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

light snowfall on city street with cars parked on side of road

Too early? First December snow in 8 years expected Friday in DC region

Closings & Delays

School bus

Spotsylvania Co. schools closed, Culpeper County schools on 2-hour delay Friday. See the full list

DC Federal Intervention

Court decision calling for end to National Guard deployment in DC paused by appeals court

On Dec. 4, Police Chief George Nader identified the man who was killed in a shooting at MGM National Harbor.

Maryland man charged in shooting of 23-year-old father at MGM National Harbor

Two workers were rescued by first responders after a window-washing basket malfunctioned, leaving them suspended from a high-rise building in Fairfax County, Virginia, on Dec. 4, 2025.

Window-washing basket malfunctions, 2 workers rescued midair from Fairfax County high-rise

Justice Department Letitia James

Grand jury rejects new mortgage fraud indictment against New York Attorney General Letitia James

Adrienne Jones to step down, ending historic era as Maryland House Speaker

New
Things to do in the DC area: Step Afrika's Magical Musical Holiday Step Show … and more!

Updated

Man accused of planting pipe bombs before Jan. 6 Capitol attack is charged with explosives offenses

Pantone names its Color of the Year for 2026

'I don’t mind spending a little over': DC shopping cops go out of pocket to bring a better Christmas

Unions file emergency request with court to block State Dept layoffs, reverse RIFs at other agencies

artificial christmas trees in a store

Tariffs add to holiday costs for artificial trees

The Capitol Christmas tree, a 53-foot red fir from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada, is illuminated in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Nevada fourth grader joins House speaker in lighting US Capitol Christmas tree

child holding christmas gift with christmas tree in background

With donations down, Prince William Co. nonprofit works to meet its gift-giving goals

person carrying box of food

Where to find DC-area groups working on causes you care about this GivingTuesday

Female holding credit card making online payment, closeup view

Shopping online? Here’s how to stay scam free this holiday season

‘It feels so rewarding’: Local business owner creates perfect gifts for loved ones

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center's renovated emergency department waiting area.

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, Long Family Markets partner for holiday market in Woodbridge

Consumers should do their research before giving in to Travel Tuesday temptation

A very rare "red Northern Lights" over Virginia in 2003. (Greg Redfern)

What to get the stargazer in your life for the holidays in 2025

‘A huge undertaking’: Behind the scenes of a Maryland holiday lights show

Why some don’t want Md. high school to be renamed after Muppets creator, Jim Henson

Behind the scenes with the National Zoo's newest great cats

Man fatally shot while ordering food at MGM National Harbor, police say

Tariffs add to holiday costs for artificial trees

Make-A-Wish grants a Suitland teen a swim with the biggest fish in the world

Important religious discovery is on display in DC

Miracle on 23rd Street brings holiday fun with a focus on inclusion

DC-area members of the Afghan community mourn guard member’s death

Melania Trump reveals White House holiday decorations and this year’s theme

Suspect walking on crutches helps group steal car in Anne Arundel County, police say

Locals pay respects at makeshift memorial for fallen National Guard member

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For sale sign on a home

Average US long-term mortgage rate falls to 6.19%, near its low for the year

A "Road Closed" sign was posted near a Safeway in Wheaton, Maryland, after a large building suffered a massive water leak.

Water leak in Montgomery Co. displaces 1,000 residents

phone call scam

'Hang up': Alexandria sheriff warns of scammers impersonating law enforcement

Prince William County teachers and other community members turned out in droves to the Dec. 3 meeting in opposition to the proposed change to a 7.5-hour teacher workday.

Prince William School Board votes to add 30 minutes to teacher workday beginning next school year

Trump Institute of Peace

Trump is fighting the Institute of Peace in court. Now, his name is on the building

Congress Hegseth

Admiral says there was no 'kill them all' order in boat attack, but video alarms lawmakers

Founding DC with host Dan Simons

WTOP News Podcast

politican speaks behind podium outside

Fairfax Co. weighs agency cuts amid $131M budget gap

Scaling innovation without compromising the mission at ERT

Insight by JPMorganChase

One of the Canadian lynx cats at the National Zoo.

