WTOP

The D.C. region faces a severe storm risk Tuesday with damaging winds, hail, and potential tornadoes. A heat alert is active due to temperatures in the upper 80s to near 90, creating hazardous conditions for commuters.

Norton Rose Fulbright, founded in 1794, is the oldest company on WTOP’s Top Workplaces list. The law firm attributes its employee retention and growth to a people-first culture, as highlighted by D.C. office leaders Matt Kirtland and Marissa Alcala, who have worked there for over two decades.

The D.C. region is experiencing a heat wave with high temperatures in the 90s and smoky skies due to Canadian wildfires. A code orange air quality alert warns sensitive groups, including children and those with respiratory conditions, to limit outdoor activity. Possible thunderstorms and reduced visibility are expected, with some relief anticipated next week.

A man was arrested near the U.S. Capitol after police found a gun in his vehicle. The incident occurred at the North Barricade entrance, prompting a significant police response, though no injuries were reported. Investigators are determining why the man drove to the Capitol.

New details reveal the proposed $1 billion National Harbor Sphere, a 302-foot-tall entertainment venue near Maryland's National Harbor, which is larger than President Donald Trump’s proposed D.C. arch. The project, currently in the pre-application phase, is located four miles from Reagan National Airport and would seat 6,000 people.

The D.C. area is expected to experience showers and thunderstorms on Friday afternoon, with muggy conditions on Saturday and a return of high temperatures in the 90s starting Tuesday. Meteorologist Eileen Whelan notes that while Friday's storms may produce damaging winds and heavy rain, they are not as severe as Thursday's storm.

A tropical air mass is causing severe thunderstorms and flooding in the D.C. region, with warnings for heavy rainfall, high winds, and lightning. The National Weather Service has issued severe thunderstorm and flash flood warnings for multiple counties in Maryland and Virginia, with rain rates up to 2-3 inches per hour and potential power outages.

Coba, a 235-pound female Amur tiger, is the newest addition to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. The zoo is working to mate her with Vostok, a male tiger, as part of conservation efforts for the endangered species. The story is featured in WTOP’s 'Matt About Town' segment hosted by Matt Kaufax.

The D.C. area remains under heat and air quality alerts following a stormy Fourth of July that caused evacuations at the National Mall and delayed fireworks. The National Weather Service issued a Heat Advisory with heat index values up to 105, alongside a Code Purple Air Quality Alert, as high humidity and thunderstorms persist through Monday.

A white supremacist group, Patriot Front, marched through Washington D.C.’s Eastern Market neighborhood on Saturday during the nation’s 250th independence anniversary. Members wore khakis, white face coverings, and caps bearing the group’s logo, gathering near Union Station and marching through Capitol Hill as reported by WTOP.

The D.C. area faces extreme heat and severe thunderstorms during the Fourth of July, with temperatures potentially breaking historical records and storms causing disruptions to celebrations. Weather warnings include gusts up to 80 mph, flooding, and heat index values as high as 112.

WTOP tested the urban legend of frying an egg on a hot driveway using a cast-iron skillet. The experiment showed the egg did not cook properly, with experts stating 275°F is needed, debunking the myth.

Grandparents who care for grandchildren may experience improved cognitive function, including better memory and verbal fluency, as well as reduced loneliness and enhanced well-being, according to a Kaiser Permanente psychiatrist. Dr. Christina Lee emphasized that engaging with grandchildren keeps older adults mentally active and socially connected, lowering dementia and depression risks.

The D.C. region is expected to experience stormy weather on Saturday with afternoon thunderstorms and flash flood risks along I-66 and Route 50. Sunday will see scattered showers and storms, while Monday promises mostly sunny and warmer conditions. Outdoor event attendees are advised to monitor weather updates.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore defended his call for a special legislative session on congressional redistricting and addressed President Donald Trump's executive order requiring states to share voter databases with the federal government. Moore linked his push to broader national threats to voting representation following a primary election.

A single-engine plane crashed in Bowie, Maryland on Sunday morning, according to Maryland State Police. Prince George’s County Fire Department confirmed crews are at the scene, and a news briefing is scheduled for 8 a.m. The incident is being reported as a developing story by WTOP.

The 2026 Top Workplaces awards recognized 342 organizations in the D.C. region for fostering supportive work environments. The event, hosted at Capital One Hall, was presented by WTOP and Energage, with rankings based on employee feedback surveys evaluating leadership, culture, and benefits. Companies like The Nakupuna Companies and Acclaim Technical Services highlighted workplace culture and community impact as key factors in their success.

The Smithsonian offers a new immersive VR experience in D.C.'s Penn Quarter, allowing visitors to explore cosmic phenomena like black holes and the Pillars of Creation using 3D technology. The attraction, developed with scientific data and astrophysicist input, is a collaboration between Fever and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.

Virginia voters are participating in an August primary to nominate candidates for congressional seats and local offices ahead of the 2026 midterms. The primary was delayed from its usual June date due to a Democratic push to redraw congressional maps, which was rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court. The 2021 map boundaries will be used for the August primary.

