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Coronavirus concerns halt planned cuts to food stamps 03/14/2020 11:25am • The global spread of coronavirus influenced federal courts to issue an injunction to stop the Trump administration's planned cuts to food stamps. Reductions in food benefits, formally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), took on a different light when the World Health Or Trump declares national emergency; DC bans mass gatherings 03/14/2020 01:14am • Andre of Washington, D.C., rides the escalator up at the Metro subway Congress Heights train station in Washington, Friday, March, 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) The latest President Donald Trump declared a national emergency. In Montgomery County, Maryland, the first three patients t Dems, GOP forge virus outbreak into '20 campaign issue 03/14/2020 12:50am • WASHINGTON (AP) — Coronavirus is already coloring the 2020 campaign, with Democrats convinced President Donald Trump's muddled response to the outbreak leaves him and down-ballot Republicans vulnerable over the burgeoning health crisis, his competency and __ potentially m Trump disbanded NSC pandemic unit that experts had praised 03/14/2020 12:29am • WASHINGTON (AP) — Public health and national security experts shake their heads when President Donald Trump says the coronavirus "came out of nowhere" and “blindsided the world.” They've been warning about the next pandemic for years and criticized the Trump admini Maryland special sign-up period for health insurance opens 03/13/2020 11:11pm • Maryland residents who lack health insurance — and who are spooked by the COVID-19 outbreak — can sign-up for coverage next week. In response to the spread of the virus, the Maryland Health Connection, the state’s health insurance marketplace, is opening a special open-enrollment period beg Montgomery Co. student board member urges peers to be smart while schools are closed 03/13/2020 10:33pm • A Montgomery County, Maryland, student on the Board of Education is urging his peers to resist the temptation to gather in large groups while schools are closed due to the coronavirus. Noting that students face two weeks at home with the closure of county schools, Nate Tinbite, a student at John Guns, handcuffs, masks, gloves: NYPD preps for coronavirus 03/13/2020 10:18pm • NEW YORK (AP) — The nation’s largest police department is stockpiling masks and gloves, dusting off old emergency plans and taking to social media to dispel rumors, such as one that New York City will essentially be locked down because of the coronavirus. Spokesman R US hospitals brace for 'tremendous strain' from new virus 03/13/2020 07:02pm • U.S. hospitals are setting up circus-like triage tents, calling doctors out of retirement, guarding their supplies of face masks and making plans to cancel elective surgery as they brace for an expected onslaught of coronavirus patients. Depending on how bad the crisis gets, the sick could find t WATCH: President Trump holds coronavirus news conference 03/13/2020 05:00pm • President Donald Trump held a news conference Friday to address the spiraling coronavirus pandemic. More than 1,200 people in the U.S. have been infected with the virus. A number of governors — including in Virginia and Maryland — have declared states of emergency to handle the growing num Fun events at 2020 National Cherry Blossom Festival canceled 03/13/2020 10:30am • New England has leaf peepers in the fall, but D.C. has blossom peepers in the spring. But this year, many of the events surrounding the National Cherry Blossom Festival have been canceled. Due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, D.C. has declared a state of emergency and a public health emerg Fairfax Co. schools closed Friday after 'genuine concern from parents' 03/13/2020 10:15am • Hours after announcing that Fairfax County Public Schools would remain open Friday, superintendent Scott Brabrand announced Virginia's largest school system is closed. "We continue to hear genuine concern from parents about keeping our schools open while the coronavirus response escalates around Garden Plot: Do some holly jolly pruning 03/13/2020 08:43am • Hollies can take what’s called a "rejuvenation pruning" without harm, although they’ll look their best if you remove around 30% of each plant a year for several years in a row. (Getty Images/Thinkstock) Karen, “Somewhere in Southern Maryland,” writes: “Last year, our holly bushes were Coronavirus 'public health emergency' prompts appeals for blood donations 03/13/2020 04:43am • The novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is impacting blood donations that already are in a seasonal slump because of the cold and flu. As a result, appeals are going out for donors to help. "We are, right now, in a public health emergency, and it's critical that we have a stable, readily avail 'This is a public health emergency': All Md. schools to close for 2 weeks; National Guard activated 03/13/2020 12:01am • Maryland is ramping up its response to the new coronavirus outbreak, including closing all public schools and banning public gatherings of 250 people. And, in Virginia, the governor declared a state of emergency. Here's the latest Thursday: More Coronavirus News Sign up for news a Coronavirus planning: Schools close, change schedules, extend breaks 03/12/2020 11:49pm • As of 11:49 p.m. March 12, WTOP has moved all school closings, including long-term closings, onto its Closings & Delays page. The story below will no longer be updated. Public school systems and universities around the D.C. region are sharing their plans as concerns about the new coronavirus gr