WASHINGTON — As the holiday shopping season accelerates, consumer protection officials are warning residents to remain vigilant against increasingly sophisticated gift card scams. District Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a public consumer alert on Monday, cautioning shoppers about a growing form of retail fraud known as gift card draining, which has become more prevalent during peak gift-giving periods. According to Schwalb’s office, gift card draining differs from traditi

The District of Columbia is preparing to close the DC Streetcar after years of delays, significant investment, and ridership levels that never returned to pre-pandemic levels. City officials confirmed that the streetcar, which operates along H Street NE and Benning Road NE from Union Station to Oklahoma Avenue NE, will end service on March 31 due to budget pressures and consistently low demand. The announcement marks a major shift in Washington’s transit strategy, coming nearly a decade aft

Two United States National Guard soldiers were critically injured on Wednesday in a targeted shooting just a short distance from the White House, in what authorities have described as one of the most serious security incidents near the presidential district in recent years. The attack occurred at the Farragut West metro station, a busy transit hub situated only two blocks from the presidential complex, heightening concerns about public safety and the vulnerability of high-profile locations in

A late-night fire at a residence associated with the Embassy of Laos in Northwest Washington prompted a large emergency response on Sunday, with officials confirming that the cause remains under investigation. The fire was reported around 9:30 p.m. on the 2200 block of S Street Northwest, an area known for its diplomatic presence and historic residential structures. When fire crews arrived, they observed significant smoke and visible flames coming from the second floor of a three-story residence

WASHINGTON — General aviation and private flights have been temporarily suspended from landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport through the end of the year, according to updated Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidance. The directive took effect at midnight on Monday and will remain in place until 6:59 p.m. on December 31. The restriction applies to all non-scheduled flights, including chartered, corporate, and privately operated aircraft, unless they receive spe

WASHINGTON — Thousands of District residents could soon lose critical dental and vision benefits as Washington, D.C. prepares to overhaul its Medicaid program starting January 1, 2026. The city’s decision to reduce Medicaid eligibility and transition many enrollees into a new system known as the Healthy DC Plan has sparked deep concern among healthcare providers and community advocates. The upcoming changes follow a decision to lower the income threshold for Medicaid eligibility

WASHINGTON — District of Columbia lawmakers are considering new measures to tackle price gouging, fraudulent resales, and predatory practices in the live entertainment ticketing industry. The “Restricting Egregious Scalping Against Live Entertainment (RESALE) Amendment Act of 2025,” introduced by Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen, aims to establish stronger consumer protections for music, theater, and sports fans who often face inflated ticket prices and deceptive sales tactics.

Washington, D.C. — City transportation officials are urging caution as pressure mounts to approve autonomous food delivery robots on District sidewalks. Despite growing interest from technology firms eager to deploy their devices across Washington, the D.C. Department of Transportation (DDOT) says it will not rush to authorize the new technology without first addressing safety, accessibility, and regulatory concerns. At a Wednesday hearing before the D.C. Council’s Committee on

A property collective known as Petra, which manages three apartment complexes in Washington, D.C., has been ordered to pay $700,000 after being found liable in a housing discrimination lawsuit. The legal action accused Petra of intentionally discriminating against lower-income residents in order to boost profits, violating several District housing laws. The outcome represents a significant step in the city’s continuing efforts to ensure equal access to affordable housing and to hold landlords

Washington, DC will observe Indigenous People’s Day on Monday, October 13, with modified schedules across public transportation, government offices, and community services. The annual holiday honors the history, culture, and resilience of Indigenous American peoples. While many essential services will continue to operate, residents can expect changes to transit schedules, parking enforcement, and city department hours. Transportation services will operate on adjusted holiday sched

Washington, D.C. — The ongoing federal government shutdown has disrupted many aspects of daily life across the nation, and in the District of Columbia, it has even put love on hold. With the federally funded court system temporarily suspending non-essential services, couples planning to marry in the nation’s capital have found themselves unable to obtain marriage licenses or schedule courthouse ceremonies. In response, the DC Council is expected to pass emergency legislation this

Dallas County, Texas — Health officials have confirmed the first death related to the West Nile Virus (WNV) in the 2025 season, marking a sobering reminder of ongoing mosquito risks across North Texas. The Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) announced that the victim was a man in his seventies who suffered from underlying medical conditions and had been diagnosed with the neuroinvasive form of the disease, known as West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease (WNND). This severe form aff

A Washington DC man has been arrested and charged after police say he stabbed a food delivery driver multiple times during an argument over the cost of an order. Authorities confirmed that the suspect, identified as 37-year-old Travis Cole, faces charges of assault with a dangerous weapon following the incident that left the victim hospitalized with serious injuries. The confrontation unfolded on Sunday afternoon around 4 p.m. in the 2700 block of Wisconsin Avenue in Northwest Washi

  Hundreds of new laws are officially taking effect this week across Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia, bringing with them significant changes that will impact wages, taxes, cannabis use, driving penalties and criminal justice policies. From Virginia’s new criminal record sealing system to Maryland’s stricter reckless driving penalties and D.C.’s tax adjustments, the region is entering a new phase of legal reforms that touch nearly every household in so

The District of Columbia is facing a budget crisis after the collapse of a continuing resolution in Congress, which many hoped would restore $1.1 billion in local tax revenue. With the fiscal year deadline approaching, city leaders are working under mounting pressure to close funding gaps and prepare for the possibility that the blocked money may never be released. The issue began in March when Congress approved a resolution to keep the federal government funded. Buried in the mea

  Commuters in Washington DC are being urged to plan ahead as a major road closure will impact traffic in the downtown area on Wednesday, September 24. The closure is scheduled to allow for the annual testing of the flood protection levee system along 17th Street in northwest DC. According to officials, 17th Street from Constitution Avenue NW to Independence Avenue SW will remain closed from 5 a.m. until 2 p.m. while the tests are conducted. The levee is managed and o

A controversial new statue has drawn significant attention after appearing on the National Mall in Washington, featuring former President Donald Trump and the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The artwork depicts the two figures holding hands and skipping, with a plaque below them that reads, “In honor of friendship month, we celebrate the long-standing bond between President Donald J. Trump and his closest friend Jeffrey Epstein.” The installation is the latest in a serie

Washington — A man from Washington, D.C., has been charged with a federal felony after allegedly pointing a laser pointer at Marine One while President Donald Trump was onboard. The accused, identified as Jacob Samuel Winckler, now faces one count of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft, a serious charge that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison if convicted. The incident occurred on Saturday evening near the White House and led to Winckler’s immediate arrest by a U

The Washington Commanders may return to play football in the District of Columbia by 2030, but significant hurdles remain before that becomes reality. The D.C. Council is scheduled to vote on Tuesday regarding legislation that would enable a major redevelopment of the RFK Stadium site, potentially paving the way for the Commanders’ return. While city officials and proponents of the project emphasize its economic potential and promise to revitalize the area east of the Anacostia River, loca

As President Donald Trump’s 30 day emergency control of Washington D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department comes to an end, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that the force will return to a pre emergency status quo. This means the department will no longer be working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a practice that had been introduced under federal control despite not being part of the agency’s usual responsibilities. Bowser reiterated that immigration enforcement is not