Will Vitka – 小萝莉影视 小萝莉影视 Washington's Top 小萝莉影视 Mon, 18 May 2026 09:13:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 /wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Wtop小萝莉影视Logo_500x500-150x150.png Will Vitka – 小萝莉影视 小萝莉影视 32 32 How AI is helping space exploration now 鈥 and what the future holds /science/2026/05/how-ai-is-helping-space-exploration-now-and-what-the-future-holds/ Mon, 18 May 2026 09:13:29 +0000 /?p=29157408 Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming one of the most important tools in modern space exploration 鈥 helping humans make sense of what those missions are finding.

As telescopes grow more powerful, the volume of data they collect has exploded. According to 小萝莉影视 space reporter Greg Redfern, that surge has reached a point where human analysis alone simply can鈥檛 keep up.

At the Vera Rubin Observatory in Chile, astronomers are capturing roughly 1.7 terabytes of data every night. Over just a few days, the observatory can scan its entire visible sky, generating tens of thousands of potential 鈥渢ransient events鈥 鈥 brief, often unexplained signals that could represent anything from asteroids and comets to distant cosmic explosions.

“They want a wide field of view … so they can take in as much of the sky as they can, to pull down as much of these pixels they can to analyze, because the big view is where you end up finding interesting little nuggets to have the big boys like James Webb (space telescope) zero in on and say, ‘Whoa. Look at that. We’ve never seen that before,'” Redfern said.

That鈥檚 where artificial intelligence comes in.

Scientists are increasingly training AI systems using trusted, established data sets like those produced by the which mapped the Milky Way in extraordinary detail.

By feeding AI those verified observations, researchers can teach systems to recognize patterns, flag anomalies and prioritize what deserves closer attention.

In effect, AI is becoming a first-pass filter 鈥 separating meaningful signals from background noise in a way that would take humans far longer.

The Roman Space Telescope in GSFC’s huge, clean room. Flight components and the Mylar tent used to protect the telescope during testing can be seen. (Courtesy Greg Redfern)

That approach is already being built into the next generation of space telescopes. The upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland is designed not just to capture vast amounts of data, but to process and organize it efficiently from day one.

Engineers and scientists are working in parallel, developing both the hardware that gathers information and the systems that interpret it.

The goal is to avoid a scenario where groundbreaking data sits unused because it can鈥檛 be processed fast enough.

“If you can’t make sense of how to process and get stuff out of that data, it’s junk,” Redfern said.

Eyeing AI with caution

Researchers are aware of the risks of AI overreliance 鈥 particularly, the possibility of false positives or missed discoveries if systems are not properly trained or monitored. That鈥檚 why human oversight remains a central part of the process.

That balance between machine efficiency and human judgment is becoming the defining challenge of modern astronomy. And it鈥檚 not limited to large institutions.

Bright Jupiter is on the right, Saturn in the Milky Way and Mars on the left. All are easily visible at Shenandoah National Park on June 2018. (小萝莉影视/Greg Redfern)

“Amateurs are even using AI to some extent. Pretty cool,” Redfern said.

Amateur astronomers are beginning to use AI software to enhance images, identify objects and even analyze data from their own telescopes. And they stand to benefit as NASA publicly shares more observations of transient events, which allows citizen scientists to participate in real-time discovery and turn their equipment toward newly identified phenomena.

In the coming years, as new missions launch and observatories come online, that partnership between human curiosity and artificial intelligence is likely to define the next era of discovery 鈥 one where the challenge is no longer just seeing deeper into space, but understanding what鈥檚 already in view.

And somewhere in that flood of data, scientists believe, are discoveries waiting to be found 鈥 signals that could reshape how we understand the universe itself.

Making smarter decisions far from Earth

NASA Artemis Houston
Artifacts sit in the Apollo Mission Control room at Johnson Space Center on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

鈥淲e have been using AI for quite some time, actually, as an agency,鈥 said Bethany Theiling, a NASA Goddard researcher working on future AI applications for space exploration.

She pointed to the Perseverance rover鈥檚 landing on Mars, when the spacecraft autonomously helped pick out the best landing area. 鈥淭hat was a huge moment.鈥

The next frontier is giving spacecraft more ability to analyze data, prioritize discoveries and respond to unexpected findings on their own.

