Thomas Robertson – WTOP 太子探花 Washington's Top 太子探花 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 22:44:20 +0000 en-US hourly 1 /wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Wtop太子探花Logo_500x500-150x150.png Thomas Robertson – WTOP 太子探花 32 32 Springfield man convicted of possession of child sex abuse images /crime/2026/07/springfield-man-convicted-of-possession-of-child-sex-abuse-images/ Mon, 20 Jul 2026 22:44:20 +0000 /?p=29448899 A Springfield, Virginia, man who prosecutors said admitted to having 4 million images of child sexual abuse material was convicted Monday on related charges.

Police began investigating 39-year-old Nathaniel Lee, who worked as a tax preparer and Franconia Museum guide, in December 2022. Lee was requesting child sex abuse images on the file sharing network Freenet, prosecutors said.

When officers executed a search warrant in June 2024, they took multiple devices of Lee’s that contained a “large volume” of images and videos depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Lee would later admit to possessing around 4 million images of child sex abuse material, according to prosecutors.

Lee was convicted Monday following a bench trial on three total counts in connection to his possession of the images and is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 6.

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Washington Capitals release 2026-27 schedule /washington-capitals/2026/07/washington-capitals-release-2026-27-schedule/ Thu, 16 Jul 2026 20:46:10 +0000 /?p=29437478 The Washington Capitals have released their 2026-27 regular season schedule, and the expanded 84-game campaign begins with a date with the defending champs in their own barn.

The Capitals open their season Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. against the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center before heading to Tampa to face the Lightning the very next day, the team announced Thursday. That is the first of 14 sets of back-to-back games for the Caps.

Washington will host its first game of the season Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m. against their archrivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

For those families who celebrate Capsgiving, Washington will again be hosting games on the day before and the day after the Thanksgiving holiday. The Capitals host Philadelphia Nov. 25 and Florida comes to town Nov. 27.

The Caps also have a home game the day after Christmas against Columbus and on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 14, against the Utah Mammoth at 1 p.m.

Washington’s schedule pauses from Feb. 4-12, overlapping with the 2027 NHL All-Star Weekend on Feb. 5 and 6.

View the .

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Washington Nationals 1st-round pick from Potomac Md. signs contract /washington-nationals/2026/07/washington-nationals-1st-round-pick-from-potomac-md-signs-contract/ Thu, 16 Jul 2026 19:32:14 +0000 /?p=29437225 Washington Nationals’ first-round draft pick Chris Hacopian inked his first professional contract Wednesday, a moment made sweeter by the fact it was just a 30-minute drive from home to get to Nationals Park and put pen to paper.

The 21-year-old second baseman and 11th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft has deep ties to the D.C. region. He’s from Potomac, Maryland, and played his high school ball at Winston Churchill, where he was named the 2022 Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year and a 2022 Washington Post All-Met selection.

According to MLB.com, Hacopian grew up a Nationals fan, admiring the likes of Ian Desmond, Danny Espinosa and others. He also played his first two collegiate seasons at the University of Maryland, where his father Derek played before him, before transferring to Texas A&M for his junior season.

With the Aggies, Hacopian hit .319 with 11 home runs and 41 RBI across 42 games en route to being named First-Team All-Southeastern Conference and a Third-Team All-American by Baseball America, the Nationals said in a news release.

After inking his contract Wednesday, Hacopian donned his new jersey and ball cap and stepped onto D.C.’s beloved diamond as a part of the Nationals organization for the first time.

“That was so cool, oh my gosh. I’ve been in the stands like, 100 times, but being on the field is so different,” he said.

Hacopian was ranked 14th among MLB Draft prospects by MLB.com. The 6-foot-1-inch, 210-pound second baseman boasted one of the best bats in college baseball, according to MLB.com, with excellent control over the strike zone and feel for the barrel, along with solid pop.

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Former Montgomery Co. teacher convicted of selling fentanyl to serve 12 years in prison /montgomery-county/2026/07/former-montgomery-co-teacher-convicted-of-selling-fentanyl-to-serve-12-years-in-prison/ Wed, 15 Jul 2026 21:54:09 +0000 /?p=29433867 A former first grade teacher in Montgomery County Public Schools was sentenced Wednesday to more than 12 years in prison for selling fentanyl, leading to a fatal overdose.

Sarah Katherine Magid, 36, was a teacher at Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary School in Silver Spring, Maryland, at the time of her arrest in 2024 on charges related to drug distribution. According to court documents, Magid sold fentanyl in March 2024 to a man who was found dead from an overdose just two days after the transaction.

The investigation into Magid also revealed texts that indicated she would step outside the school to sell drugs during school hours.

Texts in the charging documents show the man who fatally overdosed in March 2024 asking Magid for pills on numerous occasions, specifically 鈥淴ans,鈥 slang for the benzodiazepine Xanax. There was also evidence of benzodiazepines in the man鈥檚 system when he overdosed.

Just two days before the man was found dead, message transcripts in charging documents show he was texting with Magid throughout the day to arrange the delivery of 30 pills. When the man had picked up 30 pills for Magid, she responded saying, 鈥淚鈥檒l give you 1 (one) I guess,鈥 followed by a message reading, 鈥淎s long as it鈥檚 30.鈥

Hours later, charging documents say Magid informed the man she was getting 鈥渂ars,鈥 slang for a specific rectangular shape of Xanax. The man responded by saying, 鈥($)16 for a bar?鈥 followed by, 鈥淚鈥檒l get 2.鈥

That night, March 23, the man texted Magid saying he believed the pills were fake and Magid began assuring him that was not the case, charging documents said. In the early morning hours, he texted Magid that he鈥檇 changed his mind and believed the pills were real.

