鈥淚 work a nine-hour shift every single day, and I still go to drive anywhere from five to six hours after I get off work. But I have the flexibility to do that with rideshare versus having two jobs,鈥� said Crystal Middleton, a security officer who also drives for Uber and Lyft.

Middleton said she needs the extra work to pay her phone bill and for groceries after her company cut overtime and due to federal cuts.

The drivers were supported by a union-led protest before Monday’s hearing on the steps of the Wilson Building.

鈥淚f you do driving for a living, you should be concerned about Waymo coming into our city,鈥� Jaime Contreras, executive vice president for Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ, said.

鈥淥ur members are security officers, commercial office cleaners, airport workers, and they work two, sometimes even three jobs. And one of those jobs is usually an Uber or Lyft driver,鈥� he told 小萝莉影视.

鈥淚t’s a job killer. Make no mistake about it,鈥� Contreras said.

Ward 6 Council member Charles Allen introduced the in May.

The bill would establish a commercial autonomous vehicle program within D.C.鈥檚 Department of Transportation. Companies would need permits, first responder interaction plans and contingency plans for challenges including power outages and network failures.

The vehicles would be phased in, with operators limited to 200 vehicles until Jan. 1, 2028.

The legislation would also impose a 15-cent-per-mile vehicle miles traveled, or VMT, tax aimed at encouraging operators “to minimize passenger-less operations and circuitous routing.鈥�

The bill would create a workforce fund supported by commercial operators to provide education, vocational training and workforce development for taxi and rideshare drivers.

Eighty-one witnesses testified across 17 panels Monday, in addition to government officials.

Representatives from Waymo and Tesla were among those who kicked off the hearing.

As rideshare drivers expressed concerns that autonomous rideshare and robotaxi services would cull their income earning opportunity, Waymo said it would bring jobs to the District.

Matt Walsh, a public policy executive with Waymo, said in written testimony that the company has 鈥渞ecently committed tens of millions of dollars in Wards 5 and 7 to build service centers and charging facilities to support our fleet.”

“If the Council can provide additional regulatory certainty, our current local workforce will grow from dozens of people today to hundreds of personnel who will provide day-to-day operations support,鈥� he said.

Walsh also said fleet maintenance would bring more business to the local automotive supply chain.

D.C. Chamber of Commerce President Chinyere Hubbard also supported bringing commercial driverless vehicles to the district, but recommended changes to the bill, including reducing fees and modifying rules governing fleet expansion.

鈥淩emove the restrictive cap of 200 vehicles along with the city’s permanent authority to impose new caps later, and allow expansion based on safety milestones,鈥� Hubbard said.

Others testifying in support of the bill included Conner Cummings, who was there on behalf of The Arc of Northern Virginia, a service and advocacy nonprofit for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

鈥淧eople like me who can鈥檛 drive will be able to get around much easier,” Cummings said. “Many autistic individuals will feel far more comfortable inside a vehicle where we don’t have to share space with a stranger driving them.”

Sandra Neuzil, a Fairfax County resident who is legally blind, said her work and volunteering have been bringing her to the District more often.

“An on-demand ride in an autonomous vehicle would greatly improve my commute,” she said. 鈥淲ithout hours or days planning and coordinating, it would save a tremendous amount of time and significantly reduce frustration and stress for me.”

小萝莉影视’s Neal Augenstein contributed to this report.

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A few days after a July 9 structural integrity incident forced the closure of a 10-story office building in Glen Burnie, Maryland, officials have established a safety buffer zone around the property.

Empire Towers was declared structurally unsound after a 911 call on July 9 alerted first responders to problems that surfaced during construction work in an underground parking garage.

About 100 people were evacuated from the privately owned building at 7310 Ritchie Highway near 6th Avenue. No injuries were reported.

Anne Arundel County officials said a now surrounds the property, that’s roughly one-and-a-half times the height of the building.

it was the first time the building had experienced problems and said construction work had been disruptive for several weeks before the incident. The TV station reported there is no timeline for when the building or nearby roads will reopen.

from County Executive Steuart Pittman’s office, responsibility for the next steps rests with the building owner and management company.

Those parties 鈥渨ill need to retain a licensed structural engineering firm to evaluate the site. Once a contractor is hired to begin remediation, County inspectors will conduct routine inspections during the construction phase to ensure permitted repair work complies with the approved plan and applicable building codes,鈥� the release said.

Safety measures are also affecting traffic in the area.

