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The New York Times

Daily Herald
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[type] => 1 ) [3] => Array ( [title] => Latinos Are Now America’s Most Important Swing Voters [link] => https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/25/us/politics/latino-voters-poll-midterm-elections.html [date] => Sun, 25 Oct 2026 09:01:38 +0000 [description] => Latinos helped fuel President Trump’s return to the White House. But Democrats have won back the trust of many Hispanic voters over the past two years. [type] => 1 ) [4] => Array ( [title] => Democrats Have Edge Across Four Key House Races in Pennsylvania, Polls Find [link] => https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/25/us/politics/polls-pennsylvania-house-midterms-battlegrounds.html [date] => Sun, 25 Oct 2026 09:01:59 +0000 [description] => Democratic candidates are ahead in two, hold a narrow edge in a third and are tied in a fourth, new polling shows. The seats embody the fights playing out nationwide in the midterms. [type] => 1 ) [5] => Array ( [title] => Israel’s High-Stakes Election: What to Know [link] => https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/25/world/middleeast/israels-high-stakes-election-what-to-know.html [date] => Sun, 25 Oct 2026 09:01:00 +0000 [description] => Israelis head to the polls on Tuesday for an election that will determine the country’s next prime minister. But it can take weeks, months or longer to form a new government. [type] => 1 ) [6] => Array ( [title] => METRO with Sarah Koenig: Episode 1 [link] => https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/22/podcasts/nice-to-meet-you.html [date] => Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:00:51 +0000 [description] => Sarah Koenig goes on a whirlwind tour of New York City to find out what New Yorkers are worrying about. [type] => 1 ) [7] => Array ( [title] => Public Colleges Are Passing the $50,000-a-Year Mark. For Locals. [link] => https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/25/business/california-colleges-costs.html [date] => Sun, 25 Oct 2026 11:11:21 +0000 [description] => At the University of California campuses in Berkeley, Irvine and Santa Barbara, students get an unwitting education in navigating the housing market. [type] => 1 ) [8] => Array ( [title] => The Other Bolsonaro Who Could Become Brazil’s Next President [link] => https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/24/world/americas/flavio-bolsonaro-brazil-election-president.html [date] => Sat, 24 Oct 2026 09:03:13 +0000 [description] => Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of the former president who was jailed over a coup plot, could be on the cusp of winning Brazil’s presidency. [type] => 1 ) [9] => Array ( [title] => Could Lula Be on the Brink of Defeat in Brazil’s Election? [link] => https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/24/world/americas/lula-brazil-election-president.html [date] => Sat, 24 Oct 2026 09:02:26 +0000 [description] => Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva faces an uphill battle for another term, in a high-stakes election that may reshape Latin America. [type] => 1 ) [10] => Array ( [title] => What to Know About Brazil’s Election as Bolsonaro Faces Off With Lula [link] => https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/25/world/americas/brazil-election-lula-bolsonaro-what-to-know.html [date] => Sun, 25 Oct 2026 09:01:45 +0000 [description] => Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the leftist incumbent, and Flávio Bolsonaro, the right-wing challenger, face off in a narrow race that could redefine the future of Latin America. [type] => 1 ) [11] => Array ( [title] => He Helped Deport 200 People. Now He Has Misgivings. [link] => https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/25/magazine/ice-deputy-texas-police.html [date] => Sun, 25 Oct 2026 04:01:12 +0000 [description] => A deputy in small-town Texas became the local face of ICE’s national crackdown. [type] => 1 ) [12] => Array ( [title] => Netanyahu Won the Middle East and Lost the World [link] => https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/25/opinion/israel-gaza-election-netanyahu-hamas.html [date] => Sun, 25 Oct 2026 10:00:17 +0000 [description] => Both Israelis and Palestinians are trapped in the Netanyahu paradigm. [type] => 1 ) [13] => Array ( [title] => Thomas L. Friedman: We Just Set Off the Second Big Bang [link] => https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/25/opinion/ai-second-big-bang.html [date] => Sun, 25 Oct 2026 11:00:04 +0000 [description] => Humanity is entering its most dangerous era yet. [type] => 1 ) [14] => Array ( [title] => One Agent’s Doubts [link] => https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/25/briefing/deportation-doubts.html [date] => Sun, 25 Oct 2026 11:43:05 +0000 [description] => ICE pays local police to help with deportations. What’s it like for them? [type] => 1 ) [15] => Array ( [title] => A Day After Renewed Street Clashes in France, Relief and Anxiety Mix [link] => https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/25/world/europe/france-protests-macron-lepen.html [date] => Sun, 25 Oct 2026 12:03:00 +0000 [description] => While the police kept a lid on vandalism, the huge number of protesters, and France’s fraught politics, suggest unrest could grow. 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    VOAnews_USA

