Officials emphasize there are currently no credible threats against any of the scheduled events, but they will continue to monitor any evolving information.

鈥淲e expect there are going to be large crowds, but what exactly it looks like will depend on a lot of things,鈥� said Interim D.C. Police Chief Jeffery Carroll. 鈥淭he weather will play a role and the heat.鈥�

During a Wednesday news conference, Carroll spoke alongside officials from U.S. Park Police, Secret Service, various city agencies and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

Road closures and parking restrictions took effect Thursday in anticipation of tens of thousands of people expected to crowd Downtown this weekend.

Carroll announced that D.C. police is on full activation.

鈥淲hat that means is all MPD officers are working 12-hour shifts to make sure we have adequate staffing across the District for these events and to be inside our patrol districts,鈥� Carroll said, adding officers are responsible for not just coverage of the many national events Downtown, but they must also continue to provide routine service in D.C. neighborhoods.

Carroll also said D.C. Fire & EMS and the Office of Unified Communications, which runs the call centers for 911 and 311, and are also beefing up staff.

鈥淲hen it comes to threats and response to threats, we have no lack of imagination of what might be coming at us,鈥� said Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service Washington Field Office Tara McCleese. 鈥淲e all talk almost every day, and anything that could be perceived as a threat is thoroughly investigated by our agency.鈥�

McCleese said federal and local law enforcement have a long-standing relationship and work together during large events.

鈥淥ne of the differences between this year and others is it鈥檚 the 250th, and so everything is bigger,鈥� said D.C. Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Lindsey Appiah. 鈥淲e expect hundreds of thousands of people. That鈥檚 typical in the District, and so we welcome that and are prepared for that and have been working with our partners because of that increased security posture.鈥�

Months of planning and preparation for the busy summer kicks off this weekend with the UFC Freedom 250 event on Sunday evening on the South Lawn of the White House.

Heightened security, along with road closures and parking restrictions, will be in place from Thursday through Monday, June 15. Metro Assistant General Manager Andy Off said the system would be open until 1 a.m. Sunday to accommodate riders.

Stay with WTOP for the latest in road closures and other scheduled changes.

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Holding signs reading “Save Friendship Heights” and “Stop Greed,” residents of the neighborhood on the D.C.-Montgomery County border staged a protest against the proposed redevelopment of the former GEICO headquarters on Western Avenue.

The protest was held Tuesday at the intersection of Willard Ave. and Friendship Blvd., down the street from a public planning board meeting at Wisconsin Place Recreation Center.

While some protesters attended the meeting, issues related to the GEICO redevelopment were not expected to be addressed.

Leadership of the Village of Friendship Heights filed suit in Montgomery County Circuit Court on May 13, saying the developer and county planners materially changed binding agreements reached in 1998.

“It’s really important that those binding elements be followed, and that’s why we’re suing,” said Francine Klein, who was involving in bringing the lawsuit.

A court will decide whether project elements, including an allowance for taller buildings and the conservation of certain trees on the site, should remain as part of the current plan.

“We woke up really one day to see that GEICO and EYA, two wealthy companies, made a deal to take over the area,” said Marvin, a protester who lives in Friendship Heights.

The lawsuit does not stop the project from moving forward, but the court’s decision could affect its progress.

The proposal would replace GEICO’s mid-century building with a new, transit-oriented development, transforming the current 26-acre campus and its surface parking lots with housing and retail.

According to from developer EYA, the plan includes up to 520 residential units along with added green space.

The lawsuit names the developer, known as Friendship Commons Partners, LLC, which include EYA and Bernstein Management Corp., as well as the Montgomery County Council and Planning Board, as defendants.

An answer to the suit is due June 18.

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In early May, the vendor handling state printing sent the wrong Democratic and Republican ballots to some voters. The vendor, Taylor Print & Visual Impressions Inc., admitted the mistake and agreed to issue replacement ballots at no charge to the state.

The confusion stemmed from voters who had already returned their original ballot, including some who received a ballot with the incorrect party affiliation.

At the emergency meeting, held just two days before early in-person voting begins in Maryland, the elections board unanimously approved a set of protocols that voids the original mail-in ballots in the state’s voter registration system if a voter received a replacement ballot. That will make it so only the replacement ballots, mailed as of May 27, will be counted.

However, if a voter already returned an original ballot for the wrong party, it will still count, but only in nonpartisan races such as the state board of education, the elections board said.

If a voter returned an original ballot and also returns a mailed replacement ballot, only the replacement ballot will be counted.

