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'FLiRT' COVID variants are spreading. Scientists share what we know so far. 05/10/2024 10:31am • ▶ Watch Video: Marking 4 years since the start of the COVID pandemic More than a third of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. are now estimated to be from a new, fast-growing member of a group of so-called "FLiRT" variants, nicknamed for their small but distinctive changes relative to the JN.1 Family petitions to rename Fairfax Co. road after daughter's fatal crash helped spur safety changes 05/10/2024 08:50am • In January 2023, 16-year-old Ariana Haftsavar was killed when the 2019 Lexus IS350 she was riding in left the road and rolled over. Her father tells WTOP Lee Chapel Road has been the site of many crashes. (Courtesy Bahman Haftsavar) A year-and-a-half after his daughter died in a crash on a treac Judge to decide whether to delay construction of Dominion’s offshore wind project 05/10/2024 08:44am • A federal judge will soon decide whether Dominion Energy obtained necessary federal approvals for its Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, a 176-turbine wind farm environmental groups are backing as a critical source of renewable energy needed to combat climate change. Judge Loren L. AliKhan i Several closely-watched US House primaries in Maryland are loaded with candidates 05/10/2024 05:15am • Three open Maryland congressional seats have led to a flood of candidates in a trio of districts, providing dozens of choices for voters in the May 14 primary. The sprawling 6th District, which stretches from part of Montgomery County, through the Frederick area to the westernmost counties of the 'Hours count, minutes count': Advice from the Secret Service on avoiding cyberscams 05/09/2024 08:00pm • When most people think of the U.S. Secret Service, they think about presidential protection. But the Secret Service also investigates financial crimes and is currently involved in the investigation of the theft of $220,000 from the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department. Stavros Nikolakakos, assi 'No tax increase' included in Va. budget deal, avoiding state government shutdown 05/09/2024 05:39pm • Budget negotiators in the Virginia General Assembly have reached a bipartisan deal, ending a lengthy standoff over the spending plan and avoiding a highly unusual state government shutdown. Lawmakers will be back in Richmond on Monday to vote on the deal during a special legislative session. " Metro's future of bus service could bring new routes and end some familiar stops 05/09/2024 03:59pm • The future of Metrobus service could include 30 new bus lines, overnight rides to the airport and buses getting you to your destination faster, but the change would come at a cost — the ending of 600 bus stops. The possible changes come as Metro leaders presented their 2025 Better Bus Network p Q&A: Maryland Republican Senate candidate Larry Hogan 05/09/2024 05:13am • Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is running for the Republican nomination for Senate. He sat down with WTOP's Nick Iannelli to talk about what will be different if he's elected, his take on being called a "RINO" and the students protests regarding the war in Gaza. Read the full story h Safety concerns generate community discussion at Montgomery County's Kennedy High School 05/08/2024 06:00pm • Concerns about safety and reports of drug use on campus at Kennedy High School in Montgomery County caused the Parent Teacher Student Association to call for a community meeting to discuss ways the school system and county officials can do more to keep the Maryland school safe. Last month, Kenned Meet the Democratic Senate candidates not named Trone or Alsobrooks 05/08/2024 02:06pm • Tired of the skirmishing between the leading Democratic contenders for U.S. Senate, U.S. Rep. David Trone and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks? Looking for alternatives in the May 14 primary? Democratic voters do have other choices — eight to be exact. While their messages DC police clear out GWU pro-Palestinian encampment, 33 protesters arrested 05/08/2024 11:30am • Listen live for the latest updates on The George Washington University protests.  D.C. police took down a pro-Palestinian encampment at The George Washington University early Wednesday morning and arrested 33 protesters, D.C. police Chief Pamela Smith announced during a news conference Wednesday Trone and Alsobrooks speak to WTOP about issues facing Maryland and the Senate 05/08/2024 08:06am • There's less than a week to go before primary day in Maryland — and the top two candidates in a crowded Senate race to succeed retiring Sen. Ben Cardin could be locked in a closer race than many public polls indicate. And while early voting is already underway, both leading candidates — Princ Q&A: Maryland Democratic Senate candidate David Trone 05/08/2024 04:21am • Rep. David Trone is serving his third term in the U.S. House representing the 6th District. He's running for the Democratic nomination for Senate. Read the full story: Trone and Alsobrooks on issues facing Maryland and the Senate  Listen to the full interview above. The transcript below New Md. schools superintendent speaks on performance rankings, pays raises for teachers and more 05/07/2024 10:52pm • Dr. Carey Wright has only been the fulltime State Superintendent of Maryland Schools for two weeks but she's ready to make some changes. Maryland's public schools have often been ranked by various groups as some of the best in the nation. Previous state school leaders have touted the performance During Southeast prayer walk, DC's police chief calls for healing, end to gun violence 05/07/2024 10:18pm • As religious leaders prayed in front of D.C. Police’s Seventh District station along Alabama Avenue in Southeast on Tuesday night, Chief Pamela Smith watched closely. She closed her eyes, lowered her head and at times clapped as community members prayed for safety in their neighborhood, for