    Yahoo News
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The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 7:03 p.m. from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida carrying Crew-10 members: NASA’s Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan’s Takuya Onishi and Russia’s Kirill Peskov. The crew is part of a routine six-month rotation. Crew-10 and the Dragon spacecraft are expected to reach the space station around 11:30 p.m. Saturday. Returning to Earth alongside Wilmore and Williams will be NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. Their return is scheduled for Wednesday, to allow for an overlap of the two crews to brief the new team. Wilmore and Williams arrived aboard the International Space Station in June 2024 and expected to stay in space for about 10 days. But their return was delayed after mechanical issues with their spacecraft, which, after weeks of troubleshooting was subsequently sent back to Earth without them. Their return was continually pushed back due to other technical delays. [type] => 1 ) [1] => Array ( [title] => Starbucks hit with $50 million fine for spilled drink injury [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/8011572.html [date] => Sat, 15 Mar 2025 05:47:48 -0400 [description] => A California jury Friday imposed a $50 million fine on Starbucks in the case of a delivery driver burned by a scalding cup of hot tea at a company location in Los Angeles. Michael Garcia was picking up three drinks in 2020 but one, he claimed, was "negligently" unsecured and spilled in his lap. He claimed that he consequently "suffered severe burns, disfigurement, and debilitating nerve damage to his genitals" and he was taken to an emergency room by paramedics. "Michael Garcia’s life has been forever changed," his attorney, Nick Rowley, said. "No amount of money can undo the permanent catastrophic harm he has suffered, but this jury verdict is a critical step in holding Starbucks accountable for flagrant disregard for customer safety and failure to accept responsibility," he added. Starbucks said it planned to appeal the verdict. "We sympathize with Mr. Garcia, but we disagree with the jury’s decision that we were at fault for this incident and believe the damages awarded to be excessive," company spokesperson Jaci Anderson said in a statement. "We have always been committed to the highest safety standards in our stores, including the handling of hot drinks," she added. [type] => 1 ) [2] => Array ( [title] => US Appeals court allows DEI crackdown [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/us-appeals-court-allows-dei-crackdown/8011570.html [date] => Sat, 15 Mar 2025 05:35:26 -0400 [description] => A U.S. federal appeals court Friday lifted a block on the Trump administration’s crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the federal government, pausing a lower court ruling blocking enforcement of a series of presidential executive orders halting support of DEI initiatives. The three-judge panel on the Fourth Circuit of Appeals, in Richmond, Virginia, found that the directives by President Donald Trump were likely constitutional, disagreeing with a ruling in February by a federal judge in Maryland. The judges are allowing the Trump administration to implement the policy while they consider a final decision on the constitutionality of the orders. U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson in Baltimore had blocked implementation of Trump’s executive order nationwide pending the outcome of a lawsuit brought by the city of Baltimore and groups that claimed, among other things, the executive orders -- one abolishing DEI programs in the federal government and another requiring recipients of federal grants to not operate DEI programs -- improperly targeted constitutionally protected free speech. The Trump administration maintains the orders do not ban or discourage any speech but target instead unlawful discrimination. In addition to directing federal agencies to end diversity programs, the executive orders also precluded federal contractors from having them. Trump also ordered the Justice Department and other agencies to identify businesses, schools and nonprofit organizations that were deemed unlawfully discriminating through DEI policies. [type] => 1 ) [3] => Array ( [title] => Forecasters warn of tornadoes in US in coming days [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/forecasters-warn-of-tornadoes-in-us-in-coming-days/8011541.html [date] => Sat, 15 Mar 2025 02:11:12 -0400 [description] => U.S. weather forecasters warned of the threat of tornados in multiple states this weekend following at least five twisters in the state of Missouri on Friday. Friday's storms left some 100,000 buildings without power as severe weather continued into the night. The tornado risk was expected to continue into the weekend in a slew of states including Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama. Accuweather predicted the storm risk to peak from Saturday afternoon to Saturday night. The National Weather Service warned of heavy thunderstorms from the Midwest to the Mississippi Valley, bringing with them the chance of flash flooding, power outages, downed trees and travel disruptions. In Alabama, Governor Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency on Friday, extending into Sunday. In her proclamation, she said "this severe weather could cause significant damage to public and private property and poses a danger to the health and safety of the people of Alabama, including potential disruption of essential utility systems, personal injury and loss of life." The proclamation means the state National Guard will be on alert and could be activated. Missouri also declared a state of emergency. Forecasters expect the thunderstorms to swamp the South and move toward the East Coast on Saturday night into Sunday. Although the tornado threat is expected to decrease, the East Coast will likely face hail and potentially damaging wind gusts. The storm system is expected to move off into the Atlantic Ocean sometime Sunday night into Monday. [type] => 1 ) [4] => Array ( [title] => Trump vows accountability for those who pursued him in court cases [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-vows-accountability-for-those-who-pursued-him-in-court-cases-/8011522.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 23:12:18 -0400 [description] => U.S. President Donald Trump promised to seek accountability for those who pursued legal cases against him when he was out of office, speaking Friday at the Justice Department. "Our predecessors turned this Department of Justice into the Department of Injustice. But I stand before you today to declare that those days are over, and they are never going to come back. They're never coming back," Trump said. During his years out of office, the department twice indicted Trump on charges that he illegally stored classified documents at his Florida estate and that he worked to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Both cases were dismissed after Trump won election in November, with the department citing a long-standing policy of not prosecuting a sitting president. "Now, as the chief law enforcement officer in our country, I will insist upon and demand full and complete accountability for the wrongs and abuses that have occurred. The American people have given us a mandate, a mandate like few people thought possible," Trump said. Trump has fired prosecutors who investigated him during the Biden administration and scrutinized thousands of FBI agents who investigated some supporters of the president who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Representative Jamie Raskin, the senior Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, called Trump’s speech a "staggering violation of [the] traditional boundary between independent criminal law enforcement and presidential political power." Speaking outside Justice shortly after Trump spoke, Raskin said, "No other president in American history has stood at the Department of Justice to proclaim an agenda of criminal prosecution and retaliation against his political foes." Trump has long been critical of both the department and the FBI. He has installed political allies into top leadership positions at both of those agencies. FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi attended Friday’s talk. In introducing Trump, Bondi said, "We all work for the greatest president in the history of our country. ... He will never stop fighting for us, and we will never stop fighting for him and for our country." During his speech, Trump promised "historic reforms" at the agencies and said, "Under the Trump administration, the DOJ and the FBI will once again become the premier crime fighting agencies on the face of the Earth." His speech had echos of his campaign rallies, with music blaring from speakers before Trump entered the department’s Great Hall and his address hitting on some of the main themes from his campaign, including border security and fighting violent crime. On crime, Trump said that homicides, property crime and robberies rose during the Biden administration. "I have no higher mission as president of the United States than to end this killing and stop this law breaking and to making America safe again. And that's what you're all about in this room. We want to protect Americans, and we protect everybody that's in our country," he said. [type] => 1 ) [5] => Array ( [title] => 2 judges rule mass firings of agency employees to be illegal [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/judges-rule-mass-firings-of-agency-employees-to-be-illegal-/8011510.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 22:03:43 -0400 [description] => Federal judges in two separate cases ruled this week that recent mass firings of employees as part of President Donald Trump’s push to cut the size of the federal workforce were illegal and ordered thousands of probationary employees to be reinstated — at least for now. The Trump administration pushed back, filing appeals in both cases. "This injunction is entirely unconstitutional," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Friday. "You cannot have a low-level district court judge filing an injunction to usurp the executive authority of the president of the United States," she added. In the suit filed by federal employee unions, U.S. District Judge William Alsup of the Northern District of California said that the process had been a “sham,” as some employees were told they were being fired for poor performance. Just before issuing his ruling Thursday, Alsup said, "It is sad, a sad day. Our government would fire some good employee and say it was based on performance when they know good and well that's a lie." The departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Interior, Treasury and Veterans Affairs were ordered to “immediately” rehire the employees. Alsup, however, noted that federal agencies may still proceed with reductions in force, following proper procedure. Later Thursday, U.S. District Judge James Bredar also ruled that probationary employees must be reinstated after finding that 18 agencies had acted illegally in firing them. Democratic attorneys general representing the District of Columbia, Maryland and 18 other states argued that agencies failed to follow proper procedures for mass layoffs, including providing states with 60 days' notice. "Lacking the notice to which they were entitled, the states weren't ready for the impact of so many unemployed people. They are still scrambling to catch up," Bredar wrote in his memorandum explaining his decision. [type] => 1 ) [6] => Array ( [title] => Pi Day counts on never-ending numerical sequence for March 14 celebrations [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/pi-day-counts-on-never-ending-numerical-sequence-for-march-14-celebrations-/8011286.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 19:57:14 -0400 [description] => March 14 is Pi Day, an annual celebration of the mathematical constant of pi, representing the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. The holiday is observed on March 14 or 3/14 because 3.14 are the first three digits of the infinite number pi — 3.14159 ... and on and on. The celebration of Pi Day was the brainchild of physicist Larry Shaw and was first observed in 1988 at San Francisco’s Exploratorium, a science museum, and has since grown into an international event. At that first simple salute to pi in 1988, Shaw and his wife, Catherine, took — guess what? — pies — and tea to the museum for the celebration of the infinite number. Shaw became known as the Prince of Pi and reigned over the museum’s annual honoring of the never-ending number for years, until his death in 2017. Pi Day festivities grew to include the honoring of mathematical genius Albert Einstein because he was born on March 14. The U.S. House of Representatives officially designated March 14 as National Pi Day in 2009. The Exploratorium posted on its website that this year’s observance of pi would include the annual Pi Procession, which the museum described as being executed by “a high spirited crowd” through the museum and would circle the museum’s Pi Shrine 3.14 times, while “waving the digits of pi and dancing along” to a brass band. And, of course, all participants in the revelry would be rewarded with a free slice of pie. Pi Day is now celebrated around the world by pi lovers and is viewed as a way to arouse interest in the sciences among young people. Pi lovers had a special treat in 2015, History.com reports. That year Pi Day was celebrated on 3/14/15 at 9:26:53 a.m. The combined numbers of the date and time represent the first 10 digits of pi — 3.141592653. [type] => 1 ) [7] => Array ( [title] => Senate averts government shutdown, overcomes Democratic opposition [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/us-government-shutdown-likely-averted-democrats-fracture/8011226.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 19:03:31 -0400 [description] => The U.S. Senate passed a stopgap spending bill Friday evening, averting a partial government shutdown and overcoming Democratic opposition to the measure. The bill passed 54-46 after clearing a more difficult procedural hurdle to stop debate on the measure, which required at least 60 votes. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed the bill earlier this week to meet a March 14 deadline to keep the government running. Senate Democrats had fractured over whether to support the short-term continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the government for the next six months, reduce total government spending by about $7 billion from last year's levels and shift money to the military and away from non-defense spending. Many Democrats expressed anger after the top-ranking Democrat in the chamber, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, announced Thursday night that while he disliked the bill, a shutdown was a “far worse option.” Speaking on the Senate floor Friday morning, Schumer said not passing the Republican funding bill would give more power to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) effort led by Elon Musk, including which agencies would be shut down. "A shutdown would allow DOGE to shift into overdrive," he said. Dozens of House Democrats, who opposed the funding measure in the lower chamber, sent a letter to Schumer on Friday, expressing their "strong opposition" to his plan to vote for the bill. Former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urged Senate Democrats to go against their leader. In a Friday statement, she wrote, "America has experienced a Trump shutdown before — but this damaging legislation only makes matters worse." When questioned by reporters Friday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries refused to say whether he backed Schumer’s leadership. Trump had called on Congress to pass the funding bill and on Friday praised Schumer for supporting it. "Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thing — Took 'guts' and courage!" he wrote on his Truth Social platform. "I have great respect, by the way, for what Schumer did today. He went out and he said that they have to vote with the Republicans because it's the right thing to do," Trump said during a speech at the Department of Justice. Appropriations bills require a 60-vote threshold for passage in the Senate, which means Republicans needed to secure at least eight Democratic votes. The bill cleared the procedural hurdle 62-38. Several amendments to the bill failed, but one that proposed eliminating funding for DOGE drew the support of one Republican. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska has been outspoken in her criticism of the initiative by Musk. Schumer previously called for the Senate to pass an earlier version of the CR that Democrats were involved in negotiating. "Funding the government should be a bipartisan effort. But Republicans chose a partisan path, drafting their continuing resolution without any input, any input, from congressional Democrats," Schumer said on the Senate floor late Wednesday. The House passed the short-term spending measure 217-213 on Tuesday. One Democrat voted for the bill and one Republican against it. The chamber went out of session for the rest of the week starting Tuesday afternoon, putting pressure on senators to pass its version of the CR. House Speaker Mike Johnson quelled dissent from within his Republican Party to pass the spending measure. He told reporters Tuesday the seven-month continuing resolution was an important step toward implementing Trump's agenda of rooting out government waste and abuse through DOGE. "It allows us to move forward with changing the size and scope of the federal government. There is a seismic shift going on in Washington right now. This is a different moment than we have ever been in. The DOGE work is finding massive amounts of fraud, waste and abuse," Johnson said. "We have a White House that is actually dedicated to getting us back onto a fiscally responsible track." Independent watchdogs and analysts, however, say DOGE is using overly broad claims of fraud to generate support for large-scale cuts to federal programs and offices. Representative Thomas Massie was the lone Republican holdout, despite Trump's post Monday night on Truth Social calling for Massie to lose his seat if he voted against the spending measure. The continuing resolution buys lawmakers time to reach a compromise on Senate and House versions of government spending for the next fiscal year, which begins in October, a key tool for implementing Trump's domestic policy agenda. At question is how and when to enact a proposed extension of the 2017 tax cuts and how to pay down the U.S. deficit without cutting key safety net programs that help American voters. [type] => 1 ) [8] => Array ( [title] => US envoy says Hamas misrepresented release of hostage [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/us-envoy-says-hamas-misrepresented-release-of-hostage/8011067.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 15:35:19 -0400 [description] => U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff said a Hamas statement issued Friday announcing it had agreed to release an American-Israeli soldier was, in reality, a condition of a "bridge" ceasefire proposal offered by U.S. officials earlier this week. Early Friday, the U.S.-designated terrorist group Hamas issued a statement saying it had agreed to release Edan Alexander, believed to be the last living American hostage held in Gaza, as well as the bodies of four other hostages after receiving a proposal from mediators to resume negotiations on the second phase of a Gaza ceasefire deal. The statement said the proposal had been offered by unnamed mediators as part of the work in Qatar to restart ceasefire negotiations. The United States, Egypt and host Qatar have been mediating the ceasefire talks. Hamas expressed its "complete readiness to begin negotiations and reach a comprehensive agreement on the issues of the second phase." Later Friday, in a joint statement issued along with the National Security Council, Witkoff's office explained he and National Security Council Senior Middle East Director Eric Trager had presented the bridge proposal to extend the current ceasefire beyond Ramadan and Passover and allow time to negotiate a framework for a permanent ceasefire. In the statement, Witkoff said that under the proposal, Hamas would release additional living hostages in exchange for prisoners, and that the extension of the phase-one ceasefire would allow more time for humanitarian aid to resume into Gaza. He said the U.S. had its Qatari and Egyptian mediating partners convey to Hamas "in no uncertain terms" that the new proposal would have to be implemented soon and Edan Alexander would have to be released immediately. "Unfortunately, Hamas has chosen to respond by publicly claiming flexibility," Witkoff said in the statement, "while privately making demands that are entirely impractical without a permanent ceasefire." In a statement released on the X social media platform, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said that while Israel had accepted "the Witkoff framework," Hamas "continues to wage psychological warfare against hostage families." The statement went on to say that the prime minister would convene his ministerial team Saturday evening for a detailed briefing from the negotiating team and "decide on steps to free the hostages and achieve all our war objectives." Hamas is believed to be holding 24 living hostages taken in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered its war with Israel. The group also is holding the bodies of 34 others who were either killed in the initial attack or in captivity, as well as the remains of a soldier killed in 2014. In comments to FOX Business news Friday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said she was wary of taking Hamas statements at face value but emphasized that U.S. President Donald Trump was working "diligently" to bring hostages home. Witkoff told reporters at the White House early in March that gaining the release of Alexander was a "top priority." A ceasefire has been in place since January. During the first phase of the three-phase ceasefire, Hamas exchanged 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Israel has been pressing Hamas to accept an extension of the first phase, which ended March 2. Hamas had said it wanted to move to the second phase of the agreement, which would involve the release of more hostages and Israel's withdrawal from Gaza. [type] => 1 ) [9] => Array ( [title] => Trump intent on imposing global tariffs [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-intent-on-imposing-global-tariffs/8010989.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:35:26 -0400 [description] => The on-again, off-again tariffs between the United States and other countries are again under scrutiny, with the U.S. president not budging. VOA White House Correspondent Carolyn Presutti reports. [type] => 1 ) [10] => Array ( [title] => Kremlin: Reasons to be optimistic about ceasefire deal [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/kremlin-reasons-to-be-optimistic-about-ceasefire-deal/8010812.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 12:13:20 -0400 [description] => Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday that there were reasons for "cautious optimism" regarding a proposed ceasefire deal between Ukraine and Russia, following talks between a U.S. envoy and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Speaking to reporters in a telephone news briefing, Peskov referenced comments from Putin on Thursday in which he expressed qualified support for a U.S. ceasefire proposal to halt Russia's war with Ukraine for 30 days but said some questions needed to be answered. Peskov said that while much remains to be done, Putin "expressed solidarity with [U.S. President Donald] Trump's position." He said Putin held late-night talks Thursday with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, during which Putin "conveyed information and additional signals to President Trump." The Kremlin spokesman said both sides agreed Putin and Trump should speak, adding that the timing of the conversation would be agreed upon once Witkoff had conveyed the new information to Trump. Trump said in a post on his Truth Social website Friday morning that "there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end." He also said he had "strongly requested" that Putin spare the lives of "thousands" of Ukrainian troops in Russia's Kursk border region who were "completely surrounded" by the Russian military. "This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II," Trump wrote on social media. Later Friday, Putin told the National Security Council in Moscow that if the Ukrainian troops laid down their arms and surrendered, they would not be killed. Ukraine's military, however, denied that its forces in Kursk were surrounded by Moscow's troops and said reports to that effect were Russian manipulation. In his nightly address to his nation Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Putin's comments to Witkoff were "very manipulative," and that he thought Putin's qualified support for the U.S. plan was an effort to lay the groundwork for rejecting it. "He is in fact preparing a rejection at present, because Putin is, of course, scared to tell President Trump that he wants to continue this war, that he wants to kill Ukrainians," Zelenskyy said. He noted Ukraine had accepted the U.S. proposal and was ready to organize monitoring and verification. "We are not setting conditions that complicate the process; Russia is," Zelenskyy said. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Friday that no discussions between Trump and Putin had been scheduled, but she said that could change. She called the talks in Moscow on Thursday "a productive day for the United States of America and for the world in terms of peace." On Thursday at the White House, ahead of talks with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump said it would be "very disappointing" if Russia ended up rejecting U.S. efforts to end the fighting. Meanwhile, Britain's Defense Ministry said Friday that Russia's prioritization of funding its war with Ukraine had likely resulted in insufficient funding for average Russians' health care, leading to shortages of medical staff and equipment. In its Defense Intelligence report, the ministry said Russia reportedly closed at least 160 hospitals in 2024, including 18 maternity facilities and at least 10 children's clinics. The report said Russia's small towns and villages had been particularly affected. The Defense Ministry said the 500,000 casualties Russia has sustained in the war in Ukraine most certainly continue to put a strain on all levels of care in the Russian military medical system. [type] => 1 ) [11] => Array ( [title] => Report: US bird population is declining [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/report-us-bird-population-is-declining/8010492.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 02:55:47 -0400 [description] => The U.S. bird population is declining at an alarming rate, according to a report published Thursday by an alliance of science and conservation groups. Habitat loss and climate change are among the key contributing factors to the bird population losses, according to the 2025 U.S. State of the Birds report. More than 100 of the species studied, have reached a "tipping point," losing more than half their populations in the last 50 years. The report revealed that the avian population in all habitats is declining, including the duck population, previously considered a triumph of conservation. "The only bright spot is water birds such as herons and egrets that show some increases," Michael Parr, president of the American Bird Conservancy, told Reuters. The decline in the duck population fell by approximately 30% from 2017, but duck population numbers still remain higher, however, than their 1970 numbers, according to an Associated Press account on the report. "Roughly one in three bird species (229 species) in the U.S. requires urgent conservation attention, and these species represent the major habitats and systems in the U.S. and include species that we've long considered to be common and abundant," Amanda Rodewald, faculty director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Center for Avian Population Studies told Reuters. Included among the birds with highest losses, Reuters reported, are the mottled duck, Allen's hummingbird, yellow-billed loon, red-faced cormorant, greater sage-grouse, Florida scrub jay, Baird's sparrow, saltmarsh sparrow, mountain plover, Hawaiian petrel, Bicknell's thrush, Cassia crossbill, pink-footed shearwater, tricolored blackbird and golden-cheeked warbler. Some of the birds in this "red alert" group are already protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, the news agency said. "For each species that we're in danger of losing, it's like pulling an individual thread out of the complex tapestry of life," Georgetown University biologist Peter Marra. who was not involved in the new report, told AP. While the outlook may seem dire, it is not without hope, said Marra, who noted the resurgence of the majestic bald eagle. [type] => 1 ) [12] => Array ( [title] => Shortage of Marines’ amphibious warships worries top US military officers [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/shortage-of-marines-amphibious-warships-worries-top-us-military-officers/8010115.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 20:13:58 -0400 [description] => Officials tell VOA the shortage of amphibious warfare ships has reached a breaking point. While the ships make up just 10% of the fleet, they are the go-to alternative to aircraft carriers when commanders need something more precise or expedient. VOA Pentagon Correspondent Carla Babb reports. [type] => 1 ) [13] => Array ( [title] => Homeland Security, rights group to meet in court over migrants at Guantanamo Bay [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/homeland-security-rights-group-to-meet-in-court-over-migrants-at-guantanamo-bay-/8010057.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 19:09:03 -0400 [description] => PENTAGON — U.S. government lawyers are expected to face off with attorneys for civil and immigration rights groups over the use of a U.S. naval base in Cuba to hold migrants slated for deportation. Arguments in the two lawsuits over operations at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, filed against the Department of Homeland Security and Secretary Kristi Noem, are set for a U.S. District Court in Washington on Friday. The suits allege that the U.S. government has overstepped its bounds by denying migrants sent to Guantanamo Bay access to legal representation and also by attempting to send migrants to the base's facilities without the proper legal authority in violation of the U.S. Constitution. DHS officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the upcoming hearing, but they have repeatedly denied the allegations while criticizing the groups bringing the lawsuits. "The American Civil Liberties Union appears far more interested in promoting open borders and disrupting public safety missions than in protecting the civil liberties of Americans," a DHS spokesperson told VOA in a statement earlier this month, declining to be named. "They should consider changing their name," the spokesperson added, further describing the legal challenges as "baseless." President Donald Trump first raised the idea of using the U.S. naval base in Cuba as part of his administration's plans for mass deportations shortly after taking office in January. Homeland Security's Noem said the base, which features a secure prison to hold captured terrorists, would be used to house "the worst of the worst." Trump and other U.S. officials also suggested the base could be used to hold up to 30,000 migrants while they awaited deportation. Those plans, however, never fully materialized. The U.S. began sending what officials described as "high threat illegal aliens" to Guantanamo Bay's detention center in early February, followed by other nonviolent migrants, who stayed at other facilities. At times, the facilities held close to 200 detainees, many of whom were deported to Honduras, Venezuela or other countries. But despite efforts to prepare the facilities for more migrants, capacity has been limited. According to a U.S. defense official, who spoke to VOA on the condition of anonymity, the prison as currently configured can hold only 130 detainees, while the base's Migrant Operations Center and a temporary tent city can hold, at most, 550 people. As VOA first reported, DHS officials decided to remove all 40 remaining migrants from the prison and other facilities at Guantanamo Bay this past Tuesday, flying them instead to the U.S. southern state of Louisiana. Neither DHS nor its subagency, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, have responded to requests for comment on the decision to evacuate migrants from the naval base or on their status or whereabouts since being returned to the U.S. mainland. The move — and lack of communication — has drawn criticism from immigrants' rights groups, including some of those involved in the current litigation. "The arbitrary and secret shuttling of people between Guantanamo and the U.S. demonstrates a complete disregard for human dignity, an affront to the rule of law, and a waste of public resources," said the International Refugee Assistance Project's Pedro Sepulveda. "No one should be detained at Guantanamo," Sepulveda added. "The Trump administration must stop these ill-conceived and cruel transfers and stop detaining immigrants at Guantanamo once and for all." [type] => 1 ) [14] => Array ( [title] => Ukraine peace, global security top G7 agenda as diplomats convene in Canada [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/ukraine-peace-global-security-top-g7-agenda-as-diplomats-convene-in-canada-/8010030.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 17:46:06 -0400 [description] => CHARLEVOIX, QUEBEC — Top diplomats from the Group of Seven leading industrial nations gathered Thursday in Charlevoix, Quebec, as host country Canada outlined its top agenda, focusing on achieving a “just and lasting peace in Ukraine” and strengthening security and defense partnerships as the G7 marks 50 years. During the opening remarks, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said, “Peace and stability is on the top of our agenda, and I look forward to discussing how we can continue to support Ukraine in the face of Russia's illegal aggression.” Joly also emphasized the importance of addressing maritime security challenges, citing threats such as “growing the use of growing shadow fleets, dark vessels” and “sabotage of critical undersea infrastructure.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said he hopes a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine could take place within days if the Kremlin agrees. He also plans to urge G7 foreign ministers to focus on ending the Russia-Ukraine war. The G7 talks in Quebec follow U.S.-Ukraine talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where Ukraine said it is ready to accept a U.S. proposal for "an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire." "Ukraine is committed to moving quickly toward peace, and we are prepared to do our part in creating all of the conditions for a reliable, durable, and decent peace," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote Wednesday in a post on social media platform X. He added that "Ukraine was ready for an air and sea ceasefire," and "welcomed" the U.S. proposal to extend it to land. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia supports the U.S. ceasefire proposal in principle, but key details still need to be worked out. “Ceasefire, they can't be coming with conditions, because all these conditions just blur the picture. Either you want to end this war, or you don't want to end this war, so we need to be very firm,” said European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas during an interview with CNN International. “What we need to keep in mind is that Russia has invested, like over 9% of its GDP on the military, so they would want to use it,” Kallas said, adding the European nations “are massively increasing” their “defense investments.” The G7 talks bring together ministers from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.  Rubio has underscored the need for monitors if a ceasefire is implemented. He told reporters on Wednesday that “one of the things we'll have to determine is who do both sides trust to be on the ground to sort of monitor some of the small arms fire and exchanges that could happen.” Beyond Ukraine, G7 foreign ministers also discussed China’s role in global security, Indo-Pacific stability, and maritime security behind closed doors. Rubio is expected to have a pull-aside meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya on Thursday. [type] => 1 ) [15] => Array ( [title] => Wall Street tumbles 10% below its record after Trump escalates trade war [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/wall-street-tumbles-10-below-its-record-after-trump-escalates-trade-war/8010009.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 17:14:25 -0400 [description] => NEW YORK — Wall Street's sell-off hit a new low Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump's escalating trade war dragged the S&P 500 more than 10% below its record, which was set just last month. A 10% drop is deemed a correction by professional investors, and the S&P 500's 1.4% slide on Thursday sent the index to its first since 2023. The losses came after Trump upped the stakes in his trade war by threatening huge taxes on European wines and alcohol. Not even a double-shot of good news on the U.S. economy could stop the bleeding. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 537 points, or 1.3% Thursday, and the Nasdaq composite fell 2%. The dizzying, battering swings for stocks have been coming not just day to day but also hour to hour, and the Dow hurtled between a slight gain and a drop of 689 points through Thursday's trading. The turbulence is a result of uncertainty about how much pain Trump will let the economy endure through tariffs and other policies to reshape the country and world as he wants. The president has said he wants manufacturing jobs back in the United States, along with a smaller U.S. government workforce and other fundamental changes. Trump's latest escalation came Thursday when he threatened 200% tariffs on Champagne and other European wines, unless the European Union rolls back a tariff it announced on U.S. whiskey. The European Union unveiled that move on Wednesday, in response to U.S. tariffs on European steel and aluminum. U.S. households and businesses have reported drops in confidence because of all the uncertainty about which tariffs will stick from Trump's barrage of on-again, off-again announcements. That's raised fears about a pullback in spending that could sap energy from the economy. Some U.S. businesses say they've begun to see a change in their customers' behavior because of the uncertainty. A particularly feared scenario for the economy is one where its growth stagnates but inflation stays high because of tariffs. Few tools are available in Washington to fix what's called stagflation. There was good news Thursday, and it came on both those economic fronts. One report showed inflation at the wholesale level last month was milder than economists expected. It followed a similarly encouraging report from the prior day on inflation that U.S. consumers are feeling. A separate report, meanwhile, said fewer U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week than economists expected. It's the latest signal that the job market remains relatively solid overall. If that can continue, it could allow U.S. consumers to keep spending, and that's the main engine of the economy. [type] => 1 ) [16] => Array ( [title] => Trump asks Supreme Court to intervene in bid to curb birthright citizenship [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-asks-supreme-court-to-intervene-in-bid-to-curb-birthright-citizenship/8009956.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 16:15:52 -0400 [description] => WASHINGTON — Donald Trump took the fight over his attempt to restrict automatic U.S. birthright citizenship to the Supreme Court on Thursday as the Republican president's administration asked the justices to narrow a judicial block imposed on this key element of his hardline approach toward immigration. The Justice Department made the request challenging the scope of three nationwide injunctions issued against Trump's order by federal courts in Washington state, Massachusetts and Maryland. The administration said the injunctions should be scaled back from applying universally and limited to just the plaintiffs that brought the cases and are "actually within the courts' power." "Universal injunctions have reached epidemic proportions since the start of the current administration," the Justice Department said in the filing. "This court should declare that enough is enough before district courts' burgeoning reliance on universal injunctions becomes further entrenched." Trump's order, signed on his first day back in office on Jan. 20, directed federal agencies to refuse to recognize the citizenship of U.S.-born children who do not have at least one parent who is an American citizen or lawful permanent resident. The order was intended to apply starting Feb. 19 but has been blocked nationwide by multiple federal judges. Trump's action has drawn a series of lawsuits from plaintiffs, including 22 Democratic state attorneys general, immigrant rights advocates and expectant mothers. They argue among other things that Trump's order violates a right enshrined in the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment that provides that anyone born in the United States is a citizen. The 14th Amendment's citizenship clause states that all "persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside." The administration contends that the 14th Amendment, long understood to confer citizenship to virtually anyone born in the United States, does not extend to immigrants who are in the country illegally or even to immigrants whose presence is lawful but temporary, such as university students or those on work visas. Its request to the justices marks its latest trip to the top U.S. judicial body to defend Trump's actions. The Supreme Court's 6-3 conservative majority includes three justices appointed by Trump during his first term as president. Trump's push to restrict birthright citizenship is part of a broader immigration and border crackdown that includes tasking the U.S. military with aiding border security and issuing a broad ban on asylum. The judges who ruled against Trump's order faulted it as conflicting with the Constitution. An 1898 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a case called United States v. Wong Kim Ark long has been interpreted as guaranteeing that children born in the United States to noncitizen parents are entitled to American citizenship. Trump's Justice Department has argued that the court's ruling in that case was narrower, applying to children whose parents had a "permanent domicile and residence in the United States." [type] => 1 ) [17] => Array ( [title] => US lawmakers running out of time to fund government [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/us-lawmakers-running-out-of-time-to-fund-government/8009839.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 15:03:21 -0400 [description] => U.S. lawmakers are running out of time to pass a short-term continuing resolution, or CR, that will fund the government past a March 14 deadline. "Democrats need to decide if they're going to support funding legislation that came over from the House, or if they're going to shut down the government. So far, it's looking like they plan to shut it down," Senate Majority Leader John Thune said on the Senate floor Thursday. Appropriations bills require a 60-vote threshold for passage in the Senate, which means Republicans need to secure at least eight Democratic votes. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for the Senate to pass an earlier version of the CR that Democrats were involved in negotiating. "Funding the government should be a bipartisan effort. But Republicans chose a partisan path, drafting their continuing resolution without any input, any input, from congressional Democrats," Schumer said on the Senate floor late Wednesday. Democratic senators say they are concerned about easing the way for the Trump administration to continue large-scale changes to the federal government and social safety net programs. "I don't want a government shutdown," Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen said in a statement Thursday. "And that's why I'd like to vote on a bill to keep the government open for 30 days while we have a bipartisan negotiation. But I will not support this Republican House bill that simply gives Elon Musk more fuel and more tools to dismantle big parts of the federal government in order to rig it for people like himself and the very rich." "Voting against the CR will hurt the American people and kill the incredible momentum that President [Donald] Trump has built over the past 51 days," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters earlier this week. The Republican-majority House of Representatives passed a short-term spending measure Tuesday by a vote of 217-213. The House went out of session for the rest of the week starting Tuesday afternoon, putting pressure on senators to pass its version of the CR. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson quelled dissent from within his Republican party to pass the spending measure. He told reporters Tuesday the seven-month continuing resolution was an important step toward implementing Trump's agenda of rooting out government waste and abuse through the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE. "It allows us to move forward with changing the size and scope of the federal government. There is a seismic shift going on in Washington right now. This is a different moment than we have ever been in. The DOGE work is finding massive amounts of fraud, waste and abuse," Johnson said. "We have a White House that is actually dedicated to getting us back onto a fiscally responsible track." Independent watchdogs and analysts, however, say DOGE is using overly broad claims of fraud to generate support for large-scale cuts to federal programs and offices. Representative Thomas Massie was the lone Republican holdout, despite Trump's post Monday night on Truth Social calling for Massie to lose his seat if he voted against the spending measure. The continuing resolution buys lawmakers time to reach a compromise on Senate and House versions of government spending, a key tool for implementing Trump's domestic policy agenda. At question is how and when to enact a proposed extension of the 2017 tax cuts and how to pay down the U.S. deficit without cutting key safety net programs that help American voters. Senate leadership has proposed passing the tax cuts in a separate bill later this year. [type] => 1 ) [18] => Array ( [title] => Can the US pry Russia away from China? [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/can-the-us-pry-russia-away-from-china/8009771.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 14:26:15 -0400 [description] => Western politicians have repeatedly called on China to limit or cease tacit support for Russia’s bloody war against Ukraine. In response, China’s leadership insists it is committed to peace and respect for the territorial integrity of other nations. But unlike most United Nations member states, China has never condemned Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and their military-diplomatic partnership — from joint bomber flights near the U.S. state of Alaska to votes in the U.N. Security Council — has only helped the Kremlin overcome its international isolation. While President Donald Trump has said he has good personal relations with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, there is a consensus among experts in Washington that the China-Russia partnership poses a threat to U.S. interests, and that while Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, tried to establish a strategic dialogue with China, the Trump team appears to be prioritizing normalized ties with Russia while punishing China over trade. As the White House talks about the possibility of restoring economic cooperation with Russia, some of its officials are hinting at lifting or reducing the sanctions Washington has imposed on Moscow in recent years. Charles Hecker, an expert on Western-Russian economic ties and risks, and author of the book Zero Sum: The Arc of International Business in Russia, says some Western companies will quickly return to Russia if sanctions are lifted, particularly those involved in energy, metals and minerals. “There’s only so much oil in Norway, and there’s only so much oil in Canada; the rest of it is in some countries that have a very high-risk environment,” Hecker told VOA’s Russian Service. “And so, these kinds of companies are accustomed to business in these sorts of places, and they have the internal structures to help protect them. You know, there are energy companies doing business in Iraq right now. And I don’t want to compare Russia and Iraq, but they are high-risk environments.”  Still, Hecker cautions, their return to doing business in Russia wouldn’t signal an overall U.S.-Russian rapprochement — let alone a fracturing of Sino-Russian relations. “I think it will be very difficult for the West to pull Russia away from China,” he said. “Allowing Western companies back into Russia doesn’t necessarily change President Putin’s hostility towards the West. President Putin remains antagonistic towards a Western-dominated political and economic system, and he has said over and over again that he wants to create an alternative political and economic environment – an alternative to the West. “Part of that alternative includes China,” he added. “You have never heard President Putin say anything ideologically against China. And the two are now important energy partners.” Limited popular domestic appeal U.S.-based FilterLabs analyzes public sentiment in regions where polling is problematic. According to a recently published assessment of popular attitudes expressed on Russian and Chinese social media networks, Sino-Russian relations are “full of underlying tensions, mistrust, and diverging interests.” One of the report’s authors, Vasily Gatov, told VOA its research found that “the Chinese and Russian populations are far from happy with this alliance of their authorities.” "China does not perceive Russia as a reliable, safe and equal partner,” he said. “Russia annexed the Amur Region from China; Russia adopted a completely colonial policy towards China during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Therefore, in my opinion, it is entirely possible to consider historical frictions as a vulnerability.” A media analyst at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, Gatov also noted that, despite the Kremlin’s expectations, China’s economic presence inside Russia today remains “several times smaller” than that of either Europe or the U.S. before Russia invaded Ukraine. Thus, while Russian and China have overlapping interests, they are not “marching in lockstep.” "They are very different, they have very different geopolitical focuses, very different political philosophies,” he said. Other experts, however, question the Filterlabs findings, warning that random Russian and Chinese opinions online are of limited value, especially as those casting the insights aren’t likely to influence policy. "People who have the time and desire to comment on things on social media do not have much influence on how state policy is conducted,” Alexander Gabuev, director of the Berlin-based Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, told VOA. “And these people certainly do not have much influence on whether China transfers components for Russia's weapons or takes certain military technologies from it, since the people who comment on this simply do not have real knowledge of what is actually happening.” Gabuev added that “the Chinese leadership has reasons to think that they have something to take from Russia in terms of military technology,” suggesting that China is extremely interested in gaining Russian experience in countering Western weapons during Russia's war in Ukraine. Does Trump see China as a threat? One critical question about whether Washington’s improved ties with Russia will loosen the Sino-Russian pact, say some analysts, is how Trump perceives China. Ali Wyne, senior research and advocacy advisor on the U.S. and China at the International Crisis Group, describes Trump as an anomaly for U.S. policy. “Widespread bipartisan agreement in Congress and from one administration to the next [is] that China is American’s foremost strategic competitor,” he said. But “President Trump, in many ways, is the most prominent dissenter from this alleged China consensus.” “He doesn’t view President Xi [Jinping] in adversarial terms,” Wyne said. “He actually calls President Xi a ‘dear friend’ of his. And he believes that his personal rapport with President Xi will be the decisive dynamic in setting — or resetting — the U.S.-China relationship over the next four years.” [type] => 1 ) [19] => Array ( [title] => Judge orders Trump administration to reinstate thousands of fired government workers [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/judge-orders-trump-administration-to-reinstate-thousands-of-fired-government-workers/8009741.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 14:03:46 -0400 [description] => A California federal judge on Thursday ordered six U.S. agencies to reinstate thousands of recently hired employees who were fired as part of President Donald Trump's purge of the federal workforce. The ruling made by U.S. District Judge William Alsup during a hearing in San Francisco applies to the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, Department of Interior and the Treasury Department. Alsup last month temporarily blocked the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the human resources department for federal agencies, from ordering agencies to fire probationary employees, but he declined at the time to require that fired workers get their jobs back. Probationary workers typically have less than one year of service in their current roles, although some are longtime federal employees. They have fewer job protections than other government workers but, in general, can be fired only for performance issues. Alsup said on Thursday that OPM has no power to order firings, and there was evidence that it had improperly directed the termination of workers at the six agencies. He did not order the 16 other agencies named in the lawsuit by unions and nonprofit groups to reinstate workers. “It is a sad day when our government would fire some good employee and say it was based on performance when they know good and well that’s a lie,” Alsup said. The potential scale of Trump's efforts to shrink the U.S. federal government could become clearer on Thursday, the deadline for government agencies to submit plans for a second wave of mass layoffs and to slash their budgets. 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HTTP/1.0 429 Too Many Requests [2] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [3] => 128 [4] => Array ( [url] => https://www.yahoo.com/news/rss [RSS_Content] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [title] => NASA, SpaceX launch crew to space station to retrieve stuck astronauts [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/nasa-spacex-launch-crew-to-space-station-to-retrieve-stuck-astronauts/8011575.html [date] => Sat, 15 Mar 2025 06:04:44 -0400 [description] => The replacement crew for the International Space Station was launched late Friday, paving the way for the return home of Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, two NASA astronauts stuck on the space station for nine months. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 7:03 p.m. from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida carrying Crew-10 members: NASA’s Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan’s Takuya Onishi and Russia’s Kirill Peskov. The crew is part of a routine six-month rotation. Crew-10 and the Dragon spacecraft are expected to reach the space station around 11:30 p.m. Saturday. Returning to Earth alongside Wilmore and Williams will be NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. Their return is scheduled for Wednesday, to allow for an overlap of the two crews to brief the new team. Wilmore and Williams arrived aboard the International Space Station in June 2024 and expected to stay in space for about 10 days. But their return was delayed after mechanical issues with their spacecraft, which, after weeks of troubleshooting was subsequently sent back to Earth without them. Their return was continually pushed back due to other technical delays. [type] => 1 ) [1] => Array ( [title] => Starbucks hit with $50 million fine for spilled drink injury [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/8011572.html [date] => Sat, 15 Mar 2025 05:47:48 -0400 [description] => A California jury Friday imposed a $50 million fine on Starbucks in the case of a delivery driver burned by a scalding cup of hot tea at a company location in Los Angeles. Michael Garcia was picking up three drinks in 2020 but one, he claimed, was "negligently" unsecured and spilled in his lap. He claimed that he consequently "suffered severe burns, disfigurement, and debilitating nerve damage to his genitals" and he was taken to an emergency room by paramedics. "Michael Garcia’s life has been forever changed," his attorney, Nick Rowley, said. "No amount of money can undo the permanent catastrophic harm he has suffered, but this jury verdict is a critical step in holding Starbucks accountable for flagrant disregard for customer safety and failure to accept responsibility," he added. Starbucks said it planned to appeal the verdict. "We sympathize with Mr. Garcia, but we disagree with the jury’s decision that we were at fault for this incident and believe the damages awarded to be excessive," company spokesperson Jaci Anderson said in a statement. "We have always been committed to the highest safety standards in our stores, including the handling of hot drinks," she added. [type] => 1 ) [2] => Array ( [title] => US Appeals court allows DEI crackdown [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/us-appeals-court-allows-dei-crackdown/8011570.html [date] => Sat, 15 Mar 2025 05:35:26 -0400 [description] => A U.S. federal appeals court Friday lifted a block on the Trump administration’s crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the federal government, pausing a lower court ruling blocking enforcement of a series of presidential executive orders halting support of DEI initiatives. The three-judge panel on the Fourth Circuit of Appeals, in Richmond, Virginia, found that the directives by President Donald Trump were likely constitutional, disagreeing with a ruling in February by a federal judge in Maryland. The judges are allowing the Trump administration to implement the policy while they consider a final decision on the constitutionality of the orders. U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson in Baltimore had blocked implementation of Trump’s executive order nationwide pending the outcome of a lawsuit brought by the city of Baltimore and groups that claimed, among other things, the executive orders -- one abolishing DEI programs in the federal government and another requiring recipients of federal grants to not operate DEI programs -- improperly targeted constitutionally protected free speech. The Trump administration maintains the orders do not ban or discourage any speech but target instead unlawful discrimination. In addition to directing federal agencies to end diversity programs, the executive orders also precluded federal contractors from having them. Trump also ordered the Justice Department and other agencies to identify businesses, schools and nonprofit organizations that were deemed unlawfully discriminating through DEI policies. [type] => 1 ) [3] => Array ( [title] => Forecasters warn of tornadoes in US in coming days [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/forecasters-warn-of-tornadoes-in-us-in-coming-days/8011541.html [date] => Sat, 15 Mar 2025 02:11:12 -0400 [description] => U.S. weather forecasters warned of the threat of tornados in multiple states this weekend following at least five twisters in the state of Missouri on Friday. Friday's storms left some 100,000 buildings without power as severe weather continued into the night. The tornado risk was expected to continue into the weekend in a slew of states including Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama. Accuweather predicted the storm risk to peak from Saturday afternoon to Saturday night. The National Weather Service warned of heavy thunderstorms from the Midwest to the Mississippi Valley, bringing with them the chance of flash flooding, power outages, downed trees and travel disruptions. In Alabama, Governor Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency on Friday, extending into Sunday. In her proclamation, she said "this severe weather could cause significant damage to public and private property and poses a danger to the health and safety of the people of Alabama, including potential disruption of essential utility systems, personal injury and loss of life." The proclamation means the state National Guard will be on alert and could be activated. Missouri also declared a state of emergency. Forecasters expect the thunderstorms to swamp the South and move toward the East Coast on Saturday night into Sunday. Although the tornado threat is expected to decrease, the East Coast will likely face hail and potentially damaging wind gusts. The storm system is expected to move off into the Atlantic Ocean sometime Sunday night into Monday. [type] => 1 ) [4] => Array ( [title] => Trump vows accountability for those who pursued him in court cases [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-vows-accountability-for-those-who-pursued-him-in-court-cases-/8011522.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 23:12:18 -0400 [description] => U.S. President Donald Trump promised to seek accountability for those who pursued legal cases against him when he was out of office, speaking Friday at the Justice Department. "Our predecessors turned this Department of Justice into the Department of Injustice. But I stand before you today to declare that those days are over, and they are never going to come back. They're never coming back," Trump said. During his years out of office, the department twice indicted Trump on charges that he illegally stored classified documents at his Florida estate and that he worked to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Both cases were dismissed after Trump won election in November, with the department citing a long-standing policy of not prosecuting a sitting president. "Now, as the chief law enforcement officer in our country, I will insist upon and demand full and complete accountability for the wrongs and abuses that have occurred. The American people have given us a mandate, a mandate like few people thought possible," Trump said. Trump has fired prosecutors who investigated him during the Biden administration and scrutinized thousands of FBI agents who investigated some supporters of the president who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Representative Jamie Raskin, the senior Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, called Trump’s speech a "staggering violation of [the] traditional boundary between independent criminal law enforcement and presidential political power." Speaking outside Justice shortly after Trump spoke, Raskin said, "No other president in American history has stood at the Department of Justice to proclaim an agenda of criminal prosecution and retaliation against his political foes." Trump has long been critical of both the department and the FBI. He has installed political allies into top leadership positions at both of those agencies. FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi attended Friday’s talk. In introducing Trump, Bondi said, "We all work for the greatest president in the history of our country. ... He will never stop fighting for us, and we will never stop fighting for him and for our country." During his speech, Trump promised "historic reforms" at the agencies and said, "Under the Trump administration, the DOJ and the FBI will once again become the premier crime fighting agencies on the face of the Earth." His speech had echos of his campaign rallies, with music blaring from speakers before Trump entered the department’s Great Hall and his address hitting on some of the main themes from his campaign, including border security and fighting violent crime. On crime, Trump said that homicides, property crime and robberies rose during the Biden administration. "I have no higher mission as president of the United States than to end this killing and stop this law breaking and to making America safe again. And that's what you're all about in this room. We want to protect Americans, and we protect everybody that's in our country," he said. [type] => 1 ) [5] => Array ( [title] => 2 judges rule mass firings of agency employees to be illegal [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/judges-rule-mass-firings-of-agency-employees-to-be-illegal-/8011510.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 22:03:43 -0400 [description] => Federal judges in two separate cases ruled this week that recent mass firings of employees as part of President Donald Trump’s push to cut the size of the federal workforce were illegal and ordered thousands of probationary employees to be reinstated — at least for now. The Trump administration pushed back, filing appeals in both cases. "This injunction is entirely unconstitutional," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Friday. "You cannot have a low-level district court judge filing an injunction to usurp the executive authority of the president of the United States," she added. In the suit filed by federal employee unions, U.S. District Judge William Alsup of the Northern District of California said that the process had been a “sham,” as some employees were told they were being fired for poor performance. Just before issuing his ruling Thursday, Alsup said, "It is sad, a sad day. Our government would fire some good employee and say it was based on performance when they know good and well that's a lie." The departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Interior, Treasury and Veterans Affairs were ordered to “immediately” rehire the employees. Alsup, however, noted that federal agencies may still proceed with reductions in force, following proper procedure. Later Thursday, U.S. District Judge James Bredar also ruled that probationary employees must be reinstated after finding that 18 agencies had acted illegally in firing them. Democratic attorneys general representing the District of Columbia, Maryland and 18 other states argued that agencies failed to follow proper procedures for mass layoffs, including providing states with 60 days' notice. "Lacking the notice to which they were entitled, the states weren't ready for the impact of so many unemployed people. They are still scrambling to catch up," Bredar wrote in his memorandum explaining his decision. [type] => 1 ) [6] => Array ( [title] => Pi Day counts on never-ending numerical sequence for March 14 celebrations [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/pi-day-counts-on-never-ending-numerical-sequence-for-march-14-celebrations-/8011286.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 19:57:14 -0400 [description] => March 14 is Pi Day, an annual celebration of the mathematical constant of pi, representing the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. The holiday is observed on March 14 or 3/14 because 3.14 are the first three digits of the infinite number pi — 3.14159 ... and on and on. The celebration of Pi Day was the brainchild of physicist Larry Shaw and was first observed in 1988 at San Francisco’s Exploratorium, a science museum, and has since grown into an international event. At that first simple salute to pi in 1988, Shaw and his wife, Catherine, took — guess what? — pies — and tea to the museum for the celebration of the infinite number. Shaw became known as the Prince of Pi and reigned over the museum’s annual honoring of the never-ending number for years, until his death in 2017. Pi Day festivities grew to include the honoring of mathematical genius Albert Einstein because he was born on March 14. The U.S. House of Representatives officially designated March 14 as National Pi Day in 2009. The Exploratorium posted on its website that this year’s observance of pi would include the annual Pi Procession, which the museum described as being executed by “a high spirited crowd” through the museum and would circle the museum’s Pi Shrine 3.14 times, while “waving the digits of pi and dancing along” to a brass band. And, of course, all participants in the revelry would be rewarded with a free slice of pie. Pi Day is now celebrated around the world by pi lovers and is viewed as a way to arouse interest in the sciences among young people. Pi lovers had a special treat in 2015, History.com reports. That year Pi Day was celebrated on 3/14/15 at 9:26:53 a.m. The combined numbers of the date and time represent the first 10 digits of pi — 3.141592653. [type] => 1 ) [7] => Array ( [title] => Senate averts government shutdown, overcomes Democratic opposition [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/us-government-shutdown-likely-averted-democrats-fracture/8011226.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 19:03:31 -0400 [description] => The U.S. Senate passed a stopgap spending bill Friday evening, averting a partial government shutdown and overcoming Democratic opposition to the measure. The bill passed 54-46 after clearing a more difficult procedural hurdle to stop debate on the measure, which required at least 60 votes. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed the bill earlier this week to meet a March 14 deadline to keep the government running. Senate Democrats had fractured over whether to support the short-term continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the government for the next six months, reduce total government spending by about $7 billion from last year's levels and shift money to the military and away from non-defense spending. Many Democrats expressed anger after the top-ranking Democrat in the chamber, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, announced Thursday night that while he disliked the bill, a shutdown was a “far worse option.” Speaking on the Senate floor Friday morning, Schumer said not passing the Republican funding bill would give more power to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) effort led by Elon Musk, including which agencies would be shut down. "A shutdown would allow DOGE to shift into overdrive," he said. Dozens of House Democrats, who opposed the funding measure in the lower chamber, sent a letter to Schumer on Friday, expressing their "strong opposition" to his plan to vote for the bill. Former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urged Senate Democrats to go against their leader. In a Friday statement, she wrote, "America has experienced a Trump shutdown before — but this damaging legislation only makes matters worse." When questioned by reporters Friday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries refused to say whether he backed Schumer’s leadership. Trump had called on Congress to pass the funding bill and on Friday praised Schumer for supporting it. "Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thing — Took 'guts' and courage!" he wrote on his Truth Social platform. "I have great respect, by the way, for what Schumer did today. He went out and he said that they have to vote with the Republicans because it's the right thing to do," Trump said during a speech at the Department of Justice. Appropriations bills require a 60-vote threshold for passage in the Senate, which means Republicans needed to secure at least eight Democratic votes. The bill cleared the procedural hurdle 62-38. Several amendments to the bill failed, but one that proposed eliminating funding for DOGE drew the support of one Republican. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska has been outspoken in her criticism of the initiative by Musk. Schumer previously called for the Senate to pass an earlier version of the CR that Democrats were involved in negotiating. "Funding the government should be a bipartisan effort. But Republicans chose a partisan path, drafting their continuing resolution without any input, any input, from congressional Democrats," Schumer said on the Senate floor late Wednesday. The House passed the short-term spending measure 217-213 on Tuesday. One Democrat voted for the bill and one Republican against it. The chamber went out of session for the rest of the week starting Tuesday afternoon, putting pressure on senators to pass its version of the CR. House Speaker Mike Johnson quelled dissent from within his Republican Party to pass the spending measure. He told reporters Tuesday the seven-month continuing resolution was an important step toward implementing Trump's agenda of rooting out government waste and abuse through DOGE. "It allows us to move forward with changing the size and scope of the federal government. There is a seismic shift going on in Washington right now. This is a different moment than we have ever been in. The DOGE work is finding massive amounts of fraud, waste and abuse," Johnson said. "We have a White House that is actually dedicated to getting us back onto a fiscally responsible track." Independent watchdogs and analysts, however, say DOGE is using overly broad claims of fraud to generate support for large-scale cuts to federal programs and offices. Representative Thomas Massie was the lone Republican holdout, despite Trump's post Monday night on Truth Social calling for Massie to lose his seat if he voted against the spending measure. The continuing resolution buys lawmakers time to reach a compromise on Senate and House versions of government spending for the next fiscal year, which begins in October, a key tool for implementing Trump's domestic policy agenda. At question is how and when to enact a proposed extension of the 2017 tax cuts and how to pay down the U.S. deficit without cutting key safety net programs that help American voters. [type] => 1 ) [8] => Array ( [title] => US envoy says Hamas misrepresented release of hostage [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/us-envoy-says-hamas-misrepresented-release-of-hostage/8011067.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 15:35:19 -0400 [description] => U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff said a Hamas statement issued Friday announcing it had agreed to release an American-Israeli soldier was, in reality, a condition of a "bridge" ceasefire proposal offered by U.S. officials earlier this week. Early Friday, the U.S.-designated terrorist group Hamas issued a statement saying it had agreed to release Edan Alexander, believed to be the last living American hostage held in Gaza, as well as the bodies of four other hostages after receiving a proposal from mediators to resume negotiations on the second phase of a Gaza ceasefire deal. The statement said the proposal had been offered by unnamed mediators as part of the work in Qatar to restart ceasefire negotiations. The United States, Egypt and host Qatar have been mediating the ceasefire talks. Hamas expressed its "complete readiness to begin negotiations and reach a comprehensive agreement on the issues of the second phase." Later Friday, in a joint statement issued along with the National Security Council, Witkoff's office explained he and National Security Council Senior Middle East Director Eric Trager had presented the bridge proposal to extend the current ceasefire beyond Ramadan and Passover and allow time to negotiate a framework for a permanent ceasefire. In the statement, Witkoff said that under the proposal, Hamas would release additional living hostages in exchange for prisoners, and that the extension of the phase-one ceasefire would allow more time for humanitarian aid to resume into Gaza. He said the U.S. had its Qatari and Egyptian mediating partners convey to Hamas "in no uncertain terms" that the new proposal would have to be implemented soon and Edan Alexander would have to be released immediately. "Unfortunately, Hamas has chosen to respond by publicly claiming flexibility," Witkoff said in the statement, "while privately making demands that are entirely impractical without a permanent ceasefire." In a statement released on the X social media platform, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said that while Israel had accepted "the Witkoff framework," Hamas "continues to wage psychological warfare against hostage families." The statement went on to say that the prime minister would convene his ministerial team Saturday evening for a detailed briefing from the negotiating team and "decide on steps to free the hostages and achieve all our war objectives." Hamas is believed to be holding 24 living hostages taken in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered its war with Israel. The group also is holding the bodies of 34 others who were either killed in the initial attack or in captivity, as well as the remains of a soldier killed in 2014. In comments to FOX Business news Friday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said she was wary of taking Hamas statements at face value but emphasized that U.S. President Donald Trump was working "diligently" to bring hostages home. Witkoff told reporters at the White House early in March that gaining the release of Alexander was a "top priority." A ceasefire has been in place since January. During the first phase of the three-phase ceasefire, Hamas exchanged 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Israel has been pressing Hamas to accept an extension of the first phase, which ended March 2. Hamas had said it wanted to move to the second phase of the agreement, which would involve the release of more hostages and Israel's withdrawal from Gaza. [type] => 1 ) [9] => Array ( [title] => Trump intent on imposing global tariffs [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-intent-on-imposing-global-tariffs/8010989.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:35:26 -0400 [description] => The on-again, off-again tariffs between the United States and other countries are again under scrutiny, with the U.S. president not budging. VOA White House Correspondent Carolyn Presutti reports. [type] => 1 ) [10] => Array ( [title] => Kremlin: Reasons to be optimistic about ceasefire deal [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/kremlin-reasons-to-be-optimistic-about-ceasefire-deal/8010812.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 12:13:20 -0400 [description] => Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday that there were reasons for "cautious optimism" regarding a proposed ceasefire deal between Ukraine and Russia, following talks between a U.S. envoy and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Speaking to reporters in a telephone news briefing, Peskov referenced comments from Putin on Thursday in which he expressed qualified support for a U.S. ceasefire proposal to halt Russia's war with Ukraine for 30 days but said some questions needed to be answered. Peskov said that while much remains to be done, Putin "expressed solidarity with [U.S. President Donald] Trump's position." He said Putin held late-night talks Thursday with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, during which Putin "conveyed information and additional signals to President Trump." The Kremlin spokesman said both sides agreed Putin and Trump should speak, adding that the timing of the conversation would be agreed upon once Witkoff had conveyed the new information to Trump. Trump said in a post on his Truth Social website Friday morning that "there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end." He also said he had "strongly requested" that Putin spare the lives of "thousands" of Ukrainian troops in Russia's Kursk border region who were "completely surrounded" by the Russian military. "This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II," Trump wrote on social media. Later Friday, Putin told the National Security Council in Moscow that if the Ukrainian troops laid down their arms and surrendered, they would not be killed. Ukraine's military, however, denied that its forces in Kursk were surrounded by Moscow's troops and said reports to that effect were Russian manipulation. In his nightly address to his nation Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Putin's comments to Witkoff were "very manipulative," and that he thought Putin's qualified support for the U.S. plan was an effort to lay the groundwork for rejecting it. "He is in fact preparing a rejection at present, because Putin is, of course, scared to tell President Trump that he wants to continue this war, that he wants to kill Ukrainians," Zelenskyy said. He noted Ukraine had accepted the U.S. proposal and was ready to organize monitoring and verification. "We are not setting conditions that complicate the process; Russia is," Zelenskyy said. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Friday that no discussions between Trump and Putin had been scheduled, but she said that could change. She called the talks in Moscow on Thursday "a productive day for the United States of America and for the world in terms of peace." On Thursday at the White House, ahead of talks with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump said it would be "very disappointing" if Russia ended up rejecting U.S. efforts to end the fighting. Meanwhile, Britain's Defense Ministry said Friday that Russia's prioritization of funding its war with Ukraine had likely resulted in insufficient funding for average Russians' health care, leading to shortages of medical staff and equipment. In its Defense Intelligence report, the ministry said Russia reportedly closed at least 160 hospitals in 2024, including 18 maternity facilities and at least 10 children's clinics. The report said Russia's small towns and villages had been particularly affected. The Defense Ministry said the 500,000 casualties Russia has sustained in the war in Ukraine most certainly continue to put a strain on all levels of care in the Russian military medical system. [type] => 1 ) [11] => Array ( [title] => Report: US bird population is declining [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/report-us-bird-population-is-declining/8010492.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 02:55:47 -0400 [description] => The U.S. bird population is declining at an alarming rate, according to a report published Thursday by an alliance of science and conservation groups. Habitat loss and climate change are among the key contributing factors to the bird population losses, according to the 2025 U.S. State of the Birds report. More than 100 of the species studied, have reached a "tipping point," losing more than half their populations in the last 50 years. The report revealed that the avian population in all habitats is declining, including the duck population, previously considered a triumph of conservation. "The only bright spot is water birds such as herons and egrets that show some increases," Michael Parr, president of the American Bird Conservancy, told Reuters. The decline in the duck population fell by approximately 30% from 2017, but duck population numbers still remain higher, however, than their 1970 numbers, according to an Associated Press account on the report. "Roughly one in three bird species (229 species) in the U.S. requires urgent conservation attention, and these species represent the major habitats and systems in the U.S. and include species that we've long considered to be common and abundant," Amanda Rodewald, faculty director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Center for Avian Population Studies told Reuters. Included among the birds with highest losses, Reuters reported, are the mottled duck, Allen's hummingbird, yellow-billed loon, red-faced cormorant, greater sage-grouse, Florida scrub jay, Baird's sparrow, saltmarsh sparrow, mountain plover, Hawaiian petrel, Bicknell's thrush, Cassia crossbill, pink-footed shearwater, tricolored blackbird and golden-cheeked warbler. Some of the birds in this "red alert" group are already protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, the news agency said. "For each species that we're in danger of losing, it's like pulling an individual thread out of the complex tapestry of life," Georgetown University biologist Peter Marra. who was not involved in the new report, told AP. While the outlook may seem dire, it is not without hope, said Marra, who noted the resurgence of the majestic bald eagle. [type] => 1 ) [12] => Array ( [title] => Shortage of Marines’ amphibious warships worries top US military officers [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/shortage-of-marines-amphibious-warships-worries-top-us-military-officers/8010115.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 20:13:58 -0400 [description] => Officials tell VOA the shortage of amphibious warfare ships has reached a breaking point. While the ships make up just 10% of the fleet, they are the go-to alternative to aircraft carriers when commanders need something more precise or expedient. VOA Pentagon Correspondent Carla Babb reports. [type] => 1 ) [13] => Array ( [title] => Homeland Security, rights group to meet in court over migrants at Guantanamo Bay [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/homeland-security-rights-group-to-meet-in-court-over-migrants-at-guantanamo-bay-/8010057.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 19:09:03 -0400 [description] => PENTAGON — U.S. government lawyers are expected to face off with attorneys for civil and immigration rights groups over the use of a U.S. naval base in Cuba to hold migrants slated for deportation. Arguments in the two lawsuits over operations at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, filed against the Department of Homeland Security and Secretary Kristi Noem, are set for a U.S. District Court in Washington on Friday. The suits allege that the U.S. government has overstepped its bounds by denying migrants sent to Guantanamo Bay access to legal representation and also by attempting to send migrants to the base's facilities without the proper legal authority in violation of the U.S. Constitution. DHS officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the upcoming hearing, but they have repeatedly denied the allegations while criticizing the groups bringing the lawsuits. "The American Civil Liberties Union appears far more interested in promoting open borders and disrupting public safety missions than in protecting the civil liberties of Americans," a DHS spokesperson told VOA in a statement earlier this month, declining to be named. "They should consider changing their name," the spokesperson added, further describing the legal challenges as "baseless." President Donald Trump first raised the idea of using the U.S. naval base in Cuba as part of his administration's plans for mass deportations shortly after taking office in January. Homeland Security's Noem said the base, which features a secure prison to hold captured terrorists, would be used to house "the worst of the worst." Trump and other U.S. officials also suggested the base could be used to hold up to 30,000 migrants while they awaited deportation. Those plans, however, never fully materialized. The U.S. began sending what officials described as "high threat illegal aliens" to Guantanamo Bay's detention center in early February, followed by other nonviolent migrants, who stayed at other facilities. At times, the facilities held close to 200 detainees, many of whom were deported to Honduras, Venezuela or other countries. But despite efforts to prepare the facilities for more migrants, capacity has been limited. According to a U.S. defense official, who spoke to VOA on the condition of anonymity, the prison as currently configured can hold only 130 detainees, while the base's Migrant Operations Center and a temporary tent city can hold, at most, 550 people. As VOA first reported, DHS officials decided to remove all 40 remaining migrants from the prison and other facilities at Guantanamo Bay this past Tuesday, flying them instead to the U.S. southern state of Louisiana. Neither DHS nor its subagency, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, have responded to requests for comment on the decision to evacuate migrants from the naval base or on their status or whereabouts since being returned to the U.S. mainland. The move — and lack of communication — has drawn criticism from immigrants' rights groups, including some of those involved in the current litigation. "The arbitrary and secret shuttling of people between Guantanamo and the U.S. demonstrates a complete disregard for human dignity, an affront to the rule of law, and a waste of public resources," said the International Refugee Assistance Project's Pedro Sepulveda. "No one should be detained at Guantanamo," Sepulveda added. "The Trump administration must stop these ill-conceived and cruel transfers and stop detaining immigrants at Guantanamo once and for all." [type] => 1 ) [14] => Array ( [title] => Ukraine peace, global security top G7 agenda as diplomats convene in Canada [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/ukraine-peace-global-security-top-g7-agenda-as-diplomats-convene-in-canada-/8010030.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 17:46:06 -0400 [description] => CHARLEVOIX, QUEBEC — Top diplomats from the Group of Seven leading industrial nations gathered Thursday in Charlevoix, Quebec, as host country Canada outlined its top agenda, focusing on achieving a “just and lasting peace in Ukraine” and strengthening security and defense partnerships as the G7 marks 50 years. During the opening remarks, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said, “Peace and stability is on the top of our agenda, and I look forward to discussing how we can continue to support Ukraine in the face of Russia's illegal aggression.” Joly also emphasized the importance of addressing maritime security challenges, citing threats such as “growing the use of growing shadow fleets, dark vessels” and “sabotage of critical undersea infrastructure.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said he hopes a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine could take place within days if the Kremlin agrees. He also plans to urge G7 foreign ministers to focus on ending the Russia-Ukraine war. The G7 talks in Quebec follow U.S.-Ukraine talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where Ukraine said it is ready to accept a U.S. proposal for "an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire." "Ukraine is committed to moving quickly toward peace, and we are prepared to do our part in creating all of the conditions for a reliable, durable, and decent peace," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote Wednesday in a post on social media platform X. He added that "Ukraine was ready for an air and sea ceasefire," and "welcomed" the U.S. proposal to extend it to land. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia supports the U.S. ceasefire proposal in principle, but key details still need to be worked out. “Ceasefire, they can't be coming with conditions, because all these conditions just blur the picture. Either you want to end this war, or you don't want to end this war, so we need to be very firm,” said European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas during an interview with CNN International. “What we need to keep in mind is that Russia has invested, like over 9% of its GDP on the military, so they would want to use it,” Kallas said, adding the European nations “are massively increasing” their “defense investments.” The G7 talks bring together ministers from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.  Rubio has underscored the need for monitors if a ceasefire is implemented. He told reporters on Wednesday that “one of the things we'll have to determine is who do both sides trust to be on the ground to sort of monitor some of the small arms fire and exchanges that could happen.” Beyond Ukraine, G7 foreign ministers also discussed China’s role in global security, Indo-Pacific stability, and maritime security behind closed doors. Rubio is expected to have a pull-aside meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya on Thursday. [type] => 1 ) [15] => Array ( [title] => Wall Street tumbles 10% below its record after Trump escalates trade war [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/wall-street-tumbles-10-below-its-record-after-trump-escalates-trade-war/8010009.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 17:14:25 -0400 [description] => NEW YORK — Wall Street's sell-off hit a new low Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump's escalating trade war dragged the S&P 500 more than 10% below its record, which was set just last month. A 10% drop is deemed a correction by professional investors, and the S&P 500's 1.4% slide on Thursday sent the index to its first since 2023. The losses came after Trump upped the stakes in his trade war by threatening huge taxes on European wines and alcohol. Not even a double-shot of good news on the U.S. economy could stop the bleeding. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 537 points, or 1.3% Thursday, and the Nasdaq composite fell 2%. The dizzying, battering swings for stocks have been coming not just day to day but also hour to hour, and the Dow hurtled between a slight gain and a drop of 689 points through Thursday's trading. The turbulence is a result of uncertainty about how much pain Trump will let the economy endure through tariffs and other policies to reshape the country and world as he wants. The president has said he wants manufacturing jobs back in the United States, along with a smaller U.S. government workforce and other fundamental changes. Trump's latest escalation came Thursday when he threatened 200% tariffs on Champagne and other European wines, unless the European Union rolls back a tariff it announced on U.S. whiskey. The European Union unveiled that move on Wednesday, in response to U.S. tariffs on European steel and aluminum. U.S. households and businesses have reported drops in confidence because of all the uncertainty about which tariffs will stick from Trump's barrage of on-again, off-again announcements. That's raised fears about a pullback in spending that could sap energy from the economy. Some U.S. businesses say they've begun to see a change in their customers' behavior because of the uncertainty. A particularly feared scenario for the economy is one where its growth stagnates but inflation stays high because of tariffs. Few tools are available in Washington to fix what's called stagflation. There was good news Thursday, and it came on both those economic fronts. One report showed inflation at the wholesale level last month was milder than economists expected. It followed a similarly encouraging report from the prior day on inflation that U.S. consumers are feeling. A separate report, meanwhile, said fewer U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week than economists expected. It's the latest signal that the job market remains relatively solid overall. If that can continue, it could allow U.S. consumers to keep spending, and that's the main engine of the economy. [type] => 1 ) [16] => Array ( [title] => Trump asks Supreme Court to intervene in bid to curb birthright citizenship [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-asks-supreme-court-to-intervene-in-bid-to-curb-birthright-citizenship/8009956.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 16:15:52 -0400 [description] => WASHINGTON — Donald Trump took the fight over his attempt to restrict automatic U.S. birthright citizenship to the Supreme Court on Thursday as the Republican president's administration asked the justices to narrow a judicial block imposed on this key element of his hardline approach toward immigration. The Justice Department made the request challenging the scope of three nationwide injunctions issued against Trump's order by federal courts in Washington state, Massachusetts and Maryland. The administration said the injunctions should be scaled back from applying universally and limited to just the plaintiffs that brought the cases and are "actually within the courts' power." "Universal injunctions have reached epidemic proportions since the start of the current administration," the Justice Department said in the filing. "This court should declare that enough is enough before district courts' burgeoning reliance on universal injunctions becomes further entrenched." Trump's order, signed on his first day back in office on Jan. 20, directed federal agencies to refuse to recognize the citizenship of U.S.-born children who do not have at least one parent who is an American citizen or lawful permanent resident. The order was intended to apply starting Feb. 19 but has been blocked nationwide by multiple federal judges. Trump's action has drawn a series of lawsuits from plaintiffs, including 22 Democratic state attorneys general, immigrant rights advocates and expectant mothers. They argue among other things that Trump's order violates a right enshrined in the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment that provides that anyone born in the United States is a citizen. The 14th Amendment's citizenship clause states that all "persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside." The administration contends that the 14th Amendment, long understood to confer citizenship to virtually anyone born in the United States, does not extend to immigrants who are in the country illegally or even to immigrants whose presence is lawful but temporary, such as university students or those on work visas. Its request to the justices marks its latest trip to the top U.S. judicial body to defend Trump's actions. The Supreme Court's 6-3 conservative majority includes three justices appointed by Trump during his first term as president. Trump's push to restrict birthright citizenship is part of a broader immigration and border crackdown that includes tasking the U.S. military with aiding border security and issuing a broad ban on asylum. The judges who ruled against Trump's order faulted it as conflicting with the Constitution. An 1898 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a case called United States v. Wong Kim Ark long has been interpreted as guaranteeing that children born in the United States to noncitizen parents are entitled to American citizenship. Trump's Justice Department has argued that the court's ruling in that case was narrower, applying to children whose parents had a "permanent domicile and residence in the United States." [type] => 1 ) [17] => Array ( [title] => US lawmakers running out of time to fund government [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/us-lawmakers-running-out-of-time-to-fund-government/8009839.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 15:03:21 -0400 [description] => U.S. lawmakers are running out of time to pass a short-term continuing resolution, or CR, that will fund the government past a March 14 deadline. "Democrats need to decide if they're going to support funding legislation that came over from the House, or if they're going to shut down the government. So far, it's looking like they plan to shut it down," Senate Majority Leader John Thune said on the Senate floor Thursday. Appropriations bills require a 60-vote threshold for passage in the Senate, which means Republicans need to secure at least eight Democratic votes. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for the Senate to pass an earlier version of the CR that Democrats were involved in negotiating. "Funding the government should be a bipartisan effort. But Republicans chose a partisan path, drafting their continuing resolution without any input, any input, from congressional Democrats," Schumer said on the Senate floor late Wednesday. Democratic senators say they are concerned about easing the way for the Trump administration to continue large-scale changes to the federal government and social safety net programs. "I don't want a government shutdown," Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen said in a statement Thursday. "And that's why I'd like to vote on a bill to keep the government open for 30 days while we have a bipartisan negotiation. But I will not support this Republican House bill that simply gives Elon Musk more fuel and more tools to dismantle big parts of the federal government in order to rig it for people like himself and the very rich." "Voting against the CR will hurt the American people and kill the incredible momentum that President [Donald] Trump has built over the past 51 days," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters earlier this week. The Republican-majority House of Representatives passed a short-term spending measure Tuesday by a vote of 217-213. The House went out of session for the rest of the week starting Tuesday afternoon, putting pressure on senators to pass its version of the CR. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson quelled dissent from within his Republican party to pass the spending measure. He told reporters Tuesday the seven-month continuing resolution was an important step toward implementing Trump's agenda of rooting out government waste and abuse through the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE. "It allows us to move forward with changing the size and scope of the federal government. There is a seismic shift going on in Washington right now. This is a different moment than we have ever been in. The DOGE work is finding massive amounts of fraud, waste and abuse," Johnson said. "We have a White House that is actually dedicated to getting us back onto a fiscally responsible track." Independent watchdogs and analysts, however, say DOGE is using overly broad claims of fraud to generate support for large-scale cuts to federal programs and offices. Representative Thomas Massie was the lone Republican holdout, despite Trump's post Monday night on Truth Social calling for Massie to lose his seat if he voted against the spending measure. The continuing resolution buys lawmakers time to reach a compromise on Senate and House versions of government spending, a key tool for implementing Trump's domestic policy agenda. At question is how and when to enact a proposed extension of the 2017 tax cuts and how to pay down the U.S. deficit without cutting key safety net programs that help American voters. Senate leadership has proposed passing the tax cuts in a separate bill later this year. [type] => 1 ) [18] => Array ( [title] => Can the US pry Russia away from China? [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/can-the-us-pry-russia-away-from-china/8009771.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 14:26:15 -0400 [description] => Western politicians have repeatedly called on China to limit or cease tacit support for Russia’s bloody war against Ukraine. In response, China’s leadership insists it is committed to peace and respect for the territorial integrity of other nations. But unlike most United Nations member states, China has never condemned Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and their military-diplomatic partnership — from joint bomber flights near the U.S. state of Alaska to votes in the U.N. Security Council — has only helped the Kremlin overcome its international isolation. While President Donald Trump has said he has good personal relations with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, there is a consensus among experts in Washington that the China-Russia partnership poses a threat to U.S. interests, and that while Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, tried to establish a strategic dialogue with China, the Trump team appears to be prioritizing normalized ties with Russia while punishing China over trade. As the White House talks about the possibility of restoring economic cooperation with Russia, some of its officials are hinting at lifting or reducing the sanctions Washington has imposed on Moscow in recent years. Charles Hecker, an expert on Western-Russian economic ties and risks, and author of the book Zero Sum: The Arc of International Business in Russia, says some Western companies will quickly return to Russia if sanctions are lifted, particularly those involved in energy, metals and minerals. “There’s only so much oil in Norway, and there’s only so much oil in Canada; the rest of it is in some countries that have a very high-risk environment,” Hecker told VOA’s Russian Service. “And so, these kinds of companies are accustomed to business in these sorts of places, and they have the internal structures to help protect them. You know, there are energy companies doing business in Iraq right now. And I don’t want to compare Russia and Iraq, but they are high-risk environments.”  Still, Hecker cautions, their return to doing business in Russia wouldn’t signal an overall U.S.-Russian rapprochement — let alone a fracturing of Sino-Russian relations. “I think it will be very difficult for the West to pull Russia away from China,” he said. “Allowing Western companies back into Russia doesn’t necessarily change President Putin’s hostility towards the West. President Putin remains antagonistic towards a Western-dominated political and economic system, and he has said over and over again that he wants to create an alternative political and economic environment – an alternative to the West. “Part of that alternative includes China,” he added. “You have never heard President Putin say anything ideologically against China. And the two are now important energy partners.” Limited popular domestic appeal U.S.-based FilterLabs analyzes public sentiment in regions where polling is problematic. According to a recently published assessment of popular attitudes expressed on Russian and Chinese social media networks, Sino-Russian relations are “full of underlying tensions, mistrust, and diverging interests.” One of the report’s authors, Vasily Gatov, told VOA its research found that “the Chinese and Russian populations are far from happy with this alliance of their authorities.” "China does not perceive Russia as a reliable, safe and equal partner,” he said. “Russia annexed the Amur Region from China; Russia adopted a completely colonial policy towards China during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Therefore, in my opinion, it is entirely possible to consider historical frictions as a vulnerability.” A media analyst at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, Gatov also noted that, despite the Kremlin’s expectations, China’s economic presence inside Russia today remains “several times smaller” than that of either Europe or the U.S. before Russia invaded Ukraine. Thus, while Russian and China have overlapping interests, they are not “marching in lockstep.” "They are very different, they have very different geopolitical focuses, very different political philosophies,” he said. Other experts, however, question the Filterlabs findings, warning that random Russian and Chinese opinions online are of limited value, especially as those casting the insights aren’t likely to influence policy. "People who have the time and desire to comment on things on social media do not have much influence on how state policy is conducted,” Alexander Gabuev, director of the Berlin-based Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, told VOA. “And these people certainly do not have much influence on whether China transfers components for Russia's weapons or takes certain military technologies from it, since the people who comment on this simply do not have real knowledge of what is actually happening.” Gabuev added that “the Chinese leadership has reasons to think that they have something to take from Russia in terms of military technology,” suggesting that China is extremely interested in gaining Russian experience in countering Western weapons during Russia's war in Ukraine. Does Trump see China as a threat? One critical question about whether Washington’s improved ties with Russia will loosen the Sino-Russian pact, say some analysts, is how Trump perceives China. Ali Wyne, senior research and advocacy advisor on the U.S. and China at the International Crisis Group, describes Trump as an anomaly for U.S. policy. “Widespread bipartisan agreement in Congress and from one administration to the next [is] that China is American’s foremost strategic competitor,” he said. But “President Trump, in many ways, is the most prominent dissenter from this alleged China consensus.” “He doesn’t view President Xi [Jinping] in adversarial terms,” Wyne said. “He actually calls President Xi a ‘dear friend’ of his. And he believes that his personal rapport with President Xi will be the decisive dynamic in setting — or resetting — the U.S.-China relationship over the next four years.” [type] => 1 ) [19] => Array ( [title] => Judge orders Trump administration to reinstate thousands of fired government workers [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/judge-orders-trump-administration-to-reinstate-thousands-of-fired-government-workers/8009741.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 14:03:46 -0400 [description] => A California federal judge on Thursday ordered six U.S. agencies to reinstate thousands of recently hired employees who were fired as part of President Donald Trump's purge of the federal workforce. The ruling made by U.S. District Judge William Alsup during a hearing in San Francisco applies to the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, Department of Interior and the Treasury Department. Alsup last month temporarily blocked the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the human resources department for federal agencies, from ordering agencies to fire probationary employees, but he declined at the time to require that fired workers get their jobs back. Probationary workers typically have less than one year of service in their current roles, although some are longtime federal employees. They have fewer job protections than other government workers but, in general, can be fired only for performance issues. Alsup said on Thursday that OPM has no power to order firings, and there was evidence that it had improperly directed the termination of workers at the six agencies. He did not order the 16 other agencies named in the lawsuit by unions and nonprofit groups to reinstate workers. “It is a sad day when our government would fire some good employee and say it was based on performance when they know good and well that’s a lie,” Alsup said. The potential scale of Trump's efforts to shrink the U.S. federal government could become clearer on Thursday, the deadline for government agencies to submit plans for a second wave of mass layoffs and to slash their budgets. 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The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 7:03 p.m. from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida carrying Crew-10 members: NASA’s Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan’s Takuya Onishi and Russia’s Kirill Peskov. The crew is part of a routine six-month rotation. Crew-10 and the Dragon spacecraft are expected to reach the space station around 11:30 p.m. Saturday. Returning to Earth alongside Wilmore and Williams will be NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. Their return is scheduled for Wednesday, to allow for an overlap of the two crews to brief the new team. Wilmore and Williams arrived aboard the International Space Station in June 2024 and expected to stay in space for about 10 days. But their return was delayed after mechanical issues with their spacecraft, which, after weeks of troubleshooting was subsequently sent back to Earth without them. Their return was continually pushed back due to other technical delays. [type] => 1 ) [1] => Array ( [title] => Starbucks hit with $50 million fine for spilled drink injury [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/8011572.html [date] => Sat, 15 Mar 2025 05:47:48 -0400 [description] => A California jury Friday imposed a $50 million fine on Starbucks in the case of a delivery driver burned by a scalding cup of hot tea at a company location in Los Angeles. Michael Garcia was picking up three drinks in 2020 but one, he claimed, was "negligently" unsecured and spilled in his lap. He claimed that he consequently "suffered severe burns, disfigurement, and debilitating nerve damage to his genitals" and he was taken to an emergency room by paramedics. "Michael Garcia’s life has been forever changed," his attorney, Nick Rowley, said. "No amount of money can undo the permanent catastrophic harm he has suffered, but this jury verdict is a critical step in holding Starbucks accountable for flagrant disregard for customer safety and failure to accept responsibility," he added. Starbucks said it planned to appeal the verdict. "We sympathize with Mr. Garcia, but we disagree with the jury’s decision that we were at fault for this incident and believe the damages awarded to be excessive," company spokesperson Jaci Anderson said in a statement. "We have always been committed to the highest safety standards in our stores, including the handling of hot drinks," she added. [type] => 1 ) [2] => Array ( [title] => US Appeals court allows DEI crackdown [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/us-appeals-court-allows-dei-crackdown/8011570.html [date] => Sat, 15 Mar 2025 05:35:26 -0400 [description] => A U.S. federal appeals court Friday lifted a block on the Trump administration’s crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the federal government, pausing a lower court ruling blocking enforcement of a series of presidential executive orders halting support of DEI initiatives. The three-judge panel on the Fourth Circuit of Appeals, in Richmond, Virginia, found that the directives by President Donald Trump were likely constitutional, disagreeing with a ruling in February by a federal judge in Maryland. The judges are allowing the Trump administration to implement the policy while they consider a final decision on the constitutionality of the orders. U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson in Baltimore had blocked implementation of Trump’s executive order nationwide pending the outcome of a lawsuit brought by the city of Baltimore and groups that claimed, among other things, the executive orders -- one abolishing DEI programs in the federal government and another requiring recipients of federal grants to not operate DEI programs -- improperly targeted constitutionally protected free speech. The Trump administration maintains the orders do not ban or discourage any speech but target instead unlawful discrimination. In addition to directing federal agencies to end diversity programs, the executive orders also precluded federal contractors from having them. Trump also ordered the Justice Department and other agencies to identify businesses, schools and nonprofit organizations that were deemed unlawfully discriminating through DEI policies. [type] => 1 ) [3] => Array ( [title] => Forecasters warn of tornadoes in US in coming days [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/forecasters-warn-of-tornadoes-in-us-in-coming-days/8011541.html [date] => Sat, 15 Mar 2025 02:11:12 -0400 [description] => U.S. weather forecasters warned of the threat of tornados in multiple states this weekend following at least five twisters in the state of Missouri on Friday. Friday's storms left some 100,000 buildings without power as severe weather continued into the night. The tornado risk was expected to continue into the weekend in a slew of states including Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama. Accuweather predicted the storm risk to peak from Saturday afternoon to Saturday night. The National Weather Service warned of heavy thunderstorms from the Midwest to the Mississippi Valley, bringing with them the chance of flash flooding, power outages, downed trees and travel disruptions. In Alabama, Governor Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency on Friday, extending into Sunday. In her proclamation, she said "this severe weather could cause significant damage to public and private property and poses a danger to the health and safety of the people of Alabama, including potential disruption of essential utility systems, personal injury and loss of life." The proclamation means the state National Guard will be on alert and could be activated. Missouri also declared a state of emergency. Forecasters expect the thunderstorms to swamp the South and move toward the East Coast on Saturday night into Sunday. Although the tornado threat is expected to decrease, the East Coast will likely face hail and potentially damaging wind gusts. The storm system is expected to move off into the Atlantic Ocean sometime Sunday night into Monday. [type] => 1 ) [4] => Array ( [title] => Trump vows accountability for those who pursued him in court cases [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-vows-accountability-for-those-who-pursued-him-in-court-cases-/8011522.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 23:12:18 -0400 [description] => U.S. President Donald Trump promised to seek accountability for those who pursued legal cases against him when he was out of office, speaking Friday at the Justice Department. "Our predecessors turned this Department of Justice into the Department of Injustice. But I stand before you today to declare that those days are over, and they are never going to come back. They're never coming back," Trump said. During his years out of office, the department twice indicted Trump on charges that he illegally stored classified documents at his Florida estate and that he worked to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Both cases were dismissed after Trump won election in November, with the department citing a long-standing policy of not prosecuting a sitting president. "Now, as the chief law enforcement officer in our country, I will insist upon and demand full and complete accountability for the wrongs and abuses that have occurred. The American people have given us a mandate, a mandate like few people thought possible," Trump said. Trump has fired prosecutors who investigated him during the Biden administration and scrutinized thousands of FBI agents who investigated some supporters of the president who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Representative Jamie Raskin, the senior Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, called Trump’s speech a "staggering violation of [the] traditional boundary between independent criminal law enforcement and presidential political power." Speaking outside Justice shortly after Trump spoke, Raskin said, "No other president in American history has stood at the Department of Justice to proclaim an agenda of criminal prosecution and retaliation against his political foes." Trump has long been critical of both the department and the FBI. He has installed political allies into top leadership positions at both of those agencies. FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi attended Friday’s talk. In introducing Trump, Bondi said, "We all work for the greatest president in the history of our country. ... He will never stop fighting for us, and we will never stop fighting for him and for our country." During his speech, Trump promised "historic reforms" at the agencies and said, "Under the Trump administration, the DOJ and the FBI will once again become the premier crime fighting agencies on the face of the Earth." His speech had echos of his campaign rallies, with music blaring from speakers before Trump entered the department’s Great Hall and his address hitting on some of the main themes from his campaign, including border security and fighting violent crime. On crime, Trump said that homicides, property crime and robberies rose during the Biden administration. "I have no higher mission as president of the United States than to end this killing and stop this law breaking and to making America safe again. And that's what you're all about in this room. We want to protect Americans, and we protect everybody that's in our country," he said. [type] => 1 ) [5] => Array ( [title] => 2 judges rule mass firings of agency employees to be illegal [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/judges-rule-mass-firings-of-agency-employees-to-be-illegal-/8011510.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 22:03:43 -0400 [description] => Federal judges in two separate cases ruled this week that recent mass firings of employees as part of President Donald Trump’s push to cut the size of the federal workforce were illegal and ordered thousands of probationary employees to be reinstated — at least for now. The Trump administration pushed back, filing appeals in both cases. "This injunction is entirely unconstitutional," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Friday. "You cannot have a low-level district court judge filing an injunction to usurp the executive authority of the president of the United States," she added. In the suit filed by federal employee unions, U.S. District Judge William Alsup of the Northern District of California said that the process had been a “sham,” as some employees were told they were being fired for poor performance. Just before issuing his ruling Thursday, Alsup said, "It is sad, a sad day. Our government would fire some good employee and say it was based on performance when they know good and well that's a lie." The departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Interior, Treasury and Veterans Affairs were ordered to “immediately” rehire the employees. Alsup, however, noted that federal agencies may still proceed with reductions in force, following proper procedure. Later Thursday, U.S. District Judge James Bredar also ruled that probationary employees must be reinstated after finding that 18 agencies had acted illegally in firing them. Democratic attorneys general representing the District of Columbia, Maryland and 18 other states argued that agencies failed to follow proper procedures for mass layoffs, including providing states with 60 days' notice. "Lacking the notice to which they were entitled, the states weren't ready for the impact of so many unemployed people. They are still scrambling to catch up," Bredar wrote in his memorandum explaining his decision. [type] => 1 ) [6] => Array ( [title] => Pi Day counts on never-ending numerical sequence for March 14 celebrations [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/pi-day-counts-on-never-ending-numerical-sequence-for-march-14-celebrations-/8011286.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 19:57:14 -0400 [description] => March 14 is Pi Day, an annual celebration of the mathematical constant of pi, representing the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. The holiday is observed on March 14 or 3/14 because 3.14 are the first three digits of the infinite number pi — 3.14159 ... and on and on. The celebration of Pi Day was the brainchild of physicist Larry Shaw and was first observed in 1988 at San Francisco’s Exploratorium, a science museum, and has since grown into an international event. At that first simple salute to pi in 1988, Shaw and his wife, Catherine, took — guess what? — pies — and tea to the museum for the celebration of the infinite number. Shaw became known as the Prince of Pi and reigned over the museum’s annual honoring of the never-ending number for years, until his death in 2017. Pi Day festivities grew to include the honoring of mathematical genius Albert Einstein because he was born on March 14. The U.S. House of Representatives officially designated March 14 as National Pi Day in 2009. The Exploratorium posted on its website that this year’s observance of pi would include the annual Pi Procession, which the museum described as being executed by “a high spirited crowd” through the museum and would circle the museum’s Pi Shrine 3.14 times, while “waving the digits of pi and dancing along” to a brass band. And, of course, all participants in the revelry would be rewarded with a free slice of pie. Pi Day is now celebrated around the world by pi lovers and is viewed as a way to arouse interest in the sciences among young people. Pi lovers had a special treat in 2015, History.com reports. That year Pi Day was celebrated on 3/14/15 at 9:26:53 a.m. The combined numbers of the date and time represent the first 10 digits of pi — 3.141592653. [type] => 1 ) [7] => Array ( [title] => Senate averts government shutdown, overcomes Democratic opposition [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/us-government-shutdown-likely-averted-democrats-fracture/8011226.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 19:03:31 -0400 [description] => The U.S. Senate passed a stopgap spending bill Friday evening, averting a partial government shutdown and overcoming Democratic opposition to the measure. The bill passed 54-46 after clearing a more difficult procedural hurdle to stop debate on the measure, which required at least 60 votes. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed the bill earlier this week to meet a March 14 deadline to keep the government running. Senate Democrats had fractured over whether to support the short-term continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the government for the next six months, reduce total government spending by about $7 billion from last year's levels and shift money to the military and away from non-defense spending. Many Democrats expressed anger after the top-ranking Democrat in the chamber, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, announced Thursday night that while he disliked the bill, a shutdown was a “far worse option.” Speaking on the Senate floor Friday morning, Schumer said not passing the Republican funding bill would give more power to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) effort led by Elon Musk, including which agencies would be shut down. "A shutdown would allow DOGE to shift into overdrive," he said. Dozens of House Democrats, who opposed the funding measure in the lower chamber, sent a letter to Schumer on Friday, expressing their "strong opposition" to his plan to vote for the bill. Former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urged Senate Democrats to go against their leader. In a Friday statement, she wrote, "America has experienced a Trump shutdown before — but this damaging legislation only makes matters worse." When questioned by reporters Friday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries refused to say whether he backed Schumer’s leadership. Trump had called on Congress to pass the funding bill and on Friday praised Schumer for supporting it. "Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thing — Took 'guts' and courage!" he wrote on his Truth Social platform. "I have great respect, by the way, for what Schumer did today. He went out and he said that they have to vote with the Republicans because it's the right thing to do," Trump said during a speech at the Department of Justice. Appropriations bills require a 60-vote threshold for passage in the Senate, which means Republicans needed to secure at least eight Democratic votes. The bill cleared the procedural hurdle 62-38. Several amendments to the bill failed, but one that proposed eliminating funding for DOGE drew the support of one Republican. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska has been outspoken in her criticism of the initiative by Musk. Schumer previously called for the Senate to pass an earlier version of the CR that Democrats were involved in negotiating. "Funding the government should be a bipartisan effort. But Republicans chose a partisan path, drafting their continuing resolution without any input, any input, from congressional Democrats," Schumer said on the Senate floor late Wednesday. The House passed the short-term spending measure 217-213 on Tuesday. One Democrat voted for the bill and one Republican against it. The chamber went out of session for the rest of the week starting Tuesday afternoon, putting pressure on senators to pass its version of the CR. House Speaker Mike Johnson quelled dissent from within his Republican Party to pass the spending measure. He told reporters Tuesday the seven-month continuing resolution was an important step toward implementing Trump's agenda of rooting out government waste and abuse through DOGE. "It allows us to move forward with changing the size and scope of the federal government. There is a seismic shift going on in Washington right now. This is a different moment than we have ever been in. The DOGE work is finding massive amounts of fraud, waste and abuse," Johnson said. "We have a White House that is actually dedicated to getting us back onto a fiscally responsible track." Independent watchdogs and analysts, however, say DOGE is using overly broad claims of fraud to generate support for large-scale cuts to federal programs and offices. Representative Thomas Massie was the lone Republican holdout, despite Trump's post Monday night on Truth Social calling for Massie to lose his seat if he voted against the spending measure. The continuing resolution buys lawmakers time to reach a compromise on Senate and House versions of government spending for the next fiscal year, which begins in October, a key tool for implementing Trump's domestic policy agenda. At question is how and when to enact a proposed extension of the 2017 tax cuts and how to pay down the U.S. deficit without cutting key safety net programs that help American voters. [type] => 1 ) [8] => Array ( [title] => US envoy says Hamas misrepresented release of hostage [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/us-envoy-says-hamas-misrepresented-release-of-hostage/8011067.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 15:35:19 -0400 [description] => U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff said a Hamas statement issued Friday announcing it had agreed to release an American-Israeli soldier was, in reality, a condition of a "bridge" ceasefire proposal offered by U.S. officials earlier this week. Early Friday, the U.S.-designated terrorist group Hamas issued a statement saying it had agreed to release Edan Alexander, believed to be the last living American hostage held in Gaza, as well as the bodies of four other hostages after receiving a proposal from mediators to resume negotiations on the second phase of a Gaza ceasefire deal. The statement said the proposal had been offered by unnamed mediators as part of the work in Qatar to restart ceasefire negotiations. The United States, Egypt and host Qatar have been mediating the ceasefire talks. Hamas expressed its "complete readiness to begin negotiations and reach a comprehensive agreement on the issues of the second phase." Later Friday, in a joint statement issued along with the National Security Council, Witkoff's office explained he and National Security Council Senior Middle East Director Eric Trager had presented the bridge proposal to extend the current ceasefire beyond Ramadan and Passover and allow time to negotiate a framework for a permanent ceasefire. In the statement, Witkoff said that under the proposal, Hamas would release additional living hostages in exchange for prisoners, and that the extension of the phase-one ceasefire would allow more time for humanitarian aid to resume into Gaza. He said the U.S. had its Qatari and Egyptian mediating partners convey to Hamas "in no uncertain terms" that the new proposal would have to be implemented soon and Edan Alexander would have to be released immediately. "Unfortunately, Hamas has chosen to respond by publicly claiming flexibility," Witkoff said in the statement, "while privately making demands that are entirely impractical without a permanent ceasefire." In a statement released on the X social media platform, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said that while Israel had accepted "the Witkoff framework," Hamas "continues to wage psychological warfare against hostage families." The statement went on to say that the prime minister would convene his ministerial team Saturday evening for a detailed briefing from the negotiating team and "decide on steps to free the hostages and achieve all our war objectives." Hamas is believed to be holding 24 living hostages taken in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered its war with Israel. The group also is holding the bodies of 34 others who were either killed in the initial attack or in captivity, as well as the remains of a soldier killed in 2014. In comments to FOX Business news Friday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said she was wary of taking Hamas statements at face value but emphasized that U.S. President Donald Trump was working "diligently" to bring hostages home. Witkoff told reporters at the White House early in March that gaining the release of Alexander was a "top priority." A ceasefire has been in place since January. During the first phase of the three-phase ceasefire, Hamas exchanged 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Israel has been pressing Hamas to accept an extension of the first phase, which ended March 2. Hamas had said it wanted to move to the second phase of the agreement, which would involve the release of more hostages and Israel's withdrawal from Gaza. [type] => 1 ) [9] => Array ( [title] => Trump intent on imposing global tariffs [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-intent-on-imposing-global-tariffs/8010989.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:35:26 -0400 [description] => The on-again, off-again tariffs between the United States and other countries are again under scrutiny, with the U.S. president not budging. VOA White House Correspondent Carolyn Presutti reports. [type] => 1 ) [10] => Array ( [title] => Kremlin: Reasons to be optimistic about ceasefire deal [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/kremlin-reasons-to-be-optimistic-about-ceasefire-deal/8010812.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 12:13:20 -0400 [description] => Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday that there were reasons for "cautious optimism" regarding a proposed ceasefire deal between Ukraine and Russia, following talks between a U.S. envoy and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Speaking to reporters in a telephone news briefing, Peskov referenced comments from Putin on Thursday in which he expressed qualified support for a U.S. ceasefire proposal to halt Russia's war with Ukraine for 30 days but said some questions needed to be answered. Peskov said that while much remains to be done, Putin "expressed solidarity with [U.S. President Donald] Trump's position." He said Putin held late-night talks Thursday with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, during which Putin "conveyed information and additional signals to President Trump." The Kremlin spokesman said both sides agreed Putin and Trump should speak, adding that the timing of the conversation would be agreed upon once Witkoff had conveyed the new information to Trump. Trump said in a post on his Truth Social website Friday morning that "there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end." He also said he had "strongly requested" that Putin spare the lives of "thousands" of Ukrainian troops in Russia's Kursk border region who were "completely surrounded" by the Russian military. "This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II," Trump wrote on social media. Later Friday, Putin told the National Security Council in Moscow that if the Ukrainian troops laid down their arms and surrendered, they would not be killed. Ukraine's military, however, denied that its forces in Kursk were surrounded by Moscow's troops and said reports to that effect were Russian manipulation. In his nightly address to his nation Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Putin's comments to Witkoff were "very manipulative," and that he thought Putin's qualified support for the U.S. plan was an effort to lay the groundwork for rejecting it. "He is in fact preparing a rejection at present, because Putin is, of course, scared to tell President Trump that he wants to continue this war, that he wants to kill Ukrainians," Zelenskyy said. He noted Ukraine had accepted the U.S. proposal and was ready to organize monitoring and verification. "We are not setting conditions that complicate the process; Russia is," Zelenskyy said. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Friday that no discussions between Trump and Putin had been scheduled, but she said that could change. She called the talks in Moscow on Thursday "a productive day for the United States of America and for the world in terms of peace." On Thursday at the White House, ahead of talks with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump said it would be "very disappointing" if Russia ended up rejecting U.S. efforts to end the fighting. Meanwhile, Britain's Defense Ministry said Friday that Russia's prioritization of funding its war with Ukraine had likely resulted in insufficient funding for average Russians' health care, leading to shortages of medical staff and equipment. In its Defense Intelligence report, the ministry said Russia reportedly closed at least 160 hospitals in 2024, including 18 maternity facilities and at least 10 children's clinics. The report said Russia's small towns and villages had been particularly affected. The Defense Ministry said the 500,000 casualties Russia has sustained in the war in Ukraine most certainly continue to put a strain on all levels of care in the Russian military medical system. [type] => 1 ) [11] => Array ( [title] => Report: US bird population is declining [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/report-us-bird-population-is-declining/8010492.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 02:55:47 -0400 [description] => The U.S. bird population is declining at an alarming rate, according to a report published Thursday by an alliance of science and conservation groups. Habitat loss and climate change are among the key contributing factors to the bird population losses, according to the 2025 U.S. State of the Birds report. More than 100 of the species studied, have reached a "tipping point," losing more than half their populations in the last 50 years. The report revealed that the avian population in all habitats is declining, including the duck population, previously considered a triumph of conservation. "The only bright spot is water birds such as herons and egrets that show some increases," Michael Parr, president of the American Bird Conservancy, told Reuters. The decline in the duck population fell by approximately 30% from 2017, but duck population numbers still remain higher, however, than their 1970 numbers, according to an Associated Press account on the report. "Roughly one in three bird species (229 species) in the U.S. requires urgent conservation attention, and these species represent the major habitats and systems in the U.S. and include species that we've long considered to be common and abundant," Amanda Rodewald, faculty director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Center for Avian Population Studies told Reuters. Included among the birds with highest losses, Reuters reported, are the mottled duck, Allen's hummingbird, yellow-billed loon, red-faced cormorant, greater sage-grouse, Florida scrub jay, Baird's sparrow, saltmarsh sparrow, mountain plover, Hawaiian petrel, Bicknell's thrush, Cassia crossbill, pink-footed shearwater, tricolored blackbird and golden-cheeked warbler. Some of the birds in this "red alert" group are already protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, the news agency said. "For each species that we're in danger of losing, it's like pulling an individual thread out of the complex tapestry of life," Georgetown University biologist Peter Marra. who was not involved in the new report, told AP. While the outlook may seem dire, it is not without hope, said Marra, who noted the resurgence of the majestic bald eagle. [type] => 1 ) [12] => Array ( [title] => Shortage of Marines’ amphibious warships worries top US military officers [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/shortage-of-marines-amphibious-warships-worries-top-us-military-officers/8010115.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 20:13:58 -0400 [description] => Officials tell VOA the shortage of amphibious warfare ships has reached a breaking point. While the ships make up just 10% of the fleet, they are the go-to alternative to aircraft carriers when commanders need something more precise or expedient. VOA Pentagon Correspondent Carla Babb reports. [type] => 1 ) [13] => Array ( [title] => Homeland Security, rights group to meet in court over migrants at Guantanamo Bay [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/homeland-security-rights-group-to-meet-in-court-over-migrants-at-guantanamo-bay-/8010057.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 19:09:03 -0400 [description] => PENTAGON — U.S. government lawyers are expected to face off with attorneys for civil and immigration rights groups over the use of a U.S. naval base in Cuba to hold migrants slated for deportation. Arguments in the two lawsuits over operations at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, filed against the Department of Homeland Security and Secretary Kristi Noem, are set for a U.S. District Court in Washington on Friday. The suits allege that the U.S. government has overstepped its bounds by denying migrants sent to Guantanamo Bay access to legal representation and also by attempting to send migrants to the base's facilities without the proper legal authority in violation of the U.S. Constitution. DHS officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the upcoming hearing, but they have repeatedly denied the allegations while criticizing the groups bringing the lawsuits. "The American Civil Liberties Union appears far more interested in promoting open borders and disrupting public safety missions than in protecting the civil liberties of Americans," a DHS spokesperson told VOA in a statement earlier this month, declining to be named. "They should consider changing their name," the spokesperson added, further describing the legal challenges as "baseless." President Donald Trump first raised the idea of using the U.S. naval base in Cuba as part of his administration's plans for mass deportations shortly after taking office in January. Homeland Security's Noem said the base, which features a secure prison to hold captured terrorists, would be used to house "the worst of the worst." Trump and other U.S. officials also suggested the base could be used to hold up to 30,000 migrants while they awaited deportation. Those plans, however, never fully materialized. The U.S. began sending what officials described as "high threat illegal aliens" to Guantanamo Bay's detention center in early February, followed by other nonviolent migrants, who stayed at other facilities. At times, the facilities held close to 200 detainees, many of whom were deported to Honduras, Venezuela or other countries. But despite efforts to prepare the facilities for more migrants, capacity has been limited. According to a U.S. defense official, who spoke to VOA on the condition of anonymity, the prison as currently configured can hold only 130 detainees, while the base's Migrant Operations Center and a temporary tent city can hold, at most, 550 people. As VOA first reported, DHS officials decided to remove all 40 remaining migrants from the prison and other facilities at Guantanamo Bay this past Tuesday, flying them instead to the U.S. southern state of Louisiana. Neither DHS nor its subagency, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, have responded to requests for comment on the decision to evacuate migrants from the naval base or on their status or whereabouts since being returned to the U.S. mainland. The move — and lack of communication — has drawn criticism from immigrants' rights groups, including some of those involved in the current litigation. "The arbitrary and secret shuttling of people between Guantanamo and the U.S. demonstrates a complete disregard for human dignity, an affront to the rule of law, and a waste of public resources," said the International Refugee Assistance Project's Pedro Sepulveda. "No one should be detained at Guantanamo," Sepulveda added. "The Trump administration must stop these ill-conceived and cruel transfers and stop detaining immigrants at Guantanamo once and for all." [type] => 1 ) [14] => Array ( [title] => Ukraine peace, global security top G7 agenda as diplomats convene in Canada [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/ukraine-peace-global-security-top-g7-agenda-as-diplomats-convene-in-canada-/8010030.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 17:46:06 -0400 [description] => CHARLEVOIX, QUEBEC — Top diplomats from the Group of Seven leading industrial nations gathered Thursday in Charlevoix, Quebec, as host country Canada outlined its top agenda, focusing on achieving a “just and lasting peace in Ukraine” and strengthening security and defense partnerships as the G7 marks 50 years. During the opening remarks, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said, “Peace and stability is on the top of our agenda, and I look forward to discussing how we can continue to support Ukraine in the face of Russia's illegal aggression.” Joly also emphasized the importance of addressing maritime security challenges, citing threats such as “growing the use of growing shadow fleets, dark vessels” and “sabotage of critical undersea infrastructure.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said he hopes a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine could take place within days if the Kremlin agrees. He also plans to urge G7 foreign ministers to focus on ending the Russia-Ukraine war. The G7 talks in Quebec follow U.S.-Ukraine talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where Ukraine said it is ready to accept a U.S. proposal for "an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire." "Ukraine is committed to moving quickly toward peace, and we are prepared to do our part in creating all of the conditions for a reliable, durable, and decent peace," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote Wednesday in a post on social media platform X. He added that "Ukraine was ready for an air and sea ceasefire," and "welcomed" the U.S. proposal to extend it to land. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia supports the U.S. ceasefire proposal in principle, but key details still need to be worked out. “Ceasefire, they can't be coming with conditions, because all these conditions just blur the picture. Either you want to end this war, or you don't want to end this war, so we need to be very firm,” said European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas during an interview with CNN International. “What we need to keep in mind is that Russia has invested, like over 9% of its GDP on the military, so they would want to use it,” Kallas said, adding the European nations “are massively increasing” their “defense investments.” The G7 talks bring together ministers from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.  Rubio has underscored the need for monitors if a ceasefire is implemented. He told reporters on Wednesday that “one of the things we'll have to determine is who do both sides trust to be on the ground to sort of monitor some of the small arms fire and exchanges that could happen.” Beyond Ukraine, G7 foreign ministers also discussed China’s role in global security, Indo-Pacific stability, and maritime security behind closed doors. Rubio is expected to have a pull-aside meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya on Thursday. [type] => 1 ) [15] => Array ( [title] => Wall Street tumbles 10% below its record after Trump escalates trade war [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/wall-street-tumbles-10-below-its-record-after-trump-escalates-trade-war/8010009.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 17:14:25 -0400 [description] => NEW YORK — Wall Street's sell-off hit a new low Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump's escalating trade war dragged the S&P 500 more than 10% below its record, which was set just last month. A 10% drop is deemed a correction by professional investors, and the S&P 500's 1.4% slide on Thursday sent the index to its first since 2023. The losses came after Trump upped the stakes in his trade war by threatening huge taxes on European wines and alcohol. Not even a double-shot of good news on the U.S. economy could stop the bleeding. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 537 points, or 1.3% Thursday, and the Nasdaq composite fell 2%. The dizzying, battering swings for stocks have been coming not just day to day but also hour to hour, and the Dow hurtled between a slight gain and a drop of 689 points through Thursday's trading. The turbulence is a result of uncertainty about how much pain Trump will let the economy endure through tariffs and other policies to reshape the country and world as he wants. The president has said he wants manufacturing jobs back in the United States, along with a smaller U.S. government workforce and other fundamental changes. Trump's latest escalation came Thursday when he threatened 200% tariffs on Champagne and other European wines, unless the European Union rolls back a tariff it announced on U.S. whiskey. The European Union unveiled that move on Wednesday, in response to U.S. tariffs on European steel and aluminum. U.S. households and businesses have reported drops in confidence because of all the uncertainty about which tariffs will stick from Trump's barrage of on-again, off-again announcements. That's raised fears about a pullback in spending that could sap energy from the economy. Some U.S. businesses say they've begun to see a change in their customers' behavior because of the uncertainty. A particularly feared scenario for the economy is one where its growth stagnates but inflation stays high because of tariffs. Few tools are available in Washington to fix what's called stagflation. There was good news Thursday, and it came on both those economic fronts. One report showed inflation at the wholesale level last month was milder than economists expected. It followed a similarly encouraging report from the prior day on inflation that U.S. consumers are feeling. A separate report, meanwhile, said fewer U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week than economists expected. It's the latest signal that the job market remains relatively solid overall. If that can continue, it could allow U.S. consumers to keep spending, and that's the main engine of the economy. [type] => 1 ) [16] => Array ( [title] => Trump asks Supreme Court to intervene in bid to curb birthright citizenship [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-asks-supreme-court-to-intervene-in-bid-to-curb-birthright-citizenship/8009956.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 16:15:52 -0400 [description] => WASHINGTON — Donald Trump took the fight over his attempt to restrict automatic U.S. birthright citizenship to the Supreme Court on Thursday as the Republican president's administration asked the justices to narrow a judicial block imposed on this key element of his hardline approach toward immigration. The Justice Department made the request challenging the scope of three nationwide injunctions issued against Trump's order by federal courts in Washington state, Massachusetts and Maryland. The administration said the injunctions should be scaled back from applying universally and limited to just the plaintiffs that brought the cases and are "actually within the courts' power." "Universal injunctions have reached epidemic proportions since the start of the current administration," the Justice Department said in the filing. "This court should declare that enough is enough before district courts' burgeoning reliance on universal injunctions becomes further entrenched." Trump's order, signed on his first day back in office on Jan. 20, directed federal agencies to refuse to recognize the citizenship of U.S.-born children who do not have at least one parent who is an American citizen or lawful permanent resident. The order was intended to apply starting Feb. 19 but has been blocked nationwide by multiple federal judges. Trump's action has drawn a series of lawsuits from plaintiffs, including 22 Democratic state attorneys general, immigrant rights advocates and expectant mothers. They argue among other things that Trump's order violates a right enshrined in the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment that provides that anyone born in the United States is a citizen. The 14th Amendment's citizenship clause states that all "persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside." The administration contends that the 14th Amendment, long understood to confer citizenship to virtually anyone born in the United States, does not extend to immigrants who are in the country illegally or even to immigrants whose presence is lawful but temporary, such as university students or those on work visas. Its request to the justices marks its latest trip to the top U.S. judicial body to defend Trump's actions. The Supreme Court's 6-3 conservative majority includes three justices appointed by Trump during his first term as president. Trump's push to restrict birthright citizenship is part of a broader immigration and border crackdown that includes tasking the U.S. military with aiding border security and issuing a broad ban on asylum. The judges who ruled against Trump's order faulted it as conflicting with the Constitution. An 1898 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a case called United States v. Wong Kim Ark long has been interpreted as guaranteeing that children born in the United States to noncitizen parents are entitled to American citizenship. Trump's Justice Department has argued that the court's ruling in that case was narrower, applying to children whose parents had a "permanent domicile and residence in the United States." [type] => 1 ) [17] => Array ( [title] => US lawmakers running out of time to fund government [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/us-lawmakers-running-out-of-time-to-fund-government/8009839.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 15:03:21 -0400 [description] => U.S. lawmakers are running out of time to pass a short-term continuing resolution, or CR, that will fund the government past a March 14 deadline. "Democrats need to decide if they're going to support funding legislation that came over from the House, or if they're going to shut down the government. So far, it's looking like they plan to shut it down," Senate Majority Leader John Thune said on the Senate floor Thursday. Appropriations bills require a 60-vote threshold for passage in the Senate, which means Republicans need to secure at least eight Democratic votes. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for the Senate to pass an earlier version of the CR that Democrats were involved in negotiating. "Funding the government should be a bipartisan effort. But Republicans chose a partisan path, drafting their continuing resolution without any input, any input, from congressional Democrats," Schumer said on the Senate floor late Wednesday. Democratic senators say they are concerned about easing the way for the Trump administration to continue large-scale changes to the federal government and social safety net programs. "I don't want a government shutdown," Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen said in a statement Thursday. "And that's why I'd like to vote on a bill to keep the government open for 30 days while we have a bipartisan negotiation. But I will not support this Republican House bill that simply gives Elon Musk more fuel and more tools to dismantle big parts of the federal government in order to rig it for people like himself and the very rich." "Voting against the CR will hurt the American people and kill the incredible momentum that President [Donald] Trump has built over the past 51 days," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters earlier this week. The Republican-majority House of Representatives passed a short-term spending measure Tuesday by a vote of 217-213. The House went out of session for the rest of the week starting Tuesday afternoon, putting pressure on senators to pass its version of the CR. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson quelled dissent from within his Republican party to pass the spending measure. He told reporters Tuesday the seven-month continuing resolution was an important step toward implementing Trump's agenda of rooting out government waste and abuse through the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE. "It allows us to move forward with changing the size and scope of the federal government. There is a seismic shift going on in Washington right now. This is a different moment than we have ever been in. The DOGE work is finding massive amounts of fraud, waste and abuse," Johnson said. "We have a White House that is actually dedicated to getting us back onto a fiscally responsible track." Independent watchdogs and analysts, however, say DOGE is using overly broad claims of fraud to generate support for large-scale cuts to federal programs and offices. Representative Thomas Massie was the lone Republican holdout, despite Trump's post Monday night on Truth Social calling for Massie to lose his seat if he voted against the spending measure. The continuing resolution buys lawmakers time to reach a compromise on Senate and House versions of government spending, a key tool for implementing Trump's domestic policy agenda. At question is how and when to enact a proposed extension of the 2017 tax cuts and how to pay down the U.S. deficit without cutting key safety net programs that help American voters. Senate leadership has proposed passing the tax cuts in a separate bill later this year. [type] => 1 ) [18] => Array ( [title] => Can the US pry Russia away from China? [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/can-the-us-pry-russia-away-from-china/8009771.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 14:26:15 -0400 [description] => Western politicians have repeatedly called on China to limit or cease tacit support for Russia’s bloody war against Ukraine. In response, China’s leadership insists it is committed to peace and respect for the territorial integrity of other nations. But unlike most United Nations member states, China has never condemned Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and their military-diplomatic partnership — from joint bomber flights near the U.S. state of Alaska to votes in the U.N. Security Council — has only helped the Kremlin overcome its international isolation. While President Donald Trump has said he has good personal relations with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, there is a consensus among experts in Washington that the China-Russia partnership poses a threat to U.S. interests, and that while Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, tried to establish a strategic dialogue with China, the Trump team appears to be prioritizing normalized ties with Russia while punishing China over trade. As the White House talks about the possibility of restoring economic cooperation with Russia, some of its officials are hinting at lifting or reducing the sanctions Washington has imposed on Moscow in recent years. Charles Hecker, an expert on Western-Russian economic ties and risks, and author of the book Zero Sum: The Arc of International Business in Russia, says some Western companies will quickly return to Russia if sanctions are lifted, particularly those involved in energy, metals and minerals. “There’s only so much oil in Norway, and there’s only so much oil in Canada; the rest of it is in some countries that have a very high-risk environment,” Hecker told VOA’s Russian Service. “And so, these kinds of companies are accustomed to business in these sorts of places, and they have the internal structures to help protect them. You know, there are energy companies doing business in Iraq right now. And I don’t want to compare Russia and Iraq, but they are high-risk environments.”  Still, Hecker cautions, their return to doing business in Russia wouldn’t signal an overall U.S.-Russian rapprochement — let alone a fracturing of Sino-Russian relations. “I think it will be very difficult for the West to pull Russia away from China,” he said. “Allowing Western companies back into Russia doesn’t necessarily change President Putin’s hostility towards the West. President Putin remains antagonistic towards a Western-dominated political and economic system, and he has said over and over again that he wants to create an alternative political and economic environment – an alternative to the West. “Part of that alternative includes China,” he added. “You have never heard President Putin say anything ideologically against China. And the two are now important energy partners.” Limited popular domestic appeal U.S.-based FilterLabs analyzes public sentiment in regions where polling is problematic. According to a recently published assessment of popular attitudes expressed on Russian and Chinese social media networks, Sino-Russian relations are “full of underlying tensions, mistrust, and diverging interests.” One of the report’s authors, Vasily Gatov, told VOA its research found that “the Chinese and Russian populations are far from happy with this alliance of their authorities.” "China does not perceive Russia as a reliable, safe and equal partner,” he said. “Russia annexed the Amur Region from China; Russia adopted a completely colonial policy towards China during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Therefore, in my opinion, it is entirely possible to consider historical frictions as a vulnerability.” A media analyst at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, Gatov also noted that, despite the Kremlin’s expectations, China’s economic presence inside Russia today remains “several times smaller” than that of either Europe or the U.S. before Russia invaded Ukraine. Thus, while Russian and China have overlapping interests, they are not “marching in lockstep.” "They are very different, they have very different geopolitical focuses, very different political philosophies,” he said. Other experts, however, question the Filterlabs findings, warning that random Russian and Chinese opinions online are of limited value, especially as those casting the insights aren’t likely to influence policy. "People who have the time and desire to comment on things on social media do not have much influence on how state policy is conducted,” Alexander Gabuev, director of the Berlin-based Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, told VOA. “And these people certainly do not have much influence on whether China transfers components for Russia's weapons or takes certain military technologies from it, since the people who comment on this simply do not have real knowledge of what is actually happening.” Gabuev added that “the Chinese leadership has reasons to think that they have something to take from Russia in terms of military technology,” suggesting that China is extremely interested in gaining Russian experience in countering Western weapons during Russia's war in Ukraine. Does Trump see China as a threat? One critical question about whether Washington’s improved ties with Russia will loosen the Sino-Russian pact, say some analysts, is how Trump perceives China. Ali Wyne, senior research and advocacy advisor on the U.S. and China at the International Crisis Group, describes Trump as an anomaly for U.S. policy. “Widespread bipartisan agreement in Congress and from one administration to the next [is] that China is American’s foremost strategic competitor,” he said. But “President Trump, in many ways, is the most prominent dissenter from this alleged China consensus.” “He doesn’t view President Xi [Jinping] in adversarial terms,” Wyne said. “He actually calls President Xi a ‘dear friend’ of his. And he believes that his personal rapport with President Xi will be the decisive dynamic in setting — or resetting — the U.S.-China relationship over the next four years.” [type] => 1 ) [19] => Array ( [title] => Judge orders Trump administration to reinstate thousands of fired government workers [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/judge-orders-trump-administration-to-reinstate-thousands-of-fired-government-workers/8009741.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 14:03:46 -0400 [description] => A California federal judge on Thursday ordered six U.S. agencies to reinstate thousands of recently hired employees who were fired as part of President Donald Trump's purge of the federal workforce. The ruling made by U.S. District Judge William Alsup during a hearing in San Francisco applies to the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, Department of Interior and the Treasury Department. Alsup last month temporarily blocked the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the human resources department for federal agencies, from ordering agencies to fire probationary employees, but he declined at the time to require that fired workers get their jobs back. Probationary workers typically have less than one year of service in their current roles, although some are longtime federal employees. They have fewer job protections than other government workers but, in general, can be fired only for performance issues. Alsup said on Thursday that OPM has no power to order firings, and there was evidence that it had improperly directed the termination of workers at the six agencies. He did not order the 16 other agencies named in the lawsuit by unions and nonprofit groups to reinstate workers. “It is a sad day when our government would fire some good employee and say it was based on performance when they know good and well that’s a lie,” Alsup said. The potential scale of Trump's efforts to shrink the U.S. federal government could become clearer on Thursday, the deadline for government agencies to submit plans for a second wave of mass layoffs and to slash their budgets. 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The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 7:03 p.m. from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida carrying Crew-10 members: NASA’s Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan’s Takuya Onishi and Russia’s Kirill Peskov. The crew is part of a routine six-month rotation. Crew-10 and the Dragon spacecraft are expected to reach the space station around 11:30 p.m. Saturday. Returning to Earth alongside Wilmore and Williams will be NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. Their return is scheduled for Wednesday, to allow for an overlap of the two crews to brief the new team. Wilmore and Williams arrived aboard the International Space Station in June 2024 and expected to stay in space for about 10 days. But their return was delayed after mechanical issues with their spacecraft, which, after weeks of troubleshooting was subsequently sent back to Earth without them. Their return was continually pushed back due to other technical delays. [type] => 1 ) [1] => Array ( [title] => Starbucks hit with $50 million fine for spilled drink injury [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/8011572.html [date] => Sat, 15 Mar 2025 05:47:48 -0400 [description] => A California jury Friday imposed a $50 million fine on Starbucks in the case of a delivery driver burned by a scalding cup of hot tea at a company location in Los Angeles. Michael Garcia was picking up three drinks in 2020 but one, he claimed, was "negligently" unsecured and spilled in his lap. He claimed that he consequently "suffered severe burns, disfigurement, and debilitating nerve damage to his genitals" and he was taken to an emergency room by paramedics. "Michael Garcia’s life has been forever changed," his attorney, Nick Rowley, said. "No amount of money can undo the permanent catastrophic harm he has suffered, but this jury verdict is a critical step in holding Starbucks accountable for flagrant disregard for customer safety and failure to accept responsibility," he added. Starbucks said it planned to appeal the verdict. "We sympathize with Mr. Garcia, but we disagree with the jury’s decision that we were at fault for this incident and believe the damages awarded to be excessive," company spokesperson Jaci Anderson said in a statement. "We have always been committed to the highest safety standards in our stores, including the handling of hot drinks," she added. [type] => 1 ) [2] => Array ( [title] => US Appeals court allows DEI crackdown [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/us-appeals-court-allows-dei-crackdown/8011570.html [date] => Sat, 15 Mar 2025 05:35:26 -0400 [description] => A U.S. federal appeals court Friday lifted a block on the Trump administration’s crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the federal government, pausing a lower court ruling blocking enforcement of a series of presidential executive orders halting support of DEI initiatives. The three-judge panel on the Fourth Circuit of Appeals, in Richmond, Virginia, found that the directives by President Donald Trump were likely constitutional, disagreeing with a ruling in February by a federal judge in Maryland. The judges are allowing the Trump administration to implement the policy while they consider a final decision on the constitutionality of the orders. U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson in Baltimore had blocked implementation of Trump’s executive order nationwide pending the outcome of a lawsuit brought by the city of Baltimore and groups that claimed, among other things, the executive orders -- one abolishing DEI programs in the federal government and another requiring recipients of federal grants to not operate DEI programs -- improperly targeted constitutionally protected free speech. The Trump administration maintains the orders do not ban or discourage any speech but target instead unlawful discrimination. In addition to directing federal agencies to end diversity programs, the executive orders also precluded federal contractors from having them. Trump also ordered the Justice Department and other agencies to identify businesses, schools and nonprofit organizations that were deemed unlawfully discriminating through DEI policies. [type] => 1 ) [3] => Array ( [title] => Forecasters warn of tornadoes in US in coming days [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/forecasters-warn-of-tornadoes-in-us-in-coming-days/8011541.html [date] => Sat, 15 Mar 2025 02:11:12 -0400 [description] => U.S. weather forecasters warned of the threat of tornados in multiple states this weekend following at least five twisters in the state of Missouri on Friday. Friday's storms left some 100,000 buildings without power as severe weather continued into the night. The tornado risk was expected to continue into the weekend in a slew of states including Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama. Accuweather predicted the storm risk to peak from Saturday afternoon to Saturday night. The National Weather Service warned of heavy thunderstorms from the Midwest to the Mississippi Valley, bringing with them the chance of flash flooding, power outages, downed trees and travel disruptions. In Alabama, Governor Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency on Friday, extending into Sunday. In her proclamation, she said "this severe weather could cause significant damage to public and private property and poses a danger to the health and safety of the people of Alabama, including potential disruption of essential utility systems, personal injury and loss of life." The proclamation means the state National Guard will be on alert and could be activated. Missouri also declared a state of emergency. Forecasters expect the thunderstorms to swamp the South and move toward the East Coast on Saturday night into Sunday. Although the tornado threat is expected to decrease, the East Coast will likely face hail and potentially damaging wind gusts. The storm system is expected to move off into the Atlantic Ocean sometime Sunday night into Monday. [type] => 1 ) [4] => Array ( [title] => Trump vows accountability for those who pursued him in court cases [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-vows-accountability-for-those-who-pursued-him-in-court-cases-/8011522.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 23:12:18 -0400 [description] => U.S. President Donald Trump promised to seek accountability for those who pursued legal cases against him when he was out of office, speaking Friday at the Justice Department. "Our predecessors turned this Department of Justice into the Department of Injustice. But I stand before you today to declare that those days are over, and they are never going to come back. They're never coming back," Trump said. During his years out of office, the department twice indicted Trump on charges that he illegally stored classified documents at his Florida estate and that he worked to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Both cases were dismissed after Trump won election in November, with the department citing a long-standing policy of not prosecuting a sitting president. "Now, as the chief law enforcement officer in our country, I will insist upon and demand full and complete accountability for the wrongs and abuses that have occurred. The American people have given us a mandate, a mandate like few people thought possible," Trump said. Trump has fired prosecutors who investigated him during the Biden administration and scrutinized thousands of FBI agents who investigated some supporters of the president who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Representative Jamie Raskin, the senior Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, called Trump’s speech a "staggering violation of [the] traditional boundary between independent criminal law enforcement and presidential political power." Speaking outside Justice shortly after Trump spoke, Raskin said, "No other president in American history has stood at the Department of Justice to proclaim an agenda of criminal prosecution and retaliation against his political foes." Trump has long been critical of both the department and the FBI. He has installed political allies into top leadership positions at both of those agencies. FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi attended Friday’s talk. In introducing Trump, Bondi said, "We all work for the greatest president in the history of our country. ... He will never stop fighting for us, and we will never stop fighting for him and for our country." During his speech, Trump promised "historic reforms" at the agencies and said, "Under the Trump administration, the DOJ and the FBI will once again become the premier crime fighting agencies on the face of the Earth." His speech had echos of his campaign rallies, with music blaring from speakers before Trump entered the department’s Great Hall and his address hitting on some of the main themes from his campaign, including border security and fighting violent crime. On crime, Trump said that homicides, property crime and robberies rose during the Biden administration. "I have no higher mission as president of the United States than to end this killing and stop this law breaking and to making America safe again. And that's what you're all about in this room. We want to protect Americans, and we protect everybody that's in our country," he said. [type] => 1 ) [5] => Array ( [title] => 2 judges rule mass firings of agency employees to be illegal [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/judges-rule-mass-firings-of-agency-employees-to-be-illegal-/8011510.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 22:03:43 -0400 [description] => Federal judges in two separate cases ruled this week that recent mass firings of employees as part of President Donald Trump’s push to cut the size of the federal workforce were illegal and ordered thousands of probationary employees to be reinstated — at least for now. The Trump administration pushed back, filing appeals in both cases. "This injunction is entirely unconstitutional," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Friday. "You cannot have a low-level district court judge filing an injunction to usurp the executive authority of the president of the United States," she added. In the suit filed by federal employee unions, U.S. District Judge William Alsup of the Northern District of California said that the process had been a “sham,” as some employees were told they were being fired for poor performance. Just before issuing his ruling Thursday, Alsup said, "It is sad, a sad day. Our government would fire some good employee and say it was based on performance when they know good and well that's a lie." The departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Interior, Treasury and Veterans Affairs were ordered to “immediately” rehire the employees. Alsup, however, noted that federal agencies may still proceed with reductions in force, following proper procedure. Later Thursday, U.S. District Judge James Bredar also ruled that probationary employees must be reinstated after finding that 18 agencies had acted illegally in firing them. Democratic attorneys general representing the District of Columbia, Maryland and 18 other states argued that agencies failed to follow proper procedures for mass layoffs, including providing states with 60 days' notice. "Lacking the notice to which they were entitled, the states weren't ready for the impact of so many unemployed people. They are still scrambling to catch up," Bredar wrote in his memorandum explaining his decision. [type] => 1 ) [6] => Array ( [title] => Pi Day counts on never-ending numerical sequence for March 14 celebrations [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/pi-day-counts-on-never-ending-numerical-sequence-for-march-14-celebrations-/8011286.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 19:57:14 -0400 [description] => March 14 is Pi Day, an annual celebration of the mathematical constant of pi, representing the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. The holiday is observed on March 14 or 3/14 because 3.14 are the first three digits of the infinite number pi — 3.14159 ... and on and on. The celebration of Pi Day was the brainchild of physicist Larry Shaw and was first observed in 1988 at San Francisco’s Exploratorium, a science museum, and has since grown into an international event. At that first simple salute to pi in 1988, Shaw and his wife, Catherine, took — guess what? — pies — and tea to the museum for the celebration of the infinite number. Shaw became known as the Prince of Pi and reigned over the museum’s annual honoring of the never-ending number for years, until his death in 2017. Pi Day festivities grew to include the honoring of mathematical genius Albert Einstein because he was born on March 14. The U.S. House of Representatives officially designated March 14 as National Pi Day in 2009. The Exploratorium posted on its website that this year’s observance of pi would include the annual Pi Procession, which the museum described as being executed by “a high spirited crowd” through the museum and would circle the museum’s Pi Shrine 3.14 times, while “waving the digits of pi and dancing along” to a brass band. And, of course, all participants in the revelry would be rewarded with a free slice of pie. Pi Day is now celebrated around the world by pi lovers and is viewed as a way to arouse interest in the sciences among young people. Pi lovers had a special treat in 2015, History.com reports. That year Pi Day was celebrated on 3/14/15 at 9:26:53 a.m. The combined numbers of the date and time represent the first 10 digits of pi — 3.141592653. [type] => 1 ) [7] => Array ( [title] => Senate averts government shutdown, overcomes Democratic opposition [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/us-government-shutdown-likely-averted-democrats-fracture/8011226.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 19:03:31 -0400 [description] => The U.S. Senate passed a stopgap spending bill Friday evening, averting a partial government shutdown and overcoming Democratic opposition to the measure. The bill passed 54-46 after clearing a more difficult procedural hurdle to stop debate on the measure, which required at least 60 votes. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed the bill earlier this week to meet a March 14 deadline to keep the government running. Senate Democrats had fractured over whether to support the short-term continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the government for the next six months, reduce total government spending by about $7 billion from last year's levels and shift money to the military and away from non-defense spending. Many Democrats expressed anger after the top-ranking Democrat in the chamber, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, announced Thursday night that while he disliked the bill, a shutdown was a “far worse option.” Speaking on the Senate floor Friday morning, Schumer said not passing the Republican funding bill would give more power to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) effort led by Elon Musk, including which agencies would be shut down. "A shutdown would allow DOGE to shift into overdrive," he said. Dozens of House Democrats, who opposed the funding measure in the lower chamber, sent a letter to Schumer on Friday, expressing their "strong opposition" to his plan to vote for the bill. Former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urged Senate Democrats to go against their leader. In a Friday statement, she wrote, "America has experienced a Trump shutdown before — but this damaging legislation only makes matters worse." When questioned by reporters Friday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries refused to say whether he backed Schumer’s leadership. Trump had called on Congress to pass the funding bill and on Friday praised Schumer for supporting it. "Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thing — Took 'guts' and courage!" he wrote on his Truth Social platform. "I have great respect, by the way, for what Schumer did today. He went out and he said that they have to vote with the Republicans because it's the right thing to do," Trump said during a speech at the Department of Justice. Appropriations bills require a 60-vote threshold for passage in the Senate, which means Republicans needed to secure at least eight Democratic votes. The bill cleared the procedural hurdle 62-38. Several amendments to the bill failed, but one that proposed eliminating funding for DOGE drew the support of one Republican. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska has been outspoken in her criticism of the initiative by Musk. Schumer previously called for the Senate to pass an earlier version of the CR that Democrats were involved in negotiating. "Funding the government should be a bipartisan effort. But Republicans chose a partisan path, drafting their continuing resolution without any input, any input, from congressional Democrats," Schumer said on the Senate floor late Wednesday. The House passed the short-term spending measure 217-213 on Tuesday. One Democrat voted for the bill and one Republican against it. The chamber went out of session for the rest of the week starting Tuesday afternoon, putting pressure on senators to pass its version of the CR. House Speaker Mike Johnson quelled dissent from within his Republican Party to pass the spending measure. He told reporters Tuesday the seven-month continuing resolution was an important step toward implementing Trump's agenda of rooting out government waste and abuse through DOGE. "It allows us to move forward with changing the size and scope of the federal government. There is a seismic shift going on in Washington right now. This is a different moment than we have ever been in. The DOGE work is finding massive amounts of fraud, waste and abuse," Johnson said. "We have a White House that is actually dedicated to getting us back onto a fiscally responsible track." Independent watchdogs and analysts, however, say DOGE is using overly broad claims of fraud to generate support for large-scale cuts to federal programs and offices. Representative Thomas Massie was the lone Republican holdout, despite Trump's post Monday night on Truth Social calling for Massie to lose his seat if he voted against the spending measure. The continuing resolution buys lawmakers time to reach a compromise on Senate and House versions of government spending for the next fiscal year, which begins in October, a key tool for implementing Trump's domestic policy agenda. At question is how and when to enact a proposed extension of the 2017 tax cuts and how to pay down the U.S. deficit without cutting key safety net programs that help American voters. [type] => 1 ) [8] => Array ( [title] => US envoy says Hamas misrepresented release of hostage [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/us-envoy-says-hamas-misrepresented-release-of-hostage/8011067.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 15:35:19 -0400 [description] => U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff said a Hamas statement issued Friday announcing it had agreed to release an American-Israeli soldier was, in reality, a condition of a "bridge" ceasefire proposal offered by U.S. officials earlier this week. Early Friday, the U.S.-designated terrorist group Hamas issued a statement saying it had agreed to release Edan Alexander, believed to be the last living American hostage held in Gaza, as well as the bodies of four other hostages after receiving a proposal from mediators to resume negotiations on the second phase of a Gaza ceasefire deal. The statement said the proposal had been offered by unnamed mediators as part of the work in Qatar to restart ceasefire negotiations. The United States, Egypt and host Qatar have been mediating the ceasefire talks. Hamas expressed its "complete readiness to begin negotiations and reach a comprehensive agreement on the issues of the second phase." Later Friday, in a joint statement issued along with the National Security Council, Witkoff's office explained he and National Security Council Senior Middle East Director Eric Trager had presented the bridge proposal to extend the current ceasefire beyond Ramadan and Passover and allow time to negotiate a framework for a permanent ceasefire. In the statement, Witkoff said that under the proposal, Hamas would release additional living hostages in exchange for prisoners, and that the extension of the phase-one ceasefire would allow more time for humanitarian aid to resume into Gaza. He said the U.S. had its Qatari and Egyptian mediating partners convey to Hamas "in no uncertain terms" that the new proposal would have to be implemented soon and Edan Alexander would have to be released immediately. "Unfortunately, Hamas has chosen to respond by publicly claiming flexibility," Witkoff said in the statement, "while privately making demands that are entirely impractical without a permanent ceasefire." In a statement released on the X social media platform, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said that while Israel had accepted "the Witkoff framework," Hamas "continues to wage psychological warfare against hostage families." The statement went on to say that the prime minister would convene his ministerial team Saturday evening for a detailed briefing from the negotiating team and "decide on steps to free the hostages and achieve all our war objectives." Hamas is believed to be holding 24 living hostages taken in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered its war with Israel. The group also is holding the bodies of 34 others who were either killed in the initial attack or in captivity, as well as the remains of a soldier killed in 2014. In comments to FOX Business news Friday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said she was wary of taking Hamas statements at face value but emphasized that U.S. President Donald Trump was working "diligently" to bring hostages home. Witkoff told reporters at the White House early in March that gaining the release of Alexander was a "top priority." A ceasefire has been in place since January. During the first phase of the three-phase ceasefire, Hamas exchanged 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Israel has been pressing Hamas to accept an extension of the first phase, which ended March 2. Hamas had said it wanted to move to the second phase of the agreement, which would involve the release of more hostages and Israel's withdrawal from Gaza. [type] => 1 ) [9] => Array ( [title] => Trump intent on imposing global tariffs [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-intent-on-imposing-global-tariffs/8010989.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:35:26 -0400 [description] => The on-again, off-again tariffs between the United States and other countries are again under scrutiny, with the U.S. president not budging. VOA White House Correspondent Carolyn Presutti reports. [type] => 1 ) [10] => Array ( [title] => Kremlin: Reasons to be optimistic about ceasefire deal [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/kremlin-reasons-to-be-optimistic-about-ceasefire-deal/8010812.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 12:13:20 -0400 [description] => Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday that there were reasons for "cautious optimism" regarding a proposed ceasefire deal between Ukraine and Russia, following talks between a U.S. envoy and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Speaking to reporters in a telephone news briefing, Peskov referenced comments from Putin on Thursday in which he expressed qualified support for a U.S. ceasefire proposal to halt Russia's war with Ukraine for 30 days but said some questions needed to be answered. Peskov said that while much remains to be done, Putin "expressed solidarity with [U.S. President Donald] Trump's position." He said Putin held late-night talks Thursday with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, during which Putin "conveyed information and additional signals to President Trump." The Kremlin spokesman said both sides agreed Putin and Trump should speak, adding that the timing of the conversation would be agreed upon once Witkoff had conveyed the new information to Trump. Trump said in a post on his Truth Social website Friday morning that "there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end." He also said he had "strongly requested" that Putin spare the lives of "thousands" of Ukrainian troops in Russia's Kursk border region who were "completely surrounded" by the Russian military. "This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II," Trump wrote on social media. Later Friday, Putin told the National Security Council in Moscow that if the Ukrainian troops laid down their arms and surrendered, they would not be killed. Ukraine's military, however, denied that its forces in Kursk were surrounded by Moscow's troops and said reports to that effect were Russian manipulation. In his nightly address to his nation Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Putin's comments to Witkoff were "very manipulative," and that he thought Putin's qualified support for the U.S. plan was an effort to lay the groundwork for rejecting it. "He is in fact preparing a rejection at present, because Putin is, of course, scared to tell President Trump that he wants to continue this war, that he wants to kill Ukrainians," Zelenskyy said. He noted Ukraine had accepted the U.S. proposal and was ready to organize monitoring and verification. "We are not setting conditions that complicate the process; Russia is," Zelenskyy said. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Friday that no discussions between Trump and Putin had been scheduled, but she said that could change. She called the talks in Moscow on Thursday "a productive day for the United States of America and for the world in terms of peace." On Thursday at the White House, ahead of talks with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump said it would be "very disappointing" if Russia ended up rejecting U.S. efforts to end the fighting. Meanwhile, Britain's Defense Ministry said Friday that Russia's prioritization of funding its war with Ukraine had likely resulted in insufficient funding for average Russians' health care, leading to shortages of medical staff and equipment. In its Defense Intelligence report, the ministry said Russia reportedly closed at least 160 hospitals in 2024, including 18 maternity facilities and at least 10 children's clinics. The report said Russia's small towns and villages had been particularly affected. The Defense Ministry said the 500,000 casualties Russia has sustained in the war in Ukraine most certainly continue to put a strain on all levels of care in the Russian military medical system. [type] => 1 ) [11] => Array ( [title] => Report: US bird population is declining [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/report-us-bird-population-is-declining/8010492.html [date] => Fri, 14 Mar 2025 02:55:47 -0400 [description] => The U.S. bird population is declining at an alarming rate, according to a report published Thursday by an alliance of science and conservation groups. Habitat loss and climate change are among the key contributing factors to the bird population losses, according to the 2025 U.S. State of the Birds report. More than 100 of the species studied, have reached a "tipping point," losing more than half their populations in the last 50 years. The report revealed that the avian population in all habitats is declining, including the duck population, previously considered a triumph of conservation. "The only bright spot is water birds such as herons and egrets that show some increases," Michael Parr, president of the American Bird Conservancy, told Reuters. The decline in the duck population fell by approximately 30% from 2017, but duck population numbers still remain higher, however, than their 1970 numbers, according to an Associated Press account on the report. "Roughly one in three bird species (229 species) in the U.S. requires urgent conservation attention, and these species represent the major habitats and systems in the U.S. and include species that we've long considered to be common and abundant," Amanda Rodewald, faculty director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Center for Avian Population Studies told Reuters. Included among the birds with highest losses, Reuters reported, are the mottled duck, Allen's hummingbird, yellow-billed loon, red-faced cormorant, greater sage-grouse, Florida scrub jay, Baird's sparrow, saltmarsh sparrow, mountain plover, Hawaiian petrel, Bicknell's thrush, Cassia crossbill, pink-footed shearwater, tricolored blackbird and golden-cheeked warbler. Some of the birds in this "red alert" group are already protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, the news agency said. "For each species that we're in danger of losing, it's like pulling an individual thread out of the complex tapestry of life," Georgetown University biologist Peter Marra. who was not involved in the new report, told AP. While the outlook may seem dire, it is not without hope, said Marra, who noted the resurgence of the majestic bald eagle. [type] => 1 ) [12] => Array ( [title] => Shortage of Marines’ amphibious warships worries top US military officers [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/shortage-of-marines-amphibious-warships-worries-top-us-military-officers/8010115.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 20:13:58 -0400 [description] => Officials tell VOA the shortage of amphibious warfare ships has reached a breaking point. While the ships make up just 10% of the fleet, they are the go-to alternative to aircraft carriers when commanders need something more precise or expedient. VOA Pentagon Correspondent Carla Babb reports. [type] => 1 ) [13] => Array ( [title] => Homeland Security, rights group to meet in court over migrants at Guantanamo Bay [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/homeland-security-rights-group-to-meet-in-court-over-migrants-at-guantanamo-bay-/8010057.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 19:09:03 -0400 [description] => PENTAGON — U.S. government lawyers are expected to face off with attorneys for civil and immigration rights groups over the use of a U.S. naval base in Cuba to hold migrants slated for deportation. Arguments in the two lawsuits over operations at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, filed against the Department of Homeland Security and Secretary Kristi Noem, are set for a U.S. District Court in Washington on Friday. The suits allege that the U.S. government has overstepped its bounds by denying migrants sent to Guantanamo Bay access to legal representation and also by attempting to send migrants to the base's facilities without the proper legal authority in violation of the U.S. Constitution. DHS officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the upcoming hearing, but they have repeatedly denied the allegations while criticizing the groups bringing the lawsuits. "The American Civil Liberties Union appears far more interested in promoting open borders and disrupting public safety missions than in protecting the civil liberties of Americans," a DHS spokesperson told VOA in a statement earlier this month, declining to be named. "They should consider changing their name," the spokesperson added, further describing the legal challenges as "baseless." President Donald Trump first raised the idea of using the U.S. naval base in Cuba as part of his administration's plans for mass deportations shortly after taking office in January. Homeland Security's Noem said the base, which features a secure prison to hold captured terrorists, would be used to house "the worst of the worst." Trump and other U.S. officials also suggested the base could be used to hold up to 30,000 migrants while they awaited deportation. Those plans, however, never fully materialized. The U.S. began sending what officials described as "high threat illegal aliens" to Guantanamo Bay's detention center in early February, followed by other nonviolent migrants, who stayed at other facilities. At times, the facilities held close to 200 detainees, many of whom were deported to Honduras, Venezuela or other countries. But despite efforts to prepare the facilities for more migrants, capacity has been limited. According to a U.S. defense official, who spoke to VOA on the condition of anonymity, the prison as currently configured can hold only 130 detainees, while the base's Migrant Operations Center and a temporary tent city can hold, at most, 550 people. As VOA first reported, DHS officials decided to remove all 40 remaining migrants from the prison and other facilities at Guantanamo Bay this past Tuesday, flying them instead to the U.S. southern state of Louisiana. Neither DHS nor its subagency, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, have responded to requests for comment on the decision to evacuate migrants from the naval base or on their status or whereabouts since being returned to the U.S. mainland. The move — and lack of communication — has drawn criticism from immigrants' rights groups, including some of those involved in the current litigation. "The arbitrary and secret shuttling of people between Guantanamo and the U.S. demonstrates a complete disregard for human dignity, an affront to the rule of law, and a waste of public resources," said the International Refugee Assistance Project's Pedro Sepulveda. "No one should be detained at Guantanamo," Sepulveda added. "The Trump administration must stop these ill-conceived and cruel transfers and stop detaining immigrants at Guantanamo once and for all." [type] => 1 ) [14] => Array ( [title] => Ukraine peace, global security top G7 agenda as diplomats convene in Canada [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/ukraine-peace-global-security-top-g7-agenda-as-diplomats-convene-in-canada-/8010030.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 17:46:06 -0400 [description] => CHARLEVOIX, QUEBEC — Top diplomats from the Group of Seven leading industrial nations gathered Thursday in Charlevoix, Quebec, as host country Canada outlined its top agenda, focusing on achieving a “just and lasting peace in Ukraine” and strengthening security and defense partnerships as the G7 marks 50 years. During the opening remarks, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said, “Peace and stability is on the top of our agenda, and I look forward to discussing how we can continue to support Ukraine in the face of Russia's illegal aggression.” Joly also emphasized the importance of addressing maritime security challenges, citing threats such as “growing the use of growing shadow fleets, dark vessels” and “sabotage of critical undersea infrastructure.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said he hopes a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine could take place within days if the Kremlin agrees. He also plans to urge G7 foreign ministers to focus on ending the Russia-Ukraine war. The G7 talks in Quebec follow U.S.-Ukraine talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where Ukraine said it is ready to accept a U.S. proposal for "an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire." "Ukraine is committed to moving quickly toward peace, and we are prepared to do our part in creating all of the conditions for a reliable, durable, and decent peace," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote Wednesday in a post on social media platform X. He added that "Ukraine was ready for an air and sea ceasefire," and "welcomed" the U.S. proposal to extend it to land. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia supports the U.S. ceasefire proposal in principle, but key details still need to be worked out. “Ceasefire, they can't be coming with conditions, because all these conditions just blur the picture. Either you want to end this war, or you don't want to end this war, so we need to be very firm,” said European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas during an interview with CNN International. “What we need to keep in mind is that Russia has invested, like over 9% of its GDP on the military, so they would want to use it,” Kallas said, adding the European nations “are massively increasing” their “defense investments.” The G7 talks bring together ministers from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.  Rubio has underscored the need for monitors if a ceasefire is implemented. He told reporters on Wednesday that “one of the things we'll have to determine is who do both sides trust to be on the ground to sort of monitor some of the small arms fire and exchanges that could happen.” Beyond Ukraine, G7 foreign ministers also discussed China’s role in global security, Indo-Pacific stability, and maritime security behind closed doors. Rubio is expected to have a pull-aside meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya on Thursday. [type] => 1 ) [15] => Array ( [title] => Wall Street tumbles 10% below its record after Trump escalates trade war [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/wall-street-tumbles-10-below-its-record-after-trump-escalates-trade-war/8010009.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 17:14:25 -0400 [description] => NEW YORK — Wall Street's sell-off hit a new low Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump's escalating trade war dragged the S&P 500 more than 10% below its record, which was set just last month. A 10% drop is deemed a correction by professional investors, and the S&P 500's 1.4% slide on Thursday sent the index to its first since 2023. The losses came after Trump upped the stakes in his trade war by threatening huge taxes on European wines and alcohol. Not even a double-shot of good news on the U.S. economy could stop the bleeding. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 537 points, or 1.3% Thursday, and the Nasdaq composite fell 2%. The dizzying, battering swings for stocks have been coming not just day to day but also hour to hour, and the Dow hurtled between a slight gain and a drop of 689 points through Thursday's trading. The turbulence is a result of uncertainty about how much pain Trump will let the economy endure through tariffs and other policies to reshape the country and world as he wants. The president has said he wants manufacturing jobs back in the United States, along with a smaller U.S. government workforce and other fundamental changes. Trump's latest escalation came Thursday when he threatened 200% tariffs on Champagne and other European wines, unless the European Union rolls back a tariff it announced on U.S. whiskey. The European Union unveiled that move on Wednesday, in response to U.S. tariffs on European steel and aluminum. U.S. households and businesses have reported drops in confidence because of all the uncertainty about which tariffs will stick from Trump's barrage of on-again, off-again announcements. That's raised fears about a pullback in spending that could sap energy from the economy. Some U.S. businesses say they've begun to see a change in their customers' behavior because of the uncertainty. A particularly feared scenario for the economy is one where its growth stagnates but inflation stays high because of tariffs. Few tools are available in Washington to fix what's called stagflation. There was good news Thursday, and it came on both those economic fronts. One report showed inflation at the wholesale level last month was milder than economists expected. It followed a similarly encouraging report from the prior day on inflation that U.S. consumers are feeling. A separate report, meanwhile, said fewer U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week than economists expected. It's the latest signal that the job market remains relatively solid overall. If that can continue, it could allow U.S. consumers to keep spending, and that's the main engine of the economy. [type] => 1 ) [16] => Array ( [title] => Trump asks Supreme Court to intervene in bid to curb birthright citizenship [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-asks-supreme-court-to-intervene-in-bid-to-curb-birthright-citizenship/8009956.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 16:15:52 -0400 [description] => WASHINGTON — Donald Trump took the fight over his attempt to restrict automatic U.S. birthright citizenship to the Supreme Court on Thursday as the Republican president's administration asked the justices to narrow a judicial block imposed on this key element of his hardline approach toward immigration. The Justice Department made the request challenging the scope of three nationwide injunctions issued against Trump's order by federal courts in Washington state, Massachusetts and Maryland. The administration said the injunctions should be scaled back from applying universally and limited to just the plaintiffs that brought the cases and are "actually within the courts' power." "Universal injunctions have reached epidemic proportions since the start of the current administration," the Justice Department said in the filing. "This court should declare that enough is enough before district courts' burgeoning reliance on universal injunctions becomes further entrenched." Trump's order, signed on his first day back in office on Jan. 20, directed federal agencies to refuse to recognize the citizenship of U.S.-born children who do not have at least one parent who is an American citizen or lawful permanent resident. The order was intended to apply starting Feb. 19 but has been blocked nationwide by multiple federal judges. Trump's action has drawn a series of lawsuits from plaintiffs, including 22 Democratic state attorneys general, immigrant rights advocates and expectant mothers. They argue among other things that Trump's order violates a right enshrined in the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment that provides that anyone born in the United States is a citizen. The 14th Amendment's citizenship clause states that all "persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside." The administration contends that the 14th Amendment, long understood to confer citizenship to virtually anyone born in the United States, does not extend to immigrants who are in the country illegally or even to immigrants whose presence is lawful but temporary, such as university students or those on work visas. Its request to the justices marks its latest trip to the top U.S. judicial body to defend Trump's actions. The Supreme Court's 6-3 conservative majority includes three justices appointed by Trump during his first term as president. Trump's push to restrict birthright citizenship is part of a broader immigration and border crackdown that includes tasking the U.S. military with aiding border security and issuing a broad ban on asylum. The judges who ruled against Trump's order faulted it as conflicting with the Constitution. An 1898 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a case called United States v. Wong Kim Ark long has been interpreted as guaranteeing that children born in the United States to noncitizen parents are entitled to American citizenship. Trump's Justice Department has argued that the court's ruling in that case was narrower, applying to children whose parents had a "permanent domicile and residence in the United States." [type] => 1 ) [17] => Array ( [title] => US lawmakers running out of time to fund government [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/us-lawmakers-running-out-of-time-to-fund-government/8009839.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 15:03:21 -0400 [description] => U.S. lawmakers are running out of time to pass a short-term continuing resolution, or CR, that will fund the government past a March 14 deadline. "Democrats need to decide if they're going to support funding legislation that came over from the House, or if they're going to shut down the government. So far, it's looking like they plan to shut it down," Senate Majority Leader John Thune said on the Senate floor Thursday. Appropriations bills require a 60-vote threshold for passage in the Senate, which means Republicans need to secure at least eight Democratic votes. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for the Senate to pass an earlier version of the CR that Democrats were involved in negotiating. "Funding the government should be a bipartisan effort. But Republicans chose a partisan path, drafting their continuing resolution without any input, any input, from congressional Democrats," Schumer said on the Senate floor late Wednesday. Democratic senators say they are concerned about easing the way for the Trump administration to continue large-scale changes to the federal government and social safety net programs. "I don't want a government shutdown," Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen said in a statement Thursday. "And that's why I'd like to vote on a bill to keep the government open for 30 days while we have a bipartisan negotiation. But I will not support this Republican House bill that simply gives Elon Musk more fuel and more tools to dismantle big parts of the federal government in order to rig it for people like himself and the very rich." "Voting against the CR will hurt the American people and kill the incredible momentum that President [Donald] Trump has built over the past 51 days," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters earlier this week. The Republican-majority House of Representatives passed a short-term spending measure Tuesday by a vote of 217-213. The House went out of session for the rest of the week starting Tuesday afternoon, putting pressure on senators to pass its version of the CR. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson quelled dissent from within his Republican party to pass the spending measure. He told reporters Tuesday the seven-month continuing resolution was an important step toward implementing Trump's agenda of rooting out government waste and abuse through the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE. "It allows us to move forward with changing the size and scope of the federal government. There is a seismic shift going on in Washington right now. This is a different moment than we have ever been in. The DOGE work is finding massive amounts of fraud, waste and abuse," Johnson said. "We have a White House that is actually dedicated to getting us back onto a fiscally responsible track." Independent watchdogs and analysts, however, say DOGE is using overly broad claims of fraud to generate support for large-scale cuts to federal programs and offices. Representative Thomas Massie was the lone Republican holdout, despite Trump's post Monday night on Truth Social calling for Massie to lose his seat if he voted against the spending measure. The continuing resolution buys lawmakers time to reach a compromise on Senate and House versions of government spending, a key tool for implementing Trump's domestic policy agenda. At question is how and when to enact a proposed extension of the 2017 tax cuts and how to pay down the U.S. deficit without cutting key safety net programs that help American voters. Senate leadership has proposed passing the tax cuts in a separate bill later this year. [type] => 1 ) [18] => Array ( [title] => Can the US pry Russia away from China? [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/can-the-us-pry-russia-away-from-china/8009771.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 14:26:15 -0400 [description] => Western politicians have repeatedly called on China to limit or cease tacit support for Russia’s bloody war against Ukraine. In response, China’s leadership insists it is committed to peace and respect for the territorial integrity of other nations. But unlike most United Nations member states, China has never condemned Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and their military-diplomatic partnership — from joint bomber flights near the U.S. state of Alaska to votes in the U.N. Security Council — has only helped the Kremlin overcome its international isolation. While President Donald Trump has said he has good personal relations with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, there is a consensus among experts in Washington that the China-Russia partnership poses a threat to U.S. interests, and that while Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, tried to establish a strategic dialogue with China, the Trump team appears to be prioritizing normalized ties with Russia while punishing China over trade. As the White House talks about the possibility of restoring economic cooperation with Russia, some of its officials are hinting at lifting or reducing the sanctions Washington has imposed on Moscow in recent years. Charles Hecker, an expert on Western-Russian economic ties and risks, and author of the book Zero Sum: The Arc of International Business in Russia, says some Western companies will quickly return to Russia if sanctions are lifted, particularly those involved in energy, metals and minerals. “There’s only so much oil in Norway, and there’s only so much oil in Canada; the rest of it is in some countries that have a very high-risk environment,” Hecker told VOA’s Russian Service. “And so, these kinds of companies are accustomed to business in these sorts of places, and they have the internal structures to help protect them. You know, there are energy companies doing business in Iraq right now. And I don’t want to compare Russia and Iraq, but they are high-risk environments.”  Still, Hecker cautions, their return to doing business in Russia wouldn’t signal an overall U.S.-Russian rapprochement — let alone a fracturing of Sino-Russian relations. “I think it will be very difficult for the West to pull Russia away from China,” he said. “Allowing Western companies back into Russia doesn’t necessarily change President Putin’s hostility towards the West. President Putin remains antagonistic towards a Western-dominated political and economic system, and he has said over and over again that he wants to create an alternative political and economic environment – an alternative to the West. “Part of that alternative includes China,” he added. “You have never heard President Putin say anything ideologically against China. And the two are now important energy partners.” Limited popular domestic appeal U.S.-based FilterLabs analyzes public sentiment in regions where polling is problematic. According to a recently published assessment of popular attitudes expressed on Russian and Chinese social media networks, Sino-Russian relations are “full of underlying tensions, mistrust, and diverging interests.” One of the report’s authors, Vasily Gatov, told VOA its research found that “the Chinese and Russian populations are far from happy with this alliance of their authorities.” "China does not perceive Russia as a reliable, safe and equal partner,” he said. “Russia annexed the Amur Region from China; Russia adopted a completely colonial policy towards China during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Therefore, in my opinion, it is entirely possible to consider historical frictions as a vulnerability.” A media analyst at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, Gatov also noted that, despite the Kremlin’s expectations, China’s economic presence inside Russia today remains “several times smaller” than that of either Europe or the U.S. before Russia invaded Ukraine. Thus, while Russian and China have overlapping interests, they are not “marching in lockstep.” "They are very different, they have very different geopolitical focuses, very different political philosophies,” he said. Other experts, however, question the Filterlabs findings, warning that random Russian and Chinese opinions online are of limited value, especially as those casting the insights aren’t likely to influence policy. "People who have the time and desire to comment on things on social media do not have much influence on how state policy is conducted,” Alexander Gabuev, director of the Berlin-based Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, told VOA. “And these people certainly do not have much influence on whether China transfers components for Russia's weapons or takes certain military technologies from it, since the people who comment on this simply do not have real knowledge of what is actually happening.” Gabuev added that “the Chinese leadership has reasons to think that they have something to take from Russia in terms of military technology,” suggesting that China is extremely interested in gaining Russian experience in countering Western weapons during Russia's war in Ukraine. Does Trump see China as a threat? One critical question about whether Washington’s improved ties with Russia will loosen the Sino-Russian pact, say some analysts, is how Trump perceives China. Ali Wyne, senior research and advocacy advisor on the U.S. and China at the International Crisis Group, describes Trump as an anomaly for U.S. policy. “Widespread bipartisan agreement in Congress and from one administration to the next [is] that China is American’s foremost strategic competitor,” he said. But “President Trump, in many ways, is the most prominent dissenter from this alleged China consensus.” “He doesn’t view President Xi [Jinping] in adversarial terms,” Wyne said. “He actually calls President Xi a ‘dear friend’ of his. And he believes that his personal rapport with President Xi will be the decisive dynamic in setting — or resetting — the U.S.-China relationship over the next four years.” [type] => 1 ) [19] => Array ( [title] => Judge orders Trump administration to reinstate thousands of fired government workers [link] => https://www.voanews.com/a/judge-orders-trump-administration-to-reinstate-thousands-of-fired-government-workers/8009741.html [date] => Thu, 13 Mar 2025 14:03:46 -0400 [description] => A California federal judge on Thursday ordered six U.S. agencies to reinstate thousands of recently hired employees who were fired as part of President Donald Trump's purge of the federal workforce. The ruling made by U.S. District Judge William Alsup during a hearing in San Francisco applies to the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, Department of Interior and the Treasury Department. Alsup last month temporarily blocked the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the human resources department for federal agencies, from ordering agencies to fire probationary employees, but he declined at the time to require that fired workers get their jobs back. Probationary workers typically have less than one year of service in their current roles, although some are longtime federal employees. They have fewer job protections than other government workers but, in general, can be fired only for performance issues. Alsup said on Thursday that OPM has no power to order firings, and there was evidence that it had improperly directed the termination of workers at the six agencies. He did not order the 16 other agencies named in the lawsuit by unions and nonprofit groups to reinstate workers. “It is a sad day when our government would fire some good employee and say it was based on performance when they know good and well that’s a lie,” Alsup said. The potential scale of Trump's efforts to shrink the U.S. federal government could become clearer on Thursday, the deadline for government agencies to submit plans for a second wave of mass layoffs and to slash their budgets. 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      NPR

      News Week
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          ABC News

          TheRealNewsNetwork

          MotherJones.Com

          NBC4 Washington
          Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => DC youth baseball coach in ICE custody, faces deportation https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dc-youth-baseball-coach-in-ice-custody-faces-deportation/4171602/ 4171602 Catalina Pérez De Armiñán post 11577013 Catalina override https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Catalina-override.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 His wife said he has coached baseball for students at schools like Deal Middle School, Jackson Reed High School and Woodson High School for over 20 years.

          A woman says her family is shaken after her husband was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) earlier this week.

          Amaury Monsalve, who is from Venezuela, has permanent status and was seeking citizenship here in the United States.

          He is known to many of his students as “Coach A.” His wife, Aniushka Monsalve, told News4 that for over 20 years, he has coached baseball for students at schools like Deal Middle School, Jackson Reed High School and Woodson High School.

          His wife said he is a permanent resident and was applying to become a U.S. citizen. She said his application was denied after an error was found on his permanent residency paperwork, which he filled out with an attorney.

          He had a scheduled hearing in immigration court Monday. Just the morning before, she said he was stopped by police in D.C. while he was working as a chauffeur.

          They asked everybody to leave the car, to get out of the car, and they found an open container. They took everybody to the jail, to the station. Even though my husband was just a driver, he had to stay overnight, and when the next day come, and it was actually, he had to be in the superior court the same time he had to be in the immigration court.” Aniushka Monsalve said.

          She said his attorneys attended the immigration hearing, while she waited outside for his release.

          “We waited and waited and waited until the end of the court, just about to close, and all the people inside, as they were turning off the lights, my son asked, ‘Where is my dad?’ And they told him, ‘ICE took him,’” Aniushka Monsalve said.

          She said the judge had issued an ICE detainer, and although Amaury Monsalve’s attorney filed an appeal, within days he had been transferred to an ICE processing center in Louisiana.

          Throughout the years, Amaury Monsalve’s dedication went beyond the field. He was a volunteer with the Arcadia Foundation, leading programs like Voice of the Children, which provided baseball equipment and training for children in Venezuela.

          His dedication also showed at home, where Aniushka Monsalve said he was a dedicated father to their two sons, who are both feeling his absence.

          News4 reached out to ICE for comment on Amaury Monsalve’s detention and is still waiting on an answer.

          A GoFundMe page has been set up to support his family covering costs as they move through his immigration process.

          Aniushka Monsalve said the possibility of him being deported to Venezuela terrifies her and that she fears for his safety.

          He has an immigration hearing scheduled for Nov. 3.

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          A woman says her family is shaken after her husband was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) earlier this week.

          Amaury Monsalve, who is from Venezuela, has permanent status and was seeking citizenship here in the United States.

          He is known to many of his students as “Coach A.” His wife, Aniushka Monsalve, told News4 that for over 20 years, he has coached baseball for students at schools like Deal Middle School, Jackson Reed High School and Woodson High School.

