WTOP | Washington’s Top News | DC, MD & VA News, Traffic & Weather

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 17: The U.S. Capitol building is reflected in the Capitol Reflecting Pool as smoke from wildfires in Canada shrouds the air on July 17, 2026 in Washington, DC. Authorities are continuing to monitor for unsafe conditions as air quality alerts are in effect across a vast portion of the United States. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)

Unhealthy air in DC region with smoky skies from Canadian wildfires

Cyclospora Outbreak

Lettuce at Taco Bell in 5 states confirmed as a source of diarrhea-causing parasite

person takes pills out of organizer

FDA approves breakthrough daily pill for cholesterol

Meteotracker sensor for Urban Heat Island Mapping Project

Extreme heat meets 'Measurement Day' as citizen scientists map weather in Northern Virginia

Sun sets behind US Capitol

University of Maryland study warns of rising health costs from Canadian wildfire smoke

Audi Field

‘First step’: DC Council chair proposes $620M bill for new roof, expansion of Audi Field

Fine Arts Commission tells Commanders their stadium design is 'almost there'

Fairfax County to start rounding cash totals after Mint stops penny production

From berry fields to cideries, agritourism is booming in Montgomery County

Friday Freebies: National Ice Cream Day, zumba and Amazon memberships for college kids

K-beauty is booming: Here's how the trend is taking root in the DC area

Laid-off federal employees spotlight lasting impacts of State Dept RIF

01:08

Say goodbye to pennies in Fairfax County

01:31

Farm tourism is booming in Montgomery County

00:58

How ‘citizen scientists’ collect data on extreme heat for George Mason University

01:13

DC’s go‑to hot weather hacks

01:17

Park or drive in Metro’s temporary bus lanes, and you could face a fine

01:10

Fatal Prince George's Co. crash fuels safety demands

01:15

Fairfax Co. Police embrace new tech

01:14

Emmy award-winning documentary looks back on legendary DC radio station

01:06

What would be your perfect sports update?

01:12

Former firefighter sentenced on felony sex abuse charges, but will soon walk free

00:56

Judge sets deadlines as defense in Stafford County bus crash seeks discovery

01:07

Inside ‘The Playground’ at the National Building Museum

00:53

Meet Layla, a darling puppy who’s learning to trust

01:07

The latest National Mall protest art is a 10-foot ‘Iran War Participation Trophy’

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LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 27: Fans react as the Washington Commanders take on the Chicago Bears in the fourth quarter at Northwest Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. The Washington Commanders won 18-15. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

DC Sports Reality Check, Part 5: Family, community and the enduring power of fandom

Beer of the Week: Bierstadt Lagerhaus Italian Pils

Beer of the Week: Bierstadt Lagerhaus Italian Pils

Port City Brewing Company hosts the annual Old Town Pub Crawl each year in the summer.

Things to do in the DC area: Old Town Pub Crawl, 'Smithsonian Dreams' ... and more!

foundry branch trestle bridge

Last streetcar bridge will be demolished in DC

President Donald Trump’s plans for a new triumphal arch in the capital were unveiled on April 10, 2026. The image is an artists' rendering of the arch as viewed from the Lincoln Memorial side of Memorial Bridge.

What do you think about building a Triumphal Arch in DC? NPS wants to hear

ICE Shooting Maine

Maine shooting and officer's background raise new questions about ICE's rapid hiring

Maryland Election Administrator Jared DeMarinis.