Befriending great cats at the Smithsonian's National Zoo

FILE - In this Dec. 30, 1985 file photo, creator of the Muppets Jim Henson poses in his 69th Street office in New York City. The American creator of the Muppets was honored Tuesday, Sept, 7, 2021 in Britain with a blue plaque at his former home in north London, which he bought after ‘The Muppet Show’ was commissioned for British television — 50 Downshire Hill in Hampstead in north London to be precise. (AP Photo/Burnett, FIle)

He’s this Maryland school’s most famous alum. But some don’t want it renamed after him

The full cold supermoon, wintry surroundings and foggy and/or cloudy skies can make for a beautiful picture. (WTOP/Greg Redfern)

Full cold supermoon lives up to its name

A new study is strengthening the case to hold off on giving your child a smartphone at a younger age. Dr. Ran Barzilay, the study's lead author and child psychiatrist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, breaks down the findings.

When is the right time to give your child a phone?

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 16: Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) listens at a news conference outside of the U.S. Capitol Building on June 16, 2022 in Washington, DC. During the press conference on climate action the House members spoke on the need to increase clean energy investments and be less reliant on foreign oil. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Va. lawmakers want to rename Fairfax Co. postal service facility after late congressman Connolly

a man speaks into a microphone next to a woman

Prince George's Co. state’s attorney holds public safety roundtable

The Inova Health Center – Woodbridge is at 14349 Gideon Drive.

Inova Health Center in Woodbridge opens next week

Tanya Bitler

One of the most important religious discoveries of the past century is on display in DC

County News

Court decision calling for end to National Guard deployment in DC paused by appeals court

Things to do in the DC area: Step Afrika’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show … and more!

Man accused of planting pipe bombs before Jan. 6 Capitol attack is charged with explosives offenses

Too early? First December snow in 8 years expected Friday in DC region

Window-washing basket malfunctions, 2 workers rescued midair from Fairfax County high-rise

Zahara Weeks smiles while wearing a lifejacket as she prepares to swim in the Atlantic Ocean.

Make-A-Wish grants a Suitland teen a swim with the biggest fish in the world

The Sidewalk Astronomers have their own astrophotography art exhibit, located down a brick alleyway off Mount Pleasant Street, in partnership with D.C. gallery Lost Origins.

Have you heard of DC’s ‘Sidewalk Astronomers?’

meteor streaks across night sky

Eyes to the Skies for December: Full cold supermoon, Geminids meteor shower steal the show

VIDEOS

WTOP’s Beer of the Week: Bierstadt Helles Lager

spiderman balloon thanksgiving parade

WATCH: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

WATCH: Trump pardons turkeys Gobble and Waddle in annual Thanksgiving tradition

PHOTO GALLERIES

Very good dogs

2025 Pet of the Week

Britain Auction

PHOTOS: This egg is expected to sell for more than $26 million

U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lit For Holiday Season

PHOTOS: US Capitol Christmas tree arrives

Animals & Pets

The "suspect" raccoon passing out in the bathroom.

Raccoon gets drunk at Virginia ABC store, passes out in bathroom

LOCAL

WatershedAgreement

Virginia joins Chesapeake Bay states, DC in new watershed agreement

GOVERNMENT

Trump

Pentagon knew boat attack left survivors but still launched a follow-on strike, AP sources say

Sponsored

How to create healthy organizations — and why you want to | Register now

How to create healthy organizations — and why you want to | Register now

Insight by WAEPA

22 Hours: A Second Look

S4 E14 - Appeal Denied: A Second Look

When purpose defines your business plan

Beyond the Fame with Jason Fraley

Crosby, Stills & Nash (Part 2)

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

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