          His wife said he is a permanent resident and was applying to become a U.S. citizen. She said his application was denied after an error was found on his permanent residency paperwork, which he filled out with an attorney.

          He had a scheduled hearing in immigration court Monday. Just the morning before, she said he was stopped by police in D.C. while he was working as a chauffeur.

          They asked everybody to leave the car, to get out of the car, and they found an open container. They took everybody to the jail, to the station. Even though my husband was just a driver, he had to stay overnight, and when the next day come, and it was actually, he had to be in the superior court the same time he had to be in the immigration court.” Aniushka Monsalve said.

          She said his attorneys attended the immigration hearing, while she waited outside for his release.

          “We waited and waited and waited until the end of the court, just about to close, and all the people inside, as they were turning off the lights, my son asked, ‘Where is my dad?’ And they told him, ‘ICE took him,’” Aniushka Monsalve said.

          She said the judge had issued an ICE detainer, and although Amaury Monsalve’s attorney filed an appeal, within days he had been transferred to an ICE processing center in Louisiana.

          Throughout the years, Amaury Monsalve’s dedication went beyond the field. He was a volunteer with the Arcadia Foundation, leading programs like Voice of the Children, which provided baseball equipment and training for children in Venezuela.

          His dedication also showed at home, where Aniushka Monsalve said he was a dedicated father to their two sons, who are both feeling his absence.

          News4 reached out to ICE for comment on Amaury Monsalve’s detention and is still waiting on an answer.

          A GoFundMe page has been set up to support his family covering costs as they move through his immigration process.

          Aniushka Monsalve said the possibility of him being deported to Venezuela terrifies her and that she fears for his safety.

          He has an immigration hearing scheduled for Nov. 3.

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          A woman says her family is shaken after her husband was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) earlier this week.

          Amaury Monsalve, who is from Venezuela, has permanent status and was seeking citizenship here in the United States.

          He is known to many of his students as “Coach A.” His wife, Aniushka Monsalve, told News4 that for over 20 years, he has coached baseball for students at schools like Deal Middle School, Jackson Reed High School and Woodson High School.

          His wife said he is a permanent resident and was applying to become a U.S. citizen. She said his application was denied after an error was found on his permanent residency paperwork, which he filled out with an attorney.

          He had a scheduled hearing in immigration court Monday. Just the morning before, she said he was stopped by police in D.C. while he was working as a chauffeur.

          They asked everybody to leave the car, to get out of the car, and they found an open container. They took everybody to the jail, to the station. Even though my husband was just a driver, he had to stay overnight, and when the next day come, and it was actually, he had to be in the superior court the same time he had to be in the immigration court.” Aniushka Monsalve said.

          She said his attorneys attended the immigration hearing, while she waited outside for his release.

          “We waited and waited and waited until the end of the court, just about to close, and all the people inside, as they were turning off the lights, my son asked, ‘Where is my dad?’ And they told him, ‘ICE took him,’” Aniushka Monsalve said.

          She said the judge had issued an ICE detainer, and although Amaury Monsalve’s attorney filed an appeal, within days he had been transferred to an ICE processing center in Louisiana.

          Throughout the years, Amaury Monsalve’s dedication went beyond the field. He was a volunteer with the Arcadia Foundation, leading programs like Voice of the Children, which provided baseball equipment and training for children in Venezuela.

          His dedication also showed at home, where Aniushka Monsalve said he was a dedicated father to their two sons, who are both feeling his absence.

          News4 reached out to ICE for comment on Amaury Monsalve’s detention and is still waiting on an answer.

          A GoFundMe page has been set up to support his family covering costs as they move through his immigration process.

          Aniushka Monsalve said the possibility of him being deported to Venezuela terrifies her and that she fears for his safety.

          He has an immigration hearing scheduled for Nov. 3.

          Sat, Oct 24 2026 11:23:56 PM Sat, Oct 24 2026 11:24:05 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => DC youth baseball coach in ICE custody, faces deportation https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dc-youth-baseball-coach-in-ice-custody-faces-deportation/4171602/ 4171602 Catalina Pérez De Armiñán post 11577013 Catalina override https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Catalina-override.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 His wife said he has coached baseball for students at schools like Deal Middle School, Jackson Reed High School and Woodson High School for over 20 years.

          A woman says her family is shaken after her husband was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) earlier this week.

          Amaury Monsalve, who is from Venezuela, has permanent status and was seeking citizenship here in the United States.

          He is known to many of his students as “Coach A.” His wife, Aniushka Monsalve, told News4 that for over 20 years, he has coached baseball for students at schools like Deal Middle School, Jackson Reed High School and Woodson High School.

          His wife said he is a permanent resident and was applying to become a U.S. citizen. She said his application was denied after an error was found on his permanent residency paperwork, which he filled out with an attorney.

          He had a scheduled hearing in immigration court Monday. Just the morning before, she said he was stopped by police in D.C. while he was working as a chauffeur.

          They asked everybody to leave the car, to get out of the car, and they found an open container. They took everybody to the jail, to the station. Even though my husband was just a driver, he had to stay overnight, and when the next day come, and it was actually, he had to be in the superior court the same time he had to be in the immigration court.” Aniushka Monsalve said.

          She said his attorneys attended the immigration hearing, while she waited outside for his release.

          “We waited and waited and waited until the end of the court, just about to close, and all the people inside, as they were turning off the lights, my son asked, ‘Where is my dad?’ And they told him, ‘ICE took him,’” Aniushka Monsalve said.

          She said the judge had issued an ICE detainer, and although Amaury Monsalve’s attorney filed an appeal, within days he had been transferred to an ICE processing center in Louisiana.

          Throughout the years, Amaury Monsalve’s dedication went beyond the field. He was a volunteer with the Arcadia Foundation, leading programs like Voice of the Children, which provided baseball equipment and training for children in Venezuela.

          His dedication also showed at home, where Aniushka Monsalve said he was a dedicated father to their two sons, who are both feeling his absence.

          News4 reached out to ICE for comment on Amaury Monsalve’s detention and is still waiting on an answer.

          A GoFundMe page has been set up to support his family covering costs as they move through his immigration process.

          Aniushka Monsalve said the possibility of him being deported to Venezuela terrifies her and that she fears for his safety.

          He has an immigration hearing scheduled for Nov. 3.

          Sat, Oct 24 2026 11:23:56 PM Sat, Oct 24 2026 11:24:05 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => DC youth baseball coach in ICE custody, faces deportation [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dc-youth-baseball-coach-in-ice-custody-faces-deportation/4171602/ [date] => Sat, Oct 24 2026 11:23:56 PM ) ) ) [1] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 139 [function] => RSS_Tags [args] => Array ( [0] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => DC youth baseball coach in ICE custody, faces deportation https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dc-youth-baseball-coach-in-ice-custody-faces-deportation/4171602/ 4171602 Catalina Pérez De Armiñán post 11577013 Catalina override https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Catalina-override.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 His wife said he has coached baseball for students at schools like Deal Middle School, Jackson Reed High School and Woodson High School for over 20 years.

          A woman says her family is shaken after her husband was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) earlier this week.

          Amaury Monsalve, who is from Venezuela, has permanent status and was seeking citizenship here in the United States.

          He is known to many of his students as “Coach A.” His wife, Aniushka Monsalve, told News4 that for over 20 years, he has coached baseball for students at schools like Deal Middle School, Jackson Reed High School and Woodson High School.

          His wife said he is a permanent resident and was applying to become a U.S. citizen. She said his application was denied after an error was found on his permanent residency paperwork, which he filled out with an attorney.

          He had a scheduled hearing in immigration court Monday. Just the morning before, she said he was stopped by police in D.C. while he was working as a chauffeur.

          They asked everybody to leave the car, to get out of the car, and they found an open container. They took everybody to the jail, to the station. Even though my husband was just a driver, he had to stay overnight, and when the next day come, and it was actually, he had to be in the superior court the same time he had to be in the immigration court.” Aniushka Monsalve said.

          She said his attorneys attended the immigration hearing, while she waited outside for his release.

          “We waited and waited and waited until the end of the court, just about to close, and all the people inside, as they were turning off the lights, my son asked, ‘Where is my dad?’ And they told him, ‘ICE took him,’” Aniushka Monsalve said.

          She said the judge had issued an ICE detainer, and although Amaury Monsalve’s attorney filed an appeal, within days he had been transferred to an ICE processing center in Louisiana.

          Throughout the years, Amaury Monsalve’s dedication went beyond the field. He was a volunteer with the Arcadia Foundation, leading programs like Voice of the Children, which provided baseball equipment and training for children in Venezuela.

          His dedication also showed at home, where Aniushka Monsalve said he was a dedicated father to their two sons, who are both feeling his absence.

          News4 reached out to ICE for comment on Amaury Monsalve’s detention and is still waiting on an answer.

          A GoFundMe page has been set up to support his family covering costs as they move through his immigration process.

          Aniushka Monsalve said the possibility of him being deported to Venezuela terrifies her and that she fears for his safety.

          He has an immigration hearing scheduled for Nov. 3.

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          A woman says her family is shaken after her husband was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) earlier this week.

          Amaury Monsalve, who is from Venezuela, has permanent status and was seeking citizenship here in the United States.

          He is known to many of his students as “Coach A.” His wife, Aniushka Monsalve, told News4 that for over 20 years, he has coached baseball for students at schools like Deal Middle School, Jackson Reed High School and Woodson High School.

          His wife said he is a permanent resident and was applying to become a U.S. citizen. She said his application was denied after an error was found on his permanent residency paperwork, which he filled out with an attorney.

          He had a scheduled hearing in immigration court Monday. Just the morning before, she said he was stopped by police in D.C. while he was working as a chauffeur.

          They asked everybody to leave the car, to get out of the car, and they found an open container. They took everybody to the jail, to the station. Even though my husband was just a driver, he had to stay overnight, and when the next day come, and it was actually, he had to be in the superior court the same time he had to be in the immigration court.” Aniushka Monsalve said.

          She said his attorneys attended the immigration hearing, while she waited outside for his release.

          “We waited and waited and waited until the end of the court, just about to close, and all the people inside, as they were turning off the lights, my son asked, ‘Where is my dad?’ And they told him, ‘ICE took him,’” Aniushka Monsalve said.

          She said the judge had issued an ICE detainer, and although Amaury Monsalve’s attorney filed an appeal, within days he had been transferred to an ICE processing center in Louisiana.

          Throughout the years, Amaury Monsalve’s dedication went beyond the field. He was a volunteer with the Arcadia Foundation, leading programs like Voice of the Children, which provided baseball equipment and training for children in Venezuela.

          His dedication also showed at home, where Aniushka Monsalve said he was a dedicated father to their two sons, who are both feeling his absence.

          News4 reached out to ICE for comment on Amaury Monsalve’s detention and is still waiting on an answer.

          A GoFundMe page has been set up to support his family covering costs as they move through his immigration process.

          Aniushka Monsalve said the possibility of him being deported to Venezuela terrifies her and that she fears for his safety.

          He has an immigration hearing scheduled for Nov. 3.

          Sat, Oct 24 2026 11:23:56 PM Sat, Oct 24 2026 11:24:05 PM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) ) Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial dedicated on National Mall https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/desert-shield-and-desert-storm-memorial-dedicated-on-national-mall/4171550/ 4171550 Mark Segraves post 11576805 Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial dedicated on National Mall https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Desert-Shield-and-Desert-Storm-Memorial-dedicated-on-National-Mall.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 “My goal, our goal, is for visitors to come in and be inspired, make an emotional connection with what they see that will make them want to learn more about this very important time in history and realize that it is not a 100-hour war.”

          It’s been years in the making, but Saturday morning, hundreds of veterans from across the country gathered on the National Mall to cut the ribbon on the newest memorial in the nation’s capital: the National Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial.

          The memorial sits in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial along the National Mall.

          Desert Shield and Desert Storm were part of the Persian Gulf War in 1990 and 1991 that liberated Kuwait and saw the capture of Sadam Hussein

          No public funds were used to build the memorial. Donations came from VFWS across the country and from the state of Kuwait.

          Scott Stump was a college senior in the Marine Reserves when he was called to active duty. He then led the effort to build the memorial — an effort that took him 16 years.

          “It was very arduous,” Stump said. “And I don’t mean that in any way to exaggerate, but it’s been a very difficult journey, you know, starting with the 24-step process to get here, getting the approvals first, getting the legislation, and then, of course, a little thing called fundraising and having the sufficient funds to build this.”

          But on Saturday, Stump saw his efforts pay off — not just for himself, but for all of those who served.

          “They know that they’re not going to be forgotten, that their service will be validated,” he said. “I believe that this era in history, this event, Desert Shield and Desert Storm, has been really, I think, a result of its overwhelming success, overlooked and forgotten to a greater extent.

          Wayne Guenther and Joseph Carder haven’t seen each other since they served together in the war 35 years ago.

          “It is great to be recognized, have a place to go that we can call our own and meet with these veterans that all been there, which I found this guy here, I haven’t seen since the war and try to show some history here behind us, what we’ve done,” Guenther said.

          Both men said they’re proud of their service and what this new memorial means.

          “Well, like any other memorial, just the sacrifice, what we did over there, and also how we helped the Kuwaitis,” Carder said.

          The Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial isn’t like the many other memorials and monuments in the District — it surrounds you and draws you in.

          “They designed it in a way where a person can come and have an experiential visit and really feel like they’re in a desert oasis,” Stump said. “My goal, our goal, is for visitors to come in and be inspired, make an emotional connection with what they see that will make them want to learn more about this very important time in history and realize that it is not a 100-hour war.”

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          It’s been years in the making, but Saturday morning, hundreds of veterans from across the country gathered on the National Mall to cut the ribbon on the newest memorial in the nation’s capital: the National Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial.

          The memorial sits in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial along the National Mall.

          Desert Shield and Desert Storm were part of the Persian Gulf War in 1990 and 1991 that liberated Kuwait and saw the capture of Sadam Hussein

          No public funds were used to build the memorial. Donations came from VFWS across the country and from the state of Kuwait.

          Scott Stump was a college senior in the Marine Reserves when he was called to active duty. He then led the effort to build the memorial — an effort that took him 16 years.

          “It was very arduous,” Stump said. “And I don’t mean that in any way to exaggerate, but it’s been a very difficult journey, you know, starting with the 24-step process to get here, getting the approvals first, getting the legislation, and then, of course, a little thing called fundraising and having the sufficient funds to build this.”

          But on Saturday, Stump saw his efforts pay off — not just for himself, but for all of those who served.

          “They know that they’re not going to be forgotten, that their service will be validated,” he said. “I believe that this era in history, this event, Desert Shield and Desert Storm, has been really, I think, a result of its overwhelming success, overlooked and forgotten to a greater extent.

          Wayne Guenther and Joseph Carder haven’t seen each other since they served together in the war 35 years ago.

          “It is great to be recognized, have a place to go that we can call our own and meet with these veterans that all been there, which I found this guy here, I haven’t seen since the war and try to show some history here behind us, what we’ve done,” Guenther said.

          Both men said they’re proud of their service and what this new memorial means.

          “Well, like any other memorial, just the sacrifice, what we did over there, and also how we helped the Kuwaitis,” Carder said.

          The Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial isn’t like the many other memorials and monuments in the District — it surrounds you and draws you in.

          “They designed it in a way where a person can come and have an experiential visit and really feel like they’re in a desert oasis,” Stump said. “My goal, our goal, is for visitors to come in and be inspired, make an emotional connection with what they see that will make them want to learn more about this very important time in history and realize that it is not a 100-hour war.”

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          It’s been years in the making, but Saturday morning, hundreds of veterans from across the country gathered on the National Mall to cut the ribbon on the newest memorial in the nation’s capital: the National Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial.

          The memorial sits in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial along the National Mall.

          Desert Shield and Desert Storm were part of the Persian Gulf War in 1990 and 1991 that liberated Kuwait and saw the capture of Sadam Hussein

          No public funds were used to build the memorial. Donations came from VFWS across the country and from the state of Kuwait.

          Scott Stump was a college senior in the Marine Reserves when he was called to active duty. He then led the effort to build the memorial — an effort that took him 16 years.

          “It was very arduous,” Stump said. “And I don’t mean that in any way to exaggerate, but it’s been a very difficult journey, you know, starting with the 24-step process to get here, getting the approvals first, getting the legislation, and then, of course, a little thing called fundraising and having the sufficient funds to build this.”

          But on Saturday, Stump saw his efforts pay off — not just for himself, but for all of those who served.

          “They know that they’re not going to be forgotten, that their service will be validated,” he said. “I believe that this era in history, this event, Desert Shield and Desert Storm, has been really, I think, a result of its overwhelming success, overlooked and forgotten to a greater extent.

          Wayne Guenther and Joseph Carder haven’t seen each other since they served together in the war 35 years ago.

          “It is great to be recognized, have a place to go that we can call our own and meet with these veterans that all been there, which I found this guy here, I haven’t seen since the war and try to show some history here behind us, what we’ve done,” Guenther said.

          Both men said they’re proud of their service and what this new memorial means.

          “Well, like any other memorial, just the sacrifice, what we did over there, and also how we helped the Kuwaitis,” Carder said.

          The Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial isn’t like the many other memorials and monuments in the District — it surrounds you and draws you in.

          “They designed it in a way where a person can come and have an experiential visit and really feel like they’re in a desert oasis,” Stump said. “My goal, our goal, is for visitors to come in and be inspired, make an emotional connection with what they see that will make them want to learn more about this very important time in history and realize that it is not a 100-hour war.”

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          It’s been years in the making, but Saturday morning, hundreds of veterans from across the country gathered on the National Mall to cut the ribbon on the newest memorial in the nation’s capital: the National Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial.

          The memorial sits in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial along the National Mall.

          Desert Shield and Desert Storm were part of the Persian Gulf War in 1990 and 1991 that liberated Kuwait and saw the capture of Sadam Hussein

          No public funds were used to build the memorial. Donations came from VFWS across the country and from the state of Kuwait.

          Scott Stump was a college senior in the Marine Reserves when he was called to active duty. He then led the effort to build the memorial — an effort that took him 16 years.

          “It was very arduous,” Stump said. “And I don’t mean that in any way to exaggerate, but it’s been a very difficult journey, you know, starting with the 24-step process to get here, getting the approvals first, getting the legislation, and then, of course, a little thing called fundraising and having the sufficient funds to build this.”

          But on Saturday, Stump saw his efforts pay off — not just for himself, but for all of those who served.

          “They know that they’re not going to be forgotten, that their service will be validated,” he said. “I believe that this era in history, this event, Desert Shield and Desert Storm, has been really, I think, a result of its overwhelming success, overlooked and forgotten to a greater extent.

          Wayne Guenther and Joseph Carder haven’t seen each other since they served together in the war 35 years ago.

          “It is great to be recognized, have a place to go that we can call our own and meet with these veterans that all been there, which I found this guy here, I haven’t seen since the war and try to show some history here behind us, what we’ve done,” Guenther said.

          Both men said they’re proud of their service and what this new memorial means.

          “Well, like any other memorial, just the sacrifice, what we did over there, and also how we helped the Kuwaitis,” Carder said.

          The Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial isn’t like the many other memorials and monuments in the District — it surrounds you and draws you in.

          “They designed it in a way where a person can come and have an experiential visit and really feel like they’re in a desert oasis,” Stump said. “My goal, our goal, is for visitors to come in and be inspired, make an emotional connection with what they see that will make them want to learn more about this very important time in history and realize that it is not a 100-hour war.”

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          It’s been years in the making, but Saturday morning, hundreds of veterans from across the country gathered on the National Mall to cut the ribbon on the newest memorial in the nation’s capital: the National Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial.

          The memorial sits in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial along the National Mall.

          Desert Shield and Desert Storm were part of the Persian Gulf War in 1990 and 1991 that liberated Kuwait and saw the capture of Sadam Hussein

          No public funds were used to build the memorial. Donations came from VFWS across the country and from the state of Kuwait.

          Scott Stump was a college senior in the Marine Reserves when he was called to active duty. He then led the effort to build the memorial — an effort that took him 16 years.

          “It was very arduous,” Stump said. “And I don’t mean that in any way to exaggerate, but it’s been a very difficult journey, you know, starting with the 24-step process to get here, getting the approvals first, getting the legislation, and then, of course, a little thing called fundraising and having the sufficient funds to build this.”

          But on Saturday, Stump saw his efforts pay off — not just for himself, but for all of those who served.

          “They know that they’re not going to be forgotten, that their service will be validated,” he said. “I believe that this era in history, this event, Desert Shield and Desert Storm, has been really, I think, a result of its overwhelming success, overlooked and forgotten to a greater extent.

          Wayne Guenther and Joseph Carder haven’t seen each other since they served together in the war 35 years ago.

          “It is great to be recognized, have a place to go that we can call our own and meet with these veterans that all been there, which I found this guy here, I haven’t seen since the war and try to show some history here behind us, what we’ve done,” Guenther said.

          Both men said they’re proud of their service and what this new memorial means.

          “Well, like any other memorial, just the sacrifice, what we did over there, and also how we helped the Kuwaitis,” Carder said.

          The Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial isn’t like the many other memorials and monuments in the District — it surrounds you and draws you in.

          “They designed it in a way where a person can come and have an experiential visit and really feel like they’re in a desert oasis,” Stump said. “My goal, our goal, is for visitors to come in and be inspired, make an emotional connection with what they see that will make them want to learn more about this very important time in history and realize that it is not a 100-hour war.”

          Sat, Oct 24 2026 06:42:43 PM Sat, Oct 24 2026 06:42:52 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial dedicated on National Mall https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/desert-shield-and-desert-storm-memorial-dedicated-on-national-mall/4171550/ 4171550 Mark Segraves post 11576805 Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial dedicated on National Mall https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Desert-Shield-and-Desert-Storm-Memorial-dedicated-on-National-Mall.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 “My goal, our goal, is for visitors to come in and be inspired, make an emotional connection with what they see that will make them want to learn more about this very important time in history and realize that it is not a 100-hour war.”

          It’s been years in the making, but Saturday morning, hundreds of veterans from across the country gathered on the National Mall to cut the ribbon on the newest memorial in the nation’s capital: the National Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial.

          The memorial sits in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial along the National Mall.

          Desert Shield and Desert Storm were part of the Persian Gulf War in 1990 and 1991 that liberated Kuwait and saw the capture of Sadam Hussein

          No public funds were used to build the memorial. Donations came from VFWS across the country and from the state of Kuwait.

          Scott Stump was a college senior in the Marine Reserves when he was called to active duty. He then led the effort to build the memorial — an effort that took him 16 years.

          “It was very arduous,” Stump said. “And I don’t mean that in any way to exaggerate, but it’s been a very difficult journey, you know, starting with the 24-step process to get here, getting the approvals first, getting the legislation, and then, of course, a little thing called fundraising and having the sufficient funds to build this.”

          But on Saturday, Stump saw his efforts pay off — not just for himself, but for all of those who served.

          “They know that they’re not going to be forgotten, that their service will be validated,” he said. “I believe that this era in history, this event, Desert Shield and Desert Storm, has been really, I think, a result of its overwhelming success, overlooked and forgotten to a greater extent.

          Wayne Guenther and Joseph Carder haven’t seen each other since they served together in the war 35 years ago.

          “It is great to be recognized, have a place to go that we can call our own and meet with these veterans that all been there, which I found this guy here, I haven’t seen since the war and try to show some history here behind us, what we’ve done,” Guenther said.

          Both men said they’re proud of their service and what this new memorial means.

          “Well, like any other memorial, just the sacrifice, what we did over there, and also how we helped the Kuwaitis,” Carder said.

          The Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial isn’t like the many other memorials and monuments in the District — it surrounds you and draws you in.

          “They designed it in a way where a person can come and have an experiential visit and really feel like they’re in a desert oasis,” Stump said. “My goal, our goal, is for visitors to come in and be inspired, make an emotional connection with what they see that will make them want to learn more about this very important time in history and realize that it is not a 100-hour war.”

          Sat, Oct 24 2026 06:42:43 PM Sat, Oct 24 2026 06:42:52 PM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) ) Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Emergency Planning for Caregivers: What to Have Ready So You Don't Get Caught Off Guard https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/emergency-planning-for-caregivers-what-to-have-ready-so-you-dont-get-caught-off-guard/3988672/ 3988672 post 10779533 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2025/09/AdobeStock_192378146.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=4088,2300 A caregiver checklist for handling the unexpected with confidence

          The following content is created in partnership with Kaiser Permanente. It does not reflect the work or opinions of the NBC Washington editorial staff. Click here to learn more about Kaiser Permanente.

          Medical emergencies can happen without warning, and when you’re caring for a loved one, being prepared can make all the difference. In moments of stress, having the right information and resources at your fingertips not only helps your loved one get the care they need quickly but also gives you peace of mind. And while every situation is unique, this simple checklist offers a helpful starting point to keep caregivers prepared.

          An up-to-date medication list

          In an emergency, knowing exactly what medications your loved one takes can save valuable time and prevent medical errors. Keep a current list of all prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, along with dosages and schedules. Include details about any allergies or adverse reactions as well. Store both a printed copy in your emergency folder and a digital version on your phone so you’re never without it.

          Important medical contacts

          Emergencies often involve multiple calls and quick decisions. Having a list of your loved one’s primary care provider, specialists, preferred hospital, and pharmacy in one place eliminates the scramble to find phone numbers or addresses under stress.

          Key emergency contacts

          Beyond medical providers, caregivers need a backup network. Identify family members, neighbors, or close friends who can step in if you’re unavailable. This might include someone who can ride along to the hospital, stay with your loved one, or handle practical needs like picking up children or pets. Keeping these names and numbers handy ensures you’re not carrying the weight of an emergency alone.

          Health plan information

          Insurance cards, policy details, and coverage information may not feel urgent in the moment, but they can make a big difference in how smoothly care is delivered. Having plan details readily accessible helps avoid treatment delays and reduces the likelihood of unexpected bills later on. Consider keeping a photocopy of insurance cards in your emergency folder, snap a picture for your phone as a backup, and then create an album for the insurance cards to find them quickly.

          In a crisis, every minute counts. Scrambling to gather medications, phone numbers, or coverage details can add unnecessary stress and may even delay treatment. A simple binder, folder, or even a dedicated spot in your phone can serve as your go-to emergency kit—one that can travel with you to the ER, urgent care, or doctor’s office at a moment’s notice.

          For assistance with life care planning, access to telehealth services, and caregiver support, Kaiser Permanente is here every step of the way. Click here to learn more about Kaiser Permanente and the many ways they can support you and your loved ones throughout your caregiving journey.

          Mon, Oct 19 2026 09:00:00 AM Fri, Oct 16 2026 03:09:53 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Emergency Planning for Caregivers: What to Have Ready So You Don't Get Caught Off Guard https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/emergency-planning-for-caregivers-what-to-have-ready-so-you-dont-get-caught-off-guard/3988672/ 3988672 post 10779533 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2025/09/AdobeStock_192378146.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=4088,2300 A caregiver checklist for handling the unexpected with confidence

          The following content is created in partnership with Kaiser Permanente. It does not reflect the work or opinions of the NBC Washington editorial staff. Click here to learn more about Kaiser Permanente.

          Medical emergencies can happen without warning, and when you’re caring for a loved one, being prepared can make all the difference. In moments of stress, having the right information and resources at your fingertips not only helps your loved one get the care they need quickly but also gives you peace of mind. And while every situation is unique, this simple checklist offers a helpful starting point to keep caregivers prepared.

          An up-to-date medication list

          In an emergency, knowing exactly what medications your loved one takes can save valuable time and prevent medical errors. Keep a current list of all prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, along with dosages and schedules. Include details about any allergies or adverse reactions as well. Store both a printed copy in your emergency folder and a digital version on your phone so you’re never without it.

          Important medical contacts

          Emergencies often involve multiple calls and quick decisions. Having a list of your loved one’s primary care provider, specialists, preferred hospital, and pharmacy in one place eliminates the scramble to find phone numbers or addresses under stress.

          Key emergency contacts

          Beyond medical providers, caregivers need a backup network. Identify family members, neighbors, or close friends who can step in if you’re unavailable. This might include someone who can ride along to the hospital, stay with your loved one, or handle practical needs like picking up children or pets. Keeping these names and numbers handy ensures you’re not carrying the weight of an emergency alone.

          Health plan information

          Insurance cards, policy details, and coverage information may not feel urgent in the moment, but they can make a big difference in how smoothly care is delivered. Having plan details readily accessible helps avoid treatment delays and reduces the likelihood of unexpected bills later on. Consider keeping a photocopy of insurance cards in your emergency folder, snap a picture for your phone as a backup, and then create an album for the insurance cards to find them quickly.

          In a crisis, every minute counts. Scrambling to gather medications, phone numbers, or coverage details can add unnecessary stress and may even delay treatment. A simple binder, folder, or even a dedicated spot in your phone can serve as your go-to emergency kit—one that can travel with you to the ER, urgent care, or doctor’s office at a moment’s notice.

          For assistance with life care planning, access to telehealth services, and caregiver support, Kaiser Permanente is here every step of the way. Click here to learn more about Kaiser Permanente and the many ways they can support you and your loved ones throughout your caregiving journey.

          Mon, Oct 19 2026 09:00:00 AM Fri, Oct 16 2026 03:09:53 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => Emergency Planning for Caregivers: What to Have Ready So You Don't Get Caught Off Guard [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/emergency-planning-for-caregivers-what-to-have-ready-so-you-dont-get-caught-off-guard/3988672/ [date] => Mon, Oct 19 2026 09:00:00 AM ) Backtrace of errorHandler() Array ( [0] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 72 [function] => errorHandler [args] => Array ( [0] => 8 [1] => Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object [2] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [3] => 72 [4] => Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Emergency Planning for Caregivers: What to Have Ready So You Don't Get Caught Off Guard https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/emergency-planning-for-caregivers-what-to-have-ready-so-you-dont-get-caught-off-guard/3988672/ 3988672 post 10779533 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2025/09/AdobeStock_192378146.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=4088,2300 A caregiver checklist for handling the unexpected with confidence

          The following content is created in partnership with Kaiser Permanente. It does not reflect the work or opinions of the NBC Washington editorial staff. Click here to learn more about Kaiser Permanente.

          Medical emergencies can happen without warning, and when you’re caring for a loved one, being prepared can make all the difference. In moments of stress, having the right information and resources at your fingertips not only helps your loved one get the care they need quickly but also gives you peace of mind. And while every situation is unique, this simple checklist offers a helpful starting point to keep caregivers prepared.

          An up-to-date medication list

          In an emergency, knowing exactly what medications your loved one takes can save valuable time and prevent medical errors. Keep a current list of all prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, along with dosages and schedules. Include details about any allergies or adverse reactions as well. Store both a printed copy in your emergency folder and a digital version on your phone so you’re never without it.

          Important medical contacts

          Emergencies often involve multiple calls and quick decisions. Having a list of your loved one’s primary care provider, specialists, preferred hospital, and pharmacy in one place eliminates the scramble to find phone numbers or addresses under stress.

          Key emergency contacts

          Beyond medical providers, caregivers need a backup network. Identify family members, neighbors, or close friends who can step in if you’re unavailable. This might include someone who can ride along to the hospital, stay with your loved one, or handle practical needs like picking up children or pets. Keeping these names and numbers handy ensures you’re not carrying the weight of an emergency alone.

          Health plan information

          Insurance cards, policy details, and coverage information may not feel urgent in the moment, but they can make a big difference in how smoothly care is delivered. Having plan details readily accessible helps avoid treatment delays and reduces the likelihood of unexpected bills later on. Consider keeping a photocopy of insurance cards in your emergency folder, snap a picture for your phone as a backup, and then create an album for the insurance cards to find them quickly.

          In a crisis, every minute counts. Scrambling to gather medications, phone numbers, or coverage details can add unnecessary stress and may even delay treatment. A simple binder, folder, or even a dedicated spot in your phone can serve as your go-to emergency kit—one that can travel with you to the ER, urgent care, or doctor’s office at a moment’s notice.

          For assistance with life care planning, access to telehealth services, and caregiver support, Kaiser Permanente is here every step of the way. Click here to learn more about Kaiser Permanente and the many ways they can support you and your loved ones throughout your caregiving journey.

          Mon, Oct 19 2026 09:00:00 AM Fri, Oct 16 2026 03:09:53 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Emergency Planning for Caregivers: What to Have Ready So You Don't Get Caught Off Guard https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/emergency-planning-for-caregivers-what-to-have-ready-so-you-dont-get-caught-off-guard/3988672/ 3988672 post 10779533 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2025/09/AdobeStock_192378146.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=4088,2300 A caregiver checklist for handling the unexpected with confidence

          The following content is created in partnership with Kaiser Permanente. It does not reflect the work or opinions of the NBC Washington editorial staff. Click here to learn more about Kaiser Permanente.

          Medical emergencies can happen without warning, and when you’re caring for a loved one, being prepared can make all the difference. In moments of stress, having the right information and resources at your fingertips not only helps your loved one get the care they need quickly but also gives you peace of mind. And while every situation is unique, this simple checklist offers a helpful starting point to keep caregivers prepared.

          An up-to-date medication list

          In an emergency, knowing exactly what medications your loved one takes can save valuable time and prevent medical errors. Keep a current list of all prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, along with dosages and schedules. Include details about any allergies or adverse reactions as well. Store both a printed copy in your emergency folder and a digital version on your phone so you’re never without it.

          Important medical contacts

          Emergencies often involve multiple calls and quick decisions. Having a list of your loved one’s primary care provider, specialists, preferred hospital, and pharmacy in one place eliminates the scramble to find phone numbers or addresses under stress.

          Key emergency contacts

          Beyond medical providers, caregivers need a backup network. Identify family members, neighbors, or close friends who can step in if you’re unavailable. This might include someone who can ride along to the hospital, stay with your loved one, or handle practical needs like picking up children or pets. Keeping these names and numbers handy ensures you’re not carrying the weight of an emergency alone.

          Health plan information

          Insurance cards, policy details, and coverage information may not feel urgent in the moment, but they can make a big difference in how smoothly care is delivered. Having plan details readily accessible helps avoid treatment delays and reduces the likelihood of unexpected bills later on. Consider keeping a photocopy of insurance cards in your emergency folder, snap a picture for your phone as a backup, and then create an album for the insurance cards to find them quickly.

          In a crisis, every minute counts. Scrambling to gather medications, phone numbers, or coverage details can add unnecessary stress and may even delay treatment. A simple binder, folder, or even a dedicated spot in your phone can serve as your go-to emergency kit—one that can travel with you to the ER, urgent care, or doctor’s office at a moment’s notice.

          For assistance with life care planning, access to telehealth services, and caregiver support, Kaiser Permanente is here every step of the way. Click here to learn more about Kaiser Permanente and the many ways they can support you and your loved ones throughout your caregiving journey.

          Mon, Oct 19 2026 09:00:00 AM Fri, Oct 16 2026 03:09:53 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => Emergency Planning for Caregivers: What to Have Ready So You Don't Get Caught Off Guard [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/emergency-planning-for-caregivers-what-to-have-ready-so-you-dont-get-caught-off-guard/3988672/ [date] => Mon, Oct 19 2026 09:00:00 AM ) ) ) [1] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 139 [function] => RSS_Tags [args] => Array ( [0] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Emergency Planning for Caregivers: What to Have Ready So You Don't Get Caught Off Guard https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/emergency-planning-for-caregivers-what-to-have-ready-so-you-dont-get-caught-off-guard/3988672/ 3988672 post 10779533 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2025/09/AdobeStock_192378146.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=4088,2300 A caregiver checklist for handling the unexpected with confidence

          The following content is created in partnership with Kaiser Permanente. It does not reflect the work or opinions of the NBC Washington editorial staff. Click here to learn more about Kaiser Permanente.

          Medical emergencies can happen without warning, and when you’re caring for a loved one, being prepared can make all the difference. In moments of stress, having the right information and resources at your fingertips not only helps your loved one get the care they need quickly but also gives you peace of mind. And while every situation is unique, this simple checklist offers a helpful starting point to keep caregivers prepared.

          An up-to-date medication list

          In an emergency, knowing exactly what medications your loved one takes can save valuable time and prevent medical errors. Keep a current list of all prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, along with dosages and schedules. Include details about any allergies or adverse reactions as well. Store both a printed copy in your emergency folder and a digital version on your phone so you’re never without it.

          Important medical contacts

          Emergencies often involve multiple calls and quick decisions. Having a list of your loved one’s primary care provider, specialists, preferred hospital, and pharmacy in one place eliminates the scramble to find phone numbers or addresses under stress.

          Key emergency contacts

          Beyond medical providers, caregivers need a backup network. Identify family members, neighbors, or close friends who can step in if you’re unavailable. This might include someone who can ride along to the hospital, stay with your loved one, or handle practical needs like picking up children or pets. Keeping these names and numbers handy ensures you’re not carrying the weight of an emergency alone.

          Health plan information

          Insurance cards, policy details, and coverage information may not feel urgent in the moment, but they can make a big difference in how smoothly care is delivered. Having plan details readily accessible helps avoid treatment delays and reduces the likelihood of unexpected bills later on. Consider keeping a photocopy of insurance cards in your emergency folder, snap a picture for your phone as a backup, and then create an album for the insurance cards to find them quickly.

          In a crisis, every minute counts. Scrambling to gather medications, phone numbers, or coverage details can add unnecessary stress and may even delay treatment. A simple binder, folder, or even a dedicated spot in your phone can serve as your go-to emergency kit—one that can travel with you to the ER, urgent care, or doctor’s office at a moment’s notice.

          For assistance with life care planning, access to telehealth services, and caregiver support, Kaiser Permanente is here every step of the way. Click here to learn more about Kaiser Permanente and the many ways they can support you and your loved ones throughout your caregiving journey.

          Mon, Oct 19 2026 09:00:00 AM Fri, Oct 16 2026 03:09:53 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Emergency Planning for Caregivers: What to Have Ready So You Don't Get Caught Off Guard https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/emergency-planning-for-caregivers-what-to-have-ready-so-you-dont-get-caught-off-guard/3988672/ 3988672 post 10779533 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2025/09/AdobeStock_192378146.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=4088,2300 A caregiver checklist for handling the unexpected with confidence

          The following content is created in partnership with Kaiser Permanente. It does not reflect the work or opinions of the NBC Washington editorial staff. Click here to learn more about Kaiser Permanente.

          Medical emergencies can happen without warning, and when you’re caring for a loved one, being prepared can make all the difference. In moments of stress, having the right information and resources at your fingertips not only helps your loved one get the care they need quickly but also gives you peace of mind. And while every situation is unique, this simple checklist offers a helpful starting point to keep caregivers prepared.

          An up-to-date medication list

          In an emergency, knowing exactly what medications your loved one takes can save valuable time and prevent medical errors. Keep a current list of all prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, along with dosages and schedules. Include details about any allergies or adverse reactions as well. Store both a printed copy in your emergency folder and a digital version on your phone so you’re never without it.

          Important medical contacts

          Emergencies often involve multiple calls and quick decisions. Having a list of your loved one’s primary care provider, specialists, preferred hospital, and pharmacy in one place eliminates the scramble to find phone numbers or addresses under stress.

          Key emergency contacts

          Beyond medical providers, caregivers need a backup network. Identify family members, neighbors, or close friends who can step in if you’re unavailable. This might include someone who can ride along to the hospital, stay with your loved one, or handle practical needs like picking up children or pets. Keeping these names and numbers handy ensures you’re not carrying the weight of an emergency alone.

          Health plan information

          Insurance cards, policy details, and coverage information may not feel urgent in the moment, but they can make a big difference in how smoothly care is delivered. Having plan details readily accessible helps avoid treatment delays and reduces the likelihood of unexpected bills later on. Consider keeping a photocopy of insurance cards in your emergency folder, snap a picture for your phone as a backup, and then create an album for the insurance cards to find them quickly.

          In a crisis, every minute counts. Scrambling to gather medications, phone numbers, or coverage details can add unnecessary stress and may even delay treatment. A simple binder, folder, or even a dedicated spot in your phone can serve as your go-to emergency kit—one that can travel with you to the ER, urgent care, or doctor’s office at a moment’s notice.

          For assistance with life care planning, access to telehealth services, and caregiver support, Kaiser Permanente is here every step of the way. Click here to learn more about Kaiser Permanente and the many ways they can support you and your loved ones throughout your caregiving journey.

          Mon, Oct 19 2026 09:00:00 AM Fri, Oct 16 2026 03:09:53 PM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) ) Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => ‘I've moved with integrity': Prince George's official defends $7.6M grant to friend's group https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/prince-georges-county/ive-moved-with-integrity-prince-georges-official-defends-7-6m-grant-to-friends-group-2/4171360/ 4171360 post 11575682 Krystal Oriadha interview oct 23 2026 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Krystal-Oriadha-interview-oct-23-2026.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675

          The embattled chair of the Prince George’s County Council is standing by her decision to award millions in taxpayer dollars to an organization run by a friend, but in an interview with the News4 I-Team on Friday, said she welcomes any review into the award process now that the funds have been returned to the county.

          “I want everyone to know that the process was fair, that it was transparent, that we did not break any rules – myself, the council, my staff at all during the process,” Council Chair Krystal Oriadha said. “And that I want every dollar that they spent to be accounted for, and that the community can see it.”

          Her comments come one day after the Edward Charles Foundation, a Beverly Hills, California based nonprofit, returned $7.6 million to the county at the request of Oriadha and County Executive Aisha Braveboy.

          The return of the funds comes just weeks after the News4 I-Team reported the council had awarded nearly $8.6 million in two separate grants to the Edward Charles Foundation and Community on the Frontline – a local organization run by Janna Parker, whom Oriadha has called her “best friend” on social media. The story prompted outcry from some in the community and on the council over concerns about transparency and favoritism.

          Asked about those concerns, Oriadha said: “I definitely understand when you talk about money and relationships that there’s gonna be tension. I don’t fault the community for asking tough questions and wanting me to hold me accountable to ensure that everything’s done fair.”

          The Edward Charles Foundation is the fiscal sponsor of Community on the Frontline – something that Oriadha said Friday made her more comfortable awarding the funds to Parker’s organization, which is not its own 501(c)(3).

          “If she had a traditional 501(c)(3), I would not have chosen her, because it’s really about the structure. I wanted someone with a fiscal sponsor, because a lot of the organizations that I work with … are smaller,” Oriadha said, adding: “I really wanted years of experience managing a portfolio way larger than what we’re talking about to be responsible for that level of funding.”

          According to both Oriadha and Parker, Community on the Frontline was going to distribute that money to other nonprofits in the area to perform services, primarily in District 7.

          “Community on the Frontline runs as, like, an anchor. They’re the ones that are in the community, helping the program work, helping to do the coordination with additional nonprofits,” Oriadha said.

          Former staffer raises concerns

          This week, a former Oriadha staffer publicly raised concerns about how grants were awarded in the council, and about Oriadha’s relationship with Parker.

          “When I was introduced to her, I was told that this was the councilmember’s best friend,” said Darrell Robinson, Jr., who told the I-Team he served as Oriadha’s deputy chief of staff in spring 2025.

          Robinson left the office last year after three months on the job.

          This week, Robinson posted a complaint on social media that he said he filed with the county auditor, documenting his concerns with grant management in the office and about Oriadha’s level of involvement.

          “In my first conversation with Janna Parker, she said to me, ‘Darrell. I don’t know if you know how this works, but Krystal tells me what to do and I cut the check,’” Robinson recalled.

          Parker did not respond to our request for comment. Oriadha denies the allegation.

          “This is not true,” Oriadha said. “The day-to-day operation is led by each of the individual organizations and nonprofits. And then there’s accountability on the back end of how you spend it.”

          ‘I know that I’ve moved with integrity‘

          Last week Oriadha was in tears as she announced that she and Braveboy jointly requested the return of funds given to the Edward Charles Foundation and Community on the Frontline.

          On Thursday, the county executive reported that in addition to the $7.6 million the foundation has returned, she’s calling for the foundation to return any other county funds it’s received in recent years.

          A spokesperson for the foundation previously told the I-Team it is “coordinating with the County’s Office of Finance on the return of the County grant funds it holds.”

          Asked what happens to the returned funds now, Oriadha told the I-Team she plans to prioritize working with organizations that have previously been designated to receive it.

          Oriadha also told News4 she welcomes any audit into the process and is prepared to defend it.

          “I’m cooperating with whatever information that they need because I want it to come back, because I know that I’ve moved with integrity,” she said. “I know that to be true.”

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          The embattled chair of the Prince George’s County Council is standing by her decision to award millions in taxpayer dollars to an organization run by a friend, but in an interview with the News4 I-Team on Friday, said she welcomes any review into the award process now that the funds have been returned to the county.

          “I want everyone to know that the process was fair, that it was transparent, that we did not break any rules – myself, the council, my staff at all during the process,” Council Chair Krystal Oriadha said. “And that I want every dollar that they spent to be accounted for, and that the community can see it.”

          Her comments come one day after the Edward Charles Foundation, a Beverly Hills, California based nonprofit, returned $7.6 million to the county at the request of Oriadha and County Executive Aisha Braveboy.

          The return of the funds comes just weeks after the News4 I-Team reported the council had awarded nearly $8.6 million in two separate grants to the Edward Charles Foundation and Community on the Frontline – a local organization run by Janna Parker, whom Oriadha has called her “best friend” on social media. The story prompted outcry from some in the community and on the council over concerns about transparency and favoritism.

          Asked about those concerns, Oriadha said: “I definitely understand when you talk about money and relationships that there’s gonna be tension. I don’t fault the community for asking tough questions and wanting me to hold me accountable to ensure that everything’s done fair.”

          The Edward Charles Foundation is the fiscal sponsor of Community on the Frontline – something that Oriadha said Friday made her more comfortable awarding the funds to Parker’s organization, which is not its own 501(c)(3).

          “If she had a traditional 501(c)(3), I would not have chosen her, because it’s really about the structure. I wanted someone with a fiscal sponsor, because a lot of the organizations that I work with … are smaller,” Oriadha said, adding: “I really wanted years of experience managing a portfolio way larger than what we’re talking about to be responsible for that level of funding.”

          According to both Oriadha and Parker, Community on the Frontline was going to distribute that money to other nonprofits in the area to perform services, primarily in District 7.

          “Community on the Frontline runs as, like, an anchor. They’re the ones that are in the community, helping the program work, helping to do the coordination with additional nonprofits,” Oriadha said.

          Former staffer raises concerns

          This week, a former Oriadha staffer publicly raised concerns about how grants were awarded in the council, and about Oriadha’s relationship with Parker.

          “When I was introduced to her, I was told that this was the councilmember’s best friend,” said Darrell Robinson, Jr., who told the I-Team he served as Oriadha’s deputy chief of staff in spring 2025.

          Robinson left the office last year after three months on the job.

          This week, Robinson posted a complaint on social media that he said he filed with the county auditor, documenting his concerns with grant management in the office and about Oriadha’s level of involvement.

          “In my first conversation with Janna Parker, she said to me, ‘Darrell. I don’t know if you know how this works, but Krystal tells me what to do and I cut the check,’” Robinson recalled.

          Parker did not respond to our request for comment. Oriadha denies the allegation.

          “This is not true,” Oriadha said. “The day-to-day operation is led by each of the individual organizations and nonprofits. And then there’s accountability on the back end of how you spend it.”

          ‘I know that I’ve moved with integrity‘

          Last week Oriadha was in tears as she announced that she and Braveboy jointly requested the return of funds given to the Edward Charles Foundation and Community on the Frontline.

          On Thursday, the county executive reported that in addition to the $7.6 million the foundation has returned, she’s calling for the foundation to return any other county funds it’s received in recent years.

          A spokesperson for the foundation previously told the I-Team it is “coordinating with the County’s Office of Finance on the return of the County grant funds it holds.”

          Asked what happens to the returned funds now, Oriadha told the I-Team she plans to prioritize working with organizations that have previously been designated to receive it.

          Oriadha also told News4 she welcomes any audit into the process and is prepared to defend it.

          “I’m cooperating with whatever information that they need because I want it to come back, because I know that I’ve moved with integrity,” she said. “I know that to be true.”

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          The embattled chair of the Prince George’s County Council is standing by her decision to award millions in taxpayer dollars to an organization run by a friend, but in an interview with the News4 I-Team on Friday, said she welcomes any review into the award process now that the funds have been returned to the county.

          “I want everyone to know that the process was fair, that it was transparent, that we did not break any rules – myself, the council, my staff at all during the process,” Council Chair Krystal Oriadha said. “And that I want every dollar that they spent to be accounted for, and that the community can see it.”

          Her comments come one day after the Edward Charles Foundation, a Beverly Hills, California based nonprofit, returned $7.6 million to the county at the request of Oriadha and County Executive Aisha Braveboy.

          The return of the funds comes just weeks after the News4 I-Team reported the council had awarded nearly $8.6 million in two separate grants to the Edward Charles Foundation and Community on the Frontline – a local organization run by Janna Parker, whom Oriadha has called her “best friend” on social media. The story prompted outcry from some in the community and on the council over concerns about transparency and favoritism.

          Asked about those concerns, Oriadha said: “I definitely understand when you talk about money and relationships that there’s gonna be tension. I don’t fault the community for asking tough questions and wanting me to hold me accountable to ensure that everything’s done fair.”

          The Edward Charles Foundation is the fiscal sponsor of Community on the Frontline – something that Oriadha said Friday made her more comfortable awarding the funds to Parker’s organization, which is not its own 501(c)(3).

          “If she had a traditional 501(c)(3), I would not have chosen her, because it’s really about the structure. I wanted someone with a fiscal sponsor, because a lot of the organizations that I work with … are smaller,” Oriadha said, adding: “I really wanted years of experience managing a portfolio way larger than what we’re talking about to be responsible for that level of funding.”

          According to both Oriadha and Parker, Community on the Frontline was going to distribute that money to other nonprofits in the area to perform services, primarily in District 7.

          “Community on the Frontline runs as, like, an anchor. They’re the ones that are in the community, helping the program work, helping to do the coordination with additional nonprofits,” Oriadha said.

          Former staffer raises concerns

          This week, a former Oriadha staffer publicly raised concerns about how grants were awarded in the council, and about Oriadha’s relationship with Parker.

          “When I was introduced to her, I was told that this was the councilmember’s best friend,” said Darrell Robinson, Jr., who told the I-Team he served as Oriadha’s deputy chief of staff in spring 2025.

          Robinson left the office last year after three months on the job.

          This week, Robinson posted a complaint on social media that he said he filed with the county auditor, documenting his concerns with grant management in the office and about Oriadha’s level of involvement.

          “In my first conversation with Janna Parker, she said to me, ‘Darrell. I don’t know if you know how this works, but Krystal tells me what to do and I cut the check,’” Robinson recalled.

          Parker did not respond to our request for comment. Oriadha denies the allegation.

          “This is not true,” Oriadha said. “The day-to-day operation is led by each of the individual organizations and nonprofits. And then there’s accountability on the back end of how you spend it.”

          ‘I know that I’ve moved with integrity‘

          Last week Oriadha was in tears as she announced that she and Braveboy jointly requested the return of funds given to the Edward Charles Foundation and Community on the Frontline.

          On Thursday, the county executive reported that in addition to the $7.6 million the foundation has returned, she’s calling for the foundation to return any other county funds it’s received in recent years.

          A spokesperson for the foundation previously told the I-Team it is “coordinating with the County’s Office of Finance on the return of the County grant funds it holds.”

          Asked what happens to the returned funds now, Oriadha told the I-Team she plans to prioritize working with organizations that have previously been designated to receive it.

          Oriadha also told News4 she welcomes any audit into the process and is prepared to defend it.

          “I’m cooperating with whatever information that they need because I want it to come back, because I know that I’ve moved with integrity,” she said. “I know that to be true.”

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          The embattled chair of the Prince George’s County Council is standing by her decision to award millions in taxpayer dollars to an organization run by a friend, but in an interview with the News4 I-Team on Friday, said she welcomes any review into the award process now that the funds have been returned to the county.

          “I want everyone to know that the process was fair, that it was transparent, that we did not break any rules – myself, the council, my staff at all during the process,” Council Chair Krystal Oriadha said. “And that I want every dollar that they spent to be accounted for, and that the community can see it.”

          Her comments come one day after the Edward Charles Foundation, a Beverly Hills, California based nonprofit, returned $7.6 million to the county at the request of Oriadha and County Executive Aisha Braveboy.

          The return of the funds comes just weeks after the News4 I-Team reported the council had awarded nearly $8.6 million in two separate grants to the Edward Charles Foundation and Community on the Frontline – a local organization run by Janna Parker, whom Oriadha has called her “best friend” on social media. The story prompted outcry from some in the community and on the council over concerns about transparency and favoritism.

          Asked about those concerns, Oriadha said: “I definitely understand when you talk about money and relationships that there’s gonna be tension. I don’t fault the community for asking tough questions and wanting me to hold me accountable to ensure that everything’s done fair.”

          The Edward Charles Foundation is the fiscal sponsor of Community on the Frontline – something that Oriadha said Friday made her more comfortable awarding the funds to Parker’s organization, which is not its own 501(c)(3).

          “If she had a traditional 501(c)(3), I would not have chosen her, because it’s really about the structure. I wanted someone with a fiscal sponsor, because a lot of the organizations that I work with … are smaller,” Oriadha said, adding: “I really wanted years of experience managing a portfolio way larger than what we’re talking about to be responsible for that level of funding.”

          According to both Oriadha and Parker, Community on the Frontline was going to distribute that money to other nonprofits in the area to perform services, primarily in District 7.

          “Community on the Frontline runs as, like, an anchor. They’re the ones that are in the community, helping the program work, helping to do the coordination with additional nonprofits,” Oriadha said.

          Former staffer raises concerns

          This week, a former Oriadha staffer publicly raised concerns about how grants were awarded in the council, and about Oriadha’s relationship with Parker.

          “When I was introduced to her, I was told that this was the councilmember’s best friend,” said Darrell Robinson, Jr., who told the I-Team he served as Oriadha’s deputy chief of staff in spring 2025.

          Robinson left the office last year after three months on the job.

          This week, Robinson posted a complaint on social media that he said he filed with the county auditor, documenting his concerns with grant management in the office and about Oriadha’s level of involvement.

          “In my first conversation with Janna Parker, she said to me, ‘Darrell. I don’t know if you know how this works, but Krystal tells me what to do and I cut the check,’” Robinson recalled.

          Parker did not respond to our request for comment. Oriadha denies the allegation.

          “This is not true,” Oriadha said. “The day-to-day operation is led by each of the individual organizations and nonprofits. And then there’s accountability on the back end of how you spend it.”

          ‘I know that I’ve moved with integrity‘

          Last week Oriadha was in tears as she announced that she and Braveboy jointly requested the return of funds given to the Edward Charles Foundation and Community on the Frontline.

          On Thursday, the county executive reported that in addition to the $7.6 million the foundation has returned, she’s calling for the foundation to return any other county funds it’s received in recent years.

          A spokesperson for the foundation previously told the I-Team it is “coordinating with the County’s Office of Finance on the return of the County grant funds it holds.”

          Asked what happens to the returned funds now, Oriadha told the I-Team she plans to prioritize working with organizations that have previously been designated to receive it.

          Oriadha also told News4 she welcomes any audit into the process and is prepared to defend it.

          “I’m cooperating with whatever information that they need because I want it to come back, because I know that I’ve moved with integrity,” she said. “I know that to be true.”

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          The embattled chair of the Prince George’s County Council is standing by her decision to award millions in taxpayer dollars to an organization run by a friend, but in an interview with the News4 I-Team on Friday, said she welcomes any review into the award process now that the funds have been returned to the county.

          “I want everyone to know that the process was fair, that it was transparent, that we did not break any rules – myself, the council, my staff at all during the process,” Council Chair Krystal Oriadha said. “And that I want every dollar that they spent to be accounted for, and that the community can see it.”

          Her comments come one day after the Edward Charles Foundation, a Beverly Hills, California based nonprofit, returned $7.6 million to the county at the request of Oriadha and County Executive Aisha Braveboy.

          The return of the funds comes just weeks after the News4 I-Team reported the council had awarded nearly $8.6 million in two separate grants to the Edward Charles Foundation and Community on the Frontline – a local organization run by Janna Parker, whom Oriadha has called her “best friend” on social media. The story prompted outcry from some in the community and on the council over concerns about transparency and favoritism.

          Asked about those concerns, Oriadha said: “I definitely understand when you talk about money and relationships that there’s gonna be tension. I don’t fault the community for asking tough questions and wanting me to hold me accountable to ensure that everything’s done fair.”

          The Edward Charles Foundation is the fiscal sponsor of Community on the Frontline – something that Oriadha said Friday made her more comfortable awarding the funds to Parker’s organization, which is not its own 501(c)(3).

          “If she had a traditional 501(c)(3), I would not have chosen her, because it’s really about the structure. I wanted someone with a fiscal sponsor, because a lot of the organizations that I work with … are smaller,” Oriadha said, adding: “I really wanted years of experience managing a portfolio way larger than what we’re talking about to be responsible for that level of funding.”

          According to both Oriadha and Parker, Community on the Frontline was going to distribute that money to other nonprofits in the area to perform services, primarily in District 7.

          “Community on the Frontline runs as, like, an anchor. They’re the ones that are in the community, helping the program work, helping to do the coordination with additional nonprofits,” Oriadha said.

          Former staffer raises concerns

          This week, a former Oriadha staffer publicly raised concerns about how grants were awarded in the council, and about Oriadha’s relationship with Parker.

          “When I was introduced to her, I was told that this was the councilmember’s best friend,” said Darrell Robinson, Jr., who told the I-Team he served as Oriadha’s deputy chief of staff in spring 2025.

          Robinson left the office last year after three months on the job.

          This week, Robinson posted a complaint on social media that he said he filed with the county auditor, documenting his concerns with grant management in the office and about Oriadha’s level of involvement.

          “In my first conversation with Janna Parker, she said to me, ‘Darrell. I don’t know if you know how this works, but Krystal tells me what to do and I cut the check,’” Robinson recalled.

          Parker did not respond to our request for comment. Oriadha denies the allegation.

          “This is not true,” Oriadha said. “The day-to-day operation is led by each of the individual organizations and nonprofits. And then there’s accountability on the back end of how you spend it.”

          ‘I know that I’ve moved with integrity‘

          Last week Oriadha was in tears as she announced that she and Braveboy jointly requested the return of funds given to the Edward Charles Foundation and Community on the Frontline.

          On Thursday, the county executive reported that in addition to the $7.6 million the foundation has returned, she’s calling for the foundation to return any other county funds it’s received in recent years.

          A spokesperson for the foundation previously told the I-Team it is “coordinating with the County’s Office of Finance on the return of the County grant funds it holds.”

          Asked what happens to the returned funds now, Oriadha told the I-Team she plans to prioritize working with organizations that have previously been designated to receive it.

          Oriadha also told News4 she welcomes any audit into the process and is prepared to defend it.

          “I’m cooperating with whatever information that they need because I want it to come back, because I know that I’ve moved with integrity,” she said. “I know that to be true.”

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          The embattled chair of the Prince George’s County Council is standing by her decision to award millions in taxpayer dollars to an organization run by a friend, but in an interview with the News4 I-Team on Friday, said she welcomes any review into the award process now that the funds have been returned to the county.

          “I want everyone to know that the process was fair, that it was transparent, that we did not break any rules – myself, the council, my staff at all during the process,” Council Chair Krystal Oriadha said. “And that I want every dollar that they spent to be accounted for, and that the community can see it.”

          Her comments come one day after the Edward Charles Foundation, a Beverly Hills, California based nonprofit, returned $7.6 million to the county at the request of Oriadha and County Executive Aisha Braveboy.

          The return of the funds comes just weeks after the News4 I-Team reported the council had awarded nearly $8.6 million in two separate grants to the Edward Charles Foundation and Community on the Frontline – a local organization run by Janna Parker, whom Oriadha has called her “best friend” on social media. The story prompted outcry from some in the community and on the council over concerns about transparency and favoritism.

          Asked about those concerns, Oriadha said: “I definitely understand when you talk about money and relationships that there’s gonna be tension. I don’t fault the community for asking tough questions and wanting me to hold me accountable to ensure that everything’s done fair.”

          The Edward Charles Foundation is the fiscal sponsor of Community on the Frontline – something that Oriadha said Friday made her more comfortable awarding the funds to Parker’s organization, which is not its own 501(c)(3).

          “If she had a traditional 501(c)(3), I would not have chosen her, because it’s really about the structure. I wanted someone with a fiscal sponsor, because a lot of the organizations that I work with … are smaller,” Oriadha said, adding: “I really wanted years of experience managing a portfolio way larger than what we’re talking about to be responsible for that level of funding.”

          According to both Oriadha and Parker, Community on the Frontline was going to distribute that money to other nonprofits in the area to perform services, primarily in District 7.

          “Community on the Frontline runs as, like, an anchor. They’re the ones that are in the community, helping the program work, helping to do the coordination with additional nonprofits,” Oriadha said.

          Former staffer raises concerns

          This week, a former Oriadha staffer publicly raised concerns about how grants were awarded in the council, and about Oriadha’s relationship with Parker.

          “When I was introduced to her, I was told that this was the councilmember’s best friend,” said Darrell Robinson, Jr., who told the I-Team he served as Oriadha’s deputy chief of staff in spring 2025.

          Robinson left the office last year after three months on the job.

          This week, Robinson posted a complaint on social media that he said he filed with the county auditor, documenting his concerns with grant management in the office and about Oriadha’s level of involvement.

          “In my first conversation with Janna Parker, she said to me, ‘Darrell. I don’t know if you know how this works, but Krystal tells me what to do and I cut the check,’” Robinson recalled.

          Parker did not respond to our request for comment. Oriadha denies the allegation.

          “This is not true,” Oriadha said. “The day-to-day operation is led by each of the individual organizations and nonprofits. And then there’s accountability on the back end of how you spend it.”

          ‘I know that I’ve moved with integrity‘

          Last week Oriadha was in tears as she announced that she and Braveboy jointly requested the return of funds given to the Edward Charles Foundation and Community on the Frontline.

          On Thursday, the county executive reported that in addition to the $7.6 million the foundation has returned, she’s calling for the foundation to return any other county funds it’s received in recent years.

          A spokesperson for the foundation previously told the I-Team it is “coordinating with the County’s Office of Finance on the return of the County grant funds it holds.”

          Asked what happens to the returned funds now, Oriadha told the I-Team she plans to prioritize working with organizations that have previously been designated to receive it.

          Oriadha also told News4 she welcomes any audit into the process and is prepared to defend it.

          “I’m cooperating with whatever information that they need because I want it to come back, because I know that I’ve moved with integrity,” she said. “I know that to be true.”

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 09:58:43 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 09:58:47 PM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) ) Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => 71-year-old Sen. Mark Warner says this is his last time running for Congress https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/71-year-old-sen-mark-warner-says-this-is-his-last-time-running-for-congress/4171346/ 4171346 Drew Wilder post 11575952 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/52153339126-1080pnbcstations.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 Democratic Sen. Mark Warner is being challenged for his seat by political newcomer and retired Army Major General Bert Mizusawa.

          11 days ahead of the midterm elections, Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said this will be his last time running for office.

          The soon-to-be 72-year-old Democrat, who has been in politics for a quarter of a century, is being challenged for his seat by retired Army Major General and Republican political newcomer Bert Mizusawa.

          Gen. Mizusawa grew up in Hampton Roads, lives in McLean, and acknowledges that challenging Mark Warner for his U.S. Senate seat is an uphill battle.

          “We have some long-term problems that we need some long-term thinking to address and I think we tend to put bandaids on things. So, given my experience, on the bleeding edge of our military operations, which are some of the more difficult, more expensive operations, I decided that it was too tough for me to sit on the sidelines,” Gen. Mizusawa said.

          Mizusawa said if elected he would make addressing the national debt crisis a priority and working toward U.S. energy independence. He believes President Trump would listen to him, particularly on issues like national security and the war in Iran.

          “The president has better information than we do. Let’s agree on that. You don’t have that information,” Mizusawa responded when asked about the U.S. involvement in Iran. “I actually have been read into the war plans on Iran when I was on the Joint Staff, around the 2012 era, and the one thing I know is the president is going to have the latest and best information, and the die is cast on Iran right now. We can’t roll the clock back on it, so I think the president deserves our support.”

          Sen. Warner disagrees. “This is a war of choice,” he said of the conflict. 

          The incumbent is seeking his third term in the Senate, having first been elected to office as Virginia’s governor in 2001.

          Warner has more than $27 million in fundraising compared to Mizusawa’s $1,1 million, according to the latest campaign finance data from the Virginia Public Access Project. 

          The senator said he is focused on affordability. “You shouldn’t have to leave your hometown to find a good job and we’ve not really made that promise a full reality.”

          “The infrastructure bill, I got 62 billion dollars for broadband and if we don’t get to 99%, 98% penetration in two years it won’t be lack of money, it’ll be a failure of execution,” Sen. Warner responded when asked why Virginians should reelect him. 

          On artificial intelligence, the two candidates see industry regulation much differently.

          “You wouldn’t climb on an airplane if only the airlines regulated it. So, there needs to be safety,” Sen. Warner said. “In the next five years, there’s gonna be huge job dislocation and these companies need to help contribute to how we get through and train people for AI related jobs.”

          “We have a lot of good industry standards out there, voluntary standards, that people agree to, and I think this is a good first step before we try to legislate some guardrails,” Gen. Mizusawa responded. 

          Early voting in Virginia this cycle has been tremendous, with nearly 1 million ballots already cast ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, nearly double the turnout at this point in 2022.  

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 09:39:02 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 09:39:11 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => 71-year-old Sen. Mark Warner says this is his last time running for Congress https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/71-year-old-sen-mark-warner-says-this-is-his-last-time-running-for-congress/4171346/ 4171346 Drew Wilder post 11575952 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/52153339126-1080pnbcstations.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 Democratic Sen. Mark Warner is being challenged for his seat by political newcomer and retired Army Major General Bert Mizusawa.

          11 days ahead of the midterm elections, Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said this will be his last time running for office.

          The soon-to-be 72-year-old Democrat, who has been in politics for a quarter of a century, is being challenged for his seat by retired Army Major General and Republican political newcomer Bert Mizusawa.

          Gen. Mizusawa grew up in Hampton Roads, lives in McLean, and acknowledges that challenging Mark Warner for his U.S. Senate seat is an uphill battle.

          “We have some long-term problems that we need some long-term thinking to address and I think we tend to put bandaids on things. So, given my experience, on the bleeding edge of our military operations, which are some of the more difficult, more expensive operations, I decided that it was too tough for me to sit on the sidelines,” Gen. Mizusawa said.

          Mizusawa said if elected he would make addressing the national debt crisis a priority and working toward U.S. energy independence. He believes President Trump would listen to him, particularly on issues like national security and the war in Iran.

          “The president has better information than we do. Let’s agree on that. You don’t have that information,” Mizusawa responded when asked about the U.S. involvement in Iran. “I actually have been read into the war plans on Iran when I was on the Joint Staff, around the 2012 era, and the one thing I know is the president is going to have the latest and best information, and the die is cast on Iran right now. We can’t roll the clock back on it, so I think the president deserves our support.”

          Sen. Warner disagrees. “This is a war of choice,” he said of the conflict. 

          The incumbent is seeking his third term in the Senate, having first been elected to office as Virginia’s governor in 2001.

          Warner has more than $27 million in fundraising compared to Mizusawa’s $1,1 million, according to the latest campaign finance data from the Virginia Public Access Project. 

          The senator said he is focused on affordability. “You shouldn’t have to leave your hometown to find a good job and we’ve not really made that promise a full reality.”

          “The infrastructure bill, I got 62 billion dollars for broadband and if we don’t get to 99%, 98% penetration in two years it won’t be lack of money, it’ll be a failure of execution,” Sen. Warner responded when asked why Virginians should reelect him. 

          On artificial intelligence, the two candidates see industry regulation much differently.

          “You wouldn’t climb on an airplane if only the airlines regulated it. So, there needs to be safety,” Sen. Warner said. “In the next five years, there’s gonna be huge job dislocation and these companies need to help contribute to how we get through and train people for AI related jobs.”

          “We have a lot of good industry standards out there, voluntary standards, that people agree to, and I think this is a good first step before we try to legislate some guardrails,” Gen. Mizusawa responded. 

          Early voting in Virginia this cycle has been tremendous, with nearly 1 million ballots already cast ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, nearly double the turnout at this point in 2022.  

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 09:39:02 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 09:39:11 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => 71-year-old Sen. Mark Warner says this is his last time running for Congress [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/71-year-old-sen-mark-warner-says-this-is-his-last-time-running-for-congress/4171346/ [date] => Fri, Oct 23 2026 09:39:02 PM ) Backtrace of errorHandler() Array ( [0] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 72 [function] => errorHandler [args] => Array ( [0] => 8 [1] => Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object [2] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [3] => 72 [4] => Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => 71-year-old Sen. Mark Warner says this is his last time running for Congress https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/71-year-old-sen-mark-warner-says-this-is-his-last-time-running-for-congress/4171346/ 4171346 Drew Wilder post 11575952 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/52153339126-1080pnbcstations.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 Democratic Sen. Mark Warner is being challenged for his seat by political newcomer and retired Army Major General Bert Mizusawa.

          11 days ahead of the midterm elections, Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said this will be his last time running for office.

          The soon-to-be 72-year-old Democrat, who has been in politics for a quarter of a century, is being challenged for his seat by retired Army Major General and Republican political newcomer Bert Mizusawa.

          Gen. Mizusawa grew up in Hampton Roads, lives in McLean, and acknowledges that challenging Mark Warner for his U.S. Senate seat is an uphill battle.

          “We have some long-term problems that we need some long-term thinking to address and I think we tend to put bandaids on things. So, given my experience, on the bleeding edge of our military operations, which are some of the more difficult, more expensive operations, I decided that it was too tough for me to sit on the sidelines,” Gen. Mizusawa said.

          Mizusawa said if elected he would make addressing the national debt crisis a priority and working toward U.S. energy independence. He believes President Trump would listen to him, particularly on issues like national security and the war in Iran.

          “The president has better information than we do. Let’s agree on that. You don’t have that information,” Mizusawa responded when asked about the U.S. involvement in Iran. “I actually have been read into the war plans on Iran when I was on the Joint Staff, around the 2012 era, and the one thing I know is the president is going to have the latest and best information, and the die is cast on Iran right now. We can’t roll the clock back on it, so I think the president deserves our support.”

          Sen. Warner disagrees. “This is a war of choice,” he said of the conflict. 

          The incumbent is seeking his third term in the Senate, having first been elected to office as Virginia’s governor in 2001.

          Warner has more than $27 million in fundraising compared to Mizusawa’s $1,1 million, according to the latest campaign finance data from the Virginia Public Access Project. 

          The senator said he is focused on affordability. “You shouldn’t have to leave your hometown to find a good job and we’ve not really made that promise a full reality.”

          “The infrastructure bill, I got 62 billion dollars for broadband and if we don’t get to 99%, 98% penetration in two years it won’t be lack of money, it’ll be a failure of execution,” Sen. Warner responded when asked why Virginians should reelect him. 

          On artificial intelligence, the two candidates see industry regulation much differently.

          “You wouldn’t climb on an airplane if only the airlines regulated it. So, there needs to be safety,” Sen. Warner said. “In the next five years, there’s gonna be huge job dislocation and these companies need to help contribute to how we get through and train people for AI related jobs.”

          “We have a lot of good industry standards out there, voluntary standards, that people agree to, and I think this is a good first step before we try to legislate some guardrails,” Gen. Mizusawa responded. 

          Early voting in Virginia this cycle has been tremendous, with nearly 1 million ballots already cast ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, nearly double the turnout at this point in 2022.  

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 09:39:02 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 09:39:11 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => 71-year-old Sen. Mark Warner says this is his last time running for Congress https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/71-year-old-sen-mark-warner-says-this-is-his-last-time-running-for-congress/4171346/ 4171346 Drew Wilder post 11575952 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/52153339126-1080pnbcstations.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 Democratic Sen. Mark Warner is being challenged for his seat by political newcomer and retired Army Major General Bert Mizusawa.

          11 days ahead of the midterm elections, Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said this will be his last time running for office.

          The soon-to-be 72-year-old Democrat, who has been in politics for a quarter of a century, is being challenged for his seat by retired Army Major General and Republican political newcomer Bert Mizusawa.

          Gen. Mizusawa grew up in Hampton Roads, lives in McLean, and acknowledges that challenging Mark Warner for his U.S. Senate seat is an uphill battle.

          “We have some long-term problems that we need some long-term thinking to address and I think we tend to put bandaids on things. So, given my experience, on the bleeding edge of our military operations, which are some of the more difficult, more expensive operations, I decided that it was too tough for me to sit on the sidelines,” Gen. Mizusawa said.

          Mizusawa said if elected he would make addressing the national debt crisis a priority and working toward U.S. energy independence. He believes President Trump would listen to him, particularly on issues like national security and the war in Iran.

          “The president has better information than we do. Let’s agree on that. You don’t have that information,” Mizusawa responded when asked about the U.S. involvement in Iran. “I actually have been read into the war plans on Iran when I was on the Joint Staff, around the 2012 era, and the one thing I know is the president is going to have the latest and best information, and the die is cast on Iran right now. We can’t roll the clock back on it, so I think the president deserves our support.”

          Sen. Warner disagrees. “This is a war of choice,” he said of the conflict. 

          The incumbent is seeking his third term in the Senate, having first been elected to office as Virginia’s governor in 2001.

          Warner has more than $27 million in fundraising compared to Mizusawa’s $1,1 million, according to the latest campaign finance data from the Virginia Public Access Project. 

          The senator said he is focused on affordability. “You shouldn’t have to leave your hometown to find a good job and we’ve not really made that promise a full reality.”

          “The infrastructure bill, I got 62 billion dollars for broadband and if we don’t get to 99%, 98% penetration in two years it won’t be lack of money, it’ll be a failure of execution,” Sen. Warner responded when asked why Virginians should reelect him. 

          On artificial intelligence, the two candidates see industry regulation much differently.

          “You wouldn’t climb on an airplane if only the airlines regulated it. So, there needs to be safety,” Sen. Warner said. “In the next five years, there’s gonna be huge job dislocation and these companies need to help contribute to how we get through and train people for AI related jobs.”

          “We have a lot of good industry standards out there, voluntary standards, that people agree to, and I think this is a good first step before we try to legislate some guardrails,” Gen. Mizusawa responded. 

          Early voting in Virginia this cycle has been tremendous, with nearly 1 million ballots already cast ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, nearly double the turnout at this point in 2022.  

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          11 days ahead of the midterm elections, Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said this will be his last time running for office.

          The soon-to-be 72-year-old Democrat, who has been in politics for a quarter of a century, is being challenged for his seat by retired Army Major General and Republican political newcomer Bert Mizusawa.

          Gen. Mizusawa grew up in Hampton Roads, lives in McLean, and acknowledges that challenging Mark Warner for his U.S. Senate seat is an uphill battle.

          “We have some long-term problems that we need some long-term thinking to address and I think we tend to put bandaids on things. So, given my experience, on the bleeding edge of our military operations, which are some of the more difficult, more expensive operations, I decided that it was too tough for me to sit on the sidelines,” Gen. Mizusawa said.

          Mizusawa said if elected he would make addressing the national debt crisis a priority and working toward U.S. energy independence. He believes President Trump would listen to him, particularly on issues like national security and the war in Iran.

          “The president has better information than we do. Let’s agree on that. You don’t have that information,” Mizusawa responded when asked about the U.S. involvement in Iran. “I actually have been read into the war plans on Iran when I was on the Joint Staff, around the 2012 era, and the one thing I know is the president is going to have the latest and best information, and the die is cast on Iran right now. We can’t roll the clock back on it, so I think the president deserves our support.”

          Sen. Warner disagrees. “This is a war of choice,” he said of the conflict. 

          The incumbent is seeking his third term in the Senate, having first been elected to office as Virginia’s governor in 2001.

          Warner has more than $27 million in fundraising compared to Mizusawa’s $1,1 million, according to the latest campaign finance data from the Virginia Public Access Project. 

          The senator said he is focused on affordability. “You shouldn’t have to leave your hometown to find a good job and we’ve not really made that promise a full reality.”

          “The infrastructure bill, I got 62 billion dollars for broadband and if we don’t get to 99%, 98% penetration in two years it won’t be lack of money, it’ll be a failure of execution,” Sen. Warner responded when asked why Virginians should reelect him. 

          On artificial intelligence, the two candidates see industry regulation much differently.

          “You wouldn’t climb on an airplane if only the airlines regulated it. So, there needs to be safety,” Sen. Warner said. “In the next five years, there’s gonna be huge job dislocation and these companies need to help contribute to how we get through and train people for AI related jobs.”

          “We have a lot of good industry standards out there, voluntary standards, that people agree to, and I think this is a good first step before we try to legislate some guardrails,” Gen. Mizusawa responded. 

          Early voting in Virginia this cycle has been tremendous, with nearly 1 million ballots already cast ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, nearly double the turnout at this point in 2022.  

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 09:39:02 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 09:39:11 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => 71-year-old Sen. Mark Warner says this is his last time running for Congress https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/71-year-old-sen-mark-warner-says-this-is-his-last-time-running-for-congress/4171346/ 4171346 Drew Wilder post 11575952 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/52153339126-1080pnbcstations.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 Democratic Sen. Mark Warner is being challenged for his seat by political newcomer and retired Army Major General Bert Mizusawa.

          11 days ahead of the midterm elections, Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said this will be his last time running for office.

          The soon-to-be 72-year-old Democrat, who has been in politics for a quarter of a century, is being challenged for his seat by retired Army Major General and Republican political newcomer Bert Mizusawa.

          Gen. Mizusawa grew up in Hampton Roads, lives in McLean, and acknowledges that challenging Mark Warner for his U.S. Senate seat is an uphill battle.

          “We have some long-term problems that we need some long-term thinking to address and I think we tend to put bandaids on things. So, given my experience, on the bleeding edge of our military operations, which are some of the more difficult, more expensive operations, I decided that it was too tough for me to sit on the sidelines,” Gen. Mizusawa said.

          Mizusawa said if elected he would make addressing the national debt crisis a priority and working toward U.S. energy independence. He believes President Trump would listen to him, particularly on issues like national security and the war in Iran.

          “The president has better information than we do. Let’s agree on that. You don’t have that information,” Mizusawa responded when asked about the U.S. involvement in Iran. “I actually have been read into the war plans on Iran when I was on the Joint Staff, around the 2012 era, and the one thing I know is the president is going to have the latest and best information, and the die is cast on Iran right now. We can’t roll the clock back on it, so I think the president deserves our support.”

          Sen. Warner disagrees. “This is a war of choice,” he said of the conflict. 

          The incumbent is seeking his third term in the Senate, having first been elected to office as Virginia’s governor in 2001.

          Warner has more than $27 million in fundraising compared to Mizusawa’s $1,1 million, according to the latest campaign finance data from the Virginia Public Access Project. 

          The senator said he is focused on affordability. “You shouldn’t have to leave your hometown to find a good job and we’ve not really made that promise a full reality.”

          “The infrastructure bill, I got 62 billion dollars for broadband and if we don’t get to 99%, 98% penetration in two years it won’t be lack of money, it’ll be a failure of execution,” Sen. Warner responded when asked why Virginians should reelect him. 

          On artificial intelligence, the two candidates see industry regulation much differently.

          “You wouldn’t climb on an airplane if only the airlines regulated it. So, there needs to be safety,” Sen. Warner said. “In the next five years, there’s gonna be huge job dislocation and these companies need to help contribute to how we get through and train people for AI related jobs.”

          “We have a lot of good industry standards out there, voluntary standards, that people agree to, and I think this is a good first step before we try to legislate some guardrails,” Gen. Mizusawa responded. 

          Early voting in Virginia this cycle has been tremendous, with nearly 1 million ballots already cast ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, nearly double the turnout at this point in 2022.  

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 09:39:02 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 09:39:11 PM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) ) Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => ‘It's scary': Bowie High School student held at knifepoint in school bathroom for $6 https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/maryland/its-scary-bowie-high-school-student-held-at-knifepoint-in-school-bathroom-for-6/4171235/ 4171235 Darcy Spencer post 11575594 bowie high school https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/52149785703-1080pnbcstations.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 The victim's dad said his son was so terrified he ran out of the school and hid behind a bush nearby.

          Two students at Bowie High School robbed a 14-year-old student at knifepoint inside a school bathroom, police say. The victim’s father said he wonders how his son will ever feel safe at school again.

          The two suspects confronted the ninth-grade victim with a folding knife in a bathroom during lunch time Thursday afternoon, Bowie police and the victim’s father said. They used the boy’s phone to transfer less than $10 out of his account.

          “They held him at knife point. They put his phone to his face. They took his money out of his Apple Pay,” said Mike Williams, father of the student who was robbed. “They got $6.69.”

          Williams said he wants to know how a student got a knife in the building past the school’s metal detectors.

          “It’s scary. I sent my son to school to be safe. … I expect him to be safe when he walked through the doors. And to get a call like that is, it’s scary,” he said.

          While his son wasn’t physically hurt, Williams said the two students who were involved made threats.

          “My son tried to leave, tried to push his way through. They said, ‘It’s gonna get bloody if you try to leave,'” he said.

          Williams expressed frustration about something the principal allegedly said to him about why the school metal detectors didn’t stop the knife from being brought into the school.

          “[The principal] said the metal detectors are more for guns and it’s not going to pick up every knife that comes through the door,”

          Detectives said one student is being charged as an adult. Another student has been identified but has not yet been charged.

          A letter from the school sent to parents said in part:

          “The proper authorities were notified immediately and the students involved were quickly identified and referred to local law enforcement. They will also receive disciplinary action as outlined in the PGCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.”

          The letter also told parents to talk to kids about the importance of following safety precautions and reporting incidents immediately.

          Williams said his son ran out of the school and hid outside out of fear.

          “He was hiding behind a bush at the library next to the school. That’s where he was at. He was terrified,” he said.

          Williams said he wants answers and accountability.

          “I would like him to go back. If he feel as though his safety is in jeopardy, I’m not going to send him back.

          Police said the knife was not recovered.

          News4 has reached out to the school’s principal for comment.

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          Two students at Bowie High School robbed a 14-year-old student at knifepoint inside a school bathroom, police say. The victim’s father said he wonders how his son will ever feel safe at school again.

          The two suspects confronted the ninth-grade victim with a folding knife in a bathroom during lunch time Thursday afternoon, Bowie police and the victim’s father said. They used the boy’s phone to transfer less than $10 out of his account.

          “They held him at knife point. They put his phone to his face. They took his money out of his Apple Pay,” said Mike Williams, father of the student who was robbed. “They got $6.69.”

          Williams said he wants to know how a student got a knife in the building past the school’s metal detectors.

          “It’s scary. I sent my son to school to be safe. … I expect him to be safe when he walked through the doors. And to get a call like that is, it’s scary,” he said.

          While his son wasn’t physically hurt, Williams said the two students who were involved made threats.

          “My son tried to leave, tried to push his way through. They said, ‘It’s gonna get bloody if you try to leave,'” he said.

          Williams expressed frustration about something the principal allegedly said to him about why the school metal detectors didn’t stop the knife from being brought into the school.

          “[The principal] said the metal detectors are more for guns and it’s not going to pick up every knife that comes through the door,”

          Detectives said one student is being charged as an adult. Another student has been identified but has not yet been charged.

          A letter from the school sent to parents said in part:

          “The proper authorities were notified immediately and the students involved were quickly identified and referred to local law enforcement. They will also receive disciplinary action as outlined in the PGCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.”

          The letter also told parents to talk to kids about the importance of following safety precautions and reporting incidents immediately.

          Williams said his son ran out of the school and hid outside out of fear.

          “He was hiding behind a bush at the library next to the school. That’s where he was at. He was terrified,” he said.

          Williams said he wants answers and accountability.

          “I would like him to go back. If he feel as though his safety is in jeopardy, I’m not going to send him back.

          Police said the knife was not recovered.

          News4 has reached out to the school’s principal for comment.

