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Welcome to the NewsQ @ WTOP.com

This interactive section lists the most popular stories on WTOP.com. Popularity is determined by a combination of elements including how many times a story is viewed, Facebook "Likes" and user comments. You can also sort by section using the NewsQ Filter in the right column. Note: Stories won't necessarily be in chronological order and there may be older stories in the list.

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American shad coming back in Potomac River

Wed Jun 19, 2013

While the number of American shad is at a historic low in some areas, the fish that migrate from the ocean to fresh water to spawn every year are making a slow recovery in the Potomac River. Full Story

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Fairfax Co. day care providers say new regs complicate business

Wed Jun 19, 2013

In-home day care operators say the increase that will allow them to add two more children in their homes may not be worth the effort. Full Story

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New book: Lululemon murderer was likely a prostitute

Thu Jun 20, 2013

Brittany Norwood, convicted of the March 2011 murder of co-worker Jayna Murray in the Bethesda Lululemon Athletica shop, was likely also working as a prostitute, according to a new book by journalist Peter Ross Range. Full Story

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Biden calls for DC voting rights during tribute

Wed Jun 19, 2013

- Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday used a tribute to 19th-century abolitionist Frederick Douglass to renew the call for equal voting rights for people who live in the nation's capital. Full Story

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Man charged with poking holes in meat packages

Wed Jun 19, 2013

- The Wicomico County Sheriff's Office has arrested a man deputies say went into a supermarket, poked holes in packages of meat and moved chicken from refrigerated cases so they would spoil. Full Story

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Va. inmate who escaped found in D.C.

Wed Jun 19, 2013

6/19/2013, 8:40pm ET WASHINGTON - An inmate who went missing in the Shenandoah Valley earlier Wednesday was found in Washington, D.C., this evening. The Virginia State Police says Karan Batra, 44, was taken into custody without incident about 6:45 p.m. Police did not detail how Batra was found. The U.S. Marshal Service assisted with the search, which included extensive search of area where he went missing and following up on numerous tips. It was not clear what charges he could face. EARLIER: Wednesday - 6/19/2013, 3:50pm ET WEYERS CAVE, Va. (AP) -- Authorities are searching the Weyers Cave area for an inmate who escaped while on work release. Full Story

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D.C.'s hottest housing neighborhood? Petworth

Wed Jun 19, 2013

over-year gain in housing prices last month, with the average selling price of a house or a condo up 42 percent from a year ago. Full Story

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Law enforcers corral escaped cows along interstate

Thu Jun 20, 2013

- Law enforcement officers spent hours trying to round up five cows that escaped from a farm near Hagerstown onto Interstate 81. Full Story

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2 men sentenced for wearing masks in Va. theater

Wed Jun 19, 2013

- Two men will each spend 30 days in jail for wearing clown masks in a Virginia Beach theater and scaring patrons. Full Story

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Metro ID's problem with intercom system

Wed Jun 19, 2013

Emergency intercoms on Metro trains that don't work. The problem was detected on some trains months ago and the problems were amplified this week after a fight near the Woodley Park Station when some passengers said they couldn't contact the train operator. Now Metro says it has a solution. Full Story

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It's a blast: Va. students launch experiments into space

Wed Jun 19, 2013

Teams from the Naval Academy and colleges across the country have built science experiments that will be loaded into a rocket and launched from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility. Full Story

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Academy: 3 midshipmen charged with sexual assault

Wed Jun 19, 2013

- The U.S. Naval Academy on Wednesday charged three midshipmen -- all current or former football players -- with sexually assaulting a female student at an off-campus house in Annapolis more than a year ago. Full Story

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Local kids aim for record books by learning to swim

Wed Jun 19, 2013

Prince George's County children packed into the Rollingham-Chillum Splash Pool Tuesday to take part in a world-wide swim lesson. Full Story

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Region's motorists reverse trend, drive less

Wed Jun 19, 2013

Despite a population boost, Washington area drivers are getting in their cars less and logging fewer miles. Full Story

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'Dead zones' predicted for Gulf, Chesapeake Bay

Thu Jun 20, 2013

- Scientists in Michigan and Louisiana are predicting a big summer "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico unless a tropical storm hits the area shortly before or during the annual measurement. In the Chesapeake Bay, scientists expect a smaller-than-average area where there's too little oxygen to support fish, shellfish and other aquatic life. Full Story

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Md. ranks 3rd for guns lost, stolen from dealers

Wed Jun 19, 2013

- A new report finds that Maryland is among the top five states with the greatest number of guns federally licensed gun dealers reported lost or stolen last year. Full Story

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Father: Son was electrocuted while helping friend

Wed Jun 19, 2013

The father of the boy who was electrocuted at a Herndon elementary school Tuesday night says he was told his son was trying to help a friend when he came into contact with an electrical wire. Full Story