Pittman’s office said one lane remains open on Route 2 southbound, which allows traffic to flow, while preserving the safety zone around the building.

Parts of Crain Highway remain closed near the building, but those who drive through the area along both Crain Highway and Southbound Ritchie Highway should expect a detour by way of 8th Avenue and Route 648.

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小萝莉影视’s Acacia James spoke with the producer behind Usher’s performances.

鈥淭his tour is amazing,鈥� Bobby Ross Avila, a Grammy Award-winning producer, said. 鈥淪eeing these two iconic artists on one stage and taking this experience on the road is amazing.鈥�

鈥淭heir music has really transcended so many different boundaries and brought so many people together,鈥� he said.

Their trio of performances at Northwest Stadium started July 10, with the remaining shows on Saturday and Monday.

Avila is Usher Raymond鈥檚 musical producer during the tour. He also performs in Usher’s band and gets a solo spotlight.

鈥淚 get to see my music come to life on stage,鈥� he said.

Avila started in the music business 鈥渁s an artist when I was 12 years old and signed at RCA Records,鈥� he said, and he has released a new project,听鈥淩eturn of the Gentleman,鈥� and a single titled 鈥淟ucky Fella.鈥�

鈥淚t really just kind of demonstrates what I feel right now. I’m super blessed, and I feel lucky to be able to do what I’m doing,鈥� he said.

Avila said the tour is a great experience, but it takes a tremendous amount of work to put on a seamless show.

It鈥檚 鈥渨orking with multiple producers, music directors, engineers鈥� and creative and technical teams to pull everything together night after night, from the creative team on the music side, 鈥渁nd then working with production, working with lighting, working with the content team, working with choreography. There’s so much that goes into this,鈥� Avila said.

But it鈥檚 not his first time assembling a team for a stadium show.

In 2024, the Avila Brothers 鈥� Bobby and his brother, Issiah “IZ” Avila 鈥� made history as the first Chicano duo to produce the Super Bowl Halftime Show.

Along their musical and production path, which spans decades, the two have collaborated with producer powerhouses Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. They鈥檝e also created music for other industry names, including Usher, Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan, Anthony Hamilton, Gwen Stefani and Earth, Wind and Fire.

Avila sees their longevity in the music business as a chance to show others that they can achieve their dreams as well.

鈥淚 think it’s our duty. It’s each one teach one, right? So having us out here, it’s really important for us to be pouring back into the cups in these communities and letting people see that they can do so much in life if they just put their mind and their heart into it and work hard, it’s very possible,” he said.

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Their child is listed as “Mary Doe” in the lawsuit, which says staffers at an unnamed high school started using a masculine name and pronouns at the student’s request.

In , the plaintiffs said their child was 鈥渟ocially transitioned鈥� without their knowledge or consent. They want to bar people working with Anne Arundel County Public Schools from referring to their child by any name other than their legal one.

The lawsuit, naming the plaintiffs as “John and Jane Doe,” challenges school district policies that allow students to be called by names and pronouns that align with their gender identity.

According to the complaint, Mary Doe and other students at an unnamed high school were asked their name preferences in December 2025, and Mary gave a male name. Pronouns were discussed at a separate time.

When John and Jane Doe found out, they told the school only Mary’s legal name and female pronouns should be used.

Under , 鈥渆very student has the right to be addressed by a name and pronoun that correspond to the student’s gender identity.鈥� The regulation does not require a court-ordered name or gender change, and the switch is not required on official school records.

The plaintiffs said the policy circumvents their parental rights by allowing a child to socially change their gender without parents’ knowledge or consent, and also that it is antithetical to the religious pillars of their faith.

Among their listed remedies, the parents want a declaration that the policy violates their U.S. and Maryland constitutional rights.

The lawsuit was filed by America First Legal, which was co-founded by Stephen Miller, a longtime aide to President Donald Trump. He’s currently the White House deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser.

小萝莉影视 reached out to Anne Arundel Public Schools for comment.

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鈥淚t’s very similar to the movie that we know and love. It’s got all of the characters that we know,鈥� said Kaitlin Feely, who plays Barbara Maitland in “Beetlejuice the Musical.”

鈥淏eetlejuice, Lydia, the Maitlands. We have Charles, Lydia’s father. Delia is Lydia’s stepmom, and it follows a very similar storyline that we know from the movie,鈥� Feely said, with one variation.