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          Two students at Bowie High School robbed a 14-year-old student at knifepoint inside a school bathroom, police say. The victim’s father said he wonders how his son will ever feel safe at school again.

          The two suspects confronted the ninth-grade victim with a folding knife in a bathroom during lunch time Thursday afternoon, Bowie police and the victim’s father said. They used the boy’s phone to transfer less than $10 out of his account.

          “They held him at knife point. They put his phone to his face. They took his money out of his Apple Pay,” said Mike Williams, father of the student who was robbed. “They got $6.69.”

          Williams said he wants to know how a student got a knife in the building past the school’s metal detectors.

          “It’s scary. I sent my son to school to be safe. … I expect him to be safe when he walked through the doors. And to get a call like that is, it’s scary,” he said.

          While his son wasn’t physically hurt, Williams said the two students who were involved made threats.

          “My son tried to leave, tried to push his way through. They said, ‘It’s gonna get bloody if you try to leave,'” he said.

          Williams expressed frustration about something the principal allegedly said to him about why the school metal detectors didn’t stop the knife from being brought into the school.

          “[The principal] said the metal detectors are more for guns and it’s not going to pick up every knife that comes through the door,”

          Detectives said one student is being charged as an adult. Another student has been identified but has not yet been charged.

          A letter from the school sent to parents said in part:

          “The proper authorities were notified immediately and the students involved were quickly identified and referred to local law enforcement. They will also receive disciplinary action as outlined in the PGCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.”

          The letter also told parents to talk to kids about the importance of following safety precautions and reporting incidents immediately.

          Williams said his son ran out of the school and hid outside out of fear.

          “He was hiding behind a bush at the library next to the school. That’s where he was at. He was terrified,” he said.

          Williams said he wants answers and accountability.

          “I would like him to go back. If he feel as though his safety is in jeopardy, I’m not going to send him back.

          Police said the knife was not recovered.

          News4 has reached out to the school’s principal for comment.

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          Two students at Bowie High School robbed a 14-year-old student at knifepoint inside a school bathroom, police say. The victim’s father said he wonders how his son will ever feel safe at school again.

          The two suspects confronted the ninth-grade victim with a folding knife in a bathroom during lunch time Thursday afternoon, Bowie police and the victim’s father said. They used the boy’s phone to transfer less than $10 out of his account.

          “They held him at knife point. They put his phone to his face. They took his money out of his Apple Pay,” said Mike Williams, father of the student who was robbed. “They got $6.69.”

          Williams said he wants to know how a student got a knife in the building past the school’s metal detectors.

          “It’s scary. I sent my son to school to be safe. … I expect him to be safe when he walked through the doors. And to get a call like that is, it’s scary,” he said.

          While his son wasn’t physically hurt, Williams said the two students who were involved made threats.

          “My son tried to leave, tried to push his way through. They said, ‘It’s gonna get bloody if you try to leave,'” he said.

          Williams expressed frustration about something the principal allegedly said to him about why the school metal detectors didn’t stop the knife from being brought into the school.

          “[The principal] said the metal detectors are more for guns and it’s not going to pick up every knife that comes through the door,”

          Detectives said one student is being charged as an adult. Another student has been identified but has not yet been charged.

          A letter from the school sent to parents said in part:

          “The proper authorities were notified immediately and the students involved were quickly identified and referred to local law enforcement. They will also receive disciplinary action as outlined in the PGCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.”

          The letter also told parents to talk to kids about the importance of following safety precautions and reporting incidents immediately.

          Williams said his son ran out of the school and hid outside out of fear.

          “He was hiding behind a bush at the library next to the school. That’s where he was at. He was terrified,” he said.

          Williams said he wants answers and accountability.

          “I would like him to go back. If he feel as though his safety is in jeopardy, I’m not going to send him back.

          Police said the knife was not recovered.

          News4 has reached out to the school’s principal for comment.

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          Two students at Bowie High School robbed a 14-year-old student at knifepoint inside a school bathroom, police say. The victim’s father said he wonders how his son will ever feel safe at school again.

          The two suspects confronted the ninth-grade victim with a folding knife in a bathroom during lunch time Thursday afternoon, Bowie police and the victim’s father said. They used the boy’s phone to transfer less than $10 out of his account.

          “They held him at knife point. They put his phone to his face. They took his money out of his Apple Pay,” said Mike Williams, father of the student who was robbed. “They got $6.69.”

          Williams said he wants to know how a student got a knife in the building past the school’s metal detectors.

          “It’s scary. I sent my son to school to be safe. … I expect him to be safe when he walked through the doors. And to get a call like that is, it’s scary,” he said.

          While his son wasn’t physically hurt, Williams said the two students who were involved made threats.

          “My son tried to leave, tried to push his way through. They said, ‘It’s gonna get bloody if you try to leave,'” he said.

          Williams expressed frustration about something the principal allegedly said to him about why the school metal detectors didn’t stop the knife from being brought into the school.

          “[The principal] said the metal detectors are more for guns and it’s not going to pick up every knife that comes through the door,”

          Detectives said one student is being charged as an adult. Another student has been identified but has not yet been charged.

          A letter from the school sent to parents said in part:

          “The proper authorities were notified immediately and the students involved were quickly identified and referred to local law enforcement. They will also receive disciplinary action as outlined in the PGCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.”

          The letter also told parents to talk to kids about the importance of following safety precautions and reporting incidents immediately.

          Williams said his son ran out of the school and hid outside out of fear.

          “He was hiding behind a bush at the library next to the school. That’s where he was at. He was terrified,” he said.

          Williams said he wants answers and accountability.

          “I would like him to go back. If he feel as though his safety is in jeopardy, I’m not going to send him back.

          Police said the knife was not recovered.

          News4 has reached out to the school’s principal for comment.

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          Two students at Bowie High School robbed a 14-year-old student at knifepoint inside a school bathroom, police say. The victim’s father said he wonders how his son will ever feel safe at school again.

          The two suspects confronted the ninth-grade victim with a folding knife in a bathroom during lunch time Thursday afternoon, Bowie police and the victim’s father said. They used the boy’s phone to transfer less than $10 out of his account.

          “They held him at knife point. They put his phone to his face. They took his money out of his Apple Pay,” said Mike Williams, father of the student who was robbed. “They got $6.69.”

          Williams said he wants to know how a student got a knife in the building past the school’s metal detectors.

          “It’s scary. I sent my son to school to be safe. … I expect him to be safe when he walked through the doors. And to get a call like that is, it’s scary,” he said.

          While his son wasn’t physically hurt, Williams said the two students who were involved made threats.

          “My son tried to leave, tried to push his way through. They said, ‘It’s gonna get bloody if you try to leave,'” he said.

          Williams expressed frustration about something the principal allegedly said to him about why the school metal detectors didn’t stop the knife from being brought into the school.

          “[The principal] said the metal detectors are more for guns and it’s not going to pick up every knife that comes through the door,”

          Detectives said one student is being charged as an adult. Another student has been identified but has not yet been charged.

          A letter from the school sent to parents said in part:

          “The proper authorities were notified immediately and the students involved were quickly identified and referred to local law enforcement. They will also receive disciplinary action as outlined in the PGCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.”

          The letter also told parents to talk to kids about the importance of following safety precautions and reporting incidents immediately.

          Williams said his son ran out of the school and hid outside out of fear.

          “He was hiding behind a bush at the library next to the school. That’s where he was at. He was terrified,” he said.

          Williams said he wants answers and accountability.

          “I would like him to go back. If he feel as though his safety is in jeopardy, I’m not going to send him back.

          Police said the knife was not recovered.

          News4 has reached out to the school’s principal for comment.

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 06:02:12 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 06:02:16 PM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) ) Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Arlington police release body camera video after officers kill man in 7-Eleven https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/arlington-police-release-body-camera-video-after-officers-kill-man-in-7-eleven/4171247/ 4171247 Aimee Cho and NBC Washington Staff post 11575444 arlington police shooting video oct 23 2026 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/arlington-police-shooting-video-oct-23-2026.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 Shawn Valn died after the police shooting on Columbia Pike. "The use of any deadly force has profound impacts," the police chief said.

          Arlington County police released long-awaited body camera video after officers shot and killed a man in a 7-Eleven store this spring.

          Shawn Valn died after the shooting May 8. He was 33.

          Officers shot Valn after he allegedly threatened to slap a woman and then barricaded himself for hours with a knife on May 8 in the storage room of the store on Columbia Pike near S. Monroe Street.

          Chief Charles Penn said Friday that Valn disobeyed officers’ instructions several times and that police used a negotiator and several non-lethal methods to try to get him to come out and drop the knife. Those methods included a drone, irritant powder, Tasers and a round of sponge projectiles.

          At one point in the video, Valn can be heard calling out, “Less lethal. Less lethal.”

          Police said officers breached the storage room twice and shot Valn when they say he raised the knife at them.

          After the shooting, officers could be seen giving Valn aid. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

          “This incident ended in a tragic loss of life, and we recognize that the use of any deadly force has profound impacts on those involved, their family members and friends, our officers and the broader Arlington community,” Penn said.

          The initial deadline to release the body camera video was last Friday. Police missed the deadline, which raised concerns on the county’s board of supervisors.

          The commonwealth’s attorney called for a special grand jury to review the shooting and determine if any charges should be filed.

          The Arlington Coalition of Police said in a statement: “Our members look forward to being given the opportunity to serve as witnesses in front of the special grand jury to ensure a full account of the event is provided to jurors.”

          What News4 asked Arlington Police Chief Charles Penn

          News4 asked the police chief what urgency there was to get Valn to come out and why officers breached the door twice if he was alone in the room. The chief said during the standoff, a judge had issued a warrant for Valn’s arrest, for threatening to slap the woman.

          The chief said the agency is working on updating its policy around releasing video after deadly shootings.

          News4 asked the chief for details about the two officers involved. He wouldn’t give their names, citing the ongoing investigation. He said they’re both corporals, with six and seven years on the force, and are on restricted duty. The chief would not answer questions about whether the officers had any previous incidents involving the use of force.

          ‘Very unsettling’

          Days after Valn’s violent death, Arlington residents held a candlelight vigil. They said he was experiencing homelessness and was well-known in the community.

          “He was a part of the community. Just a person who lived day by day,” said one resident, Alexis.

          “His life ended with lethal force, and that is a very unsettling, disruptive thing to happen to someone who was really peaceful,” another neighbor said.

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          Arlington County police released long-awaited body camera video after officers shot and killed a man in a 7-Eleven store this spring.

          Shawn Valn died after the shooting May 8. He was 33.

          Officers shot Valn after he allegedly threatened to slap a woman and then barricaded himself for hours with a knife on May 8 in the storage room of the store on Columbia Pike near S. Monroe Street.

          Chief Charles Penn said Friday that Valn disobeyed officers’ instructions several times and that police used a negotiator and several non-lethal methods to try to get him to come out and drop the knife. Those methods included a drone, irritant powder, Tasers and a round of sponge projectiles.

          At one point in the video, Valn can be heard calling out, “Less lethal. Less lethal.”

          Police said officers breached the storage room twice and shot Valn when they say he raised the knife at them.

          After the shooting, officers could be seen giving Valn aid. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

          “This incident ended in a tragic loss of life, and we recognize that the use of any deadly force has profound impacts on those involved, their family members and friends, our officers and the broader Arlington community,” Penn said.

          The initial deadline to release the body camera video was last Friday. Police missed the deadline, which raised concerns on the county’s board of supervisors.

          The commonwealth’s attorney called for a special grand jury to review the shooting and determine if any charges should be filed.

          The Arlington Coalition of Police said in a statement: “Our members look forward to being given the opportunity to serve as witnesses in front of the special grand jury to ensure a full account of the event is provided to jurors.”

          What News4 asked Arlington Police Chief Charles Penn

          News4 asked the police chief what urgency there was to get Valn to come out and why officers breached the door twice if he was alone in the room. The chief said during the standoff, a judge had issued a warrant for Valn’s arrest, for threatening to slap the woman.

          The chief said the agency is working on updating its policy around releasing video after deadly shootings.

          News4 asked the chief for details about the two officers involved. He wouldn’t give their names, citing the ongoing investigation. He said they’re both corporals, with six and seven years on the force, and are on restricted duty. The chief would not answer questions about whether the officers had any previous incidents involving the use of force.

          ‘Very unsettling’

          Days after Valn’s violent death, Arlington residents held a candlelight vigil. They said he was experiencing homelessness and was well-known in the community.

          “He was a part of the community. Just a person who lived day by day,” said one resident, Alexis.

          “His life ended with lethal force, and that is a very unsettling, disruptive thing to happen to someone who was really peaceful,” another neighbor said.

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 05:23:23 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 05:24:59 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => Arlington police release body camera video after officers kill man in 7-Eleven [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/arlington-police-release-body-camera-video-after-officers-kill-man-in-7-eleven/4171247/ [date] => Fri, Oct 23 2026 05:23:23 PM ) Backtrace of errorHandler() Array ( [0] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 72 [function] => errorHandler [args] => Array ( [0] => 8 [1] => Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object [2] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [3] => 72 [4] => Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Arlington police release body camera video after officers kill man in 7-Eleven https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/arlington-police-release-body-camera-video-after-officers-kill-man-in-7-eleven/4171247/ 4171247 Aimee Cho and NBC Washington Staff post 11575444 arlington police shooting video oct 23 2026 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/arlington-police-shooting-video-oct-23-2026.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 Shawn Valn died after the police shooting on Columbia Pike. "The use of any deadly force has profound impacts," the police chief said.

          Arlington County police released long-awaited body camera video after officers shot and killed a man in a 7-Eleven store this spring.

          Shawn Valn died after the shooting May 8. He was 33.

          Officers shot Valn after he allegedly threatened to slap a woman and then barricaded himself for hours with a knife on May 8 in the storage room of the store on Columbia Pike near S. Monroe Street.

          Chief Charles Penn said Friday that Valn disobeyed officers’ instructions several times and that police used a negotiator and several non-lethal methods to try to get him to come out and drop the knife. Those methods included a drone, irritant powder, Tasers and a round of sponge projectiles.

          At one point in the video, Valn can be heard calling out, “Less lethal. Less lethal.”

          Police said officers breached the storage room twice and shot Valn when they say he raised the knife at them.

          After the shooting, officers could be seen giving Valn aid. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

          “This incident ended in a tragic loss of life, and we recognize that the use of any deadly force has profound impacts on those involved, their family members and friends, our officers and the broader Arlington community,” Penn said.

          The initial deadline to release the body camera video was last Friday. Police missed the deadline, which raised concerns on the county’s board of supervisors.

          The commonwealth’s attorney called for a special grand jury to review the shooting and determine if any charges should be filed.

          The Arlington Coalition of Police said in a statement: “Our members look forward to being given the opportunity to serve as witnesses in front of the special grand jury to ensure a full account of the event is provided to jurors.”

          What News4 asked Arlington Police Chief Charles Penn

          News4 asked the police chief what urgency there was to get Valn to come out and why officers breached the door twice if he was alone in the room. The chief said during the standoff, a judge had issued a warrant for Valn’s arrest, for threatening to slap the woman.

          The chief said the agency is working on updating its policy around releasing video after deadly shootings.

          News4 asked the chief for details about the two officers involved. He wouldn’t give their names, citing the ongoing investigation. He said they’re both corporals, with six and seven years on the force, and are on restricted duty. The chief would not answer questions about whether the officers had any previous incidents involving the use of force.

          ‘Very unsettling’

          Days after Valn’s violent death, Arlington residents held a candlelight vigil. They said he was experiencing homelessness and was well-known in the community.

          “He was a part of the community. Just a person who lived day by day,” said one resident, Alexis.

          “His life ended with lethal force, and that is a very unsettling, disruptive thing to happen to someone who was really peaceful,” another neighbor said.

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 05:23:23 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 05:24:59 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Arlington police release body camera video after officers kill man in 7-Eleven https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/arlington-police-release-body-camera-video-after-officers-kill-man-in-7-eleven/4171247/ 4171247 Aimee Cho and NBC Washington Staff post 11575444 arlington police shooting video oct 23 2026 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/arlington-police-shooting-video-oct-23-2026.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 Shawn Valn died after the police shooting on Columbia Pike. "The use of any deadly force has profound impacts," the police chief said.

          Arlington County police released long-awaited body camera video after officers shot and killed a man in a 7-Eleven store this spring.

          Shawn Valn died after the shooting May 8. He was 33.

          Officers shot Valn after he allegedly threatened to slap a woman and then barricaded himself for hours with a knife on May 8 in the storage room of the store on Columbia Pike near S. Monroe Street.

          Chief Charles Penn said Friday that Valn disobeyed officers’ instructions several times and that police used a negotiator and several non-lethal methods to try to get him to come out and drop the knife. Those methods included a drone, irritant powder, Tasers and a round of sponge projectiles.

          At one point in the video, Valn can be heard calling out, “Less lethal. Less lethal.”

          Police said officers breached the storage room twice and shot Valn when they say he raised the knife at them.

          After the shooting, officers could be seen giving Valn aid. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

          “This incident ended in a tragic loss of life, and we recognize that the use of any deadly force has profound impacts on those involved, their family members and friends, our officers and the broader Arlington community,” Penn said.

          The initial deadline to release the body camera video was last Friday. Police missed the deadline, which raised concerns on the county’s board of supervisors.

          The commonwealth’s attorney called for a special grand jury to review the shooting and determine if any charges should be filed.

          The Arlington Coalition of Police said in a statement: “Our members look forward to being given the opportunity to serve as witnesses in front of the special grand jury to ensure a full account of the event is provided to jurors.”

          What News4 asked Arlington Police Chief Charles Penn

          News4 asked the police chief what urgency there was to get Valn to come out and why officers breached the door twice if he was alone in the room. The chief said during the standoff, a judge had issued a warrant for Valn’s arrest, for threatening to slap the woman.

          The chief said the agency is working on updating its policy around releasing video after deadly shootings.

          News4 asked the chief for details about the two officers involved. He wouldn’t give their names, citing the ongoing investigation. He said they’re both corporals, with six and seven years on the force, and are on restricted duty. The chief would not answer questions about whether the officers had any previous incidents involving the use of force.

          ‘Very unsettling’

          Days after Valn’s violent death, Arlington residents held a candlelight vigil. They said he was experiencing homelessness and was well-known in the community.

          “He was a part of the community. Just a person who lived day by day,” said one resident, Alexis.

          “His life ended with lethal force, and that is a very unsettling, disruptive thing to happen to someone who was really peaceful,” another neighbor said.

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          Arlington County police released long-awaited body camera video after officers shot and killed a man in a 7-Eleven store this spring.

          Shawn Valn died after the shooting May 8. He was 33.

          Officers shot Valn after he allegedly threatened to slap a woman and then barricaded himself for hours with a knife on May 8 in the storage room of the store on Columbia Pike near S. Monroe Street.

          Chief Charles Penn said Friday that Valn disobeyed officers’ instructions several times and that police used a negotiator and several non-lethal methods to try to get him to come out and drop the knife. Those methods included a drone, irritant powder, Tasers and a round of sponge projectiles.

          At one point in the video, Valn can be heard calling out, “Less lethal. Less lethal.”

          Police said officers breached the storage room twice and shot Valn when they say he raised the knife at them.

          After the shooting, officers could be seen giving Valn aid. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

          “This incident ended in a tragic loss of life, and we recognize that the use of any deadly force has profound impacts on those involved, their family members and friends, our officers and the broader Arlington community,” Penn said.

          The initial deadline to release the body camera video was last Friday. Police missed the deadline, which raised concerns on the county’s board of supervisors.

          The commonwealth’s attorney called for a special grand jury to review the shooting and determine if any charges should be filed.

          The Arlington Coalition of Police said in a statement: “Our members look forward to being given the opportunity to serve as witnesses in front of the special grand jury to ensure a full account of the event is provided to jurors.”

          What News4 asked Arlington Police Chief Charles Penn

          News4 asked the police chief what urgency there was to get Valn to come out and why officers breached the door twice if he was alone in the room. The chief said during the standoff, a judge had issued a warrant for Valn’s arrest, for threatening to slap the woman.

          The chief said the agency is working on updating its policy around releasing video after deadly shootings.

          News4 asked the chief for details about the two officers involved. He wouldn’t give their names, citing the ongoing investigation. He said they’re both corporals, with six and seven years on the force, and are on restricted duty. The chief would not answer questions about whether the officers had any previous incidents involving the use of force.

          ‘Very unsettling’

          Days after Valn’s violent death, Arlington residents held a candlelight vigil. They said he was experiencing homelessness and was well-known in the community.

          “He was a part of the community. Just a person who lived day by day,” said one resident, Alexis.

          “His life ended with lethal force, and that is a very unsettling, disruptive thing to happen to someone who was really peaceful,” another neighbor said.

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 05:23:23 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 05:24:59 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Arlington police release body camera video after officers kill man in 7-Eleven https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/arlington-police-release-body-camera-video-after-officers-kill-man-in-7-eleven/4171247/ 4171247 Aimee Cho and NBC Washington Staff post 11575444 arlington police shooting video oct 23 2026 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/arlington-police-shooting-video-oct-23-2026.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 Shawn Valn died after the police shooting on Columbia Pike. "The use of any deadly force has profound impacts," the police chief said.

          Arlington County police released long-awaited body camera video after officers shot and killed a man in a 7-Eleven store this spring.

          Shawn Valn died after the shooting May 8. He was 33.

          Officers shot Valn after he allegedly threatened to slap a woman and then barricaded himself for hours with a knife on May 8 in the storage room of the store on Columbia Pike near S. Monroe Street.

          Chief Charles Penn said Friday that Valn disobeyed officers’ instructions several times and that police used a negotiator and several non-lethal methods to try to get him to come out and drop the knife. Those methods included a drone, irritant powder, Tasers and a round of sponge projectiles.

          At one point in the video, Valn can be heard calling out, “Less lethal. Less lethal.”

          Police said officers breached the storage room twice and shot Valn when they say he raised the knife at them.

          After the shooting, officers could be seen giving Valn aid. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

          “This incident ended in a tragic loss of life, and we recognize that the use of any deadly force has profound impacts on those involved, their family members and friends, our officers and the broader Arlington community,” Penn said.

          The initial deadline to release the body camera video was last Friday. Police missed the deadline, which raised concerns on the county’s board of supervisors.

          The commonwealth’s attorney called for a special grand jury to review the shooting and determine if any charges should be filed.

          The Arlington Coalition of Police said in a statement: “Our members look forward to being given the opportunity to serve as witnesses in front of the special grand jury to ensure a full account of the event is provided to jurors.”

          What News4 asked Arlington Police Chief Charles Penn

          News4 asked the police chief what urgency there was to get Valn to come out and why officers breached the door twice if he was alone in the room. The chief said during the standoff, a judge had issued a warrant for Valn’s arrest, for threatening to slap the woman.

          The chief said the agency is working on updating its policy around releasing video after deadly shootings.

          News4 asked the chief for details about the two officers involved. He wouldn’t give their names, citing the ongoing investigation. He said they’re both corporals, with six and seven years on the force, and are on restricted duty. The chief would not answer questions about whether the officers had any previous incidents involving the use of force.

          ‘Very unsettling’

          Days after Valn’s violent death, Arlington residents held a candlelight vigil. They said he was experiencing homelessness and was well-known in the community.

          “He was a part of the community. Just a person who lived day by day,” said one resident, Alexis.

          “His life ended with lethal force, and that is a very unsettling, disruptive thing to happen to someone who was really peaceful,” another neighbor said.

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 05:23:23 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 05:24:59 PM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) ) Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Arlington block hit by gunfire 2 nights in a row https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/arlington-block-hit-by-gunfire-2-nights-in-a-row/4171137/ 4171137 Juliana Valencia post 11575017 arlington gun damage oct 23 2026 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/arlington-gun-damage-oct-23-2026.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 News4 video shows the damage, with one bullet appearing to have flown through a car's windshield and torn all the way through to its back hatch.

          Gunfire erupted on a block in Arlington two nights in a row, and a man was shot and wounded.

          Residents heard gunshots in the 2400 block of S. Lowell Street, in the Green Valley neighborhood west of I-395, on Wednesday and Thursday nights and woke up to find flat tires and bullet holes in their windshields.

          “It’s devastating. I just don’t know what’s next. I mean, when is this going to stop?” one resident asked. She discovered her damaged car as she tried to head to work.

          Officers were dispatched to the block at about 11:50 p.m. Wednesday. A man was shot outside and ran inside for help, police said. His condition was described as stable.

          Several parked cars were hit by bullets that night, police said.

          The next night, officers were dispatched back to the block at about 9:25 p.m. They found that seven parked cars and two homes had been hit by bullets. No one was hurt.

          “I heard this – Pow! Pow! Pow! Pow! Pow! Pow! – and it lasted for a while,” the resident said. “That’s why I thought, what is going on out there? And it sounded like it was someone shooting at each other.”

          News4 video on Friday morning shows the damage, with one bullet appearing to have flown through a car’s windshield and torn all the way through to its back hatch. One bullet hit a house just inches from its front window.

          No information on a suspect was released.

          Anyone with potentially relevant information is asked to contact police. Anyone with a home surveillance system is asked to check for anything that could aid the investigation.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:24 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:46 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Arlington block hit by gunfire 2 nights in a row https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/arlington-block-hit-by-gunfire-2-nights-in-a-row/4171137/ 4171137 Juliana Valencia post 11575017 arlington gun damage oct 23 2026 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/arlington-gun-damage-oct-23-2026.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 News4 video shows the damage, with one bullet appearing to have flown through a car's windshield and torn all the way through to its back hatch.

          Gunfire erupted on a block in Arlington two nights in a row, and a man was shot and wounded.

          Residents heard gunshots in the 2400 block of S. Lowell Street, in the Green Valley neighborhood west of I-395, on Wednesday and Thursday nights and woke up to find flat tires and bullet holes in their windshields.

          “It’s devastating. I just don’t know what’s next. I mean, when is this going to stop?” one resident asked. She discovered her damaged car as she tried to head to work.

          Officers were dispatched to the block at about 11:50 p.m. Wednesday. A man was shot outside and ran inside for help, police said. His condition was described as stable.

          Several parked cars were hit by bullets that night, police said.

          The next night, officers were dispatched back to the block at about 9:25 p.m. They found that seven parked cars and two homes had been hit by bullets. No one was hurt.

          “I heard this – Pow! Pow! Pow! Pow! Pow! Pow! – and it lasted for a while,” the resident said. “That’s why I thought, what is going on out there? And it sounded like it was someone shooting at each other.”

          News4 video on Friday morning shows the damage, with one bullet appearing to have flown through a car’s windshield and torn all the way through to its back hatch. One bullet hit a house just inches from its front window.

          No information on a suspect was released.

          Anyone with potentially relevant information is asked to contact police. Anyone with a home surveillance system is asked to check for anything that could aid the investigation.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:24 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:46 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => Arlington block hit by gunfire 2 nights in a row [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/arlington-block-hit-by-gunfire-2-nights-in-a-row/4171137/ [date] => Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:24 PM ) Backtrace of errorHandler() Array ( [0] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 72 [function] => errorHandler [args] => Array ( [0] => 8 [1] => Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object [2] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [3] => 72 [4] => Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Arlington block hit by gunfire 2 nights in a row https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/arlington-block-hit-by-gunfire-2-nights-in-a-row/4171137/ 4171137 Juliana Valencia post 11575017 arlington gun damage oct 23 2026 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/arlington-gun-damage-oct-23-2026.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 News4 video shows the damage, with one bullet appearing to have flown through a car's windshield and torn all the way through to its back hatch.

          Gunfire erupted on a block in Arlington two nights in a row, and a man was shot and wounded.

          Residents heard gunshots in the 2400 block of S. Lowell Street, in the Green Valley neighborhood west of I-395, on Wednesday and Thursday nights and woke up to find flat tires and bullet holes in their windshields.

          “It’s devastating. I just don’t know what’s next. I mean, when is this going to stop?” one resident asked. She discovered her damaged car as she tried to head to work.

          Officers were dispatched to the block at about 11:50 p.m. Wednesday. A man was shot outside and ran inside for help, police said. His condition was described as stable.

          Several parked cars were hit by bullets that night, police said.

          The next night, officers were dispatched back to the block at about 9:25 p.m. They found that seven parked cars and two homes had been hit by bullets. No one was hurt.

          “I heard this – Pow! Pow! Pow! Pow! Pow! Pow! – and it lasted for a while,” the resident said. “That’s why I thought, what is going on out there? And it sounded like it was someone shooting at each other.”

          News4 video on Friday morning shows the damage, with one bullet appearing to have flown through a car’s windshield and torn all the way through to its back hatch. One bullet hit a house just inches from its front window.

          No information on a suspect was released.

          Anyone with potentially relevant information is asked to contact police. Anyone with a home surveillance system is asked to check for anything that could aid the investigation.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:24 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:46 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Arlington block hit by gunfire 2 nights in a row https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/arlington-block-hit-by-gunfire-2-nights-in-a-row/4171137/ 4171137 Juliana Valencia post 11575017 arlington gun damage oct 23 2026 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/arlington-gun-damage-oct-23-2026.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 News4 video shows the damage, with one bullet appearing to have flown through a car's windshield and torn all the way through to its back hatch.

          Gunfire erupted on a block in Arlington two nights in a row, and a man was shot and wounded.

          Residents heard gunshots in the 2400 block of S. Lowell Street, in the Green Valley neighborhood west of I-395, on Wednesday and Thursday nights and woke up to find flat tires and bullet holes in their windshields.

          “It’s devastating. I just don’t know what’s next. I mean, when is this going to stop?” one resident asked. She discovered her damaged car as she tried to head to work.

          Officers were dispatched to the block at about 11:50 p.m. Wednesday. A man was shot outside and ran inside for help, police said. His condition was described as stable.

          Several parked cars were hit by bullets that night, police said.

          The next night, officers were dispatched back to the block at about 9:25 p.m. They found that seven parked cars and two homes had been hit by bullets. No one was hurt.

          “I heard this – Pow! Pow! Pow! Pow! Pow! Pow! – and it lasted for a while,” the resident said. “That’s why I thought, what is going on out there? And it sounded like it was someone shooting at each other.”

          News4 video on Friday morning shows the damage, with one bullet appearing to have flown through a car’s windshield and torn all the way through to its back hatch. One bullet hit a house just inches from its front window.

          No information on a suspect was released.

          Anyone with potentially relevant information is asked to contact police. Anyone with a home surveillance system is asked to check for anything that could aid the investigation.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:24 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:46 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => Arlington block hit by gunfire 2 nights in a row [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/arlington-block-hit-by-gunfire-2-nights-in-a-row/4171137/ [date] => Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:24 PM ) ) ) [1] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 139 [function] => RSS_Tags [args] => Array ( [0] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Arlington block hit by gunfire 2 nights in a row https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/arlington-block-hit-by-gunfire-2-nights-in-a-row/4171137/ 4171137 Juliana Valencia post 11575017 arlington gun damage oct 23 2026 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/arlington-gun-damage-oct-23-2026.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 News4 video shows the damage, with one bullet appearing to have flown through a car's windshield and torn all the way through to its back hatch.

          Gunfire erupted on a block in Arlington two nights in a row, and a man was shot and wounded.

          Residents heard gunshots in the 2400 block of S. Lowell Street, in the Green Valley neighborhood west of I-395, on Wednesday and Thursday nights and woke up to find flat tires and bullet holes in their windshields.

          “It’s devastating. I just don’t know what’s next. I mean, when is this going to stop?” one resident asked. She discovered her damaged car as she tried to head to work.

          Officers were dispatched to the block at about 11:50 p.m. Wednesday. A man was shot outside and ran inside for help, police said. His condition was described as stable.

          Several parked cars were hit by bullets that night, police said.

          The next night, officers were dispatched back to the block at about 9:25 p.m. They found that seven parked cars and two homes had been hit by bullets. No one was hurt.

          “I heard this – Pow! Pow! Pow! Pow! Pow! Pow! – and it lasted for a while,” the resident said. “That’s why I thought, what is going on out there? And it sounded like it was someone shooting at each other.”

          News4 video on Friday morning shows the damage, with one bullet appearing to have flown through a car’s windshield and torn all the way through to its back hatch. One bullet hit a house just inches from its front window.

          No information on a suspect was released.

          Anyone with potentially relevant information is asked to contact police. Anyone with a home surveillance system is asked to check for anything that could aid the investigation.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:24 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:46 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Arlington block hit by gunfire 2 nights in a row https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/arlington-block-hit-by-gunfire-2-nights-in-a-row/4171137/ 4171137 Juliana Valencia post 11575017 arlington gun damage oct 23 2026 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/arlington-gun-damage-oct-23-2026.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 News4 video shows the damage, with one bullet appearing to have flown through a car's windshield and torn all the way through to its back hatch.

          Gunfire erupted on a block in Arlington two nights in a row, and a man was shot and wounded.

          Residents heard gunshots in the 2400 block of S. Lowell Street, in the Green Valley neighborhood west of I-395, on Wednesday and Thursday nights and woke up to find flat tires and bullet holes in their windshields.

          “It’s devastating. I just don’t know what’s next. I mean, when is this going to stop?” one resident asked. She discovered her damaged car as she tried to head to work.

          Officers were dispatched to the block at about 11:50 p.m. Wednesday. A man was shot outside and ran inside for help, police said. His condition was described as stable.

          Several parked cars were hit by bullets that night, police said.

          The next night, officers were dispatched back to the block at about 9:25 p.m. They found that seven parked cars and two homes had been hit by bullets. No one was hurt.

          “I heard this – Pow! Pow! Pow! Pow! Pow! Pow! – and it lasted for a while,” the resident said. “That’s why I thought, what is going on out there? And it sounded like it was someone shooting at each other.”

          News4 video on Friday morning shows the damage, with one bullet appearing to have flown through a car’s windshield and torn all the way through to its back hatch. One bullet hit a house just inches from its front window.

          No information on a suspect was released.

          Anyone with potentially relevant information is asked to contact police. Anyone with a home surveillance system is asked to check for anything that could aid the investigation.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:24 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:46 PM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) ) Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => DOJ charges former top FBI officials who were frequent targets of Trump allies https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/doj-charges-former-top-fbi-officials-frequent-targets-trump-allies/4171130/ 4171130 Ryan J. Reilly | NBC News post 10513892 President Trump Holds Swearing-In Ceremony For Interim U.S. Attorney For D.C. Jeanine Pirro Getty Images https://media.nbcwashington.com/2025/05/GettyImages-2217514418.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=8640,5760 U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said in a social media post that the duo lied to Congress about their roles in the FBI’s Hunter Biden investigations.

          Two former FBI officials who have come under withering criticism from allies of President Donald Trump have been charged with allegedly lying to Congress over the investigation into former President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter.

          A court docket shows that Nikki Floris, the former deputy assistant director of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division, and Bradley Benavides, another FBI official, were facing one count of the rarely-charged criminal offense which can be difficult to prosecute.

          Hunter Biden was investigated, charged and eventually convicted of gun and tax crimes, before his father pardoned him shortly before he left office.

          U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said in a social media post that Floris and Benavides had surrendered on Friday morning. She alleged that the duo lied about their roles in the Foreign Influence Task Force and “about their roles in he FBI’s Hunter Biden investigations.”

          Attorneys for Floris said in a statement that Floris was “a patriot” who “served our nation as a dedicated FBI intelligence officer for nearly 20 years” and was charged so the administration could “push a false narrative for a shot at political points.”

          Attorneys Margaret Donovan, Chris Mattei, Mary Dohrmann and Kyle R. Freeny said in a statement that “DOJ has accused her falsely of a crime on the say-so of politicians, not on the facts. It’s no coincidence the government is filing these nonsense charges now, years later, on the eve of an election.”

          An attorney for Benavides was not listed yet on the court docket.

          The case was brought through a criminal complaint. They have not yet been indicted by a federal grand jury in D.C., where grand jurors have been skeptical of cases brought during Trump’s second term. Earlier this year, federal grand jurors rejected an attempt to indict six sitting Democratic members of Congress over a video Trump criticized.

          Flores was the FBI’s security lead for the 2020 presidential election, which Trump has falsely claimed was stolen. A mob of Trump supporters violently broke into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 in a failed effort to stop the certification of Democrat Joe Biden as president. They beat and bloodied law enforcement, shattered windows and broke through barriers.

          She joined the FBI as an intelligence analyst in 2005, working on the director’s daily briefing staff and helped produce intelligence documents. She was promoted in 2017 to the department’s counterterrorism division.

          Benavides is a former colleague of Floris who focused on election security, foreign influence and Chinese intelligence threats.

          Floris has also been under criticism from Republicans over emails where she discussed intelligence work that were obtained by Congress and declassified in July by Trump.

          Republicans have alleged that FBI officials buried what they describe as a credible report on China’s efforts to influence the election in an effort to protect then-FBI Director Christopher Wray.

          Intelligence officials and her legal team have said the report’s pullback was a standard administrative move because the report for unverified or flawed intelligence.

          Gary Grumbach and Michael Kosnar contributed.

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:10 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:28 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => DOJ charges former top FBI officials who were frequent targets of Trump allies https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/doj-charges-former-top-fbi-officials-frequent-targets-trump-allies/4171130/ 4171130 Ryan J. Reilly | NBC News post 10513892 President Trump Holds Swearing-In Ceremony For Interim U.S. Attorney For D.C. Jeanine Pirro Getty Images https://media.nbcwashington.com/2025/05/GettyImages-2217514418.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=8640,5760 U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said in a social media post that the duo lied to Congress about their roles in the FBI’s Hunter Biden investigations.

          Two former FBI officials who have come under withering criticism from allies of President Donald Trump have been charged with allegedly lying to Congress over the investigation into former President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter.

          A court docket shows that Nikki Floris, the former deputy assistant director of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division, and Bradley Benavides, another FBI official, were facing one count of the rarely-charged criminal offense which can be difficult to prosecute.

          Hunter Biden was investigated, charged and eventually convicted of gun and tax crimes, before his father pardoned him shortly before he left office.

          U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said in a social media post that Floris and Benavides had surrendered on Friday morning. She alleged that the duo lied about their roles in the Foreign Influence Task Force and “about their roles in he FBI’s Hunter Biden investigations.”

          Attorneys for Floris said in a statement that Floris was “a patriot” who “served our nation as a dedicated FBI intelligence officer for nearly 20 years” and was charged so the administration could “push a false narrative for a shot at political points.”

          Attorneys Margaret Donovan, Chris Mattei, Mary Dohrmann and Kyle R. Freeny said in a statement that “DOJ has accused her falsely of a crime on the say-so of politicians, not on the facts. It’s no coincidence the government is filing these nonsense charges now, years later, on the eve of an election.”

          An attorney for Benavides was not listed yet on the court docket.

          The case was brought through a criminal complaint. They have not yet been indicted by a federal grand jury in D.C., where grand jurors have been skeptical of cases brought during Trump’s second term. Earlier this year, federal grand jurors rejected an attempt to indict six sitting Democratic members of Congress over a video Trump criticized.

          Flores was the FBI’s security lead for the 2020 presidential election, which Trump has falsely claimed was stolen. A mob of Trump supporters violently broke into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 in a failed effort to stop the certification of Democrat Joe Biden as president. They beat and bloodied law enforcement, shattered windows and broke through barriers.

          She joined the FBI as an intelligence analyst in 2005, working on the director’s daily briefing staff and helped produce intelligence documents. She was promoted in 2017 to the department’s counterterrorism division.

          Benavides is a former colleague of Floris who focused on election security, foreign influence and Chinese intelligence threats.

          Floris has also been under criticism from Republicans over emails where she discussed intelligence work that were obtained by Congress and declassified in July by Trump.

          Republicans have alleged that FBI officials buried what they describe as a credible report on China’s efforts to influence the election in an effort to protect then-FBI Director Christopher Wray.

          Intelligence officials and her legal team have said the report’s pullback was a standard administrative move because the report for unverified or flawed intelligence.

          Gary Grumbach and Michael Kosnar contributed.

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:10 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:28 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => DOJ charges former top FBI officials who were frequent targets of Trump allies [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/doj-charges-former-top-fbi-officials-frequent-targets-trump-allies/4171130/ [date] => Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:10 PM ) Backtrace of errorHandler() Array ( [0] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 72 [function] => errorHandler [args] => Array ( [0] => 8 [1] => Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object [2] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [3] => 72 [4] => Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => DOJ charges former top FBI officials who were frequent targets of Trump allies https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/doj-charges-former-top-fbi-officials-frequent-targets-trump-allies/4171130/ 4171130 Ryan J. Reilly | NBC News post 10513892 President Trump Holds Swearing-In Ceremony For Interim U.S. Attorney For D.C. Jeanine Pirro Getty Images https://media.nbcwashington.com/2025/05/GettyImages-2217514418.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=8640,5760 U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said in a social media post that the duo lied to Congress about their roles in the FBI’s Hunter Biden investigations.

          Two former FBI officials who have come under withering criticism from allies of President Donald Trump have been charged with allegedly lying to Congress over the investigation into former President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter.

          A court docket shows that Nikki Floris, the former deputy assistant director of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division, and Bradley Benavides, another FBI official, were facing one count of the rarely-charged criminal offense which can be difficult to prosecute.

          Hunter Biden was investigated, charged and eventually convicted of gun and tax crimes, before his father pardoned him shortly before he left office.

          U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said in a social media post that Floris and Benavides had surrendered on Friday morning. She alleged that the duo lied about their roles in the Foreign Influence Task Force and “about their roles in he FBI’s Hunter Biden investigations.”

          Attorneys for Floris said in a statement that Floris was “a patriot” who “served our nation as a dedicated FBI intelligence officer for nearly 20 years” and was charged so the administration could “push a false narrative for a shot at political points.”

          Attorneys Margaret Donovan, Chris Mattei, Mary Dohrmann and Kyle R. Freeny said in a statement that “DOJ has accused her falsely of a crime on the say-so of politicians, not on the facts. It’s no coincidence the government is filing these nonsense charges now, years later, on the eve of an election.”

          An attorney for Benavides was not listed yet on the court docket.

          The case was brought through a criminal complaint. They have not yet been indicted by a federal grand jury in D.C., where grand jurors have been skeptical of cases brought during Trump’s second term. Earlier this year, federal grand jurors rejected an attempt to indict six sitting Democratic members of Congress over a video Trump criticized.

          Flores was the FBI’s security lead for the 2020 presidential election, which Trump has falsely claimed was stolen. A mob of Trump supporters violently broke into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 in a failed effort to stop the certification of Democrat Joe Biden as president. They beat and bloodied law enforcement, shattered windows and broke through barriers.

          She joined the FBI as an intelligence analyst in 2005, working on the director’s daily briefing staff and helped produce intelligence documents. She was promoted in 2017 to the department’s counterterrorism division.

          Benavides is a former colleague of Floris who focused on election security, foreign influence and Chinese intelligence threats.

          Floris has also been under criticism from Republicans over emails where she discussed intelligence work that were obtained by Congress and declassified in July by Trump.

          Republicans have alleged that FBI officials buried what they describe as a credible report on China’s efforts to influence the election in an effort to protect then-FBI Director Christopher Wray.

          Intelligence officials and her legal team have said the report’s pullback was a standard administrative move because the report for unverified or flawed intelligence.

          Gary Grumbach and Michael Kosnar contributed.

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:10 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:28 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => DOJ charges former top FBI officials who were frequent targets of Trump allies https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/doj-charges-former-top-fbi-officials-frequent-targets-trump-allies/4171130/ 4171130 Ryan J. Reilly | NBC News post 10513892 President Trump Holds Swearing-In Ceremony For Interim U.S. Attorney For D.C. Jeanine Pirro Getty Images https://media.nbcwashington.com/2025/05/GettyImages-2217514418.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=8640,5760 U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said in a social media post that the duo lied to Congress about their roles in the FBI’s Hunter Biden investigations.

          Two former FBI officials who have come under withering criticism from allies of President Donald Trump have been charged with allegedly lying to Congress over the investigation into former President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter.

          A court docket shows that Nikki Floris, the former deputy assistant director of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division, and Bradley Benavides, another FBI official, were facing one count of the rarely-charged criminal offense which can be difficult to prosecute.

          Hunter Biden was investigated, charged and eventually convicted of gun and tax crimes, before his father pardoned him shortly before he left office.

          U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said in a social media post that Floris and Benavides had surrendered on Friday morning. She alleged that the duo lied about their roles in the Foreign Influence Task Force and “about their roles in he FBI’s Hunter Biden investigations.”

          Attorneys for Floris said in a statement that Floris was “a patriot” who “served our nation as a dedicated FBI intelligence officer for nearly 20 years” and was charged so the administration could “push a false narrative for a shot at political points.”

          Attorneys Margaret Donovan, Chris Mattei, Mary Dohrmann and Kyle R. Freeny said in a statement that “DOJ has accused her falsely of a crime on the say-so of politicians, not on the facts. It’s no coincidence the government is filing these nonsense charges now, years later, on the eve of an election.”

          An attorney for Benavides was not listed yet on the court docket.

          The case was brought through a criminal complaint. They have not yet been indicted by a federal grand jury in D.C., where grand jurors have been skeptical of cases brought during Trump’s second term. Earlier this year, federal grand jurors rejected an attempt to indict six sitting Democratic members of Congress over a video Trump criticized.

          Flores was the FBI’s security lead for the 2020 presidential election, which Trump has falsely claimed was stolen. A mob of Trump supporters violently broke into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 in a failed effort to stop the certification of Democrat Joe Biden as president. They beat and bloodied law enforcement, shattered windows and broke through barriers.

          She joined the FBI as an intelligence analyst in 2005, working on the director’s daily briefing staff and helped produce intelligence documents. She was promoted in 2017 to the department’s counterterrorism division.

          Benavides is a former colleague of Floris who focused on election security, foreign influence and Chinese intelligence threats.

          Floris has also been under criticism from Republicans over emails where she discussed intelligence work that were obtained by Congress and declassified in July by Trump.

          Republicans have alleged that FBI officials buried what they describe as a credible report on China’s efforts to influence the election in an effort to protect then-FBI Director Christopher Wray.

          Intelligence officials and her legal team have said the report’s pullback was a standard administrative move because the report for unverified or flawed intelligence.

          Gary Grumbach and Michael Kosnar contributed.

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:10 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:28 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => DOJ charges former top FBI officials who were frequent targets of Trump allies [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/doj-charges-former-top-fbi-officials-frequent-targets-trump-allies/4171130/ [date] => Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:10 PM ) ) ) [1] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 139 [function] => RSS_Tags [args] => Array ( [0] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => DOJ charges former top FBI officials who were frequent targets of Trump allies https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/doj-charges-former-top-fbi-officials-frequent-targets-trump-allies/4171130/ 4171130 Ryan J. Reilly | NBC News post 10513892 President Trump Holds Swearing-In Ceremony For Interim U.S. Attorney For D.C. Jeanine Pirro Getty Images https://media.nbcwashington.com/2025/05/GettyImages-2217514418.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=8640,5760 U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said in a social media post that the duo lied to Congress about their roles in the FBI’s Hunter Biden investigations.

          Two former FBI officials who have come under withering criticism from allies of President Donald Trump have been charged with allegedly lying to Congress over the investigation into former President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter.

          A court docket shows that Nikki Floris, the former deputy assistant director of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division, and Bradley Benavides, another FBI official, were facing one count of the rarely-charged criminal offense which can be difficult to prosecute.

          Hunter Biden was investigated, charged and eventually convicted of gun and tax crimes, before his father pardoned him shortly before he left office.

          U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said in a social media post that Floris and Benavides had surrendered on Friday morning. She alleged that the duo lied about their roles in the Foreign Influence Task Force and “about their roles in he FBI’s Hunter Biden investigations.”

          Attorneys for Floris said in a statement that Floris was “a patriot” who “served our nation as a dedicated FBI intelligence officer for nearly 20 years” and was charged so the administration could “push a false narrative for a shot at political points.”

          Attorneys Margaret Donovan, Chris Mattei, Mary Dohrmann and Kyle R. Freeny said in a statement that “DOJ has accused her falsely of a crime on the say-so of politicians, not on the facts. It’s no coincidence the government is filing these nonsense charges now, years later, on the eve of an election.”

          An attorney for Benavides was not listed yet on the court docket.

          The case was brought through a criminal complaint. They have not yet been indicted by a federal grand jury in D.C., where grand jurors have been skeptical of cases brought during Trump’s second term. Earlier this year, federal grand jurors rejected an attempt to indict six sitting Democratic members of Congress over a video Trump criticized.

          Flores was the FBI’s security lead for the 2020 presidential election, which Trump has falsely claimed was stolen. A mob of Trump supporters violently broke into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 in a failed effort to stop the certification of Democrat Joe Biden as president. They beat and bloodied law enforcement, shattered windows and broke through barriers.

          She joined the FBI as an intelligence analyst in 2005, working on the director’s daily briefing staff and helped produce intelligence documents. She was promoted in 2017 to the department’s counterterrorism division.

          Benavides is a former colleague of Floris who focused on election security, foreign influence and Chinese intelligence threats.

          Floris has also been under criticism from Republicans over emails where she discussed intelligence work that were obtained by Congress and declassified in July by Trump.

          Republicans have alleged that FBI officials buried what they describe as a credible report on China’s efforts to influence the election in an effort to protect then-FBI Director Christopher Wray.

          Intelligence officials and her legal team have said the report’s pullback was a standard administrative move because the report for unverified or flawed intelligence.

          Gary Grumbach and Michael Kosnar contributed.

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:10 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:28 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => DOJ charges former top FBI officials who were frequent targets of Trump allies https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/doj-charges-former-top-fbi-officials-frequent-targets-trump-allies/4171130/ 4171130 Ryan J. Reilly | NBC News post 10513892 President Trump Holds Swearing-In Ceremony For Interim U.S. Attorney For D.C. Jeanine Pirro Getty Images https://media.nbcwashington.com/2025/05/GettyImages-2217514418.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=8640,5760 U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said in a social media post that the duo lied to Congress about their roles in the FBI’s Hunter Biden investigations.

          Two former FBI officials who have come under withering criticism from allies of President Donald Trump have been charged with allegedly lying to Congress over the investigation into former President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter.

          A court docket shows that Nikki Floris, the former deputy assistant director of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division, and Bradley Benavides, another FBI official, were facing one count of the rarely-charged criminal offense which can be difficult to prosecute.

          Hunter Biden was investigated, charged and eventually convicted of gun and tax crimes, before his father pardoned him shortly before he left office.

          U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said in a social media post that Floris and Benavides had surrendered on Friday morning. She alleged that the duo lied about their roles in the Foreign Influence Task Force and “about their roles in he FBI’s Hunter Biden investigations.”

          Attorneys for Floris said in a statement that Floris was “a patriot” who “served our nation as a dedicated FBI intelligence officer for nearly 20 years” and was charged so the administration could “push a false narrative for a shot at political points.”

          Attorneys Margaret Donovan, Chris Mattei, Mary Dohrmann and Kyle R. Freeny said in a statement that “DOJ has accused her falsely of a crime on the say-so of politicians, not on the facts. It’s no coincidence the government is filing these nonsense charges now, years later, on the eve of an election.”

          An attorney for Benavides was not listed yet on the court docket.

          The case was brought through a criminal complaint. They have not yet been indicted by a federal grand jury in D.C., where grand jurors have been skeptical of cases brought during Trump’s second term. Earlier this year, federal grand jurors rejected an attempt to indict six sitting Democratic members of Congress over a video Trump criticized.

          Flores was the FBI’s security lead for the 2020 presidential election, which Trump has falsely claimed was stolen. A mob of Trump supporters violently broke into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 in a failed effort to stop the certification of Democrat Joe Biden as president. They beat and bloodied law enforcement, shattered windows and broke through barriers.

          She joined the FBI as an intelligence analyst in 2005, working on the director’s daily briefing staff and helped produce intelligence documents. She was promoted in 2017 to the department’s counterterrorism division.

          Benavides is a former colleague of Floris who focused on election security, foreign influence and Chinese intelligence threats.

          Floris has also been under criticism from Republicans over emails where she discussed intelligence work that were obtained by Congress and declassified in July by Trump.

          Republicans have alleged that FBI officials buried what they describe as a credible report on China’s efforts to influence the election in an effort to protect then-FBI Director Christopher Wray.

          Intelligence officials and her legal team have said the report’s pullback was a standard administrative move because the report for unverified or flawed intelligence.

          Gary Grumbach and Michael Kosnar contributed.

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:10 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 01:16:28 PM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) ) Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Nonprofit at center of Prince George's grant controversy returns funds https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/nonprofit-at-center-of-grant-controversy-returns-money-to-prince-georges-county/4170996/ 4170996 Tracee Wilkins and Katie Leslie post 11574686 $7.6 million in taxpayer money returned to Prince George's County, Braveboy says https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/7.6-million-in-taxpayer-money-returned-to-Prince-Georges-County-Braveboy-says.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 "The return of Prince George's County Council's grant funds will ensure our citizens that all funds will be used to benefit YOU THE TAXPAYER!!" the county executive said.

          The organization at the center of controversy in Prince George’s County has returned millions of taxpayer dollars in grant funds.

          Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy announced the return of $7.6 million from the Edward Charles Foundation. It’s the Beverly Hills, California, nonprofit that oversees Community on the Frontline, a local organization with close ties to Council Chair Krystal Oriadha.

          Earlier this month, the News4 I-Team reported the Prince George’s County Council awarded more than $8 million in two separate grants this year to Community on the Frontline. The organization is run by Janna Parker, whom Oriadha has called her “best friend” on social media.

          The council has not said whether there was any competitive process before the money was awarded.

          Last week, Braveboy and Oriadha sent a letter to Community on the Frontline asking that its most recent grant, totaling $7.6 million, and any other county dollars, be returned to the county. Braveboy also requested an independent investigation into how these dollars were used.

          On Wednesday, News4 reported that the county auditor’s office issued subpoenas to the council to retain all documents related to the grant award.

          “Every resident in Prince George’s County is entitled to an accounting of all money spent by the Edward Charles Foundation,” Braveboy said in a statement Thursday. “The return of Prince George’s County Council’s grant funds will ensure our citizens that all funds will be used to benefit YOU THE TAXPAYER!!”

          Also Thursday, Braveboy said roughly $12.8 million has been directed by the council to the Edward Charles Foundation between fiscal years 2024 to 2026 and that she wants all of it back. She said the county is working with the foundation to facilitate the return of the money, and they expect the remaining funds to be returned in the coming days.

          The Edward Charles Foundation has previously said they are fully cooperating with the request. The News4 I-Team has reached out to confirm if they plan on returning funds from prior years, but they could not be immediately reached for comment.

          Oriadha has said there has been no wrongdoing, but that she is committed to transparency, and that’s why she supported the return of the funds.

          In a Thursday evening statement to News4, Oriadha called the return of the $7.6 million “a positive step forward.”

          “As Council Chair, I took action by partnering with County Executive Aisha Braveboy to request both the return of these funds and a full audit and review,” Oriadha said. “I am pleased to confirm that the Edward Charles Foundation has returned the requested $7.6 million to Prince George’s County. We will continue working to ensure that any remaining funds are properly accounted for and returned as the review proceeds.”

          “This is a positive step forward,” the statement continues. “I welcome the full audit and look forward to the opportunity to establish the facts, address misinformation, and provide residents with the answers they deserve.”

          “My priority remains ensuring that this process moves forward so we can refocus our attention on the important work of serving the people of Prince George’s County,” she said.

          This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

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          The organization at the center of controversy in Prince George’s County has returned millions of taxpayer dollars in grant funds.

          Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy announced the return of $7.6 million from the Edward Charles Foundation. It’s the Beverly Hills, California, nonprofit that oversees Community on the Frontline, a local organization with close ties to Council Chair Krystal Oriadha.

          Earlier this month, the News4 I-Team reported the Prince George’s County Council awarded more than $8 million in two separate grants this year to Community on the Frontline. The organization is run by Janna Parker, whom Oriadha has called her “best friend” on social media.

          The council has not said whether there was any competitive process before the money was awarded.

          Last week, Braveboy and Oriadha sent a letter to Community on the Frontline asking that its most recent grant, totaling $7.6 million, and any other county dollars, be returned to the county. Braveboy also requested an independent investigation into how these dollars were used.

          On Wednesday, News4 reported that the county auditor’s office issued subpoenas to the council to retain all documents related to the grant award.

          “Every resident in Prince George’s County is entitled to an accounting of all money spent by the Edward Charles Foundation,” Braveboy said in a statement Thursday. “The return of Prince George’s County Council’s grant funds will ensure our citizens that all funds will be used to benefit YOU THE TAXPAYER!!”

          Also Thursday, Braveboy said roughly $12.8 million has been directed by the council to the Edward Charles Foundation between fiscal years 2024 to 2026 and that she wants all of it back. She said the county is working with the foundation to facilitate the return of the money, and they expect the remaining funds to be returned in the coming days.

          The Edward Charles Foundation has previously said they are fully cooperating with the request. The News4 I-Team has reached out to confirm if they plan on returning funds from prior years, but they could not be immediately reached for comment.

          Oriadha has said there has been no wrongdoing, but that she is committed to transparency, and that’s why she supported the return of the funds.

          In a Thursday evening statement to News4, Oriadha called the return of the $7.6 million “a positive step forward.”

          “As Council Chair, I took action by partnering with County Executive Aisha Braveboy to request both the return of these funds and a full audit and review,” Oriadha said. “I am pleased to confirm that the Edward Charles Foundation has returned the requested $7.6 million to Prince George’s County. We will continue working to ensure that any remaining funds are properly accounted for and returned as the review proceeds.”

          “This is a positive step forward,” the statement continues. “I welcome the full audit and look forward to the opportunity to establish the facts, address misinformation, and provide residents with the answers they deserve.”

          “My priority remains ensuring that this process moves forward so we can refocus our attention on the important work of serving the people of Prince George’s County,” she said.

          This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

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          The organization at the center of controversy in Prince George’s County has returned millions of taxpayer dollars in grant funds.

          Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy announced the return of $7.6 million from the Edward Charles Foundation. It’s the Beverly Hills, California, nonprofit that oversees Community on the Frontline, a local organization with close ties to Council Chair Krystal Oriadha.

          Earlier this month, the News4 I-Team reported the Prince George’s County Council awarded more than $8 million in two separate grants this year to Community on the Frontline. The organization is run by Janna Parker, whom Oriadha has called her “best friend” on social media.

          The council has not said whether there was any competitive process before the money was awarded.

          Last week, Braveboy and Oriadha sent a letter to Community on the Frontline asking that its most recent grant, totaling $7.6 million, and any other county dollars, be returned to the county. Braveboy also requested an independent investigation into how these dollars were used.

          On Wednesday, News4 reported that the county auditor’s office issued subpoenas to the council to retain all documents related to the grant award.

          “Every resident in Prince George’s County is entitled to an accounting of all money spent by the Edward Charles Foundation,” Braveboy said in a statement Thursday. “The return of Prince George’s County Council’s grant funds will ensure our citizens that all funds will be used to benefit YOU THE TAXPAYER!!”

          Also Thursday, Braveboy said roughly $12.8 million has been directed by the council to the Edward Charles Foundation between fiscal years 2024 to 2026 and that she wants all of it back. She said the county is working with the foundation to facilitate the return of the money, and they expect the remaining funds to be returned in the coming days.

          The Edward Charles Foundation has previously said they are fully cooperating with the request. The News4 I-Team has reached out to confirm if they plan on returning funds from prior years, but they could not be immediately reached for comment.

          Oriadha has said there has been no wrongdoing, but that she is committed to transparency, and that’s why she supported the return of the funds.

          In a Thursday evening statement to News4, Oriadha called the return of the $7.6 million “a positive step forward.”

          “As Council Chair, I took action by partnering with County Executive Aisha Braveboy to request both the return of these funds and a full audit and review,” Oriadha said. “I am pleased to confirm that the Edward Charles Foundation has returned the requested $7.6 million to Prince George’s County. We will continue working to ensure that any remaining funds are properly accounted for and returned as the review proceeds.”

          “This is a positive step forward,” the statement continues. “I welcome the full audit and look forward to the opportunity to establish the facts, address misinformation, and provide residents with the answers they deserve.”

          “My priority remains ensuring that this process moves forward so we can refocus our attention on the important work of serving the people of Prince George’s County,” she said.

          This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 11:27:32 AM Fri, Oct 23 2026 11:27:42 AM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Nonprofit at center of Prince George's grant controversy returns funds https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/nonprofit-at-center-of-grant-controversy-returns-money-to-prince-georges-county/4170996/ 4170996 Tracee Wilkins and Katie Leslie post 11574686 $7.6 million in taxpayer money returned to Prince George's County, Braveboy says https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/7.6-million-in-taxpayer-money-returned-to-Prince-Georges-County-Braveboy-says.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 "The return of Prince George's County Council's grant funds will ensure our citizens that all funds will be used to benefit YOU THE TAXPAYER!!" the county executive said.

          The organization at the center of controversy in Prince George’s County has returned millions of taxpayer dollars in grant funds.

          Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy announced the return of $7.6 million from the Edward Charles Foundation. It’s the Beverly Hills, California, nonprofit that oversees Community on the Frontline, a local organization with close ties to Council Chair Krystal Oriadha.

          Earlier this month, the News4 I-Team reported the Prince George’s County Council awarded more than $8 million in two separate grants this year to Community on the Frontline. The organization is run by Janna Parker, whom Oriadha has called her “best friend” on social media.

          The council has not said whether there was any competitive process before the money was awarded.

          Last week, Braveboy and Oriadha sent a letter to Community on the Frontline asking that its most recent grant, totaling $7.6 million, and any other county dollars, be returned to the county. Braveboy also requested an independent investigation into how these dollars were used.

          On Wednesday, News4 reported that the county auditor’s office issued subpoenas to the council to retain all documents related to the grant award.

          “Every resident in Prince George’s County is entitled to an accounting of all money spent by the Edward Charles Foundation,” Braveboy said in a statement Thursday. “The return of Prince George’s County Council’s grant funds will ensure our citizens that all funds will be used to benefit YOU THE TAXPAYER!!”

          Also Thursday, Braveboy said roughly $12.8 million has been directed by the council to the Edward Charles Foundation between fiscal years 2024 to 2026 and that she wants all of it back. She said the county is working with the foundation to facilitate the return of the money, and they expect the remaining funds to be returned in the coming days.

          The Edward Charles Foundation has previously said they are fully cooperating with the request. The News4 I-Team has reached out to confirm if they plan on returning funds from prior years, but they could not be immediately reached for comment.

          Oriadha has said there has been no wrongdoing, but that she is committed to transparency, and that’s why she supported the return of the funds.

          In a Thursday evening statement to News4, Oriadha called the return of the $7.6 million “a positive step forward.”

          “As Council Chair, I took action by partnering with County Executive Aisha Braveboy to request both the return of these funds and a full audit and review,” Oriadha said. “I am pleased to confirm that the Edward Charles Foundation has returned the requested $7.6 million to Prince George’s County. We will continue working to ensure that any remaining funds are properly accounted for and returned as the review proceeds.”

          “This is a positive step forward,” the statement continues. “I welcome the full audit and look forward to the opportunity to establish the facts, address misinformation, and provide residents with the answers they deserve.”

          “My priority remains ensuring that this process moves forward so we can refocus our attention on the important work of serving the people of Prince George’s County,” she said.

          This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 11:27:32 AM Fri, Oct 23 2026 11:27:42 AM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => Nonprofit at center of Prince George's grant controversy returns funds [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/nonprofit-at-center-of-grant-controversy-returns-money-to-prince-georges-county/4170996/ [date] => Fri, Oct 23 2026 11:27:32 AM ) ) ) [1] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 139 [function] => RSS_Tags [args] => Array ( [0] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Nonprofit at center of Prince George's grant controversy returns funds https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/nonprofit-at-center-of-grant-controversy-returns-money-to-prince-georges-county/4170996/ 4170996 Tracee Wilkins and Katie Leslie post 11574686 $7.6 million in taxpayer money returned to Prince George's County, Braveboy says https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/7.6-million-in-taxpayer-money-returned-to-Prince-Georges-County-Braveboy-says.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 "The return of Prince George's County Council's grant funds will ensure our citizens that all funds will be used to benefit YOU THE TAXPAYER!!" the county executive said.

          The organization at the center of controversy in Prince George’s County has returned millions of taxpayer dollars in grant funds.

          Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy announced the return of $7.6 million from the Edward Charles Foundation. It’s the Beverly Hills, California, nonprofit that oversees Community on the Frontline, a local organization with close ties to Council Chair Krystal Oriadha.

          Earlier this month, the News4 I-Team reported the Prince George’s County Council awarded more than $8 million in two separate grants this year to Community on the Frontline. The organization is run by Janna Parker, whom Oriadha has called her “best friend” on social media.

          The council has not said whether there was any competitive process before the money was awarded.

          Last week, Braveboy and Oriadha sent a letter to Community on the Frontline asking that its most recent grant, totaling $7.6 million, and any other county dollars, be returned to the county. Braveboy also requested an independent investigation into how these dollars were used.

          On Wednesday, News4 reported that the county auditor’s office issued subpoenas to the council to retain all documents related to the grant award.

          “Every resident in Prince George’s County is entitled to an accounting of all money spent by the Edward Charles Foundation,” Braveboy said in a statement Thursday. “The return of Prince George’s County Council’s grant funds will ensure our citizens that all funds will be used to benefit YOU THE TAXPAYER!!”

          Also Thursday, Braveboy said roughly $12.8 million has been directed by the council to the Edward Charles Foundation between fiscal years 2024 to 2026 and that she wants all of it back. She said the county is working with the foundation to facilitate the return of the money, and they expect the remaining funds to be returned in the coming days.

          The Edward Charles Foundation has previously said they are fully cooperating with the request. The News4 I-Team has reached out to confirm if they plan on returning funds from prior years, but they could not be immediately reached for comment.

          Oriadha has said there has been no wrongdoing, but that she is committed to transparency, and that’s why she supported the return of the funds.

          In a Thursday evening statement to News4, Oriadha called the return of the $7.6 million “a positive step forward.”

          “As Council Chair, I took action by partnering with County Executive Aisha Braveboy to request both the return of these funds and a full audit and review,” Oriadha said. “I am pleased to confirm that the Edward Charles Foundation has returned the requested $7.6 million to Prince George’s County. We will continue working to ensure that any remaining funds are properly accounted for and returned as the review proceeds.”

          “This is a positive step forward,” the statement continues. “I welcome the full audit and look forward to the opportunity to establish the facts, address misinformation, and provide residents with the answers they deserve.”

          “My priority remains ensuring that this process moves forward so we can refocus our attention on the important work of serving the people of Prince George’s County,” she said.

          This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 11:27:32 AM Fri, Oct 23 2026 11:27:42 AM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Nonprofit at center of Prince George's grant controversy returns funds https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/nonprofit-at-center-of-grant-controversy-returns-money-to-prince-georges-county/4170996/ 4170996 Tracee Wilkins and Katie Leslie post 11574686 $7.6 million in taxpayer money returned to Prince George's County, Braveboy says https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/7.6-million-in-taxpayer-money-returned-to-Prince-Georges-County-Braveboy-says.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 "The return of Prince George's County Council's grant funds will ensure our citizens that all funds will be used to benefit YOU THE TAXPAYER!!" the county executive said.

          The organization at the center of controversy in Prince George’s County has returned millions of taxpayer dollars in grant funds.

          Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy announced the return of $7.6 million from the Edward Charles Foundation. It’s the Beverly Hills, California, nonprofit that oversees Community on the Frontline, a local organization with close ties to Council Chair Krystal Oriadha.

          Earlier this month, the News4 I-Team reported the Prince George’s County Council awarded more than $8 million in two separate grants this year to Community on the Frontline. The organization is run by Janna Parker, whom Oriadha has called her “best friend” on social media.

          The council has not said whether there was any competitive process before the money was awarded.

          Last week, Braveboy and Oriadha sent a letter to Community on the Frontline asking that its most recent grant, totaling $7.6 million, and any other county dollars, be returned to the county. Braveboy also requested an independent investigation into how these dollars were used.

          On Wednesday, News4 reported that the county auditor’s office issued subpoenas to the council to retain all documents related to the grant award.

          “Every resident in Prince George’s County is entitled to an accounting of all money spent by the Edward Charles Foundation,” Braveboy said in a statement Thursday. “The return of Prince George’s County Council’s grant funds will ensure our citizens that all funds will be used to benefit YOU THE TAXPAYER!!”

          Also Thursday, Braveboy said roughly $12.8 million has been directed by the council to the Edward Charles Foundation between fiscal years 2024 to 2026 and that she wants all of it back. She said the county is working with the foundation to facilitate the return of the money, and they expect the remaining funds to be returned in the coming days.

          The Edward Charles Foundation has previously said they are fully cooperating with the request. The News4 I-Team has reached out to confirm if they plan on returning funds from prior years, but they could not be immediately reached for comment.

          Oriadha has said there has been no wrongdoing, but that she is committed to transparency, and that’s why she supported the return of the funds.

          In a Thursday evening statement to News4, Oriadha called the return of the $7.6 million “a positive step forward.”

          “As Council Chair, I took action by partnering with County Executive Aisha Braveboy to request both the return of these funds and a full audit and review,” Oriadha said. “I am pleased to confirm that the Edward Charles Foundation has returned the requested $7.6 million to Prince George’s County. We will continue working to ensure that any remaining funds are properly accounted for and returned as the review proceeds.”

          “This is a positive step forward,” the statement continues. “I welcome the full audit and look forward to the opportunity to establish the facts, address misinformation, and provide residents with the answers they deserve.”

          “My priority remains ensuring that this process moves forward so we can refocus our attention on the important work of serving the people of Prince George’s County,” she said.

          This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 11:27:32 AM Fri, Oct 23 2026 11:27:42 AM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) ) Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => The Weekend Scene: Marine Corps Marathon, Silver Spring Zombie Walk & more, Oct. 23-25 https://www.nbcwashington.com/entertainment/the-scene/the-weekend-scene-marine-corps-marathon-silver-spring-zombie-walk-more-oct-23-25/4170171/ 4170171 Tommy McFly, Haleigh Hoffman, Carissa DiMargo and Maggie More post 11574748 split-3-diagonal-1200×675 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/split-3-diagonal-1200x675-3.png?fit=1200,675&quality=85&strip=all Plus: A new Shakespeare exhibit, multiple Asian food fests, fall pop-up markets and dogs in costumes.

          👀 Heads up: Be ready for road closures Sunday in both Arlington and the District, as well as bus detours due to the Marine Corps Marathon. Metro will open at 5 a.m.  

          🌡️ Weekend weather: Expect a frosty start both mornings this weekend, with highs only reaching the low 60s Saturday and the mid/upper 60s Sunday.

          • Running weather for the marathon Sunday will be almost ideal: near 40° at 7 a.m. in the staging areas, near 60° by noon and in the mid 60s by 2 p.m., with sunny skies and almost no breeze at all.

          🔮 The Future Scene: This one isn’t a marathon — it’s a sprint mixed with a massive party! A roar of click-clacking heels is coming to Dupont this Tuesday (Oct. 27). Don’t miss the 39th annual 17th Street High Heel Race. NBC Washington producer Justin Stewart is hosting, and Tommy and Haleigh will be out there too, so make sure to say hi!

          DC

          Credit: Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute

          🐼 The National Zoo is always a good time, but they really go all out in fall and winter. Friday they’re having an adults-only party! Night of the Living Zoo offers unlimited drinks across half a dozen bars. There’s music, there’s dancing and there’s even “zoostrology” and tarot card readings, all at the National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave. NW). Fri. 7-11 p.m.; $75, ages 21+.

          🍜 If you want your weekend to be centered around food … we found *just* the place. The Asia in a Bite food fest is bringing bold flavors to Tingey Plaza (841 2nd St. SE) in Navy Yard, with lots of vendors, a DJ and a K-pop dance party. Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; free admission.

          🎭 “To Hear Her Speak: Black Women and Shakespeare” is the latest exhibit at the Folger Shakespeare Library (201 East Capitol St. SE). Visitors will be able to see nearly 100 objects — including costumes, illustrations, photographs, books and playbills — that show the representation of Black women in Shakespeare, in the eyes of early European artists and writers, and how Black women spoke for themselves inspired by Shakespeare’s words.⁠ Through May 2, 2027. Fri. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., walk-ins possible, but timed-entry tickets recommended. Free admission but $15 suggested donation.

          📖 Beloved Dupont bookstore Kramers is celebrating a milestone birthday! The independent bookstore is turning the big 5-0, and everyone is invited to toast the store. The party will feature pop-ups from local businesses including Aslin, Relume and more, and 20% of proceeds will go to the literary organization Everybody Wins DC. Sat. 7 p.m.-midnight; free admission.

          🙏 Dolly Parton’s legacy continues to be celebrated after her passing. Now, an exhibit is open at Zenith Gallery (1429 Iris St. NW) as a special tribute to the country music legend, with paintings, jewelry and clothing all inspired by Parton. Ten percent of sales will be donated to her Imagination Library. Through Nov. 28; free admission. 

          🧙🏼‍♀️ If you’re looking to get into the Halloween spirit, head to a screening of “Practical Magic” at craft store Merry Pin (7350 Georgia Ave. NW). Join fellow crafters to watch the Owens sisters cast a spell or two. Maybe join them in some (non-midnight) margaritas. Remember, there’s a little witch in all of us. 😉 Sat. 6:30 p.m.; free admission, but RSVPs requested.


          Maryland

          Credit: Bill O’Leary/The Washington Post via Getty Images

          🧟‍♀️ For more than 20 years, the Silver Spring Zombie Walk has turned the streets of downtown Silver Spring into a scene from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video. Join the hungry (for brains!) hordes of people dressing up like zombies, enter the costume contest, then walk from Quarry House Tavern (8401 Georgia Ave.) to Ellsworth Square. There will be music and dancing, followed by some classic spooky movies at the AFI Silver Theatre. Sat. 7 p.m.; free.

          🔥 Craving some spooky storytelling around a campfire to celebrate the season? Prince George’s Parks & Rec is hosting its Haunted Caboose & Campfire at Bladensburg Waterfront Park (4601 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg). Wear your Halloween costume, get a tour of the haunted caboose, listen to nature stories and then roast marshmallows around a waterfront campfire. Fri. 7-8 p.m; $7 residents; $10 non-residents.

           🍬 Trick-or-treat your way around National Harbor during Harbor Halloween! More than 30 businesses will be giving away Halloween treats, and kids in costumes can get a free ride on the Capital Wheel. You’ll also find a pumpkin-carving contest, a costume contest and a screening of “Hocus Pocus” on the big screen. Sun. 12:30-3 p.m.; free admission.

          Credit: National Harbor

          🍜 If you can think of an Asian street food, it’ll probably be available at the DMV Asian Night Market at National Harbor. Check out 70+ food and craft vendors, live performances and cultural entertainment along the waterfront. Sat. 12-8 p.m.; free admission.

          🎠 Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg hosts a Fall Artisan Market, offering a perfect opportunity to support 50+ local artists and enjoy seasonal treats at the same time. There will also be live music and the chance to ride the carousel, with all proceeds going to HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center. Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; free admission; carousel tickets for purchase.

          🎨 Takoma Collective is hosting its very own fall pop-up market on Takoma Park’s main street (Laurel Avenue, between Carroll and Eastern). More than 20 vendors, artists and vintage curators will have stands, so go spend your day exploring. Sun. 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; free admission.

          Virginia

          Matthew Burdette pushes Kevin Dilegge to the finish line during the Marine Corps Marathon in Arlington, Virginia, on Oct. 29, 2023.(Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)

          🏃🏽‍♀️ Cheer on participants in the Marine Corps Marathon, which goes from Rosslyn into D.C. and along the National Mall and back again. Here’s the course map, spectator viewing areas and the race weekend schedule. Marathon: Sun. 7:05-7:25 a.m. start; Finish Festival 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Other events include the Heath & Fitness Expo (Wed.-Sat.), a kids’ run (Sat.).

          🧹 Learn about the D.C. area’s spookiest days, early American witch hunts, ancient terrors of the night and more with Professor and Pints’ Halloween lecture series. Throughout October, professors across the DMV will give lectures on spooky subject matter at bars, breweries and other locations. On tap this weekend: Early American Witch Hunts at Crooked Run Fermentation (22455 Davis Drive, Sterling). Sun. 5:30-8 p.m.; $15 in advance.

          🐶 Three words: Dogs in costumes!!! Rosslyn’s Howl-O-Ween (at Gateway Park Interim Dog Park) is a Halloween event for all the pet parents and animal lovers. You’ll find dog-friendly activities, treats, pet item vendors and a beer and wine bar for pet parents. Dressed-up dogs are invited to enter the costume contest. Fri. 5-6:30 p.m.; free admission.

          Credit: Rosslyn BID

          🎃 Magic shows, pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treat stations and more await families who attend the Boo-ro at Boro Park (8350 Broad St., Tysons), Costumes welcome (including for dogs!). Sat. 12-3 p.m.; free admission, but registration encouraged.

          🌾Ever wonder how they spent the fall harvest in Ye Olde Colonial Era? Fall Harvest Family Days at Mount Vernon Estate illuminate the past with special demonstrations. Watch soap-making, thread-spinning and fabric-weaving, and see how horseshoes were forged, among other activities. Sat.-Sun. 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; $30 adults; $16 for kids 6-11.

          👻 Travel to Ghost Town (pictured below) at Burke Lake Park (7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station) for kid-friendly Halloween fun, including themed activity areas, a haunted train ride, carousel rides and minigolf. Past events have included pumpkin painting and a scavenger hunt in a spooky but not-too-haunted house. Costumes welcome. Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; $20 online up until two days before the event; $25 day-of but it tends to sell out in advance; kids under 2 free.

          🎉 The 75th annual Annandale Parade promises grand parade classics including marching bands, fire trucks, military cars and dancers, along with clowns and storybook characters. Kids are invited to wear Halloween costumes while they take in the sights along Columbia Pike. Sat. 10 a.m.-noon; free.

          👾 The minifig monsters have taken over during Halloween at the LEGO Discovery Center (6563 Springfield Mall, Springfield). Kids can build glowing creations under black lights, join in a Halloween mosaic build, brew in a potion kitchen, explore an (indoor) pumpkin patch and see a 4D movie, “The Great Monster Chase.” Through Oct. 31; Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (last entry 90 minutes before closing); tickets start at $24.99. Adults must be accompanied by at least one child age 17 or younger.

          + The LEGO Discovery Center is also hosting a Halloween-themed night just for adults, with full access to the center, plus a costume contest, build challenges and the chance to win prizes. Fri. 6-8:30 p.m.; $24.99; ages 18+ only


          NBC Washington editor Matthew Stabley’s concert guide

          Credit: Getty Images

          Be Your Own Pet, Fri. 7 p.m., DC9, $24+/$29+
          Gotta love punk rock from The Music City. It felt more than too soon when these garage punks disbanded almost two decades ago after just two LPs. It really felt unfinished. We’ve been lucky to have BYOP back – after such a long layoff – for another five years, now, and a third LP, “Mommy.” Jemina Pearl is one of the most charismatic frontwomen around. Details.

          Helado Negro and Reyna Tropical, Fri. 7 p.m., Black Cat, $42.40
          The leaders of a couple American bands influenced and inspired by their Latin heritage and musical tradition merged completely in tune with each other for this year’s “Helado Tropical” – an album of good feelings; cheery, mellow sundown dances. Helado Negro’s Latin folk blends beautifully with Reyna Tropical’s African rhythms and Latin pop and rock. Details.

          Oso Oso, Sun. 8 p.m., Union Stage, $34
          Jade Lilitri’s consistent experimentation keeps his pop-emo band consistently interesting. While plucking heartstrings in search of happiness, as emo is wont, Oso Oso’s idiosyncrasies build on their ‘00s heroes’ foundation. Details.

          This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 11:12:48 AM Fri, Oct 23 2026 04:05:39 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => The Weekend Scene: Marine Corps Marathon, Silver Spring Zombie Walk & more, Oct. 23-25 https://www.nbcwashington.com/entertainment/the-scene/the-weekend-scene-marine-corps-marathon-silver-spring-zombie-walk-more-oct-23-25/4170171/ 4170171 Tommy McFly, Haleigh Hoffman, Carissa DiMargo and Maggie More post 11574748 split-3-diagonal-1200×675 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/split-3-diagonal-1200x675-3.png?fit=1200,675&quality=85&strip=all Plus: A new Shakespeare exhibit, multiple Asian food fests, fall pop-up markets and dogs in costumes.

          👀 Heads up: Be ready for road closures Sunday in both Arlington and the District, as well as bus detours due to the Marine Corps Marathon. Metro will open at 5 a.m.  

          🌡️ Weekend weather: Expect a frosty start both mornings this weekend, with highs only reaching the low 60s Saturday and the mid/upper 60s Sunday.

          • Running weather for the marathon Sunday will be almost ideal: near 40° at 7 a.m. in the staging areas, near 60° by noon and in the mid 60s by 2 p.m., with sunny skies and almost no breeze at all.

          🔮 The Future Scene: This one isn’t a marathon — it’s a sprint mixed with a massive party! A roar of click-clacking heels is coming to Dupont this Tuesday (Oct. 27). Don’t miss the 39th annual 17th Street High Heel Race. NBC Washington producer Justin Stewart is hosting, and Tommy and Haleigh will be out there too, so make sure to say hi!

          DC

          Credit: Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute

          🐼 The National Zoo is always a good time, but they really go all out in fall and winter. Friday they’re having an adults-only party! Night of the Living Zoo offers unlimited drinks across half a dozen bars. There’s music, there’s dancing and there’s even “zoostrology” and tarot card readings, all at the National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave. NW). Fri. 7-11 p.m.; $75, ages 21+.

          🍜 If you want your weekend to be centered around food … we found *just* the place. The Asia in a Bite food fest is bringing bold flavors to Tingey Plaza (841 2nd St. SE) in Navy Yard, with lots of vendors, a DJ and a K-pop dance party. Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; free admission.

          🎭 “To Hear Her Speak: Black Women and Shakespeare” is the latest exhibit at the Folger Shakespeare Library (201 East Capitol St. SE). Visitors will be able to see nearly 100 objects — including costumes, illustrations, photographs, books and playbills — that show the representation of Black women in Shakespeare, in the eyes of early European artists and writers, and how Black women spoke for themselves inspired by Shakespeare’s words.⁠ Through May 2, 2027. Fri. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., walk-ins possible, but timed-entry tickets recommended. Free admission but $15 suggested donation.

          📖 Beloved Dupont bookstore Kramers is celebrating a milestone birthday! The independent bookstore is turning the big 5-0, and everyone is invited to toast the store. The party will feature pop-ups from local businesses including Aslin, Relume and more, and 20% of proceeds will go to the literary organization Everybody Wins DC. Sat. 7 p.m.-midnight; free admission.

          🙏 Dolly Parton’s legacy continues to be celebrated after her passing. Now, an exhibit is open at Zenith Gallery (1429 Iris St. NW) as a special tribute to the country music legend, with paintings, jewelry and clothing all inspired by Parton. Ten percent of sales will be donated to her Imagination Library. Through Nov. 28; free admission. 

          🧙🏼‍♀️ If you’re looking to get into the Halloween spirit, head to a screening of “Practical Magic” at craft store Merry Pin (7350 Georgia Ave. NW). Join fellow crafters to watch the Owens sisters cast a spell or two. Maybe join them in some (non-midnight) margaritas. Remember, there’s a little witch in all of us. 😉 Sat. 6:30 p.m.; free admission, but RSVPs requested.


          Maryland

          Credit: Bill O’Leary/The Washington Post via Getty Images

          🧟‍♀️ For more than 20 years, the Silver Spring Zombie Walk has turned the streets of downtown Silver Spring into a scene from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video. Join the hungry (for brains!) hordes of people dressing up like zombies, enter the costume contest, then walk from Quarry House Tavern (8401 Georgia Ave.) to Ellsworth Square. There will be music and dancing, followed by some classic spooky movies at the AFI Silver Theatre. Sat. 7 p.m.; free.

          🔥 Craving some spooky storytelling around a campfire to celebrate the season? Prince George’s Parks & Rec is hosting its Haunted Caboose & Campfire at Bladensburg Waterfront Park (4601 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg). Wear your Halloween costume, get a tour of the haunted caboose, listen to nature stories and then roast marshmallows around a waterfront campfire. Fri. 7-8 p.m; $7 residents; $10 non-residents.