Theiling’s group at Goddard is called ASTRA 鈥 Adaptive Sensing Technology for Responsive Autonomy.

“We’re actually trying to figure out ways to do science when we can’t communicate to the ground,” Theiling said.

鈥淗ow do you make decisions? How do you analyze data on board? How do we do the most amazing science when we can鈥檛 actually be there?鈥 she said.

That could be especially important for missions to distant worlds such as Europa, one of Jupiter鈥檚 moons, or Enceladus, one of Saturn鈥檚 moons 鈥 both considered promising places to search for life.

鈥淲hat if we miss seeing life?鈥 Theiling said. 鈥淲hat if it鈥檚 there and we don鈥檛 see it because we were just limited in what we can do?鈥

She said NASA鈥檚 approach is not about handing decisions to an inscrutable 鈥渂lack box.鈥 Her team is focused on explainable AI, so scientists can understand why a system reached a conclusion.

鈥淭his is no black box,鈥 Theiling said. 鈥淭his is not, 鈥極h, just trust me, we found life.鈥欌

She also said AI could also help spacecraft and telescopes work together. If one instrument spots something unusual, such as a gamma ray burst, AI could help determine which other telescopes or researchers are best positioned to follow up quickly.

Theiling said large language models are not currently being used onboard spacecraft because they require too much computing power. Instead, NASA is working on smaller models that can operate within the strict limits of deep space missions.

鈥淲hat we鈥檙e trying to do in response is create really, really lightweight models,鈥 she said. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e out there in space, you have a limited amount of power.鈥

Before sending humans deeper into space, ask why

Cosmic Butterfly
This image provided by NSF NOIRLab shows NGC 6302, a billowing planetary nebula that resembles a cosmic butterfly. (NSF NOIRLab via AP)

As NASA and other space agencies look deeper into the solar system, one retired Maryland astrophysicist says the first question should not be whether humans can go farther, but why they should.

Beth Hufnagel, a retired astronomy and astrophysics professor from Anne Arundel Community College, said robotic probes and artificial intelligence may be better suited than humans for deep space exploration.

鈥淧eople are expensive, dirty and fragile,鈥 Hufnagel said, arguing that scientists should start with the question they are trying to answer before deciding whether humans need to be involved.

Hufnagel said missions to the moon have helped answer real scientific questions, including clues about the age of Earth. But she questioned whether current efforts to send astronauts back to the moon or eventually to Mars are driven more by competition than science.

She pointed to China, India, Japan and the European Union as examples of space powers leaning heavily on robotic exploration.

For Hufnagel, the issue is not whether space exploration matters. It is whether the mission matches the question.

鈥淲hat is the purpose? What is the goal?鈥 Hufnagel said.

Science fact, not science fiction

Despite the , Theiling said NASA鈥檚 risk-averse culture makes a runaway deep-space AI scenario unlikely.

鈥淲e do really big, what looks like really risky things, but we鈥檙e actually super risk averse,鈥 she said. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 want anything to go wrong.鈥

Or, put another way: NASA wants smarter spacecraft 鈥 not sci-fi villains.

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They’re not horsing around: Saddle up for Preakness Day in Prince George’s Co. /prince-georges-county/2026/05/theyre-not-horsing-around-saddle-up-for-preakness-day-in-prince-georges-co/ Thu, 14 May 2026 19:56:09 +0000 /?p=29252729
They鈥檙e not horsing around: Saddle up for Preakness Day in Prince George鈥檚 Co.

You don’t have to play the ponies to in Prince George’s County.

County Executive Aisha Braveboy has teamed up with two-time Pro-Bowl player for the Eagles and 49ers and Prince George’s County native Brian Westbrook to bring a bit of joy to all.

“We kicked it off last Sunday with a toasted Preakness brunch. This week we have a lot of events all across the county, including tomorrow evening at Clyopatra Wine and Vineyards,” Braveboy told 小萝莉影视.

“We will be having a Preakness celebration, and of course, we’ll be at Brian’s farm on Saturday morning.”

Braveboy said there are several locations around the county that will be showing the Preakness, such as Hennessy Creek and Arthur Wheeler distillery Saturday.

“So come out, buy local, share in the enjoyment with local businesses,” Braveboy said.