On the morning of March 24, Magid texted the man, 鈥淯 want more xans lmk,鈥 charging documents stated. Magid continued to text the man throughout the day and the following days and got no response.

The man was found dead the night of March 25.

Magid was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis also ordered Magid to pay restitution of just over $25,000 for costs associated with the funeral of the man who overdosed.

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1 person dead after small plane crashes near Fredericksburg /virginia/2026/07/small-plane-crashes-near-fredericksburg/ Tue, 14 Jul 2026 19:36:37 +0000 /?p=29430696

One person is dead after a small plane crashed Tuesday near Fredericksburg, Virginia.

The small plane, a Montana Coyote, crashed at 11:05 a.m. Tuesday near Shannon Airport. The only occupant, 78-year-old Rowland Babcock Jr., of Ruther Glen, Virginia, died as result of the crash.

The single-engine, two-seat plane went down at the Greenline Service Corporation, a tractor dealer across the street from the airport.

“I can see where the plane 鈥 a single-engine, home-built, short takeoff and landing aircraft, and it is crumpled at the end of the parking lot around a lot of the tractor equipment,” WTOP’s Jimmy Alexander reported from the scene.

“As I was standing here I just watched a plane fly over, and I guess that the landing path that they fly right over this parking lot, all the time. The airport is literally across the street from this John Deere tractor store,” Alexander said.

The National Transportation Safety Board said in a post on X it was investigating the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration has also been notified, Virginia State Police said.

Tuesday afternoon, the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office said in a post on social media there was a large emergency personnel presence near Shannon Airport.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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Gunman who killed 2 at 2020 Halloween party in Dale City sentenced to 143 years /prince-william-county/2026/07/gunman-who-killed-2-at-2020-halloween-party-in-dale-city-sentenced-to-143-years/ Mon, 13 Jul 2026 19:16:33 +0000 /?p=29427971 The man convicted of murdering two people at a Halloween party in Dale City, Virginia, in 2020 will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Karriem Jackson, now 31, was found guilty last summer of fatally shooting 24-year-old Christopher Alan Johnson and 25-year-old Frank Chineji Sapele. The shooting happened in the early morning hours of Nov. 1, 2020, at a house party in Dale City. Two other people were seriously injured.

Jackson was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated malicious wounding and several weapons violations.

Prince William County Circuit Court Judge Robert Coleman sentenced Jackson last week to 198 years in prison with 55 years suspended 鈥 effectively 143 years behind bars.

“It is a tragedy that two lives were ended in a senseless act of gun violence. While the sentence imposed today cannot bring the victims back, it does send a clear message that this kind of violent criminal behavior will not be tolerated in our community,” Prince William County Commonwealth鈥檚 Attorney Amy Ashworth said.

According to Ashworth’s office, Jackson got into an argument at the party with someone who lived at the home, which escalated into a physical fight during which Jackson pistol whipped the individual. Jackson was told to leave, at which point he fired multiple rounds into the crowd, killing Johnson and Sapele and seriously injuring two other partygoers.

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Health officials warn of potential rabies exposure in Loudoun County, elsewhere /health-fitness/2026/07/health-officials-warn-of-potential-rabies-exposure-in-loudoun-co-elsewhere/ Fri, 10 Jul 2026 20:41:01 +0000 /?p=29420547&preview=true&preview_id=29420547 Health officials in Loudoun County, Virginia, are asking people who may have been exposed to a rabid cat in the South Riding area to contact their doctor as soon as possible.

One person had contact with the cat, which later tested positive for rabies, on June 18 at a veterinary facility in the county. The Loudoun County Health Department is working with this individual for proper treatment, the department said in a news release.

The cat, which was euthanized June 26, was an average-sized brown tiger/tabby cat with white feet and white markings on her face and had no collar or microchip, according to health officials. The cat was seen with five kittens with gray and white fur and black striped markings.

Before the cat was euthanized, it was seen with its kittens near the intersection of Crossfield Drive and Center Street in the South Riding area, just west of Loudoun County Parkway.

Anyone who thinks they may have been in contact with the cat or kittens between June 6 and June 16 should contact their healthcare provider or the Loudoun County Health Department at 703-777-0234 or via email.

There have been several reports of rabid animals in the region this year. Across the state, 117 animals tested positive for the virus during the first three months of the year, including a bat and a skunk in Culpeper County, and three raccoons and a skunk in Fauquier County.

No human exposures have been reported, and Virginia has reported only two human cases of rabies since 2009, according to the state’s health department.

In Maryland, officials at the Carroll County Health Department are asking anyone who attended a fireworks display on July 3 in Mount Airy to get evaluated for possible rabies exposure after bats were scared out of trees as the fireworks began.

, county health officials warned of potential exposure.

鈥淏at bites are very small and may not be noticeable. If you had contact with a bat, get a rabies risk assessment to make sure you get treatment if needed,鈥 said Joe Mancuso, rabies program manager with the Carroll County Health Department.

The bottom line, “Avoid contact with wild animals and unfamiliar pets,” said Dr. Zelalem Attlee with the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health Department.

Attlee said officials are not noticing a spike in confirmed rabies cases but that it’s never a bad time to remind the public that there is a potential danger for infection, especially among animals such as raccoons, ferrets, bats and cats. He said any animal that spends time outdoors potentially interacting with wild animals is at risk.

Attlee advised immediate action if a person thinks they have been exposed.

“Seek medical care immediately. Do not wait for symptoms,” Attlee said.