鈥淭he musical tackles a bit more of a through line plot with a big focus on the grief of the loss of Lydia’s mother,鈥� she told 小萝莉影视.

Another difference, of course, is the 鈥渟inging, dancing, all of the stuff that we don’t necessarily see in the movie,鈥� Feely said.

The similarities to the movie include the costume, lighting and set design.

鈥淚t’s beautifully stunning from a technical standpoint. It’s a bit of a masterpiece, lots of special effects, lots of cool magic little things here and there, and yeah, the singing, the dancing, choreography, everything is wonderful,鈥� she said.

This isn鈥檛 the first go-round for “Beetlejuice the Musical” in D.C. The production made its pre-Broadway premiere at The National in 2018.

鈥淧eople have seen this show in previous iterations, and I’m just pleased to say that people enjoy it just as much,鈥� she says. 鈥淧eople love this version of the show too, which is just really special and really rewarding.鈥�

But she offers one caveat.

鈥淭here’s some content in the show that I would probably recommend for ages 13 and up,鈥� Feely said while noting that some youngsters have been in attendance. 鈥淲e have had some kids join the show, and you know it is a fun time for all.

Performing in this show is a new experience for Feely, though she鈥檚 no stranger to the rigors of stage life.

鈥淚’ve done eight shows a week before, but this is my first tour,鈥� she said.

鈥淪o, definitely a learning experience, and how to stay healthy when you’re traveling, how to keep your voice in prime condition. Obviously, there’s a lot of things you can’t control, but just trying to take care of yourself and learning what that means for your body,鈥� Feely said.

The ends聽July 19.聽

小萝莉影视 contributor Joe Yasharoff contributed to this report.聽

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Reisha Raney is a mathematician and engineer by training, and a member of the Maryland State Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

Her short film, 鈥淪he Walked Through: 250 Years Later,鈥� was released recently for America’s 250th anniversary. Raney told 小萝莉影视 the film highlights African American women whose family research pointed them to Black, white and native ancestors who contributed to the American Revolution.

鈥淓veryone thought the story was the ancestors,鈥� Raney said in a release announcing the film. 鈥淭hen the women who went looking became the story.鈥�

She is also the founder and host of Daughter Dialogues, which explores the lives of these descendants and helps 鈥渃ompile some of these studies and this research that I’m doing. And yes, they are ordinary people, but with extraordinary histories and extraordinary lives themselves,鈥� Raney said.

鈥淲ho were they before they even opened up a genealogy record and then find out the transition that they took once they found out their history, and that their ancestors were part of founding this nation,鈥� Raney said.

Raney said her father encouraged her to join the DAR.

鈥淢y cousin did 20 years of research before the records were even available online,鈥� she said.

And Raney told 小萝莉影视 she learned even more about her family history after she joined.

鈥淚’m a direct descendant of President Thomas Jefferson’s grandfather through an enslaved woman named Mary,鈥� she said.

Raney said being part of this group included a different discovery.

鈥淚 found a camaraderie of sisterhood of both my Black and white sisters. They’re some of my best friends, in fact, and they support me in all of my endeavors,鈥� she said, noting their support encouraged her to pursue a leadership role.

鈥淪o I became the first Black state officer for the Maryland State Society Daughters of the American Revolution,鈥� Raney added.

While this patriotic history and the women who are preserving their family鈥檚 role in it are the focus of Raney鈥檚 film, there is another goal 鈥� steps forward.

鈥淓veryone inherits a history. Individuals, families, institutions and even our nation,鈥� Raney said. 鈥淎 painful past should not be the end of a story. And I wanted to highlight what the Black members of the Daughters of the American Revolution are doing today.鈥�

鈥淧rogress is telling the truth about the past and still choosing to move forward together, and that’s the hope that I have for the next 250 years for our United States of America,鈥� Raney said.

Find more information about this film and .

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The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds are part of the mix.

Members of the squadron landed their signature red, white and blue F-16s at Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County, Maryland, Tuesday, ahead of this weekend鈥檚 celebrations.

Their trip had length and included a patriotic exit as they left for the D.C. area.

鈥淲e started at home at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was about a four hour flight,鈥� said Maj. Brandon Maxson, who flies Thunderbird 3, the third plane in the six-jet formation.

鈥淲e actually got to fly over the Hoover Dam one more time 鈥� They’ve got a huge American flag flying,鈥� Maxson said.

Thunderbirds are used to air show demonstrations across the country, but they’ve made some slight adjustments for Saturday鈥檚 celebration.