Maryland election official tells feds voter rolls are secure, removing voters ‘must be certain’

Are you getting the most out of your TSP? Probably not — here’s how to change that

Insight by FEBA

FILE - A police car secures a crime scene on June 14, 2017. (Photo by Paul J. RICHARDS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Man dies after shooting at Alexandria apartment complex, police say

For survivors, the road to safety often starts with a ride

Insight by Uber

The new generation Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES I through M) provide half-hourly radiometric observations to environmental service agencies that have a need for continuous, dependable, timely, and high-quality observations of the Earth and its environment. The instruments on board the satellites measure Earth emitted and reflection radiation from which atmospheric temperature, winds, moisture and cloud cover can be derived. The GOES system is a basic element of U.S. weather monitoring and forecast operations. NASA and NOAA are in a cooperative program to continue the GOES system with the launch of the GOES I-M satellites. (Photo by © CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)

Major NOAA satellite outage tested eastern US weather forecasting

Trump

Trump's teleprompter operator on unpaid leave for alleged prediction market bets on Trump speeches

baseball player holds up jersey in room

Washington Nationals 1st-round pick from Potomac Md. signs contract

hockey player warms up

Washington Capitals release 2026-27 schedule

A close-up shot of a woman's back and shoulder as she applies white sunscreen.

US and Korean sunscreens are not created equal, study says

Vice President JD Vance arrives for a meeting with House Republicans at the US Capitol on July 15.

Vance says Trump administration ‘screwed up’ communications around Epstein files

memorial on side of road featuring crosses and flowers at the site of a deadly car crash

Sunday crash that killed 3 fuels more calls for fixes at Prince George's Co. intersection

Trump Iraq

Hegseth announces new policy to test troops for low testosterone

Russia Putin

Analysis: Russia’s shadow war is moving from threat to preparation

Congress Intelligence Director

GOP Senate hopefuls face long odds in race to challenge Virginia's Mark Warner

Canada Wildfires Washington

Poor air quality in DC area, Skyview High School and more Top Local Headlines

County News

FDA approves breakthrough daily pill for cholesterol

Unhealthy air in DC region with smoky skies from Canadian wildfires

‘First step’: DC Council chair proposes $620M bill for new roof, expansion of Audi Field

Extreme heat meets ‘Measurement Day’ as citizen scientists map weather in Northern Virginia

K-beauty is booming: Here’s how the trend is taking root in the DC area

Group of Noblis employees

The secret sauce behind Noblis' workplace culture

Tony Jimenez

For 1 CEO, building a better workplace means embracing AI and dad jokes

David Bowker

Partner in charge at DC firm shares traits he looks for when hiring

VIDEOS

Climate Agritopia Agricultural Community

WATCH: Michigan officials eye this as possible cause of parasitic diarrhea

Obit Lindsey Graham

WATCH: How an aortic dissection forms

Graham South Carolina

WATCH: Late Sen. Lindsey Graham's sister sworn in to finish his term

PHOTO GALLERIES

Mazda MX-5 Miata

Car Review: Mazda MX-5 Miata

dog and car

WTOP's Pets of the Week

Australia Sam Neill Obit

2026 celebrity deaths

WORLD

Iran Daily Life

US strikes bridges in Iran, which targets a water desalination plant in Kuwait

Business & Finance

Trump

US Mint produces a $1 coin bearing Trump's face to help celebrate America’s 250th birthday

CRIME

Judges gavel in court

Former Montgomery Co. teacher convicted of selling fentanyl to serve 12 years in prison

Sponsored

Founding DC with Dan Simons featuring Justin Baer, CEO & Founder, Collars & Co.

Founding DC with Dan Simons featuring Justin Baer, CEO & Founder, Collars & Co.

WTOP News Podcast

22 Hours: A Second Look

American Nightmares Season 6 Primer: From The Garden to The Canal

#17, Justin Baer: Building a $75M men's lifestyle brand from 1 shirt

Beyond the Fame with Jason Fraley

Gretchen Mol

WTOP's DC Sports Huddle

How the Commanders 'win' NFL free agency

493 | Denmark Confronts Trump Administration over Greenland

thERINpy with Erin Washington

Marni Battista, life design coach and author of Your Radical Living Challenge

From Our Partners

WTOP News Welcomes Kristin Diaz as New AM Drive Anchor

WTOP News Welcomes John Wordock as New Business Reporter 2026

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