If you’re bitten by an animal, wash the wound immediately with soap and water, and use rubbing alcohol if it’s available. If a pet has been exposed, Attlee recommended immediately contacting a veterinarian.

“If possible, safely identify the animal so it can be evaluated or tested,” Attlee said. “Do not attempt to capture it yourself.”

Symptoms of rabies in humans generally appear after an incubation period of one to three weeks. Early symptoms are much like the flu: Fever, body aches and sore throat. Advanced symptoms include hyperactivity, extreme anxiety, hallucinations and, in severe cases, severe pain in the throat while attempting to drink water.

Pet owners in D.C., Maryland and Virginia are legally required to get their pets vaccinated against rabies by the time they are four months. A booster shot is required one year later.

If not treated, rabies infection is almost always fatal. But with early intervention and treatment, the disease is 100% preventable, according to Attlee.

“Early treatment can prevent rabies and save lives,” he said.

WTOP’s Jessica Kronzer contributed to this report.

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Howard Co. police officers who shot man with autism won’t be charged, Md. AG says /howard-county/2026/07/howard-co-police-officers-who-shot-man-with-autism-wont-be-charged-md-ag-says/ Tue, 07 Jul 2026 20:56:38 +0000 /?p=29412324 The Howard County police officers who fatally shot a man with autism in early March will not faces charges from Maryland’s attorney general.

Police shot and killed 25-year-old Alexander LaMorie on March 1 at the Patuxent Commons in Columbia, an apartment complex with units for seniors and people with disabilities.

LaMorie had called 911 to report he was being harassed and blackmailed, and had made suicidal statements over the phone and to officers who responded, according to the office of Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown.

from the shooting shows LaMorie carrying a knife and approaching officers, ignoring their commands to stop, before he was shot.

The police department’s chief at the time, Gregory Der, announced his retirement days after that footage was released.

Brown’s office’s investigation into the shooting lasted four months and ended Wednesday.

“After completing its investigation and evaluating all the available evidence, the Office of the Attorney General has determined that the subject officers did not commit a crime under Maryland law. Accordingly, the Attorney General has declined to prosecute the subject officers in this case,” a news release from Brown’s office stated Tuesday.

In its full report on the shooting, the attorney general’s Independent Investigations Division stated it considered three criminal offenses when looking at the evidence including violation of Maryland’s use of force statute, voluntary manslaughter and second-degree murder.

The division found there was insufficient evidence to support each one.

Read the .

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Here’s the latest timeline of events on the National Mall for July Fourth /dc/2026/07/heres-the-full-timeline-of-events-on-the-national-mall-for-july-fourth/ Sun, 05 Jul 2026 02:24:05 +0000 /?p=29396223
What to know about celebrating the Fourth of July this year on the National Mall

The full timeline is set for one of the biggest parties of the year in D.C., and there are a lot of changes people planning on flocking to the National Mall to celebrate July Fourth should know about.

Plan for a long day and pack light; events are scheduled deep into the night and new security restrictions are in place that prohibit items once allowed on the Mall.

And because temperatures will hover near the century mark for much of the day, 听听organizers have pushed back when guests can arrive on the Washington Monument grounds.

Full schedule

The fireworks show, which President Donald Trump and his Freedom 250 task force said will be the largest in history, is scheduled to begin until after Trump is scheduled to make his speech at 11 p.m. Guests were initially planned to be allowed to enter the Monument grounds at 1 p.m., but because of the extreme heat, it has been pushed back to 5 p.m.

Freedom 250 also advises that visitors do not begin to line up until 4 p.m. According to a joint statement from the task force, and the National Park service they are expanding “cooling resources, water stations, and medical support across the grounds.”

Military flyovers begin at 1:15 p.m. and continue every hour until sunset, according to Freedom 250, Trump’s task force behind some events tied to the nation’s semiquincentennial and separate from America 250, the bipartisan group funded by Congress. See the full list of times here.

Musical performances will also take place during the day, and the evening live broadcast portion begins at 7 p.m., which will include speakers and music from the Joint Armed Forces Orchestra.

Trump will speak at 9:45 p.m., and the fireworks show will start at 10:30 p.m. and last about 40 minutes, according to Freedom 250. The show will feature 850,000 fireworks shells launched from 10 sites.

How to get in and out

There is no designated parking for the event, and parking around the National Mall is not advisable. Organizers recommended public transportation, or taking a rideshare to the area.

A $15 credit on Lyft rides will be available in D.C., Maryland and Virginia from 4 p.m. on Independence Day until 4 a.m. the following day.

Fares on Metro will be free from 5 p.m. on July Fourth until 2 a.m. The rail system will also increase service starting at 5 p.m. to accommodate larger crowds, Metro .

To get to the security entrance on 14th Street between Constitution and Independence avenues, use the Federal Triangle or Smithsonian stations on the Orange, Blue and Silver lines. Those traveling on the Red Line can exit at Metro Center and walk to avoid a transfer.

Freedom 250 said that will be the primary public entrance.

To get to security entrances at 12th and Madison, 12th and Jefferson, 7th and Madison or 7th and Jefferson, use the L’Enfant Plaza or Archives stations. Those on the Red Line can exit at Gallery Place and walk to avoid a transfer.

If you’re looking to avoid crowds as much as possible while using Metro, alternate stations that are a farther walk to the Mall include Judiciary Square, Union Station, Foggy Bottom, Capitol South and Federal Center SW.

What you can and can’t bring

The list of prohibited items is longer this year, partly due to the fact Trump will be delivering a speech at the event. All guests will also have to pass through security magnetometers before entering.

There is a strict clear bag policy this year, according to Freedom 250, meaning attendees are permitted one clear bag not exceeding 12-by-6-by-12 inches or one small clutch no larger than 10-by-6-by-2 inches.