鈥淔or us, takeoff and landing is about 37 minutes, and then this weekend, we鈥檒l be flying for about thirty minutes,鈥� Maxson said.

But they’ll be plenty busy until then.

鈥淲e’ll be practicing two times, Thursday and Friday, leading up to our performance on Saturday,鈥� Maxson said.

But you might see them around town between now and then.

鈥淲e’ll be running a table at the American State Fair as well as some other community outreach opportunities,鈥� Maxson said.

Precision flybys and jaw-dropping aerial formations are only part of their work. Another facet is inspiring the next generation.

鈥淚 always wanted to fly airplanes,鈥� Maxson said.

鈥淚 do not come from a military family, but the Air Force was a good opportunity to learn how to fly.鈥�

He learned to fly a variety of jets along the road to joining the Air Force’s demonstration squadron.

鈥淚’ve been flying for over 10 years now,鈥� he said.

鈥淚 actually learned how to fly the F-16, just for the Thunderbirds. This is my second year on the team 鈥� And this is my first year in the demonstration as the right wing pilot in the demo.鈥�

His advice to kids who have their eyes on the skies.

鈥淚t’s a long road. You might be told no multiple times along the way. Keep the chin up, keep working hard and anything is truly possible,” he said.

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The 44th Annual RAMMYS is in the books. The yearly awards ceremony and gala recognize excellence in the restaurant and hospitality industry across the D.C. area.

The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington said categories cover various facets of the food and service business, from standout leadership to beverage and culinary programs.

鈥淥ne of the things that I really wanted to stress is, I understand how hard this work is,鈥� said celebrity chef, author and TV host Carla Hall, who presented the first and last awards Monday evening at Arena Stage at The Mead Center for American Theater.

鈥淲hen I see somebody who’s wearing a tag that says 鈥榝inalist,’ I’m like, ‘Dude, the fact that you have a restaurant that is more than a year old, I’m celebrating that,’鈥� Hall said.

This year鈥檚 winners include Perry’s, which won the RAMMY for “Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year,” Andy’s Pizza, awarded the top spot for “Fast Casual Restaurant of the Year,” and the latest “Rising Culinary Star” is Martel Stone of D艒gon by Kwame Onwuachi.

鈥淚t feels a little surreal,鈥� Stone told 小萝莉影视. 鈥淚 talk a lot about the years before where Chef Kwame won this award, and I was standing off to the side, watching him and it’s surreal to be here, holding the same award.”

Onwuachi won the 2019 “Rising Culinary Star of the Year” while working at a different restaurant.

As the saying goes, ‘teamwork makes the dream work,’ and that was a theme carried by various winners.

鈥淚 couldn’t do my job if I didn’t have the right team, and I am blessed that I have the best people ever,鈥� said Juan Ramirez, who won “Manager of the Year” for work at Bastille Brasserie and Bar in Alexandria, Virginia.

鈥淚t’s not easy to manage, it’s not easy to be the one, the waiter, the chef that, you know, all these different roles that it takes to become a successful restaurant,鈥� Hall said.

Meanwhile, Rosie Nguyen of Rose Ave Bakery said she didn’t think she would win the prize for “Pastry Chef or Baker of the Year.”

鈥淚’m in a category of really amazing talent. I know these pastry chefs, and I do think they’re better than me,鈥� Nguyen said.

鈥淎ll I know is that I make yummy things that I enjoy eating. I put it out there, and I hope other people like it too,鈥� Nguyen told 小萝莉影视.

Among the winners, a reimagined restaurant with a 120-year history in the nation鈥檚 capital, The Occidental, took the prize for “New Restaurant of the Year.”

鈥淚 feel great. Just the opportunity to work there at a very historical place, and to bring it back to life. 鈥� It’s a great place for people to come and enjoy,鈥� Executive Chef Benjamin Lambert said. 鈥淲e just like to take care of you. So, come on down.鈥�

The 2026 RAMMYS winners:

• Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: Albi
• New Restaurant of the Year: The Occidental
• Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year: Perry’s
• Chef of the Year: Matt Conroy and Isabel Coss, The Popal Group
• Restaurateur of the Year: Fernando Gonz谩lez, 2fifty Texas BBQ
• Wine Program of the Year: Fiola
• Fast Casual Restaurant of the Year: Andy’s Pizza
• Pastry Chef or Baker of the Year: Rosie Nguyen, Rose Ave Bakery
• Service Program of the Year, sponsored by Ecolab: Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
• Manager of the Year: Juan Ramirez, Bastille Brasserie & Bar
• Employee of the Year: Jose Luis Salgado, Zinnia
• Beer Program of the Year: Pizzeria Paradiso
• Rising Culinary Star of the Year: Martel Stone, D艒gon by Kwame Onwuachi
• Cocktail Program of the Year: Amazonia
• Casual Restaurant of the Year: Tsehay Ethiopian

The following are winners of the publicly voted categories. Announcements about these wins were made last week.

