The Washington Monument Will Light Up This Week in Honor of America’s 250th Birthday

Washingtonian Things To Do 12/30 2:51A Kate Corliss

Although America s birthday isn t technically until July, an early celebration is underway: Freedom 250 , the public-private organization established by President Donald Trump to commemorate America s semiquincentennial, will host a six-night...

New Year’s Day 2026: Check out what’s open and closed in the DC area

WTOP News 12/29 11:17P Tadiwos Abedje

It s the time of year to celebrate the transition from 2025 to 2026. Related stories Where to party on New Year s Eve in the DC area These laws start New Year s Day in Virginia, Maryland, DC DC’s annual Fresh Start 5K starts off 2026 with new...

15 superb soups and stews worth slurping in the DC area this winter

WTOP News 12/29 10:13P Michelle Goldchain

As winter settles over the D.C. region, the brisk chill of the air may bring forth a longing for one specific dish. WTOP has rounded up 15 soups and stews from local restaurants in the District and...

Pipe bomb suspect told FBI he targeted US political parties because they were ‘in charge,’ memo...

WTOP News 12/28 9:57P WTOP Staff

WASHINGTON (AP) — The man accused of placing two pipe bombs in Washington on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol told investigators after his arrest that he believed someone needed to “speak up” for people who believed the 2020...

DOGE in review: Did the agency create opportunities for new government efficiencies in 2026?

WTOP News 12/28 8:58P Sarah Jacobs

President Donald Trump greenlighted the Department of Government Efficiency as a means to modernize information technology and slash federal spending while improving productivity, but now that the agency has since been quietly disbanded, how...

New laws in Virginia, DC, Maryland take effect in the new year

WTOP News 12/28 8:56P Jessica Kronzer

A slew of new laws will go into effect in Virginia, Maryland and D.C. on New Year s Day. Health, social media and paychecks are among the topics addressed in the wide range of legislation that hits the books on Jan. 1, 2026. Here a few of the new...

Is it closing time for DC’s ‘ugliest’ building?

WTOP News 12/28 12:02A Jimmy Alexander

File photo of the J. Edgar Hoover Building. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)(AP/Andrew Harnik) File photo of the J. Edgar Hoover Building. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)(AP/Andrew Harnik) FBI Director Kash Patel...

5 people shot near DC’s Walter E. Washington Convention Center

WTOP News 12/27 3:42A Ciara Wells

Five men were injured in a shooting near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Northwest D.C. Friday night. Related stories 1 dead after shooting at food court at MGM National Harbor in DC...

WATCH: WTOP’s most viral videos of 2025

WTOP News 12/26 10:00P Kay Perkins

This year has been full of viral moments — from the funny, to the emotional, to the just plain weird. As we wrap up 2025, let s look back at the moments WTOP staff caught on camera that drew the eyes of millions. #5: Federal workers at Virginia...

Looking back: How the Commanders’ RFK stadium deal came together in 2025

WTOP News 12/24 11:27P Mike Murillo

This page contains a video which is being blocked by your ad blocker. In order to view the video you must disable your ad blocker. How the Commanders' $3.7B RFK Stadium deal came together This story is part of WTOP’s series “ Five stories that...

Things to do in the DC area: Winter Skate Spectacular, Holiday Record Swap … and more!

WTOP News 12/24 10:31P Michelle Goldchain

The National Building Museum's Winter Skate Spectacular is a unique indoor skating experience hosted in the museum's Great Hall.(Photo courtesy National Building Museum) The National Building Museum's...

Janney Elementary students bring in the holidays

WTOP News 12/24 9:47P Abigail Constantino

Schools like to celebrate the holidays in different ways. At Janney Elementary School in Northwest D.C., they have an annual singalong during their winter spirit week. Kids from Pre-K4 through fifth grade assemble in the school gym to sing...

What’s open and closed on Christmas Day 2025 in the DC area

WTOP News 12/23 6:24A Tadiwos Abedje

Christmas Day is a time of year many spend with family and exchange gifts with loved ones. If you need to do any shopping for holiday meals or last-minute presents, consider yourself fortunate — there will be stores open to ensure the holiday...

DC region ranks in the top 20 for traffic congestion worldwide

WTOP News 12/23 5:25A Jose Umana

The D.C. region was ranked in the top 20 for worst traffic congestion in the world, according to a recent report on traffic data. The report, titled the 2025 Global Traffic Scorecard , examined 942 urban areas worldwide. It concluded that the...

Congressional report critical of military actions in January crash near Reagan National

WTOP News 12/23 5:12A Kyle Cooper

A new congressional report is out on the midair collision in January between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a commercial jet at Reagan National Airport. It’s critical of the actions of the military pilots in the crash that killed 67 people....