The states pets other than service or guide animals, balloons, aerosols (including bug spray and sunscreen), bikes, coolers, camping and folding chairs, balls and Frisbees, drink tumblers, vapes, lighters and more are not permitted into the event. Blankets and strollers are allowed.

No on-site storage will be available and any items surrendered at security checkpoints will be thrown out or destroyed.

Do I need a ticket?

Those planning to attend can reserve up to four tickets per phone number. and are free. Registration is recommended, but you do not need to register to attend.

Public viewing areas on the Mall are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The event will also be on Independence Day.

Be weather ready

A scorching heat wave is baking the D.C. area and will continue to do so on the Fourth of July. Attendees should come prepared with permitted sun protection and be sure to hydrate. Organizers recommend those sensitive to air quality issues and loud noise avoid the event.

Children, older adults and those with underlying health conditions should avoid prolonged time outside, as the high temperature July Fourth will approach 100 degrees.

There’s also the possibility for storms in the forecast.

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Blistering heat delays start of Great American State Fair on Saturday /dc/2026/07/blistering-heat-postpones-great-american-state-fair-attendees-cleared-from-national-mall/ Fri, 03 Jul 2026 23:01:41 +0000 /?p=29402256 Stay with WTOP for coverage of America’s semiquincentennial Fourth of July, including fireworks, ‘A Capital Fourth’ concert, and other celebrations. Tune in to 103.5 FM on air, online or via the WTOP app.

Excessive heat forced the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in D.C. to close for a few hours Friday, and the lingering scorching temperatures Saturday have led to a later fair start.

The fair will open Saturday at noon, instead of 10 a.m. The FIFA Fan Zone will also open at noon.

High temperatures hit 100 degrees in D.C. for the second straight day, leading organizers to temporarily close the fair on Friday, which reopened at 5 p.m.

Freedom250, the Trump administration organization behind the fair, said it made the decision to shut the fair down Friday afternoon in coordination with public safety officials.

“The safety and well-being of our guests, volunteers, performers, vendors, and staff is our highest priority. Conditions are expected to improve later this afternoon, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back at 5:00 p.m. as preparations continue for this evening鈥檚 festivities,” the organization .

In a , an announcement to fair guests can be heard.

“Attention fairgoers, the event has been postponed. We will reopen at 5 p.m. Please refer to Freedom250 social media for updates. Please proceed to the nearest exit,” a voice said over event speakers.

Now that the fair has reopened, there will be performances from Hugo Castillo, Mickey Smith Jr. and Grace Moody Miller. The Washington Monument illumination show will also take place for the third night.

Before the fair shut down at around 1 p.m., attendees enjoyed military flyovers, which were rehearsals for Fourth of July flyovers scheduled from morning until night.

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Md. primary election 2026: Local results for county executive, councils /maryland-election/2026/06/md-primary-election-local-results-for-county-executive-councils/ Wed, 24 Jun 2026 16:01:51 +0000 /?p=29364780 Follow WTOP鈥檚 team coverage of听Election 2026听online, on air at 103.5 FM or on the听WTOP 太子探花 app.

Maryland’s primary election Tuesday kicks off an election cycle that will lead to changes in key leadership positions in each layer of government.

While the nation will be watching as voters pick their party nominees for congressional seats and governor, residents across the state also have important decisions to make at the local level.

The state’s most populous counties have contested primaries for county executive, council seats and positions on the board of education. There are also races for state’s attorney and sheriff across the state.

Only contested races are included below. An asterisk denotes an incumbent candidate. For statewide race results, click here.

Anne Arundel County

County executive

County council 鈥 District 1

Democratic candidates
  • Robert Kinney 鈥 494 votes (10.74%)
  • Geonta Simmons 鈥 1,560 votes (33.92%)
  • Kelly Smith 鈥 2,545 votes (55.34%)

County council 鈥 District 2

Democratic candidates
  • Catelyn Middlebrooks 鈥 2,332 votes (56.48%)
  • Will Shorter 鈥 1,797 votes (43.52%)

County council 鈥 District 4

Democratic candidates
  • Julie Hummer* 鈥 4,448 votes (72.56%)
  • Joshua Peters 鈥 1,682 votes (27.44%)

County council 鈥 District 6

Democratic candidates
  • Gavin Buckley 鈥 3,359 votes (46.34%)
  • Katie McDermott 鈥 2,233 votes (30.81%)
  • Dominik Prokop 鈥 601 votes (8.29%)
  • Joe Toolan 鈥 926 votes (12.78%)
  • Sean David White 鈥 129 votes (1.78%)

County council 鈥 District 7

搁别辫耻产濒颈肠补苍听肠补苍诲颈诲补迟别蝉
  • Dillon Aldrich 鈥 742 votes (21.97%)
  • Dawn Pulliam 鈥 2,635 votes (78.03%)

State’s attorney

听Democratic candidates
  • Carolynn Grammas 鈥 15,291 votes (43.24%)
  • Anne Colt Leitess* 鈥 20,071 votes (56.76%)

Sheriff

听Republican candidates
  • Jim Fredericks 鈥 11,613 votes (66.97%)
  • James McNeill 鈥 5,728 votes (33.03%)

Frederick County

County executive

County council 鈥 at-large (vote for up to two)

Democratic candidates Republican candidates
  • Tiffany Grant 鈥 8,215 votes (30.39%)
  • Renee Knapp* 鈥 7,019 votes (25.97%)
  • Sam Newhouse 鈥 5,455 votes (20.18%)
  • Brad Young* 鈥 6,340 votes (23.46%)
  • Pamela Ciliberti 鈥 9,488 votes (48.73%)
  • Jack Felton 鈥 9,981 votes (51.27%)