• Hottest Sandwich Spot of the Year: Joia Burger
• Favorite Gathering Place of the Year: Old Ebbitt Grill
• Best Brunch of the Year: Unconventional Diner
• Best Bar of the Year, sponsored by Maison Perrier: Service Bar
• Content Creator of the Year: DCFoodGod, Tessa Alimahmoodi and Jason Fisher

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Monique Rose Sneed, owner of the Latin and Cajun fusion restaurant, La鈥機aj, in Prince George鈥檚 County, says live entertainment was a feature that helped draw people to the location, from customers to members of the community who gathered to listen in public spaces neighboring the eatery.

But events in recent weeks prompted Sneed to start a .

for the petition which states, in part, that 鈥淟a’Caj Seafood Restaurant at Restaurant Row in Camp Springs is facing efforts that could jeopardize its future despite operating with the appropriate licenses and serving as a positive contributor to the community.鈥�

鈥淟a’Caj has become more than a restaurant. It has become a destination where families, friends, neighbors, professionals, and visitors come together to enjoy great food, culture, music, and fellowship,鈥� the petition also states.

What started as an issue with her landlord took on another dimension after the police were called to the restaurant and the liquor board was contacted.

鈥淣ow it’s become a county problem,鈥� Sneed said.

She was told that the county hadn鈥檛 been getting complaints about the restaurant鈥檚 patio entertainment. But since they learned about those gripes, La鈥機aj was told by the Liquor Board that they 鈥渃an’t have entertainment on a patio. At all,鈥� Sneed said.

But she tells 小萝莉影视 complaints were few when they had live entertainment.

鈥淭his isn’t every day, this isn’t six times a week, this isn’t for five hours, this is every other Thursday, when weather permits,” she said.

Sneed says noting that the two sets the band played equaled two hours on those Thursdays, and that they鈥檝e had live music on the patio for nearly three years.

鈥淭o tell me I can’t play music on an outside patio when I have an entertainment license is taking 60 seats away from my restaurant,” she said.

Sneed says her focus now is seeking clarity from the county Liquor Board. She鈥檚 鈥渕ore concerned about the county being very clear on what their rules are for the entertainment license, which is Rule 75.鈥�

鈥淚’m not getting [clarity] from the Liquor Board 鈥� a lot of these things are at their discretion, which I understand, but for someone like me, having so much of my business rely on somebody’s discretion is where I’m looking for some help,鈥� Sneed said.

鈥淚鈥檓 not asking for special treatment, I don’t want them to circumvent a rule for me,鈥� Sneed said. But she鈥檚 seeking clearness 鈥渂ecause it does not say in their very own rule what’s being communicated to me.鈥�.

鈥淚 have been in the county since 2016, providing good brands and businesses to the area. I just kind of think I deserve a conversation,鈥� Sneed said.

小萝莉影视 has reached out to Prince George’s County Liquor Board for comment.

Sneed tells 小萝莉影视 the petition originated after she received a letter from her landlord鈥檚 attorney that claimed the eatery violated its lease.

鈥淭here’s a clause that says you cannot have employees or patrons gathering or loitering 鈥� basically they cannot be gathering outside of your establishment, that you’re responsible for that. And if that happens, that’s a default of the lease, and that’s what they leaned on, saying we had defaulted our lease,鈥� Sneed said.

鈥淚 did try to explain that those were not our patrons, they did not patronize La鈥機aj. That鈥檚 how we landed where we are now,鈥� Sneed said.

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鈥淲e are very excited, honestly, about all of the momentum around Prince George’s County,鈥� County Executive Aisha Braveboy said.

At the announcement, developers said The Promenade at Lottsford is a $340 million project that will bring housing, retail and gathering spaces near the Largo Metro station.

