part of our community,” Buckley said.
For the families, friends and colleagues of those lost, the pain still lingers.
“I can’t believe it’s been seven years,” said Gillespie, who worked alongside Fischman, Hiaasen, McNamara, Smith and Winters.
Gillespie, who still works for the paper, said the memories of his colleagues remain close. “I don’t think I can go on assignment without someone bringing up Wendi.”
He said he thinks of the five almost constantly — and the fun times they shared.
While some staff have moved on, those who were there the day of the shooting remain bonded.
“I think those of us that were there that day are always going to have a special bond,” Gillespie said.
Personal tragedy for grandson
Winters’ daughter, Larca, sat with her 5-year-old son Orion.
“She just wrote and wrote and wrote,” Larca said of her mother, a prolific and beloved community journalist.
But for Orion, the tragedy is deeply personal.
“He’s come to some of these remembrances and maybe heard some of the same platitudes or stories or sympathies, but that’s the only way he gets to know his grandmother,” Larca said. “And that’s a personal tragedy for him, that he’s not even going to know what he’s missing.”
Larca said her son will have to learn about his grandmother through stories.
“She’s the one that gets forgotten because she’s the one who doesn’t send Christmas presents or recognize his birthday.”
Andrea Chamblee, the widow of sports writer McNamara, says the loss of her husband pushed her to run for office and continue advocating for press freedom. She currently serves on the Howard County Public Schools Board of Education.
She and McNamara’s friends also created a lasting tribute to his legacy.
“After he died, lots of young women said they would never have been able to go into sports if John hadn’t introduced them around and taken them under his wing,” she said.
They established a scholarship for sports journalists at the University of Maryland to help the next generation carry on the work McNamara loved.
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Now that the D.C. Council has approved the $3.7 billion deal that will bring the Washington Commanders back to the nation’s capital, the team and the city will focus on beginning the development of the 180-acre RFK Stadium campus.
Now that the D.C. Council has approved the $3.7 billion deal that will bring the Washington Commanders back to the nation’s capital, the team and the city will focus on beginning the development of the 180-acre RFK Stadium campus.
Matt Winkler, American University professor and director of sports analytics and management, said the final vote will spark a “gold rush.”
“There’s going to be a lot of people looking to be stakeholders, and a lot of people, you know, wanting contracts, wanting to get in early on these opportunities,” Winkler said.
To win the favor of the city and a taxpayer investment of more than $1 billion, the project includes plans for mixed-use development, affordable housing and even a community benefits package. Winkler said that’s what it takes to win over local leaders and residents — a stadium alone doesn’t cut it.
“Now, they’re expected to be these vibrant districts, you know, that deliver value to the city and the public-private partnerships, not just on game day, but really 365 days a year,” Winkler said.
He said the stadium will host year-round events because it will have a roof, allowing for events in inclement or cold weather.
The Tennessee Titans and Buffalo Bills are also working on new stadium developments, but the Commanders face additional hurdles due to the project’s urban location and the fact that many fans it needs to attract don’t live nearby.
“D.C. will have to be more creative in how they do this deal and work in partnership not just with the team, but the civic entities around Capitol Hill,” Winkler said.
He said the team also has to be creative in how it approaches parking, since the traditional big, open lots for tailgating won’t be there.
The team will also have to deal with a longer process to get plans approved, because the redevelopment project must first go through federal review. The National Capital Planning Commission is among the entities that need to sign off.
The commission includes commissioners who represent D.C., Maryland, Virginia and the White House.
“The current administration, and our President, has gotten involved in things like this, so that’s a factor that not many people can say that they have to deal with,” Winkler said.
The commission told WTOP it is awaiting the plans from the city and will work with the National Park Service on reviewing them when they come in.
Those approvals will be followed by local design and permitting requirements, all of which could slow the process.
Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said Tuesday the potential for delays prompted leaders to change the deal to no longer require the first housing units be delivered during the year the stadium opens. Instead, the deadline will be three years after the permitting process is done.