County council 鈥 District 1

Democratic candidates
  • Jenn Alcorn 鈥 1,042 votes (29.54%)
  • Louisa Conklin 鈥 2,075 votes (58.83%)
  • Eric Smothers 鈥 410 votes (11.62%)

County council 鈥 District 2

Democratic candidates Republican candidates
  • Shelly Beaird-Francois 鈥 988 votes (41.43%)
  • Jamie Shopland 鈥 1,397 votes (58.57%)
  • Kai Burhans 鈥 1,085 votes (36.17%)
  • Dan Iampieri 鈥 1,915 votes (63.83%)

County council 鈥 District 3

Democratic candidates
  • Christian Benford 鈥 1,522 votes (54.36%)
  • Natasha Valencia 鈥 1,278 votes (45.64%)

Sheriff

Howard County

County executive

County council 鈥 District 1

Democratic candidates
  • Kevin Chin 鈥 2,376 votes (43.72%)
  • James David Handley 鈥 1,944 votes (35.77%)
  • Jean Xu 鈥 1,114 votes (20.50%)

County council 鈥 District 2

Democratic candidates
  • Arinze Malcolm Ifekauche 鈥 2,047 votes (37.39%)
  • Jessica Nichols 鈥 3,428 votes (62.61%)

County council 鈥 District 3

Democratic candidates
  • Amir Naviwala 鈥 1,235 votes (22.79%)
  • Christiana Rigby* 鈥 4,183 votes (77.21%)

County council 鈥 District 4

Democratic candidates
  • Linfeng Chen 鈥 1,542 votes (23.74%)
  • Regina Clay 鈥 925 votes (14.24%)
  • Janssen Evelyn 鈥 3,147 votes (48.45%)
  • Shamieka Preston 鈥 882 votes (13.58%)

County council 鈥 District 5

Democratic candidates
  • Cat Carter 鈥 3,178 votes (75.81%)
  • Felita Phillips 鈥 1,014 votes (24.19%)

Montgomery County

County executive

County council 鈥 at-large (vote for up to four)

County council 鈥 District 1

Democratic candidates
  • Drew Morrison 鈥 2,932 votes (18.19%)
  • Debbie Spielberg 鈥 5,054 votes (31.36%)
  • Julie Yang 鈥 8,129 votes (50.44%)

County council 鈥 District 3

Democratic candidates
  • Jud Ashman 鈥 4,931 votes (45.43%)
  • Allison Eriksen 鈥 1,175 votes (10.82%)
  • Izola “Zola” Shaw 鈥 4,749 votes (43.75%)

County council 鈥 District 4

Democratic candidates
  • Paula Bienenfeld 鈥 1,691 votes (11.01%)
  • Kate Stewart* 鈥 12,598 votes (84.02%)
  • Peter “Rocky” Whitesell 鈥 1,067 votes (6.95%)

County council 鈥 District 5

Democratic candidates
  • Charles Kirchman 鈥 1,968 votes (16.85%)
  • Kristin Mink* 鈥 9,714 votes (83.15%)

County council 鈥 District 6

Democratic candidates
  • Natali Fani-Gonz谩lez* 鈥 6,586 votes (63.41%)
  • Sonia Garcia 鈥 3,801 votes (36.59%)

County council 鈥 District 7

Democratic candidates
  • Van Free 鈥 1,418 votes (14.23%)
  • Sharif Hidayat 鈥 2,020 votes (20.27%)
  • Dawn Luedtke* 鈥 6,528 votes (65.50%)

Sheriff

Democratic candidates
  • Will Milam 鈥 48,821 votes (65.41%)
  • Maxwell Cornelius Uy* 鈥 25,814 votes (34.59%)

Prince George’s County

County executive

County council 鈥 at-large (vote for up to two)

Democratic candidates
  • Sean Floyd 鈥 6,388 votes (4.69%)
  • Laura Gilchrest 鈥 9,063 votes (6.66%)
  • Sydney Harrison 鈥 25,411 votes (18.66%)
  • Jolene Ivey* 鈥 47,601 votes (34.96%)
  • Jeana Jacobs 鈥 20,899 votes (15.35%)
  • Jennifer Rios 鈥 6,171 votes (4.53%)
  • Keith Washington 鈥 16,312 votes (11.98%)
  • Noah Emmanuel Waters 鈥 4,300 votes (3.16%)

County council 鈥 District 1

Democratic candidates
  • Michelle Garc铆a 鈥 3.805 votes (63.23%)
  • Martin Mitchell 鈥 2,017 votes (33.52%)
  • Darwin Romero 鈥 196 votes (3.26%)

County council 鈥 District 2

Democratic candidates
  • Daniel Armando Jones 鈥 1,445 votes (40.06%)
  • Victor Ramirez 鈥 2,162 votes (59.94%)

County council 鈥 District 4

Democratic candidates
  • Tim Adams* 鈥 6,549 votes (61.47%)
  • Juliet Agocha 鈥 1,798 votes (16.68%)
  • Euniesha Davis 鈥 2,307 votes (21.65%)

County council 鈥 District 5

Democratic candidates
  • Shayla Adams-Stafford* 鈥 5,662 votes (85.26%)
  • Wynton Johnson Sr. 鈥 979 votes (14.74%)