           🍬 Trick-or-treat your way around National Harbor during Harbor Halloween! More than 30 businesses will be giving away Halloween treats, and kids in costumes can get a free ride on the Capital Wheel. You’ll also find a pumpkin-carving contest, a costume contest and a screening of “Hocus Pocus” on the big screen. Sun. 12:30-3 p.m.; free admission.

          Credit: National Harbor

          🍜 If you can think of an Asian street food, it’ll probably be available at the DMV Asian Night Market at National Harbor. Check out 70+ food and craft vendors, live performances and cultural entertainment along the waterfront. Sat. 12-8 p.m.; free admission.

          🎠 Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg hosts a Fall Artisan Market, offering a perfect opportunity to support 50+ local artists and enjoy seasonal treats at the same time. There will also be live music and the chance to ride the carousel, with all proceeds going to HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center. Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; free admission; carousel tickets for purchase.

          🎨 Takoma Collective is hosting its very own fall pop-up market on Takoma Park’s main street (Laurel Avenue, between Carroll and Eastern). More than 20 vendors, artists and vintage curators will have stands, so go spend your day exploring. Sun. 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; free admission.

          Virginia

          Matthew Burdette pushes Kevin Dilegge to the finish line during the Marine Corps Marathon in Arlington, Virginia, on Oct. 29, 2023.(Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)

          🏃🏽‍♀️ Cheer on participants in the Marine Corps Marathon, which goes from Rosslyn into D.C. and along the National Mall and back again. Here’s the course map, spectator viewing areas and the race weekend schedule. Marathon: Sun. 7:05-7:25 a.m. start; Finish Festival 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Other events include the Heath & Fitness Expo (Wed.-Sat.), a kids’ run (Sat.).

          🧹 Learn about the D.C. area’s spookiest days, early American witch hunts, ancient terrors of the night and more with Professor and Pints’ Halloween lecture series. Throughout October, professors across the DMV will give lectures on spooky subject matter at bars, breweries and other locations. On tap this weekend: Early American Witch Hunts at Crooked Run Fermentation (22455 Davis Drive, Sterling). Sun. 5:30-8 p.m.; $15 in advance.

          🐶 Three words: Dogs in costumes!!! Rosslyn’s Howl-O-Ween (at Gateway Park Interim Dog Park) is a Halloween event for all the pet parents and animal lovers. You’ll find dog-friendly activities, treats, pet item vendors and a beer and wine bar for pet parents. Dressed-up dogs are invited to enter the costume contest. Fri. 5-6:30 p.m.; free admission.

          Credit: Rosslyn BID

          🎃 Magic shows, pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treat stations and more await families who attend the Boo-ro at Boro Park (8350 Broad St., Tysons), Costumes welcome (including for dogs!). Sat. 12-3 p.m.; free admission, but registration encouraged.

          🌾Ever wonder how they spent the fall harvest in Ye Olde Colonial Era? Fall Harvest Family Days at Mount Vernon Estate illuminate the past with special demonstrations. Watch soap-making, thread-spinning and fabric-weaving, and see how horseshoes were forged, among other activities. Sat.-Sun. 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; $30 adults; $16 for kids 6-11.

          👻 Travel to Ghost Town (pictured below) at Burke Lake Park (7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station) for kid-friendly Halloween fun, including themed activity areas, a haunted train ride, carousel rides and minigolf. Past events have included pumpkin painting and a scavenger hunt in a spooky but not-too-haunted house. Costumes welcome. Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; $20 online up until two days before the event; $25 day-of but it tends to sell out in advance; kids under 2 free.

          🎉 The 75th annual Annandale Parade promises grand parade classics including marching bands, fire trucks, military cars and dancers, along with clowns and storybook characters. Kids are invited to wear Halloween costumes while they take in the sights along Columbia Pike. Sat. 10 a.m.-noon; free.

          👾 The minifig monsters have taken over during Halloween at the LEGO Discovery Center (6563 Springfield Mall, Springfield). Kids can build glowing creations under black lights, join in a Halloween mosaic build, brew in a potion kitchen, explore an (indoor) pumpkin patch and see a 4D movie, “The Great Monster Chase.” Through Oct. 31; Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (last entry 90 minutes before closing); tickets start at $24.99. Adults must be accompanied by at least one child age 17 or younger.

          + The LEGO Discovery Center is also hosting a Halloween-themed night just for adults, with full access to the center, plus a costume contest, build challenges and the chance to win prizes. Fri. 6-8:30 p.m.; $24.99; ages 18+ only


          NBC Washington editor Matthew Stabley’s concert guide

          Credit: Getty Images

          Be Your Own Pet, Fri. 7 p.m., DC9, $24+/$29+
          Gotta love punk rock from The Music City. It felt more than too soon when these garage punks disbanded almost two decades ago after just two LPs. It really felt unfinished. We’ve been lucky to have BYOP back – after such a long layoff – for another five years, now, and a third LP, “Mommy.” Jemina Pearl is one of the most charismatic frontwomen around. Details.

          Helado Negro and Reyna Tropical, Fri. 7 p.m., Black Cat, $42.40
          The leaders of a couple American bands influenced and inspired by their Latin heritage and musical tradition merged completely in tune with each other for this year’s “Helado Tropical” – an album of good feelings; cheery, mellow sundown dances. Helado Negro’s Latin folk blends beautifully with Reyna Tropical’s African rhythms and Latin pop and rock. Details.

          Oso Oso, Sun. 8 p.m., Union Stage, $34
          Jade Lilitri’s consistent experimentation keeps his pop-emo band consistently interesting. While plucking heartstrings in search of happiness, as emo is wont, Oso Oso’s idiosyncrasies build on their ‘00s heroes’ foundation. Details.

          This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 11:12:48 AM Fri, Oct 23 2026 04:05:39 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => The Weekend Scene: Marine Corps Marathon, Silver Spring Zombie Walk & more, Oct. 23-25 [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/entertainment/the-scene/the-weekend-scene-marine-corps-marathon-silver-spring-zombie-walk-more-oct-23-25/4170171/ [date] => Fri, Oct 23 2026 11:12:48 AM ) Backtrace of errorHandler() Array ( [0] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 72 [function] => errorHandler [args] => Array ( [0] => 8 [1] => Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object [2] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [3] => 72 [4] => Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => The Weekend Scene: Marine Corps Marathon, Silver Spring Zombie Walk & more, Oct. 23-25 https://www.nbcwashington.com/entertainment/the-scene/the-weekend-scene-marine-corps-marathon-silver-spring-zombie-walk-more-oct-23-25/4170171/ 4170171 Tommy McFly, Haleigh Hoffman, Carissa DiMargo and Maggie More post 11574748 split-3-diagonal-1200×675 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/split-3-diagonal-1200x675-3.png?fit=1200,675&quality=85&strip=all Plus: A new Shakespeare exhibit, multiple Asian food fests, fall pop-up markets and dogs in costumes.

          👀 Heads up: Be ready for road closures Sunday in both Arlington and the District, as well as bus detours due to the Marine Corps Marathon. Metro will open at 5 a.m.  

          🌡️ Weekend weather: Expect a frosty start both mornings this weekend, with highs only reaching the low 60s Saturday and the mid/upper 60s Sunday.

          • Running weather for the marathon Sunday will be almost ideal: near 40° at 7 a.m. in the staging areas, near 60° by noon and in the mid 60s by 2 p.m., with sunny skies and almost no breeze at all.

          🔮 The Future Scene: This one isn’t a marathon — it’s a sprint mixed with a massive party! A roar of click-clacking heels is coming to Dupont this Tuesday (Oct. 27). Don’t miss the 39th annual 17th Street High Heel Race. NBC Washington producer Justin Stewart is hosting, and Tommy and Haleigh will be out there too, so make sure to say hi!

          DC

          Credit: Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute

          🐼 The National Zoo is always a good time, but they really go all out in fall and winter. Friday they’re having an adults-only party! Night of the Living Zoo offers unlimited drinks across half a dozen bars. There’s music, there’s dancing and there’s even “zoostrology” and tarot card readings, all at the National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave. NW). Fri. 7-11 p.m.; $75, ages 21+.

          🍜 If you want your weekend to be centered around food … we found *just* the place. The Asia in a Bite food fest is bringing bold flavors to Tingey Plaza (841 2nd St. SE) in Navy Yard, with lots of vendors, a DJ and a K-pop dance party. Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; free admission.

          🎭 “To Hear Her Speak: Black Women and Shakespeare” is the latest exhibit at the Folger Shakespeare Library (201 East Capitol St. SE). Visitors will be able to see nearly 100 objects — including costumes, illustrations, photographs, books and playbills — that show the representation of Black women in Shakespeare, in the eyes of early European artists and writers, and how Black women spoke for themselves inspired by Shakespeare’s words.⁠ Through May 2, 2027. Fri. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., walk-ins possible, but timed-entry tickets recommended. Free admission but $15 suggested donation.

          📖 Beloved Dupont bookstore Kramers is celebrating a milestone birthday! The independent bookstore is turning the big 5-0, and everyone is invited to toast the store. The party will feature pop-ups from local businesses including Aslin, Relume and more, and 20% of proceeds will go to the literary organization Everybody Wins DC. Sat. 7 p.m.-midnight; free admission.

          🙏 Dolly Parton’s legacy continues to be celebrated after her passing. Now, an exhibit is open at Zenith Gallery (1429 Iris St. NW) as a special tribute to the country music legend, with paintings, jewelry and clothing all inspired by Parton. Ten percent of sales will be donated to her Imagination Library. Through Nov. 28; free admission. 

          🧙🏼‍♀️ If you’re looking to get into the Halloween spirit, head to a screening of “Practical Magic” at craft store Merry Pin (7350 Georgia Ave. NW). Join fellow crafters to watch the Owens sisters cast a spell or two. Maybe join them in some (non-midnight) margaritas. Remember, there’s a little witch in all of us. 😉 Sat. 6:30 p.m.; free admission, but RSVPs requested.


          Maryland

          Credit: Bill O’Leary/The Washington Post via Getty Images

          🧟‍♀️ For more than 20 years, the Silver Spring Zombie Walk has turned the streets of downtown Silver Spring into a scene from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video. Join the hungry (for brains!) hordes of people dressing up like zombies, enter the costume contest, then walk from Quarry House Tavern (8401 Georgia Ave.) to Ellsworth Square. There will be music and dancing, followed by some classic spooky movies at the AFI Silver Theatre. Sat. 7 p.m.; free.

          🔥 Craving some spooky storytelling around a campfire to celebrate the season? Prince George’s Parks & Rec is hosting its Haunted Caboose & Campfire at Bladensburg Waterfront Park (4601 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg). Wear your Halloween costume, get a tour of the haunted caboose, listen to nature stories and then roast marshmallows around a waterfront campfire. Fri. 7-8 p.m; $7 residents; $10 non-residents.

           🍬 Trick-or-treat your way around National Harbor during Harbor Halloween! More than 30 businesses will be giving away Halloween treats, and kids in costumes can get a free ride on the Capital Wheel. You’ll also find a pumpkin-carving contest, a costume contest and a screening of “Hocus Pocus” on the big screen. Sun. 12:30-3 p.m.; free admission.

          Credit: National Harbor

          🍜 If you can think of an Asian street food, it’ll probably be available at the DMV Asian Night Market at National Harbor. Check out 70+ food and craft vendors, live performances and cultural entertainment along the waterfront. Sat. 12-8 p.m.; free admission.

          🎠 Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg hosts a Fall Artisan Market, offering a perfect opportunity to support 50+ local artists and enjoy seasonal treats at the same time. There will also be live music and the chance to ride the carousel, with all proceeds going to HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center. Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; free admission; carousel tickets for purchase.

          🎨 Takoma Collective is hosting its very own fall pop-up market on Takoma Park’s main street (Laurel Avenue, between Carroll and Eastern). More than 20 vendors, artists and vintage curators will have stands, so go spend your day exploring. Sun. 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; free admission.

          Virginia

          Matthew Burdette pushes Kevin Dilegge to the finish line during the Marine Corps Marathon in Arlington, Virginia, on Oct. 29, 2023.(Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)

          🏃🏽‍♀️ Cheer on participants in the Marine Corps Marathon, which goes from Rosslyn into D.C. and along the National Mall and back again. Here’s the course map, spectator viewing areas and the race weekend schedule. Marathon: Sun. 7:05-7:25 a.m. start; Finish Festival 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Other events include the Heath & Fitness Expo (Wed.-Sat.), a kids’ run (Sat.).

          🧹 Learn about the D.C. area’s spookiest days, early American witch hunts, ancient terrors of the night and more with Professor and Pints’ Halloween lecture series. Throughout October, professors across the DMV will give lectures on spooky subject matter at bars, breweries and other locations. On tap this weekend: Early American Witch Hunts at Crooked Run Fermentation (22455 Davis Drive, Sterling). Sun. 5:30-8 p.m.; $15 in advance.

          🐶 Three words: Dogs in costumes!!! Rosslyn’s Howl-O-Ween (at Gateway Park Interim Dog Park) is a Halloween event for all the pet parents and animal lovers. You’ll find dog-friendly activities, treats, pet item vendors and a beer and wine bar for pet parents. Dressed-up dogs are invited to enter the costume contest. Fri. 5-6:30 p.m.; free admission.

          Credit: Rosslyn BID

          🎃 Magic shows, pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treat stations and more await families who attend the Boo-ro at Boro Park (8350 Broad St., Tysons), Costumes welcome (including for dogs!). Sat. 12-3 p.m.; free admission, but registration encouraged.

          🌾Ever wonder how they spent the fall harvest in Ye Olde Colonial Era? Fall Harvest Family Days at Mount Vernon Estate illuminate the past with special demonstrations. Watch soap-making, thread-spinning and fabric-weaving, and see how horseshoes were forged, among other activities. Sat.-Sun. 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; $30 adults; $16 for kids 6-11.

          👻 Travel to Ghost Town (pictured below) at Burke Lake Park (7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station) for kid-friendly Halloween fun, including themed activity areas, a haunted train ride, carousel rides and minigolf. Past events have included pumpkin painting and a scavenger hunt in a spooky but not-too-haunted house. Costumes welcome. Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; $20 online up until two days before the event; $25 day-of but it tends to sell out in advance; kids under 2 free.

          🎉 The 75th annual Annandale Parade promises grand parade classics including marching bands, fire trucks, military cars and dancers, along with clowns and storybook characters. Kids are invited to wear Halloween costumes while they take in the sights along Columbia Pike. Sat. 10 a.m.-noon; free.

          👾 The minifig monsters have taken over during Halloween at the LEGO Discovery Center (6563 Springfield Mall, Springfield). Kids can build glowing creations under black lights, join in a Halloween mosaic build, brew in a potion kitchen, explore an (indoor) pumpkin patch and see a 4D movie, “The Great Monster Chase.” Through Oct. 31; Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (last entry 90 minutes before closing); tickets start at $24.99. Adults must be accompanied by at least one child age 17 or younger.

          + The LEGO Discovery Center is also hosting a Halloween-themed night just for adults, with full access to the center, plus a costume contest, build challenges and the chance to win prizes. Fri. 6-8:30 p.m.; $24.99; ages 18+ only


          NBC Washington editor Matthew Stabley’s concert guide

          Credit: Getty Images

          Be Your Own Pet, Fri. 7 p.m., DC9, $24+/$29+
          Gotta love punk rock from The Music City. It felt more than too soon when these garage punks disbanded almost two decades ago after just two LPs. It really felt unfinished. We’ve been lucky to have BYOP back – after such a long layoff – for another five years, now, and a third LP, “Mommy.” Jemina Pearl is one of the most charismatic frontwomen around. Details.

          Helado Negro and Reyna Tropical, Fri. 7 p.m., Black Cat, $42.40
          The leaders of a couple American bands influenced and inspired by their Latin heritage and musical tradition merged completely in tune with each other for this year’s “Helado Tropical” – an album of good feelings; cheery, mellow sundown dances. Helado Negro’s Latin folk blends beautifully with Reyna Tropical’s African rhythms and Latin pop and rock. Details.

          Oso Oso, Sun. 8 p.m., Union Stage, $34
          Jade Lilitri’s consistent experimentation keeps his pop-emo band consistently interesting. While plucking heartstrings in search of happiness, as emo is wont, Oso Oso’s idiosyncrasies build on their ‘00s heroes’ foundation. Details.

          This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 11:12:48 AM Fri, Oct 23 2026 04:05:39 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => The Weekend Scene: Marine Corps Marathon, Silver Spring Zombie Walk & more, Oct. 23-25 https://www.nbcwashington.com/entertainment/the-scene/the-weekend-scene-marine-corps-marathon-silver-spring-zombie-walk-more-oct-23-25/4170171/ 4170171 Tommy McFly, Haleigh Hoffman, Carissa DiMargo and Maggie More post 11574748 split-3-diagonal-1200×675 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/split-3-diagonal-1200x675-3.png?fit=1200,675&quality=85&strip=all Plus: A new Shakespeare exhibit, multiple Asian food fests, fall pop-up markets and dogs in costumes.

          👀 Heads up: Be ready for road closures Sunday in both Arlington and the District, as well as bus detours due to the Marine Corps Marathon. Metro will open at 5 a.m.  

          🌡️ Weekend weather: Expect a frosty start both mornings this weekend, with highs only reaching the low 60s Saturday and the mid/upper 60s Sunday.

          • Running weather for the marathon Sunday will be almost ideal: near 40° at 7 a.m. in the staging areas, near 60° by noon and in the mid 60s by 2 p.m., with sunny skies and almost no breeze at all.

          🔮 The Future Scene: This one isn’t a marathon — it’s a sprint mixed with a massive party! A roar of click-clacking heels is coming to Dupont this Tuesday (Oct. 27). Don’t miss the 39th annual 17th Street High Heel Race. NBC Washington producer Justin Stewart is hosting, and Tommy and Haleigh will be out there too, so make sure to say hi!

          DC

          Credit: Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute

          🐼 The National Zoo is always a good time, but they really go all out in fall and winter. Friday they’re having an adults-only party! Night of the Living Zoo offers unlimited drinks across half a dozen bars. There’s music, there’s dancing and there’s even “zoostrology” and tarot card readings, all at the National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave. NW). Fri. 7-11 p.m.; $75, ages 21+.

          🍜 If you want your weekend to be centered around food … we found *just* the place. The Asia in a Bite food fest is bringing bold flavors to Tingey Plaza (841 2nd St. SE) in Navy Yard, with lots of vendors, a DJ and a K-pop dance party. Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; free admission.

          🎭 “To Hear Her Speak: Black Women and Shakespeare” is the latest exhibit at the Folger Shakespeare Library (201 East Capitol St. SE). Visitors will be able to see nearly 100 objects — including costumes, illustrations, photographs, books and playbills — that show the representation of Black women in Shakespeare, in the eyes of early European artists and writers, and how Black women spoke for themselves inspired by Shakespeare’s words.⁠ Through May 2, 2027. Fri. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., walk-ins possible, but timed-entry tickets recommended. Free admission but $15 suggested donation.

          📖 Beloved Dupont bookstore Kramers is celebrating a milestone birthday! The independent bookstore is turning the big 5-0, and everyone is invited to toast the store. The party will feature pop-ups from local businesses including Aslin, Relume and more, and 20% of proceeds will go to the literary organization Everybody Wins DC. Sat. 7 p.m.-midnight; free admission.

          🙏 Dolly Parton’s legacy continues to be celebrated after her passing. Now, an exhibit is open at Zenith Gallery (1429 Iris St. NW) as a special tribute to the country music legend, with paintings, jewelry and clothing all inspired by Parton. Ten percent of sales will be donated to her Imagination Library. Through Nov. 28; free admission. 

          🧙🏼‍♀️ If you’re looking to get into the Halloween spirit, head to a screening of “Practical Magic” at craft store Merry Pin (7350 Georgia Ave. NW). Join fellow crafters to watch the Owens sisters cast a spell or two. Maybe join them in some (non-midnight) margaritas. Remember, there’s a little witch in all of us. 😉 Sat. 6:30 p.m.; free admission, but RSVPs requested.


          Maryland

          Credit: Bill O’Leary/The Washington Post via Getty Images

          🧟‍♀️ For more than 20 years, the Silver Spring Zombie Walk has turned the streets of downtown Silver Spring into a scene from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video. Join the hungry (for brains!) hordes of people dressing up like zombies, enter the costume contest, then walk from Quarry House Tavern (8401 Georgia Ave.) to Ellsworth Square. There will be music and dancing, followed by some classic spooky movies at the AFI Silver Theatre. Sat. 7 p.m.; free.

          🔥 Craving some spooky storytelling around a campfire to celebrate the season? Prince George’s Parks & Rec is hosting its Haunted Caboose & Campfire at Bladensburg Waterfront Park (4601 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg). Wear your Halloween costume, get a tour of the haunted caboose, listen to nature stories and then roast marshmallows around a waterfront campfire. Fri. 7-8 p.m; $7 residents; $10 non-residents.

           🍬 Trick-or-treat your way around National Harbor during Harbor Halloween! More than 30 businesses will be giving away Halloween treats, and kids in costumes can get a free ride on the Capital Wheel. You’ll also find a pumpkin-carving contest, a costume contest and a screening of “Hocus Pocus” on the big screen. Sun. 12:30-3 p.m.; free admission.

          Credit: National Harbor

          🍜 If you can think of an Asian street food, it’ll probably be available at the DMV Asian Night Market at National Harbor. Check out 70+ food and craft vendors, live performances and cultural entertainment along the waterfront. Sat. 12-8 p.m.; free admission.

          🎠 Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg hosts a Fall Artisan Market, offering a perfect opportunity to support 50+ local artists and enjoy seasonal treats at the same time. There will also be live music and the chance to ride the carousel, with all proceeds going to HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center. Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; free admission; carousel tickets for purchase.

          🎨 Takoma Collective is hosting its very own fall pop-up market on Takoma Park’s main street (Laurel Avenue, between Carroll and Eastern). More than 20 vendors, artists and vintage curators will have stands, so go spend your day exploring. Sun. 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; free admission.

          Virginia

          Matthew Burdette pushes Kevin Dilegge to the finish line during the Marine Corps Marathon in Arlington, Virginia, on Oct. 29, 2023.(Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)

          🏃🏽‍♀️ Cheer on participants in the Marine Corps Marathon, which goes from Rosslyn into D.C. and along the National Mall and back again. Here’s the course map, spectator viewing areas and the race weekend schedule. Marathon: Sun. 7:05-7:25 a.m. start; Finish Festival 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Other events include the Heath & Fitness Expo (Wed.-Sat.), a kids’ run (Sat.).

          🧹 Learn about the D.C. area’s spookiest days, early American witch hunts, ancient terrors of the night and more with Professor and Pints’ Halloween lecture series. Throughout October, professors across the DMV will give lectures on spooky subject matter at bars, breweries and other locations. On tap this weekend: Early American Witch Hunts at Crooked Run Fermentation (22455 Davis Drive, Sterling). Sun. 5:30-8 p.m.; $15 in advance.

          🐶 Three words: Dogs in costumes!!! Rosslyn’s Howl-O-Ween (at Gateway Park Interim Dog Park) is a Halloween event for all the pet parents and animal lovers. You’ll find dog-friendly activities, treats, pet item vendors and a beer and wine bar for pet parents. Dressed-up dogs are invited to enter the costume contest. Fri. 5-6:30 p.m.; free admission.

          Credit: Rosslyn BID

          🎃 Magic shows, pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treat stations and more await families who attend the Boo-ro at Boro Park (8350 Broad St., Tysons), Costumes welcome (including for dogs!). Sat. 12-3 p.m.; free admission, but registration encouraged.

          🌾Ever wonder how they spent the fall harvest in Ye Olde Colonial Era? Fall Harvest Family Days at Mount Vernon Estate illuminate the past with special demonstrations. Watch soap-making, thread-spinning and fabric-weaving, and see how horseshoes were forged, among other activities. Sat.-Sun. 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; $30 adults; $16 for kids 6-11.

          👻 Travel to Ghost Town (pictured below) at Burke Lake Park (7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station) for kid-friendly Halloween fun, including themed activity areas, a haunted train ride, carousel rides and minigolf. Past events have included pumpkin painting and a scavenger hunt in a spooky but not-too-haunted house. Costumes welcome. Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; $20 online up until two days before the event; $25 day-of but it tends to sell out in advance; kids under 2 free.

          🎉 The 75th annual Annandale Parade promises grand parade classics including marching bands, fire trucks, military cars and dancers, along with clowns and storybook characters. Kids are invited to wear Halloween costumes while they take in the sights along Columbia Pike. Sat. 10 a.m.-noon; free.

          👾 The minifig monsters have taken over during Halloween at the LEGO Discovery Center (6563 Springfield Mall, Springfield). Kids can build glowing creations under black lights, join in a Halloween mosaic build, brew in a potion kitchen, explore an (indoor) pumpkin patch and see a 4D movie, “The Great Monster Chase.” Through Oct. 31; Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (last entry 90 minutes before closing); tickets start at $24.99. Adults must be accompanied by at least one child age 17 or younger.

          + The LEGO Discovery Center is also hosting a Halloween-themed night just for adults, with full access to the center, plus a costume contest, build challenges and the chance to win prizes. Fri. 6-8:30 p.m.; $24.99; ages 18+ only


          NBC Washington editor Matthew Stabley’s concert guide

          Credit: Getty Images

          Be Your Own Pet, Fri. 7 p.m., DC9, $24+/$29+
          Gotta love punk rock from The Music City. It felt more than too soon when these garage punks disbanded almost two decades ago after just two LPs. It really felt unfinished. We’ve been lucky to have BYOP back – after such a long layoff – for another five years, now, and a third LP, “Mommy.” Jemina Pearl is one of the most charismatic frontwomen around. Details.

          Helado Negro and Reyna Tropical, Fri. 7 p.m., Black Cat, $42.40
          The leaders of a couple American bands influenced and inspired by their Latin heritage and musical tradition merged completely in tune with each other for this year’s “Helado Tropical” – an album of good feelings; cheery, mellow sundown dances. Helado Negro’s Latin folk blends beautifully with Reyna Tropical’s African rhythms and Latin pop and rock. Details.

          Oso Oso, Sun. 8 p.m., Union Stage, $34
          Jade Lilitri’s consistent experimentation keeps his pop-emo band consistently interesting. While plucking heartstrings in search of happiness, as emo is wont, Oso Oso’s idiosyncrasies build on their ‘00s heroes’ foundation. Details.

          This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 11:12:48 AM Fri, Oct 23 2026 04:05:39 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => The Weekend Scene: Marine Corps Marathon, Silver Spring Zombie Walk & more, Oct. 23-25 [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/entertainment/the-scene/the-weekend-scene-marine-corps-marathon-silver-spring-zombie-walk-more-oct-23-25/4170171/ [date] => Fri, Oct 23 2026 11:12:48 AM ) ) ) [1] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 139 [function] => RSS_Tags [args] => Array ( [0] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => The Weekend Scene: Marine Corps Marathon, Silver Spring Zombie Walk & more, Oct. 23-25 https://www.nbcwashington.com/entertainment/the-scene/the-weekend-scene-marine-corps-marathon-silver-spring-zombie-walk-more-oct-23-25/4170171/ 4170171 Tommy McFly, Haleigh Hoffman, Carissa DiMargo and Maggie More post 11574748 split-3-diagonal-1200×675 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/split-3-diagonal-1200x675-3.png?fit=1200,675&quality=85&strip=all Plus: A new Shakespeare exhibit, multiple Asian food fests, fall pop-up markets and dogs in costumes.

          👀 Heads up: Be ready for road closures Sunday in both Arlington and the District, as well as bus detours due to the Marine Corps Marathon. Metro will open at 5 a.m.  

          🌡️ Weekend weather: Expect a frosty start both mornings this weekend, with highs only reaching the low 60s Saturday and the mid/upper 60s Sunday.

          • Running weather for the marathon Sunday will be almost ideal: near 40° at 7 a.m. in the staging areas, near 60° by noon and in the mid 60s by 2 p.m., with sunny skies and almost no breeze at all.

          🔮 The Future Scene: This one isn’t a marathon — it’s a sprint mixed with a massive party! A roar of click-clacking heels is coming to Dupont this Tuesday (Oct. 27). Don’t miss the 39th annual 17th Street High Heel Race. NBC Washington producer Justin Stewart is hosting, and Tommy and Haleigh will be out there too, so make sure to say hi!

          DC

          Credit: Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute

          🐼 The National Zoo is always a good time, but they really go all out in fall and winter. Friday they’re having an adults-only party! Night of the Living Zoo offers unlimited drinks across half a dozen bars. There’s music, there’s dancing and there’s even “zoostrology” and tarot card readings, all at the National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave. NW). Fri. 7-11 p.m.; $75, ages 21+.

          🍜 If you want your weekend to be centered around food … we found *just* the place. The Asia in a Bite food fest is bringing bold flavors to Tingey Plaza (841 2nd St. SE) in Navy Yard, with lots of vendors, a DJ and a K-pop dance party. Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; free admission.

          🎭 “To Hear Her Speak: Black Women and Shakespeare” is the latest exhibit at the Folger Shakespeare Library (201 East Capitol St. SE). Visitors will be able to see nearly 100 objects — including costumes, illustrations, photographs, books and playbills — that show the representation of Black women in Shakespeare, in the eyes of early European artists and writers, and how Black women spoke for themselves inspired by Shakespeare’s words.⁠ Through May 2, 2027. Fri. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., walk-ins possible, but timed-entry tickets recommended. Free admission but $15 suggested donation.

          📖 Beloved Dupont bookstore Kramers is celebrating a milestone birthday! The independent bookstore is turning the big 5-0, and everyone is invited to toast the store. The party will feature pop-ups from local businesses including Aslin, Relume and more, and 20% of proceeds will go to the literary organization Everybody Wins DC. Sat. 7 p.m.-midnight; free admission.

          🙏 Dolly Parton’s legacy continues to be celebrated after her passing. Now, an exhibit is open at Zenith Gallery (1429 Iris St. NW) as a special tribute to the country music legend, with paintings, jewelry and clothing all inspired by Parton. Ten percent of sales will be donated to her Imagination Library. Through Nov. 28; free admission. 

          🧙🏼‍♀️ If you’re looking to get into the Halloween spirit, head to a screening of “Practical Magic” at craft store Merry Pin (7350 Georgia Ave. NW). Join fellow crafters to watch the Owens sisters cast a spell or two. Maybe join them in some (non-midnight) margaritas. Remember, there’s a little witch in all of us. 😉 Sat. 6:30 p.m.; free admission, but RSVPs requested.


          Maryland

          Credit: Bill O’Leary/The Washington Post via Getty Images

          🧟‍♀️ For more than 20 years, the Silver Spring Zombie Walk has turned the streets of downtown Silver Spring into a scene from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video. Join the hungry (for brains!) hordes of people dressing up like zombies, enter the costume contest, then walk from Quarry House Tavern (8401 Georgia Ave.) to Ellsworth Square. There will be music and dancing, followed by some classic spooky movies at the AFI Silver Theatre. Sat. 7 p.m.; free.

          🔥 Craving some spooky storytelling around a campfire to celebrate the season? Prince George’s Parks & Rec is hosting its Haunted Caboose & Campfire at Bladensburg Waterfront Park (4601 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg). Wear your Halloween costume, get a tour of the haunted caboose, listen to nature stories and then roast marshmallows around a waterfront campfire. Fri. 7-8 p.m; $7 residents; $10 non-residents.

           🍬 Trick-or-treat your way around National Harbor during Harbor Halloween! More than 30 businesses will be giving away Halloween treats, and kids in costumes can get a free ride on the Capital Wheel. You’ll also find a pumpkin-carving contest, a costume contest and a screening of “Hocus Pocus” on the big screen. Sun. 12:30-3 p.m.; free admission.

          Credit: National Harbor

          🍜 If you can think of an Asian street food, it’ll probably be available at the DMV Asian Night Market at National Harbor. Check out 70+ food and craft vendors, live performances and cultural entertainment along the waterfront. Sat. 12-8 p.m.; free admission.

          🎠 Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg hosts a Fall Artisan Market, offering a perfect opportunity to support 50+ local artists and enjoy seasonal treats at the same time. There will also be live music and the chance to ride the carousel, with all proceeds going to HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center. Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; free admission; carousel tickets for purchase.

          🎨 Takoma Collective is hosting its very own fall pop-up market on Takoma Park’s main street (Laurel Avenue, between Carroll and Eastern). More than 20 vendors, artists and vintage curators will have stands, so go spend your day exploring. Sun. 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; free admission.

          Virginia

          Matthew Burdette pushes Kevin Dilegge to the finish line during the Marine Corps Marathon in Arlington, Virginia, on Oct. 29, 2023.(Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)

          🏃🏽‍♀️ Cheer on participants in the Marine Corps Marathon, which goes from Rosslyn into D.C. and along the National Mall and back again. Here’s the course map, spectator viewing areas and the race weekend schedule. Marathon: Sun. 7:05-7:25 a.m. start; Finish Festival 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Other events include the Heath & Fitness Expo (Wed.-Sat.), a kids’ run (Sat.).

          🧹 Learn about the D.C. area’s spookiest days, early American witch hunts, ancient terrors of the night and more with Professor and Pints’ Halloween lecture series. Throughout October, professors across the DMV will give lectures on spooky subject matter at bars, breweries and other locations. On tap this weekend: Early American Witch Hunts at Crooked Run Fermentation (22455 Davis Drive, Sterling). Sun. 5:30-8 p.m.; $15 in advance.

          🐶 Three words: Dogs in costumes!!! Rosslyn’s Howl-O-Ween (at Gateway Park Interim Dog Park) is a Halloween event for all the pet parents and animal lovers. You’ll find dog-friendly activities, treats, pet item vendors and a beer and wine bar for pet parents. Dressed-up dogs are invited to enter the costume contest. Fri. 5-6:30 p.m.; free admission.

          Credit: Rosslyn BID

          🎃 Magic shows, pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treat stations and more await families who attend the Boo-ro at Boro Park (8350 Broad St., Tysons), Costumes welcome (including for dogs!). Sat. 12-3 p.m.; free admission, but registration encouraged.

          🌾Ever wonder how they spent the fall harvest in Ye Olde Colonial Era? Fall Harvest Family Days at Mount Vernon Estate illuminate the past with special demonstrations. Watch soap-making, thread-spinning and fabric-weaving, and see how horseshoes were forged, among other activities. Sat.-Sun. 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; $30 adults; $16 for kids 6-11.

          👻 Travel to Ghost Town (pictured below) at Burke Lake Park (7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station) for kid-friendly Halloween fun, including themed activity areas, a haunted train ride, carousel rides and minigolf. Past events have included pumpkin painting and a scavenger hunt in a spooky but not-too-haunted house. Costumes welcome. Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; $20 online up until two days before the event; $25 day-of but it tends to sell out in advance; kids under 2 free.

          🎉 The 75th annual Annandale Parade promises grand parade classics including marching bands, fire trucks, military cars and dancers, along with clowns and storybook characters. Kids are invited to wear Halloween costumes while they take in the sights along Columbia Pike. Sat. 10 a.m.-noon; free.

          👾 The minifig monsters have taken over during Halloween at the LEGO Discovery Center (6563 Springfield Mall, Springfield). Kids can build glowing creations under black lights, join in a Halloween mosaic build, brew in a potion kitchen, explore an (indoor) pumpkin patch and see a 4D movie, “The Great Monster Chase.” Through Oct. 31; Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (last entry 90 minutes before closing); tickets start at $24.99. Adults must be accompanied by at least one child age 17 or younger.

          + The LEGO Discovery Center is also hosting a Halloween-themed night just for adults, with full access to the center, plus a costume contest, build challenges and the chance to win prizes. Fri. 6-8:30 p.m.; $24.99; ages 18+ only


          NBC Washington editor Matthew Stabley’s concert guide

          Credit: Getty Images

          Be Your Own Pet, Fri. 7 p.m., DC9, $24+/$29+
          Gotta love punk rock from The Music City. It felt more than too soon when these garage punks disbanded almost two decades ago after just two LPs. It really felt unfinished. We’ve been lucky to have BYOP back – after such a long layoff – for another five years, now, and a third LP, “Mommy.” Jemina Pearl is one of the most charismatic frontwomen around. Details.

          Helado Negro and Reyna Tropical, Fri. 7 p.m., Black Cat, $42.40
          The leaders of a couple American bands influenced and inspired by their Latin heritage and musical tradition merged completely in tune with each other for this year’s “Helado Tropical” – an album of good feelings; cheery, mellow sundown dances. Helado Negro’s Latin folk blends beautifully with Reyna Tropical’s African rhythms and Latin pop and rock. Details.

          Oso Oso, Sun. 8 p.m., Union Stage, $34
          Jade Lilitri’s consistent experimentation keeps his pop-emo band consistently interesting. While plucking heartstrings in search of happiness, as emo is wont, Oso Oso’s idiosyncrasies build on their ‘00s heroes’ foundation. Details.

          This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 11:12:48 AM Fri, Oct 23 2026 04:05:39 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => The Weekend Scene: Marine Corps Marathon, Silver Spring Zombie Walk & more, Oct. 23-25 https://www.nbcwashington.com/entertainment/the-scene/the-weekend-scene-marine-corps-marathon-silver-spring-zombie-walk-more-oct-23-25/4170171/ 4170171 Tommy McFly, Haleigh Hoffman, Carissa DiMargo and Maggie More post 11574748 split-3-diagonal-1200×675 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/split-3-diagonal-1200x675-3.png?fit=1200,675&quality=85&strip=all Plus: A new Shakespeare exhibit, multiple Asian food fests, fall pop-up markets and dogs in costumes.

          👀 Heads up: Be ready for road closures Sunday in both Arlington and the District, as well as bus detours due to the Marine Corps Marathon. Metro will open at 5 a.m.  

          🌡️ Weekend weather: Expect a frosty start both mornings this weekend, with highs only reaching the low 60s Saturday and the mid/upper 60s Sunday.

          • Running weather for the marathon Sunday will be almost ideal: near 40° at 7 a.m. in the staging areas, near 60° by noon and in the mid 60s by 2 p.m., with sunny skies and almost no breeze at all.

          🔮 The Future Scene: This one isn’t a marathon — it’s a sprint mixed with a massive party! A roar of click-clacking heels is coming to Dupont this Tuesday (Oct. 27). Don’t miss the 39th annual 17th Street High Heel Race. NBC Washington producer Justin Stewart is hosting, and Tommy and Haleigh will be out there too, so make sure to say hi!

          DC

          Credit: Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute

          🐼 The National Zoo is always a good time, but they really go all out in fall and winter. Friday they’re having an adults-only party! Night of the Living Zoo offers unlimited drinks across half a dozen bars. There’s music, there’s dancing and there’s even “zoostrology” and tarot card readings, all at the National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave. NW). Fri. 7-11 p.m.; $75, ages 21+.

          🍜 If you want your weekend to be centered around food … we found *just* the place. The Asia in a Bite food fest is bringing bold flavors to Tingey Plaza (841 2nd St. SE) in Navy Yard, with lots of vendors, a DJ and a K-pop dance party. Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; free admission.

          🎭 “To Hear Her Speak: Black Women and Shakespeare” is the latest exhibit at the Folger Shakespeare Library (201 East Capitol St. SE). Visitors will be able to see nearly 100 objects — including costumes, illustrations, photographs, books and playbills — that show the representation of Black women in Shakespeare, in the eyes of early European artists and writers, and how Black women spoke for themselves inspired by Shakespeare’s words.⁠ Through May 2, 2027. Fri. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., walk-ins possible, but timed-entry tickets recommended. Free admission but $15 suggested donation.

          📖 Beloved Dupont bookstore Kramers is celebrating a milestone birthday! The independent bookstore is turning the big 5-0, and everyone is invited to toast the store. The party will feature pop-ups from local businesses including Aslin, Relume and more, and 20% of proceeds will go to the literary organization Everybody Wins DC. Sat. 7 p.m.-midnight; free admission.

          🙏 Dolly Parton’s legacy continues to be celebrated after her passing. Now, an exhibit is open at Zenith Gallery (1429 Iris St. NW) as a special tribute to the country music legend, with paintings, jewelry and clothing all inspired by Parton. Ten percent of sales will be donated to her Imagination Library. Through Nov. 28; free admission. 

          🧙🏼‍♀️ If you’re looking to get into the Halloween spirit, head to a screening of “Practical Magic” at craft store Merry Pin (7350 Georgia Ave. NW). Join fellow crafters to watch the Owens sisters cast a spell or two. Maybe join them in some (non-midnight) margaritas. Remember, there’s a little witch in all of us. 😉 Sat. 6:30 p.m.; free admission, but RSVPs requested.


          Maryland

          Credit: Bill O’Leary/The Washington Post via Getty Images

          🧟‍♀️ For more than 20 years, the Silver Spring Zombie Walk has turned the streets of downtown Silver Spring into a scene from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video. Join the hungry (for brains!) hordes of people dressing up like zombies, enter the costume contest, then walk from Quarry House Tavern (8401 Georgia Ave.) to Ellsworth Square. There will be music and dancing, followed by some classic spooky movies at the AFI Silver Theatre. Sat. 7 p.m.; free.

          🔥 Craving some spooky storytelling around a campfire to celebrate the season? Prince George’s Parks & Rec is hosting its Haunted Caboose & Campfire at Bladensburg Waterfront Park (4601 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg). Wear your Halloween costume, get a tour of the haunted caboose, listen to nature stories and then roast marshmallows around a waterfront campfire. Fri. 7-8 p.m; $7 residents; $10 non-residents.

           🍬 Trick-or-treat your way around National Harbor during Harbor Halloween! More than 30 businesses will be giving away Halloween treats, and kids in costumes can get a free ride on the Capital Wheel. You’ll also find a pumpkin-carving contest, a costume contest and a screening of “Hocus Pocus” on the big screen. Sun. 12:30-3 p.m.; free admission.

          Credit: National Harbor

          🍜 If you can think of an Asian street food, it’ll probably be available at the DMV Asian Night Market at National Harbor. Check out 70+ food and craft vendors, live performances and cultural entertainment along the waterfront. Sat. 12-8 p.m.; free admission.

          🎠 Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg hosts a Fall Artisan Market, offering a perfect opportunity to support 50+ local artists and enjoy seasonal treats at the same time. There will also be live music and the chance to ride the carousel, with all proceeds going to HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center. Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; free admission; carousel tickets for purchase.

          🎨 Takoma Collective is hosting its very own fall pop-up market on Takoma Park’s main street (Laurel Avenue, between Carroll and Eastern). More than 20 vendors, artists and vintage curators will have stands, so go spend your day exploring. Sun. 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; free admission.

          Virginia

          Matthew Burdette pushes Kevin Dilegge to the finish line during the Marine Corps Marathon in Arlington, Virginia, on Oct. 29, 2023.(Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)

          🏃🏽‍♀️ Cheer on participants in the Marine Corps Marathon, which goes from Rosslyn into D.C. and along the National Mall and back again. Here’s the course map, spectator viewing areas and the race weekend schedule. Marathon: Sun. 7:05-7:25 a.m. start; Finish Festival 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Other events include the Heath & Fitness Expo (Wed.-Sat.), a kids’ run (Sat.).

          🧹 Learn about the D.C. area’s spookiest days, early American witch hunts, ancient terrors of the night and more with Professor and Pints’ Halloween lecture series. Throughout October, professors across the DMV will give lectures on spooky subject matter at bars, breweries and other locations. On tap this weekend: Early American Witch Hunts at Crooked Run Fermentation (22455 Davis Drive, Sterling). Sun. 5:30-8 p.m.; $15 in advance.

          🐶 Three words: Dogs in costumes!!! Rosslyn’s Howl-O-Ween (at Gateway Park Interim Dog Park) is a Halloween event for all the pet parents and animal lovers. You’ll find dog-friendly activities, treats, pet item vendors and a beer and wine bar for pet parents. Dressed-up dogs are invited to enter the costume contest. Fri. 5-6:30 p.m.; free admission.

          Credit: Rosslyn BID

          🎃 Magic shows, pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treat stations and more await families who attend the Boo-ro at Boro Park (8350 Broad St., Tysons), Costumes welcome (including for dogs!). Sat. 12-3 p.m.; free admission, but registration encouraged.

          🌾Ever wonder how they spent the fall harvest in Ye Olde Colonial Era? Fall Harvest Family Days at Mount Vernon Estate illuminate the past with special demonstrations. Watch soap-making, thread-spinning and fabric-weaving, and see how horseshoes were forged, among other activities. Sat.-Sun. 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; $30 adults; $16 for kids 6-11.

          👻 Travel to Ghost Town (pictured below) at Burke Lake Park (7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station) for kid-friendly Halloween fun, including themed activity areas, a haunted train ride, carousel rides and minigolf. Past events have included pumpkin painting and a scavenger hunt in a spooky but not-too-haunted house. Costumes welcome. Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; $20 online up until two days before the event; $25 day-of but it tends to sell out in advance; kids under 2 free.

          🎉 The 75th annual Annandale Parade promises grand parade classics including marching bands, fire trucks, military cars and dancers, along with clowns and storybook characters. Kids are invited to wear Halloween costumes while they take in the sights along Columbia Pike. Sat. 10 a.m.-noon; free.

          👾 The minifig monsters have taken over during Halloween at the LEGO Discovery Center (6563 Springfield Mall, Springfield). Kids can build glowing creations under black lights, join in a Halloween mosaic build, brew in a potion kitchen, explore an (indoor) pumpkin patch and see a 4D movie, “The Great Monster Chase.” Through Oct. 31; Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (last entry 90 minutes before closing); tickets start at $24.99. Adults must be accompanied by at least one child age 17 or younger.

          + The LEGO Discovery Center is also hosting a Halloween-themed night just for adults, with full access to the center, plus a costume contest, build challenges and the chance to win prizes. Fri. 6-8:30 p.m.; $24.99; ages 18+ only


          NBC Washington editor Matthew Stabley’s concert guide

          Credit: Getty Images

          Be Your Own Pet, Fri. 7 p.m., DC9, $24+/$29+
          Gotta love punk rock from The Music City. It felt more than too soon when these garage punks disbanded almost two decades ago after just two LPs. It really felt unfinished. We’ve been lucky to have BYOP back – after such a long layoff – for another five years, now, and a third LP, “Mommy.” Jemina Pearl is one of the most charismatic frontwomen around. Details.

          Helado Negro and Reyna Tropical, Fri. 7 p.m., Black Cat, $42.40
          The leaders of a couple American bands influenced and inspired by their Latin heritage and musical tradition merged completely in tune with each other for this year’s “Helado Tropical” – an album of good feelings; cheery, mellow sundown dances. Helado Negro’s Latin folk blends beautifully with Reyna Tropical’s African rhythms and Latin pop and rock. Details.

          Oso Oso, Sun. 8 p.m., Union Stage, $34
          Jade Lilitri’s consistent experimentation keeps his pop-emo band consistently interesting. While plucking heartstrings in search of happiness, as emo is wont, Oso Oso’s idiosyncrasies build on their ‘00s heroes’ foundation. Details.

          This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

          Fri, Oct 23 2026 11:12:48 AM Fri, Oct 23 2026 04:05:39 PM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) ) Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => DC's Desert Storm Memorial took 16 years to create. Trump's arch got initial OK in months https://www.nbcwashington.com/investigations/dcs-desert-storm-memorial-took-16-years-to-create-trumps-arch-got-initial-ok-in-months/4170777/ 4170777 Ted Oberg, Rick Yarborough, Katie Leslie and Jeff Piper post 11572996 4 more context desert storm memorial reedit oct 22 2026 2 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/4-more-context-desert-storm-memorial-reedit-oct-22-2026-2.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,676 Trump's Triumphal Arch is approaching final approval just five months after its first appearance before the National Capital Planning Commission.

          D.C.’s newest memorial on the National Mall is about to open, 16 years after work on the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial began. Organizer Scott Stump said there were plenty of times its creation was in doubt.

          “I would be a complete fabricator or liar if I said that there weren’t a number of times, maybe even a few this week, where I just wanted to walk away and say, ‘You know, I just, I can’t do this anymore,'” he said.

          Far from a naysayer, Stump has dedicated years of his life to creating the memorial, adding that effort to his service as a Marine lance corporal in the desert in 1990.

          “People had pretty much all but forgotten what had happened back in 1990 and 1991. We had about 700,000 people deploy,” he said.

          Across the Potomac River, President Donald Trump’s Triumphal Arch project is approaching final approval, just five months after its first appearance before the National Capital Planning Commission.

          A former chair of the group, Teri Hawks Goodmann, said officials should give the arch project more scrutiny.

          “The speed with which the administration is working on new structures, like [the] ballroom, like the arch, is disturbing. Because again, these monuments emerge from the American public. They emerge from a sense of reverence and awe,” she said.

          News4 got an up-close look at the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial, what it took to make it happen and what those we spoke with said Americans should consider about any new monument. It sits at the corner of Constitution Avenue & 23rd NW. It is shaped like a giant left hook, a tribute to the maneuver ground forces used to surprise the Iraqi army. It surrounds a fountain with the names of all coalition nations that participated in the war.

          The ‘lightbulb moment’ behind the creation of the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial

          On the Mall, Stump pointed to elements of the memorial.

          “I really like these figures at the rear because they have the gas masks on and people tend to minimize, ‘Oh, it was a video game,’ or ‘It was about a 100-hour war.’ They forget all about the air campaigns,’” he said while also remembering the months of build up spent in the desert dealing with fear and concern of chemical weapons.

          In 1990, Stump was a 23-year-old Marine Reserve lance corporal called up and sent to the desert to push Iraq out of Kuwait during Operation Desert Shield and then Operation Desert Storm.

          “I didn’t do anything special. I was just a Marine reservist. The only distinction I probably have is I’m probably the only person out of the 700,000 that completed my final three-hour college course in a foxhole by correspondence,” he said.

          Stump spoke about how he got the idea for the memorial.

          “I guess the lightbulb moment, if you call it that, was reflecting on the 20th anniversary of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm back in November of 2010,” Stump said.

          “We liberated a country. We did it in a way that is extremely foreign in the minds of Americans. Now, in a divided world that we live in, you have these 30-some-odd coalition countries come together and work together,” he said.

          News4 asked why he thought he was someone who could try to make a mark on Washington forever, with a new monument.

          “Well, I’ve asked that question a lot of times, and I’m really just an average citizen. An average American. I’d been to Washington, D.C., one time during the eighth-grade trip. I had another very abbreviated trip on an Honor Flight,” Stump said.

          “I had no connections. I’m not a lobbyist, don’t want to be a lobbyist, don’t want to have a job in Washington, D.C.,” the North Carolina resident said.

          Stump recalled being told repeatedly that the project would never happen. News4 asked whether he needed congressional approval.

          “Yes, sir,” Stump said.

          Asked who explained that to him, Stump said: “Well, I just intuitively knew that it had to be in Washington, D.C. And I knew that anything happening here would have to go through Congress.”

          How military deaths factored into the memorial’s creation

          Stump approached Rep. Phil Roe of Tennessee in 2013. A year later, Congress passed a bill authorizing the memorial, and President Barack Obama signed it into law. Roe retired seven years later, and the memorial had not yet broken ground.

          “He subsequently told me, he asked me, he said, ‘Scott, do you know why there are 24 steps to construct a commemorative work or a memorial?’ I said, ‘No, I don’t. Why?’ And he said it’s so people don’t build memorials,” Stump said.

          Stump said he was often told the war was too short to warrant a memorial.

          “I was told a lot of things. One of the things that you had just hit on, you know, that it was a very short duration. And my argument for that is, so is a heart attack, but it has lasting implications,” he said.

          Asked whether the number of military deaths factored into conversations about the memorial, Stump said it did.

          “I had people say that there weren’t enough people that died during this conflict to warrant a memorial and then my follow-up question was, well then what is the right number? What’s the magic number? Is it 500? Is it a thousand? Is it 5,000?” he asked.

          A 16-year effort

          Stump said it still has not sunk in that the memorial will be dedicated on Oct. 24. By that time, nearly 16 years will have passed since his effort began.

          When asked whether he could believe it when he said it out loud, Stump replied: “I don’t want to believe it. I don’t want to think about how long it has been. You know, it extracts quite a toll.”

          The war in 1990 and 1991 lasted 210 days, including just 100 hours of ground combat. Getting the memorial approved by the committees responsible for memorials on the National Mall took nearly six years, with construction taking even longer.

          “We had final approval, I believe it was about two and a half years ago, for the design,” Stump said.

          To win approval took almost six years.

          “That’s an astronomically long time,” Stump said.

          Still, Stump said he is pleased with the final result.

          “I’m very, very happy with the outcome of what we have here.”

          What the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial represents

          The memorial received no federal funding for construction. The Veterans of Foreign Wars and chapters across the country were major donors. The largest donor was Kuwait, the country U.S. forces liberated, which donated nearly half the budget.

          “I think we have put together a really great representation of the war effort. You’ve got the clouds where the planes are and they kind of meld into the desert-type environment. I’m just very, very happy with the work that has been done with this to depict all of these different, you know, the sea, land and air,” Stump said.

          “Then at the very end is where the sun is rising. It’s the liberation, you know, to symbolize the new day.”

          Stump said the designers intentionally avoided filling the memorial with quotations. One exception is a quote from President George H.W. Bush.

          “That was Bush 41 when he stated before a joint session of Congress on March 8 of ’91: ‘They set out to confront an enemy abroad and, in the process, they transformed a nation at home,’” he said.

          The memorial sits on Constitution Avenue, about a block from the Lincoln Memorial and across the street from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

          Asked whether there was historical significance in being located between those landmarks, Stump said there was. Tens of thousands of names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial influenced how the Gulf War was planned and fought.

          “It sure did,” Stump said. “And I remember that. I remember coming home. They wanted to make a big fuss. We were embarrassed. We didn’t want to do parades. We just wanted to go home. We felt like we just did what we were asked to do. And I remember we did the parade and at the end, the commanding officer said, ‘And I dedicate this to all of the Vietnam folks that never got it.'”

          Stump made another point about the memorial’s location.

          “The other connection is right behind me here on Constitution. That’s where the victory parade, or whatever we called it, was on June 8 of 1991. I was not invited to that, but the troops actually marched right past here on the way to Arlington. So, it has a lot of symbolism and connection,” he said.

          The process for creating ‘very, very significant memorials’

          The Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial will open as Trump’s proposed Triumphal Arch moves through an accelerated approval process.

          Asked how that process differs from his own experience, Stump pointed to the level of review.

          “Well, there’s a big difference. You know, the level of scrutiny, the feedback. This site right here, the mandate, it’s built into its landscape,” he said. “Can’t go vertical. We were told, you cannot block the view shed of (the) Lincoln (Memorial). We respected that. We went through a very arduous and long process. And the idea of something being that vertical, yeah, it is. It’s a departure from what we were hearing and what we adhered to.”

          Former National Capital Planning Commission Chair Teri Hawks Goodmann echoed those concerns. She said she first encountered the Desert Storm Memorial project shortly after she joined the commission in 2022.

          “It was my first in-person meeting, because I was appointed in January of 2022. And Desert Storm had a history. It had already gone through a process. I think they’d already had seven or eight meetings with the commission prior to my appointment,” she said.

          Hawks Goodmann said those meetings reflected the level of review required for significant memorials.

          “We were talking about that kind of minutia that goes into looking at these very, very significant memorials to those who have given to our country and who have obviously given their all,” she said.

          According to News4’s review of commission records, 16 projects approved since the Desert Storm Memorial first appeared before the commission in 2017 took an average of 621 days to receive preliminary approval. The commission granted preliminary approval to the arch in just 35 days.

          Hawks Goodmann said memorial projects traditionally begin with citizens seeking congressional approval under the Commemorative Works Act.

          “It begins with a group of citizens who go to Congress. You know, because we have the Commemorative Works Act. And people join together who have a shared interest in memorializing Americans in some way at our nation’s capital. So it’s a grassroots process that reflects the democracy that we live in,” she said.

          Hawks Goodmann, who lives in Iowa, was appointed to the commission by President Joe Biden in 2022. She said she was removed from the commission in July 2025 after receiving an email the night before a meeting. She and two other presidential appointees were replaced by allies of the Trump administration.

          She rejected the idea that she viewed the position as political.

          “Absolutely not. Absolutely not. I never spoke to the president (Biden) about it. We had contact, but it was about family. It was certainly not about my role in this commission, and I never would have expected to be directed in any way by the president,” she said.

          Hawks Goodmann said deliberation is essential because the capital’s planning framework is built around the L’Enfant and McMillan plans.

          “It’s slow and deliberative because the planning that surrounds the Capitol and the desire to stay within the parameters of the L’Enfant plan and the McMillan plan are very specific and so it takes significant deliberation,” she said.

          She added: “I think, for anyone who’s visited the Capitol and understands the feeling you have when you enter the Mall or enter the Capitol itself or the White House, everything is planned to reflect something bigger than ourselves.”

          Asked about the rapid pace of the arch proposal, Hawks Goodmann said public participation is essential.

          “These monuments emerge from the American public. They emerge from a sense of reverence and awe at acts of bravery or acts of outstanding performance by Americans, and it’s not something that just comes about overnight and it certainly not one person’s idea. It’s the collective that comes together,” she said.

          She cited the arch’s goal of celebrating 250 years of American democracy.

          “For example, the Arch, it’s intended to celebrate 250 years of democracy. That’s a wonderful idea. I think that’s an idea, though, that demands public engagement and sharing of ideas, and letting us really imagine that incredible celebration. So, it’s not something that just happens overnight and comes from a single source. It would be something that’s coming from the collective,” she said.

          Asked about the risks of moving too quickly, Hawks Goodmann said: “Well, the danger is, number one, no congressional approval. Number two, the architecture itself doesn’t actually reflect the intended purpose or message. Number three, you have citizens objecting to it. It becomes controversial, as opposed to celebratory.”

          “I think there is a reason for the deliberative process, and I think that it’s always a benefit to have it,” she said.

          Trump defended the proposal during an Oct. 8 address.

          “Fifty-nine major cities in the world. We are the only one of the 59 cities and capitals without a triumphal arch. In Paris, you have the Arc de Triomphe, we have one much more beautiful, slightly larger,” he said.

          News4 said it reached out to the White House for an interview with the president about the arch but did not receive a response. A spokesperson said, “President Trump is moving at lightning speed because we don’t have time to waste in our mission to make America greater than ever before.”

          A spokesperson for the National Capital Planning Commission said the agency regularly works with applicants to understand timelines and align its review stages.

          The commission is expected to take a final vote on the arch soon but faces multiple legal challenges, including a lawsuit filed by the Arlington County Board opposing construction and objections from some neighboring jurisdictions.

          Asked whether the project should simply be allowed to proceed, Hawks Goodmann pointed to public response.

          “When you have 100,000 responses, majority of those negative from American citizens from throughout the country, if I were on the commission as chair, I would say, ‘Hmm, let’s slow down. Let’s just slow this down.’ To me, that would be a logical response,” she said.

          ‘I wanted to honor those who died’

          Stump said the memorial is intended to inspire curiosity.

          “The task that we have is for a visitor to come here and be inspired and then subsequently look up on their phone or whatever to learn what all of this means. That’s our job,” he said.

          He said public feedback improved the final product.

          “You have to respect the commentary and then work through it and then show why it doesn’t work. But there have been some very good commentary that has led to, again, the overall collaborative process,” he said.

          Asked whether public comment and preservation laws truly matter, Hawks Goodmann responded: “Yes, the process matters, and citizen input matters, and the process protects the future of the capital and its intended reflection of democracy in the Constitution.”

          “It’s really about preserving the built environment and the landscape so that it does tell that story, the greatness of America and the United States and the people who live here. That’s why it’s important,” she said.

          Stump acknowledged the toll the project has taken and said he’s unsure if he’ll ever return to see the memorial again. After spending 16 years changing a corner of D.C., he is left wondering whether the same standards and process apply to other projects.

          “Stay true to why you’re doing it in the first place,” he said. “I wanted to honor those who died. I wanted to honor those that served.”

          Thu, Oct 22 2026 06:27:19 PM Thu, Oct 22 2026 06:27:23 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => DC's Desert Storm Memorial took 16 years to create. Trump's arch got initial OK in months https://www.nbcwashington.com/investigations/dcs-desert-storm-memorial-took-16-years-to-create-trumps-arch-got-initial-ok-in-months/4170777/ 4170777 Ted Oberg, Rick Yarborough, Katie Leslie and Jeff Piper post 11572996 4 more context desert storm memorial reedit oct 22 2026 2 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/4-more-context-desert-storm-memorial-reedit-oct-22-2026-2.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,676 Trump's Triumphal Arch is approaching final approval just five months after its first appearance before the National Capital Planning Commission.

          D.C.’s newest memorial on the National Mall is about to open, 16 years after work on the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial began. Organizer Scott Stump said there were plenty of times its creation was in doubt.

          “I would be a complete fabricator or liar if I said that there weren’t a number of times, maybe even a few this week, where I just wanted to walk away and say, ‘You know, I just, I can’t do this anymore,'” he said.

          Far from a naysayer, Stump has dedicated years of his life to creating the memorial, adding that effort to his service as a Marine lance corporal in the desert in 1990.

          “People had pretty much all but forgotten what had happened back in 1990 and 1991. We had about 700,000 people deploy,” he said.

          Across the Potomac River, President Donald Trump’s Triumphal Arch project is approaching final approval, just five months after its first appearance before the National Capital Planning Commission.

          A former chair of the group, Teri Hawks Goodmann, said officials should give the arch project more scrutiny.

          “The speed with which the administration is working on new structures, like [the] ballroom, like the arch, is disturbing. Because again, these monuments emerge from the American public. They emerge from a sense of reverence and awe,” she said.

          News4 got an up-close look at the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial, what it took to make it happen and what those we spoke with said Americans should consider about any new monument. It sits at the corner of Constitution Avenue & 23rd NW. It is shaped like a giant left hook, a tribute to the maneuver ground forces used to surprise the Iraqi army. It surrounds a fountain with the names of all coalition nations that participated in the war.

          The ‘lightbulb moment’ behind the creation of the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial

          On the Mall, Stump pointed to elements of the memorial.

          “I really like these figures at the rear because they have the gas masks on and people tend to minimize, ‘Oh, it was a video game,’ or ‘It was about a 100-hour war.’ They forget all about the air campaigns,’” he said while also remembering the months of build up spent in the desert dealing with fear and concern of chemical weapons.

          In 1990, Stump was a 23-year-old Marine Reserve lance corporal called up and sent to the desert to push Iraq out of Kuwait during Operation Desert Shield and then Operation Desert Storm.

          “I didn’t do anything special. I was just a Marine reservist. The only distinction I probably have is I’m probably the only person out of the 700,000 that completed my final three-hour college course in a foxhole by correspondence,” he said.

          Stump spoke about how he got the idea for the memorial.

          “I guess the lightbulb moment, if you call it that, was reflecting on the 20th anniversary of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm back in November of 2010,” Stump said.

          “We liberated a country. We did it in a way that is extremely foreign in the minds of Americans. Now, in a divided world that we live in, you have these 30-some-odd coalition countries come together and work together,” he said.

          News4 asked why he thought he was someone who could try to make a mark on Washington forever, with a new monument.

          “Well, I’ve asked that question a lot of times, and I’m really just an average citizen. An average American. I’d been to Washington, D.C., one time during the eighth-grade trip. I had another very abbreviated trip on an Honor Flight,” Stump said.

          “I had no connections. I’m not a lobbyist, don’t want to be a lobbyist, don’t want to have a job in Washington, D.C.,” the North Carolina resident said.

          Stump recalled being told repeatedly that the project would never happen. News4 asked whether he needed congressional approval.

          “Yes, sir,” Stump said.

          Asked who explained that to him, Stump said: “Well, I just intuitively knew that it had to be in Washington, D.C. And I knew that anything happening here would have to go through Congress.”

          How military deaths factored into the memorial’s creation

          Stump approached Rep. Phil Roe of Tennessee in 2013. A year later, Congress passed a bill authorizing the memorial, and President Barack Obama signed it into law. Roe retired seven years later, and the memorial had not yet broken ground.

          “He subsequently told me, he asked me, he said, ‘Scott, do you know why there are 24 steps to construct a commemorative work or a memorial?’ I said, ‘No, I don’t. Why?’ And he said it’s so people don’t build memorials,” Stump said.

          Stump said he was often told the war was too short to warrant a memorial.

          “I was told a lot of things. One of the things that you had just hit on, you know, that it was a very short duration. And my argument for that is, so is a heart attack, but it has lasting implications,” he said.

          Asked whether the number of military deaths factored into conversations about the memorial, Stump said it did.

          “I had people say that there weren’t enough people that died during this conflict to warrant a memorial and then my follow-up question was, well then what is the right number? What’s the magic number? Is it 500? Is it a thousand? Is it 5,000?” he asked.

          A 16-year effort

          Stump said it still has not sunk in that the memorial will be dedicated on Oct. 24. By that time, nearly 16 years will have passed since his effort began.

          When asked whether he could believe it when he said it out loud, Stump replied: “I don’t want to believe it. I don’t want to think about how long it has been. You know, it extracts quite a toll.”

          The war in 1990 and 1991 lasted 210 days, including just 100 hours of ground combat. Getting the memorial approved by the committees responsible for memorials on the National Mall took nearly six years, with construction taking even longer.

          “We had final approval, I believe it was about two and a half years ago, for the design,” Stump said.

          To win approval took almost six years.

          “That’s an astronomically long time,” Stump said.

          Still, Stump said he is pleased with the final result.

          “I’m very, very happy with the outcome of what we have here.”

          What the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial represents

          The memorial received no federal funding for construction. The Veterans of Foreign Wars and chapters across the country were major donors. The largest donor was Kuwait, the country U.S. forces liberated, which donated nearly half the budget.

          “I think we have put together a really great representation of the war effort. You’ve got the clouds where the planes are and they kind of meld into the desert-type environment. I’m just very, very happy with the work that has been done with this to depict all of these different, you know, the sea, land and air,” Stump said.

          “Then at the very end is where the sun is rising. It’s the liberation, you know, to symbolize the new day.”

          Stump said the designers intentionally avoided filling the memorial with quotations. One exception is a quote from President George H.W. Bush.

          “That was Bush 41 when he stated before a joint session of Congress on March 8 of ’91: ‘They set out to confront an enemy abroad and, in the process, they transformed a nation at home,’” he said.

          The memorial sits on Constitution Avenue, about a block from the Lincoln Memorial and across the street from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

          Asked whether there was historical significance in being located between those landmarks, Stump said there was. Tens of thousands of names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial influenced how the Gulf War was planned and fought.

          “It sure did,” Stump said. “And I remember that. I remember coming home. They wanted to make a big fuss. We were embarrassed. We didn’t want to do parades. We just wanted to go home. We felt like we just did what we were asked to do. And I remember we did the parade and at the end, the commanding officer said, ‘And I dedicate this to all of the Vietnam folks that never got it.'”

          Stump made another point about the memorial’s location.

          “The other connection is right behind me here on Constitution. That’s where the victory parade, or whatever we called it, was on June 8 of 1991. I was not invited to that, but the troops actually marched right past here on the way to Arlington. So, it has a lot of symbolism and connection,” he said.

          The process for creating ‘very, very significant memorials’

          The Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial will open as Trump’s proposed Triumphal Arch moves through an accelerated approval process.

          Asked how that process differs from his own experience, Stump pointed to the level of review.

          “Well, there’s a big difference. You know, the level of scrutiny, the feedback. This site right here, the mandate, it’s built into its landscape,” he said. “Can’t go vertical. We were told, you cannot block the view shed of (the) Lincoln (Memorial). We respected that. We went through a very arduous and long process. And the idea of something being that vertical, yeah, it is. It’s a departure from what we were hearing and what we adhered to.”

          Former National Capital Planning Commission Chair Teri Hawks Goodmann echoed those concerns. She said she first encountered the Desert Storm Memorial project shortly after she joined the commission in 2022.

          “It was my first in-person meeting, because I was appointed in January of 2022. And Desert Storm had a history. It had already gone through a process. I think they’d already had seven or eight meetings with the commission prior to my appointment,” she said.

          Hawks Goodmann said those meetings reflected the level of review required for significant memorials.

          “We were talking about that kind of minutia that goes into looking at these very, very significant memorials to those who have given to our country and who have obviously given their all,” she said.

          According to News4’s review of commission records, 16 projects approved since the Desert Storm Memorial first appeared before the commission in 2017 took an average of 621 days to receive preliminary approval. The commission granted preliminary approval to the arch in just 35 days.

          Hawks Goodmann said memorial projects traditionally begin with citizens seeking congressional approval under the Commemorative Works Act.

          “It begins with a group of citizens who go to Congress. You know, because we have the Commemorative Works Act. And people join together who have a shared interest in memorializing Americans in some way at our nation’s capital. So it’s a grassroots process that reflects the democracy that we live in,” she said.

          Hawks Goodmann, who lives in Iowa, was appointed to the commission by President Joe Biden in 2022. She said she was removed from the commission in July 2025 after receiving an email the night before a meeting. She and two other presidential appointees were replaced by allies of the Trump administration.

          She rejected the idea that she viewed the position as political.

          “Absolutely not. Absolutely not. I never spoke to the president (Biden) about it. We had contact, but it was about family. It was certainly not about my role in this commission, and I never would have expected to be directed in any way by the president,” she said.

          Hawks Goodmann said deliberation is essential because the capital’s planning framework is built around the L’Enfant and McMillan plans.

          “It’s slow and deliberative because the planning that surrounds the Capitol and the desire to stay within the parameters of the L’Enfant plan and the McMillan plan are very specific and so it takes significant deliberation,” she said.

          She added: “I think, for anyone who’s visited the Capitol and understands the feeling you have when you enter the Mall or enter the Capitol itself or the White House, everything is planned to reflect something bigger than ourselves.”

          Asked about the rapid pace of the arch proposal, Hawks Goodmann said public participation is essential.

          “These monuments emerge from the American public. They emerge from a sense of reverence and awe at acts of bravery or acts of outstanding performance by Americans, and it’s not something that just comes about overnight and it certainly not one person’s idea. It’s the collective that comes together,” she said.

          She cited the arch’s goal of celebrating 250 years of American democracy.

          “For example, the Arch, it’s intended to celebrate 250 years of democracy. That’s a wonderful idea. I think that’s an idea, though, that demands public engagement and sharing of ideas, and letting us really imagine that incredible celebration. So, it’s not something that just happens overnight and comes from a single source. It would be something that’s coming from the collective,” she said.

          Asked about the risks of moving too quickly, Hawks Goodmann said: “Well, the danger is, number one, no congressional approval. Number two, the architecture itself doesn’t actually reflect the intended purpose or message. Number three, you have citizens objecting to it. It becomes controversial, as opposed to celebratory.”

          “I think there is a reason for the deliberative process, and I think that it’s always a benefit to have it,” she said.

          Trump defended the proposal during an Oct. 8 address.

          “Fifty-nine major cities in the world. We are the only one of the 59 cities and capitals without a triumphal arch. In Paris, you have the Arc de Triomphe, we have one much more beautiful, slightly larger,” he said.

          News4 said it reached out to the White House for an interview with the president about the arch but did not receive a response. A spokesperson said, “President Trump is moving at lightning speed because we don’t have time to waste in our mission to make America greater than ever before.”

          A spokesperson for the National Capital Planning Commission said the agency regularly works with applicants to understand timelines and align its review stages.

          The commission is expected to take a final vote on the arch soon but faces multiple legal challenges, including a lawsuit filed by the Arlington County Board opposing construction and objections from some neighboring jurisdictions.

          Asked whether the project should simply be allowed to proceed, Hawks Goodmann pointed to public response.

          “When you have 100,000 responses, majority of those negative from American citizens from throughout the country, if I were on the commission as chair, I would say, ‘Hmm, let’s slow down. Let’s just slow this down.’ To me, that would be a logical response,” she said.

          ‘I wanted to honor those who died’

          Stump said the memorial is intended to inspire curiosity.

          “The task that we have is for a visitor to come here and be inspired and then subsequently look up on their phone or whatever to learn what all of this means. That’s our job,” he said.

          He said public feedback improved the final product.

          “You have to respect the commentary and then work through it and then show why it doesn’t work. But there have been some very good commentary that has led to, again, the overall collaborative process,” he said.

          Asked whether public comment and preservation laws truly matter, Hawks Goodmann responded: “Yes, the process matters, and citizen input matters, and the process protects the future of the capital and its intended reflection of democracy in the Constitution.”

          “It’s really about preserving the built environment and the landscape so that it does tell that story, the greatness of America and the United States and the people who live here. That’s why it’s important,” she said.

          Stump acknowledged the toll the project has taken and said he’s unsure if he’ll ever return to see the memorial again. After spending 16 years changing a corner of D.C., he is left wondering whether the same standards and process apply to other projects.

          “Stay true to why you’re doing it in the first place,” he said. “I wanted to honor those who died. I wanted to honor those that served.”

          Thu, Oct 22 2026 06:27:19 PM Thu, Oct 22 2026 06:27:23 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => DC's Desert Storm Memorial took 16 years to create. Trump's arch got initial OK in months [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/investigations/dcs-desert-storm-memorial-took-16-years-to-create-trumps-arch-got-initial-ok-in-months/4170777/ [date] => Thu, Oct 22 2026 06:27:19 PM ) Backtrace of errorHandler() Array ( [0] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 72 [function] => errorHandler [args] => Array ( [0] => 8 [1] => Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object [2] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [3] => 72 [4] => Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => DC's Desert Storm Memorial took 16 years to create. Trump's arch got initial OK in months https://www.nbcwashington.com/investigations/dcs-desert-storm-memorial-took-16-years-to-create-trumps-arch-got-initial-ok-in-months/4170777/ 4170777 Ted Oberg, Rick Yarborough, Katie Leslie and Jeff Piper post 11572996 4 more context desert storm memorial reedit oct 22 2026 2 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/4-more-context-desert-storm-memorial-reedit-oct-22-2026-2.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,676 Trump's Triumphal Arch is approaching final approval just five months after its first appearance before the National Capital Planning Commission.

          D.C.’s newest memorial on the National Mall is about to open, 16 years after work on the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial began. Organizer Scott Stump said there were plenty of times its creation was in doubt.

          “I would be a complete fabricator or liar if I said that there weren’t a number of times, maybe even a few this week, where I just wanted to walk away and say, ‘You know, I just, I can’t do this anymore,'” he said.

          Far from a naysayer, Stump has dedicated years of his life to creating the memorial, adding that effort to his service as a Marine lance corporal in the desert in 1990.

          “People had pretty much all but forgotten what had happened back in 1990 and 1991. We had about 700,000 people deploy,” he said.

          Across the Potomac River, President Donald Trump’s Triumphal Arch project is approaching final approval, just five months after its first appearance before the National Capital Planning Commission.

          A former chair of the group, Teri Hawks Goodmann, said officials should give the arch project more scrutiny.

          “The speed with which the administration is working on new structures, like [the] ballroom, like the arch, is disturbing. Because again, these monuments emerge from the American public. They emerge from a sense of reverence and awe,” she said.

          News4 got an up-close look at the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial, what it took to make it happen and what those we spoke with said Americans should consider about any new monument. It sits at the corner of Constitution Avenue & 23rd NW. It is shaped like a giant left hook, a tribute to the maneuver ground forces used to surprise the Iraqi army. It surrounds a fountain with the names of all coalition nations that participated in the war.

          The ‘lightbulb moment’ behind the creation of the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial

          On the Mall, Stump pointed to elements of the memorial.

          “I really like these figures at the rear because they have the gas masks on and people tend to minimize, ‘Oh, it was a video game,’ or ‘It was about a 100-hour war.’ They forget all about the air campaigns,’” he said while also remembering the months of build up spent in the desert dealing with fear and concern of chemical weapons.

          In 1990, Stump was a 23-year-old Marine Reserve lance corporal called up and sent to the desert to push Iraq out of Kuwait during Operation Desert Shield and then Operation Desert Storm.

          “I didn’t do anything special. I was just a Marine reservist. The only distinction I probably have is I’m probably the only person out of the 700,000 that completed my final three-hour college course in a foxhole by correspondence,” he said.

          Stump spoke about how he got the idea for the memorial.

          “I guess the lightbulb moment, if you call it that, was reflecting on the 20th anniversary of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm back in November of 2010,” Stump said.

          “We liberated a country. We did it in a way that is extremely foreign in the minds of Americans. Now, in a divided world that we live in, you have these 30-some-odd coalition countries come together and work together,” he said.

          News4 asked why he thought he was someone who could try to make a mark on Washington forever, with a new monument.

          “Well, I’ve asked that question a lot of times, and I’m really just an average citizen. An average American. I’d been to Washington, D.C., one time during the eighth-grade trip. I had another very abbreviated trip on an Honor Flight,” Stump said.

          “I had no connections. I’m not a lobbyist, don’t want to be a lobbyist, don’t want to have a job in Washington, D.C.,” the North Carolina resident said.

          Stump recalled being told repeatedly that the project would never happen. News4 asked whether he needed congressional approval.

          “Yes, sir,” Stump said.

          Asked who explained that to him, Stump said: “Well, I just intuitively knew that it had to be in Washington, D.C. And I knew that anything happening here would have to go through Congress.”

          How military deaths factored into the memorial’s creation

          Stump approached Rep. Phil Roe of Tennessee in 2013. A year later, Congress passed a bill authorizing the memorial, and President Barack Obama signed it into law. Roe retired seven years later, and the memorial had not yet broken ground.

          “He subsequently told me, he asked me, he said, ‘Scott, do you know why there are 24 steps to construct a commemorative work or a memorial?’ I said, ‘No, I don’t. Why?’ And he said it’s so people don’t build memorials,” Stump said.

          Stump said he was often told the war was too short to warrant a memorial.

          “I was told a lot of things. One of the things that you had just hit on, you know, that it was a very short duration. And my argument for that is, so is a heart attack, but it has lasting implications,” he said.

          Asked whether the number of military deaths factored into conversations about the memorial, Stump said it did.

          “I had people say that there weren’t enough people that died during this conflict to warrant a memorial and then my follow-up question was, well then what is the right number? What’s the magic number? Is it 500? Is it a thousand? Is it 5,000?” he asked.

          A 16-year effort

          Stump said it still has not sunk in that the memorial will be dedicated on Oct. 24. By that time, nearly 16 years will have passed since his effort began.

          When asked whether he could believe it when he said it out loud, Stump replied: “I don’t want to believe it. I don’t want to think about how long it has been. You know, it extracts quite a toll.”

          The war in 1990 and 1991 lasted 210 days, including just 100 hours of ground combat. Getting the memorial approved by the committees responsible for memorials on the National Mall took nearly six years, with construction taking even longer.

          “We had final approval, I believe it was about two and a half years ago, for the design,” Stump said.

          To win approval took almost six years.

          “That’s an astronomically long time,” Stump said.

          Still, Stump said he is pleased with the final result.

          “I’m very, very happy with the outcome of what we have here.”

          What the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial represents

          The memorial received no federal funding for construction. The Veterans of Foreign Wars and chapters across the country were major donors. The largest donor was Kuwait, the country U.S. forces liberated, which donated nearly half the budget.

          “I think we have put together a really great representation of the war effort. You’ve got the clouds where the planes are and they kind of meld into the desert-type environment. I’m just very, very happy with the work that has been done with this to depict all of these different, you know, the sea, land and air,” Stump said.

          “Then at the very end is where the sun is rising. It’s the liberation, you know, to symbolize the new day.”

          Stump said the designers intentionally avoided filling the memorial with quotations. One exception is a quote from President George H.W. Bush.

          “That was Bush 41 when he stated before a joint session of Congress on March 8 of ’91: ‘They set out to confront an enemy abroad and, in the process, they transformed a nation at home,’” he said.

          The memorial sits on Constitution Avenue, about a block from the Lincoln Memorial and across the street from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

          Asked whether there was historical significance in being located between those landmarks, Stump said there was. Tens of thousands of names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial influenced how the Gulf War was planned and fought.

          “It sure did,” Stump said. “And I remember that. I remember coming home. They wanted to make a big fuss. We were embarrassed. We didn’t want to do parades. We just wanted to go home. We felt like we just did what we were asked to do. And I remember we did the parade and at the end, the commanding officer said, ‘And I dedicate this to all of the Vietnam folks that never got it.'”

          Stump made another point about the memorial’s location.

          “The other connection is right behind me here on Constitution. That’s where the victory parade, or whatever we called it, was on June 8 of 1991. I was not invited to that, but the troops actually marched right past here on the way to Arlington. So, it has a lot of symbolism and connection,” he said.

          The process for creating ‘very, very significant memorials’

          The Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial will open as Trump’s proposed Triumphal Arch moves through an accelerated approval process.

          Asked how that process differs from his own experience, Stump pointed to the level of review.

          “Well, there’s a big difference. You know, the level of scrutiny, the feedback. This site right here, the mandate, it’s built into its landscape,” he said. “Can’t go vertical. We were told, you cannot block the view shed of (the) Lincoln (Memorial). We respected that. We went through a very arduous and long process. And the idea of something being that vertical, yeah, it is. It’s a departure from what we were hearing and what we adhered to.”

          Former National Capital Planning Commission Chair Teri Hawks Goodmann echoed those concerns. She said she first encountered the Desert Storm Memorial project shortly after she joined the commission in 2022.

          “It was my first in-person meeting, because I was appointed in January of 2022. And Desert Storm had a history. It had already gone through a process. I think they’d already had seven or eight meetings with the commission prior to my appointment,” she said.

          Hawks Goodmann said those meetings reflected the level of review required for significant memorials.

          “We were talking about that kind of minutia that goes into looking at these very, very significant memorials to those who have given to our country and who have obviously given their all,” she said.

          According to News4’s review of commission records, 16 projects approved since the Desert Storm Memorial first appeared before the commission in 2017 took an average of 621 days to receive preliminary approval. The commission granted preliminary approval to the arch in just 35 days.

          Hawks Goodmann said memorial projects traditionally begin with citizens seeking congressional approval under the Commemorative Works Act.

          “It begins with a group of citizens who go to Congress. You know, because we have the Commemorative Works Act. And people join together who have a shared interest in memorializing Americans in some way at our nation’s capital. So it’s a grassroots process that reflects the democracy that we live in,” she said.

          Hawks Goodmann, who lives in Iowa, was appointed to the commission by President Joe Biden in 2022. She said she was removed from the commission in July 2025 after receiving an email the night before a meeting. She and two other presidential appointees were replaced by allies of the Trump administration.

          She rejected the idea that she viewed the position as political.

          “Absolutely not. Absolutely not. I never spoke to the president (Biden) about it. We had contact, but it was about family. It was certainly not about my role in this commission, and I never would have expected to be directed in any way by the president,” she said.

          Hawks Goodmann said deliberation is essential because the capital’s planning framework is built around the L’Enfant and McMillan plans.

          “It’s slow and deliberative because the planning that surrounds the Capitol and the desire to stay within the parameters of the L’Enfant plan and the McMillan plan are very specific and so it takes significant deliberation,” she said.

          She added: “I think, for anyone who’s visited the Capitol and understands the feeling you have when you enter the Mall or enter the Capitol itself or the White House, everything is planned to reflect something bigger than ourselves.”

          Asked about the rapid pace of the arch proposal, Hawks Goodmann said public participation is essential.

          “These monuments emerge from the American public. They emerge from a sense of reverence and awe at acts of bravery or acts of outstanding performance by Americans, and it’s not something that just comes about overnight and it certainly not one person’s idea. It’s the collective that comes together,” she said.

          She cited the arch’s goal of celebrating 250 years of American democracy.

          “For example, the Arch, it’s intended to celebrate 250 years of democracy. That’s a wonderful idea. I think that’s an idea, though, that demands public engagement and sharing of ideas, and letting us really imagine that incredible celebration. So, it’s not something that just happens overnight and comes from a single source. It would be something that’s coming from the collective,” she said.

          Asked about the risks of moving too quickly, Hawks Goodmann said: “Well, the danger is, number one, no congressional approval. Number two, the architecture itself doesn’t actually reflect the intended purpose or message. Number three, you have citizens objecting to it. It becomes controversial, as opposed to celebratory.”