She added that a lot of people don’t realize that Prince George’s County is “the cradle of thoroughbred racing in the U.S.”

“Prince George’s County, in the late 1700s, was the place where racing really began,” she said. And the county “is really excited about being able to show our history and show our future working with folks like Brian Westbrook.”

Westbrook said “is built on being able to empower and educate young people.”

“We want to give them access to opportunity across the board,” he said. “It’s going to operate in a situation where it’s educational opportunities. We have agricultural data analytics classes and programs. We have athletic data analytics programs and classes. We have financial literacy, we have entrepreneurship, we have leadership classes.”

Westbrook made specific mention of the foundation’s “36 Ways” lesson program and its Junior Horse Master program.

The goal of which is to “try to teach community, to try to teach horsemanship and career development for our young people.”

More information is available at the Prince George’s County .

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Cold front approaches DC region as storm threat stretches into evening hours /local/2026/05/storm-threat-looms-over-dc-region-with-warm-up-ahead/ Wed, 13 May 2026 23:55:26 +0000 /?p=29248537 It’s been a gray day for the D.C. region Wednesday as cloudy skies linger and storms threaten to move throughout the evening. Here’s what you need to know.


Current weather warnings:

  • Ground stop due to thunderstorms at Reagan National and Baltimore-Washington International Airports until 10:45 p.m.

The breezy, cloudy afternoon turned rainy and stormy during the afternoon commute.

“But a better chance for widespread meaningful rainfall along with some gustier winds and rumbles of thunder this evening,” 7小萝莉影视 First Alert Meteorologist Steve Rudin said. “We need every drop we can get.”

Temperatures will inch into the mid-70s, with a southerly wind sticking around through the day ahead of an approaching cold front Wednesday evening.

The main line of rain arrives Wednesday night, bringing the potential for heavier downpours, thunder and gusty winds between 20 and 30 mph.

“As activity moves east, storms should gradually weaken, with mostly showers reaching the I-95 corridor by mid to late evening. Rain totals will generally stay under half an inch,” Rudin said.

While severe weather is not a widespread threat, any storms that do develop in the evening could bring brief heavy downpours and gusty winds.

Overnight temperatures fall back into the 50s as lingering showers come to a close.

Thursday starts damp and cooler. Highs Thursday will only reach the lower 60s under partly to mostly cloudy skies.

Friday will be windy and partly sunny with temperatures peaking in the mid-70s.

The warmup comes fast after that: mid-80s on Saturday and around 90 degrees Sunday.

By Monday and Tuesday, humidity builds and highs could reach the low to mid-90s.

So keep the umbrella handy Wednesday night 鈥 and make sure the AC is ready for the weekend.



Full forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT:
Lingering Showers End
Patchy Fog Possible
Lows: 48-55
Winds: South to Northwest 3-8 mph
Scattered showers may linger for a while overnight as the cold front moves through. Winds will shift to the northwest behind the front, with upslope showers developing along the Alleghenies. Most areas will not see much additional rain, and a few spots may stay mainly dry. Patchy fog could develop where skies briefly clear before the northwest breeze picks up. Temperatures will settle into the 50s to near 60 degrees by daybreak.

THURSDAY:
Partly Cloudy
Highs: 60-65
Winds: Northwest 5-15, Gusts 25 mph
Cooler air settles in Thursday behind Wednesday鈥檚 cold front, bringing a northwest breeze and a noticeably different feel compared to the warmer, more humid setup the day before. High temperatures will only reach the lower 60s, which is nearly 15 degrees below normal for mid-May. A few scattered showers may linger across the mountains, but most neighborhoods around the beltway should stay dry.

FRIDAY:
Mostly Sunny, Breezy
Highs: around 75
Winds: Northwest 10-20 mph
Friday brings a solid rebound as high pressure builds back into the area. Sunshine returns, humidity stays low and temperatures climb into the lower and middle 70s. It will be a comfortable finish to the workweek with pleasant weather for the morning commute, lunchtime plans and the evening ride home. It may become breezy a times.

SATURDAY:
Mostly Sunny
Highs: 83-88
Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph
The weekend starts with a big warmup as southwest flow pushes temperatures into the lower and middle 80s across much of the beltway and surrounding suburbs. Sunshine should dominate much of the day, and while humidity inches up slightly, it still looks fairly manageable for mid May. It will feel warm, but not overly sticky. Records do not appear to be in serious jeopardy Saturday, with the DCA record of 93 likely staying safely out of reach, although the Dulles record of 90 may end up a bit closer.