The Moon will occult Venus during daylight hours in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, visible from 3:48 to 5:13 EDT. Observers are advised to use optical aids like binoculars or telescopes with caution to avoid sun exposure, as the event is rare and best captured with zoom lenses or telescopes.

The Smithsonian National Zoo is training mini donkeys to participate in voluntary healthcare checkups, showcasing new techniques to reduce stress for animals. Visitors can observe these efforts at the Zoo's Kids Farm, where public interaction with the animals is encouraged to foster engagement and interest in animal care.

Five people were injured in a charter bus crash on Interstate 295 near Eastern Avenue NE in D.C. on Friday night. Two buses collided, resulting in 74 passengers being relocated to a D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation facility while the driver received a notice of infraction. Police are investigating the cause.

President Donald Trump threatened to take over Washington, D.C., if Janeese Lewis George wins the mayoral race, potentially boosting her campaign by drawing attention to her candidacy. A Washington Post poll shows Lewis George leading, and political analysis suggests Trump's comments might encourage voters who dislike him to support her. The Janeese Lewis George campaign has also linked her rival, Kenyan McDuffie, to Trump through campaign donations.

A vehicle struck a school bus in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, injuring two students with minor injuries and prompting a temporary road closure. The crash occurred near Davidsonville Elementary, with 28 students on board and nine others taken for precautionary medical evaluation.

DC delegate candidates competing to replace Eleanor Holmes Norton emphasize priorities including statehood, economic stability, and housing. All four responding candidates support DC statehood but differ on strategies to achieve it, with approaches ranging from building national political alliances to leveraging congressional relationships.

Voters in D.C. will use ranked choice voting for the first time in the June 16 primary election to select nominees for mayor, delegate to Congress, attorney general, and council seats. WTOP collected candidate responses to a questionnaire, with some candidates not replying. A special election will determine who fills Kenyan McDuffie’s at-large council seat until January.

Gloria Ann Nauden is a candidate for the Ward 6 DC Council seat, competing against Michael Murphy and incumbent Charles Allen. The article is part of WTOP's coverage of the D.C. primary and Election 2026.

Brian Schwalb, a candidate for D.C. Attorney General, is featured in WTOP's coverage of the June primary election. The article includes his responses to a questionnaire about his priorities and views on key issues, as part of WTOP's Election 2026 reporting.

JP Szymkowicz is running for D.C. Attorney General against incumbent Brian Schwalb. The article is part of WTOP's coverage of the D.C. primary and Election 2026.

Michael Murphy is a candidate for the Ward 6 DC Council seat, running against Gloria Ann Nauden and incumbent Charles Allen. The article is part of WTOP's coverage of the D.C. primary and Election 2026.

Zachary Parker is a candidate for the Ward 5 seat on the D.C. Council, seeking to retain his position against challengers Bridget French and Bernita Carmichael. The article is part of WTOP's coverage of D.C.'s primary election.

Bernita Carmichael is a candidate for the Ward 5 seat on the D.C. Council, competing against Bridget French and incumbent Zachary Parker. The article is part of WTOP's coverage of the D.C. primary election.

Miguel Trindade Deramo is a candidate for the Ward 1 seat on the D.C. Council in the June primary. He is among several candidates responding to a WTOP questionnaire ahead of the election.

Jackie Reyes Yanes is a candidate for the Ward 1 seat on the D.C. Council in the June primary election. She is competing against Aparna Raj, Rashida Brown, Terry Lynch, and Miguel Trindade Deramo. The article includes her responses to a WTOP questionnaire.

Aparna Raj is a candidate for the Ward 1 seat on the D.C. Council in the June primary election. She is running against Rashida Brown, Terry Lynch, Jackie Reyes Yanes, and Miguel Trindade Deramo.

Terry Lynch is running for the Ward 1 seat on the D.C. Council in the June primary election. WTOP published candidate responses to a questionnaire, including Lynch's answers alongside those of Aparna Raj, Rashida Brown, Jackie Reyes Yanes, and Miguel Trindade Deramo.

Rashida Brown is a candidate for the Ward 1 seat on the D.C. Council in the June primary election. She is competing against four other candidates, including Aparna Raj, Terry Lynch, Jackie Reyes Yanes, and Miguel Trindade Deramo. WTOP published her responses to a questionnaire as part of its candidate coverage.

Elissa Silverman is a candidate in a special election to fill Kenyan McDuffie’s at-large seat on the D.C. Council for the remainder of the year. She is running against Doni Crawford and Jacque Patterson in a race highlighted by WTOP’s candidate questionnaire ahead of the June primary election.

Jacque Patterson is a candidate in a special election to fill Kenyan McDuffie’s at-large seat on the D.C. Council for the remainder of the year. She is running against Doni Crawford and Elissa Silverman in the primary election in June.

Leniqua’dominique Jenkins is a candidate for the D.C. Council at-large seat in the June primary. The article lists her opponents, including Dwight Davis, Oye Owolewa, and others.