And if a voter returns an original ballot and also votes with a provisional ballot at an in-person voting site, the provisional ballot will be counted.

who want more information about what officials admit is a confusing situation.

“We want to make sure the canvass goes along smoothly and as transparent as possible for this issue with the vendor and with mail-in ballots here,” Maryland State Board of Elections Administrator Jim DeMarinis said at the meeting.

Voters who want to turn in their ballots before Election Day can use drop boxes, early voting centers, local election offices or mail them in if they’re postmarked by June 23. Mail-in ballots can also be dropped off at polling places on Election Day.

Early voting starts Thursday and runs through June 18. Maryland’s primary election is June 23.

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The 12,000-square-foot space, located at 737 7th Street in Northwest D.C. will open Monday, displaying nearly 3.5 million documents, along with thousands of videos and photos. Altogether, the material weighs nearly 17,000 pounds, according to the , the group behind the display.

“How does the public know what 3.5 million files looks like? It’s hard to really grasp,” said David Garrett, an organizer with the IPF.

He said he wants the public to appreciate the sheer volume of information into what he called one of the most horrific crimes in U.S. history. Visitors will be allowed to review almost all of the documents. They will not be able to see the names of victims, which were supposed to be redacted in the original release in January but were not omitted, something the Justice Department admits was a mistake.

Garrett said the display drew more than 10,000 people when it was in New York City between May 8 and May 21. Formally named the “Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein Memorial Reading Room,” the pop-up space in D.C. spans two floors and contains more than 3,400 volumes of printed information. The display has more than 85 million online interactions.

The centerpiece of the exhibit is a timeline documenting the relationship between Jeffrey Epstein and President Donald Trump.

“We show all of his (Epstein’s) allegations of sexual assault and his convictions,” said Garrett.

“And then we got a timeline for Donald Trump and all of his dozens of allegations of sexual assault and his felony convictions, and then in the middle we show all of those famous photos of them together and the birthday card,” Garrett said, referring to a lewd message sent to Epstein in 2003, purportedly by Trump.

Trump denies he sent or signed the card and he has also denied having any involvement in Epstein’s criminal activity. Epstein committed suicide in jail in 2019.

Garrett told WTOP this is part of an effort to pressure Congress into conducting what he called a “legitimate investigation” and to pressure the Justice Department to release the remaining approximately 2.5 million pieces of evidence.

“When you’re scrolling your phone, and you see a cat video and a birthday party and then evidence of one of the most horrific crimes in American history, they all kind of run together,” said Garrett.

“We just wanted to do something where people could really understand the full weight and gravity of this horrific case,” he said.

Garrett said the effort is an attempt to bring the Epstein files out of digital obscurity and into a physical space where the scale of the evidence can be seen physically by the public. And, he said, they’re considering bringing the display to other cities in the U.S.

“We’re looking at Dallas, Des Moines, Charlotte, maybe Palm Beach,” Garrett said. “We think there are a lot of interesting places we can go.”

聽are required to enter the free display.

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The findings stemmed from the Arlington County Police Department that was published last week.

Authorities found that the overall crime rate declined by 10.9%, according to the report.

Reported crimes against persons had a marginal increase of .5%. The report said that increase was largely driven by a rise in intimidation offenses.

The most commonly reported crime 鈥� crimes against property 鈥� declined by 14.9%, with significant decreases in most subcategories, according to the report.

Reported crimes against society slightly increased by 1.7%, primarily driven by drug equipment violations, the report said.

“Officers and professional staff continued to make transportation safety a key area of focus through a two-pronged approach of education and enforcement,” said Arlington County Chief Andy Penn.

“Proactive efforts to keep our roadways safe for all travelers resulted in an increase of traffic citations and warnings by 25.9%, an increase of parking citations and warnings by 10.2% and an increase in DUI arrests by 46.1%,” the chief said.

Penn said staffing remains a significant challenge for his department and within the law enforcement profession. that starting pay for officers would increase to $90,012, and that other officer ranks would receive pay increases.

“The success of our agency is a direct reflection of the outstanding work our officers and professional staff perform in service to the Arlington community,” he said.

“We are fortunate to have such a dedicated and professional team committed to public safety. I continue to be incredibly proud of the work they perform each and every day,” he said.

Penn had also credited the PhotoSPEED automated safety program, which saw 18 additional traffic cameras enrolled in the initiative. He said the expansion helped to bolster safety efforts within county school zones.

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If you think it鈥檚 expensive to fill up your car, try fueling up a boat.