Also, Winkler said unlike SoFi Stadium and Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, both stadiums funded by one entity, this project’s success will result from all stakeholders working together.
“This one’s different because it really needs everybody else to come together and move forward, you know, all working together as well, and then fit it in a really tight spot there,” Winkler said.
Despite some of the snags the team could hit moving forward, Winkler said this project will be a revenue maker.
“Making it not just a sports investment, but also a business and real estate strategy,” he said.
Winkler said this project stands out because it will bring a new stadium to a historic site that’s part of the team’s story.
“Adding the historical component and special memories to the, you know, photos, images that are out there of what it can look like, I think people are going to get really excited about it,” Winkler said.
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If the bill passes, it will bring the Washington Commanders back to the District to a brand new stadium. It would also bring redevelopment to the long-neglected 180-acre campus.
The D.C. Council will take its final vote Wednesday afternoon on the Washington Commanders stadium deal. If it passes, the vote will bring the NFL team back to the District. The passage of the RFK Development Act would also bring redevelopment to the long-neglected 180-acre RFK Stadium campus.
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Demolition is underway at the old RFK Stadium
“I’m expecting that there will again be a clear majority in support at second reading,” said D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson on Tuesday.
Seven votes are needed for the 13-member council to pass the legislation. Only three members voted against it during the first vote in August.
Mendelson said an amended deal has been put together, but the changes do not affect the “major economic terms” of the agreement. Instead, they clarify certain elements of the deal.
“It’s not changing the abatements. It’s not changing what happens with the tax revenues. It’s not changing the funds that are set up to support the ongoing maintenance of the stadium,” Mendelson said.
Some of the changes clarify how a $20 million transportation fund can be used. The amendment also adjusts the timeline for when affordable housing must begin to be delivered, starting three years after zoning for residential properties is approved.
The initial deal had the first portion of housing due by the end of 2030, but Mendelson called that schedule “a little aggressive,” due to the many zoning steps and approvals required before construction can begin.
Some want to save heritage trees
Some residents and organizations have expressed concerns over portions of the bill, including a coalition of more than 30 groups calling for, among other changes, protections for large, established trees on the campus, known as heritage trees.
Speaking near the RFK stadium site, in the median area of East Capitol Street, Nina Albert, D.C. Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, said many of those trees will remain.
“We’re standing in the festival grounds, and we’re surrounded by, I think, 20 heritage trees. This represents the vast majority of the heritage trees, and I believe we’ll all work very hard to preserve them. That said, there are some trees that will need to either be relocated or taken down to make way for this project,” Albert said.
Mendelson also said the project will not lead to the removal of all heritage trees.
“The waiver that was in the bill at first reading and is in the amendment in the nature of a substitute, doesn’t say every heritage tree is going to be cut down and the team has made clear that they have no intention of cutting down every heritage tree,” Mendelson said.
Displacement of area residents has also been a concern, which could come up during discussion of expected amendments to the deal. Council member Robert White is among those who have been vocal on the issue, expressing concern that development of the campus could result in residents of the Kingman Park area being pushed out of their homes.
Possible ‘wealth building’ for residents
Mendelson said while the council should monitor whether displacement becomes an issue, the project could also benefit many who live nearby.
“This is not a development project that is taking an existing block of homes or businesses and tearing them down and displacing them. This is a development at the site where there has been a stadium historically. So there may be increased property values, which I rephrase as wealth-building for the residents in the adjacent neighborhoods,” he said.
Some who live near the stadium have expressed concern about whether the roads and Metro station can handle the crowds.
Albert said discussions with the community will take place, and that conversations are already underway about whether a new Metro station is needed at the site.
“Metro is going to be kicking off a study as to the feasibility of expanding their station and maybe even building a new station,” Albert said.
She said she is confident that at least seven “yes” votes are secured to pass the legislation, which she described as a major economic driver.