Omar Karim of Banneker Ventures is one of the developers of the Promenade, 鈥渨hich will include 763 units of workforce housing, 44,000 square feet of elevated retail,鈥� he said at Thursday鈥檚 event.

鈥淭he promenade will create more than 800 construction jobs and bring more than 150 permanent jobs to Downtown Largo,鈥� Karim added.

Carri Robinson of Bright Horizon Ventures is Karim鈥檚 development partner. In addition to the hundreds of residential units, Robinson said there will be 鈥�5,000 square feet of thoughtfully designed public gathering space that will help establish the vibrant, walkable downtown district this community has long envisioned.鈥�

Representatives from Metro and the Maryland Department of Transportation said the venture fits with state and transit goals.

鈥淭his project also aligns with a Moore/Miller state plan to tackle the affordable housing shortage by promoting transit-oriented development and leveraging underutilized land near transit stations to bolster economic growth,鈥� MDOT Secretary Katie Thomson said.

鈥淎nd Gov. Moore’s Transit and Housing Opportunity Act that the General Assembly recently passed will further support this project,鈥� Thompson added.

And Metro said the new riders this destination will attract is what they鈥檇 like to see.

鈥淲e share Prince George’s County’s vision of a vibrant Blue Line corridor,鈥� Katie Cristol, with Metro鈥檚 Government Relations office, said.

鈥淲e welcome the increased ridership that will come with the enhanced development near Blue Line stations, as well as across our system,鈥� Cristol said.

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Attorneys representing both sides appeared in court Wednesday morning.

The parks and planning commission said they鈥檙e against the County Council鈥檚 transfer of $39 million from the commission鈥檚 coffers by July 1, which they say is not aligned with state law.

The Council鈥檚 Office of Law disagrees with that interpretation.

After the hearing, employees of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and other supporters, including members of the County Council, spoke to reporters outside the courthouse.

鈥淗opefully, the judge will see that under state law, those funds do not belong to the county. Those funds belong to Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. No one else,鈥� said Manuel Geraldo, with the Parks and Planning Commission.

鈥淲e鈥檙e not a county agency. But people think that we are,鈥� Geraldo said. 鈥淭he money that they鈥檙e taking 鈥� it鈥檚 a raid of our budget. Because we鈥檙e fiscally responsible, we have reserves. So, the county believes they don鈥檛 have the reserves, so they want to take our money. It鈥檚 just not fair,鈥� Geraldo said.

Two Prince George鈥檚 County Council members who are against these types of budget transfers from the Commission to the Council were at the hearing as well.

Sydney Harrison of District 9 and At-Large Council Member Jolene Ivey also spoke to reporters afterward.

鈥淭his is strictly about process and what our legal authority is as a county council and what does the state expect from us,鈥� Harrison said.

Ivey expressed concern about what happened with an earlier budget switch to an administrative fund.

鈥淲e鈥檝e asked what鈥檚 become of that money, and we鈥檝e not gotten answers. And we鈥檙e county council members,鈥� Ivey said. 鈥淚f we don鈥檛 know, the public doesn鈥檛 know.鈥�

Ivey said even though the reimbursement procedure for project charges is far from perfect, 鈥渨e need to fix that process. We don鈥檛 need to eliminate it by transferring the money from Park and Planning into what essentially becomes a slush fund for the County Council.鈥�

A ruling is expected on June 26.

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However, there’s a bit of bad news. A Consumer Reports analysis of several hair dyes and hair chalks found issues.

James Rogers, Consumer Reports’ director of food safety, told 小萝莉影视 they sent 21 at-home hair dye kits and 2 hair chalks to a lab. All of the tested products are readily available in retail stores or online.

“We could detect levels of toxic chemicals in every product tested, and some of the products had more than one,鈥� Rogers said. 鈥淲e found a probable human carcinogen called methylene chloride in every product.鈥�

Methylene chloride is a chemical used in paints, adhesives and pharmaceuticals and it causes cancer in animals, the report said.

鈥淪o that was very interesting to us. But more concerning is that within the two hair chalks that are marketed to children that contained a chemical called benzene, which is a known carcinogen,” Rogers said.

They also tested for the following heavy metals: Arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead and mercury. Most were undetectable in the dyes. However, three heavy metals were detected in the two hair chalks.

Exposure to heavy metals over time is associated with a range of issues from cardiovascular diseases, cancer, problems with the immune and reproductive systems and even contact dermatitis.

You can read more about Consumer Reports’ findings on .