          “I think there is a reason for the deliberative process, and I think that it’s always a benefit to have it,” she said.

          Trump defended the proposal during an Oct. 8 address.

          “Fifty-nine major cities in the world. We are the only one of the 59 cities and capitals without a triumphal arch. In Paris, you have the Arc de Triomphe, we have one much more beautiful, slightly larger,” he said.

          News4 said it reached out to the White House for an interview with the president about the arch but did not receive a response. A spokesperson said, “President Trump is moving at lightning speed because we don’t have time to waste in our mission to make America greater than ever before.”

          A spokesperson for the National Capital Planning Commission said the agency regularly works with applicants to understand timelines and align its review stages.

          The commission is expected to take a final vote on the arch soon but faces multiple legal challenges, including a lawsuit filed by the Arlington County Board opposing construction and objections from some neighboring jurisdictions.

          Asked whether the project should simply be allowed to proceed, Hawks Goodmann pointed to public response.

          “When you have 100,000 responses, majority of those negative from American citizens from throughout the country, if I were on the commission as chair, I would say, ‘Hmm, let’s slow down. Let’s just slow this down.’ To me, that would be a logical response,” she said.

          ‘I wanted to honor those who died’

          Stump said the memorial is intended to inspire curiosity.

          “The task that we have is for a visitor to come here and be inspired and then subsequently look up on their phone or whatever to learn what all of this means. That’s our job,” he said.

          He said public feedback improved the final product.

          “You have to respect the commentary and then work through it and then show why it doesn’t work. But there have been some very good commentary that has led to, again, the overall collaborative process,” he said.

          Asked whether public comment and preservation laws truly matter, Hawks Goodmann responded: “Yes, the process matters, and citizen input matters, and the process protects the future of the capital and its intended reflection of democracy in the Constitution.”

          “It’s really about preserving the built environment and the landscape so that it does tell that story, the greatness of America and the United States and the people who live here. That’s why it’s important,” she said.

          Stump acknowledged the toll the project has taken and said he’s unsure if he’ll ever return to see the memorial again. After spending 16 years changing a corner of D.C., he is left wondering whether the same standards and process apply to other projects.

          “Stay true to why you’re doing it in the first place,” he said. “I wanted to honor those who died. I wanted to honor those that served.”

          Thu, Oct 22 2026 06:27:19 PM Thu, Oct 22 2026 06:27:23 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => DC's Desert Storm Memorial took 16 years to create. Trump's arch got initial OK in months https://www.nbcwashington.com/investigations/dcs-desert-storm-memorial-took-16-years-to-create-trumps-arch-got-initial-ok-in-months/4170777/ 4170777 Ted Oberg, Rick Yarborough, Katie Leslie and Jeff Piper post 11572996 4 more context desert storm memorial reedit oct 22 2026 2 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/4-more-context-desert-storm-memorial-reedit-oct-22-2026-2.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,676 Trump's Triumphal Arch is approaching final approval just five months after its first appearance before the National Capital Planning Commission.

          D.C.’s newest memorial on the National Mall is about to open, 16 years after work on the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial began. Organizer Scott Stump said there were plenty of times its creation was in doubt.

          “I would be a complete fabricator or liar if I said that there weren’t a number of times, maybe even a few this week, where I just wanted to walk away and say, ‘You know, I just, I can’t do this anymore,'” he said.

          Far from a naysayer, Stump has dedicated years of his life to creating the memorial, adding that effort to his service as a Marine lance corporal in the desert in 1990.

          “People had pretty much all but forgotten what had happened back in 1990 and 1991. We had about 700,000 people deploy,” he said.

          Across the Potomac River, President Donald Trump’s Triumphal Arch project is approaching final approval, just five months after its first appearance before the National Capital Planning Commission.

          A former chair of the group, Teri Hawks Goodmann, said officials should give the arch project more scrutiny.

          “The speed with which the administration is working on new structures, like [the] ballroom, like the arch, is disturbing. Because again, these monuments emerge from the American public. They emerge from a sense of reverence and awe,” she said.

          News4 got an up-close look at the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial, what it took to make it happen and what those we spoke with said Americans should consider about any new monument. It sits at the corner of Constitution Avenue & 23rd NW. It is shaped like a giant left hook, a tribute to the maneuver ground forces used to surprise the Iraqi army. It surrounds a fountain with the names of all coalition nations that participated in the war.

          The ‘lightbulb moment’ behind the creation of the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial

          On the Mall, Stump pointed to elements of the memorial.

          “I really like these figures at the rear because they have the gas masks on and people tend to minimize, ‘Oh, it was a video game,’ or ‘It was about a 100-hour war.’ They forget all about the air campaigns,’” he said while also remembering the months of build up spent in the desert dealing with fear and concern of chemical weapons.

          In 1990, Stump was a 23-year-old Marine Reserve lance corporal called up and sent to the desert to push Iraq out of Kuwait during Operation Desert Shield and then Operation Desert Storm.

          “I didn’t do anything special. I was just a Marine reservist. The only distinction I probably have is I’m probably the only person out of the 700,000 that completed my final three-hour college course in a foxhole by correspondence,” he said.

          Stump spoke about how he got the idea for the memorial.

          “I guess the lightbulb moment, if you call it that, was reflecting on the 20th anniversary of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm back in November of 2010,” Stump said.

          “We liberated a country. We did it in a way that is extremely foreign in the minds of Americans. Now, in a divided world that we live in, you have these 30-some-odd coalition countries come together and work together,” he said.

          News4 asked why he thought he was someone who could try to make a mark on Washington forever, with a new monument.

          “Well, I’ve asked that question a lot of times, and I’m really just an average citizen. An average American. I’d been to Washington, D.C., one time during the eighth-grade trip. I had another very abbreviated trip on an Honor Flight,” Stump said.

          “I had no connections. I’m not a lobbyist, don’t want to be a lobbyist, don’t want to have a job in Washington, D.C.,” the North Carolina resident said.

          Stump recalled being told repeatedly that the project would never happen. News4 asked whether he needed congressional approval.

          “Yes, sir,” Stump said.

          Asked who explained that to him, Stump said: “Well, I just intuitively knew that it had to be in Washington, D.C. And I knew that anything happening here would have to go through Congress.”

          How military deaths factored into the memorial’s creation

          Stump approached Rep. Phil Roe of Tennessee in 2013. A year later, Congress passed a bill authorizing the memorial, and President Barack Obama signed it into law. Roe retired seven years later, and the memorial had not yet broken ground.

          “He subsequently told me, he asked me, he said, ‘Scott, do you know why there are 24 steps to construct a commemorative work or a memorial?’ I said, ‘No, I don’t. Why?’ And he said it’s so people don’t build memorials,” Stump said.

          Stump said he was often told the war was too short to warrant a memorial.

          “I was told a lot of things. One of the things that you had just hit on, you know, that it was a very short duration. And my argument for that is, so is a heart attack, but it has lasting implications,” he said.

          Asked whether the number of military deaths factored into conversations about the memorial, Stump said it did.

          “I had people say that there weren’t enough people that died during this conflict to warrant a memorial and then my follow-up question was, well then what is the right number? What’s the magic number? Is it 500? Is it a thousand? Is it 5,000?” he asked.

          A 16-year effort

          Stump said it still has not sunk in that the memorial will be dedicated on Oct. 24. By that time, nearly 16 years will have passed since his effort began.

          When asked whether he could believe it when he said it out loud, Stump replied: “I don’t want to believe it. I don’t want to think about how long it has been. You know, it extracts quite a toll.”

          The war in 1990 and 1991 lasted 210 days, including just 100 hours of ground combat. Getting the memorial approved by the committees responsible for memorials on the National Mall took nearly six years, with construction taking even longer.

          “We had final approval, I believe it was about two and a half years ago, for the design,” Stump said.

          To win approval took almost six years.

          “That’s an astronomically long time,” Stump said.

          Still, Stump said he is pleased with the final result.

          “I’m very, very happy with the outcome of what we have here.”

          What the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial represents

          The memorial received no federal funding for construction. The Veterans of Foreign Wars and chapters across the country were major donors. The largest donor was Kuwait, the country U.S. forces liberated, which donated nearly half the budget.

          “I think we have put together a really great representation of the war effort. You’ve got the clouds where the planes are and they kind of meld into the desert-type environment. I’m just very, very happy with the work that has been done with this to depict all of these different, you know, the sea, land and air,” Stump said.

          “Then at the very end is where the sun is rising. It’s the liberation, you know, to symbolize the new day.”

          Stump said the designers intentionally avoided filling the memorial with quotations. One exception is a quote from President George H.W. Bush.

          “That was Bush 41 when he stated before a joint session of Congress on March 8 of ’91: ‘They set out to confront an enemy abroad and, in the process, they transformed a nation at home,’” he said.

          The memorial sits on Constitution Avenue, about a block from the Lincoln Memorial and across the street from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

          Asked whether there was historical significance in being located between those landmarks, Stump said there was. Tens of thousands of names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial influenced how the Gulf War was planned and fought.

          “It sure did,” Stump said. “And I remember that. I remember coming home. They wanted to make a big fuss. We were embarrassed. We didn’t want to do parades. We just wanted to go home. We felt like we just did what we were asked to do. And I remember we did the parade and at the end, the commanding officer said, ‘And I dedicate this to all of the Vietnam folks that never got it.'”

          Stump made another point about the memorial’s location.

          “The other connection is right behind me here on Constitution. That’s where the victory parade, or whatever we called it, was on June 8 of 1991. I was not invited to that, but the troops actually marched right past here on the way to Arlington. So, it has a lot of symbolism and connection,” he said.

          The process for creating ‘very, very significant memorials’

          The Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial will open as Trump’s proposed Triumphal Arch moves through an accelerated approval process.

          Asked how that process differs from his own experience, Stump pointed to the level of review.

          “Well, there’s a big difference. You know, the level of scrutiny, the feedback. This site right here, the mandate, it’s built into its landscape,” he said. “Can’t go vertical. We were told, you cannot block the view shed of (the) Lincoln (Memorial). We respected that. We went through a very arduous and long process. And the idea of something being that vertical, yeah, it is. It’s a departure from what we were hearing and what we adhered to.”

          Former National Capital Planning Commission Chair Teri Hawks Goodmann echoed those concerns. She said she first encountered the Desert Storm Memorial project shortly after she joined the commission in 2022.

          “It was my first in-person meeting, because I was appointed in January of 2022. And Desert Storm had a history. It had already gone through a process. I think they’d already had seven or eight meetings with the commission prior to my appointment,” she said.

          Hawks Goodmann said those meetings reflected the level of review required for significant memorials.

          “We were talking about that kind of minutia that goes into looking at these very, very significant memorials to those who have given to our country and who have obviously given their all,” she said.

          According to News4’s review of commission records, 16 projects approved since the Desert Storm Memorial first appeared before the commission in 2017 took an average of 621 days to receive preliminary approval. The commission granted preliminary approval to the arch in just 35 days.

          Hawks Goodmann said memorial projects traditionally begin with citizens seeking congressional approval under the Commemorative Works Act.

          “It begins with a group of citizens who go to Congress. You know, because we have the Commemorative Works Act. And people join together who have a shared interest in memorializing Americans in some way at our nation’s capital. So it’s a grassroots process that reflects the democracy that we live in,” she said.

          Hawks Goodmann, who lives in Iowa, was appointed to the commission by President Joe Biden in 2022. She said she was removed from the commission in July 2025 after receiving an email the night before a meeting. She and two other presidential appointees were replaced by allies of the Trump administration.

          She rejected the idea that she viewed the position as political.

          “Absolutely not. Absolutely not. I never spoke to the president (Biden) about it. We had contact, but it was about family. It was certainly not about my role in this commission, and I never would have expected to be directed in any way by the president,” she said.

          Hawks Goodmann said deliberation is essential because the capital’s planning framework is built around the L’Enfant and McMillan plans.

          “It’s slow and deliberative because the planning that surrounds the Capitol and the desire to stay within the parameters of the L’Enfant plan and the McMillan plan are very specific and so it takes significant deliberation,” she said.

          She added: “I think, for anyone who’s visited the Capitol and understands the feeling you have when you enter the Mall or enter the Capitol itself or the White House, everything is planned to reflect something bigger than ourselves.”

          Asked about the rapid pace of the arch proposal, Hawks Goodmann said public participation is essential.

          “These monuments emerge from the American public. They emerge from a sense of reverence and awe at acts of bravery or acts of outstanding performance by Americans, and it’s not something that just comes about overnight and it certainly not one person’s idea. It’s the collective that comes together,” she said.

          She cited the arch’s goal of celebrating 250 years of American democracy.

          “For example, the Arch, it’s intended to celebrate 250 years of democracy. That’s a wonderful idea. I think that’s an idea, though, that demands public engagement and sharing of ideas, and letting us really imagine that incredible celebration. So, it’s not something that just happens overnight and comes from a single source. It would be something that’s coming from the collective,” she said.

          Asked about the risks of moving too quickly, Hawks Goodmann said: “Well, the danger is, number one, no congressional approval. Number two, the architecture itself doesn’t actually reflect the intended purpose or message. Number three, you have citizens objecting to it. It becomes controversial, as opposed to celebratory.”

          “I think there is a reason for the deliberative process, and I think that it’s always a benefit to have it,” she said.

          Trump defended the proposal during an Oct. 8 address.

          “Fifty-nine major cities in the world. We are the only one of the 59 cities and capitals without a triumphal arch. In Paris, you have the Arc de Triomphe, we have one much more beautiful, slightly larger,” he said.

          News4 said it reached out to the White House for an interview with the president about the arch but did not receive a response. A spokesperson said, “President Trump is moving at lightning speed because we don’t have time to waste in our mission to make America greater than ever before.”

          A spokesperson for the National Capital Planning Commission said the agency regularly works with applicants to understand timelines and align its review stages.

          The commission is expected to take a final vote on the arch soon but faces multiple legal challenges, including a lawsuit filed by the Arlington County Board opposing construction and objections from some neighboring jurisdictions.

          Asked whether the project should simply be allowed to proceed, Hawks Goodmann pointed to public response.

          “When you have 100,000 responses, majority of those negative from American citizens from throughout the country, if I were on the commission as chair, I would say, ‘Hmm, let’s slow down. Let’s just slow this down.’ To me, that would be a logical response,” she said.

          ‘I wanted to honor those who died’

          Stump said the memorial is intended to inspire curiosity.

          “The task that we have is for a visitor to come here and be inspired and then subsequently look up on their phone or whatever to learn what all of this means. That’s our job,” he said.

          He said public feedback improved the final product.

          “You have to respect the commentary and then work through it and then show why it doesn’t work. But there have been some very good commentary that has led to, again, the overall collaborative process,” he said.

          Asked whether public comment and preservation laws truly matter, Hawks Goodmann responded: “Yes, the process matters, and citizen input matters, and the process protects the future of the capital and its intended reflection of democracy in the Constitution.”

          “It’s really about preserving the built environment and the landscape so that it does tell that story, the greatness of America and the United States and the people who live here. That’s why it’s important,” she said.

          Stump acknowledged the toll the project has taken and said he’s unsure if he’ll ever return to see the memorial again. After spending 16 years changing a corner of D.C., he is left wondering whether the same standards and process apply to other projects.

          “Stay true to why you’re doing it in the first place,” he said. “I wanted to honor those who died. I wanted to honor those that served.”

          Thu, Oct 22 2026 06:27:19 PM Thu, Oct 22 2026 06:27:23 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => DC's Desert Storm Memorial took 16 years to create. Trump's arch got initial OK in months [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/investigations/dcs-desert-storm-memorial-took-16-years-to-create-trumps-arch-got-initial-ok-in-months/4170777/ [date] => Thu, Oct 22 2026 06:27:19 PM ) ) ) [1] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 139 [function] => RSS_Tags [args] => Array ( [0] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => DC's Desert Storm Memorial took 16 years to create. Trump's arch got initial OK in months https://www.nbcwashington.com/investigations/dcs-desert-storm-memorial-took-16-years-to-create-trumps-arch-got-initial-ok-in-months/4170777/ 4170777 Ted Oberg, Rick Yarborough, Katie Leslie and Jeff Piper post 11572996 4 more context desert storm memorial reedit oct 22 2026 2 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/4-more-context-desert-storm-memorial-reedit-oct-22-2026-2.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,676 Trump's Triumphal Arch is approaching final approval just five months after its first appearance before the National Capital Planning Commission.

          D.C.’s newest memorial on the National Mall is about to open, 16 years after work on the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial began. Organizer Scott Stump said there were plenty of times its creation was in doubt.

          “I would be a complete fabricator or liar if I said that there weren’t a number of times, maybe even a few this week, where I just wanted to walk away and say, ‘You know, I just, I can’t do this anymore,'” he said.

          Far from a naysayer, Stump has dedicated years of his life to creating the memorial, adding that effort to his service as a Marine lance corporal in the desert in 1990.

          “People had pretty much all but forgotten what had happened back in 1990 and 1991. We had about 700,000 people deploy,” he said.

          Across the Potomac River, President Donald Trump’s Triumphal Arch project is approaching final approval, just five months after its first appearance before the National Capital Planning Commission.

          A former chair of the group, Teri Hawks Goodmann, said officials should give the arch project more scrutiny.

          “The speed with which the administration is working on new structures, like [the] ballroom, like the arch, is disturbing. Because again, these monuments emerge from the American public. They emerge from a sense of reverence and awe,” she said.

          News4 got an up-close look at the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial, what it took to make it happen and what those we spoke with said Americans should consider about any new monument. It sits at the corner of Constitution Avenue & 23rd NW. It is shaped like a giant left hook, a tribute to the maneuver ground forces used to surprise the Iraqi army. It surrounds a fountain with the names of all coalition nations that participated in the war.

          The ‘lightbulb moment’ behind the creation of the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial

          On the Mall, Stump pointed to elements of the memorial.

          “I really like these figures at the rear because they have the gas masks on and people tend to minimize, ‘Oh, it was a video game,’ or ‘It was about a 100-hour war.’ They forget all about the air campaigns,’” he said while also remembering the months of build up spent in the desert dealing with fear and concern of chemical weapons.

          In 1990, Stump was a 23-year-old Marine Reserve lance corporal called up and sent to the desert to push Iraq out of Kuwait during Operation Desert Shield and then Operation Desert Storm.

          “I didn’t do anything special. I was just a Marine reservist. The only distinction I probably have is I’m probably the only person out of the 700,000 that completed my final three-hour college course in a foxhole by correspondence,” he said.

          Stump spoke about how he got the idea for the memorial.

          “I guess the lightbulb moment, if you call it that, was reflecting on the 20th anniversary of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm back in November of 2010,” Stump said.

          “We liberated a country. We did it in a way that is extremely foreign in the minds of Americans. Now, in a divided world that we live in, you have these 30-some-odd coalition countries come together and work together,” he said.

          News4 asked why he thought he was someone who could try to make a mark on Washington forever, with a new monument.

          “Well, I’ve asked that question a lot of times, and I’m really just an average citizen. An average American. I’d been to Washington, D.C., one time during the eighth-grade trip. I had another very abbreviated trip on an Honor Flight,” Stump said.

          “I had no connections. I’m not a lobbyist, don’t want to be a lobbyist, don’t want to have a job in Washington, D.C.,” the North Carolina resident said.

          Stump recalled being told repeatedly that the project would never happen. News4 asked whether he needed congressional approval.

          “Yes, sir,” Stump said.

          Asked who explained that to him, Stump said: “Well, I just intuitively knew that it had to be in Washington, D.C. And I knew that anything happening here would have to go through Congress.”

          How military deaths factored into the memorial’s creation

          Stump approached Rep. Phil Roe of Tennessee in 2013. A year later, Congress passed a bill authorizing the memorial, and President Barack Obama signed it into law. Roe retired seven years later, and the memorial had not yet broken ground.

          “He subsequently told me, he asked me, he said, ‘Scott, do you know why there are 24 steps to construct a commemorative work or a memorial?’ I said, ‘No, I don’t. Why?’ And he said it’s so people don’t build memorials,” Stump said.

          Stump said he was often told the war was too short to warrant a memorial.

          “I was told a lot of things. One of the things that you had just hit on, you know, that it was a very short duration. And my argument for that is, so is a heart attack, but it has lasting implications,” he said.

          Asked whether the number of military deaths factored into conversations about the memorial, Stump said it did.

          “I had people say that there weren’t enough people that died during this conflict to warrant a memorial and then my follow-up question was, well then what is the right number? What’s the magic number? Is it 500? Is it a thousand? Is it 5,000?” he asked.

          A 16-year effort

          Stump said it still has not sunk in that the memorial will be dedicated on Oct. 24. By that time, nearly 16 years will have passed since his effort began.

          When asked whether he could believe it when he said it out loud, Stump replied: “I don’t want to believe it. I don’t want to think about how long it has been. You know, it extracts quite a toll.”

          The war in 1990 and 1991 lasted 210 days, including just 100 hours of ground combat. Getting the memorial approved by the committees responsible for memorials on the National Mall took nearly six years, with construction taking even longer.

          “We had final approval, I believe it was about two and a half years ago, for the design,” Stump said.

          To win approval took almost six years.

          “That’s an astronomically long time,” Stump said.

          Still, Stump said he is pleased with the final result.

          “I’m very, very happy with the outcome of what we have here.”

          What the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial represents

          The memorial received no federal funding for construction. The Veterans of Foreign Wars and chapters across the country were major donors. The largest donor was Kuwait, the country U.S. forces liberated, which donated nearly half the budget.

          “I think we have put together a really great representation of the war effort. You’ve got the clouds where the planes are and they kind of meld into the desert-type environment. I’m just very, very happy with the work that has been done with this to depict all of these different, you know, the sea, land and air,” Stump said.

          “Then at the very end is where the sun is rising. It’s the liberation, you know, to symbolize the new day.”

          Stump said the designers intentionally avoided filling the memorial with quotations. One exception is a quote from President George H.W. Bush.

          “That was Bush 41 when he stated before a joint session of Congress on March 8 of ’91: ‘They set out to confront an enemy abroad and, in the process, they transformed a nation at home,’” he said.

          The memorial sits on Constitution Avenue, about a block from the Lincoln Memorial and across the street from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

          Asked whether there was historical significance in being located between those landmarks, Stump said there was. Tens of thousands of names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial influenced how the Gulf War was planned and fought.

          “It sure did,” Stump said. “And I remember that. I remember coming home. They wanted to make a big fuss. We were embarrassed. We didn’t want to do parades. We just wanted to go home. We felt like we just did what we were asked to do. And I remember we did the parade and at the end, the commanding officer said, ‘And I dedicate this to all of the Vietnam folks that never got it.'”

          Stump made another point about the memorial’s location.

          “The other connection is right behind me here on Constitution. That’s where the victory parade, or whatever we called it, was on June 8 of 1991. I was not invited to that, but the troops actually marched right past here on the way to Arlington. So, it has a lot of symbolism and connection,” he said.

          The process for creating ‘very, very significant memorials’

          The Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial will open as Trump’s proposed Triumphal Arch moves through an accelerated approval process.

          Asked how that process differs from his own experience, Stump pointed to the level of review.

          “Well, there’s a big difference. You know, the level of scrutiny, the feedback. This site right here, the mandate, it’s built into its landscape,” he said. “Can’t go vertical. We were told, you cannot block the view shed of (the) Lincoln (Memorial). We respected that. We went through a very arduous and long process. And the idea of something being that vertical, yeah, it is. It’s a departure from what we were hearing and what we adhered to.”

          Former National Capital Planning Commission Chair Teri Hawks Goodmann echoed those concerns. She said she first encountered the Desert Storm Memorial project shortly after she joined the commission in 2022.

          “It was my first in-person meeting, because I was appointed in January of 2022. And Desert Storm had a history. It had already gone through a process. I think they’d already had seven or eight meetings with the commission prior to my appointment,” she said.

          Hawks Goodmann said those meetings reflected the level of review required for significant memorials.

          “We were talking about that kind of minutia that goes into looking at these very, very significant memorials to those who have given to our country and who have obviously given their all,” she said.

          According to News4’s review of commission records, 16 projects approved since the Desert Storm Memorial first appeared before the commission in 2017 took an average of 621 days to receive preliminary approval. The commission granted preliminary approval to the arch in just 35 days.

          Hawks Goodmann said memorial projects traditionally begin with citizens seeking congressional approval under the Commemorative Works Act.

          “It begins with a group of citizens who go to Congress. You know, because we have the Commemorative Works Act. And people join together who have a shared interest in memorializing Americans in some way at our nation’s capital. So it’s a grassroots process that reflects the democracy that we live in,” she said.

          Hawks Goodmann, who lives in Iowa, was appointed to the commission by President Joe Biden in 2022. She said she was removed from the commission in July 2025 after receiving an email the night before a meeting. She and two other presidential appointees were replaced by allies of the Trump administration.

          She rejected the idea that she viewed the position as political.

          “Absolutely not. Absolutely not. I never spoke to the president (Biden) about it. We had contact, but it was about family. It was certainly not about my role in this commission, and I never would have expected to be directed in any way by the president,” she said.

          Hawks Goodmann said deliberation is essential because the capital’s planning framework is built around the L’Enfant and McMillan plans.

          “It’s slow and deliberative because the planning that surrounds the Capitol and the desire to stay within the parameters of the L’Enfant plan and the McMillan plan are very specific and so it takes significant deliberation,” she said.

          She added: “I think, for anyone who’s visited the Capitol and understands the feeling you have when you enter the Mall or enter the Capitol itself or the White House, everything is planned to reflect something bigger than ourselves.”

          Asked about the rapid pace of the arch proposal, Hawks Goodmann said public participation is essential.

          “These monuments emerge from the American public. They emerge from a sense of reverence and awe at acts of bravery or acts of outstanding performance by Americans, and it’s not something that just comes about overnight and it certainly not one person’s idea. It’s the collective that comes together,” she said.

          She cited the arch’s goal of celebrating 250 years of American democracy.

          “For example, the Arch, it’s intended to celebrate 250 years of democracy. That’s a wonderful idea. I think that’s an idea, though, that demands public engagement and sharing of ideas, and letting us really imagine that incredible celebration. So, it’s not something that just happens overnight and comes from a single source. It would be something that’s coming from the collective,” she said.

          Asked about the risks of moving too quickly, Hawks Goodmann said: “Well, the danger is, number one, no congressional approval. Number two, the architecture itself doesn’t actually reflect the intended purpose or message. Number three, you have citizens objecting to it. It becomes controversial, as opposed to celebratory.”

          “I think there is a reason for the deliberative process, and I think that it’s always a benefit to have it,” she said.

          Trump defended the proposal during an Oct. 8 address.

          “Fifty-nine major cities in the world. We are the only one of the 59 cities and capitals without a triumphal arch. In Paris, you have the Arc de Triomphe, we have one much more beautiful, slightly larger,” he said.

          News4 said it reached out to the White House for an interview with the president about the arch but did not receive a response. A spokesperson said, “President Trump is moving at lightning speed because we don’t have time to waste in our mission to make America greater than ever before.”

          A spokesperson for the National Capital Planning Commission said the agency regularly works with applicants to understand timelines and align its review stages.

          The commission is expected to take a final vote on the arch soon but faces multiple legal challenges, including a lawsuit filed by the Arlington County Board opposing construction and objections from some neighboring jurisdictions.

          Asked whether the project should simply be allowed to proceed, Hawks Goodmann pointed to public response.

          “When you have 100,000 responses, majority of those negative from American citizens from throughout the country, if I were on the commission as chair, I would say, ‘Hmm, let’s slow down. Let’s just slow this down.’ To me, that would be a logical response,” she said.

          ‘I wanted to honor those who died’

          Stump said the memorial is intended to inspire curiosity.

          “The task that we have is for a visitor to come here and be inspired and then subsequently look up on their phone or whatever to learn what all of this means. That’s our job,” he said.

          He said public feedback improved the final product.

          “You have to respect the commentary and then work through it and then show why it doesn’t work. But there have been some very good commentary that has led to, again, the overall collaborative process,” he said.

          Asked whether public comment and preservation laws truly matter, Hawks Goodmann responded: “Yes, the process matters, and citizen input matters, and the process protects the future of the capital and its intended reflection of democracy in the Constitution.”

          “It’s really about preserving the built environment and the landscape so that it does tell that story, the greatness of America and the United States and the people who live here. That’s why it’s important,” she said.

          Stump acknowledged the toll the project has taken and said he’s unsure if he’ll ever return to see the memorial again. After spending 16 years changing a corner of D.C., he is left wondering whether the same standards and process apply to other projects.

          “Stay true to why you’re doing it in the first place,” he said. “I wanted to honor those who died. I wanted to honor those that served.”

          Thu, Oct 22 2026 06:27:19 PM Thu, Oct 22 2026 06:27:23 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => DC's Desert Storm Memorial took 16 years to create. Trump's arch got initial OK in months https://www.nbcwashington.com/investigations/dcs-desert-storm-memorial-took-16-years-to-create-trumps-arch-got-initial-ok-in-months/4170777/ 4170777 Ted Oberg, Rick Yarborough, Katie Leslie and Jeff Piper post 11572996 4 more context desert storm memorial reedit oct 22 2026 2 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/4-more-context-desert-storm-memorial-reedit-oct-22-2026-2.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,676 Trump's Triumphal Arch is approaching final approval just five months after its first appearance before the National Capital Planning Commission.

          D.C.’s newest memorial on the National Mall is about to open, 16 years after work on the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial began. Organizer Scott Stump said there were plenty of times its creation was in doubt.

          “I would be a complete fabricator or liar if I said that there weren’t a number of times, maybe even a few this week, where I just wanted to walk away and say, ‘You know, I just, I can’t do this anymore,'” he said.

          Far from a naysayer, Stump has dedicated years of his life to creating the memorial, adding that effort to his service as a Marine lance corporal in the desert in 1990.

          “People had pretty much all but forgotten what had happened back in 1990 and 1991. We had about 700,000 people deploy,” he said.

          Across the Potomac River, President Donald Trump’s Triumphal Arch project is approaching final approval, just five months after its first appearance before the National Capital Planning Commission.

          A former chair of the group, Teri Hawks Goodmann, said officials should give the arch project more scrutiny.

          “The speed with which the administration is working on new structures, like [the] ballroom, like the arch, is disturbing. Because again, these monuments emerge from the American public. They emerge from a sense of reverence and awe,” she said.

          News4 got an up-close look at the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial, what it took to make it happen and what those we spoke with said Americans should consider about any new monument. It sits at the corner of Constitution Avenue & 23rd NW. It is shaped like a giant left hook, a tribute to the maneuver ground forces used to surprise the Iraqi army. It surrounds a fountain with the names of all coalition nations that participated in the war.

          The ‘lightbulb moment’ behind the creation of the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial

          On the Mall, Stump pointed to elements of the memorial.

          “I really like these figures at the rear because they have the gas masks on and people tend to minimize, ‘Oh, it was a video game,’ or ‘It was about a 100-hour war.’ They forget all about the air campaigns,’” he said while also remembering the months of build up spent in the desert dealing with fear and concern of chemical weapons.

          In 1990, Stump was a 23-year-old Marine Reserve lance corporal called up and sent to the desert to push Iraq out of Kuwait during Operation Desert Shield and then Operation Desert Storm.

          “I didn’t do anything special. I was just a Marine reservist. The only distinction I probably have is I’m probably the only person out of the 700,000 that completed my final three-hour college course in a foxhole by correspondence,” he said.

          Stump spoke about how he got the idea for the memorial.

          “I guess the lightbulb moment, if you call it that, was reflecting on the 20th anniversary of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm back in November of 2010,” Stump said.

          “We liberated a country. We did it in a way that is extremely foreign in the minds of Americans. Now, in a divided world that we live in, you have these 30-some-odd coalition countries come together and work together,” he said.

          News4 asked why he thought he was someone who could try to make a mark on Washington forever, with a new monument.

          “Well, I’ve asked that question a lot of times, and I’m really just an average citizen. An average American. I’d been to Washington, D.C., one time during the eighth-grade trip. I had another very abbreviated trip on an Honor Flight,” Stump said.

          “I had no connections. I’m not a lobbyist, don’t want to be a lobbyist, don’t want to have a job in Washington, D.C.,” the North Carolina resident said.

          Stump recalled being told repeatedly that the project would never happen. News4 asked whether he needed congressional approval.

          “Yes, sir,” Stump said.

          Asked who explained that to him, Stump said: “Well, I just intuitively knew that it had to be in Washington, D.C. And I knew that anything happening here would have to go through Congress.”

          How military deaths factored into the memorial’s creation

          Stump approached Rep. Phil Roe of Tennessee in 2013. A year later, Congress passed a bill authorizing the memorial, and President Barack Obama signed it into law. Roe retired seven years later, and the memorial had not yet broken ground.

          “He subsequently told me, he asked me, he said, ‘Scott, do you know why there are 24 steps to construct a commemorative work or a memorial?’ I said, ‘No, I don’t. Why?’ And he said it’s so people don’t build memorials,” Stump said.

          Stump said he was often told the war was too short to warrant a memorial.

          “I was told a lot of things. One of the things that you had just hit on, you know, that it was a very short duration. And my argument for that is, so is a heart attack, but it has lasting implications,” he said.

          Asked whether the number of military deaths factored into conversations about the memorial, Stump said it did.

          “I had people say that there weren’t enough people that died during this conflict to warrant a memorial and then my follow-up question was, well then what is the right number? What’s the magic number? Is it 500? Is it a thousand? Is it 5,000?” he asked.

          A 16-year effort

          Stump said it still has not sunk in that the memorial will be dedicated on Oct. 24. By that time, nearly 16 years will have passed since his effort began.

          When asked whether he could believe it when he said it out loud, Stump replied: “I don’t want to believe it. I don’t want to think about how long it has been. You know, it extracts quite a toll.”

          The war in 1990 and 1991 lasted 210 days, including just 100 hours of ground combat. Getting the memorial approved by the committees responsible for memorials on the National Mall took nearly six years, with construction taking even longer.

          “We had final approval, I believe it was about two and a half years ago, for the design,” Stump said.

          To win approval took almost six years.

          “That’s an astronomically long time,” Stump said.

          Still, Stump said he is pleased with the final result.

          “I’m very, very happy with the outcome of what we have here.”

          What the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial represents

          The memorial received no federal funding for construction. The Veterans of Foreign Wars and chapters across the country were major donors. The largest donor was Kuwait, the country U.S. forces liberated, which donated nearly half the budget.

          “I think we have put together a really great representation of the war effort. You’ve got the clouds where the planes are and they kind of meld into the desert-type environment. I’m just very, very happy with the work that has been done with this to depict all of these different, you know, the sea, land and air,” Stump said.

          “Then at the very end is where the sun is rising. It’s the liberation, you know, to symbolize the new day.”

          Stump said the designers intentionally avoided filling the memorial with quotations. One exception is a quote from President George H.W. Bush.

          “That was Bush 41 when he stated before a joint session of Congress on March 8 of ’91: ‘They set out to confront an enemy abroad and, in the process, they transformed a nation at home,’” he said.

          The memorial sits on Constitution Avenue, about a block from the Lincoln Memorial and across the street from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

          Asked whether there was historical significance in being located between those landmarks, Stump said there was. Tens of thousands of names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial influenced how the Gulf War was planned and fought.

          “It sure did,” Stump said. “And I remember that. I remember coming home. They wanted to make a big fuss. We were embarrassed. We didn’t want to do parades. We just wanted to go home. We felt like we just did what we were asked to do. And I remember we did the parade and at the end, the commanding officer said, ‘And I dedicate this to all of the Vietnam folks that never got it.'”

          Stump made another point about the memorial’s location.

          “The other connection is right behind me here on Constitution. That’s where the victory parade, or whatever we called it, was on June 8 of 1991. I was not invited to that, but the troops actually marched right past here on the way to Arlington. So, it has a lot of symbolism and connection,” he said.

          The process for creating ‘very, very significant memorials’

          The Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial will open as Trump’s proposed Triumphal Arch moves through an accelerated approval process.

          Asked how that process differs from his own experience, Stump pointed to the level of review.

          “Well, there’s a big difference. You know, the level of scrutiny, the feedback. This site right here, the mandate, it’s built into its landscape,” he said. “Can’t go vertical. We were told, you cannot block the view shed of (the) Lincoln (Memorial). We respected that. We went through a very arduous and long process. And the idea of something being that vertical, yeah, it is. It’s a departure from what we were hearing and what we adhered to.”

          Former National Capital Planning Commission Chair Teri Hawks Goodmann echoed those concerns. She said she first encountered the Desert Storm Memorial project shortly after she joined the commission in 2022.

          “It was my first in-person meeting, because I was appointed in January of 2022. And Desert Storm had a history. It had already gone through a process. I think they’d already had seven or eight meetings with the commission prior to my appointment,” she said.

          Hawks Goodmann said those meetings reflected the level of review required for significant memorials.

          “We were talking about that kind of minutia that goes into looking at these very, very significant memorials to those who have given to our country and who have obviously given their all,” she said.

          According to News4’s review of commission records, 16 projects approved since the Desert Storm Memorial first appeared before the commission in 2017 took an average of 621 days to receive preliminary approval. The commission granted preliminary approval to the arch in just 35 days.

          Hawks Goodmann said memorial projects traditionally begin with citizens seeking congressional approval under the Commemorative Works Act.

          “It begins with a group of citizens who go to Congress. You know, because we have the Commemorative Works Act. And people join together who have a shared interest in memorializing Americans in some way at our nation’s capital. So it’s a grassroots process that reflects the democracy that we live in,” she said.

          Hawks Goodmann, who lives in Iowa, was appointed to the commission by President Joe Biden in 2022. She said she was removed from the commission in July 2025 after receiving an email the night before a meeting. She and two other presidential appointees were replaced by allies of the Trump administration.

          She rejected the idea that she viewed the position as political.

          “Absolutely not. Absolutely not. I never spoke to the president (Biden) about it. We had contact, but it was about family. It was certainly not about my role in this commission, and I never would have expected to be directed in any way by the president,” she said.

          Hawks Goodmann said deliberation is essential because the capital’s planning framework is built around the L’Enfant and McMillan plans.

          “It’s slow and deliberative because the planning that surrounds the Capitol and the desire to stay within the parameters of the L’Enfant plan and the McMillan plan are very specific and so it takes significant deliberation,” she said.

          She added: “I think, for anyone who’s visited the Capitol and understands the feeling you have when you enter the Mall or enter the Capitol itself or the White House, everything is planned to reflect something bigger than ourselves.”

          Asked about the rapid pace of the arch proposal, Hawks Goodmann said public participation is essential.

          “These monuments emerge from the American public. They emerge from a sense of reverence and awe at acts of bravery or acts of outstanding performance by Americans, and it’s not something that just comes about overnight and it certainly not one person’s idea. It’s the collective that comes together,” she said.

          She cited the arch’s goal of celebrating 250 years of American democracy.

          “For example, the Arch, it’s intended to celebrate 250 years of democracy. That’s a wonderful idea. I think that’s an idea, though, that demands public engagement and sharing of ideas, and letting us really imagine that incredible celebration. So, it’s not something that just happens overnight and comes from a single source. It would be something that’s coming from the collective,” she said.

          Asked about the risks of moving too quickly, Hawks Goodmann said: “Well, the danger is, number one, no congressional approval. Number two, the architecture itself doesn’t actually reflect the intended purpose or message. Number three, you have citizens objecting to it. It becomes controversial, as opposed to celebratory.”

          “I think there is a reason for the deliberative process, and I think that it’s always a benefit to have it,” she said.

          Trump defended the proposal during an Oct. 8 address.

          “Fifty-nine major cities in the world. We are the only one of the 59 cities and capitals without a triumphal arch. In Paris, you have the Arc de Triomphe, we have one much more beautiful, slightly larger,” he said.

          News4 said it reached out to the White House for an interview with the president about the arch but did not receive a response. A spokesperson said, “President Trump is moving at lightning speed because we don’t have time to waste in our mission to make America greater than ever before.”

          A spokesperson for the National Capital Planning Commission said the agency regularly works with applicants to understand timelines and align its review stages.

          The commission is expected to take a final vote on the arch soon but faces multiple legal challenges, including a lawsuit filed by the Arlington County Board opposing construction and objections from some neighboring jurisdictions.

          Asked whether the project should simply be allowed to proceed, Hawks Goodmann pointed to public response.

          “When you have 100,000 responses, majority of those negative from American citizens from throughout the country, if I were on the commission as chair, I would say, ‘Hmm, let’s slow down. Let’s just slow this down.’ To me, that would be a logical response,” she said.

          ‘I wanted to honor those who died’

          Stump said the memorial is intended to inspire curiosity.

          “The task that we have is for a visitor to come here and be inspired and then subsequently look up on their phone or whatever to learn what all of this means. That’s our job,” he said.

          He said public feedback improved the final product.

          “You have to respect the commentary and then work through it and then show why it doesn’t work. But there have been some very good commentary that has led to, again, the overall collaborative process,” he said.

          Asked whether public comment and preservation laws truly matter, Hawks Goodmann responded: “Yes, the process matters, and citizen input matters, and the process protects the future of the capital and its intended reflection of democracy in the Constitution.”

          “It’s really about preserving the built environment and the landscape so that it does tell that story, the greatness of America and the United States and the people who live here. That’s why it’s important,” she said.

          Stump acknowledged the toll the project has taken and said he’s unsure if he’ll ever return to see the memorial again. After spending 16 years changing a corner of D.C., he is left wondering whether the same standards and process apply to other projects.

          “Stay true to why you’re doing it in the first place,” he said. “I wanted to honor those who died. I wanted to honor those that served.”

          Thu, Oct 22 2026 06:27:19 PM Thu, Oct 22 2026 06:27:23 PM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) ) Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Man broke head off of Iwo Jima statue in Quantico with sledgehammer, police say https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/man-broke-head-off-of-iwo-jima-statue-in-quantico-with-sledgehammer-police-say/4170656/ 4170656 Jackie Bensen post 11572502 iwo jima statue vandalism https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/split-2-diagonal-1200x675-6-9.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 Prince William County police say Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano did hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage to the statue.

          A man was arrested after taking a sledgehammer to the Iwo Jima statue in Quantico, Virginia, causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage, police say.

          Prince William County police said they found Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano, 27, vandalizing the statue with the sledgehammer after 10 p.m. Wednesday.

          There was extensive damage to the statue, and Maldonado Soriano removed the head of one of the statue’s Marines, police said.

          “This statue is actually something that is extremely important to me in terms of my father’s service to the country. He was drafted out of high school for World War II. He had to finish high school when he got back. He was in the Normandy invasion,” Frances Buyers told News4.

          Dr. Felix Weihs de Weldon carved the nine-foot limestone statue that now stands at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico over a nine-year period in the late 1940s and early 1950s after seeing photographer Joe Rosenthal’s dramatic photograph of the event. de Weldon also sculpted the Marine Corps War Memorial in D.C.

          “There have been generations of promotions and commissionings and retirements and re-enlistments done in front of this iconic monument,” Keil Gentry, Director of the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, said. Experts have already been consulted on repairs to the statue, which Gentry described as “likely to be challenging.”

          Officers detained Maldonado Soriano, who is from Stafford County. He was charged with felony destruction of property, trespassing with the intent to damage property and felony injury to a monument.

          He is being held in jail without bond. Police did not give any information about a potential motive for the vandalism.

          Thu, Oct 22 2026 02:51:30 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 12:39:59 AM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Man broke head off of Iwo Jima statue in Quantico with sledgehammer, police say https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/man-broke-head-off-of-iwo-jima-statue-in-quantico-with-sledgehammer-police-say/4170656/ 4170656 Jackie Bensen post 11572502 iwo jima statue vandalism https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/split-2-diagonal-1200x675-6-9.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 Prince William County police say Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano did hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage to the statue.

          A man was arrested after taking a sledgehammer to the Iwo Jima statue in Quantico, Virginia, causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage, police say.

          Prince William County police said they found Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano, 27, vandalizing the statue with the sledgehammer after 10 p.m. Wednesday.

          There was extensive damage to the statue, and Maldonado Soriano removed the head of one of the statue’s Marines, police said.

          “This statue is actually something that is extremely important to me in terms of my father’s service to the country. He was drafted out of high school for World War II. He had to finish high school when he got back. He was in the Normandy invasion,” Frances Buyers told News4.

          Dr. Felix Weihs de Weldon carved the nine-foot limestone statue that now stands at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico over a nine-year period in the late 1940s and early 1950s after seeing photographer Joe Rosenthal’s dramatic photograph of the event. de Weldon also sculpted the Marine Corps War Memorial in D.C.

          “There have been generations of promotions and commissionings and retirements and re-enlistments done in front of this iconic monument,” Keil Gentry, Director of the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, said. Experts have already been consulted on repairs to the statue, which Gentry described as “likely to be challenging.”

          Officers detained Maldonado Soriano, who is from Stafford County. He was charged with felony destruction of property, trespassing with the intent to damage property and felony injury to a monument.

          He is being held in jail without bond. Police did not give any information about a potential motive for the vandalism.

          Thu, Oct 22 2026 02:51:30 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 12:39:59 AM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => Man broke head off of Iwo Jima statue in Quantico with sledgehammer, police say [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/man-broke-head-off-of-iwo-jima-statue-in-quantico-with-sledgehammer-police-say/4170656/ [date] => Thu, Oct 22 2026 02:51:30 PM ) Backtrace of errorHandler() Array ( [0] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 72 [function] => errorHandler [args] => Array ( [0] => 8 [1] => Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object [2] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [3] => 72 [4] => Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Man broke head off of Iwo Jima statue in Quantico with sledgehammer, police say https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/man-broke-head-off-of-iwo-jima-statue-in-quantico-with-sledgehammer-police-say/4170656/ 4170656 Jackie Bensen post 11572502 iwo jima statue vandalism https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/split-2-diagonal-1200x675-6-9.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 Prince William County police say Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano did hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage to the statue.

          A man was arrested after taking a sledgehammer to the Iwo Jima statue in Quantico, Virginia, causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage, police say.

          Prince William County police said they found Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano, 27, vandalizing the statue with the sledgehammer after 10 p.m. Wednesday.

          There was extensive damage to the statue, and Maldonado Soriano removed the head of one of the statue’s Marines, police said.

          “This statue is actually something that is extremely important to me in terms of my father’s service to the country. He was drafted out of high school for World War II. He had to finish high school when he got back. He was in the Normandy invasion,” Frances Buyers told News4.

          Dr. Felix Weihs de Weldon carved the nine-foot limestone statue that now stands at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico over a nine-year period in the late 1940s and early 1950s after seeing photographer Joe Rosenthal’s dramatic photograph of the event. de Weldon also sculpted the Marine Corps War Memorial in D.C.

          “There have been generations of promotions and commissionings and retirements and re-enlistments done in front of this iconic monument,” Keil Gentry, Director of the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, said. Experts have already been consulted on repairs to the statue, which Gentry described as “likely to be challenging.”

          Officers detained Maldonado Soriano, who is from Stafford County. He was charged with felony destruction of property, trespassing with the intent to damage property and felony injury to a monument.

          He is being held in jail without bond. Police did not give any information about a potential motive for the vandalism.

          Thu, Oct 22 2026 02:51:30 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 12:39:59 AM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Man broke head off of Iwo Jima statue in Quantico with sledgehammer, police say https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/man-broke-head-off-of-iwo-jima-statue-in-quantico-with-sledgehammer-police-say/4170656/ 4170656 Jackie Bensen post 11572502 iwo jima statue vandalism https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/split-2-diagonal-1200x675-6-9.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 Prince William County police say Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano did hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage to the statue.

          A man was arrested after taking a sledgehammer to the Iwo Jima statue in Quantico, Virginia, causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage, police say.

          Prince William County police said they found Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano, 27, vandalizing the statue with the sledgehammer after 10 p.m. Wednesday.

          There was extensive damage to the statue, and Maldonado Soriano removed the head of one of the statue’s Marines, police said.

          “This statue is actually something that is extremely important to me in terms of my father’s service to the country. He was drafted out of high school for World War II. He had to finish high school when he got back. He was in the Normandy invasion,” Frances Buyers told News4.

          Dr. Felix Weihs de Weldon carved the nine-foot limestone statue that now stands at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico over a nine-year period in the late 1940s and early 1950s after seeing photographer Joe Rosenthal’s dramatic photograph of the event. de Weldon also sculpted the Marine Corps War Memorial in D.C.

          “There have been generations of promotions and commissionings and retirements and re-enlistments done in front of this iconic monument,” Keil Gentry, Director of the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, said. Experts have already been consulted on repairs to the statue, which Gentry described as “likely to be challenging.”

          Officers detained Maldonado Soriano, who is from Stafford County. He was charged with felony destruction of property, trespassing with the intent to damage property and felony injury to a monument.

          He is being held in jail without bond. Police did not give any information about a potential motive for the vandalism.

          Thu, Oct 22 2026 02:51:30 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 12:39:59 AM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => Man broke head off of Iwo Jima statue in Quantico with sledgehammer, police say [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/man-broke-head-off-of-iwo-jima-statue-in-quantico-with-sledgehammer-police-say/4170656/ [date] => Thu, Oct 22 2026 02:51:30 PM ) ) ) [1] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 139 [function] => RSS_Tags [args] => Array ( [0] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Man broke head off of Iwo Jima statue in Quantico with sledgehammer, police say https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/man-broke-head-off-of-iwo-jima-statue-in-quantico-with-sledgehammer-police-say/4170656/ 4170656 Jackie Bensen post 11572502 iwo jima statue vandalism https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/split-2-diagonal-1200x675-6-9.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 Prince William County police say Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano did hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage to the statue.

          A man was arrested after taking a sledgehammer to the Iwo Jima statue in Quantico, Virginia, causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage, police say.

          Prince William County police said they found Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano, 27, vandalizing the statue with the sledgehammer after 10 p.m. Wednesday.

          There was extensive damage to the statue, and Maldonado Soriano removed the head of one of the statue’s Marines, police said.

          “This statue is actually something that is extremely important to me in terms of my father’s service to the country. He was drafted out of high school for World War II. He had to finish high school when he got back. He was in the Normandy invasion,” Frances Buyers told News4.

          Dr. Felix Weihs de Weldon carved the nine-foot limestone statue that now stands at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico over a nine-year period in the late 1940s and early 1950s after seeing photographer Joe Rosenthal’s dramatic photograph of the event. de Weldon also sculpted the Marine Corps War Memorial in D.C.

          “There have been generations of promotions and commissionings and retirements and re-enlistments done in front of this iconic monument,” Keil Gentry, Director of the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, said. Experts have already been consulted on repairs to the statue, which Gentry described as “likely to be challenging.”

          Officers detained Maldonado Soriano, who is from Stafford County. He was charged with felony destruction of property, trespassing with the intent to damage property and felony injury to a monument.

          He is being held in jail without bond. Police did not give any information about a potential motive for the vandalism.

          Thu, Oct 22 2026 02:51:30 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 12:39:59 AM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Man broke head off of Iwo Jima statue in Quantico with sledgehammer, police say https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/man-broke-head-off-of-iwo-jima-statue-in-quantico-with-sledgehammer-police-say/4170656/ 4170656 Jackie Bensen post 11572502 iwo jima statue vandalism https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/split-2-diagonal-1200x675-6-9.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 Prince William County police say Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano did hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage to the statue.

          A man was arrested after taking a sledgehammer to the Iwo Jima statue in Quantico, Virginia, causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage, police say.

          Prince William County police said they found Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano, 27, vandalizing the statue with the sledgehammer after 10 p.m. Wednesday.

          There was extensive damage to the statue, and Maldonado Soriano removed the head of one of the statue’s Marines, police said.

          “This statue is actually something that is extremely important to me in terms of my father’s service to the country. He was drafted out of high school for World War II. He had to finish high school when he got back. He was in the Normandy invasion,” Frances Buyers told News4.

          Dr. Felix Weihs de Weldon carved the nine-foot limestone statue that now stands at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico over a nine-year period in the late 1940s and early 1950s after seeing photographer Joe Rosenthal’s dramatic photograph of the event. de Weldon also sculpted the Marine Corps War Memorial in D.C.

          “There have been generations of promotions and commissionings and retirements and re-enlistments done in front of this iconic monument,” Keil Gentry, Director of the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, said. Experts have already been consulted on repairs to the statue, which Gentry described as “likely to be challenging.”

          Officers detained Maldonado Soriano, who is from Stafford County. He was charged with felony destruction of property, trespassing with the intent to damage property and felony injury to a monument.

          He is being held in jail without bond. Police did not give any information about a potential motive for the vandalism.

          Thu, Oct 22 2026 02:51:30 PM Fri, Oct 23 2026 12:39:59 AM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) ) Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => DOJ says it intends to retry Trayon White on additional charges https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/doj-says-it-intends-to-retry-trayon-white-on-additional-charges/4170593/ 4170593 Mark Segraves post 11572047 trayon white hearing https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/52118943488-1080pnbcstations.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office said they intend to seek a superseding indictment against White following last month's mistrial.

          The Department of Justice said Thursday it not only intends to retry D.C. Councilmember Trayon White, but it also wants him to face additional charges.

          During a hearing Thursday morning, prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C. said they intend to seek a superseding indictment against White.

          Prosecutors said they hope to retry White sometime next year, and that could include more charges than the one bribery charge that ended in a mistrial in late September.

          Gary Kohlman, the lead defense attorney for White, told the judge he believed that was an outrageous move orchestrated by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. He then accused Pirro of targeting White because he is African American.

          “The fact of the matter is that Trayon White is African American. he represents by and large an African American community that has repeatedly elected him. He had nine people out of 12 that found him not guilty in this case, and I cannot think of any other explanation than the targeting and that, unfortunately, leads into the issue of discrimination,” Kohlman told reporters outside the courthouse.

          Kohlman said if the government is successful in getting another indictment and retrying White, it is unlikely White can afford to continue to pay his same defense team. Kohlman claims that is a calculated move by the prosecutors to try to render White “defenseless.”

          In a statement to News4, Pirro said: “We have video showing envelopes full of cash being handed to a D.C. Councilmember as part of a $156,000 bribe. The evidence, not baseless accusations about race or motive, will determine this case. Our responsibility is to follow the facts and pursue justice, not back down in the face of political pre

          ssure or personal attacks. We will retry this case and take every corruption case to verdict.”

          White, who represents Ward 8, was arrested in 2024 on a charge that he accepted $35,000 in bribes in exchange for pressuring D.C. employees to extend city contracts for violence intervention services. Authorities said they secretly recorded conversations between White and an FBI informant who gave White the cash on four occasions. Prosecutors said White was offered a total of $156,000.

          White was charged with bribery after he was seen on video accepting envelopes stuffed with cash. He pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence.

          A judge declared a mistrial on Sept. 28 after jurors failed to agree on the verdict.

          “This has been one of the hardest two years of my life, fighting the system,” White said outside the courthouse. “But through it all, I’m grateful. I’m humble, and I feel like I’m redeemed again.”

          News4’s Paul Wagner asked White: If the $35,000 cash he accepted wasn’t a bribe, what was it?

          “Let’s stick to the topic, man. Come on. You’re smarter than that. I can’t speak to that,” he replied.

          “That is the topic,” Wagner said.

          Thu, Oct 22 2026 01:24:36 PM Thu, Oct 22 2026 05:39:00 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => DOJ says it intends to retry Trayon White on additional charges https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/doj-says-it-intends-to-retry-trayon-white-on-additional-charges/4170593/ 4170593 Mark Segraves post 11572047 trayon white hearing https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/52118943488-1080pnbcstations.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office said they intend to seek a superseding indictment against White following last month's mistrial.

          The Department of Justice said Thursday it not only intends to retry D.C. Councilmember Trayon White, but it also wants him to face additional charges.

          During a hearing Thursday morning, prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C. said they intend to seek a superseding indictment against White.

          Prosecutors said they hope to retry White sometime next year, and that could include more charges than the one bribery charge that ended in a mistrial in late September.

          Gary Kohlman, the lead defense attorney for White, told the judge he believed that was an outrageous move orchestrated by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. He then accused Pirro of targeting White because he is African American.

          “The fact of the matter is that Trayon White is African American. he represents by and large an African American community that has repeatedly elected him. He had nine people out of 12 that found him not guilty in this case, and I cannot think of any other explanation than the targeting and that, unfortunately, leads into the issue of discrimination,” Kohlman told reporters outside the courthouse.

          Kohlman said if the government is successful in getting another indictment and retrying White, it is unlikely White can afford to continue to pay his same defense team. Kohlman claims that is a calculated move by the prosecutors to try to render White “defenseless.”

          In a statement to News4, Pirro said: “We have video showing envelopes full of cash being handed to a D.C. Councilmember as part of a $156,000 bribe. The evidence, not baseless accusations about race or motive, will determine this case. Our responsibility is to follow the facts and pursue justice, not back down in the face of political pre

          ssure or personal attacks. We will retry this case and take every corruption case to verdict.”

          White, who represents Ward 8, was arrested in 2024 on a charge that he accepted $35,000 in bribes in exchange for pressuring D.C. employees to extend city contracts for violence intervention services. Authorities said they secretly recorded conversations between White and an FBI informant who gave White the cash on four occasions. Prosecutors said White was offered a total of $156,000.

          White was charged with bribery after he was seen on video accepting envelopes stuffed with cash. He pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence.

          A judge declared a mistrial on Sept. 28 after jurors failed to agree on the verdict.

          “This has been one of the hardest two years of my life, fighting the system,” White said outside the courthouse. “But through it all, I’m grateful. I’m humble, and I feel like I’m redeemed again.”

          News4’s Paul Wagner asked White: If the $35,000 cash he accepted wasn’t a bribe, what was it?

          “Let’s stick to the topic, man. Come on. You’re smarter than that. I can’t speak to that,” he replied.

          “That is the topic,” Wagner said.

          Thu, Oct 22 2026 01:24:36 PM Thu, Oct 22 2026 05:39:00 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => DOJ says it intends to retry Trayon White on additional charges [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/doj-says-it-intends-to-retry-trayon-white-on-additional-charges/4170593/ [date] => Thu, Oct 22 2026 01:24:36 PM ) Backtrace of errorHandler() Array ( [0] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 72 [function] => errorHandler [args] => Array ( [0] => 8 [1] => Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object [2] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [3] => 72 [4] => Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => DOJ says it intends to retry Trayon White on additional charges https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/doj-says-it-intends-to-retry-trayon-white-on-additional-charges/4170593/ 4170593 Mark Segraves post 11572047 trayon white hearing https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/52118943488-1080pnbcstations.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office said they intend to seek a superseding indictment against White following last month's mistrial.

          The Department of Justice said Thursday it not only intends to retry D.C. Councilmember Trayon White, but it also wants him to face additional charges.

          During a hearing Thursday morning, prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C. said they intend to seek a superseding indictment against White.

          Prosecutors said they hope to retry White sometime next year, and that could include more charges than the one bribery charge that ended in a mistrial in late September.

          Gary Kohlman, the lead defense attorney for White, told the judge he believed that was an outrageous move orchestrated by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. He then accused Pirro of targeting White because he is African American.

          “The fact of the matter is that Trayon White is African American. he represents by and large an African American community that has repeatedly elected him. He had nine people out of 12 that found him not guilty in this case, and I cannot think of any other explanation than the targeting and that, unfortunately, leads into the issue of discrimination,” Kohlman told reporters outside the courthouse.

          Kohlman said if the government is successful in getting another indictment and retrying White, it is unlikely White can afford to continue to pay his same defense team. Kohlman claims that is a calculated move by the prosecutors to try to render White “defenseless.”

          In a statement to News4, Pirro said: “We have video showing envelopes full of cash being handed to a D.C. Councilmember as part of a $156,000 bribe. The evidence, not baseless accusations about race or motive, will determine this case. Our responsibility is to follow the facts and pursue justice, not back down in the face of political pre

          ssure or personal attacks. We will retry this case and take every corruption case to verdict.”

          White, who represents Ward 8, was arrested in 2024 on a charge that he accepted $35,000 in bribes in exchange for pressuring D.C. employees to extend city contracts for violence intervention services. Authorities said they secretly recorded conversations between White and an FBI informant who gave White the cash on four occasions. Prosecutors said White was offered a total of $156,000.

          White was charged with bribery after he was seen on video accepting envelopes stuffed with cash. He pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence.

          A judge declared a mistrial on Sept. 28 after jurors failed to agree on the verdict.

          “This has been one of the hardest two years of my life, fighting the system,” White said outside the courthouse. “But through it all, I’m grateful. I’m humble, and I feel like I’m redeemed again.”

          News4’s Paul Wagner asked White: If the $35,000 cash he accepted wasn’t a bribe, what was it?

          “Let’s stick to the topic, man. Come on. You’re smarter than that. I can’t speak to that,” he replied.

          “That is the topic,” Wagner said.

          Thu, Oct 22 2026 01:24:36 PM Thu, Oct 22 2026 05:39:00 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => DOJ says it intends to retry Trayon White on additional charges https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/doj-says-it-intends-to-retry-trayon-white-on-additional-charges/4170593/ 4170593 Mark Segraves post 11572047 trayon white hearing https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/52118943488-1080pnbcstations.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office said they intend to seek a superseding indictment against White following last month's mistrial.

          The Department of Justice said Thursday it not only intends to retry D.C. Councilmember Trayon White, but it also wants him to face additional charges.

          During a hearing Thursday morning, prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C. said they intend to seek a superseding indictment against White.

          Prosecutors said they hope to retry White sometime next year, and that could include more charges than the one bribery charge that ended in a mistrial in late September.

          Gary Kohlman, the lead defense attorney for White, told the judge he believed that was an outrageous move orchestrated by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. He then accused Pirro of targeting White because he is African American.

          “The fact of the matter is that Trayon White is African American. he represents by and large an African American community that has repeatedly elected him. He had nine people out of 12 that found him not guilty in this case, and I cannot think of any other explanation than the targeting and that, unfortunately, leads into the issue of discrimination,” Kohlman told reporters outside the courthouse.

          Kohlman said if the government is successful in getting another indictment and retrying White, it is unlikely White can afford to continue to pay his same defense team. Kohlman claims that is a calculated move by the prosecutors to try to render White “defenseless.”

          In a statement to News4, Pirro said: “We have video showing envelopes full of cash being handed to a D.C. Councilmember as part of a $156,000 bribe. The evidence, not baseless accusations about race or motive, will determine this case. Our responsibility is to follow the facts and pursue justice, not back down in the face of political pre

          ssure or personal attacks. We will retry this case and take every corruption case to verdict.”

          White, who represents Ward 8, was arrested in 2024 on a charge that he accepted $35,000 in bribes in exchange for pressuring D.C. employees to extend city contracts for violence intervention services. Authorities said they secretly recorded conversations between White and an FBI informant who gave White the cash on four occasions. Prosecutors said White was offered a total of $156,000.

          White was charged with bribery after he was seen on video accepting envelopes stuffed with cash. He pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence.

          A judge declared a mistrial on Sept. 28 after jurors failed to agree on the verdict.

          “This has been one of the hardest two years of my life, fighting the system,” White said outside the courthouse. “But through it all, I’m grateful. I’m humble, and I feel like I’m redeemed again.”

          News4’s Paul Wagner asked White: If the $35,000 cash he accepted wasn’t a bribe, what was it?

          “Let’s stick to the topic, man. Come on. You’re smarter than that. I can’t speak to that,” he replied.

          “That is the topic,” Wagner said.

          Thu, Oct 22 2026 01:24:36 PM Thu, Oct 22 2026 05:39:00 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => DOJ says it intends to retry Trayon White on additional charges [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/doj-says-it-intends-to-retry-trayon-white-on-additional-charges/4170593/ [date] => Thu, Oct 22 2026 01:24:36 PM ) ) ) [1] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 139 [function] => RSS_Tags [args] => Array ( [0] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => DOJ says it intends to retry Trayon White on additional charges https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/doj-says-it-intends-to-retry-trayon-white-on-additional-charges/4170593/ 4170593 Mark Segraves post 11572047 trayon white hearing https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/52118943488-1080pnbcstations.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office said they intend to seek a superseding indictment against White following last month's mistrial.

          The Department of Justice said Thursday it not only intends to retry D.C. Councilmember Trayon White, but it also wants him to face additional charges.

          During a hearing Thursday morning, prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C. said they intend to seek a superseding indictment against White.

          Prosecutors said they hope to retry White sometime next year, and that could include more charges than the one bribery charge that ended in a mistrial in late September.

          Gary Kohlman, the lead defense attorney for White, told the judge he believed that was an outrageous move orchestrated by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. He then accused Pirro of targeting White because he is African American.

          “The fact of the matter is that Trayon White is African American. he represents by and large an African American community that has repeatedly elected him. He had nine people out of 12 that found him not guilty in this case, and I cannot think of any other explanation than the targeting and that, unfortunately, leads into the issue of discrimination,” Kohlman told reporters outside the courthouse.

          Kohlman said if the government is successful in getting another indictment and retrying White, it is unlikely White can afford to continue to pay his same defense team. Kohlman claims that is a calculated move by the prosecutors to try to render White “defenseless.”

          In a statement to News4, Pirro said: “We have video showing envelopes full of cash being handed to a D.C. Councilmember as part of a $156,000 bribe. The evidence, not baseless accusations about race or motive, will determine this case. Our responsibility is to follow the facts and pursue justice, not back down in the face of political pre

          ssure or personal attacks. We will retry this case and take every corruption case to verdict.”

          White, who represents Ward 8, was arrested in 2024 on a charge that he accepted $35,000 in bribes in exchange for pressuring D.C. employees to extend city contracts for violence intervention services. Authorities said they secretly recorded conversations between White and an FBI informant who gave White the cash on four occasions. Prosecutors said White was offered a total of $156,000.

          White was charged with bribery after he was seen on video accepting envelopes stuffed with cash. He pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence.

          A judge declared a mistrial on Sept. 28 after jurors failed to agree on the verdict.

          “This has been one of the hardest two years of my life, fighting the system,” White said outside the courthouse. “But through it all, I’m grateful. I’m humble, and I feel like I’m redeemed again.”

          News4’s Paul Wagner asked White: If the $35,000 cash he accepted wasn’t a bribe, what was it?

          “Let’s stick to the topic, man. Come on. You’re smarter than that. I can’t speak to that,” he replied.

          “That is the topic,” Wagner said.

          Thu, Oct 22 2026 01:24:36 PM Thu, Oct 22 2026 05:39:00 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => DOJ says it intends to retry Trayon White on additional charges https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/doj-says-it-intends-to-retry-trayon-white-on-additional-charges/4170593/ 4170593 Mark Segraves post 11572047 trayon white hearing https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/52118943488-1080pnbcstations.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office said they intend to seek a superseding indictment against White following last month's mistrial.

          The Department of Justice said Thursday it not only intends to retry D.C. Councilmember Trayon White, but it also wants him to face additional charges.

          During a hearing Thursday morning, prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C. said they intend to seek a superseding indictment against White.

          Prosecutors said they hope to retry White sometime next year, and that could include more charges than the one bribery charge that ended in a mistrial in late September.

          Gary Kohlman, the lead defense attorney for White, told the judge he believed that was an outrageous move orchestrated by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. He then accused Pirro of targeting White because he is African American.

          “The fact of the matter is that Trayon White is African American. he represents by and large an African American community that has repeatedly elected him. He had nine people out of 12 that found him not guilty in this case, and I cannot think of any other explanation than the targeting and that, unfortunately, leads into the issue of discrimination,” Kohlman told reporters outside the courthouse.

          Kohlman said if the government is successful in getting another indictment and retrying White, it is unlikely White can afford to continue to pay his same defense team. Kohlman claims that is a calculated move by the prosecutors to try to render White “defenseless.”

          In a statement to News4, Pirro said: “We have video showing envelopes full of cash being handed to a D.C. Councilmember as part of a $156,000 bribe. The evidence, not baseless accusations about race or motive, will determine this case. Our responsibility is to follow the facts and pursue justice, not back down in the face of political pre

          ssure or personal attacks. We will retry this case and take every corruption case to verdict.”

          White, who represents Ward 8, was arrested in 2024 on a charge that he accepted $35,000 in bribes in exchange for pressuring D.C. employees to extend city contracts for violence intervention services. Authorities said they secretly recorded conversations between White and an FBI informant who gave White the cash on four occasions. Prosecutors said White was offered a total of $156,000.

          White was charged with bribery after he was seen on video accepting envelopes stuffed with cash. He pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence.

          A judge declared a mistrial on Sept. 28 after jurors failed to agree on the verdict.

          “This has been one of the hardest two years of my life, fighting the system,” White said outside the courthouse. “But through it all, I’m grateful. I’m humble, and I feel like I’m redeemed again.”

          News4’s Paul Wagner asked White: If the $35,000 cash he accepted wasn’t a bribe, what was it?

          “Let’s stick to the topic, man. Come on. You’re smarter than that. I can’t speak to that,” he replied.

          “That is the topic,” Wagner said.

          Thu, Oct 22 2026 01:24:36 PM Thu, Oct 22 2026 05:39:00 PM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) ) Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Lime bans 1,000 accounts for underage riding in DC safety crackdown https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/transportation/lime-bans-1000-accounts-for-underage-riding-in-dc-safety-crackdown/4170337/ 4170337 Jackie Bensen post 11571259 Lime bans 1,000 accounts for underage riding in DC safety crackdown https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Lime-bans-1000-accounts-for-underage-riding-in-DC-safety-crackdown.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 The move follows complaints that electric bikes and scooters are being driven unsafely and, in some cases, being used as the getaway vehicles in crimes.

          Lime, the company behind popular green and white short-term rental bikes and scooters, said it has banned 1,000 accounts in D.C. for allowing use by riders under 18.

          It’s part of the company’s $17 million action plan called Keep D.C. Moving. It follows many complaints that electric bikes and scooters are being driven unsafely and, in some cases, being used as the getaway vehicles in crimes.

          Lime executives said the banning of 1,000 accounts was the result of the company listening to concerns. The banning process involved using additional levels of verification, assisted by AI.

          “By taking a selfie before the trip, in the instance that the AI is unsure, we back that up with an ID scan. You have to upload your ID to show that you are over the age of 18,” said Erika Duthely, Lime’s regional head of government relations.

          Those who feel they were banned in error can appeal.

          “They can appeal and reach out to our customer service team, and we’ll review each case, but we really feel confident that the people that we have banned are those who are trying to flout our terms and conditions,” Duthely said.

          Images distributed regularly by D.C. police show suspects, many who appear to be young teens, leaving the scenes of serious crimes, including shootings, on Lime rental bikes and scooters.

          Elizabeth Kiker of the Washington Area Bicyclists Association said she feels Lime’s age restriction prohibits D.C. teens from using the rented wheels to get to and from school and work. She thinks a minimum age of 16, the legal age to drive a car, is worth considering.

          “I understand there are laws about it, but I wish that younger kids were able to access it,” she said. “And I think that’s why so many parents sometimes allow it is, you know, it’s like, ‘Well, my kid needs a way to get to school, and this is an easy, convenient, affordable way.’”

          Lime said it is expanding new technology to its full e-scooter fleet. An AI-enabled downward-facing camera would detect when a scooter is being ridden on a sidewalk. Doing so in prohibited areas could result in an account ban.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 11:51:15 PM Thu, Oct 22 2026 06:37:48 AM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Lime bans 1,000 accounts for underage riding in DC safety crackdown https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/transportation/lime-bans-1000-accounts-for-underage-riding-in-dc-safety-crackdown/4170337/ 4170337 Jackie Bensen post 11571259 Lime bans 1,000 accounts for underage riding in DC safety crackdown https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Lime-bans-1000-accounts-for-underage-riding-in-DC-safety-crackdown.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 The move follows complaints that electric bikes and scooters are being driven unsafely and, in some cases, being used as the getaway vehicles in crimes.

          Lime, the company behind popular green and white short-term rental bikes and scooters, said it has banned 1,000 accounts in D.C. for allowing use by riders under 18.

          It’s part of the company’s $17 million action plan called Keep D.C. Moving. It follows many complaints that electric bikes and scooters are being driven unsafely and, in some cases, being used as the getaway vehicles in crimes.

          Lime executives said the banning of 1,000 accounts was the result of the company listening to concerns. The banning process involved using additional levels of verification, assisted by AI.

          “By taking a selfie before the trip, in the instance that the AI is unsure, we back that up with an ID scan. You have to upload your ID to show that you are over the age of 18,” said Erika Duthely, Lime’s regional head of government relations.

          Those who feel they were banned in error can appeal.

          “They can appeal and reach out to our customer service team, and we’ll review each case, but we really feel confident that the people that we have banned are those who are trying to flout our terms and conditions,” Duthely said.

          Images distributed regularly by D.C. police show suspects, many who appear to be young teens, leaving the scenes of serious crimes, including shootings, on Lime rental bikes and scooters.

          Elizabeth Kiker of the Washington Area Bicyclists Association said she feels Lime’s age restriction prohibits D.C. teens from using the rented wheels to get to and from school and work. She thinks a minimum age of 16, the legal age to drive a car, is worth considering.

          “I understand there are laws about it, but I wish that younger kids were able to access it,” she said. “And I think that’s why so many parents sometimes allow it is, you know, it’s like, ‘Well, my kid needs a way to get to school, and this is an easy, convenient, affordable way.’”

          Lime said it is expanding new technology to its full e-scooter fleet. An AI-enabled downward-facing camera would detect when a scooter is being ridden on a sidewalk. Doing so in prohibited areas could result in an account ban.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 11:51:15 PM Thu, Oct 22 2026 06:37:48 AM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => Lime bans 1,000 accounts for underage riding in DC safety crackdown [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/transportation/lime-bans-1000-accounts-for-underage-riding-in-dc-safety-crackdown/4170337/ [date] => Wed, Oct 21 2026 11:51:15 PM ) Backtrace of errorHandler() Array ( [0] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 72 [function] => errorHandler [args] => Array ( [0] => 8 [1] => Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object [2] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [3] => 72 [4] => Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Lime bans 1,000 accounts for underage riding in DC safety crackdown https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/transportation/lime-bans-1000-accounts-for-underage-riding-in-dc-safety-crackdown/4170337/ 4170337 Jackie Bensen post 11571259 Lime bans 1,000 accounts for underage riding in DC safety crackdown https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Lime-bans-1000-accounts-for-underage-riding-in-DC-safety-crackdown.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 The move follows complaints that electric bikes and scooters are being driven unsafely and, in some cases, being used as the getaway vehicles in crimes.

          Lime, the company behind popular green and white short-term rental bikes and scooters, said it has banned 1,000 accounts in D.C. for allowing use by riders under 18.

          It’s part of the company’s $17 million action plan called Keep D.C. Moving. It follows many complaints that electric bikes and scooters are being driven unsafely and, in some cases, being used as the getaway vehicles in crimes.

          Lime executives said the banning of 1,000 accounts was the result of the company listening to concerns. The banning process involved using additional levels of verification, assisted by AI.

          “By taking a selfie before the trip, in the instance that the AI is unsure, we back that up with an ID scan. You have to upload your ID to show that you are over the age of 18,” said Erika Duthely, Lime’s regional head of government relations.

          Those who feel they were banned in error can appeal.

          “They can appeal and reach out to our customer service team, and we’ll review each case, but we really feel confident that the people that we have banned are those who are trying to flout our terms and conditions,” Duthely said.

          Images distributed regularly by D.C. police show suspects, many who appear to be young teens, leaving the scenes of serious crimes, including shootings, on Lime rental bikes and scooters.

          Elizabeth Kiker of the Washington Area Bicyclists Association said she feels Lime’s age restriction prohibits D.C. teens from using the rented wheels to get to and from school and work. She thinks a minimum age of 16, the legal age to drive a car, is worth considering.

          “I understand there are laws about it, but I wish that younger kids were able to access it,” she said. “And I think that’s why so many parents sometimes allow it is, you know, it’s like, ‘Well, my kid needs a way to get to school, and this is an easy, convenient, affordable way.’”

          Lime said it is expanding new technology to its full e-scooter fleet. An AI-enabled downward-facing camera would detect when a scooter is being ridden on a sidewalk. Doing so in prohibited areas could result in an account ban.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 11:51:15 PM Thu, Oct 22 2026 06:37:48 AM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Lime bans 1,000 accounts for underage riding in DC safety crackdown https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/transportation/lime-bans-1000-accounts-for-underage-riding-in-dc-safety-crackdown/4170337/ 4170337 Jackie Bensen post 11571259 Lime bans 1,000 accounts for underage riding in DC safety crackdown https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Lime-bans-1000-accounts-for-underage-riding-in-DC-safety-crackdown.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 The move follows complaints that electric bikes and scooters are being driven unsafely and, in some cases, being used as the getaway vehicles in crimes.

          Lime, the company behind popular green and white short-term rental bikes and scooters, said it has banned 1,000 accounts in D.C. for allowing use by riders under 18.

          It’s part of the company’s $17 million action plan called Keep D.C. Moving. It follows many complaints that electric bikes and scooters are being driven unsafely and, in some cases, being used as the getaway vehicles in crimes.

          Lime executives said the banning of 1,000 accounts was the result of the company listening to concerns. The banning process involved using additional levels of verification, assisted by AI.

          “By taking a selfie before the trip, in the instance that the AI is unsure, we back that up with an ID scan. You have to upload your ID to show that you are over the age of 18,” said Erika Duthely, Lime’s regional head of government relations.

          Those who feel they were banned in error can appeal.

          “They can appeal and reach out to our customer service team, and we’ll review each case, but we really feel confident that the people that we have banned are those who are trying to flout our terms and conditions,” Duthely said.

          Images distributed regularly by D.C. police show suspects, many who appear to be young teens, leaving the scenes of serious crimes, including shootings, on Lime rental bikes and scooters.

          Elizabeth Kiker of the Washington Area Bicyclists Association said she feels Lime’s age restriction prohibits D.C. teens from using the rented wheels to get to and from school and work. She thinks a minimum age of 16, the legal age to drive a car, is worth considering.

          “I understand there are laws about it, but I wish that younger kids were able to access it,” she said. “And I think that’s why so many parents sometimes allow it is, you know, it’s like, ‘Well, my kid needs a way to get to school, and this is an easy, convenient, affordable way.’”

          Lime said it is expanding new technology to its full e-scooter fleet. An AI-enabled downward-facing camera would detect when a scooter is being ridden on a sidewalk. Doing so in prohibited areas could result in an account ban.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 11:51:15 PM Thu, Oct 22 2026 06:37:48 AM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => Lime bans 1,000 accounts for underage riding in DC safety crackdown [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/transportation/lime-bans-1000-accounts-for-underage-riding-in-dc-safety-crackdown/4170337/ [date] => Wed, Oct 21 2026 11:51:15 PM ) ) ) [1] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 139 [function] => RSS_Tags [args] => Array ( [0] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Lime bans 1,000 accounts for underage riding in DC safety crackdown https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/transportation/lime-bans-1000-accounts-for-underage-riding-in-dc-safety-crackdown/4170337/ 4170337 Jackie Bensen post 11571259 Lime bans 1,000 accounts for underage riding in DC safety crackdown https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Lime-bans-1000-accounts-for-underage-riding-in-DC-safety-crackdown.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 The move follows complaints that electric bikes and scooters are being driven unsafely and, in some cases, being used as the getaway vehicles in crimes.

          Lime, the company behind popular green and white short-term rental bikes and scooters, said it has banned 1,000 accounts in D.C. for allowing use by riders under 18.

          It’s part of the company’s $17 million action plan called Keep D.C. Moving. It follows many complaints that electric bikes and scooters are being driven unsafely and, in some cases, being used as the getaway vehicles in crimes.

          Lime executives said the banning of 1,000 accounts was the result of the company listening to concerns. The banning process involved using additional levels of verification, assisted by AI.

          “By taking a selfie before the trip, in the instance that the AI is unsure, we back that up with an ID scan. You have to upload your ID to show that you are over the age of 18,” said Erika Duthely, Lime’s regional head of government relations.

          Those who feel they were banned in error can appeal.

          “They can appeal and reach out to our customer service team, and we’ll review each case, but we really feel confident that the people that we have banned are those who are trying to flout our terms and conditions,” Duthely said.

          Images distributed regularly by D.C. police show suspects, many who appear to be young teens, leaving the scenes of serious crimes, including shootings, on Lime rental bikes and scooters.

          Elizabeth Kiker of the Washington Area Bicyclists Association said she feels Lime’s age restriction prohibits D.C. teens from using the rented wheels to get to and from school and work. She thinks a minimum age of 16, the legal age to drive a car, is worth considering.

          “I understand there are laws about it, but I wish that younger kids were able to access it,” she said. “And I think that’s why so many parents sometimes allow it is, you know, it’s like, ‘Well, my kid needs a way to get to school, and this is an easy, convenient, affordable way.’”

          Lime said it is expanding new technology to its full e-scooter fleet. An AI-enabled downward-facing camera would detect when a scooter is being ridden on a sidewalk. Doing so in prohibited areas could result in an account ban.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 11:51:15 PM Thu, Oct 22 2026 06:37:48 AM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Lime bans 1,000 accounts for underage riding in DC safety crackdown https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/transportation/lime-bans-1000-accounts-for-underage-riding-in-dc-safety-crackdown/4170337/ 4170337 Jackie Bensen post 11571259 Lime bans 1,000 accounts for underage riding in DC safety crackdown https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Lime-bans-1000-accounts-for-underage-riding-in-DC-safety-crackdown.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 The move follows complaints that electric bikes and scooters are being driven unsafely and, in some cases, being used as the getaway vehicles in crimes.

          Lime, the company behind popular green and white short-term rental bikes and scooters, said it has banned 1,000 accounts in D.C. for allowing use by riders under 18.

          It’s part of the company’s $17 million action plan called Keep D.C. Moving. It follows many complaints that electric bikes and scooters are being driven unsafely and, in some cases, being used as the getaway vehicles in crimes.

          Lime executives said the banning of 1,000 accounts was the result of the company listening to concerns. The banning process involved using additional levels of verification, assisted by AI.

          “By taking a selfie before the trip, in the instance that the AI is unsure, we back that up with an ID scan. You have to upload your ID to show that you are over the age of 18,” said Erika Duthely, Lime’s regional head of government relations.

          Those who feel they were banned in error can appeal.

          “They can appeal and reach out to our customer service team, and we’ll review each case, but we really feel confident that the people that we have banned are those who are trying to flout our terms and conditions,” Duthely said.

          Images distributed regularly by D.C. police show suspects, many who appear to be young teens, leaving the scenes of serious crimes, including shootings, on Lime rental bikes and scooters.

          Elizabeth Kiker of the Washington Area Bicyclists Association said she feels Lime’s age restriction prohibits D.C. teens from using the rented wheels to get to and from school and work. She thinks a minimum age of 16, the legal age to drive a car, is worth considering.

          “I understand there are laws about it, but I wish that younger kids were able to access it,” she said. “And I think that’s why so many parents sometimes allow it is, you know, it’s like, ‘Well, my kid needs a way to get to school, and this is an easy, convenient, affordable way.’”

          Lime said it is expanding new technology to its full e-scooter fleet. An AI-enabled downward-facing camera would detect when a scooter is being ridden on a sidewalk. Doing so in prohibited areas could result in an account ban.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 11:51:15 PM Thu, Oct 22 2026 06:37:48 AM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) ) Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Surveillance videos show Naresh Bhatt throwing trash bags in dumpsters miles from home https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/surveillance-videos-show-naresh-bhatt-throwing-trash-bags-into-dumpsters-miles-from-home/4170266/ 4170266 Drew Wilder post 11570763 Surveillance videos show Naresh Bhatt throwing trash bags into dumpsters miles from home https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Surveillance-videos-show-Naresh-Bhatt-throwing-trash-bags-into-dumpsters-miles-from-home.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 There's no forensic evidence to prove to the jury what's inside those bags, but prosecutors said they believe it's Mamta Kafle's remains or what Bhatt used to clean up the crime scene.

          This report includes disturbing details.

          Prosecutors showed new surveillance videos in court Wednesday in an effort to convince a jury that Naresh Bhatt murdered and dismembered his wife, Mamta Kafle.