SUNDAY:
Mostly Sunny
Highs: 85-90
Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph
Sunday brings an even warmer, early summer feel with highs climbing into the middle and upper 80s, with a few locations near 90 degrees possible. Humidity gradually increases, although much of the day still looks dry with a mix of sunshine and passing clouds. A stray late day shower or thunderstorm cannot be ruled out, but this does not appear to be a washout setup. Records currently look safe, with DCA needing 92 degrees and Dulles needing 93, although the warmth will likely serve as a preview of even hotter weather possible early next week.

Current conditions

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3 injured after vehicle strikes 7 cars, flips over in Montgomery Co. /montgomery-county/2026/05/3-people-hurt-after-vehicle-strikes-7-cars-and-flips-over-in-montgomery-co/ Sun, 03 May 2026 23:04:18 +0000 /?p=29210818 Three people were injured Sunday afternoon in Montgomery County, Maryland, after a vehicle struck seven other cars and flipped over.

The crash happened in front of the Shake Shack at the Cabin John Shopping Center in the 7900 block of Tuckerman Lane, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer.

It happened shortly after 1 p.m.

He said the vehicle lost control for “unknown” reasons.

The driver was trapped inside and had to be extricated by first responders.

Three adults were transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

An aerial view of the area is below.

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE. (Courtesy Google Maps)

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Health officials confirm measles case was found in Maryland /maryland/2026/04/health-officials-confirm-measles-case-was-found-in-maryland/ Sun, 19 Apr 2026 21:42:55 +0000 /?p=29160002 A case of measles has been confirmed in a Maryland resident in the Baltimore area who recently traveled internationally, according to the Maryland Department of Health.

Health officials say the highly contagious virus can spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and can linger for up to two hours after they leave an area.

Investigators are working to identify anyone who may have been exposed.

Potential exposure sites include:

  • BWI Marshall Airport鈥檚 international arrivals and lower level baggage claim areas on April 12 between 7:50 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
  • FastMed Urgent Care at 2827 Smith Avenue on April 14 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on April 17 from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Sinai Hospital鈥檚 emergency departments on April 17 between 3:30 p.m. and 7:10 p.m.

Anyone who was at those locations during the listed times should monitor for symptoms for 21 days and check their vaccination status.

Early symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a rash.

As always, vaccination remains a key component in fighting the spread of the disease.

鈥淰accination remains essential to protecting ourselves, our families, and our communities against measles and other infectious diseases,鈥 Maryland Department of Health Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services Dr. Meg Sullivan said in a release.

鈥淭alk with your health care provider to ensure you and your family are up to date with all recommended vaccines, including the MMR vaccine.鈥

Officials say people who develop symptoms should avoid public places and call a health care provider before seeking treatment.

State health leaders are urging residents to make sure they are up to date on their measles, mumps and rubella vaccination.

Information on Maryland’s is online. More MMR information is available from the .

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Former Va. Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax shot his wife in apparent murder-suicide weeks before court deadline to move out /fairfax-county/2026/04/2-dead-after-domestic-incident-in-annandale/ Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:54:39 +0000 /?p=29149207
Police investigate apparent murder-suicide of former Va. Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax and wife

Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax shot and killed his wife Dr. Cerina Fairfax before turning the gun on himself in their Annandale home as the couple was in the midst of a “messy” divorce, police said Thursday.

Fairfax, 47, and his wife, 49, were found dead inside their home in the 8100 block of Guinevere Drive after their teenage son called 911 shortly after midnight, according to police.

A judge had ordered Justin Fairfax to move out of the family’s home by the end of April.

Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis told reporters at a briefing that Fairfax shot his wife several times in the house’s basement, killing her. He then ran upstairs to the primary bedroom and killed himself with the same firearm.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The couple’s teenage children, a boy and a girl, were in the house when it happened. Police said neither were physically harmed.

Davis said he believes the violent events unfolded rapidly, “It all happened pretty spontaneously.”

Police recovered cartridge casings and a firearm at the house. Autopsy reports from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will confirm the cause and manner of death.