Fuel prices run higher on the water for a number of reasons: Insurance at marinas is generally higher than at land-based gas stations. Marinas usually have a lot of specialized dock maintenance. And, with a compressed season, marinas 鈥� particularly those in Maryland, Virginia and D.C. 鈥� have just a few months to turn a profit.

But the prices per gallon are more than a dollar higher than they were a year ago.

As of Friday, The Wharf Marina was charging $6.17 for diesel and $6.63 for gasoline. James Creek Marina had diesel for $6.15 and gas for $6.50 per gallon. National Harbor was selling gas for $6.45 per gallon and reported a malfunction with its diesel system, so a price was not available. Columbia Island Marina does not sell diesel, but gas was $6.60 a gallon.

The higher fuel prices are causing some to adjust their boating behavior.

鈥淚 just took the boat out last weekend, and we didn鈥檛 go fast. We went at a snail鈥檚 pace because we didn鈥檛 want to use that much fuel. It鈥檚 expensive,鈥� said Jodie Knox, who has a boat at Capital Yacht Club. 鈥淲e have a 53-foot boat, and we probably went about 7 knots, so that鈥檚 pretty slow to go all the way to Mount Vernon because we didn鈥檛 want to burn that much.鈥�

鈥淚 usually fill up the fuel at the end of the season, and I鈥檓 so glad I did that last year because I鈥檓 starting with a full tank this summer, but I鈥檓 going to be really conservative with it until the prices come back down,鈥� Knox said.

鈥淲e鈥檙e not going to go very far on trips this summer until I see the fuel prices come down,鈥� said Jon Love of Ashburn, Virginia, who keeps a boat at The Wharf. 鈥淣ormally by now, I would have gone up on the bay or taken a long ride down the Potomac.鈥�

鈥淚鈥檝e been shortening my rides, and, hopefully, I won鈥檛 buy as much fuel,鈥� Love said.

鈥淭hat changes how much we go boating,鈥� said Tim Locke, who lives aboard at Capital Yacht Club.

鈥淲e often would take our boat down to Colonial Beach or someplace like that. But we鈥檙e not going to. We鈥檙e going to instead drive and save money with an Airbnb, and we鈥檙e not going to go boating. We鈥檒l wind up boating less,鈥� Locke said.

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Everyone agrees that the river is in remarkably better shape than it was just a decade ago. But with threats like climate change and increased development and degrading infrastructure, vigilance is needed now more than ever.

Consider the devastating sewage pipe rupture in the Potomac River on Jan. 19, allowing hundreds of millions of gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River. Even though the Anacostia River seems to have dodged serious damage from that, many advocates said that the incident shows just how swiftly situations can change in an already fragile environment.

“I would characterize the Anacostia River as a river in recovery,” said Chris Williams, president and CEO of the Anacostia Watershed Society.

“We’re seeing wildlife vote with their feet; we’re seeing beavers and otters come back to the river after they had disappeared for a long period of time. We’re seeing the river coming back to health, so there’s still a lot of work to be done.”

Much of that work includes keeping pressure on local governments to continue to invest in storm drain runoff protections.

“We need the District, Montgomery County and Prince George’s County to really reinvest and then invest more in stormwater regulation and stormwater control,” said Anacostia Riverkeeper Trey Sherard. “That’s how all of this crap is getting into the river in the first place.”

Both Williams and Sherard credit D.C. Water’s Clean Rivers Program, a multibillion-dollar project to construct tunnels underneath the city, as a major reason for the improving health of the Anacostia River.

Two tunnels are already in place, creating extra capacity underground for when overflows occur during heavy rain events. Since the most recent tunnel went into service, officials said there hasn’t been a single combined sewer overflow in the last two-and-a-half years.

Last year, the Anacostia Watershed Society gave the river a grade of “D,” the second-highest grade since the organization began grading.

For Williams, healing the Anacostia isn’t just about healing a waterway; it’s about reconciling past social injustices. As the Anacostia became more and more polluted decades ago, marginalized communities began to relocate, displaced by gentrified neighborhoods west of the river.

And with the construction of Interstate 295, that put another wedge between the people who live east of the river and the rest of the city.

“The polluted Anacostia River became a barrier, separating those folks from the rest of the city,” said Williams.

“We want the river to come back to life as an ecological and environmental treasure. 鈥� But we also want it to come back to life for the benefit of those people so that those folks can benefit from the improvement of the very resource that has caused some suffering for them for so long.”