小萝莉影视’s Veronica Canales contributed to this story.

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During a routine delivery, driver Courtney Seaton signed on for extra work when Zurmuhlen asked her if she had any experience working as caregiver. However, the gig didn’t last long.

Seaton told 小萝莉影视 that the work included household chores and grocery shopping.

The next day, Zurmuhlen requested a steakhouse delivery. But, unlike the initial order, the request included a plate for a woman named Jo-Ann who was also at the home.

鈥淚 fixed him a plate of everything that he wanted,” Seaton said. “He had me fix her a plate with yogurt and blueberries and strawberries in it.”

Although Seaton took the food into Jo-Ann’s room, she said Zurmuhlen didn鈥檛 really want her to go in. He told her to fix the food, take it to her and shut the door.

鈥淪he was nothing but bone and skin,” Seaton said. She was shocked at what she saw.

Later, Seaton was asked to empty Jo-Ann’s bedside commode.

鈥淲hen I saw her urine, it severely was dark,” Seaton said. “I know I compared it to a pot of coffee, but it was 鈥� truly was that dark.”

Seaton quit on day three after she says Zurmuhlen asked her to lock Jo-Ann in the room.

鈥淚nstead of you being able to lock it from the inside, the lock was on the outside the door,” Seaton said.

She didn’t see the padlock that investigators later saw, but speculated that it’s possible additions could have been made after she was there last.

Seaton consulted with both her boyfriend and mother about the situation, ultimately deciding to call the Adult Protective Services of Calvert County.

A representative did make a home visit, but there was no answer at the door. The official ended up leaving a business card on the door.

It wasn’t until March 21 that a welfare check was carried out by the Maryland State Police.

Zurmuhlen was arrested at a later date. Court records show he is scheduled to appear for a preliminary inquiry on May 11.

Seaton also told 小萝莉影视 that the police welfare check intersected with another event that day, one involving viral police body camera footage that captured the moment officers saved a choking baby.

She said that while law enforcement officers were “dealing with my situation over at that house, the choking baby was right across the street.”

小萝莉影视’s Michelle Basch contributed to this story.

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鈥淥ur goal for this year would be 2,500 meals on Thanksgiving, and then 2,500 meals again a month later on Christmas Day,鈥� said Jay Herriott, founder of , a D.C.-area nonprofit that donates meals on the 25th of every month.

Herriott said the organization has noticed a slowdown in donations compared to last year. He suspects that is because of the recent 43-day government shutdown, which was the longest in U.S. history.

Volunteers have been signing up, but those at The 25th Project have noticed 鈥渓ess food 鈥� less protein, less ham, less turkey, from what has been in years past,” Herriott said.

Still, he remains hopeful that donations will rebound. 鈥淲e anticipate it picking up as everybody’s going back to work,鈥� he told 小萝莉影视.

To donate food items or to volunteer, register on The 25th Project’s . In addition to proteins, the organization is in need of side dishes and desserts. “We have a whole pie-cutting station,” Herriott said.

All food items must be fully cooked and brought to Burke Community Church on Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day. Volunteers can reheat food at the church, so items prepared in advance are acceptable. “As long as it’s completely cooked, then we can use it,” Herriott said.

Food plating begins at 8 a.m. on both holidays.

Burke Community Church is located at 9900 Old Keene Mill Road in Burke, Virginia.

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Well, bonnets are an option and aren’t just for characters from “Little House on the Prairie” or Holly Hobbie.

Consumer Reports put a bunch to the test and published a list of the ones they liked best.

Ginger Cowles, a managing editor at Consumer Reports, said that during their research she learned hair bonnets are a big business.

鈥淲e did our research. There were 7.8 million bonnets sold on Amazon in the last 12 months alone,鈥� Cowles told 小萝莉影视.

She said a team of six testers tested several bonnets over a two month span earlier this year.

Each tester has a different hair texture and each rocks a different hair style. Two had never worn bonnets before.

Test question one: Will the thing stay on all night?

But, at the same time, they wanted to know 鈥渄id the band feel too tight when it was wrapped around your head?鈥� Cowles said.

鈥淭hen, we also wanted to find out, do they leave a mark on your head?鈥�

Additional test points included breathability when sleeping because, 鈥渋f there’s heat being trapped in there, then that’s going to affect your hairstyle. So, if you have a silk blowout, that’s going to get those roots really curly,” Cowles said. “That moisture is going to be something that you probably don’t want for that style.”

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