Fairfax had been a 鈥渞ising star鈥 before sexual assault allegations stunted the Democrat鈥檚 political aspirations in 2019. His wife ran a family dentistry practice.

Their deaths shocked local lawmakers, who have shared tributes and condolences.

‘Messy’ divorce before killing

Davis noted that divorce proceedings had been ongoing for some time, calling it a聽“complicated or messy” situation.

Fairfax was apparently served paperwork “associated with an upcoming court proceeding,” which may have led to the shooting, Davis said.

In January, Fairfax alleged that his wife assaulted him, an accusation that Davis said was investigated by police and found to be untrue.

“We responded to that scene. There are several cameras set up inside the house. Apparently, Mrs. Fairfax, at some point during these divorce proceedings, set up a lot of cameras inside the home, we reviewed those cameras, and we corroborated that the alleged assault never occurred,” Davis said.

The couple were separated while living in the house together, but Justin Fairfax had until the end of April to move out, per a judge’s order.

Cerina Fairfax had testified in court that her husband drank daily, and that his living space was littered with empty wine bottles and piles of dirty laundry. He bought a handgun in 2022 with money intended for horseback riding lessons for their children, court records showed.

According to court documents, Justin Fairfax鈥檚 鈥渕ental and emotional health鈥 suffered after two setbacks: his unsuccessful 2013 campaign for the Democratic nomination for attorney general and the 2019 sexual assault scandal that ended his political career. After both, he drank heavily and withdrew from his family, but while it took about a month to recover from the first setback, he never bounced back from the second.

“Half of America probably goes through divorce proceedings at some point in time, and very, very rarely, thankfully, does it ever end up like this,” Davis said.

Sexual assault allegations against former Lt. Gov.

Fairfax served as lieutenant governor from 2018 to 2022.

“It’s high profile in nature,” Davis said of the killing. “It’s tragic in nature, certainly a fall from grace for a relatively high-profile family that seemingly had a lot of things going in their favor.”

During his time in office, he faced accusations of sexual assault from two women in 2019.聽Fairfax denied the allegations and finished his term, despite calls from other lawmakers for him to resign.

Fairfax was not criminally charged in either case and maintained his innocence.

Instead of running for reelection, Fairfax campaigned for governor in 2021 and lost during the Democratic primary. He returned to practicing law after his political career.

Court filings show that Fairfax had financial challenges following the allegations of sexual assault. The IRS filed a lien against the couple for more than $91,000 in unpaid taxes that was resolved in 2021.

Cerina and Justin met while attending Duke University and married in 2006.

Cerina Fairfax earned her doctor of dental surgery degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2005. According to her dentistry practice’s website, she was committed to community outreach programs and loved to read, run trails with her dogs and practice Bikram yoga.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

FILE - Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, right, and his wife, Cerina, at the inauguration of Gov. Ralph Northam at the Capitol in Richmond, Va., Saturday, Sept. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Kevin Morley, File)
FILE 鈥 Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, right, and his wife, Cerina, at the inauguration of Gov. Ralph Northam at the Capitol in Richmond, Va., Saturday, Sept. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Kevin Morley, File)
Police investigate home
Fairfax County police walk outside the home of former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, in Annandale, Va., Thursday, April 16, 2026. (小萝莉影视/Luke Lukert)
Virginia Former Lt. Gov. Death
Fairfax County police confer in front of the home of former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, in Annandale, Va., Thursday, April 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Police investigate home
Fairfax County police secure the home of former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax in Annandale, Va. after a shooting on April 16, 2026. (小萝莉影视/Luke Lukert)
Investigators arrive at the scene of a shooting in Annandale, Virginia. (小萝莉影视/Neal Augenstein)
Virginia-Former Lt. Gov. Death
FILE 鈥 Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, speaks to supporters at Pink Fish restaurant in Hampton, Va., Thursday, April 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)
(1/6)
FILE - Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, right, and his wife, Cerina, at the inauguration of Gov. Ralph Northam at the Capitol in Richmond, Va., Saturday, Sept. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Kevin Morley, File)
Police investigate home
Virginia Former Lt. Gov. Death
Police investigate home
Virginia-Former Lt. Gov. Death

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Suspect arrested after pipe attacks turn deadly outside Addison Road Metro Station /prince-georges-county/2026/04/suspect-arrested-after-pipe-attacks-turn-deadly-outside-addison-road-metro-station/ Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:12:45 +0000 /?p=29149680 Two people were assaulted, leaving one of them dead, at the Addison Road Metro Station in Prince George’s County, Maryland, Thursday morning, according to authorities.