Editor’s Note: Trey Sherard is with the Anacostia Riverkeeper. The article has been corrected.聽

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That might sound routine, but a new dashboard launched Wednesday will let anyone monitor the water condition and quality in real time.

The Reservoir Center for Water Solutions in the Navy Yard helped create the , which allows users to log onto their computer or mobile device and access data uploaded from the floating monitors.

“Being able to monitor the quality of our water is a really important thing for us to do because we know it is fragile,” said D.C. Council Member Charles Allen, of Ward 6.

Allen pointed to the disastrous sewage spill in the Anacostia River Jan. 19 as a reason why quick access to data is needed.

“For the person who’s just trying to figure out, ‘Can I go sailing today? Can I go jump on a paddleboard, can I get in a kayak or canoe and get out on the water? Can I go fishing today?’ It’s really accessible information,” Allen said.

The company Xylem Water Solutions donated several “Bobs,” named that because they look like yellow and white fishing bobbers, according to the initiative.

They will be monitored and maintained by several local water quality advocacy groups which partnered with Reservoir Center on the program: the , the and the .

WTOP/Alan Etter

WTOP/Alan Etter

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Virginia Rep. Don Beyer, who grew up on the Potomac River, had high praise for the innovation and said it will be a key tool in monitoring the health of the rivers.

“The whole notion of being able to report on a daily basis 鈥� an hourly basis 鈥� what’s happening in the river makes an enormous difference,” Beyer said.

The real-time data is available at . Once there, you click on “view map” and select the buoy of your choice.

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Before the press conference, was displayed, showing three individuals dumping trash near the intersection of Palmer Road and Tucker Road on April 25.

Assistance police Chief George Nichols said they were able to identify two of the three individuals in the video and have brought charges against them. The third is still at large, according to Chief Nichols, and he asked for the public’s assistance in locating the man.

Braveboy used the incident to highlight ongoing concerns about illegally discarded trash in communities across the county.

“The roadways and public spaces of Prince George’s County should lead to opportunity, not be aligned with illegal debris,” Braveboy said. “They should reflect the pride we have in our communities, not the neglect of those who refuse to respect our roads or us as residents.”

Braveboy added that illegal dumping can bring criminal activity, lower property values and additional cost burdens to taxpayers.

The initiative, according to leaders, is aimed at improving the quality of life in the county and to hold violators accountable.

Chief Nichols encouraged residents to call 911 if they witness illegal dumping, calling it a “crime in progress.” He also said that Prince George’s County Crime Solvers will now pay $250 for information leading to an arrest and conviction, adding that illegal dumping is a serious issue in the eyes of the law.

“From small minor household items, you can receive a monetary fine of $1,500 to large commercial items up to $30,000 and imprisonment,” said Nichols.

“To anyone who believes they can trash our communities,” said Braveboy, addressing potential violators, “We will find you, we will charge you and we will work with the state’s attorney’s office to prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”

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“We’re celebrating Pride Month in the gayest city in the world,” Mayor Bowser said in front of a crowd of about 60 people, including city council members and other leaders. “Fifty-one years of pride in the future 51st state, and both movements are rooted in the same belief: Every person deserves to be seen, heard and fully represented.”

The gathering included vendors and advocates who work extensively with the city’s LGBTQ+ community.

“When we look at Washington, D.C., they see this city as one of most welcoming and affirming cities in the world for LGBTQ+ people,” said Japer Bowles, director of the Mayor’s Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Affairs.

This year marks the 20th year the District has had an Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs. Bowles has been the director since 2021, and said he is “floored” by how much D.C. is respected in the eyes of his community.

“There were people who believed our community would never fully be seen,” Bowles said. “There were people who believed that equality was something to be postponed, delayed or denied. And yet here we stand.”

“We speak with one clear voice,” Bowser said. “D.C., of course, is a welcoming city, but also we know that our work has been robust, but it is not done.”

After the speeches were done, Bowser, Bowles and city leaders gathered around a flagpole and raised a District flag with a multicolored pride flag attached underneath. Bowser said the flag represents the city’s commitment to serve all its citizens equally and with respect.

Last year, the District hosted a number of events related to World Pride, celebrating 50 years of the Pride movement. Along with a host of Pride-related events throughout the month in D.C., the mayor’s office highlighted several in which Bowser and her office will be directly involved, including the and the .

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Ronnie Bookhardt, 64, pleaded guilty to one count of arson on Feb. 9, which led to his sentence, including three years of supervised release.

Prosecutors said Bookhardt was captured on surveillance video entering a stairwell in the four-story apartment building at 601 L St. in Southeast D.C. before 4:50 a.m. on Oct. 20, 2022.