“The project has been significantly vetted, and the deal has been significantly vetted during the first vote. It got overwhelming support by the council, nine to three vote. And so, I believe that the council has been satisfied with the material points of the deal,” Albert said.
As for whether the city is preparing for the possibility that the deal fails, Albert said she “can’t even conceive” a future with that outcome.
“If that were the outcome, our work to make sure that D.C. residents have jobs, that there’s continued and certain economic activity over the next four years, that profile would change,” she said.
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Demolition is well underway at the old RFK Stadium in D.C., and if you’ve driven by recently, you’ve likely noticed just how much progress has been made.
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Demolition is underway at the old RFK Stadium
Demolition is well underway at the old RFK Stadium in D.C., and if you’ve driven by recently, you’ve likely noticed just how much progress has been made.
One by one, the stadium’s signature roof beams are coming down as crews work from the top down. Much of the upper structure is being dismantled. Metal is being cut and removed by heavy machinery, and eventually, the entire site will be leveled, leaving behind just sand.
“Instead of doing an implosion, which would cause a lot of dust and other particles going into the air, we’re very sensitive to making sure that all of the environmental and safety concerns were our No. 1 priority,” said Steven Johnson, executive vice president of Events D.C., which is overseeing the project.
The city offered a look at the demolition a day before the D.C. Council is set to take its second and final vote on the Commanders stadium deal — a plan that could bring the team back to the RFK site with a newly built stadium.
Built in 1961, the original RFK Stadium was not only home to D.C.’s NFL team but also hosted D.C. United for several seasons.
It was where the Washington Commanders defeated the Minnesota Vikings in 1988 to advance to the Super Bowl, which they would go on to win against the Denver Broncos. It’s also the site where, in 1966, The Beatles made history with a performance for more than 31,000 fans.
In the area that once held the turf where Washington football and D.C. United history was made, heavy machinery is now at work.
“One is a crane, and also another piece of equipment to take down the upper parts of the footings of the actual stadium,” Johnson said.
Nina Albert, deputy mayor for planning and economic development, said watching the stadium come down is “pretty neat.”
“To see a structure of this magnitude being brought down piece by piece is really dramatic. I mean, it’s incredibly exciting. We’re starting to see the literal steel structure of it, and it kind of reveals new layers of, you know, kind of honestly beautiful design,” Albert said.
She added that the ability to see down to the Anacostia River without the stadium obstructing the view will be “insane.”
“We haven’t seen this view in what, 60 years, and so I would say we should all take advantage of it over the next two to three years before construction begins, and capture what it was like to have an open view to the Anacostia from this particular point,” she said.
Many of the roof beams are already gone, and Johnson said whether the Commanders stadium deal goes through or not, RFK had to come down due to safety concerns.
With 814 tons of old metal soon to be on the ground, the city is already thinking about how to give some of it new life.
“We are currently engaged in conversations with local D.C. artists as to how they can even try to use some of those materials to put in their current art pieces,” Johnson said.
Seats from the stadium are also up for sale, and Johnson said they are exploring the idea of offering more relics to fans from the demolition, which is expected to be completed by fall of next year.
An Alexandria woman said she was removed from a talk featuring Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett at the National Book Festival in D.C. because she wore a “Handmaid’s Tale” costume.
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Woman says she was removed from DC’s National Book Festival over costume
An Alexandria woman said she was removed from a talk featuring Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett at the National Book Festival in D.C. because she wore a “Handmaid’s Tale” costume.
Shawna Flener, a self-described “huge reader” with a TikTok following focused on books, attended the event Saturday, Sept. 6. She said the costume was part of a silent statement in response to the conservative justice’s presence at the festival.
“I was very much looking forward to the festival, but a lot of people were upset, me included, about Amy Coney Barrett being there and being, you know, one of the featured authors,” Flener said.
While Flener said she was genuinely interested in hearing the justice speak, she also wanted to express a viewpoint through her attire — a red cloak and white bonnet inspired by Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel.