Metro Transit Police told 小萝莉影视 that the assaults happened outside the station shortly after 5 a.m.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found two victims.

The suspect was arrested and a pipe was found connected to the assaults.

One of the victims was taken to a local hospital where police said they died.

Addison Road Metro Station was closed while authorities investigated. It reopened

This is a developing news story. Stay with 小萝莉影视 for the latest.

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‘Great American State Fair’ to take over National Mall for 16 days /dc/2026/04/great-american-state-fair-to-take-over-national-mall-for-16-days/ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:36:13 +0000 /?p=29143792 A massive, state fair-style celebration is coming to the National Mall in D.C. this summer.

Organizers with said the 鈥淕reat American State Fair,鈥 a 16-day event set to run from June 25 through July 10, will stretch from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington Monument.

The event announced Tuesday aims to bring together all U.S. states and territories in what鈥檚 being described as a “World鈥檚 Fair”-scale experience. It’s to have food, exhibits and interactive displays highlighting regional culture and traditions.

鈥淏ound together by a shared promise, our nation is a union of diverse states and territories 鈥 distinct in character, united in purpose,鈥 Freedom 250 CEO Keith Krach said in the release.

According to the release, visitors can expect a mix of classic fair attractions and large-scale installations, including a towering 110-foot Ferris wheel and a refurbished Smithsonian carousel.

Organizers said the fair will feature rotating daily themes, including Military Appreciation Day on June 28 and 鈥淭he Next 250鈥 on July 10, tied to the nation鈥檚 upcoming semiquincentennial.

“As our nation prepares to celebrate 250 years of freedom and opportunity, the National Mall will once again serve as the stage for telling our nation鈥檚 story,” Krach said.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the National Mall will serve as a fitting backdrop as the country prepares to mark 250 years since its founding.

The Great American State Fair will be free and open to the public, though advance registration is encouraged.

It’s slated to run from June 25 to July 10 on the National Mall between 4th Street and 14th Street. See the operating hours below:

  • 10 a.m. 鈥 9 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday
  • 10 a.m. 鈥 11 p.m. Thursday to Saturday
  • 10 a.m. until midnight on July 4

More details, including programming, can .

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What Prince George’s Co. doesn’t want at the Six Flags site /prince-georges-county/2026/04/what-prince-georges-co-doesnt-want-at-the-six-flags-site/ Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:22:09 +0000 /?p=29127402 It’s not all fun and games when you’re trying to figure out what to do with a massive amusement park site in Prince George’s County.

The Maryland county is testing the waters, so to speak, after an investment group that includes NBA All-Star and D.C.-area native Kevin Durant agreed to buy the Six Flags property.

Speaking with 小萝莉影视, County Executive Aisha Braveboy made it clear what they didn’t want to see on the 515-acre parcel.

“I think the county doesn’t want to see just another housing development,” Braveboy told 小萝莉影视. “We want to create another destination area in Prince George’s County, a place where our residents can go and enjoy as well as visitors from abroad.”

So what might that include?

“We’re looking at creating a commercial destination area with restaurants and shops and hotels and other venues that will bring a tourist as well as serve the citizens here.”

Braveboy said she sees this as a chance to “elevate” the shopping and dining experience in the area.

“This is going to be what our residents have been looking for in terms of being able to live, work and then play and recreate and enjoy their time right here in Prince George’s County,” she said.

The announcement of the new owners is still fresh, so Braveboy said it will be six to eight months before they can get feedback from the community.

“We’ll have a better idea of what the community wants, and then we can lay out a schedule, but I would hope that within the next 鈥 12 to 18 months, that we have a real solid plan and that we’re on our way to getting approvals for any zoning changes that need to occur, as well as beginning construction,” Braveboy said.

“Give it a little time.”

At-Large Council member Wala Blegay told 小萝莉影视 that “what I have heard from meeting with the surrounding communities is that there was a grave, grave, grave concern about making sure that it doesn’t come into a bunch of housing.”