County council 鈥 District 6

Democratic candidates Republican candidates
  • Danielle Hunter* 鈥 6,507 votes (46.00%)
  • Dominique Lamb 鈥 1,500 votes (10.60%)
  • Joel Peebles Jr. 鈥 5,545 votes (39.20%)
  • Crystal Samonica 鈥 349 votes (2.47%)
  • Bertrand Tessa 鈥 246 votes (1.74%)
  • Michael Jones II 鈥 51 votes (41.46%)
  • Jonathan White 鈥 72 votes (58.54%)

County council 鈥 District 9

Democratic candidates
  • Tamara Davis Brown 鈥 7,350 votes (52.28%)
  • Kim Carter 鈥 456 votes (3.24%)
  • Imara Crooms 鈥 2,489 votes (17.70%)
  • Leslye Dwight 鈥 489 votes (3.48%)
  • Sherman Hardy 鈥 472 votes (3.36%)
  • Jerome Lattisaw 鈥 213 votes (1.51%)
  • Sequan Swint 鈥 70 votes (.50%)
  • Lolita Walker 鈥 2,009 votes (14.29%)
  • Eleanor Washington 鈥 512 votes (3.64%)

State’s attorney

Sheriff

Democratic candidates
  • John D. B. Carr* 鈥 54,765 votes (77.76%)
  • Ron Oliver 鈥 15,667 votes (22.24%)

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Another victory for Democratic socialists in DC, while shadow rep wins crowded at-large council primary /dc-election/2026/06/another-victory-for-democratic-socialists-in-dc-while-shadow-rep-wins-crowded-at-large-council-primary/ Mon, 22 Jun 2026 19:00:30 +0000 /?p=29370744 The D.C. Council is a step closer to welcoming two new faces to the dais; a 32-year-old Democratic socialist and the District’s U.S. shadow representative have emerged victorious in two of the most closely watched council primaries.

Aparna Raj won the nomination in Ward 1, the seat currently held by Brianne Nadeau, who announced last year she would not seek reelection. Raj, a tenant organizer and Democratic socialist, honed in on the issued of affordability during her campaign.

The Associated Press called the race for Raj after it advanced to ranked choice voting. While she has yet to reach more than 50% of the vote, the threshold required to win a ranked choice voting contest, she held 46.7% of the vote as of Monday afternoon, far outpacing her closest competitor, Miguel Trindade Deramo, who had earned 21.4%.

D.C.’s shadow representative in the House of Representatives, Oye Owolewa had won more than double the support of his next closest competitor in a crowded field vying for the Democratic nomination for the at-large council seat being vacated by Anita Bonds.

As of Monday afternoon, Owolewa had 34.4% of the vote to Lisa Raymond’s 15.6% and Kevin Chavous’ 13.3%. The Associated Press called the race for Owolewa, though the ranked choice voting process will continue until he reaches more than 50%.

Owolewa, a pharmacist and the son of Nigerian immigrants, has served as D.C.’s shadow representative since 2021.

By winning the Democratic nomination, Owolewa and Raj cleared the biggest hurdle toward assuming office next year, as Democratic nominees tend to clean up in D.C.’s general elections.

More newcomers to D.C.’s Council may soon follow. Kenyan McDuffie vacated his at-large seat on the council to run for mayor, and听District voters picked Elissa Silverman in a special election to finish the remainder of the term. But another election will take place in November to decide who will hold the seat for the next full term, which starts next year.

Robert White will also likely be leaving the council prematurely after he won the Democratic nomination for D.C.’s delegate to Congress. There are still about two and a half years remaining on his at-large council term, which will be filled through a special election.

Ward 4’s representative on the council, Janeese Lewis George, is likely leaving her seat early too, after she won the Democratic nomination for mayor. Her Ward 4 term also does not expire until the start of 2029 and will need to be filled.

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Bus in deadly Stafford Co. crash traveled nearly half a mile after initial impact, report finds /stafford-county/2026/06/bus-in-deadly-stafford-co-crash-traveled-nearly-half-a-mile-after-initial-impact-report-finds/ Thu, 18 Jun 2026 20:13:25 +0000 /?p=29362069 The charter bus that rammed into cars on Interstate 95 in Virginia, leading to a multivehicle crash in late May that killed five people and injured dozens, traveled almost half a mile after initially striking vehicles that were backed up in traffic before coming to rest, according to a new report.

In its preliminary report on the May 29 crash, the National Transportation Safety Board said the bus, operated by E&P Travel Inc. and driven by 48-year-old Jing Dong, struck two cars at the end of a traffic jam on I-95 in Stafford County just after 2:30 a.m. The bus then, according to the report, continued into traffic for about .44 miles, leading to the involvement of eight additional vehicles in the crash.

Five people who were occupying the first two vehicles struck by the bus were killed, one in a Chevy Suburban and all four occupants in an Acura MDX. More than 40 people were left with injuries ranging from minor to serious, the NTSB said.

Dong, the driver of the bus, has been charged with听five counts of involuntary manslaughter and one misdemeanor count of reckless driving.

He was scheduled for arraignment in Stafford County Circuit Court for June 22, when he will enter a plea. Another preliminary hearing was set for Aug. 28 in General District Court.

Dong was also injured in the crash, and his attorney said Dong was distraught when he woke up in the hospital and learned of the five deaths in the crash.

鈥淲hen he woke up in the hospital and was informed that people lost their lives in this accident, he was devastated by that. He鈥檚 expressed how sorry he is about this incident many times to us,鈥 Thad Furlong said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a genuine remorse. He wished it had never happened.鈥

The cause of the traffic backup the morning of the crash was a 1.6-mile-long short-term work zone for overnight pavement resurfacing. The work zone configuration included closure of the southbound center lane, right lane and right shoulder, according to the NTSB’s preliminary report, released Thursday.