“The Handmaid’s Tale is a very classic and well-known symbol of this cautionary tale, right? You know? And what happens when women lose bodily autonomy,” she said. “It was definitely a statement about that and the direction I feel our country is headed.”
Flener said she entered the auditorium and was directed by staff toward available seats near the front. Before she could sit down, she said an officer told her she couldn’t sit there and directed her to the side of the room. While standing there, she quietly opened and began reading her book.
“Absolutely not out loud. No, quietly. This was whenever I was already asked to step to the side, which I immediately complied with, and went to the side,” she said.
She said a security officer then asked her to put the book away, and another told her she could not remain in the session.
Flener was escorted outside the auditorium and began recording her interactions with security and a D.C. police officer. She said she was told the Supreme Court Police Department had decided she could not reenter the session. One guard referenced an “incident.”
Because no video was taken inside the auditorium, there is no documentation of what occurred during that portion of the event.
In the videos she shared, Flener can be heard asking for clarification on why she was barred from returning. A security guard tells her D.C. police would be called if she attempted to reenter.
Flener said she was initially told she could wait outside, but after trying to reenter, she was escorted out of the convention center entirely.
“The person in question passed by all the seats in the Main Stage auditorium and approached the stage, and that’s when she was politely intercepted by Supreme Court Police and escorted out by security guards. She was offered an opportunity to remain at the festival but not in that session. She persistently tried to regain entry to the Main Stage. After that, she was escorted out,” the Library of Congress, which hosted the event, said in a statement to WTOP.
Flener offered a different account, saying she did not attempt to approach the stage and that she was following staff directions. She also said she was not given a real opportunity to remain at the festival.
“I think I have the right to express that viewpoint in a public space, which is where I was, and I believe that fact that I was permitted to enter the event,” Flener said.
She said she still doesn’t know who made the final decision to remove her from the festival — whether it was the Library of Congress, event management or law enforcement.
WTOP reached out to the Supreme Court Police for comment but did not receive a response.
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A local tech and analytics firm is expanding, and Virginia leaders are celebrating the news as a major win for the region’s economy.
An area tech and analytics firm is expanding, and Virginia leaders are celebrating the news as a major win for the region’s economy.
Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc., or SPA, announced plans to double its workforce by hiring 1,200 new employees over the next five years.
The jobs will be based at its Alexandria and Fairfax County locations, and the company will invest nearly $50 million to upgrade those sites.
“We are as large as we’ve ever been, but we’re as small as we’re ever going to be,” SPA CEO Richard Sawchak said.
The announcement on Thursday came at a time when many federal workers have lost their jobs. Sawchak noted that SPA, which works in national security, has a long history of hiring former federal employees and military personnel.
“We’ve had a great partnership with our federal customers over the decades that we’ve been there. … Retired military personnel, as well as retiring or early-departure federal employees, have come in and worked for SPA afterward,” Sawchak told WTOP.
The company also plans to expand its partnerships with local schools, offering STEM lessons and mentoring opportunities for students.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin called the expansion a sign of confidence in the future of the state.
For those seeking employment, Youngkin added, “I firmly believe the most powerful words in the English language are ‘I love you,’ but right behind them are ‘you are hired.’”
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said the hiring expansion comes at a much-needed time for the region.
“Unfortunately, there’s a lot of strife and challenges in our local economy because of what’s happening in Washington, D.C.,” McKay said.
He added that the announcement is not only good for Northern Virginia, it’s good for the entire D.C. region.
“Jobs are not Democratic or Republican. These are real people whose lives are being affected,” McKay said. “When we grow jobs in Northern Virginia, that’s good for all of us.”
Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins said the city celebrates both the retention of existing jobs and the arrival of new ones.
“We celebrate the new investments that are going to happen in this building to make it a state-of-the-art facility for national security, collaboration and connection,” Gaskins said.
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