“They are looking at entertainment destination and making sure that it becomes almost like its own village that will attract people.”

Economic development, Blegay said, is a key interest.

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Metro hair-touching suspect back in jail, accused of stalking DC woman /dc/2026/04/metro-hair-touching-suspect-back-in-jail-accused-of-stalking-dc-woman/ Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:31:27 +0000 /?p=29127091 A Silver Spring, Maryland, man accused of targeting women on Metro trains is back behind bars 鈥 and facing a new stalking charge in D.C.

Bryan Betancur, 28, who had been released on bond after being accused of touching women鈥檚 hair while riding Metro, was arrested again Wednesday after investigators said he targeted a different woman in the District.

According to court documents, the alleged behavior ratcheted up after his release.

Prosecutors said Betancur made antisemitic remarks and performed a Nazi salute toward the woman during a March 20 encounter in Northwest D.C., which she recorded.

Investigators said Betancur later livestreamed himself near the U.S. Supreme Court, appearing to search for the woman while she was working as a journalist.

The victim confirmed that she had been at the location but left prior to the suspect鈥檚 livestream video,” a D.C. police news release said.聽

Court filings also said there was a pattern of harassment online, including explicit messages sent to the victim and repeated unwanted contact.

Authorities said the conduct violated the conditions of his release, which included staying off Metro property and following court orders.

He was arrested by a member of the U.S. Marshal Service at D.C. Superior Court Wednesday and turned over to D.C. police, according to the news release.

Betancur is now being held without bond on the new stalking charge.

He is also among those who were previously pardoned for their role in the Jan. 6 riot.

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Unmarked graves and an uncomfortable state for Maryland /maryland/2026/04/unmarked-graves-and-an-uncomfortable-state-for-maryland/ Mon, 06 Apr 2026 10:26:01 +0000 /?p=29116568 A state-led effort to investigate the history of the Cheltenham Youth Detention Center is moving forward in Annapolis, with companion bills advancing in both chambers of the Maryland legislature, .

A revised House measure is progressing as a similar bill from Sen. William C. Smith Jr. cleared a Senate committee with little opposition.

Lawmakers say the goal is to confront a troubling past and provide answers to families.

鈥淲e are making an attempt to reunify families with that tragic history and understand exactly what happened,鈥 Smith said.

Both bills have already passed their respective chambers with strong bipartisan support. Smith鈥檚 Senate bill cleared 45-0, while a House version from Del. Jeffrie E. Long Jr. passed 129-1. The effort is a priority for the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland.

The push follows a Capital 小萝莉影视 Service investigation that found more than 200 boys died in state custody at Cheltenham between the late 19th and 20th centuries, many buried in unmarked graves.

If approved, the legislation would create an independent commission, led by the Maryland Attorney General鈥檚 Office, to conduct a full historical review with input from experts in genealogy, law and history.

Officials say planning is already underway, with the commission expected to begin work this fall and produce findings by the end of 2026.

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Maryland man dead after being struck in Fairfax County /fairfax-county/2026/04/maryland-man-dead-after-being-struck-in-fairfax-county/ Sun, 05 Apr 2026 22:59:14 +0000 /?p=29116250 A Maryland man is dead after being struck by a pickup truck in Fairfax County, Virginia, late Friday night.

Police said the crash happened around 10:20 p.m. at the intersection of Richmond Highway and Pohick Road near Woodlawn.

According to investigators, the driver of a Toyota Tacoma was heading northbound on Richmond Highway when the pedestrian, Anthony Williams, 67, was crossing at the intersection. He was hit in the roadway.

Williams was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died.

The driver was not hurt and remained at the scene.

Police said speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors.

Anyone with information regarding this accident is asked by Fairfax County police to call their crash reconstruction unit at 703-280-0543 or can submit an anonymous tip at 1-866-411-8477. Those who submit an anonymous tip are eligible for cash rewards.

Below is a map of the location where the crash took place:

Map of Fairfax County fatal pedestrian crash
(Courtesy Google Maps)

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Tuesday is your last chance to take a ride on the DC Streetcar /dc/2026/03/tuesday-is-your-last-chance-to-take-a-ride-on-the-dc-streetcar/ Sun, 29 Mar 2026 23:13:00 +0000 /?p=29094508
After a decade of service along the H Street and Benning Road corridor, the DC Streetcar is coming to the end of the line. (小萝莉影视/Sandy Kozel)

The D.C. Streetcar served District residents for a decade. But starting Tuesday, it’s hitting the brakes for good.

