Search

Analysis: Maryland climate plan is comprehensive but lacks short-term legislative strategy 01/06/2024 11:31pm • By most accounts, the Maryland Department of the Environment's plan outlining the policy actions required to dramatically reduce the state's greenhouse gas emissions is innovative and ambitious. But the 98-page document, released during the quiet days between Christmas and New Year's, lacks a coh Their son died from a fentanyl overdose. Now a Fairfax Co. family has a warning for other parents 01/03/2024 10:10pm • On Jan. 31, 2023, Afrodita Foster woke up just before 7 a.m., as she regularly did. She walked into her son Cayden's room to make sure he was awake and getting ready for school. Cayden attended Centreville High School in Fairfax County, Virginia. She recalls thinking the room was too quiet. Sh What to know about the launch of the new, simplified FAFSA 01/02/2024 04:26am • A new, simplified application for federal financial aid has been released, with the goal of making the process easier. The new Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA, became available over the weekend. USA Today Money and Personal Finance Reporter Medora Lee joined WTOP Anchor A How a Northern Virginia teen is spreading the word around climate change with art 01/01/2024 12:17am • From Europe to the Southwestern U.S., 2023 was likely the hottest year on record. When it comes to the changing planet, a Fairfax County, Virginia, teen wants kids to take action now. Arielle Kouyoumdjian, 17, is founder of the Changing Planet Justice Foundation. The 11th grader said it's an o This is the year: Top New Year's resolutions for 2024 12/27/2023 11:56am • Planning to save more money? That tops the list of most common New Year's resolutions, as 2023 winds down and people start setting goals for 2024. More than a third of people say they're making New Year's resolutions, a CBS poll revealed. About two-thirds of young people feel hopeful for the new Pentagon, states begin new push to help LGBTQ veterans kicked out of military 12/24/2023 01:27pm • For former Navy sailor Annie Reyes, seeing the words on paper still stings: "Reason for discharge: homosexual conduct." ABC News "We were in Bahrain in the middle of the ocean, and they're like, 'This is the perfect time to kick someone out for being gay,'" Reyes, 40, said of her 2009 dismiss High-income households in Northern Virginia can now qualify for a state housing loan 12/22/2023 09:53am • Virginia's housing finance authority is adding a new program to serve higher income levels with housing loans in Northern Virginia. Households that make more than $228,000 a year can now qualify for first-time homebuying assistance in Alexandria, Arlington and other counties or cities near the Di Even a little Christmas gift-induced credit card debt will be a Grinch 12/12/2023 02:43pm • We all want to buy presents for our loved ones, but take care when racking up credit card debt. The consequence of spending a little more money before Christmas might catch up with your credit score after New Year's. "It is probably more the norm than the exception that people take on additional UVA to expand financial aid for in-state students amid tuition hike 12/09/2023 09:40am • The University of Virginia will expand its financial aid program to cover tuition and fees for in-state students from households with an annual income of $100,000 or less, according to a Friday statement from the university. The financial aid expansion comes as the university's Board of Visitors WTOP's favorite books to read in 2023 12/06/2023 12:02pm • Searching for a must-read? WTOP staff were asked what books they enjoyed most this year and which books they couldn't stop talking about. This article compiles seven written (and, in one case, illustrated) works, some of which weren't published in 2023, but are still worth being on your radar. F How to get a really low mortgage rate? Assume the seller’s mortgage, and have a pile of cash 12/04/2023 12:25pm • There is a way to get a much lower mortgage rate from the past, but it’s complicated, not common and requires what could easily be a six-figure equivalent of a down payment. Assumable mortgages are those that lenders will allow sellers to sign over to buyers, with the existing interest rate and Completing the FAFSA: Everything you should know 12/03/2023 02:00pm • Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, which opens by Dec. 31, is one of the most important steps students and their families can take to pay for college. Some states now make completing the FAFSA a high school graduation requirement. The U.S. Department of Education DC United releases Northern Va. product Andy Najar, 8 other players to start rebuild 12/02/2023 07:00am • D.C. United declined the contract options for nine players, including Northern Virginia product Andy Najar, but will continue contract negotiations with free agent Donovan Pines as the club begins rebuilding its roster for next season. The MLS side announced Friday that it has 19 players under co How a Northwest DC apartment building became a home and life-changing investment for 4 women 11/26/2023 05:00am • From left to right: Joanne Jenkins, Janice Washington, Earline Hendricks and Bettie Perry. (Courtesy Noelle-Kristine Spencer) In 1971, Joanne Jenkins was a single mom looking for an apartment to raise her family in. She discovered a six-unit building in Northwest D.C., then signed a lease and mo The challenges facing nonprofits heading into the season of giving 11/22/2023 09:13pm • As giving season begins, many nonprofits continue to struggle with not only donations being down, but also staff and volunteer shortages. “We're seeing a lot of challenges for nonprofits this year,” said Rick Cohen, chief communications officer and chief operating officer for the National Cou