          “What does he appear to be doing?” the attorney asked.

          “Carrying bags into the trash compactor,” the witness said.

          In at least four different trips to multiple trash compactors and dumpsters, all on the day his wife was allegedly murdered, Naresh Bhatt is seen throwing away heavy-duty garbage bags miles from their home.

          “He’s wearing gloves,” the witness said.

          “What color gloves?” the attorney asked.

          “White,” the witness said.

          Video shows Bhatt making multiple trips to a dumpster at an apartment complex where he never lived, three miles from his home. The same day, he visits a trash compactor at a complex where he rented a unit but did not live at the time. He goes once during the day and once in the middle of the night.

          “Can you describe to us what he’s doing?” the attorney asked.

          “Getting ready to throw more bags into the trash compactor,” the witness said.

          The video also shows how he’s holding the bag: one hand seals the bag up top and the other supports the bottom.

          There’s no forensic evidence to prove to the jury what’s inside those bags, but prosecutors said in opening statements they believe it’s Kafle’s remains or what Bhatt used to clean up the crime scene.

          There was some other chilling evidence that came in late Wednesday afternoon, when a landscaper took the witness stand and told the jury that a couple of days after the alleged murder, he was doing some yard work on Bhatt’s neighbor’s yard. He said Bhatt came up to him and asked him if he would do some work on his house. In lieu of payment, Bhatt offered the landscaper an electric saw.

          The landscaper accepted that as payment until a couple of weeks later, when he saw Bhatt all over the news. He then took the saw to the police. In opening statements, prosecutors told the jury that that saw was tested for blood, and blood was found inside of it.

          Every Friday, Northern Virginia Bureau Chief Drew Wilder and News4 anchor Erika Gonzalez recap the biggest moments in court.

          You can find the first two episodes of “The Case: Where Is Mamta?” on NBC Washington’s YouTube channel, or below here:

          “Where Is Mamta Bhatt? Inside her husband’s murder trial“ — The Case: episode 1 (Oct. 9, 2026)

          “Where is Mamta Bhatt? What her husband told investigators” — The Case, episode 2 (Oct. 16, 2026)

          “Where is Mamta Bhatt? Surveillance videos, interrogation tapes shown to jurors” — The Case, episode 3 (Oct. 22, 2026)

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 07:02:08 PM Wed, Oct 21 2026 07:10:26 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Surveillance videos show Naresh Bhatt throwing trash bags in dumpsters miles from home https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/surveillance-videos-show-naresh-bhatt-throwing-trash-bags-into-dumpsters-miles-from-home/4170266/ 4170266 Drew Wilder post 11570763 Surveillance videos show Naresh Bhatt throwing trash bags into dumpsters miles from home https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Surveillance-videos-show-Naresh-Bhatt-throwing-trash-bags-into-dumpsters-miles-from-home.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 There's no forensic evidence to prove to the jury what's inside those bags, but prosecutors said they believe it's Mamta Kafle's remains or what Bhatt used to clean up the crime scene.

          This report includes disturbing details.

          Prosecutors showed new surveillance videos in court Wednesday in an effort to convince a jury that Naresh Bhatt murdered and dismembered his wife, Mamta Kafle.

          “What does he appear to be doing?” the attorney asked.

          “Carrying bags into the trash compactor,” the witness said.

          In at least four different trips to multiple trash compactors and dumpsters, all on the day his wife was allegedly murdered, Naresh Bhatt is seen throwing away heavy-duty garbage bags miles from their home.

          “He’s wearing gloves,” the witness said.

          “What color gloves?” the attorney asked.

          “White,” the witness said.

          Video shows Bhatt making multiple trips to a dumpster at an apartment complex where he never lived, three miles from his home. The same day, he visits a trash compactor at a complex where he rented a unit but did not live at the time. He goes once during the day and once in the middle of the night.

          “Can you describe to us what he’s doing?” the attorney asked.

          “Getting ready to throw more bags into the trash compactor,” the witness said.

          The video also shows how he’s holding the bag: one hand seals the bag up top and the other supports the bottom.

          There’s no forensic evidence to prove to the jury what’s inside those bags, but prosecutors said in opening statements they believe it’s Kafle’s remains or what Bhatt used to clean up the crime scene.

          There was some other chilling evidence that came in late Wednesday afternoon, when a landscaper took the witness stand and told the jury that a couple of days after the alleged murder, he was doing some yard work on Bhatt’s neighbor’s yard. He said Bhatt came up to him and asked him if he would do some work on his house. In lieu of payment, Bhatt offered the landscaper an electric saw.

          The landscaper accepted that as payment until a couple of weeks later, when he saw Bhatt all over the news. He then took the saw to the police. In opening statements, prosecutors told the jury that that saw was tested for blood, and blood was found inside of it.

          Every Friday, Northern Virginia Bureau Chief Drew Wilder and News4 anchor Erika Gonzalez recap the biggest moments in court.

          You can find the first two episodes of “The Case: Where Is Mamta?” on NBC Washington’s YouTube channel, or below here:

          “Where Is Mamta Bhatt? Inside her husband’s murder trial“ — The Case: episode 1 (Oct. 9, 2026)

          “Where is Mamta Bhatt? What her husband told investigators” — The Case, episode 2 (Oct. 16, 2026)

          “Where is Mamta Bhatt? Surveillance videos, interrogation tapes shown to jurors” — The Case, episode 3 (Oct. 22, 2026)

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 07:02:08 PM Wed, Oct 21 2026 07:10:26 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => Surveillance videos show Naresh Bhatt throwing trash bags in dumpsters miles from home [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/surveillance-videos-show-naresh-bhatt-throwing-trash-bags-into-dumpsters-miles-from-home/4170266/ [date] => Wed, Oct 21 2026 07:02:08 PM ) Backtrace of errorHandler() Array ( [0] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 72 [function] => errorHandler [args] => Array ( [0] => 8 [1] => Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object [2] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [3] => 72 [4] => Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Surveillance videos show Naresh Bhatt throwing trash bags in dumpsters miles from home https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/surveillance-videos-show-naresh-bhatt-throwing-trash-bags-into-dumpsters-miles-from-home/4170266/ 4170266 Drew Wilder post 11570763 Surveillance videos show Naresh Bhatt throwing trash bags into dumpsters miles from home https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Surveillance-videos-show-Naresh-Bhatt-throwing-trash-bags-into-dumpsters-miles-from-home.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 There's no forensic evidence to prove to the jury what's inside those bags, but prosecutors said they believe it's Mamta Kafle's remains or what Bhatt used to clean up the crime scene.

          This report includes disturbing details.

          Prosecutors showed new surveillance videos in court Wednesday in an effort to convince a jury that Naresh Bhatt murdered and dismembered his wife, Mamta Kafle.

          “What does he appear to be doing?” the attorney asked.

          “Carrying bags into the trash compactor,” the witness said.

          In at least four different trips to multiple trash compactors and dumpsters, all on the day his wife was allegedly murdered, Naresh Bhatt is seen throwing away heavy-duty garbage bags miles from their home.

          “He’s wearing gloves,” the witness said.

          “What color gloves?” the attorney asked.

          “White,” the witness said.

          Video shows Bhatt making multiple trips to a dumpster at an apartment complex where he never lived, three miles from his home. The same day, he visits a trash compactor at a complex where he rented a unit but did not live at the time. He goes once during the day and once in the middle of the night.

          “Can you describe to us what he’s doing?” the attorney asked.

          “Getting ready to throw more bags into the trash compactor,” the witness said.

          The video also shows how he’s holding the bag: one hand seals the bag up top and the other supports the bottom.

          There’s no forensic evidence to prove to the jury what’s inside those bags, but prosecutors said in opening statements they believe it’s Kafle’s remains or what Bhatt used to clean up the crime scene.

          There was some other chilling evidence that came in late Wednesday afternoon, when a landscaper took the witness stand and told the jury that a couple of days after the alleged murder, he was doing some yard work on Bhatt’s neighbor’s yard. He said Bhatt came up to him and asked him if he would do some work on his house. In lieu of payment, Bhatt offered the landscaper an electric saw.

          The landscaper accepted that as payment until a couple of weeks later, when he saw Bhatt all over the news. He then took the saw to the police. In opening statements, prosecutors told the jury that that saw was tested for blood, and blood was found inside of it.

          Every Friday, Northern Virginia Bureau Chief Drew Wilder and News4 anchor Erika Gonzalez recap the biggest moments in court.

          You can find the first two episodes of “The Case: Where Is Mamta?” on NBC Washington’s YouTube channel, or below here:

          “Where Is Mamta Bhatt? Inside her husband’s murder trial“ — The Case: episode 1 (Oct. 9, 2026)

          “Where is Mamta Bhatt? What her husband told investigators” — The Case, episode 2 (Oct. 16, 2026)

          “Where is Mamta Bhatt? Surveillance videos, interrogation tapes shown to jurors” — The Case, episode 3 (Oct. 22, 2026)

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 07:02:08 PM Wed, Oct 21 2026 07:10:26 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Surveillance videos show Naresh Bhatt throwing trash bags in dumpsters miles from home https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/surveillance-videos-show-naresh-bhatt-throwing-trash-bags-into-dumpsters-miles-from-home/4170266/ 4170266 Drew Wilder post 11570763 Surveillance videos show Naresh Bhatt throwing trash bags into dumpsters miles from home https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Surveillance-videos-show-Naresh-Bhatt-throwing-trash-bags-into-dumpsters-miles-from-home.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 There's no forensic evidence to prove to the jury what's inside those bags, but prosecutors said they believe it's Mamta Kafle's remains or what Bhatt used to clean up the crime scene.

          This report includes disturbing details.

          Prosecutors showed new surveillance videos in court Wednesday in an effort to convince a jury that Naresh Bhatt murdered and dismembered his wife, Mamta Kafle.

          “What does he appear to be doing?” the attorney asked.

          “Carrying bags into the trash compactor,” the witness said.

          In at least four different trips to multiple trash compactors and dumpsters, all on the day his wife was allegedly murdered, Naresh Bhatt is seen throwing away heavy-duty garbage bags miles from their home.

          “He’s wearing gloves,” the witness said.

          “What color gloves?” the attorney asked.

          “White,” the witness said.

          Video shows Bhatt making multiple trips to a dumpster at an apartment complex where he never lived, three miles from his home. The same day, he visits a trash compactor at a complex where he rented a unit but did not live at the time. He goes once during the day and once in the middle of the night.

          “Can you describe to us what he’s doing?” the attorney asked.

          “Getting ready to throw more bags into the trash compactor,” the witness said.

          The video also shows how he’s holding the bag: one hand seals the bag up top and the other supports the bottom.

          There’s no forensic evidence to prove to the jury what’s inside those bags, but prosecutors said in opening statements they believe it’s Kafle’s remains or what Bhatt used to clean up the crime scene.

          There was some other chilling evidence that came in late Wednesday afternoon, when a landscaper took the witness stand and told the jury that a couple of days after the alleged murder, he was doing some yard work on Bhatt’s neighbor’s yard. He said Bhatt came up to him and asked him if he would do some work on his house. In lieu of payment, Bhatt offered the landscaper an electric saw.

          The landscaper accepted that as payment until a couple of weeks later, when he saw Bhatt all over the news. He then took the saw to the police. In opening statements, prosecutors told the jury that that saw was tested for blood, and blood was found inside of it.

          Every Friday, Northern Virginia Bureau Chief Drew Wilder and News4 anchor Erika Gonzalez recap the biggest moments in court.

          You can find the first two episodes of “The Case: Where Is Mamta?” on NBC Washington’s YouTube channel, or below here:

          “Where Is Mamta Bhatt? Inside her husband’s murder trial“ — The Case: episode 1 (Oct. 9, 2026)

          “Where is Mamta Bhatt? What her husband told investigators” — The Case, episode 2 (Oct. 16, 2026)

          “Where is Mamta Bhatt? Surveillance videos, interrogation tapes shown to jurors” — The Case, episode 3 (Oct. 22, 2026)

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 07:02:08 PM Wed, Oct 21 2026 07:10:26 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => Surveillance videos show Naresh Bhatt throwing trash bags in dumpsters miles from home [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/surveillance-videos-show-naresh-bhatt-throwing-trash-bags-into-dumpsters-miles-from-home/4170266/ [date] => Wed, Oct 21 2026 07:02:08 PM ) ) ) [1] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 139 [function] => RSS_Tags [args] => Array ( [0] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Surveillance videos show Naresh Bhatt throwing trash bags in dumpsters miles from home https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/surveillance-videos-show-naresh-bhatt-throwing-trash-bags-into-dumpsters-miles-from-home/4170266/ 4170266 Drew Wilder post 11570763 Surveillance videos show Naresh Bhatt throwing trash bags into dumpsters miles from home https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Surveillance-videos-show-Naresh-Bhatt-throwing-trash-bags-into-dumpsters-miles-from-home.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 There's no forensic evidence to prove to the jury what's inside those bags, but prosecutors said they believe it's Mamta Kafle's remains or what Bhatt used to clean up the crime scene.

          This report includes disturbing details.

          Prosecutors showed new surveillance videos in court Wednesday in an effort to convince a jury that Naresh Bhatt murdered and dismembered his wife, Mamta Kafle.

          “What does he appear to be doing?” the attorney asked.

          “Carrying bags into the trash compactor,” the witness said.

          In at least four different trips to multiple trash compactors and dumpsters, all on the day his wife was allegedly murdered, Naresh Bhatt is seen throwing away heavy-duty garbage bags miles from their home.

          “He’s wearing gloves,” the witness said.

          “What color gloves?” the attorney asked.

          “White,” the witness said.

          Video shows Bhatt making multiple trips to a dumpster at an apartment complex where he never lived, three miles from his home. The same day, he visits a trash compactor at a complex where he rented a unit but did not live at the time. He goes once during the day and once in the middle of the night.

          “Can you describe to us what he’s doing?” the attorney asked.

          “Getting ready to throw more bags into the trash compactor,” the witness said.

          The video also shows how he’s holding the bag: one hand seals the bag up top and the other supports the bottom.

          There’s no forensic evidence to prove to the jury what’s inside those bags, but prosecutors said in opening statements they believe it’s Kafle’s remains or what Bhatt used to clean up the crime scene.

          There was some other chilling evidence that came in late Wednesday afternoon, when a landscaper took the witness stand and told the jury that a couple of days after the alleged murder, he was doing some yard work on Bhatt’s neighbor’s yard. He said Bhatt came up to him and asked him if he would do some work on his house. In lieu of payment, Bhatt offered the landscaper an electric saw.

          The landscaper accepted that as payment until a couple of weeks later, when he saw Bhatt all over the news. He then took the saw to the police. In opening statements, prosecutors told the jury that that saw was tested for blood, and blood was found inside of it.

          Every Friday, Northern Virginia Bureau Chief Drew Wilder and News4 anchor Erika Gonzalez recap the biggest moments in court.

          You can find the first two episodes of “The Case: Where Is Mamta?” on NBC Washington’s YouTube channel, or below here:

          “Where Is Mamta Bhatt? Inside her husband’s murder trial“ — The Case: episode 1 (Oct. 9, 2026)

          “Where is Mamta Bhatt? What her husband told investigators” — The Case, episode 2 (Oct. 16, 2026)

          “Where is Mamta Bhatt? Surveillance videos, interrogation tapes shown to jurors” — The Case, episode 3 (Oct. 22, 2026)

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 07:02:08 PM Wed, Oct 21 2026 07:10:26 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Surveillance videos show Naresh Bhatt throwing trash bags in dumpsters miles from home https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/surveillance-videos-show-naresh-bhatt-throwing-trash-bags-into-dumpsters-miles-from-home/4170266/ 4170266 Drew Wilder post 11570763 Surveillance videos show Naresh Bhatt throwing trash bags into dumpsters miles from home https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Surveillance-videos-show-Naresh-Bhatt-throwing-trash-bags-into-dumpsters-miles-from-home.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 There's no forensic evidence to prove to the jury what's inside those bags, but prosecutors said they believe it's Mamta Kafle's remains or what Bhatt used to clean up the crime scene.

          This report includes disturbing details.

          Prosecutors showed new surveillance videos in court Wednesday in an effort to convince a jury that Naresh Bhatt murdered and dismembered his wife, Mamta Kafle.

          “What does he appear to be doing?” the attorney asked.

          “Carrying bags into the trash compactor,” the witness said.

          In at least four different trips to multiple trash compactors and dumpsters, all on the day his wife was allegedly murdered, Naresh Bhatt is seen throwing away heavy-duty garbage bags miles from their home.

          “He’s wearing gloves,” the witness said.

          “What color gloves?” the attorney asked.

          “White,” the witness said.

          Video shows Bhatt making multiple trips to a dumpster at an apartment complex where he never lived, three miles from his home. The same day, he visits a trash compactor at a complex where he rented a unit but did not live at the time. He goes once during the day and once in the middle of the night.

          “Can you describe to us what he’s doing?” the attorney asked.

          “Getting ready to throw more bags into the trash compactor,” the witness said.

          The video also shows how he’s holding the bag: one hand seals the bag up top and the other supports the bottom.

          There’s no forensic evidence to prove to the jury what’s inside those bags, but prosecutors said in opening statements they believe it’s Kafle’s remains or what Bhatt used to clean up the crime scene.

          There was some other chilling evidence that came in late Wednesday afternoon, when a landscaper took the witness stand and told the jury that a couple of days after the alleged murder, he was doing some yard work on Bhatt’s neighbor’s yard. He said Bhatt came up to him and asked him if he would do some work on his house. In lieu of payment, Bhatt offered the landscaper an electric saw.

          The landscaper accepted that as payment until a couple of weeks later, when he saw Bhatt all over the news. He then took the saw to the police. In opening statements, prosecutors told the jury that that saw was tested for blood, and blood was found inside of it.

          Every Friday, Northern Virginia Bureau Chief Drew Wilder and News4 anchor Erika Gonzalez recap the biggest moments in court.

          You can find the first two episodes of “The Case: Where Is Mamta?” on NBC Washington’s YouTube channel, or below here:

          “Where Is Mamta Bhatt? Inside her husband’s murder trial“ — The Case: episode 1 (Oct. 9, 2026)

          “Where is Mamta Bhatt? What her husband told investigators” — The Case, episode 2 (Oct. 16, 2026)

          “Where is Mamta Bhatt? Surveillance videos, interrogation tapes shown to jurors” — The Case, episode 3 (Oct. 22, 2026)

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 07:02:08 PM Wed, Oct 21 2026 07:10:26 PM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) ) Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Confused by DC's ranked choice voting? What to know before going to the polls https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/confused-by-dcs-ranked-choice-voting-what-to-know-before-going-to-the-polls/4170214/ 4170214 Mark Segraves post 11570406 ranked choice voting dc https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/52100711782-1080pnbcstations.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 Here's how it works and why there are concerns about D.C's ranked choice voting for two at-large council seats.

          Concerns are growing in D.C. that some voters might not have all votes counted in key local races. The issue stems from D.C.’s first use of ranked-choice voting in a general election.

          In the at-large race, voters can choose two candidates. But, depending on which candidate is ranked first, their second choice might not count.

          The D.C. Council has four at-large members. By law, two of those seats must be held by a minority party, meaning any party other than the Democratic party, which holds an overwhelming majority in the city.

          In past elections, the general election ballot for at-large races indicated voters could choose two candidates.

          Now, because D.C. now uses ranked-choice, voters on the current ballot are instructed to rank up to five. But nowhere on the ballot does it indicate there will be two winners.

          That’s problematic because ranked choice does not account for two winners in the same race.

          The way ranked-choice voting works, if your first choice wins, the rest of your choices are not counted.

          Because D.C. is majority Democrat and the only Democrat running for at-large is also in the number one ballot position, it’s more than likely that Oye Owolewa will win the first round.

          Any resident who voted for Owolewa as their first choice won’t have their second choice counted. That will likely be tens of thousands of voters.

          That’s why Independent candidate Ellisa Silverman is asking her supporters to rank her number one.

          “Voters have good reason to be confused. They no longer have 2 votes for the 2 At-Large Council seats. That’s not explained on the ballot. Now they have one ranked choice vote, and how voters rank really matters. We’re asking our supporters to rank Elissa 1st,” a spokesperson for Silverman’s campaign said in a statement to News4.

          In July, D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson raised concerns about the problem in a memo and tried to pass emergency legislation to fix it. But he couldn’t get enough support on the council as the election cycle had begun.

          Councilmember Christina Henderson, one of the four at-large members, shares Mendelson’s concerns.

          “So effectively under ranked-choice voting for the at-large race, as opposed to folks having the opportunity to vote for two candidates, their vote essentially will only be cast for one,” Henderson said.

          “I wouldn’t say that they are being disenfranchised. They’re still having the opportunity to vote, but this is a change as opposed to voters being able to cast their ballot for two at-large members, which has been traditionally done, they’ll only have the opportunity to essentially cast their ballot for one at-large member,” she said.

          Henderson said she’s hopeful the council will fix the issue for future elections.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 05:31:23 PM Thu, Oct 22 2026 06:30:26 AM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Confused by DC's ranked choice voting? What to know before going to the polls https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/confused-by-dcs-ranked-choice-voting-what-to-know-before-going-to-the-polls/4170214/ 4170214 Mark Segraves post 11570406 ranked choice voting dc https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/52100711782-1080pnbcstations.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 Here's how it works and why there are concerns about D.C's ranked choice voting for two at-large council seats.

          Concerns are growing in D.C. that some voters might not have all votes counted in key local races. The issue stems from D.C.’s first use of ranked-choice voting in a general election.

          In the at-large race, voters can choose two candidates. But, depending on which candidate is ranked first, their second choice might not count.

          The D.C. Council has four at-large members. By law, two of those seats must be held by a minority party, meaning any party other than the Democratic party, which holds an overwhelming majority in the city.

          In past elections, the general election ballot for at-large races indicated voters could choose two candidates.

          Now, because D.C. now uses ranked-choice, voters on the current ballot are instructed to rank up to five. But nowhere on the ballot does it indicate there will be two winners.

          That’s problematic because ranked choice does not account for two winners in the same race.

          The way ranked-choice voting works, if your first choice wins, the rest of your choices are not counted.

          Because D.C. is majority Democrat and the only Democrat running for at-large is also in the number one ballot position, it’s more than likely that Oye Owolewa will win the first round.

          Any resident who voted for Owolewa as their first choice won’t have their second choice counted. That will likely be tens of thousands of voters.

          That’s why Independent candidate Ellisa Silverman is asking her supporters to rank her number one.

          “Voters have good reason to be confused. They no longer have 2 votes for the 2 At-Large Council seats. That’s not explained on the ballot. Now they have one ranked choice vote, and how voters rank really matters. We’re asking our supporters to rank Elissa 1st,” a spokesperson for Silverman’s campaign said in a statement to News4.

          In July, D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson raised concerns about the problem in a memo and tried to pass emergency legislation to fix it. But he couldn’t get enough support on the council as the election cycle had begun.

          Councilmember Christina Henderson, one of the four at-large members, shares Mendelson’s concerns.

          “So effectively under ranked-choice voting for the at-large race, as opposed to folks having the opportunity to vote for two candidates, their vote essentially will only be cast for one,” Henderson said.

          “I wouldn’t say that they are being disenfranchised. They’re still having the opportunity to vote, but this is a change as opposed to voters being able to cast their ballot for two at-large members, which has been traditionally done, they’ll only have the opportunity to essentially cast their ballot for one at-large member,” she said.

          Henderson said she’s hopeful the council will fix the issue for future elections.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 05:31:23 PM Thu, Oct 22 2026 06:30:26 AM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => Confused by DC's ranked choice voting? What to know before going to the polls [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/confused-by-dcs-ranked-choice-voting-what-to-know-before-going-to-the-polls/4170214/ [date] => Wed, Oct 21 2026 05:31:23 PM ) Backtrace of errorHandler() Array ( [0] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 72 [function] => errorHandler [args] => Array ( [0] => 8 [1] => Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object [2] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [3] => 72 [4] => Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Confused by DC's ranked choice voting? What to know before going to the polls https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/confused-by-dcs-ranked-choice-voting-what-to-know-before-going-to-the-polls/4170214/ 4170214 Mark Segraves post 11570406 ranked choice voting dc https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/52100711782-1080pnbcstations.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 Here's how it works and why there are concerns about D.C's ranked choice voting for two at-large council seats.

          Concerns are growing in D.C. that some voters might not have all votes counted in key local races. The issue stems from D.C.’s first use of ranked-choice voting in a general election.

          In the at-large race, voters can choose two candidates. But, depending on which candidate is ranked first, their second choice might not count.

          The D.C. Council has four at-large members. By law, two of those seats must be held by a minority party, meaning any party other than the Democratic party, which holds an overwhelming majority in the city.

          In past elections, the general election ballot for at-large races indicated voters could choose two candidates.

          Now, because D.C. now uses ranked-choice, voters on the current ballot are instructed to rank up to five. But nowhere on the ballot does it indicate there will be two winners.

          That’s problematic because ranked choice does not account for two winners in the same race.

          The way ranked-choice voting works, if your first choice wins, the rest of your choices are not counted.

          Because D.C. is majority Democrat and the only Democrat running for at-large is also in the number one ballot position, it’s more than likely that Oye Owolewa will win the first round.

          Any resident who voted for Owolewa as their first choice won’t have their second choice counted. That will likely be tens of thousands of voters.

          That’s why Independent candidate Ellisa Silverman is asking her supporters to rank her number one.

          “Voters have good reason to be confused. They no longer have 2 votes for the 2 At-Large Council seats. That’s not explained on the ballot. Now they have one ranked choice vote, and how voters rank really matters. We’re asking our supporters to rank Elissa 1st,” a spokesperson for Silverman’s campaign said in a statement to News4.

          In July, D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson raised concerns about the problem in a memo and tried to pass emergency legislation to fix it. But he couldn’t get enough support on the council as the election cycle had begun.

          Councilmember Christina Henderson, one of the four at-large members, shares Mendelson’s concerns.

          “So effectively under ranked-choice voting for the at-large race, as opposed to folks having the opportunity to vote for two candidates, their vote essentially will only be cast for one,” Henderson said.

          “I wouldn’t say that they are being disenfranchised. They’re still having the opportunity to vote, but this is a change as opposed to voters being able to cast their ballot for two at-large members, which has been traditionally done, they’ll only have the opportunity to essentially cast their ballot for one at-large member,” she said.

          Henderson said she’s hopeful the council will fix the issue for future elections.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 05:31:23 PM Thu, Oct 22 2026 06:30:26 AM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Confused by DC's ranked choice voting? What to know before going to the polls https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/confused-by-dcs-ranked-choice-voting-what-to-know-before-going-to-the-polls/4170214/ 4170214 Mark Segraves post 11570406 ranked choice voting dc https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/52100711782-1080pnbcstations.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 Here's how it works and why there are concerns about D.C's ranked choice voting for two at-large council seats.

          Concerns are growing in D.C. that some voters might not have all votes counted in key local races. The issue stems from D.C.’s first use of ranked-choice voting in a general election.

          In the at-large race, voters can choose two candidates. But, depending on which candidate is ranked first, their second choice might not count.

          The D.C. Council has four at-large members. By law, two of those seats must be held by a minority party, meaning any party other than the Democratic party, which holds an overwhelming majority in the city.

          In past elections, the general election ballot for at-large races indicated voters could choose two candidates.

          Now, because D.C. now uses ranked-choice, voters on the current ballot are instructed to rank up to five. But nowhere on the ballot does it indicate there will be two winners.

          That’s problematic because ranked choice does not account for two winners in the same race.

          The way ranked-choice voting works, if your first choice wins, the rest of your choices are not counted.

          Because D.C. is majority Democrat and the only Democrat running for at-large is also in the number one ballot position, it’s more than likely that Oye Owolewa will win the first round.

          Any resident who voted for Owolewa as their first choice won’t have their second choice counted. That will likely be tens of thousands of voters.

          That’s why Independent candidate Ellisa Silverman is asking her supporters to rank her number one.

          “Voters have good reason to be confused. They no longer have 2 votes for the 2 At-Large Council seats. That’s not explained on the ballot. Now they have one ranked choice vote, and how voters rank really matters. We’re asking our supporters to rank Elissa 1st,” a spokesperson for Silverman’s campaign said in a statement to News4.

          In July, D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson raised concerns about the problem in a memo and tried to pass emergency legislation to fix it. But he couldn’t get enough support on the council as the election cycle had begun.

          Councilmember Christina Henderson, one of the four at-large members, shares Mendelson’s concerns.

          “So effectively under ranked-choice voting for the at-large race, as opposed to folks having the opportunity to vote for two candidates, their vote essentially will only be cast for one,” Henderson said.

          “I wouldn’t say that they are being disenfranchised. They’re still having the opportunity to vote, but this is a change as opposed to voters being able to cast their ballot for two at-large members, which has been traditionally done, they’ll only have the opportunity to essentially cast their ballot for one at-large member,” she said.

          Henderson said she’s hopeful the council will fix the issue for future elections.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 05:31:23 PM Thu, Oct 22 2026 06:30:26 AM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => Confused by DC's ranked choice voting? What to know before going to the polls [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/confused-by-dcs-ranked-choice-voting-what-to-know-before-going-to-the-polls/4170214/ [date] => Wed, Oct 21 2026 05:31:23 PM ) ) ) [1] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 139 [function] => RSS_Tags [args] => Array ( [0] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Confused by DC's ranked choice voting? What to know before going to the polls https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/confused-by-dcs-ranked-choice-voting-what-to-know-before-going-to-the-polls/4170214/ 4170214 Mark Segraves post 11570406 ranked choice voting dc https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/52100711782-1080pnbcstations.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 Here's how it works and why there are concerns about D.C's ranked choice voting for two at-large council seats.

          Concerns are growing in D.C. that some voters might not have all votes counted in key local races. The issue stems from D.C.’s first use of ranked-choice voting in a general election.

          In the at-large race, voters can choose two candidates. But, depending on which candidate is ranked first, their second choice might not count.

          The D.C. Council has four at-large members. By law, two of those seats must be held by a minority party, meaning any party other than the Democratic party, which holds an overwhelming majority in the city.

          In past elections, the general election ballot for at-large races indicated voters could choose two candidates.

          Now, because D.C. now uses ranked-choice, voters on the current ballot are instructed to rank up to five. But nowhere on the ballot does it indicate there will be two winners.

          That’s problematic because ranked choice does not account for two winners in the same race.

          The way ranked-choice voting works, if your first choice wins, the rest of your choices are not counted.

          Because D.C. is majority Democrat and the only Democrat running for at-large is also in the number one ballot position, it’s more than likely that Oye Owolewa will win the first round.

          Any resident who voted for Owolewa as their first choice won’t have their second choice counted. That will likely be tens of thousands of voters.

          That’s why Independent candidate Ellisa Silverman is asking her supporters to rank her number one.

          “Voters have good reason to be confused. They no longer have 2 votes for the 2 At-Large Council seats. That’s not explained on the ballot. Now they have one ranked choice vote, and how voters rank really matters. We’re asking our supporters to rank Elissa 1st,” a spokesperson for Silverman’s campaign said in a statement to News4.

          In July, D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson raised concerns about the problem in a memo and tried to pass emergency legislation to fix it. But he couldn’t get enough support on the council as the election cycle had begun.

          Councilmember Christina Henderson, one of the four at-large members, shares Mendelson’s concerns.

          “So effectively under ranked-choice voting for the at-large race, as opposed to folks having the opportunity to vote for two candidates, their vote essentially will only be cast for one,” Henderson said.

          “I wouldn’t say that they are being disenfranchised. They’re still having the opportunity to vote, but this is a change as opposed to voters being able to cast their ballot for two at-large members, which has been traditionally done, they’ll only have the opportunity to essentially cast their ballot for one at-large member,” she said.

          Henderson said she’s hopeful the council will fix the issue for future elections.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 05:31:23 PM Thu, Oct 22 2026 06:30:26 AM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Confused by DC's ranked choice voting? What to know before going to the polls https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/confused-by-dcs-ranked-choice-voting-what-to-know-before-going-to-the-polls/4170214/ 4170214 Mark Segraves post 11570406 ranked choice voting dc https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/52100711782-1080pnbcstations.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 Here's how it works and why there are concerns about D.C's ranked choice voting for two at-large council seats.

          Concerns are growing in D.C. that some voters might not have all votes counted in key local races. The issue stems from D.C.’s first use of ranked-choice voting in a general election.

          In the at-large race, voters can choose two candidates. But, depending on which candidate is ranked first, their second choice might not count.

          The D.C. Council has four at-large members. By law, two of those seats must be held by a minority party, meaning any party other than the Democratic party, which holds an overwhelming majority in the city.

          In past elections, the general election ballot for at-large races indicated voters could choose two candidates.

          Now, because D.C. now uses ranked-choice, voters on the current ballot are instructed to rank up to five. But nowhere on the ballot does it indicate there will be two winners.

          That’s problematic because ranked choice does not account for two winners in the same race.

          The way ranked-choice voting works, if your first choice wins, the rest of your choices are not counted.

          Because D.C. is majority Democrat and the only Democrat running for at-large is also in the number one ballot position, it’s more than likely that Oye Owolewa will win the first round.

          Any resident who voted for Owolewa as their first choice won’t have their second choice counted. That will likely be tens of thousands of voters.

          That’s why Independent candidate Ellisa Silverman is asking her supporters to rank her number one.

          “Voters have good reason to be confused. They no longer have 2 votes for the 2 At-Large Council seats. That’s not explained on the ballot. Now they have one ranked choice vote, and how voters rank really matters. We’re asking our supporters to rank Elissa 1st,” a spokesperson for Silverman’s campaign said in a statement to News4.

          In July, D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson raised concerns about the problem in a memo and tried to pass emergency legislation to fix it. But he couldn’t get enough support on the council as the election cycle had begun.

          Councilmember Christina Henderson, one of the four at-large members, shares Mendelson’s concerns.

          “So effectively under ranked-choice voting for the at-large race, as opposed to folks having the opportunity to vote for two candidates, their vote essentially will only be cast for one,” Henderson said.

          “I wouldn’t say that they are being disenfranchised. They’re still having the opportunity to vote, but this is a change as opposed to voters being able to cast their ballot for two at-large members, which has been traditionally done, they’ll only have the opportunity to essentially cast their ballot for one at-large member,” she said.

          Henderson said she’s hopeful the council will fix the issue for future elections.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 05:31:23 PM Thu, Oct 22 2026 06:30:26 AM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) ) Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Maryland artist creates Black maternal health flag out of hospital baby blankets https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/maryland-artist-creates-black-maternal-health-flag-out-of-hospital-baby-blankets/4170081/ 4170081 Jummy Olabanji post 11569981 baby blanket black maternal health flag split 2 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/baby-blanket-black-maternal-health-flag-split-2.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 “Black maternal health deserved a symbol and something to bring awareness," Prince George's County artist Lex Marie said.

          A Maryland artist turned familiar pink, blue and white hospital blankets for newborn babies into a powerful call to action.

          Lex Marie, of Prince George’s County, used the blankets to create what she calls the Black maternal health flag. The artwork evokes the American flag, with alternating black stripes and hospital blanket strips.

          “Black maternal health deserved a symbol and something to bring awareness,” she said.

          Marie said she first made the flag two years ago and that combining motherhood and artistry felt “naturally aligned.” She said as her son grows up, she is confronting issues raising a Black boy in the U.S. and wants to continue to advocate for him and other children and mothers.

          She said she wants the flag to become an emblem for protecting Black maternal health.

          Marie created merchandise to continue to spread awareness, after supporters requested prints, pins, bumper stickers and T-shirts.

          She said she hopes the flag will open people’s eyes to the crisis in a new way.

          “Sometimes it’s not the stats. Sometimes it’s not the words. Sometimes it takes an image in order to really get to the core of someone’s feelings,” she said.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 02:28:46 PM Wed, Oct 21 2026 02:28:55 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Maryland artist creates Black maternal health flag out of hospital baby blankets https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/maryland-artist-creates-black-maternal-health-flag-out-of-hospital-baby-blankets/4170081/ 4170081 Jummy Olabanji post 11569981 baby blanket black maternal health flag split 2 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/baby-blanket-black-maternal-health-flag-split-2.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 “Black maternal health deserved a symbol and something to bring awareness," Prince George's County artist Lex Marie said.

          A Maryland artist turned familiar pink, blue and white hospital blankets for newborn babies into a powerful call to action.

          Lex Marie, of Prince George’s County, used the blankets to create what she calls the Black maternal health flag. The artwork evokes the American flag, with alternating black stripes and hospital blanket strips.

          “Black maternal health deserved a symbol and something to bring awareness,” she said.

          Marie said she first made the flag two years ago and that combining motherhood and artistry felt “naturally aligned.” She said as her son grows up, she is confronting issues raising a Black boy in the U.S. and wants to continue to advocate for him and other children and mothers.

          She said she wants the flag to become an emblem for protecting Black maternal health.

          Marie created merchandise to continue to spread awareness, after supporters requested prints, pins, bumper stickers and T-shirts.

          She said she hopes the flag will open people’s eyes to the crisis in a new way.

          “Sometimes it’s not the stats. Sometimes it’s not the words. Sometimes it takes an image in order to really get to the core of someone’s feelings,” she said.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 02:28:46 PM Wed, Oct 21 2026 02:28:55 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => Maryland artist creates Black maternal health flag out of hospital baby blankets [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/maryland-artist-creates-black-maternal-health-flag-out-of-hospital-baby-blankets/4170081/ [date] => Wed, Oct 21 2026 02:28:46 PM ) Backtrace of errorHandler() Array ( [0] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 72 [function] => errorHandler [args] => Array ( [0] => 8 [1] => Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object [2] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [3] => 72 [4] => Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Maryland artist creates Black maternal health flag out of hospital baby blankets https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/maryland-artist-creates-black-maternal-health-flag-out-of-hospital-baby-blankets/4170081/ 4170081 Jummy Olabanji post 11569981 baby blanket black maternal health flag split 2 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/baby-blanket-black-maternal-health-flag-split-2.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 “Black maternal health deserved a symbol and something to bring awareness," Prince George's County artist Lex Marie said.

          A Maryland artist turned familiar pink, blue and white hospital blankets for newborn babies into a powerful call to action.

          Lex Marie, of Prince George’s County, used the blankets to create what she calls the Black maternal health flag. The artwork evokes the American flag, with alternating black stripes and hospital blanket strips.

          “Black maternal health deserved a symbol and something to bring awareness,” she said.

          Marie said she first made the flag two years ago and that combining motherhood and artistry felt “naturally aligned.” She said as her son grows up, she is confronting issues raising a Black boy in the U.S. and wants to continue to advocate for him and other children and mothers.

          She said she wants the flag to become an emblem for protecting Black maternal health.

          Marie created merchandise to continue to spread awareness, after supporters requested prints, pins, bumper stickers and T-shirts.

          She said she hopes the flag will open people’s eyes to the crisis in a new way.

          “Sometimes it’s not the stats. Sometimes it’s not the words. Sometimes it takes an image in order to really get to the core of someone’s feelings,” she said.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 02:28:46 PM Wed, Oct 21 2026 02:28:55 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Maryland artist creates Black maternal health flag out of hospital baby blankets https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/maryland-artist-creates-black-maternal-health-flag-out-of-hospital-baby-blankets/4170081/ 4170081 Jummy Olabanji post 11569981 baby blanket black maternal health flag split 2 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/baby-blanket-black-maternal-health-flag-split-2.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 “Black maternal health deserved a symbol and something to bring awareness," Prince George's County artist Lex Marie said.

          A Maryland artist turned familiar pink, blue and white hospital blankets for newborn babies into a powerful call to action.

          Lex Marie, of Prince George’s County, used the blankets to create what she calls the Black maternal health flag. The artwork evokes the American flag, with alternating black stripes and hospital blanket strips.

          “Black maternal health deserved a symbol and something to bring awareness,” she said.

          Marie said she first made the flag two years ago and that combining motherhood and artistry felt “naturally aligned.” She said as her son grows up, she is confronting issues raising a Black boy in the U.S. and wants to continue to advocate for him and other children and mothers.

          She said she wants the flag to become an emblem for protecting Black maternal health.

          Marie created merchandise to continue to spread awareness, after supporters requested prints, pins, bumper stickers and T-shirts.

          She said she hopes the flag will open people’s eyes to the crisis in a new way.

          “Sometimes it’s not the stats. Sometimes it’s not the words. Sometimes it takes an image in order to really get to the core of someone’s feelings,” she said.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 02:28:46 PM Wed, Oct 21 2026 02:28:55 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => Maryland artist creates Black maternal health flag out of hospital baby blankets [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/maryland-artist-creates-black-maternal-health-flag-out-of-hospital-baby-blankets/4170081/ [date] => Wed, Oct 21 2026 02:28:46 PM ) ) ) [1] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 139 [function] => RSS_Tags [args] => Array ( [0] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Maryland artist creates Black maternal health flag out of hospital baby blankets https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/maryland-artist-creates-black-maternal-health-flag-out-of-hospital-baby-blankets/4170081/ 4170081 Jummy Olabanji post 11569981 baby blanket black maternal health flag split 2 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/baby-blanket-black-maternal-health-flag-split-2.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 “Black maternal health deserved a symbol and something to bring awareness," Prince George's County artist Lex Marie said.

          A Maryland artist turned familiar pink, blue and white hospital blankets for newborn babies into a powerful call to action.

          Lex Marie, of Prince George’s County, used the blankets to create what she calls the Black maternal health flag. The artwork evokes the American flag, with alternating black stripes and hospital blanket strips.

          “Black maternal health deserved a symbol and something to bring awareness,” she said.

          Marie said she first made the flag two years ago and that combining motherhood and artistry felt “naturally aligned.” She said as her son grows up, she is confronting issues raising a Black boy in the U.S. and wants to continue to advocate for him and other children and mothers.

          She said she wants the flag to become an emblem for protecting Black maternal health.

          Marie created merchandise to continue to spread awareness, after supporters requested prints, pins, bumper stickers and T-shirts.

          She said she hopes the flag will open people’s eyes to the crisis in a new way.

          “Sometimes it’s not the stats. Sometimes it’s not the words. Sometimes it takes an image in order to really get to the core of someone’s feelings,” she said.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 02:28:46 PM Wed, Oct 21 2026 02:28:55 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Maryland artist creates Black maternal health flag out of hospital baby blankets https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/maryland-artist-creates-black-maternal-health-flag-out-of-hospital-baby-blankets/4170081/ 4170081 Jummy Olabanji post 11569981 baby blanket black maternal health flag split 2 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/baby-blanket-black-maternal-health-flag-split-2.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 “Black maternal health deserved a symbol and something to bring awareness," Prince George's County artist Lex Marie said.

          A Maryland artist turned familiar pink, blue and white hospital blankets for newborn babies into a powerful call to action.

          Lex Marie, of Prince George’s County, used the blankets to create what she calls the Black maternal health flag. The artwork evokes the American flag, with alternating black stripes and hospital blanket strips.

          “Black maternal health deserved a symbol and something to bring awareness,” she said.

          Marie said she first made the flag two years ago and that combining motherhood and artistry felt “naturally aligned.” She said as her son grows up, she is confronting issues raising a Black boy in the U.S. and wants to continue to advocate for him and other children and mothers.

          She said she wants the flag to become an emblem for protecting Black maternal health.

          Marie created merchandise to continue to spread awareness, after supporters requested prints, pins, bumper stickers and T-shirts.

          She said she hopes the flag will open people’s eyes to the crisis in a new way.

          “Sometimes it’s not the stats. Sometimes it’s not the words. Sometimes it takes an image in order to really get to the core of someone’s feelings,” she said.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 02:28:46 PM Wed, Oct 21 2026 02:28:55 PM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) ) Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Storm Team4 Forecast: Cool starts, mild days as dry stretch continues https://www.nbcwashington.com/weather/weather-stories/storm-team4-forecast-cool-starts-mild-days-as-dry-stretch-continues/4169907/ 4169907 Storm Team4 and NBC Washington Staff post 11569213 Morning weather, Wednesday, Oct. 21 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Morning-weather-Wednesday-Oct.-21.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 It’s possible that our next raindrops don’t get here until November. Storm Team4 has the weather forecast for D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia.

          4 things to know about the weather:

          1. Gorgeous weather continues
          2. Cool mornings
          3. Comfortable afternoons
          4. Dry for days

          This week will feature gorgeous fall weather. Expect comfortably cool mornings and nice, sunny afternoons.

          The weekend is looking dry with highs in the mid 60s.

          We could see 14 (or more) consecutive days of dry weather, one of the longest stretches this year.

          The longest stretch is 20 days in February.

          Halloween is looking dry and chilly for the trick-or-treaters.

          Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.

          QuickCast

          TONIGHT:
          Clear skies
          Chilly
          Light breeze
          Wind: north 5-10 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          LOW: 46°

          THURSDAY:
          Sunny
          Comfortable
          Wind: northwest 8-14 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          HIGH: 68°

          FRIDAY:
          Sunny
          Cooler
          Still nice
          Wind: northeast 5-15 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          HIGH: 64°

          SATURDAY:
          Sunny and gorgeous
          Wind: east 5 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          HIGH: 65°

          SUNDAY:
          Sunny, great running weather
          Wind: east 5 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          HIGH: 66°

          Sunrise: 7:24       Sunset: 6:21
          Average High: 68°  Average Low: 50°

          Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 05:51:02 AM Wed, Oct 21 2026 06:17:12 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Storm Team4 Forecast: Cool starts, mild days as dry stretch continues https://www.nbcwashington.com/weather/weather-stories/storm-team4-forecast-cool-starts-mild-days-as-dry-stretch-continues/4169907/ 4169907 Storm Team4 and NBC Washington Staff post 11569213 Morning weather, Wednesday, Oct. 21 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Morning-weather-Wednesday-Oct.-21.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 It’s possible that our next raindrops don’t get here until November. Storm Team4 has the weather forecast for D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia.

          4 things to know about the weather:

          1. Gorgeous weather continues
          2. Cool mornings
          3. Comfortable afternoons
          4. Dry for days

          This week will feature gorgeous fall weather. Expect comfortably cool mornings and nice, sunny afternoons.

          The weekend is looking dry with highs in the mid 60s.

          We could see 14 (or more) consecutive days of dry weather, one of the longest stretches this year.

          The longest stretch is 20 days in February.

          Halloween is looking dry and chilly for the trick-or-treaters.

          Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.

          QuickCast

          TONIGHT:
          Clear skies
          Chilly
          Light breeze
          Wind: north 5-10 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          LOW: 46°

          THURSDAY:
          Sunny
          Comfortable
          Wind: northwest 8-14 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          HIGH: 68°

          FRIDAY:
          Sunny
          Cooler
          Still nice
          Wind: northeast 5-15 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          HIGH: 64°

          SATURDAY:
          Sunny and gorgeous
          Wind: east 5 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          HIGH: 65°

          SUNDAY:
          Sunny, great running weather
          Wind: east 5 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          HIGH: 66°

          Sunrise: 7:24       Sunset: 6:21
          Average High: 68°  Average Low: 50°

          Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 05:51:02 AM Wed, Oct 21 2026 06:17:12 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => Storm Team4 Forecast: Cool starts, mild days as dry stretch continues [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/weather/weather-stories/storm-team4-forecast-cool-starts-mild-days-as-dry-stretch-continues/4169907/ [date] => Wed, Oct 21 2026 05:51:02 AM ) Backtrace of errorHandler() Array ( [0] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 72 [function] => errorHandler [args] => Array ( [0] => 8 [1] => Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object [2] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [3] => 72 [4] => Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Storm Team4 Forecast: Cool starts, mild days as dry stretch continues https://www.nbcwashington.com/weather/weather-stories/storm-team4-forecast-cool-starts-mild-days-as-dry-stretch-continues/4169907/ 4169907 Storm Team4 and NBC Washington Staff post 11569213 Morning weather, Wednesday, Oct. 21 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Morning-weather-Wednesday-Oct.-21.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 It’s possible that our next raindrops don’t get here until November. Storm Team4 has the weather forecast for D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia.

          4 things to know about the weather:

          1. Gorgeous weather continues
          2. Cool mornings
          3. Comfortable afternoons
          4. Dry for days

          This week will feature gorgeous fall weather. Expect comfortably cool mornings and nice, sunny afternoons.

          The weekend is looking dry with highs in the mid 60s.

          We could see 14 (or more) consecutive days of dry weather, one of the longest stretches this year.

          The longest stretch is 20 days in February.

          Halloween is looking dry and chilly for the trick-or-treaters.

          Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.

          QuickCast

          TONIGHT:
          Clear skies
          Chilly
          Light breeze
          Wind: north 5-10 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          LOW: 46°

          THURSDAY:
          Sunny
          Comfortable
          Wind: northwest 8-14 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          HIGH: 68°

          FRIDAY:
          Sunny
          Cooler
          Still nice
          Wind: northeast 5-15 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          HIGH: 64°

          SATURDAY:
          Sunny and gorgeous
          Wind: east 5 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          HIGH: 65°

          SUNDAY:
          Sunny, great running weather
          Wind: east 5 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          HIGH: 66°

          Sunrise: 7:24       Sunset: 6:21
          Average High: 68°  Average Low: 50°

          Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 05:51:02 AM Wed, Oct 21 2026 06:17:12 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Storm Team4 Forecast: Cool starts, mild days as dry stretch continues https://www.nbcwashington.com/weather/weather-stories/storm-team4-forecast-cool-starts-mild-days-as-dry-stretch-continues/4169907/ 4169907 Storm Team4 and NBC Washington Staff post 11569213 Morning weather, Wednesday, Oct. 21 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Morning-weather-Wednesday-Oct.-21.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 It’s possible that our next raindrops don’t get here until November. Storm Team4 has the weather forecast for D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia.

          4 things to know about the weather:

          1. Gorgeous weather continues
          2. Cool mornings
          3. Comfortable afternoons
          4. Dry for days

          This week will feature gorgeous fall weather. Expect comfortably cool mornings and nice, sunny afternoons.

          The weekend is looking dry with highs in the mid 60s.

          We could see 14 (or more) consecutive days of dry weather, one of the longest stretches this year.

          The longest stretch is 20 days in February.

          Halloween is looking dry and chilly for the trick-or-treaters.

          Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.

          QuickCast

          TONIGHT:
          Clear skies
          Chilly
          Light breeze
          Wind: north 5-10 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          LOW: 46°

          THURSDAY:
          Sunny
          Comfortable
          Wind: northwest 8-14 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          HIGH: 68°

          FRIDAY:
          Sunny
          Cooler
          Still nice
          Wind: northeast 5-15 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          HIGH: 64°

          SATURDAY:
          Sunny and gorgeous
          Wind: east 5 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          HIGH: 65°

          SUNDAY:
          Sunny, great running weather
          Wind: east 5 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          HIGH: 66°

          Sunrise: 7:24       Sunset: 6:21
          Average High: 68°  Average Low: 50°

          Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 05:51:02 AM Wed, Oct 21 2026 06:17:12 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => Storm Team4 Forecast: Cool starts, mild days as dry stretch continues [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/weather/weather-stories/storm-team4-forecast-cool-starts-mild-days-as-dry-stretch-continues/4169907/ [date] => Wed, Oct 21 2026 05:51:02 AM ) ) ) [1] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 139 [function] => RSS_Tags [args] => Array ( [0] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Storm Team4 Forecast: Cool starts, mild days as dry stretch continues https://www.nbcwashington.com/weather/weather-stories/storm-team4-forecast-cool-starts-mild-days-as-dry-stretch-continues/4169907/ 4169907 Storm Team4 and NBC Washington Staff post 11569213 Morning weather, Wednesday, Oct. 21 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Morning-weather-Wednesday-Oct.-21.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 It’s possible that our next raindrops don’t get here until November. Storm Team4 has the weather forecast for D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia.

          4 things to know about the weather:

          1. Gorgeous weather continues
          2. Cool mornings
          3. Comfortable afternoons
          4. Dry for days

          This week will feature gorgeous fall weather. Expect comfortably cool mornings and nice, sunny afternoons.

          The weekend is looking dry with highs in the mid 60s.

          We could see 14 (or more) consecutive days of dry weather, one of the longest stretches this year.

          The longest stretch is 20 days in February.

          Halloween is looking dry and chilly for the trick-or-treaters.

          Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.

          QuickCast

          TONIGHT:
          Clear skies
          Chilly
          Light breeze
          Wind: north 5-10 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          LOW: 46°

          THURSDAY:
          Sunny
          Comfortable
          Wind: northwest 8-14 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          HIGH: 68°

          FRIDAY:
          Sunny
          Cooler
          Still nice
          Wind: northeast 5-15 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          HIGH: 64°

          SATURDAY:
          Sunny and gorgeous
          Wind: east 5 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          HIGH: 65°

          SUNDAY:
          Sunny, great running weather
          Wind: east 5 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          HIGH: 66°

          Sunrise: 7:24       Sunset: 6:21
          Average High: 68°  Average Low: 50°

          Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 05:51:02 AM Wed, Oct 21 2026 06:17:12 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Storm Team4 Forecast: Cool starts, mild days as dry stretch continues https://www.nbcwashington.com/weather/weather-stories/storm-team4-forecast-cool-starts-mild-days-as-dry-stretch-continues/4169907/ 4169907 Storm Team4 and NBC Washington Staff post 11569213 Morning weather, Wednesday, Oct. 21 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Morning-weather-Wednesday-Oct.-21.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 It’s possible that our next raindrops don’t get here until November. Storm Team4 has the weather forecast for D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia.

          4 things to know about the weather:

          1. Gorgeous weather continues
          2. Cool mornings
          3. Comfortable afternoons
          4. Dry for days

          This week will feature gorgeous fall weather. Expect comfortably cool mornings and nice, sunny afternoons.

          The weekend is looking dry with highs in the mid 60s.

          We could see 14 (or more) consecutive days of dry weather, one of the longest stretches this year.

          The longest stretch is 20 days in February.

          Halloween is looking dry and chilly for the trick-or-treaters.

          Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.

          QuickCast

          TONIGHT:
          Clear skies
          Chilly
          Light breeze
          Wind: north 5-10 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          LOW: 46°

          THURSDAY:
          Sunny
          Comfortable
          Wind: northwest 8-14 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          HIGH: 68°

          FRIDAY:
          Sunny
          Cooler
          Still nice
          Wind: northeast 5-15 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          HIGH: 64°

          SATURDAY:
          Sunny and gorgeous
          Wind: east 5 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          HIGH: 65°

          SUNDAY:
          Sunny, great running weather
          Wind: east 5 mph
          Chance of rain: 0%
          HIGH: 66°

          Sunrise: 7:24       Sunset: 6:21
          Average High: 68°  Average Low: 50°

          Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 05:51:02 AM Wed, Oct 21 2026 06:17:12 PM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) ) Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Domestic violence gunman gets 35 years for firing at Rockville flag football game https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/man-sentenced-to-35-years-for-2024-shooting-in-rockville-park/4169879/ 4169879 Jackie Bensen post 11569588 welsch park split https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/welsch-park-split.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 Kenneth Oates' on-again-off-again girlfriend was watching another man play flag football at Welsh Park when he started shooting.

          A man was sentenced to 35 years in prison for attempted murder after he opened fire in a Rockville, Maryland, park in 2024.

          No one was physically injured but the gunfire terrorized people, including many children, enjoying a fall afternoon.

          The man, 40-year-old Kenneth Oates, of Gaithersburg, emerged from the woods and walked to a field, where his on-again-off-again girlfriend was watching another man play flag football. Oates pulled out a gun and began firing.

          The sentence is even more time than prosecutors requested.

          The man the shooter focused on told police he could see the bullets striking the ground around him as he ran through Welsh Park. Terrified kids ducked down behind a sliding board and other equipment.

          The woman had been sitting in a car, and bullet holes could be seen on the outside.

          The sound of gunshots was captured on the doorbell camera of a nearby home.

          “The defendant’s actions in broad daylight, in public, where there were children around, so many people watching flag football, it was incredibly dangerous,” said Debbie Feinstein, assistant Montgomery County state’s attorney and chief of the office’s Special Victims Division. “And thankfully, the court saw that and punished the defendant accordingly.”

          Last April, a jury found Oates guilty of attempted second-degree murder, assault and firearms charges.

          Oates had been prohibited from having contact with the woman or owning a gun because of the protective order she obtained following what she described as violent assaults.

          She told police she did not know how he learned she was at the park.

          Turquoise Williams, executive director of the Maryland advocacy group Just Stalking Resources, said that may not have been too difficult.

          “Ex-partners are very likely to have logged into some kind of shared account that you don’t realize that a partner still has access,” she said.

          October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

          “We are so fortunate in Montgomery County to have what we call a one-stop shop for victims or survivors of domestic violence,” Feinstein said. “They can come to one place right here in Rockville, right near the Metro, and get wraparound services.”

          Court documents show Oates initially told detectives he was at his grandmother’s house in the District at the time of the shooting. But an FBI search of his phone data showed his phone was in Rockville.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 12:19:08 AM Wed, Oct 21 2026 10:49:32 AM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Domestic violence gunman gets 35 years for firing at Rockville flag football game https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/man-sentenced-to-35-years-for-2024-shooting-in-rockville-park/4169879/ 4169879 Jackie Bensen post 11569588 welsch park split https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/welsch-park-split.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 Kenneth Oates' on-again-off-again girlfriend was watching another man play flag football at Welsh Park when he started shooting.

          A man was sentenced to 35 years in prison for attempted murder after he opened fire in a Rockville, Maryland, park in 2024.

          No one was physically injured but the gunfire terrorized people, including many children, enjoying a fall afternoon.

          The man, 40-year-old Kenneth Oates, of Gaithersburg, emerged from the woods and walked to a field, where his on-again-off-again girlfriend was watching another man play flag football. Oates pulled out a gun and began firing.

          The sentence is even more time than prosecutors requested.

          The man the shooter focused on told police he could see the bullets striking the ground around him as he ran through Welsh Park. Terrified kids ducked down behind a sliding board and other equipment.

          The woman had been sitting in a car, and bullet holes could be seen on the outside.

          The sound of gunshots was captured on the doorbell camera of a nearby home.

          “The defendant’s actions in broad daylight, in public, where there were children around, so many people watching flag football, it was incredibly dangerous,” said Debbie Feinstein, assistant Montgomery County state’s attorney and chief of the office’s Special Victims Division. “And thankfully, the court saw that and punished the defendant accordingly.”

          Last April, a jury found Oates guilty of attempted second-degree murder, assault and firearms charges.

          Oates had been prohibited from having contact with the woman or owning a gun because of the protective order she obtained following what she described as violent assaults.

          She told police she did not know how he learned she was at the park.

          Turquoise Williams, executive director of the Maryland advocacy group Just Stalking Resources, said that may not have been too difficult.

          “Ex-partners are very likely to have logged into some kind of shared account that you don’t realize that a partner still has access,” she said.

          October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

          “We are so fortunate in Montgomery County to have what we call a one-stop shop for victims or survivors of domestic violence,” Feinstein said. “They can come to one place right here in Rockville, right near the Metro, and get wraparound services.”

          Court documents show Oates initially told detectives he was at his grandmother’s house in the District at the time of the shooting. But an FBI search of his phone data showed his phone was in Rockville.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 12:19:08 AM Wed, Oct 21 2026 10:49:32 AM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => Domestic violence gunman gets 35 years for firing at Rockville flag football game [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/man-sentenced-to-35-years-for-2024-shooting-in-rockville-park/4169879/ [date] => Wed, Oct 21 2026 12:19:08 AM ) Backtrace of errorHandler() Array ( [0] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 72 [function] => errorHandler [args] => Array ( [0] => 8 [1] => Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object [2] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [3] => 72 [4] => Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Domestic violence gunman gets 35 years for firing at Rockville flag football game https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/man-sentenced-to-35-years-for-2024-shooting-in-rockville-park/4169879/ 4169879 Jackie Bensen post 11569588 welsch park split https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/welsch-park-split.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 Kenneth Oates' on-again-off-again girlfriend was watching another man play flag football at Welsh Park when he started shooting.

          A man was sentenced to 35 years in prison for attempted murder after he opened fire in a Rockville, Maryland, park in 2024.

          No one was physically injured but the gunfire terrorized people, including many children, enjoying a fall afternoon.

          The man, 40-year-old Kenneth Oates, of Gaithersburg, emerged from the woods and walked to a field, where his on-again-off-again girlfriend was watching another man play flag football. Oates pulled out a gun and began firing.

          The sentence is even more time than prosecutors requested.

          The man the shooter focused on told police he could see the bullets striking the ground around him as he ran through Welsh Park. Terrified kids ducked down behind a sliding board and other equipment.

          The woman had been sitting in a car, and bullet holes could be seen on the outside.

          The sound of gunshots was captured on the doorbell camera of a nearby home.

          “The defendant’s actions in broad daylight, in public, where there were children around, so many people watching flag football, it was incredibly dangerous,” said Debbie Feinstein, assistant Montgomery County state’s attorney and chief of the office’s Special Victims Division. “And thankfully, the court saw that and punished the defendant accordingly.”

          Last April, a jury found Oates guilty of attempted second-degree murder, assault and firearms charges.

          Oates had been prohibited from having contact with the woman or owning a gun because of the protective order she obtained following what she described as violent assaults.

          She told police she did not know how he learned she was at the park.

          Turquoise Williams, executive director of the Maryland advocacy group Just Stalking Resources, said that may not have been too difficult.

          “Ex-partners are very likely to have logged into some kind of shared account that you don’t realize that a partner still has access,” she said.

          October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

          “We are so fortunate in Montgomery County to have what we call a one-stop shop for victims or survivors of domestic violence,” Feinstein said. “They can come to one place right here in Rockville, right near the Metro, and get wraparound services.”

          Court documents show Oates initially told detectives he was at his grandmother’s house in the District at the time of the shooting. But an FBI search of his phone data showed his phone was in Rockville.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 12:19:08 AM Wed, Oct 21 2026 10:49:32 AM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Domestic violence gunman gets 35 years for firing at Rockville flag football game https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/man-sentenced-to-35-years-for-2024-shooting-in-rockville-park/4169879/ 4169879 Jackie Bensen post 11569588 welsch park split https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/welsch-park-split.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 Kenneth Oates' on-again-off-again girlfriend was watching another man play flag football at Welsh Park when he started shooting.

          A man was sentenced to 35 years in prison for attempted murder after he opened fire in a Rockville, Maryland, park in 2024.

          No one was physically injured but the gunfire terrorized people, including many children, enjoying a fall afternoon.

          The man, 40-year-old Kenneth Oates, of Gaithersburg, emerged from the woods and walked to a field, where his on-again-off-again girlfriend was watching another man play flag football. Oates pulled out a gun and began firing.

          The sentence is even more time than prosecutors requested.

          The man the shooter focused on told police he could see the bullets striking the ground around him as he ran through Welsh Park. Terrified kids ducked down behind a sliding board and other equipment.

          The woman had been sitting in a car, and bullet holes could be seen on the outside.

          The sound of gunshots was captured on the doorbell camera of a nearby home.

          “The defendant’s actions in broad daylight, in public, where there were children around, so many people watching flag football, it was incredibly dangerous,” said Debbie Feinstein, assistant Montgomery County state’s attorney and chief of the office’s Special Victims Division. “And thankfully, the court saw that and punished the defendant accordingly.”

          Last April, a jury found Oates guilty of attempted second-degree murder, assault and firearms charges.

          Oates had been prohibited from having contact with the woman or owning a gun because of the protective order she obtained following what she described as violent assaults.

          She told police she did not know how he learned she was at the park.

          Turquoise Williams, executive director of the Maryland advocacy group Just Stalking Resources, said that may not have been too difficult.

          “Ex-partners are very likely to have logged into some kind of shared account that you don’t realize that a partner still has access,” she said.

          October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

          “We are so fortunate in Montgomery County to have what we call a one-stop shop for victims or survivors of domestic violence,” Feinstein said. “They can come to one place right here in Rockville, right near the Metro, and get wraparound services.”

          Court documents show Oates initially told detectives he was at his grandmother’s house in the District at the time of the shooting. But an FBI search of his phone data showed his phone was in Rockville.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 12:19:08 AM Wed, Oct 21 2026 10:49:32 AM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => Domestic violence gunman gets 35 years for firing at Rockville flag football game [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/man-sentenced-to-35-years-for-2024-shooting-in-rockville-park/4169879/ [date] => Wed, Oct 21 2026 12:19:08 AM ) ) ) [1] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 139 [function] => RSS_Tags [args] => Array ( [0] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Domestic violence gunman gets 35 years for firing at Rockville flag football game https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/man-sentenced-to-35-years-for-2024-shooting-in-rockville-park/4169879/ 4169879 Jackie Bensen post 11569588 welsch park split https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/welsch-park-split.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 Kenneth Oates' on-again-off-again girlfriend was watching another man play flag football at Welsh Park when he started shooting.

          A man was sentenced to 35 years in prison for attempted murder after he opened fire in a Rockville, Maryland, park in 2024.

          No one was physically injured but the gunfire terrorized people, including many children, enjoying a fall afternoon.

          The man, 40-year-old Kenneth Oates, of Gaithersburg, emerged from the woods and walked to a field, where his on-again-off-again girlfriend was watching another man play flag football. Oates pulled out a gun and began firing.

          The sentence is even more time than prosecutors requested.

          The man the shooter focused on told police he could see the bullets striking the ground around him as he ran through Welsh Park. Terrified kids ducked down behind a sliding board and other equipment.

          The woman had been sitting in a car, and bullet holes could be seen on the outside.

          The sound of gunshots was captured on the doorbell camera of a nearby home.

          “The defendant’s actions in broad daylight, in public, where there were children around, so many people watching flag football, it was incredibly dangerous,” said Debbie Feinstein, assistant Montgomery County state’s attorney and chief of the office’s Special Victims Division. “And thankfully, the court saw that and punished the defendant accordingly.”

          Last April, a jury found Oates guilty of attempted second-degree murder, assault and firearms charges.

          Oates had been prohibited from having contact with the woman or owning a gun because of the protective order she obtained following what she described as violent assaults.

          She told police she did not know how he learned she was at the park.

          Turquoise Williams, executive director of the Maryland advocacy group Just Stalking Resources, said that may not have been too difficult.

          “Ex-partners are very likely to have logged into some kind of shared account that you don’t realize that a partner still has access,” she said.

          October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

          “We are so fortunate in Montgomery County to have what we call a one-stop shop for victims or survivors of domestic violence,” Feinstein said. “They can come to one place right here in Rockville, right near the Metro, and get wraparound services.”

          Court documents show Oates initially told detectives he was at his grandmother’s house in the District at the time of the shooting. But an FBI search of his phone data showed his phone was in Rockville.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 12:19:08 AM Wed, Oct 21 2026 10:49:32 AM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Domestic violence gunman gets 35 years for firing at Rockville flag football game https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/man-sentenced-to-35-years-for-2024-shooting-in-rockville-park/4169879/ 4169879 Jackie Bensen post 11569588 welsch park split https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/welsch-park-split.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 Kenneth Oates' on-again-off-again girlfriend was watching another man play flag football at Welsh Park when he started shooting.

          A man was sentenced to 35 years in prison for attempted murder after he opened fire in a Rockville, Maryland, park in 2024.

          No one was physically injured but the gunfire terrorized people, including many children, enjoying a fall afternoon.

          The man, 40-year-old Kenneth Oates, of Gaithersburg, emerged from the woods and walked to a field, where his on-again-off-again girlfriend was watching another man play flag football. Oates pulled out a gun and began firing.

          The sentence is even more time than prosecutors requested.

          The man the shooter focused on told police he could see the bullets striking the ground around him as he ran through Welsh Park. Terrified kids ducked down behind a sliding board and other equipment.

          The woman had been sitting in a car, and bullet holes could be seen on the outside.

          The sound of gunshots was captured on the doorbell camera of a nearby home.

          “The defendant’s actions in broad daylight, in public, where there were children around, so many people watching flag football, it was incredibly dangerous,” said Debbie Feinstein, assistant Montgomery County state’s attorney and chief of the office’s Special Victims Division. “And thankfully, the court saw that and punished the defendant accordingly.”

          Last April, a jury found Oates guilty of attempted second-degree murder, assault and firearms charges.

          Oates had been prohibited from having contact with the woman or owning a gun because of the protective order she obtained following what she described as violent assaults.

          She told police she did not know how he learned she was at the park.

          Turquoise Williams, executive director of the Maryland advocacy group Just Stalking Resources, said that may not have been too difficult.

          “Ex-partners are very likely to have logged into some kind of shared account that you don’t realize that a partner still has access,” she said.

          October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

          “We are so fortunate in Montgomery County to have what we call a one-stop shop for victims or survivors of domestic violence,” Feinstein said. “They can come to one place right here in Rockville, right near the Metro, and get wraparound services.”

          Court documents show Oates initially told detectives he was at his grandmother’s house in the District at the time of the shooting. But an FBI search of his phone data showed his phone was in Rockville.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Wed, Oct 21 2026 12:19:08 AM Wed, Oct 21 2026 10:49:32 AM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) ) Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => ‘We're talking about people's right to privacy': Fairfax Co. debates Flock cameras https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/fairfax-county-debates-future-of-flock-cameras/4169863/ 4169863 Aimee Cho post 11569013 Fairfax County debates future of Flock cameras https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Fairfax-County-debates-future-of-Flock-cameras.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 The conversation comes as nearly 50 police officers around the country have been disciplined for using Flock cameras to stalk their romantic interests, according to the Institute for Justice.

          Are Flock cameras an invasion of people’s privacy, and should they stay or go?

          That’s the big question Fairfax County leaders debated Tuesday.

          “The data security concerns are deep for me because we’re talking about people’s right to privacy, which is a constitutional right,” said Fairfax County Supervisor Rachna Heizer.

          The conversation comes as nearly 50 police officers around the country have been disciplined for using Flock cameras to stalk their romantic interests, according to the Institute for Justice — a law firm that has sued Flock for violating people’s privacy.

          It’s not yet clear what the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors plans to do, if anything, but some of their options include not sharing data with other counties, switching to a different vendor or getting rid of the cameras altogether.

          “It concerns me that we are working with a vendor that frankly, they care when it hits their bottom line. For many years they didn’t care,” said James Bierman, Dranesville district supervisor.

          On Tuesday, Fairfax County police defended their use of Flock.

          “It has become an essential law enforcement tool that has a direct impact on the public safety of Fairfax county,” said Maj. Hudson Bull, real time crime center commander. “[…] We justify every single camera placement we have. We take it seriously where they go.”

          Fairfax County police said some of their privacy guardrails include not using flock cameras for immigration enforcement, only storing the data for 21 days and only sharing it with other Virginia agencies, and not D.C., Maryland or federal agencies. They also said they do human and AI audits of all searches.

          Supervisor Pat Herrity said he shares the concerns over privacy but believes the Flock cameras should stay.

          “I don’t want to be doing what all these other jurisdictions are doing and pulling out of something that keeps our community safe,” he said.

          The founder and CEO of Flock sent an 18-page letter to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, describing their privacy practices and saying, in part, “I take nothing more seriously than building our technology to enhance public safety while enabling accountability and transparency.”

          Some state lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have said they want to ban Flock cameras throughout Virginia. It’s an issue they’ll likely take up in 2027.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 11:56:46 PM Wed, Oct 21 2026 06:42:49 AM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ‘We're talking about people's right to privacy': Fairfax Co. debates Flock cameras https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/fairfax-county-debates-future-of-flock-cameras/4169863/ 4169863 Aimee Cho post 11569013 Fairfax County debates future of Flock cameras https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Fairfax-County-debates-future-of-Flock-cameras.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 The conversation comes as nearly 50 police officers around the country have been disciplined for using Flock cameras to stalk their romantic interests, according to the Institute for Justice.

          Are Flock cameras an invasion of people’s privacy, and should they stay or go?

          That’s the big question Fairfax County leaders debated Tuesday.

          “The data security concerns are deep for me because we’re talking about people’s right to privacy, which is a constitutional right,” said Fairfax County Supervisor Rachna Heizer.

          The conversation comes as nearly 50 police officers around the country have been disciplined for using Flock cameras to stalk their romantic interests, according to the Institute for Justice — a law firm that has sued Flock for violating people’s privacy.

          It’s not yet clear what the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors plans to do, if anything, but some of their options include not sharing data with other counties, switching to a different vendor or getting rid of the cameras altogether.

          “It concerns me that we are working with a vendor that frankly, they care when it hits their bottom line. For many years they didn’t care,” said James Bierman, Dranesville district supervisor.

          On Tuesday, Fairfax County police defended their use of Flock.

          “It has become an essential law enforcement tool that has a direct impact on the public safety of Fairfax county,” said Maj. Hudson Bull, real time crime center commander. “[…] We justify every single camera placement we have. We take it seriously where they go.”

          Fairfax County police said some of their privacy guardrails include not using flock cameras for immigration enforcement, only storing the data for 21 days and only sharing it with other Virginia agencies, and not D.C., Maryland or federal agencies. They also said they do human and AI audits of all searches.

          Supervisor Pat Herrity said he shares the concerns over privacy but believes the Flock cameras should stay.

          “I don’t want to be doing what all these other jurisdictions are doing and pulling out of something that keeps our community safe,” he said.

          The founder and CEO of Flock sent an 18-page letter to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, describing their privacy practices and saying, in part, “I take nothing more seriously than building our technology to enhance public safety while enabling accountability and transparency.”

          Some state lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have said they want to ban Flock cameras throughout Virginia. It’s an issue they’ll likely take up in 2027.

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          Are Flock cameras an invasion of people’s privacy, and should they stay or go?

          That’s the big question Fairfax County leaders debated Tuesday.

          “The data security concerns are deep for me because we’re talking about people’s right to privacy, which is a constitutional right,” said Fairfax County Supervisor Rachna Heizer.

          The conversation comes as nearly 50 police officers around the country have been disciplined for using Flock cameras to stalk their romantic interests, according to the Institute for Justice — a law firm that has sued Flock for violating people’s privacy.

          It’s not yet clear what the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors plans to do, if anything, but some of their options include not sharing data with other counties, switching to a different vendor or getting rid of the cameras altogether.

          “It concerns me that we are working with a vendor that frankly, they care when it hits their bottom line. For many years they didn’t care,” said James Bierman, Dranesville district supervisor.

          On Tuesday, Fairfax County police defended their use of Flock.

          “It has become an essential law enforcement tool that has a direct impact on the public safety of Fairfax county,” said Maj. Hudson Bull, real time crime center commander. “[…] We justify every single camera placement we have. We take it seriously where they go.”

          Fairfax County police said some of their privacy guardrails include not using flock cameras for immigration enforcement, only storing the data for 21 days and only sharing it with other Virginia agencies, and not D.C., Maryland or federal agencies. They also said they do human and AI audits of all searches.

          Supervisor Pat Herrity said he shares the concerns over privacy but believes the Flock cameras should stay.

          “I don’t want to be doing what all these other jurisdictions are doing and pulling out of something that keeps our community safe,” he said.

          The founder and CEO of Flock sent an 18-page letter to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, describing their privacy practices and saying, in part, “I take nothing more seriously than building our technology to enhance public safety while enabling accountability and transparency.”

          Some state lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have said they want to ban Flock cameras throughout Virginia. It’s an issue they’ll likely take up in 2027.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 11:56:46 PM Wed, Oct 21 2026 06:42:49 AM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ‘We're talking about people's right to privacy': Fairfax Co. debates Flock cameras https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/fairfax-county-debates-future-of-flock-cameras/4169863/ 4169863 Aimee Cho post 11569013 Fairfax County debates future of Flock cameras https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Fairfax-County-debates-future-of-Flock-cameras.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 The conversation comes as nearly 50 police officers around the country have been disciplined for using Flock cameras to stalk their romantic interests, according to the Institute for Justice.

          Are Flock cameras an invasion of people’s privacy, and should they stay or go?

          That’s the big question Fairfax County leaders debated Tuesday.

          “The data security concerns are deep for me because we’re talking about people’s right to privacy, which is a constitutional right,” said Fairfax County Supervisor Rachna Heizer.

          The conversation comes as nearly 50 police officers around the country have been disciplined for using Flock cameras to stalk their romantic interests, according to the Institute for Justice — a law firm that has sued Flock for violating people’s privacy.

          It’s not yet clear what the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors plans to do, if anything, but some of their options include not sharing data with other counties, switching to a different vendor or getting rid of the cameras altogether.

          “It concerns me that we are working with a vendor that frankly, they care when it hits their bottom line. For many years they didn’t care,” said James Bierman, Dranesville district supervisor.

          On Tuesday, Fairfax County police defended their use of Flock.

          “It has become an essential law enforcement tool that has a direct impact on the public safety of Fairfax county,” said Maj. Hudson Bull, real time crime center commander. “[…] We justify every single camera placement we have. We take it seriously where they go.”

          Fairfax County police said some of their privacy guardrails include not using flock cameras for immigration enforcement, only storing the data for 21 days and only sharing it with other Virginia agencies, and not D.C., Maryland or federal agencies. They also said they do human and AI audits of all searches.

          Supervisor Pat Herrity said he shares the concerns over privacy but believes the Flock cameras should stay.

          “I don’t want to be doing what all these other jurisdictions are doing and pulling out of something that keeps our community safe,” he said.

          The founder and CEO of Flock sent an 18-page letter to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, describing their privacy practices and saying, in part, “I take nothing more seriously than building our technology to enhance public safety while enabling accountability and transparency.”

          Some state lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have said they want to ban Flock cameras throughout Virginia. It’s an issue they’ll likely take up in 2027.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 11:56:46 PM Wed, Oct 21 2026 06:42:49 AM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => ‘We're talking about people's right to privacy': Fairfax Co. debates Flock cameras [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/fairfax-county-debates-future-of-flock-cameras/4169863/ [date] => Tue, Oct 20 2026 11:56:46 PM ) ) ) [1] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 139 [function] => RSS_Tags [args] => Array ( [0] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => ‘We're talking about people's right to privacy': Fairfax Co. debates Flock cameras https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/fairfax-county-debates-future-of-flock-cameras/4169863/ 4169863 Aimee Cho post 11569013 Fairfax County debates future of Flock cameras https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Fairfax-County-debates-future-of-Flock-cameras.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 The conversation comes as nearly 50 police officers around the country have been disciplined for using Flock cameras to stalk their romantic interests, according to the Institute for Justice.

          Are Flock cameras an invasion of people’s privacy, and should they stay or go?

          That’s the big question Fairfax County leaders debated Tuesday.

          “The data security concerns are deep for me because we’re talking about people’s right to privacy, which is a constitutional right,” said Fairfax County Supervisor Rachna Heizer.

          The conversation comes as nearly 50 police officers around the country have been disciplined for using Flock cameras to stalk their romantic interests, according to the Institute for Justice — a law firm that has sued Flock for violating people’s privacy.

          It’s not yet clear what the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors plans to do, if anything, but some of their options include not sharing data with other counties, switching to a different vendor or getting rid of the cameras altogether.

          “It concerns me that we are working with a vendor that frankly, they care when it hits their bottom line. For many years they didn’t care,” said James Bierman, Dranesville district supervisor.

          On Tuesday, Fairfax County police defended their use of Flock.

          “It has become an essential law enforcement tool that has a direct impact on the public safety of Fairfax county,” said Maj. Hudson Bull, real time crime center commander. “[…] We justify every single camera placement we have. We take it seriously where they go.”

          Fairfax County police said some of their privacy guardrails include not using flock cameras for immigration enforcement, only storing the data for 21 days and only sharing it with other Virginia agencies, and not D.C., Maryland or federal agencies. They also said they do human and AI audits of all searches.

          Supervisor Pat Herrity said he shares the concerns over privacy but believes the Flock cameras should stay.

          “I don’t want to be doing what all these other jurisdictions are doing and pulling out of something that keeps our community safe,” he said.

          The founder and CEO of Flock sent an 18-page letter to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, describing their privacy practices and saying, in part, “I take nothing more seriously than building our technology to enhance public safety while enabling accountability and transparency.”

          Some state lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have said they want to ban Flock cameras throughout Virginia. It’s an issue they’ll likely take up in 2027.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 11:56:46 PM Wed, Oct 21 2026 06:42:49 AM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ‘We're talking about people's right to privacy': Fairfax Co. debates Flock cameras https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/fairfax-county-debates-future-of-flock-cameras/4169863/ 4169863 Aimee Cho post 11569013 Fairfax County debates future of Flock cameras https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Fairfax-County-debates-future-of-Flock-cameras.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 The conversation comes as nearly 50 police officers around the country have been disciplined for using Flock cameras to stalk their romantic interests, according to the Institute for Justice.

          Are Flock cameras an invasion of people’s privacy, and should they stay or go?

          That’s the big question Fairfax County leaders debated Tuesday.

          “The data security concerns are deep for me because we’re talking about people’s right to privacy, which is a constitutional right,” said Fairfax County Supervisor Rachna Heizer.

          The conversation comes as nearly 50 police officers around the country have been disciplined for using Flock cameras to stalk their romantic interests, according to the Institute for Justice — a law firm that has sued Flock for violating people’s privacy.

          It’s not yet clear what the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors plans to do, if anything, but some of their options include not sharing data with other counties, switching to a different vendor or getting rid of the cameras altogether.

          “It concerns me that we are working with a vendor that frankly, they care when it hits their bottom line. For many years they didn’t care,” said James Bierman, Dranesville district supervisor.

          On Tuesday, Fairfax County police defended their use of Flock.

          “It has become an essential law enforcement tool that has a direct impact on the public safety of Fairfax county,” said Maj. Hudson Bull, real time crime center commander. “[…] We justify every single camera placement we have. We take it seriously where they go.”

          Fairfax County police said some of their privacy guardrails include not using flock cameras for immigration enforcement, only storing the data for 21 days and only sharing it with other Virginia agencies, and not D.C., Maryland or federal agencies. They also said they do human and AI audits of all searches.

          Supervisor Pat Herrity said he shares the concerns over privacy but believes the Flock cameras should stay.

          “I don’t want to be doing what all these other jurisdictions are doing and pulling out of something that keeps our community safe,” he said.

          The founder and CEO of Flock sent an 18-page letter to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, describing their privacy practices and saying, in part, “I take nothing more seriously than building our technology to enhance public safety while enabling accountability and transparency.”

          Some state lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have said they want to ban Flock cameras throughout Virginia. It’s an issue they’ll likely take up in 2027.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 11:56:46 PM Wed, Oct 21 2026 06:42:49 AM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) ) Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Spanberger demands rate hike freeze if Dominion Energy merger goes through https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/spanberger-demands-rate-hike-freeze-for-if-dominion-energy-merger-goes-through/4169810/ 4169810 Drew Wilder post 11568558 Virginia SCC staff recommends denying Dominion merger https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Virginia-SCC-staff-recommends-denying-Dominion-merger.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 The new demands are coming as state staff are recommending that regulators axe the $67 billion merger proposal altogether.

          Virginia’s governor is demanding more from the company that wants to acquire Dominion Energy, potentially creating the largest electric utility in the world.

          The new demands from Gov. Abigail Spanberger are coming as state staff are recommending that regulators axe the $67 billion merger proposal altogether.

          The possible merger between Dominion Energy and a Florida-based utility company called Next Era would require the approval of a state regulatory commission called the State Corporation Commission (SCC). Its staff has just recommended that the commissioners deny the merger application.

          But the recommendation is just that. Ultimately, the commissioners will vote and have a mid-January deadline.

          Many Virginians have expressed concerns about what this deal would mean for their already high electric bills.

          Spanberger filed testimony in the merger case on Monday calling for a six-year freeze on rate hikes should the deal go through.

          The companies have promised Virginians a monthly credit or rebate for the first couple of years if the deal goes through, and Spanberger says that offer needs to triple.

          The governor is a legal party to this case, and News4 asked her about that Tuesday following the news that state staff are recommending this deal be shut down.

          Part of her reasoning for intervening was to get a peek behind the curtain on behalf of Virginians. In terms of what she’s seeing, she said, “So far, not a deal that is good enough for Virginians is the short answer. […] I think that those concerns certainly outweigh any hopes for potential benefits that may exist.”