Service officially ends March 31, which is the last day it will operate on its route along H Street and Benning Road in Northeast.

The D.C. Streetcar was launched in 2016 as a single line that runs 2.2 miles between Union Station and the edge of the old RFK Stadium campus.

But it never reached the ridership that was expected and officials with the District Department of Transportation said it was too expensive to maintain. It also had its funding cut by the D.C. Council in its 2026 budget.聽

Mayor Muriel Bowser had talked about replacing the streetcar line with an electric bus system, but there are no firms plans for that option.

The closure comes a year earlier than initially planned 鈥 March 2027.

WMATA鈥檚 D20 bus, which runs along the H Street corridor, is one alternative to the closing streetcar.

For now, a spokeswoman from Metro said the agency isn’t planning on making changes to its schedules. The transit agency’s analysis found Metro bus service can accomodate customers who previously used streetcar. She told 小萝莉影视 that Metro will monitor conditions and adjust as needed.

小萝莉影视’s Sandy Kozel contributed to this report.

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Why Howard Co. high schoolers will be starting their day earlier /howard-county/2026/03/tick-tock-howard-co-schools-issue-adjustments-to-make-up-for-lost-time/ Sun, 29 Mar 2026 21:11:29 +0000 /?p=29094243 Time may not be on your side, but it’s not wholly against you, either.

A two-hour delay March 3 botched the Howard County Public Schools System’s run to meet the 180 days and 1,170 hours required by Maryland for high school students.

Then there was a three-hour early dismissal on March 16, which added to the deficit.

But the school system has a plan to account for that 鈥 and it may surprise you.

Prepare, students, to get to school two minutes early starting May 4.

HCPSS outlines it like this:

  • Monday, June 8: Previously scheduled as a three-hour early dismissal and now will be a full day for all students.
  • Beginning Monday, May 4, the high school student day will begin at 7:48 a.m., two minutes earlier than the current 7:50 start time. This will add a total of 1 hour and 4 minutes to the school year for high schools. The bus pickup schedule will remain unimpacted, and middle and elementary schools will not have an extended student day.

“This solution results in the least amount of disruption and preserves the cultural and religious observances remaining in the 2025-2026 school year calendar,” the system said in a release.

“Additionally, following the earlier decision to open schools and offices on Monday, April 6, this solution makes no further change to Spring Break.”

The updated calendars are available .

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How to watch Nationals games 鈥 without MASN /washington-nationals/2026/03/how-to-watch-nationals-games-without-masn/ Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:41:51 +0000 /?p=29084084 Sure, you can take me out to the ballgame 鈥 but what if I want to curl up on the couch with a beer that doesn’t cost a chunk of my rent?

Washington Nationals games are no longer being broadcast over MASN.

Instead, you’ll need to make your way to , a new streaming service for home runs, foul balls and stolen bases.

According to a news release, local Nationals.TV games will be widely available for fans in the home television market on the following channels in the D.C. area:

  • Charter/Spectrum (IP National) 鈥 Channel 425 (Channel location for Spectrum app on devices)
  • Charter/Spectrum (Localized STB Systems) 鈥 Channel 330 (Channel location for traditional set-top-box users)
  • Norfolk-Portsmouth, Raleigh-Durham, Richmond Salisbury DMAs
  • Comcast/Xfinity 鈥 Channel 1261
  • Cox 鈥 Channel 159
  • DIRECTV 鈥 Channel 641
  • Verizon Fios 鈥 Channel 579

has more ways to, as you might have guessed from the url, watch.

Now, when it comes to play-by-play broadcasters for the Nats’ inaugural season, they’ve got Dan Kolko along with Kevin Frandsen and Alexa Datt.

As you’re undoubtedly aware, Thursday is Opening Day for Major League Baseball, although the Yankees whipped the Giants 7-0 Wednesday night.

As for Washington, they’ll face off against the Cubs in Chicago.

The Nationals’ home opener is Friday, April 3, against the Dodgers.

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