Video showed him stopping outside an apartment where some family members lived, pouring gasoline on the floor and then lighting it before walking away.

The fire quickly spread, but the building鈥檚 sprinkler system activated and helped to contain the flames.

The damages were over $200,000, but no residents were injured.

According to court documents, the fire was sparked by an ongoing dispute between Bookhardt and members of his family who lived in the building.

He was arrested two days after the fire and has been held behind bars since then.

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The race, dubbed the , will wind through the streets of Downtown D.C.

Ed Carpenter, owner and driver at Ed Carpenter Racing, made a pit stop at WTOP on Wednesday to talk about the upcoming race.

“It’s going to be an amazing, unique event 鈥� obviously celebrating our country’s 250th birthday,” said Carpenter, whose team, which includes two other drivers, will participate. “It’s going to be a unique and iconic event for us, racing around the Mall and having the Capitol in the background. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The track, which circles the Mall between 3rd and 9th streets, utilizing Pennsylvania, Maryland and Independence avenues, is 1.66 miles and includes seven turns. Construction is underway now to erect bleachers along the course. Those who visit the Grand Prix website can take a virtual tour of the track and register for free tickets to attend the event. Supporting events will take place Aug. 22 before the main race Aug. 23.

Carpenter, who is tied for the most Indy 500 starts without a victory at 22, will also participate in the 2026 Indianapolis 500 race on Sunday.

“It’ll be my 23rd attempt at the Indy 500, so I’ve been doing it a long time,” Carpenter said. “It’s still extremely special every year. It’s the largest single-day sporting event in the world, so it’s an honor to be part of it.”

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In a , police said they received a call at approximately 4:30 p.m. Thursday about someone wearing the costume with cowboy boots who was following children along the Lafayette Boulevard corridor.

“Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to authorities immediately,” the post reads.

Police did not say whether there were any interactions between the subject and any child. There have not been any reports of injuries.

Patrols have been increased in the area out of an abundance of caution, police said.

“Anyone who has seen or interacted with the suspect is urged to contact the Fredericksburg Police Department at 540-373-3122,” the post says.

To make an anonymous tip, the post said, text 847-411 and text 鈥淔PDtip鈥� followed by the tip. Or, download the free FPD Tip app available for Android and iPhones.

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Imagine walking along the beach and looking up in the sky, and you see a distressed aircraft headed right for you.

That鈥檚 what happened Monday evening in Ocean City, Maryland, as a pilot of a light plane having mechanical problems had to land the aircraft on the beach around 94th Street, according to local authorities.

In a on the Ocean City Fire Department’s Facebook page, a small blue and white 1970 Cessna model 150 aircraft can be seen with its tail tipped up in the air and the propeller in the sand.

“It’s something you certainly don’t see very often, thankfully,” said Elena Russo, a spokesperson for Maryland State Police.

Russo said emergency units, including the fire department and police department, were dispatched around 5:45 p.m. Monday for the report of a plane crash.

The plane took off from the Ocean City Municipal Airport, and the occupants immediately realized something was wrong.

“They were having engine problems,” Russo said. “And what they had done is try to land on the beach, which is exactly what they did.”

When they arrived, Russo said they found the single engine plane with its occupants, a husband and wife, outside the aircraft, apparently unhurt. The couple refused medical treatment on the scene.

“No one on the beach was injured,” Russo said. “We’re very fortunate in many ways that this didn’t end differently.”

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the emergency landing.

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Deputies said the baby was found in the area of Coriander Lane and Embrey Mill Road, near Embrey Mill Park.

A sheriff’s office spokesperson said an “alert citizen” found the baby and called authorities.

“We can confirm the baby is safe and is currently receiving care and support from medical professionals,” said Jackson Arnold, public information officer for the sheriff’s office. “It’s still an ongoing investigation, but we are concerned for the child’s mother and/or father.”

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office about a large police presence nearby the Embrey Mill Park at around 5 p.m. and asked the public avoid the area as deputies investigated.

Deputies don’t know how the baby got there, and the sheriff’s office is not releasing any more identifying information about the child.

“We’re working to just reunite a family and ensure everyone involved receives the support they need,” Arnold said.

The baby is in good health, according to authorities, who are asking anyone with information to come forward to assist in their investigation.

“Any residents or businesses in the area are asked to review any available security or doorbell camera footage from May 12, 2026, between 12 p.m. and 3:10 p.m.,” Arnold said.

Tips can be called in to the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office at 540-658-4400.

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