          The SCC has a mid-January deadline to take action on the merger application. If the SCC does nothing, the deal would automatically be approved.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 07:04:59 PM Wed, Oct 21 2026 06:39:06 AM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Spanberger demands rate hike freeze if Dominion Energy merger goes through https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/spanberger-demands-rate-hike-freeze-for-if-dominion-energy-merger-goes-through/4169810/ 4169810 Drew Wilder post 11568558 Virginia SCC staff recommends denying Dominion merger https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Virginia-SCC-staff-recommends-denying-Dominion-merger.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 The new demands are coming as state staff are recommending that regulators axe the $67 billion merger proposal altogether.

          Virginia’s governor is demanding more from the company that wants to acquire Dominion Energy, potentially creating the largest electric utility in the world.

          The new demands from Gov. Abigail Spanberger are coming as state staff are recommending that regulators axe the $67 billion merger proposal altogether.

          The possible merger between Dominion Energy and a Florida-based utility company called Next Era would require the approval of a state regulatory commission called the State Corporation Commission (SCC). Its staff has just recommended that the commissioners deny the merger application.

          But the recommendation is just that. Ultimately, the commissioners will vote and have a mid-January deadline.

          Many Virginians have expressed concerns about what this deal would mean for their already high electric bills.

          Spanberger filed testimony in the merger case on Monday calling for a six-year freeze on rate hikes should the deal go through.

          The companies have promised Virginians a monthly credit or rebate for the first couple of years if the deal goes through, and Spanberger says that offer needs to triple.

          The governor is a legal party to this case, and News4 asked her about that Tuesday following the news that state staff are recommending this deal be shut down.

          Part of her reasoning for intervening was to get a peek behind the curtain on behalf of Virginians. In terms of what she’s seeing, she said, “So far, not a deal that is good enough for Virginians is the short answer. […] I think that those concerns certainly outweigh any hopes for potential benefits that may exist.”

          The SCC has a mid-January deadline to take action on the merger application. If the SCC does nothing, the deal would automatically be approved.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 07:04:59 PM Wed, Oct 21 2026 06:39:06 AM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => Spanberger demands rate hike freeze if Dominion Energy merger goes through [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/spanberger-demands-rate-hike-freeze-for-if-dominion-energy-merger-goes-through/4169810/ [date] => Tue, Oct 20 2026 07:04:59 PM ) Backtrace of errorHandler() Array ( [0] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 72 [function] => errorHandler [args] => Array ( [0] => 8 [1] => Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object [2] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [3] => 72 [4] => Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Spanberger demands rate hike freeze if Dominion Energy merger goes through https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/spanberger-demands-rate-hike-freeze-for-if-dominion-energy-merger-goes-through/4169810/ 4169810 Drew Wilder post 11568558 Virginia SCC staff recommends denying Dominion merger https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Virginia-SCC-staff-recommends-denying-Dominion-merger.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 The new demands are coming as state staff are recommending that regulators axe the $67 billion merger proposal altogether.

          Virginia’s governor is demanding more from the company that wants to acquire Dominion Energy, potentially creating the largest electric utility in the world.

          The new demands from Gov. Abigail Spanberger are coming as state staff are recommending that regulators axe the $67 billion merger proposal altogether.

          The possible merger between Dominion Energy and a Florida-based utility company called Next Era would require the approval of a state regulatory commission called the State Corporation Commission (SCC). Its staff has just recommended that the commissioners deny the merger application.

          But the recommendation is just that. Ultimately, the commissioners will vote and have a mid-January deadline.

          Many Virginians have expressed concerns about what this deal would mean for their already high electric bills.

          Spanberger filed testimony in the merger case on Monday calling for a six-year freeze on rate hikes should the deal go through.

          The companies have promised Virginians a monthly credit or rebate for the first couple of years if the deal goes through, and Spanberger says that offer needs to triple.

          The governor is a legal party to this case, and News4 asked her about that Tuesday following the news that state staff are recommending this deal be shut down.

          Part of her reasoning for intervening was to get a peek behind the curtain on behalf of Virginians. In terms of what she’s seeing, she said, “So far, not a deal that is good enough for Virginians is the short answer. […] I think that those concerns certainly outweigh any hopes for potential benefits that may exist.”

          The SCC has a mid-January deadline to take action on the merger application. If the SCC does nothing, the deal would automatically be approved.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 07:04:59 PM Wed, Oct 21 2026 06:39:06 AM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Spanberger demands rate hike freeze if Dominion Energy merger goes through https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/spanberger-demands-rate-hike-freeze-for-if-dominion-energy-merger-goes-through/4169810/ 4169810 Drew Wilder post 11568558 Virginia SCC staff recommends denying Dominion merger https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Virginia-SCC-staff-recommends-denying-Dominion-merger.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 The new demands are coming as state staff are recommending that regulators axe the $67 billion merger proposal altogether.

          Virginia’s governor is demanding more from the company that wants to acquire Dominion Energy, potentially creating the largest electric utility in the world.

          The new demands from Gov. Abigail Spanberger are coming as state staff are recommending that regulators axe the $67 billion merger proposal altogether.

          The possible merger between Dominion Energy and a Florida-based utility company called Next Era would require the approval of a state regulatory commission called the State Corporation Commission (SCC). Its staff has just recommended that the commissioners deny the merger application.

          But the recommendation is just that. Ultimately, the commissioners will vote and have a mid-January deadline.

          Many Virginians have expressed concerns about what this deal would mean for their already high electric bills.

          Spanberger filed testimony in the merger case on Monday calling for a six-year freeze on rate hikes should the deal go through.

          The companies have promised Virginians a monthly credit or rebate for the first couple of years if the deal goes through, and Spanberger says that offer needs to triple.

          The governor is a legal party to this case, and News4 asked her about that Tuesday following the news that state staff are recommending this deal be shut down.

          Part of her reasoning for intervening was to get a peek behind the curtain on behalf of Virginians. In terms of what she’s seeing, she said, “So far, not a deal that is good enough for Virginians is the short answer. […] I think that those concerns certainly outweigh any hopes for potential benefits that may exist.”

          The SCC has a mid-January deadline to take action on the merger application. If the SCC does nothing, the deal would automatically be approved.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 07:04:59 PM Wed, Oct 21 2026 06:39:06 AM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => Spanberger demands rate hike freeze if Dominion Energy merger goes through [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/spanberger-demands-rate-hike-freeze-for-if-dominion-energy-merger-goes-through/4169810/ [date] => Tue, Oct 20 2026 07:04:59 PM ) ) ) [1] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 139 [function] => RSS_Tags [args] => Array ( [0] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Spanberger demands rate hike freeze if Dominion Energy merger goes through https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/spanberger-demands-rate-hike-freeze-for-if-dominion-energy-merger-goes-through/4169810/ 4169810 Drew Wilder post 11568558 Virginia SCC staff recommends denying Dominion merger https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Virginia-SCC-staff-recommends-denying-Dominion-merger.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 The new demands are coming as state staff are recommending that regulators axe the $67 billion merger proposal altogether.

          Virginia’s governor is demanding more from the company that wants to acquire Dominion Energy, potentially creating the largest electric utility in the world.

          The new demands from Gov. Abigail Spanberger are coming as state staff are recommending that regulators axe the $67 billion merger proposal altogether.

          The possible merger between Dominion Energy and a Florida-based utility company called Next Era would require the approval of a state regulatory commission called the State Corporation Commission (SCC). Its staff has just recommended that the commissioners deny the merger application.

          But the recommendation is just that. Ultimately, the commissioners will vote and have a mid-January deadline.

          Many Virginians have expressed concerns about what this deal would mean for their already high electric bills.

          Spanberger filed testimony in the merger case on Monday calling for a six-year freeze on rate hikes should the deal go through.

          The companies have promised Virginians a monthly credit or rebate for the first couple of years if the deal goes through, and Spanberger says that offer needs to triple.

          The governor is a legal party to this case, and News4 asked her about that Tuesday following the news that state staff are recommending this deal be shut down.

          Part of her reasoning for intervening was to get a peek behind the curtain on behalf of Virginians. In terms of what she’s seeing, she said, “So far, not a deal that is good enough for Virginians is the short answer. […] I think that those concerns certainly outweigh any hopes for potential benefits that may exist.”

          The SCC has a mid-January deadline to take action on the merger application. If the SCC does nothing, the deal would automatically be approved.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 07:04:59 PM Wed, Oct 21 2026 06:39:06 AM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Spanberger demands rate hike freeze if Dominion Energy merger goes through https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/spanberger-demands-rate-hike-freeze-for-if-dominion-energy-merger-goes-through/4169810/ 4169810 Drew Wilder post 11568558 Virginia SCC staff recommends denying Dominion merger https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/Virginia-SCC-staff-recommends-denying-Dominion-merger.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920,1080 The new demands are coming as state staff are recommending that regulators axe the $67 billion merger proposal altogether.

          Virginia’s governor is demanding more from the company that wants to acquire Dominion Energy, potentially creating the largest electric utility in the world.

          The new demands from Gov. Abigail Spanberger are coming as state staff are recommending that regulators axe the $67 billion merger proposal altogether.

          The possible merger between Dominion Energy and a Florida-based utility company called Next Era would require the approval of a state regulatory commission called the State Corporation Commission (SCC). Its staff has just recommended that the commissioners deny the merger application.

          But the recommendation is just that. Ultimately, the commissioners will vote and have a mid-January deadline.

          Many Virginians have expressed concerns about what this deal would mean for their already high electric bills.

          Spanberger filed testimony in the merger case on Monday calling for a six-year freeze on rate hikes should the deal go through.

          The companies have promised Virginians a monthly credit or rebate for the first couple of years if the deal goes through, and Spanberger says that offer needs to triple.

          The governor is a legal party to this case, and News4 asked her about that Tuesday following the news that state staff are recommending this deal be shut down.

          Part of her reasoning for intervening was to get a peek behind the curtain on behalf of Virginians. In terms of what she’s seeing, she said, “So far, not a deal that is good enough for Virginians is the short answer. […] I think that those concerns certainly outweigh any hopes for potential benefits that may exist.”

          The SCC has a mid-January deadline to take action on the merger application. If the SCC does nothing, the deal would automatically be approved.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 07:04:59 PM Wed, Oct 21 2026 06:39:06 AM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) ) Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Audit of Prince George's nonprofit with ties to Ed Burroughs not ready https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/prince-georges-county/audit-of-prince-georges-nonprofit-with-ties-to-ed-burroughs-not-ready/4169772/ 4169772 Darcy Spencer post 11568324 ed burroughs and Krystal Oriadha oct 20 2026 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/ed-burroughs-and-Krystal-Oriadha-oct-20-2026.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 “What we’re seeing right now, to me, doesn’t add up,” Councilmember Sydney Harrison said.

          An audit of a nonprofit with close ties to Prince George’s County Councilmember Ed Burroughs was supposed to be presented at a meeting Tuesday, but an official said it wasn’t ready.

          Dozens of supporters of the organization, Joan’s House, attended the meeting to speak in support of its programs – which have received millions in county taxpayer dollars. The group has received $3.6 million in grant money for programs over the past five years, Burroughs said.

          “I think this should be a model and not be broken apart to see where it is that is falling apart,” a supporter of the group said.

          “To have these things are a godsend. They’re a blessing. And we’re so grateful that we now have them. And for anyone who were to cut these things, shame on you,” another supporter said.

          After supporters, students and parents spoke, the interim executive director of Joan’s House announced the audit wasn’t ready.

          “We had hoped to share the audit findings with the council today. Unfortunately, the audit is not yet complete, and we are not in a position to share its findings,” she said.

          Leaders with the organization presented an overview of the work being done by Joan’s House: security camera installation, lawn care services, jobs programs and a student leadership academy.

          Burroughs’ ties to Joan’s House came into question because of his friendship with Romel Williams, the former head of the nonprofit, who recently stepped down.

          News4 asked Burroughs to address that part of the controversy.

          “You heard today from people with no dog in the fight: our residents – from senior citizens to parents to students. And I’ll let them have the final say,” he said.

          The hearing came after two council members called for an independent outside audit of Joan’s House and implied there may have been ethical issues involved in how grants are awarded..

          Council Chair Krystal Oriadha recently came under fire for more than $7 million in grant funds awarded to Community on the Frontline. She’s friends with the leader of the organization.

          Oriadha and the county executive sent a letter to the Edward Charles Foundation, the group’s Beverly Hills-based fiscal sponsor, requesting that $7.6 million be returned to the county.

          Councilmembers Jolene Ivey and Sydney Harrison, who both called for the independent audit, complained Tuesday that their microphones were shut off during the hearing and they didn’t get the answers they wanted.

          “What we’re seeing right now, to me, doesn’t add up,” Harrison said. […] If I don’t trust the process, who does?”

          Burroughs said he didn’t know when the audit would be complete.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:19:31 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:19:35 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Audit of Prince George's nonprofit with ties to Ed Burroughs not ready https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/prince-georges-county/audit-of-prince-georges-nonprofit-with-ties-to-ed-burroughs-not-ready/4169772/ 4169772 Darcy Spencer post 11568324 ed burroughs and Krystal Oriadha oct 20 2026 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/ed-burroughs-and-Krystal-Oriadha-oct-20-2026.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 “What we’re seeing right now, to me, doesn’t add up,” Councilmember Sydney Harrison said.

          An audit of a nonprofit with close ties to Prince George’s County Councilmember Ed Burroughs was supposed to be presented at a meeting Tuesday, but an official said it wasn’t ready.

          Dozens of supporters of the organization, Joan’s House, attended the meeting to speak in support of its programs – which have received millions in county taxpayer dollars. The group has received $3.6 million in grant money for programs over the past five years, Burroughs said.

          “I think this should be a model and not be broken apart to see where it is that is falling apart,” a supporter of the group said.

          “To have these things are a godsend. They’re a blessing. And we’re so grateful that we now have them. And for anyone who were to cut these things, shame on you,” another supporter said.

          After supporters, students and parents spoke, the interim executive director of Joan’s House announced the audit wasn’t ready.

          “We had hoped to share the audit findings with the council today. Unfortunately, the audit is not yet complete, and we are not in a position to share its findings,” she said.

          Leaders with the organization presented an overview of the work being done by Joan’s House: security camera installation, lawn care services, jobs programs and a student leadership academy.

          Burroughs’ ties to Joan’s House came into question because of his friendship with Romel Williams, the former head of the nonprofit, who recently stepped down.

          News4 asked Burroughs to address that part of the controversy.

          “You heard today from people with no dog in the fight: our residents – from senior citizens to parents to students. And I’ll let them have the final say,” he said.

          The hearing came after two council members called for an independent outside audit of Joan’s House and implied there may have been ethical issues involved in how grants are awarded..

          Council Chair Krystal Oriadha recently came under fire for more than $7 million in grant funds awarded to Community on the Frontline. She’s friends with the leader of the organization.

          Oriadha and the county executive sent a letter to the Edward Charles Foundation, the group’s Beverly Hills-based fiscal sponsor, requesting that $7.6 million be returned to the county.

          Councilmembers Jolene Ivey and Sydney Harrison, who both called for the independent audit, complained Tuesday that their microphones were shut off during the hearing and they didn’t get the answers they wanted.

          “What we’re seeing right now, to me, doesn’t add up,” Harrison said. […] If I don’t trust the process, who does?”

          Burroughs said he didn’t know when the audit would be complete.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:19:31 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:19:35 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => Audit of Prince George's nonprofit with ties to Ed Burroughs not ready [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/prince-georges-county/audit-of-prince-georges-nonprofit-with-ties-to-ed-burroughs-not-ready/4169772/ [date] => Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:19:31 PM ) Backtrace of errorHandler() Array ( [0] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 72 [function] => errorHandler [args] => Array ( [0] => 8 [1] => Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object [2] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [3] => 72 [4] => Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Audit of Prince George's nonprofit with ties to Ed Burroughs not ready https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/prince-georges-county/audit-of-prince-georges-nonprofit-with-ties-to-ed-burroughs-not-ready/4169772/ 4169772 Darcy Spencer post 11568324 ed burroughs and Krystal Oriadha oct 20 2026 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/ed-burroughs-and-Krystal-Oriadha-oct-20-2026.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 “What we’re seeing right now, to me, doesn’t add up,” Councilmember Sydney Harrison said.

          An audit of a nonprofit with close ties to Prince George’s County Councilmember Ed Burroughs was supposed to be presented at a meeting Tuesday, but an official said it wasn’t ready.

          Dozens of supporters of the organization, Joan’s House, attended the meeting to speak in support of its programs – which have received millions in county taxpayer dollars. The group has received $3.6 million in grant money for programs over the past five years, Burroughs said.

          “I think this should be a model and not be broken apart to see where it is that is falling apart,” a supporter of the group said.

          “To have these things are a godsend. They’re a blessing. And we’re so grateful that we now have them. And for anyone who were to cut these things, shame on you,” another supporter said.

          After supporters, students and parents spoke, the interim executive director of Joan’s House announced the audit wasn’t ready.

          “We had hoped to share the audit findings with the council today. Unfortunately, the audit is not yet complete, and we are not in a position to share its findings,” she said.

          Leaders with the organization presented an overview of the work being done by Joan’s House: security camera installation, lawn care services, jobs programs and a student leadership academy.

          Burroughs’ ties to Joan’s House came into question because of his friendship with Romel Williams, the former head of the nonprofit, who recently stepped down.

          News4 asked Burroughs to address that part of the controversy.

          “You heard today from people with no dog in the fight: our residents – from senior citizens to parents to students. And I’ll let them have the final say,” he said.

          The hearing came after two council members called for an independent outside audit of Joan’s House and implied there may have been ethical issues involved in how grants are awarded..

          Council Chair Krystal Oriadha recently came under fire for more than $7 million in grant funds awarded to Community on the Frontline. She’s friends with the leader of the organization.

          Oriadha and the county executive sent a letter to the Edward Charles Foundation, the group’s Beverly Hills-based fiscal sponsor, requesting that $7.6 million be returned to the county.

          Councilmembers Jolene Ivey and Sydney Harrison, who both called for the independent audit, complained Tuesday that their microphones were shut off during the hearing and they didn’t get the answers they wanted.

          “What we’re seeing right now, to me, doesn’t add up,” Harrison said. […] If I don’t trust the process, who does?”

          Burroughs said he didn’t know when the audit would be complete.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:19:31 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:19:35 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Audit of Prince George's nonprofit with ties to Ed Burroughs not ready https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/prince-georges-county/audit-of-prince-georges-nonprofit-with-ties-to-ed-burroughs-not-ready/4169772/ 4169772 Darcy Spencer post 11568324 ed burroughs and Krystal Oriadha oct 20 2026 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/ed-burroughs-and-Krystal-Oriadha-oct-20-2026.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 “What we’re seeing right now, to me, doesn’t add up,” Councilmember Sydney Harrison said.

          An audit of a nonprofit with close ties to Prince George’s County Councilmember Ed Burroughs was supposed to be presented at a meeting Tuesday, but an official said it wasn’t ready.

          Dozens of supporters of the organization, Joan’s House, attended the meeting to speak in support of its programs – which have received millions in county taxpayer dollars. The group has received $3.6 million in grant money for programs over the past five years, Burroughs said.

          “I think this should be a model and not be broken apart to see where it is that is falling apart,” a supporter of the group said.

          “To have these things are a godsend. They’re a blessing. And we’re so grateful that we now have them. And for anyone who were to cut these things, shame on you,” another supporter said.

          After supporters, students and parents spoke, the interim executive director of Joan’s House announced the audit wasn’t ready.

          “We had hoped to share the audit findings with the council today. Unfortunately, the audit is not yet complete, and we are not in a position to share its findings,” she said.

          Leaders with the organization presented an overview of the work being done by Joan’s House: security camera installation, lawn care services, jobs programs and a student leadership academy.

          Burroughs’ ties to Joan’s House came into question because of his friendship with Romel Williams, the former head of the nonprofit, who recently stepped down.

          News4 asked Burroughs to address that part of the controversy.

          “You heard today from people with no dog in the fight: our residents – from senior citizens to parents to students. And I’ll let them have the final say,” he said.

          The hearing came after two council members called for an independent outside audit of Joan’s House and implied there may have been ethical issues involved in how grants are awarded..

          Council Chair Krystal Oriadha recently came under fire for more than $7 million in grant funds awarded to Community on the Frontline. She’s friends with the leader of the organization.

          Oriadha and the county executive sent a letter to the Edward Charles Foundation, the group’s Beverly Hills-based fiscal sponsor, requesting that $7.6 million be returned to the county.

          Councilmembers Jolene Ivey and Sydney Harrison, who both called for the independent audit, complained Tuesday that their microphones were shut off during the hearing and they didn’t get the answers they wanted.

          “What we’re seeing right now, to me, doesn’t add up,” Harrison said. […] If I don’t trust the process, who does?”

          Burroughs said he didn’t know when the audit would be complete.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:19:31 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:19:35 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => Audit of Prince George's nonprofit with ties to Ed Burroughs not ready [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/prince-georges-county/audit-of-prince-georges-nonprofit-with-ties-to-ed-burroughs-not-ready/4169772/ [date] => Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:19:31 PM ) ) ) [1] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 139 [function] => RSS_Tags [args] => Array ( [0] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Audit of Prince George's nonprofit with ties to Ed Burroughs not ready https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/prince-georges-county/audit-of-prince-georges-nonprofit-with-ties-to-ed-burroughs-not-ready/4169772/ 4169772 Darcy Spencer post 11568324 ed burroughs and Krystal Oriadha oct 20 2026 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/ed-burroughs-and-Krystal-Oriadha-oct-20-2026.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 “What we’re seeing right now, to me, doesn’t add up,” Councilmember Sydney Harrison said.

          An audit of a nonprofit with close ties to Prince George’s County Councilmember Ed Burroughs was supposed to be presented at a meeting Tuesday, but an official said it wasn’t ready.

          Dozens of supporters of the organization, Joan’s House, attended the meeting to speak in support of its programs – which have received millions in county taxpayer dollars. The group has received $3.6 million in grant money for programs over the past five years, Burroughs said.

          “I think this should be a model and not be broken apart to see where it is that is falling apart,” a supporter of the group said.

          “To have these things are a godsend. They’re a blessing. And we’re so grateful that we now have them. And for anyone who were to cut these things, shame on you,” another supporter said.

          After supporters, students and parents spoke, the interim executive director of Joan’s House announced the audit wasn’t ready.

          “We had hoped to share the audit findings with the council today. Unfortunately, the audit is not yet complete, and we are not in a position to share its findings,” she said.

          Leaders with the organization presented an overview of the work being done by Joan’s House: security camera installation, lawn care services, jobs programs and a student leadership academy.

          Burroughs’ ties to Joan’s House came into question because of his friendship with Romel Williams, the former head of the nonprofit, who recently stepped down.

          News4 asked Burroughs to address that part of the controversy.

          “You heard today from people with no dog in the fight: our residents – from senior citizens to parents to students. And I’ll let them have the final say,” he said.

          The hearing came after two council members called for an independent outside audit of Joan’s House and implied there may have been ethical issues involved in how grants are awarded..

          Council Chair Krystal Oriadha recently came under fire for more than $7 million in grant funds awarded to Community on the Frontline. She’s friends with the leader of the organization.

          Oriadha and the county executive sent a letter to the Edward Charles Foundation, the group’s Beverly Hills-based fiscal sponsor, requesting that $7.6 million be returned to the county.

          Councilmembers Jolene Ivey and Sydney Harrison, who both called for the independent audit, complained Tuesday that their microphones were shut off during the hearing and they didn’t get the answers they wanted.

          “What we’re seeing right now, to me, doesn’t add up,” Harrison said. […] If I don’t trust the process, who does?”

          Burroughs said he didn’t know when the audit would be complete.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:19:31 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:19:35 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Audit of Prince George's nonprofit with ties to Ed Burroughs not ready https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/prince-georges-county/audit-of-prince-georges-nonprofit-with-ties-to-ed-burroughs-not-ready/4169772/ 4169772 Darcy Spencer post 11568324 ed burroughs and Krystal Oriadha oct 20 2026 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/ed-burroughs-and-Krystal-Oriadha-oct-20-2026.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 “What we’re seeing right now, to me, doesn’t add up,” Councilmember Sydney Harrison said.

          An audit of a nonprofit with close ties to Prince George’s County Councilmember Ed Burroughs was supposed to be presented at a meeting Tuesday, but an official said it wasn’t ready.

          Dozens of supporters of the organization, Joan’s House, attended the meeting to speak in support of its programs – which have received millions in county taxpayer dollars. The group has received $3.6 million in grant money for programs over the past five years, Burroughs said.

          “I think this should be a model and not be broken apart to see where it is that is falling apart,” a supporter of the group said.

          “To have these things are a godsend. They’re a blessing. And we’re so grateful that we now have them. And for anyone who were to cut these things, shame on you,” another supporter said.

          After supporters, students and parents spoke, the interim executive director of Joan’s House announced the audit wasn’t ready.

          “We had hoped to share the audit findings with the council today. Unfortunately, the audit is not yet complete, and we are not in a position to share its findings,” she said.

          Leaders with the organization presented an overview of the work being done by Joan’s House: security camera installation, lawn care services, jobs programs and a student leadership academy.

          Burroughs’ ties to Joan’s House came into question because of his friendship with Romel Williams, the former head of the nonprofit, who recently stepped down.

          News4 asked Burroughs to address that part of the controversy.

          “You heard today from people with no dog in the fight: our residents – from senior citizens to parents to students. And I’ll let them have the final say,” he said.

          The hearing came after two council members called for an independent outside audit of Joan’s House and implied there may have been ethical issues involved in how grants are awarded..

          Council Chair Krystal Oriadha recently came under fire for more than $7 million in grant funds awarded to Community on the Frontline. She’s friends with the leader of the organization.

          Oriadha and the county executive sent a letter to the Edward Charles Foundation, the group’s Beverly Hills-based fiscal sponsor, requesting that $7.6 million be returned to the county.

          Councilmembers Jolene Ivey and Sydney Harrison, who both called for the independent audit, complained Tuesday that their microphones were shut off during the hearing and they didn’t get the answers they wanted.

          “What we’re seeing right now, to me, doesn’t add up,” Harrison said. […] If I don’t trust the process, who does?”

          Burroughs said he didn’t know when the audit would be complete.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:19:31 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:19:35 PM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) ) Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => DC bar temporarily closed after National Guardsman is shot outside https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dc-bar-temporarily-closed-after-national-guardsman-is-shot-outside/4169778/ 4169778 Paul Wagner post 11568367 national guard troop shot oct 18 2026 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/national-guard-troop-shot-oct-18-2026.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,673 Suspect Jerrell Jackson was on supervised release and had three prior gun convictions, including for shooting at a D.C. special police officer.

          D.C. police temporarily closed a bar on Barracks Row as investigators try to get to the bottom of a fight that led to a shooting involving National Guard troops.

          A soldier from Georgia was wounded when police said Jerrell Jackson, 41, of D.C., pulled out a gun during a fight and opened fire. Jackson was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, and court records show he’s been convicted on gun charges three times. The last conviction sent him to prison on a 10-year sentence.

          Jackson was on supervised release at the time of the shooting late Sunday.

          Café 8 was shut down for at least 96 hours on an emergency order and will likely have a hearing Wednesday.

          Interim Chief of Police Jeffery Carroll said early Monday that investigators believe the dispute began in an establishment and led to a fight and the shooting. He did not specify which establishment.

          The emergency closure appears to indicate it was Café 8. Its manager told News4 he reviewed video from the hookah bar and said Jackson was never inside. But he acknowledged the fight began outside the bar.

          In a statement to News4, Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen said, “It’s the right move, and I’m grateful for MPD and ABCA moving so quickly to gather the evidence needed to support this decision. What I’m looking for next, if Cafe 8 wants to reopen, is how this business will change their operations to create a safe space for both their patrons and their neighbors.”

          DC police say National Guard troops were inside a van just after 11 p.m. Sunday when they saw the beginning of a fight and tried to break it up. That’s when police say Jackson pulled a handgun and began firing, striking the soldier. Three soldiers then fired back, hitting Jackson in the abdomen.

          ‘Make sure they are held accountable,’ Bowser says

          In response to a general question from reporters Monday about violence in the city, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said crime is going down, but illegal guns remain an ongoing problem.

          “While we have worked very hard and we are going to have a historically low crime year, there are still guns on the street and there are still people willing to use them, and so it’s going to be very, very important that we continue our focus on people who use guns in our city. Make sure they are held accountable and, where appropriate, held pending trial,” Bowser said.

          National Guard shooting suspect has multiple weapons convictions

          Jerrell Jackson’s criminal record shows he was arrested in 2004 for carjacking while armed. The case was dismissed. Later that year, he was arrested for carrying a pistol without a license, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 months in prison.

          In 2009, Jackson was arrested for carrying a pistol without a license, was found guilty and was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison.

          In 2014, Jackson was arrested for assault on a police officer while armed, was found guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

          According to D.C. Superior Court records, in Jackson’s most recent conviction in 2015, he was found guilty of shooting at a special police officer outside an apartment complex in Northeast. The special police officer was not injured.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:11:18 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:11:25 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => DC bar temporarily closed after National Guardsman is shot outside https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dc-bar-temporarily-closed-after-national-guardsman-is-shot-outside/4169778/ 4169778 Paul Wagner post 11568367 national guard troop shot oct 18 2026 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/national-guard-troop-shot-oct-18-2026.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,673 Suspect Jerrell Jackson was on supervised release and had three prior gun convictions, including for shooting at a D.C. special police officer.

          D.C. police temporarily closed a bar on Barracks Row as investigators try to get to the bottom of a fight that led to a shooting involving National Guard troops.

          A soldier from Georgia was wounded when police said Jerrell Jackson, 41, of D.C., pulled out a gun during a fight and opened fire. Jackson was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, and court records show he’s been convicted on gun charges three times. The last conviction sent him to prison on a 10-year sentence.

          Jackson was on supervised release at the time of the shooting late Sunday.

          Café 8 was shut down for at least 96 hours on an emergency order and will likely have a hearing Wednesday.

          Interim Chief of Police Jeffery Carroll said early Monday that investigators believe the dispute began in an establishment and led to a fight and the shooting. He did not specify which establishment.

          The emergency closure appears to indicate it was Café 8. Its manager told News4 he reviewed video from the hookah bar and said Jackson was never inside. But he acknowledged the fight began outside the bar.

          In a statement to News4, Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen said, “It’s the right move, and I’m grateful for MPD and ABCA moving so quickly to gather the evidence needed to support this decision. What I’m looking for next, if Cafe 8 wants to reopen, is how this business will change their operations to create a safe space for both their patrons and their neighbors.”

          DC police say National Guard troops were inside a van just after 11 p.m. Sunday when they saw the beginning of a fight and tried to break it up. That’s when police say Jackson pulled a handgun and began firing, striking the soldier. Three soldiers then fired back, hitting Jackson in the abdomen.

          ‘Make sure they are held accountable,’ Bowser says

          In response to a general question from reporters Monday about violence in the city, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said crime is going down, but illegal guns remain an ongoing problem.

          “While we have worked very hard and we are going to have a historically low crime year, there are still guns on the street and there are still people willing to use them, and so it’s going to be very, very important that we continue our focus on people who use guns in our city. Make sure they are held accountable and, where appropriate, held pending trial,” Bowser said.

          National Guard shooting suspect has multiple weapons convictions

          Jerrell Jackson’s criminal record shows he was arrested in 2004 for carjacking while armed. The case was dismissed. Later that year, he was arrested for carrying a pistol without a license, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 months in prison.

          In 2009, Jackson was arrested for carrying a pistol without a license, was found guilty and was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison.

          In 2014, Jackson was arrested for assault on a police officer while armed, was found guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

          According to D.C. Superior Court records, in Jackson’s most recent conviction in 2015, he was found guilty of shooting at a special police officer outside an apartment complex in Northeast. The special police officer was not injured.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:11:18 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:11:25 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => DC bar temporarily closed after National Guardsman is shot outside [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dc-bar-temporarily-closed-after-national-guardsman-is-shot-outside/4169778/ [date] => Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:11:18 PM ) Backtrace of errorHandler() Array ( [0] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 72 [function] => errorHandler [args] => Array ( [0] => 8 [1] => Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object [2] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [3] => 72 [4] => Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => DC bar temporarily closed after National Guardsman is shot outside https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dc-bar-temporarily-closed-after-national-guardsman-is-shot-outside/4169778/ 4169778 Paul Wagner post 11568367 national guard troop shot oct 18 2026 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/national-guard-troop-shot-oct-18-2026.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,673 Suspect Jerrell Jackson was on supervised release and had three prior gun convictions, including for shooting at a D.C. special police officer.

          D.C. police temporarily closed a bar on Barracks Row as investigators try to get to the bottom of a fight that led to a shooting involving National Guard troops.

          A soldier from Georgia was wounded when police said Jerrell Jackson, 41, of D.C., pulled out a gun during a fight and opened fire. Jackson was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, and court records show he’s been convicted on gun charges three times. The last conviction sent him to prison on a 10-year sentence.

          Jackson was on supervised release at the time of the shooting late Sunday.

          Café 8 was shut down for at least 96 hours on an emergency order and will likely have a hearing Wednesday.

          Interim Chief of Police Jeffery Carroll said early Monday that investigators believe the dispute began in an establishment and led to a fight and the shooting. He did not specify which establishment.

          The emergency closure appears to indicate it was Café 8. Its manager told News4 he reviewed video from the hookah bar and said Jackson was never inside. But he acknowledged the fight began outside the bar.

          In a statement to News4, Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen said, “It’s the right move, and I’m grateful for MPD and ABCA moving so quickly to gather the evidence needed to support this decision. What I’m looking for next, if Cafe 8 wants to reopen, is how this business will change their operations to create a safe space for both their patrons and their neighbors.”

          DC police say National Guard troops were inside a van just after 11 p.m. Sunday when they saw the beginning of a fight and tried to break it up. That’s when police say Jackson pulled a handgun and began firing, striking the soldier. Three soldiers then fired back, hitting Jackson in the abdomen.

          ‘Make sure they are held accountable,’ Bowser says

          In response to a general question from reporters Monday about violence in the city, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said crime is going down, but illegal guns remain an ongoing problem.

          “While we have worked very hard and we are going to have a historically low crime year, there are still guns on the street and there are still people willing to use them, and so it’s going to be very, very important that we continue our focus on people who use guns in our city. Make sure they are held accountable and, where appropriate, held pending trial,” Bowser said.

          National Guard shooting suspect has multiple weapons convictions

          Jerrell Jackson’s criminal record shows he was arrested in 2004 for carjacking while armed. The case was dismissed. Later that year, he was arrested for carrying a pistol without a license, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 months in prison.

          In 2009, Jackson was arrested for carrying a pistol without a license, was found guilty and was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison.

          In 2014, Jackson was arrested for assault on a police officer while armed, was found guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

          According to D.C. Superior Court records, in Jackson’s most recent conviction in 2015, he was found guilty of shooting at a special police officer outside an apartment complex in Northeast. The special police officer was not injured.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:11:18 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:11:25 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => DC bar temporarily closed after National Guardsman is shot outside https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dc-bar-temporarily-closed-after-national-guardsman-is-shot-outside/4169778/ 4169778 Paul Wagner post 11568367 national guard troop shot oct 18 2026 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/national-guard-troop-shot-oct-18-2026.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,673 Suspect Jerrell Jackson was on supervised release and had three prior gun convictions, including for shooting at a D.C. special police officer.

          D.C. police temporarily closed a bar on Barracks Row as investigators try to get to the bottom of a fight that led to a shooting involving National Guard troops.

          A soldier from Georgia was wounded when police said Jerrell Jackson, 41, of D.C., pulled out a gun during a fight and opened fire. Jackson was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, and court records show he’s been convicted on gun charges three times. The last conviction sent him to prison on a 10-year sentence.

          Jackson was on supervised release at the time of the shooting late Sunday.

          Café 8 was shut down for at least 96 hours on an emergency order and will likely have a hearing Wednesday.

          Interim Chief of Police Jeffery Carroll said early Monday that investigators believe the dispute began in an establishment and led to a fight and the shooting. He did not specify which establishment.

          The emergency closure appears to indicate it was Café 8. Its manager told News4 he reviewed video from the hookah bar and said Jackson was never inside. But he acknowledged the fight began outside the bar.

          In a statement to News4, Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen said, “It’s the right move, and I’m grateful for MPD and ABCA moving so quickly to gather the evidence needed to support this decision. What I’m looking for next, if Cafe 8 wants to reopen, is how this business will change their operations to create a safe space for both their patrons and their neighbors.”

          DC police say National Guard troops were inside a van just after 11 p.m. Sunday when they saw the beginning of a fight and tried to break it up. That’s when police say Jackson pulled a handgun and began firing, striking the soldier. Three soldiers then fired back, hitting Jackson in the abdomen.

          ‘Make sure they are held accountable,’ Bowser says

          In response to a general question from reporters Monday about violence in the city, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said crime is going down, but illegal guns remain an ongoing problem.

          “While we have worked very hard and we are going to have a historically low crime year, there are still guns on the street and there are still people willing to use them, and so it’s going to be very, very important that we continue our focus on people who use guns in our city. Make sure they are held accountable and, where appropriate, held pending trial,” Bowser said.

          National Guard shooting suspect has multiple weapons convictions

          Jerrell Jackson’s criminal record shows he was arrested in 2004 for carjacking while armed. The case was dismissed. Later that year, he was arrested for carrying a pistol without a license, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 months in prison.

          In 2009, Jackson was arrested for carrying a pistol without a license, was found guilty and was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison.

          In 2014, Jackson was arrested for assault on a police officer while armed, was found guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

          According to D.C. Superior Court records, in Jackson’s most recent conviction in 2015, he was found guilty of shooting at a special police officer outside an apartment complex in Northeast. The special police officer was not injured.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:11:18 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:11:25 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => DC bar temporarily closed after National Guardsman is shot outside [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dc-bar-temporarily-closed-after-national-guardsman-is-shot-outside/4169778/ [date] => Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:11:18 PM ) ) ) [1] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 139 [function] => RSS_Tags [args] => Array ( [0] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => DC bar temporarily closed after National Guardsman is shot outside https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dc-bar-temporarily-closed-after-national-guardsman-is-shot-outside/4169778/ 4169778 Paul Wagner post 11568367 national guard troop shot oct 18 2026 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/national-guard-troop-shot-oct-18-2026.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,673 Suspect Jerrell Jackson was on supervised release and had three prior gun convictions, including for shooting at a D.C. special police officer.

          D.C. police temporarily closed a bar on Barracks Row as investigators try to get to the bottom of a fight that led to a shooting involving National Guard troops.

          A soldier from Georgia was wounded when police said Jerrell Jackson, 41, of D.C., pulled out a gun during a fight and opened fire. Jackson was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, and court records show he’s been convicted on gun charges three times. The last conviction sent him to prison on a 10-year sentence.

          Jackson was on supervised release at the time of the shooting late Sunday.

          Café 8 was shut down for at least 96 hours on an emergency order and will likely have a hearing Wednesday.

          Interim Chief of Police Jeffery Carroll said early Monday that investigators believe the dispute began in an establishment and led to a fight and the shooting. He did not specify which establishment.

          The emergency closure appears to indicate it was Café 8. Its manager told News4 he reviewed video from the hookah bar and said Jackson was never inside. But he acknowledged the fight began outside the bar.

          In a statement to News4, Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen said, “It’s the right move, and I’m grateful for MPD and ABCA moving so quickly to gather the evidence needed to support this decision. What I’m looking for next, if Cafe 8 wants to reopen, is how this business will change their operations to create a safe space for both their patrons and their neighbors.”

          DC police say National Guard troops were inside a van just after 11 p.m. Sunday when they saw the beginning of a fight and tried to break it up. That’s when police say Jackson pulled a handgun and began firing, striking the soldier. Three soldiers then fired back, hitting Jackson in the abdomen.

          ‘Make sure they are held accountable,’ Bowser says

          In response to a general question from reporters Monday about violence in the city, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said crime is going down, but illegal guns remain an ongoing problem.

          “While we have worked very hard and we are going to have a historically low crime year, there are still guns on the street and there are still people willing to use them, and so it’s going to be very, very important that we continue our focus on people who use guns in our city. Make sure they are held accountable and, where appropriate, held pending trial,” Bowser said.

          National Guard shooting suspect has multiple weapons convictions

          Jerrell Jackson’s criminal record shows he was arrested in 2004 for carjacking while armed. The case was dismissed. Later that year, he was arrested for carrying a pistol without a license, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 months in prison.

          In 2009, Jackson was arrested for carrying a pistol without a license, was found guilty and was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison.

          In 2014, Jackson was arrested for assault on a police officer while armed, was found guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

          According to D.C. Superior Court records, in Jackson’s most recent conviction in 2015, he was found guilty of shooting at a special police officer outside an apartment complex in Northeast. The special police officer was not injured.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:11:18 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:11:25 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => DC bar temporarily closed after National Guardsman is shot outside https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dc-bar-temporarily-closed-after-national-guardsman-is-shot-outside/4169778/ 4169778 Paul Wagner post 11568367 national guard troop shot oct 18 2026 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/national-guard-troop-shot-oct-18-2026.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,673 Suspect Jerrell Jackson was on supervised release and had three prior gun convictions, including for shooting at a D.C. special police officer.

          D.C. police temporarily closed a bar on Barracks Row as investigators try to get to the bottom of a fight that led to a shooting involving National Guard troops.

          A soldier from Georgia was wounded when police said Jerrell Jackson, 41, of D.C., pulled out a gun during a fight and opened fire. Jackson was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, and court records show he’s been convicted on gun charges three times. The last conviction sent him to prison on a 10-year sentence.

          Jackson was on supervised release at the time of the shooting late Sunday.

          Café 8 was shut down for at least 96 hours on an emergency order and will likely have a hearing Wednesday.

          Interim Chief of Police Jeffery Carroll said early Monday that investigators believe the dispute began in an establishment and led to a fight and the shooting. He did not specify which establishment.

          The emergency closure appears to indicate it was Café 8. Its manager told News4 he reviewed video from the hookah bar and said Jackson was never inside. But he acknowledged the fight began outside the bar.

          In a statement to News4, Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen said, “It’s the right move, and I’m grateful for MPD and ABCA moving so quickly to gather the evidence needed to support this decision. What I’m looking for next, if Cafe 8 wants to reopen, is how this business will change their operations to create a safe space for both their patrons and their neighbors.”

          DC police say National Guard troops were inside a van just after 11 p.m. Sunday when they saw the beginning of a fight and tried to break it up. That’s when police say Jackson pulled a handgun and began firing, striking the soldier. Three soldiers then fired back, hitting Jackson in the abdomen.

          ‘Make sure they are held accountable,’ Bowser says

          In response to a general question from reporters Monday about violence in the city, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said crime is going down, but illegal guns remain an ongoing problem.

          “While we have worked very hard and we are going to have a historically low crime year, there are still guns on the street and there are still people willing to use them, and so it’s going to be very, very important that we continue our focus on people who use guns in our city. Make sure they are held accountable and, where appropriate, held pending trial,” Bowser said.

          National Guard shooting suspect has multiple weapons convictions

          Jerrell Jackson’s criminal record shows he was arrested in 2004 for carjacking while armed. The case was dismissed. Later that year, he was arrested for carrying a pistol without a license, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 months in prison.

          In 2009, Jackson was arrested for carrying a pistol without a license, was found guilty and was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison.

          In 2014, Jackson was arrested for assault on a police officer while armed, was found guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

          According to D.C. Superior Court records, in Jackson’s most recent conviction in 2015, he was found guilty of shooting at a special police officer outside an apartment complex in Northeast. The special police officer was not injured.

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:11:18 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:11:25 PM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) ) Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Video shows Naresh Bhatt tell police ‘I don't know' why wife Mamta disappeared https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/video-shows-naresh-bhatt-tell-police-i-dont-know-why-wife-mamta-disappeared/4169759/ 4169759 Drew Wilder post 11568497 Naresh Bhatt, Mamta Khafle Bhatt https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/split-2-diagonal-1200x675-3-15.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 In video shown in court Tuesday, the Manassas Park man tells police he and his wife had a fraught relationship and she would often leave home when they were fighting.

          In video shown in court Tuesday, Naresh Bhatt, the Manassas Park man on trial in the murder of his wife told police the couple had a fraught relationship — but that they weren’t fighting when she disappeared.

          Bhatt is charged with the murder of his wife, Mamta Khafle Bhatt, who vanished in 2024. Her body has never been found. Prosecutors say he dismembered her.

          On Tuesday, trial proceedings started with video of Naresh Bhatt in the interrogation room and the testimony of the police captain who conducted that interrogation.

          In the video, Naresh tells police that Mamta would often leave the home when the couple was fighting. But, he told police, he and Mamta were not fighting when she disappeared.

          “OK. Why do you think she left?” the investigator asks.

          Bhatt responded: “I don’t know. That’s the [inaudible]. That’s the problem.”

          Later, the investigator asked: “Was she happy in her relationship with you?”

          “Yes,” Bhatt said.

          Investigator: “She was?”

          Bhatt: “Yes.”

          “Then why’s she leaving all the time?” the investigator asked.

          When pressed on how many times Naresh Bhatt had called Mamta in the wake of her disappearance, he told police: “A few.”

          Bhatt has maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to first-degree murder, defiling a dead body and concealment of a dead body.

          Court resumes Wednesday at 9 a.m.

          Every Friday, Northern Virginia Bureau Chief Drew Wilder and News4 anchor Erika Gonzalez recap the biggest moments in court.

          You can find the first two episodes of “The Case: Where Is Mamta?” on NBC Washington’s YouTube channel, or below here:

          “The Case: Where Is Mamta?” — episode 1: Oct. 9, 2026

          “The Case: Where Is Mamta?” — episode 2: Oct. 16, 2026

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 05:19:05 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:41:54 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Video shows Naresh Bhatt tell police ‘I don't know' why wife Mamta disappeared https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/video-shows-naresh-bhatt-tell-police-i-dont-know-why-wife-mamta-disappeared/4169759/ 4169759 Drew Wilder post 11568497 Naresh Bhatt, Mamta Khafle Bhatt https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/split-2-diagonal-1200x675-3-15.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 In video shown in court Tuesday, the Manassas Park man tells police he and his wife had a fraught relationship and she would often leave home when they were fighting.

          In video shown in court Tuesday, Naresh Bhatt, the Manassas Park man on trial in the murder of his wife told police the couple had a fraught relationship — but that they weren’t fighting when she disappeared.

          Bhatt is charged with the murder of his wife, Mamta Khafle Bhatt, who vanished in 2024. Her body has never been found. Prosecutors say he dismembered her.

          On Tuesday, trial proceedings started with video of Naresh Bhatt in the interrogation room and the testimony of the police captain who conducted that interrogation.

          In the video, Naresh tells police that Mamta would often leave the home when the couple was fighting. But, he told police, he and Mamta were not fighting when she disappeared.

          “OK. Why do you think she left?” the investigator asks.

          Bhatt responded: “I don’t know. That’s the [inaudible]. That’s the problem.”

          Later, the investigator asked: “Was she happy in her relationship with you?”

          “Yes,” Bhatt said.

          Investigator: “She was?”

          Bhatt: “Yes.”

          “Then why’s she leaving all the time?” the investigator asked.

          When pressed on how many times Naresh Bhatt had called Mamta in the wake of her disappearance, he told police: “A few.”

          Bhatt has maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to first-degree murder, defiling a dead body and concealment of a dead body.

          Court resumes Wednesday at 9 a.m.

          Every Friday, Northern Virginia Bureau Chief Drew Wilder and News4 anchor Erika Gonzalez recap the biggest moments in court.

          You can find the first two episodes of “The Case: Where Is Mamta?” on NBC Washington’s YouTube channel, or below here:

          “The Case: Where Is Mamta?” — episode 1: Oct. 9, 2026

          “The Case: Where Is Mamta?” — episode 2: Oct. 16, 2026

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 05:19:05 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:41:54 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => Video shows Naresh Bhatt tell police ‘I don't know' why wife Mamta disappeared [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/video-shows-naresh-bhatt-tell-police-i-dont-know-why-wife-mamta-disappeared/4169759/ [date] => Tue, Oct 20 2026 05:19:05 PM ) Backtrace of errorHandler() Array ( [0] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 72 [function] => errorHandler [args] => Array ( [0] => 8 [1] => Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object [2] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [3] => 72 [4] => Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Video shows Naresh Bhatt tell police ‘I don't know' why wife Mamta disappeared https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/video-shows-naresh-bhatt-tell-police-i-dont-know-why-wife-mamta-disappeared/4169759/ 4169759 Drew Wilder post 11568497 Naresh Bhatt, Mamta Khafle Bhatt https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/split-2-diagonal-1200x675-3-15.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 In video shown in court Tuesday, the Manassas Park man tells police he and his wife had a fraught relationship and she would often leave home when they were fighting.

          In video shown in court Tuesday, Naresh Bhatt, the Manassas Park man on trial in the murder of his wife told police the couple had a fraught relationship — but that they weren’t fighting when she disappeared.

          Bhatt is charged with the murder of his wife, Mamta Khafle Bhatt, who vanished in 2024. Her body has never been found. Prosecutors say he dismembered her.

          On Tuesday, trial proceedings started with video of Naresh Bhatt in the interrogation room and the testimony of the police captain who conducted that interrogation.

          In the video, Naresh tells police that Mamta would often leave the home when the couple was fighting. But, he told police, he and Mamta were not fighting when she disappeared.

          “OK. Why do you think she left?” the investigator asks.

          Bhatt responded: “I don’t know. That’s the [inaudible]. That’s the problem.”

          Later, the investigator asked: “Was she happy in her relationship with you?”

          “Yes,” Bhatt said.

          Investigator: “She was?”

          Bhatt: “Yes.”

          “Then why’s she leaving all the time?” the investigator asked.

          When pressed on how many times Naresh Bhatt had called Mamta in the wake of her disappearance, he told police: “A few.”

          Bhatt has maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to first-degree murder, defiling a dead body and concealment of a dead body.

          Court resumes Wednesday at 9 a.m.

          Every Friday, Northern Virginia Bureau Chief Drew Wilder and News4 anchor Erika Gonzalez recap the biggest moments in court.

          You can find the first two episodes of “The Case: Where Is Mamta?” on NBC Washington’s YouTube channel, or below here:

          “The Case: Where Is Mamta?” — episode 1: Oct. 9, 2026

          “The Case: Where Is Mamta?” — episode 2: Oct. 16, 2026

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 05:19:05 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:41:54 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Video shows Naresh Bhatt tell police ‘I don't know' why wife Mamta disappeared https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/video-shows-naresh-bhatt-tell-police-i-dont-know-why-wife-mamta-disappeared/4169759/ 4169759 Drew Wilder post 11568497 Naresh Bhatt, Mamta Khafle Bhatt https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/split-2-diagonal-1200x675-3-15.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 In video shown in court Tuesday, the Manassas Park man tells police he and his wife had a fraught relationship and she would often leave home when they were fighting.

          In video shown in court Tuesday, Naresh Bhatt, the Manassas Park man on trial in the murder of his wife told police the couple had a fraught relationship — but that they weren’t fighting when she disappeared.

          Bhatt is charged with the murder of his wife, Mamta Khafle Bhatt, who vanished in 2024. Her body has never been found. Prosecutors say he dismembered her.

          On Tuesday, trial proceedings started with video of Naresh Bhatt in the interrogation room and the testimony of the police captain who conducted that interrogation.

          In the video, Naresh tells police that Mamta would often leave the home when the couple was fighting. But, he told police, he and Mamta were not fighting when she disappeared.

          “OK. Why do you think she left?” the investigator asks.

          Bhatt responded: “I don’t know. That’s the [inaudible]. That’s the problem.”

          Later, the investigator asked: “Was she happy in her relationship with you?”

          “Yes,” Bhatt said.

          Investigator: “She was?”

          Bhatt: “Yes.”

          “Then why’s she leaving all the time?” the investigator asked.

          When pressed on how many times Naresh Bhatt had called Mamta in the wake of her disappearance, he told police: “A few.”

          Bhatt has maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to first-degree murder, defiling a dead body and concealment of a dead body.

          Court resumes Wednesday at 9 a.m.

          Every Friday, Northern Virginia Bureau Chief Drew Wilder and News4 anchor Erika Gonzalez recap the biggest moments in court.

          You can find the first two episodes of “The Case: Where Is Mamta?” on NBC Washington’s YouTube channel, or below here:

          “The Case: Where Is Mamta?” — episode 1: Oct. 9, 2026

          “The Case: Where Is Mamta?” — episode 2: Oct. 16, 2026

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 05:19:05 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:41:54 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => Video shows Naresh Bhatt tell police ‘I don't know' why wife Mamta disappeared [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/video-shows-naresh-bhatt-tell-police-i-dont-know-why-wife-mamta-disappeared/4169759/ [date] => Tue, Oct 20 2026 05:19:05 PM ) ) ) [1] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 139 [function] => RSS_Tags [args] => Array ( [0] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => Video shows Naresh Bhatt tell police ‘I don't know' why wife Mamta disappeared https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/video-shows-naresh-bhatt-tell-police-i-dont-know-why-wife-mamta-disappeared/4169759/ 4169759 Drew Wilder post 11568497 Naresh Bhatt, Mamta Khafle Bhatt https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/split-2-diagonal-1200x675-3-15.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 In video shown in court Tuesday, the Manassas Park man tells police he and his wife had a fraught relationship and she would often leave home when they were fighting.

          In video shown in court Tuesday, Naresh Bhatt, the Manassas Park man on trial in the murder of his wife told police the couple had a fraught relationship — but that they weren’t fighting when she disappeared.

          Bhatt is charged with the murder of his wife, Mamta Khafle Bhatt, who vanished in 2024. Her body has never been found. Prosecutors say he dismembered her.

          On Tuesday, trial proceedings started with video of Naresh Bhatt in the interrogation room and the testimony of the police captain who conducted that interrogation.

          In the video, Naresh tells police that Mamta would often leave the home when the couple was fighting. But, he told police, he and Mamta were not fighting when she disappeared.

          “OK. Why do you think she left?” the investigator asks.

          Bhatt responded: “I don’t know. That’s the [inaudible]. That’s the problem.”

          Later, the investigator asked: “Was she happy in her relationship with you?”

          “Yes,” Bhatt said.

          Investigator: “She was?”

          Bhatt: “Yes.”

          “Then why’s she leaving all the time?” the investigator asked.

          When pressed on how many times Naresh Bhatt had called Mamta in the wake of her disappearance, he told police: “A few.”

          Bhatt has maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to first-degree murder, defiling a dead body and concealment of a dead body.

          Court resumes Wednesday at 9 a.m.

          Every Friday, Northern Virginia Bureau Chief Drew Wilder and News4 anchor Erika Gonzalez recap the biggest moments in court.

          You can find the first two episodes of “The Case: Where Is Mamta?” on NBC Washington’s YouTube channel, or below here:

          “The Case: Where Is Mamta?” — episode 1: Oct. 9, 2026

          “The Case: Where Is Mamta?” — episode 2: Oct. 16, 2026

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 05:19:05 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:41:54 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => Video shows Naresh Bhatt tell police ‘I don't know' why wife Mamta disappeared https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/video-shows-naresh-bhatt-tell-police-i-dont-know-why-wife-mamta-disappeared/4169759/ 4169759 Drew Wilder post 11568497 Naresh Bhatt, Mamta Khafle Bhatt https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/split-2-diagonal-1200x675-3-15.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 In video shown in court Tuesday, the Manassas Park man tells police he and his wife had a fraught relationship and she would often leave home when they were fighting.

          In video shown in court Tuesday, Naresh Bhatt, the Manassas Park man on trial in the murder of his wife told police the couple had a fraught relationship — but that they weren’t fighting when she disappeared.

          Bhatt is charged with the murder of his wife, Mamta Khafle Bhatt, who vanished in 2024. Her body has never been found. Prosecutors say he dismembered her.

          On Tuesday, trial proceedings started with video of Naresh Bhatt in the interrogation room and the testimony of the police captain who conducted that interrogation.

          In the video, Naresh tells police that Mamta would often leave the home when the couple was fighting. But, he told police, he and Mamta were not fighting when she disappeared.

          “OK. Why do you think she left?” the investigator asks.

          Bhatt responded: “I don’t know. That’s the [inaudible]. That’s the problem.”

          Later, the investigator asked: “Was she happy in her relationship with you?”

          “Yes,” Bhatt said.

          Investigator: “She was?”

          Bhatt: “Yes.”

          “Then why’s she leaving all the time?” the investigator asked.

          When pressed on how many times Naresh Bhatt had called Mamta in the wake of her disappearance, he told police: “A few.”

          Bhatt has maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to first-degree murder, defiling a dead body and concealment of a dead body.

          Court resumes Wednesday at 9 a.m.

          Every Friday, Northern Virginia Bureau Chief Drew Wilder and News4 anchor Erika Gonzalez recap the biggest moments in court.

          You can find the first two episodes of “The Case: Where Is Mamta?” on NBC Washington’s YouTube channel, or below here:

          “The Case: Where Is Mamta?” — episode 1: Oct. 9, 2026

          “The Case: Where Is Mamta?” — episode 2: Oct. 16, 2026

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 05:19:05 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:41:54 PM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) ) Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => VIP terminal in the works for Dulles International Airport https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/transportation/vip-terminal-in-the-works-for-dulles-international-airport/4169732/ 4169732 Adam Tuss post 11568207 dulles vip terminal https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/dulles-vip-terminal.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1678,937 Travelers will be able to pay more to be away from the busy main terminal — and get a limo ride directly to their commercial flight.

          A VIP terminal with private security screenings and hotel-like lounges is coming to Dulles International Airport in a couple of years, the airports authority announced Tuesday.

          Travelers who don’t mind paying extra for the service will be able to go straight to the VIP terminal before their commercial flights, away from the hustle and bustle of the main terminal, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority said.

          “You are basically welcomed to the terminal, your bag is taken away. You never see your bag again until you get to the destination. We look after the bag. We process all that. The passenger then just comes into what’s effectively like a hotel,” said Michael Martin with daa International, the company chosen to develop, lease and operate the VIP terminal at Dulles.

          The 37,000-square-foot terminal will feature private TSA-style screenings for domestic and international travelers and access to suites, lounges and other amenities.

          When it’s time to board, VIP customers will get a limo ride directly to their plane, Martin said.

          “What we will do is when it’s time for your flight, ‘Do you want to be on first or last sir or madame?’ And we will take you in an executive limousine up to the aircraft, and we will escort you up the steps to your seat in the aircraft. And then you take it from there,” he said.

          Travelers Glenn and Joline told News4 they hope the addition of a VIP terminal will lead to more space for them in the traditional terminals.

          ”If you got the money, it’s great. Most of us are kind of in the economy mode,” Glenn said.

          ”I think it’s fine. You know, if you are willing to pay for it and have those extra benefits, why not?” Joline said.

          Daa international hasn’t said yet how much it will cost to use the VIP terminal, but there will likely be a range of packages, including a subscription service.

          The terminal will be built on a 1.2 acre site near the airport’s cargo buildings. Construction will take about 2-and-a-half years.

          Daa international will operate the new facility under a 20-year lease.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 04:43:17 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:45:43 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => VIP terminal in the works for Dulles International Airport https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/transportation/vip-terminal-in-the-works-for-dulles-international-airport/4169732/ 4169732 Adam Tuss post 11568207 dulles vip terminal https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/dulles-vip-terminal.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1678,937 Travelers will be able to pay more to be away from the busy main terminal — and get a limo ride directly to their commercial flight.

          A VIP terminal with private security screenings and hotel-like lounges is coming to Dulles International Airport in a couple of years, the airports authority announced Tuesday.

          Travelers who don’t mind paying extra for the service will be able to go straight to the VIP terminal before their commercial flights, away from the hustle and bustle of the main terminal, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority said.

          “You are basically welcomed to the terminal, your bag is taken away. You never see your bag again until you get to the destination. We look after the bag. We process all that. The passenger then just comes into what’s effectively like a hotel,” said Michael Martin with daa International, the company chosen to develop, lease and operate the VIP terminal at Dulles.

          The 37,000-square-foot terminal will feature private TSA-style screenings for domestic and international travelers and access to suites, lounges and other amenities.

          When it’s time to board, VIP customers will get a limo ride directly to their plane, Martin said.

          “What we will do is when it’s time for your flight, ‘Do you want to be on first or last sir or madame?’ And we will take you in an executive limousine up to the aircraft, and we will escort you up the steps to your seat in the aircraft. And then you take it from there,” he said.

          Travelers Glenn and Joline told News4 they hope the addition of a VIP terminal will lead to more space for them in the traditional terminals.

          ”If you got the money, it’s great. Most of us are kind of in the economy mode,” Glenn said.

          ”I think it’s fine. You know, if you are willing to pay for it and have those extra benefits, why not?” Joline said.

          Daa international hasn’t said yet how much it will cost to use the VIP terminal, but there will likely be a range of packages, including a subscription service.

          The terminal will be built on a 1.2 acre site near the airport’s cargo buildings. Construction will take about 2-and-a-half years.

          Daa international will operate the new facility under a 20-year lease.

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          A VIP terminal with private security screenings and hotel-like lounges is coming to Dulles International Airport in a couple of years, the airports authority announced Tuesday.

          Travelers who don’t mind paying extra for the service will be able to go straight to the VIP terminal before their commercial flights, away from the hustle and bustle of the main terminal, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority said.

          “You are basically welcomed to the terminal, your bag is taken away. You never see your bag again until you get to the destination. We look after the bag. We process all that. The passenger then just comes into what’s effectively like a hotel,” said Michael Martin with daa International, the company chosen to develop, lease and operate the VIP terminal at Dulles.

          The 37,000-square-foot terminal will feature private TSA-style screenings for domestic and international travelers and access to suites, lounges and other amenities.

          When it’s time to board, VIP customers will get a limo ride directly to their plane, Martin said.

          “What we will do is when it’s time for your flight, ‘Do you want to be on first or last sir or madame?’ And we will take you in an executive limousine up to the aircraft, and we will escort you up the steps to your seat in the aircraft. And then you take it from there,” he said.

          Travelers Glenn and Joline told News4 they hope the addition of a VIP terminal will lead to more space for them in the traditional terminals.

          ”If you got the money, it’s great. Most of us are kind of in the economy mode,” Glenn said.

          ”I think it’s fine. You know, if you are willing to pay for it and have those extra benefits, why not?” Joline said.

          Daa international hasn’t said yet how much it will cost to use the VIP terminal, but there will likely be a range of packages, including a subscription service.

          The terminal will be built on a 1.2 acre site near the airport’s cargo buildings. Construction will take about 2-and-a-half years.

          Daa international will operate the new facility under a 20-year lease.

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          A VIP terminal with private security screenings and hotel-like lounges is coming to Dulles International Airport in a couple of years, the airports authority announced Tuesday.

          Travelers who don’t mind paying extra for the service will be able to go straight to the VIP terminal before their commercial flights, away from the hustle and bustle of the main terminal, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority said.

          “You are basically welcomed to the terminal, your bag is taken away. You never see your bag again until you get to the destination. We look after the bag. We process all that. The passenger then just comes into what’s effectively like a hotel,” said Michael Martin with daa International, the company chosen to develop, lease and operate the VIP terminal at Dulles.

          The 37,000-square-foot terminal will feature private TSA-style screenings for domestic and international travelers and access to suites, lounges and other amenities.

          When it’s time to board, VIP customers will get a limo ride directly to their plane, Martin said.

          “What we will do is when it’s time for your flight, ‘Do you want to be on first or last sir or madame?’ And we will take you in an executive limousine up to the aircraft, and we will escort you up the steps to your seat in the aircraft. And then you take it from there,” he said.

          Travelers Glenn and Joline told News4 they hope the addition of a VIP terminal will lead to more space for them in the traditional terminals.

          ”If you got the money, it’s great. Most of us are kind of in the economy mode,” Glenn said.

          ”I think it’s fine. You know, if you are willing to pay for it and have those extra benefits, why not?” Joline said.

          Daa international hasn’t said yet how much it will cost to use the VIP terminal, but there will likely be a range of packages, including a subscription service.

          The terminal will be built on a 1.2 acre site near the airport’s cargo buildings. Construction will take about 2-and-a-half years.

          Daa international will operate the new facility under a 20-year lease.

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          A VIP terminal with private security screenings and hotel-like lounges is coming to Dulles International Airport in a couple of years, the airports authority announced Tuesday.

          Travelers who don’t mind paying extra for the service will be able to go straight to the VIP terminal before their commercial flights, away from the hustle and bustle of the main terminal, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority said.

          “You are basically welcomed to the terminal, your bag is taken away. You never see your bag again until you get to the destination. We look after the bag. We process all that. The passenger then just comes into what’s effectively like a hotel,” said Michael Martin with daa International, the company chosen to develop, lease and operate the VIP terminal at Dulles.

          The 37,000-square-foot terminal will feature private TSA-style screenings for domestic and international travelers and access to suites, lounges and other amenities.

          When it’s time to board, VIP customers will get a limo ride directly to their plane, Martin said.

          “What we will do is when it’s time for your flight, ‘Do you want to be on first or last sir or madame?’ And we will take you in an executive limousine up to the aircraft, and we will escort you up the steps to your seat in the aircraft. And then you take it from there,” he said.

          Travelers Glenn and Joline told News4 they hope the addition of a VIP terminal will lead to more space for them in the traditional terminals.

          ”If you got the money, it’s great. Most of us are kind of in the economy mode,” Glenn said.

          ”I think it’s fine. You know, if you are willing to pay for it and have those extra benefits, why not?” Joline said.

          Daa international hasn’t said yet how much it will cost to use the VIP terminal, but there will likely be a range of packages, including a subscription service.

          The terminal will be built on a 1.2 acre site near the airport’s cargo buildings. Construction will take about 2-and-a-half years.

          Daa international will operate the new facility under a 20-year lease.

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          A VIP terminal with private security screenings and hotel-like lounges is coming to Dulles International Airport in a couple of years, the airports authority announced Tuesday.

          Travelers who don’t mind paying extra for the service will be able to go straight to the VIP terminal before their commercial flights, away from the hustle and bustle of the main terminal, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority said.

          “You are basically welcomed to the terminal, your bag is taken away. You never see your bag again until you get to the destination. We look after the bag. We process all that. The passenger then just comes into what’s effectively like a hotel,” said Michael Martin with daa International, the company chosen to develop, lease and operate the VIP terminal at Dulles.

          The 37,000-square-foot terminal will feature private TSA-style screenings for domestic and international travelers and access to suites, lounges and other amenities.

          When it’s time to board, VIP customers will get a limo ride directly to their plane, Martin said.

          “What we will do is when it’s time for your flight, ‘Do you want to be on first or last sir or madame?’ And we will take you in an executive limousine up to the aircraft, and we will escort you up the steps to your seat in the aircraft. And then you take it from there,” he said.

          Travelers Glenn and Joline told News4 they hope the addition of a VIP terminal will lead to more space for them in the traditional terminals.

          ”If you got the money, it’s great. Most of us are kind of in the economy mode,” Glenn said.

          ”I think it’s fine. You know, if you are willing to pay for it and have those extra benefits, why not?” Joline said.

          Daa international hasn’t said yet how much it will cost to use the VIP terminal, but there will likely be a range of packages, including a subscription service.

          The terminal will be built on a 1.2 acre site near the airport’s cargo buildings. Construction will take about 2-and-a-half years.

          Daa international will operate the new facility under a 20-year lease.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 04:43:17 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 06:45:43 PM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) ) Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => 3 arrested, 2 schools locked down after Park Police car chase from DC to Maryland https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/3-arrested-2-schools-locked-down-after-park-police-car-chase-from-dc-to-maryland/4169714/ 4169714 NBC Washington Staff post 11568095 parkdale high school oct 20 2026 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/parkdale-high-school-oct-20-2026.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 Parkdale High School and William Wirt Middle School were placed on lockdown and the status was later lifted, police said.

          Three people were arrested and two schools in Riverdale, Maryland, were locked down after a U.S. Park Police chase from Northeast D.C. into Maryland, authorities say.

          Park Police officers tried to pull over a stolen vehicle near 51st Street and Banks Place NE at about 11:30 a.m., Park Police say.

          The driver took off, and officers gave chase to Riverdale, about eight miles north.

          Three people ran out of the car. Two adults were immediately detained, police said. “A third individual” entered Parkdale High School and was apprehended.

          Parkdale High School and William Wirt Middle School were placed on lockdown and the status was later lifted, police said.

          An investigation is underway. Police did not immediately say if the third person they detained is an adult or if they have any connection to Parkdale High.

          Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.

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          Three people were arrested and two schools in Riverdale, Maryland, were locked down after a U.S. Park Police chase from Northeast D.C. into Maryland, authorities say.

          Park Police officers tried to pull over a stolen vehicle near 51st Street and Banks Place NE at about 11:30 a.m., Park Police say.

          The driver took off, and officers gave chase to Riverdale, about eight miles north.

          Three people ran out of the car. Two adults were immediately detained, police said. “A third individual” entered Parkdale High School and was apprehended.

          Parkdale High School and William Wirt Middle School were placed on lockdown and the status was later lifted, police said.

          An investigation is underway. Police did not immediately say if the third person they detained is an adult or if they have any connection to Parkdale High.

          Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 03:28:01 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 04:34:59 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => 3 arrested, 2 schools locked down after Park Police car chase from DC to Maryland [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/3-arrested-2-schools-locked-down-after-park-police-car-chase-from-dc-to-maryland/4169714/ [date] => Tue, Oct 20 2026 03:28:01 PM ) Backtrace of errorHandler() Array ( [0] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 72 [function] => errorHandler [args] => Array ( [0] => 8 [1] => Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object [2] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [3] => 72 [4] => Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => 3 arrested, 2 schools locked down after Park Police car chase from DC to Maryland https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/3-arrested-2-schools-locked-down-after-park-police-car-chase-from-dc-to-maryland/4169714/ 4169714 NBC Washington Staff post 11568095 parkdale high school oct 20 2026 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/parkdale-high-school-oct-20-2026.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 Parkdale High School and William Wirt Middle School were placed on lockdown and the status was later lifted, police said.

          Three people were arrested and two schools in Riverdale, Maryland, were locked down after a U.S. Park Police chase from Northeast D.C. into Maryland, authorities say.

          Park Police officers tried to pull over a stolen vehicle near 51st Street and Banks Place NE at about 11:30 a.m., Park Police say.

          The driver took off, and officers gave chase to Riverdale, about eight miles north.

          Three people ran out of the car. Two adults were immediately detained, police said. “A third individual” entered Parkdale High School and was apprehended.

          Parkdale High School and William Wirt Middle School were placed on lockdown and the status was later lifted, police said.

          An investigation is underway. Police did not immediately say if the third person they detained is an adult or if they have any connection to Parkdale High.

          Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.

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          Three people were arrested and two schools in Riverdale, Maryland, were locked down after a U.S. Park Police chase from Northeast D.C. into Maryland, authorities say.

          Park Police officers tried to pull over a stolen vehicle near 51st Street and Banks Place NE at about 11:30 a.m., Park Police say.

          The driver took off, and officers gave chase to Riverdale, about eight miles north.

          Three people ran out of the car. Two adults were immediately detained, police said. “A third individual” entered Parkdale High School and was apprehended.

          Parkdale High School and William Wirt Middle School were placed on lockdown and the status was later lifted, police said.

          An investigation is underway. Police did not immediately say if the third person they detained is an adult or if they have any connection to Parkdale High.

          Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 03:28:01 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 04:34:59 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => 3 arrested, 2 schools locked down after Park Police car chase from DC to Maryland [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/3-arrested-2-schools-locked-down-after-park-police-car-chase-from-dc-to-maryland/4169714/ [date] => Tue, Oct 20 2026 03:28:01 PM ) ) ) [1] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 139 [function] => RSS_Tags [args] => Array ( [0] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => 3 arrested, 2 schools locked down after Park Police car chase from DC to Maryland https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/3-arrested-2-schools-locked-down-after-park-police-car-chase-from-dc-to-maryland/4169714/ 4169714 NBC Washington Staff post 11568095 parkdale high school oct 20 2026 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/parkdale-high-school-oct-20-2026.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 Parkdale High School and William Wirt Middle School were placed on lockdown and the status was later lifted, police said.

          Three people were arrested and two schools in Riverdale, Maryland, were locked down after a U.S. Park Police chase from Northeast D.C. into Maryland, authorities say.

          Park Police officers tried to pull over a stolen vehicle near 51st Street and Banks Place NE at about 11:30 a.m., Park Police say.

          The driver took off, and officers gave chase to Riverdale, about eight miles north.

          Three people ran out of the car. Two adults were immediately detained, police said. “A third individual” entered Parkdale High School and was apprehended.

          Parkdale High School and William Wirt Middle School were placed on lockdown and the status was later lifted, police said.

          An investigation is underway. Police did not immediately say if the third person they detained is an adult or if they have any connection to Parkdale High.

          Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 03:28:01 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 04:34:59 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => 3 arrested, 2 schools locked down after Park Police car chase from DC to Maryland https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/3-arrested-2-schools-locked-down-after-park-police-car-chase-from-dc-to-maryland/4169714/ 4169714 NBC Washington Staff post 11568095 parkdale high school oct 20 2026 https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/parkdale-high-school-oct-20-2026.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 Parkdale High School and William Wirt Middle School were placed on lockdown and the status was later lifted, police said.

          Three people were arrested and two schools in Riverdale, Maryland, were locked down after a U.S. Park Police chase from Northeast D.C. into Maryland, authorities say.

          Park Police officers tried to pull over a stolen vehicle near 51st Street and Banks Place NE at about 11:30 a.m., Park Police say.

          The driver took off, and officers gave chase to Riverdale, about eight miles north.

          Three people ran out of the car. Two adults were immediately detained, police said. “A third individual” entered Parkdale High School and was apprehended.

          Parkdale High School and William Wirt Middle School were placed on lockdown and the status was later lifted, police said.

          An investigation is underway. Police did not immediately say if the third person they detained is an adult or if they have any connection to Parkdale High.

          Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 03:28:01 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 04:34:59 PM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) ) Into errorHandler() at line 38 ---ERRNO--- 8 ---ERRSTR--- Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object ---ERRFILE--- /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php ---ERRLINE--- 72 ---ERRCONTEXT--- Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => ‘Trash Island': Trump rails against DC's East Potomac Park in overnight post https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/trash-island-trump-rails-against-dcs-east-potomac-park-in-overnight-post/4169629/ 4169629 NBC Washington Staff post 11567806 trump east potomac park split https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/trump-east-potomac-park-split.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 “Our Plan, developed to the Highest Levels and Standards of Golf, will turn Trash Island into an Island of Beauty and Success!" the president said.

          President Donald Trump slammed the golf course in D.C.’s East Potomac Park and said in an overnight photo dump on Truth Social that his administration should be allowed to turn the “broken” course on “Trash Island” into one of the world’s best.

          “Our Plan, developed to the Highest Levels and Standards of Golf, will turn Trash Island into an Island of Beauty and Success! It will be one of the Most Wonderful and Spectacular Golf Courses anywhere in the World,” Trump said in one of two posts.

          A judge’s temporary restraining order to stop tree cutting in the park remains in effect until next week. Crews have already cut down more than 400 trees.

          Trump wants to create a championship-style golf course that would stretch from seawall to seawall, covering the entire peninsula. It would replace the current 18-hole and 9-hole courses, the mini golf course and the perimeter road used by cyclists, runners and walkers.

          East Potomac Park was created by an act of Congress in the late 1800s and later codified into D.C. law “to be forever held and used as a park for the recreation and pleasure of the people.”

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 12:50:43 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 12:51:07 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ‘Trash Island': Trump rails against DC's East Potomac Park in overnight post https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/trash-island-trump-rails-against-dcs-east-potomac-park-in-overnight-post/4169629/ 4169629 NBC Washington Staff post 11567806 trump east potomac park split https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/trump-east-potomac-park-split.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 “Our Plan, developed to the Highest Levels and Standards of Golf, will turn Trash Island into an Island of Beauty and Success!" the president said.

          President Donald Trump slammed the golf course in D.C.’s East Potomac Park and said in an overnight photo dump on Truth Social that his administration should be allowed to turn the “broken” course on “Trash Island” into one of the world’s best.

          “Our Plan, developed to the Highest Levels and Standards of Golf, will turn Trash Island into an Island of Beauty and Success! It will be one of the Most Wonderful and Spectacular Golf Courses anywhere in the World,” Trump said in one of two posts.

          A judge’s temporary restraining order to stop tree cutting in the park remains in effect until next week. Crews have already cut down more than 400 trees.

          Trump wants to create a championship-style golf course that would stretch from seawall to seawall, covering the entire peninsula. It would replace the current 18-hole and 9-hole courses, the mini golf course and the perimeter road used by cyclists, runners and walkers.

          East Potomac Park was created by an act of Congress in the late 1800s and later codified into D.C. law “to be forever held and used as a park for the recreation and pleasure of the people.”

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 12:50:43 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 12:51:07 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => ‘Trash Island': Trump rails against DC's East Potomac Park in overnight post [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/trash-island-trump-rails-against-dcs-east-potomac-park-in-overnight-post/4169629/ [date] => Tue, Oct 20 2026 12:50:43 PM ) Backtrace of errorHandler() Array ( [0] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 72 [function] => errorHandler [args] => Array ( [0] => 8 [1] => Trying to get property 'textContent' of non-object [2] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [3] => 72 [4] => Array ( [item] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => ‘Trash Island': Trump rails against DC's East Potomac Park in overnight post https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/trash-island-trump-rails-against-dcs-east-potomac-park-in-overnight-post/4169629/ 4169629 NBC Washington Staff post 11567806 trump east potomac park split https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/trump-east-potomac-park-split.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 “Our Plan, developed to the Highest Levels and Standards of Golf, will turn Trash Island into an Island of Beauty and Success!" the president said.

          President Donald Trump slammed the golf course in D.C.’s East Potomac Park and said in an overnight photo dump on Truth Social that his administration should be allowed to turn the “broken” course on “Trash Island” into one of the world’s best.

          “Our Plan, developed to the Highest Levels and Standards of Golf, will turn Trash Island into an Island of Beauty and Success! It will be one of the Most Wonderful and Spectacular Golf Courses anywhere in the World,” Trump said in one of two posts.

          A judge’s temporary restraining order to stop tree cutting in the park remains in effect until next week. Crews have already cut down more than 400 trees.

          Trump wants to create a championship-style golf course that would stretch from seawall to seawall, covering the entire peninsula. It would replace the current 18-hole and 9-hole courses, the mini golf course and the perimeter road used by cyclists, runners and walkers.

          East Potomac Park was created by an act of Congress in the late 1800s and later codified into D.C. law “to be forever held and used as a park for the recreation and pleasure of the people.”

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 12:50:43 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 12:51:07 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ‘Trash Island': Trump rails against DC's East Potomac Park in overnight post https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/trash-island-trump-rails-against-dcs-east-potomac-park-in-overnight-post/4169629/ 4169629 NBC Washington Staff post 11567806 trump east potomac park split https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/trump-east-potomac-park-split.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 “Our Plan, developed to the Highest Levels and Standards of Golf, will turn Trash Island into an Island of Beauty and Success!" the president said.

          President Donald Trump slammed the golf course in D.C.’s East Potomac Park and said in an overnight photo dump on Truth Social that his administration should be allowed to turn the “broken” course on “Trash Island” into one of the world’s best.

          “Our Plan, developed to the Highest Levels and Standards of Golf, will turn Trash Island into an Island of Beauty and Success! It will be one of the Most Wonderful and Spectacular Golf Courses anywhere in the World,” Trump said in one of two posts.

          A judge’s temporary restraining order to stop tree cutting in the park remains in effect until next week. Crews have already cut down more than 400 trees.

          Trump wants to create a championship-style golf course that would stretch from seawall to seawall, covering the entire peninsula. It would replace the current 18-hole and 9-hole courses, the mini golf course and the perimeter road used by cyclists, runners and walkers.

          East Potomac Park was created by an act of Congress in the late 1800s and later codified into D.C. law “to be forever held and used as a park for the recreation and pleasure of the people.”

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 12:50:43 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 12:51:07 PM ) [type] => 1 [y] => Array ( ) [tnl] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => media:description [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => media:description [nodeValue] => [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => [lastChild] => [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/ [prefix] => media [localName] => description [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ) [title] => ‘Trash Island': Trump rails against DC's East Potomac Park in overnight post [link] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/trash-island-trump-rails-against-dcs-east-potomac-park-in-overnight-post/4169629/ [date] => Tue, Oct 20 2026 12:50:43 PM ) ) ) [1] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 139 [function] => RSS_Tags [args] => Array ( [0] => DOMElement Object ( [tagName] => item [schemaTypeInfo] => [nodeName] => item [nodeValue] => ‘Trash Island': Trump rails against DC's East Potomac Park in overnight post https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/trash-island-trump-rails-against-dcs-east-potomac-park-in-overnight-post/4169629/ 4169629 NBC Washington Staff post 11567806 trump east potomac park split https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/trump-east-potomac-park-split.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 “Our Plan, developed to the Highest Levels and Standards of Golf, will turn Trash Island into an Island of Beauty and Success!" the president said.

          President Donald Trump slammed the golf course in D.C.’s East Potomac Park and said in an overnight photo dump on Truth Social that his administration should be allowed to turn the “broken” course on “Trash Island” into one of the world’s best.

          “Our Plan, developed to the Highest Levels and Standards of Golf, will turn Trash Island into an Island of Beauty and Success! It will be one of the Most Wonderful and Spectacular Golf Courses anywhere in the World,” Trump said in one of two posts.

          A judge’s temporary restraining order to stop tree cutting in the park remains in effect until next week. Crews have already cut down more than 400 trees.

          Trump wants to create a championship-style golf course that would stretch from seawall to seawall, covering the entire peninsula. It would replace the current 18-hole and 9-hole courses, the mini golf course and the perimeter road used by cyclists, runners and walkers.

          East Potomac Park was created by an act of Congress in the late 1800s and later codified into D.C. law “to be forever held and used as a park for the recreation and pleasure of the people.”

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 12:50:43 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 12:51:07 PM [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => item [baseURI] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [textContent] => ‘Trash Island': Trump rails against DC's East Potomac Park in overnight post https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/trash-island-trump-rails-against-dcs-east-potomac-park-in-overnight-post/4169629/ 4169629 NBC Washington Staff post 11567806 trump east potomac park split https://media.nbcwashington.com/2026/10/trump-east-potomac-park-split.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1200,675 “Our Plan, developed to the Highest Levels and Standards of Golf, will turn Trash Island into an Island of Beauty and Success!" the president said.

          President Donald Trump slammed the golf course in D.C.’s East Potomac Park and said in an overnight photo dump on Truth Social that his administration should be allowed to turn the “broken” course on “Trash Island” into one of the world’s best.

          “Our Plan, developed to the Highest Levels and Standards of Golf, will turn Trash Island into an Island of Beauty and Success! It will be one of the Most Wonderful and Spectacular Golf Courses anywhere in the World,” Trump said in one of two posts.

          A judge’s temporary restraining order to stop tree cutting in the park remains in effect until next week. Crews have already cut down more than 400 trees.

          Trump wants to create a championship-style golf course that would stretch from seawall to seawall, covering the entire peninsula. It would replace the current 18-hole and 9-hole courses, the mini golf course and the perimeter road used by cyclists, runners and walkers.

          East Potomac Park was created by an act of Congress in the late 1800s and later codified into D.C. law “to be forever held and used as a park for the recreation and pleasure of the people.”

          Get the D.C. area’s top news and weather delivered to your inbox every morning. Sign up for First & 4Most, our free newsletter.

          Tue, Oct 20 2026 12:50:43 PM Tue, Oct 20 2026 12:51:07 PM ) [1] => 1 ) ) [2] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/rsslib.php [line] => 154 [function] => RSS_RetrieveLinks [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y ) ) [3] => Array ( [file] => /home/troachne/domains/troach.org/public_html/news/us_national.php [line] => 250 [function] => RSS_Links [args] => Array ( [0] => https://www.nbcwashington.com/?rss=y [1] => 9 ) ) )

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