Along with the NTSB, Virginia State Police, Virginia’s Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration are investigating the crash. The NTSB will release a full report, which will include safety recommendations, at the end of its investigation.

WTOP’s Luke Lukert contributed to this report.

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DC primary election results: McDuffie concedes to Lewis George in mayoral contest, Robert White wins in delegate race /dc-election/2026/06/dc-primary-election-results-voters-pick-nominees-for-new-mayor-delegate-ag/ Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:40:18 +0000 /?p=29314647 Follow WTOP鈥檚 team coverage of the D.C. primary and Election 2026 online, on air at 103.5 FM or on the WTOP 太子探花 app. See live results as they come in听after polls close at 8 p.m.

Two days after D.C.’s primary election, Janeese Lewis George is set to become the Democratic nominee in D.C.’s mayoral race after Kenyan McDuffie conceded the race Thursday morning.

In a statement, McDuffie said while the certification process will continue, it is clear that voters “have chosen a different path.” Lewis George and McDuffie, who served together on the D.C. Council, emerged as the two favorites in the mayor’s race after Muriel Bowser announced she would not seek a fourth term.

“Earlier this morning, I called Councilmember Janeese Lewis George to congratulate her on her victory and wish her success as she prepares for the general election,” McDuffie said in a statement. “The campaign may be over, but the work of building a safer, more affordable, more prosperous city continues.鈥

On Tuesday night, nearly three hours after polls closed in D.C.’s primary elections, Lewis George had secured more than 52% of the vote to McDuffie’s nearly 37% after the D.C. Board of Elections released results from over 100,000 ballots. No other candidate had more than 3%. On Wednesday, her lead increased by a tenth of a percent after an additional 8,000 ballots were tallied.

During the campaign, Lewis George laid out more ambitious plans to address affordability issues, including expanding access to universal childcare and developing 72,000 units of housing, a plan McDuffie called unrealistic and just rhetoric.

“This moment is for those who refuse to surrender their hope in a government that works for all of us,” Lewis George said triumphantly Tuesday night.

McDuffie pitched plans he promised to deliver and focused on the issue of public safety, pushing for curfew measures Lewis George is against and saying he’d increase funding and staffing for D.C.’s police department.

Lewis George joins Robert White, who won the Democratic nomination in the race for D.C. delegate to Congress Tuesday night. He cruised to a commanding victory over Brooke Pinto with around 63% of the vote to Pinto’s 21.5%. No other candidate had more than 8%. White said Pinto called him shortly before 11 p.m. Tuesday to concede.

In the contest for attorney general, incumbent Brian Schwalb handily defeated his lone Democratic challenger, J.P. Szymkowicz, for the party nomination. The Associated Press called the race after the first batch of results was released Tuesday night.

The winners of Democratic primaries in D.C. are all but assured to win in November, since nearly 75% of registered voters in the District are Democrats, .

Polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday in the District’s primary elections, but long lines to cast a last-minute vote and the debut of ranked choice voting in D.C. delayed the release of results, with initial numbers not coming in until after 10:30 p.m.

New mayor for first time in 12 years

Lewis George delivered remarks Tuesday night resembling a victory speech, after the first batch of tabulated ballots showed she held a significant edge over McDuffie, outperforming him in almost every corner of the District.

“We are making history by showing this country that the dream of America is still alive in its capital city, that hope can overcome despair, that a people divided can be united again, and as we’ve heard echo down our streets 1,000 times, that a people united will never be defeated,” Lewis George said.

Lewis George is in the middle of her second term as Ward 4’s council member, and previously served in the D.C. Office of the Attorney General as assistant attorney general in the juvenile section of the public safety division.

McDuffie is a more experienced D.C. Council member, serving for more than 13 years before resigning last year to pursue his mayoral run. Previously, he also worked as a prosecutor and later served in former President Barack Obama’s Justice Department.

As D.C. waited hours for results to be released Tuesday night, McDuffie spoke to his supporters.

“As the votes are being counted tonight, we respect this process. We respect this process, and we are going to see it through all the way to the end. We’re going to make sure that people understand that every single vote is going to be counted,” he said.

McDuffie conceded the race Thursday morning.

The successor to DC’s ‘Warrior on the Hill’

It’s been even longer since D.C. had a new delegate to Congress 鈥 36 years, to be exact.

With the exit of Eleanor Holmes Norton, White and Pinto were the front-runners in a field of five Democratic candidates. White, though, got out to an insurmountable lead Tuesday night, with tens of thousands more votes than Pinto with the AP estimating more than 60% of the vote had already been counted. Pinto conceded the race shortly before 11 p.m. Tuesday, White said, and The Associated Press called the race for White shortly after.

He delivered a fiery speech Tuesday night promising to deliver for the D.C. residents who supported him.

“I will not yield the fight for families drowning in the cost of housing, groceries, childcareand healthcare. I will not yield in the fight for workers who did everything right, but lie awake at night wondering how it’s all going to work. I will not yield for the people who have spent their lives waiting for a turn that never seems to come, because our turn will never come unless we demand it,” White said.

White has served on the D.C. Council for nine years and has previously served as legislative counsel to Norton and as director of community outreach for the D.C. Office of the Attorney General.

Pinto is also in the middle of her second term on the D.C. Council, serving as chair of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety. Before that, she worked in the D.C. Office of the Attorney General.

DC’s attorney general fends off challenge


Schwalb is wrapping up his first term as D.C. attorney general. Before assuming the office in 2023, Schwalb served as a trial attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice, then entered private practice and ascended to Venable鈥檚 firmwide vice chairman and partner-in-charge of Venable鈥檚 D.C. office.

He easily defeated his challenger, J.P. Szymkowicz. The AP called the race Tuesday night after Schwalb captured more than 90% of the votes that had been counted.

Szymkowicz, of Szymkowicz & Szymkowicz law firm in D.C., has served as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for Foxhall for seven years and made campaign promises to crack down on crime, predatory landlords and go after those with unpaid traffic violations.

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DC Council primary results: Incumbents win in Wards 5 and 6, other races still undetermined /dc-election/2026/06/dc-primary-election-results-new-faces-to-take-council-seats/ Wed, 17 Jun 2026 04:30:52 +0000 /?p=29314648 Follow WTOP鈥檚 team coverage of the D.C. primary and Election 2026 online, on air at 103.5 FM or on the WTOP 太子探花 app. See live results as they come in after polls close at 8 p.m.

Big changes on the ballot in DC primary as ranked choice voting debuts

Most races in the D.C. Council primaries appear to be heading for a dayslong vote counting process due to ranked choice voting, but two council incumbents won their primaries Tuesday night.

When the D.C. Board of Elections released its interim election results update just before midnight, Ward 5’s Zachary Parker was the first choice of 76.4% voters. In Ward 6, Charles Allen led with 74.4% of the vote. The Associated Press called the races early Wednesday.

Other early results were less definitive.

Special election for remainder of McDuffie’s term

Kenyan McDuffie had to vacate his at-large seat on the council to launch his campaign for mayor as a Democrat, since he was elected to the D.C. Council as an independent under rules requiring some nonmajority-party council members.

Doni Crawford was appointed in January to fill his seat until this election, and she ran against Jacque Patterson and Elissa Silverman to finish the term.

As of late Tuesday, Silverman was leading with 54.8% of the votes.

“Our goal was to hit above 50% so that we would not go 鈥 into ranked choice, so right now it is looking like that might happen, so that’s exciting,” Silverman told WTOP.听

However, only 59% of eligible ballots had been counted.

The D.C. Board of Elections said previously that the first-choice votes under ranked choice voting would be tabulated with in-person votes on and before election day, as well as mail-in ballots processed before June 16.

If elimination rounds are required, the board said it would begin the process once a majority of ballots have been received and processed. The estimated date for the next round of results is June 21 鈥 five days after the primary.

Depending on how many ballots continue to arrive by the June 26 mail-in deadline, the board is planning another release on June 24, and expects to reveal the final tabulation results on or after June 26.

Before her appointment, Crawford was the director for the D.C. Council鈥檚 Committee on Business and Economic Development. Patterson is the president of the D.C. State Board of Education, and Silverman, is a former at-large D.C. Council member.

Another election will be held in November to determine who will hold the seat for its next full term, which begins in 2027.

Ward 1 and full-term at-large Council seats

At-Large Council member Anita Bonds and Ward 1’s Brianne Nadeau left their seats up for grabs when they announced they would not seek reelection.

A crowded field of nine Democratic candidates competed for Bonds’ at-large seat, including Kevin B. Chavous, Bonds’ committee and policy director, whom she endorsed.

But Oye Owolewa, D.C.’s U.S. shadow representative, led the field with 33.8% of the votes. He needed more than 50% of first-round votes to definitively win.

“It might take a few rounds, but I am confident that this leadwill hold and go over the 50-plus-one threshold,” Owolewa told WTOP’s Mike Murillo.

The field also included labor leader Dyana Forester, who’s currently serving as senior director of labor relations for Maryland Gov. Wes Moore; Fred Hill, founder of the Hill Group and former chair of D.C.’s Board of Zoning Adjustment; Greg Jackson, president of the Rocket Foundation and adviser to the Community Justice Action Fund; Leniqua’dominique Jenkins, former advisory neighborhood commissioner, educator and council staffer; Candace Tiana Nelson, former chief of staff to Council member Janeese Lewis George; Dwight Davis, former educator, principal and minister; and Lisa Raymond, former president of the D.C. State Board of Education and former chief of staff for then-D. C. Attorney General Karl Racine.

Five Democratic candidates were in the running to succeed Nadeau in the Ward 1 race. Nadeau endorsed Rashida Brown, a social worker and 10-year ANC commissioner.

Aparna Raja, an organizer communications manager at Local Progress, led with 46.7% of the votes counted.

Also in the field were Jackie Reyes Yanes, former director of the Mayor鈥檚 Office on Latino Affairs and former director of the Mayor鈥檚 Office on Community Affairs; Terry Lynch, longtime executive director of the Downtown Cluster of Congregations; and Miguel Trindade Deramo, organizer and chair of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1B.

More potential for a DC Council shake-up

The winners of the Democratic primaries are all but guaranteed to win their Council seats in the November election, since nearly 75% of registered voters in the District are Democrats, .

The same goes for other D.C. races, and that means special elections are likely to fill the remainder of two more council terms.

At-Large Council member Robert White won the Democratic nomination in the race to become D.C.’s next congressional delegate.

And if Ward 4 Council member Janeese Lewis George prevails in her campaign for mayor, a special election would be called to fill her seat.

Incumbents challenged in Wards 5 and 6

Ward 5 Council member Parker and Ward 6 Council member Allen both faced a pair of Democratic challengers.

In Ward 5, Parker faced Bernita Carmichael, a small-business owner, D.C. Democratic Party committeewoman and member of the Ward 5 Leadership Council, along with Bridget French, who works on clean energy policy.

Allen faced challenges from attorney Michael Murphy and Gloria Ann Nauden, interim CEO of Philanthropy DMV and leader of D.C. Community Development Consortium Institute.

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