WTOP | Washington’s Top News | DC, MD & VA News, Traffic & Weather

D.C. Police Department Chief Pamela Smith

DC Police Chief Pamela Smith to step down, Mayor Bowser says

Tourists bundle up

Bitter blast of winter chills descend on DC region

Gael Gomez poses with telescope

He shares the 'wonders of the night sky' with DC. But this young immigrant may be forced to leave the US

Kennedy Center Honors

Trump takes center stage hosting the Kennedy Center Honors, recognizing Stallone, Kiss, Gaynor and others

Councilwoman Anita Bonda with Council Chairman Phil Mendelson.

'It certainly changes the tone': Political analyst on Bonds' announcement not to seek reelection

U.S. flag and white envelope

Scammers are targeting immigrants with promises of quick citizenship. Here's what to know

New
Golden Globe nominations should give a skewed Oscar picture, plus a new podcast category

What's that in the sky? WTOP has the answers

Exxxotica puts the 'XXX' in Dulles Expo Center

Northwood High student charged as adult with possession of loaded handgun on campus

QB Jayden Daniels lands hard on previously injured left elbow in Commanders loss vs. Vikings

Appeals court backs Trump’s firings of MSPB, NLRB members

Christmas trees

Picking the perfect Christmas tree: Tips from a DC-area expert

giant tree lit on stage with people admiring

PHOTOS: National Christmas Tree lighting in DC

Toys are displayed on shelves in a Walmart Supercenter on May 15, in Austin, Texas.

'I don’t mind spending a little over': DC shopping cops go out of pocket to bring a better Christmas

artificial christmas trees in a store

Tariffs add to holiday costs for artificial trees

The Capitol Christmas tree, a 53-foot red fir from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada, is illuminated in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Nevada fourth grader joins House speaker in lighting US Capitol Christmas tree

child holding christmas gift with christmas tree in background

With donations down, Prince William Co. nonprofit works to meet its gift-giving goals

person carrying box of food

Where to find DC-area groups working on causes you care about this GivingTuesday

Female holding credit card making online payment, closeup view

Shopping online? Here’s how to stay scam free this holiday season

‘It feels so rewarding’: Local business owner creates perfect gifts for loved ones

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center's renovated emergency department waiting area.

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, Long Family Markets partner for holiday market in Woodbridge

Consumers should do their research before giving in to Travel Tuesday temptation

A very rare "red Northern Lights" over Virginia in 2003. (Greg Redfern)

What to get the stargazer in your life for the holidays in 2025

‘A huge undertaking’: Behind the scenes of a Maryland holiday lights show

Fort Dupont Ice Arena reopens in Ward 7 after $39 million renovation

FIFA draws 12 'unprecedented' group during 2026 World Cup draw in DC

DC’s first snow of the season: Was it ‘snow day’ worthy?

Raccoon gets drunk at Virginia ABC store, passes out in bathroom

SPONSORED: A parent’s perspective on Camp Accomplish

Iconic U Street building with Ruth Bader Ginsburg mural up for auction

Chef Tobias Dorzon on faith, resilience and rebuilding life after shooting

At Loudoun County crossroads, 98-year-old Gilberts Corner gas station torn down

‘It makes you kind of scared’: Pipe bomb suspect’s Woodbridge neighbors stunned at arrest

DC shopping cops go out of pocket to bring a better Christmas

Window-washing basket malfunctions, 2 workers rescued midair from Fairfax County high-rise

Water leak in Montgomery Co. displaces at least 1,000

Why some don’t want Md. high school to be renamed after Muppets creator, Jim Henson

Behind the scenes with the National Zoo's newest great cats

Man fatally shot while ordering food at MGM National Harbor, police say

Tariffs add to holiday costs for artificial trees

Make-A-Wish grants a Suitland teen a swim with the biggest fish in the world

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Commercial building fire

Electrical fire leaves $2.7 million in damages to industrial building in Loudoun Co.

Water leak at Arrive Apartments

Montgomery Co. residents return home after water leak displaces 1,000 tenants

James Madison Coastal Carolina Football

James Madison clinches College Football Playoff slot as Notre Dame gets left out

Winter Weather

Montgomery Co. school district under fire for operating normally during Friday’s wintry weather

man surrounded by screens speaks into a microphone

WTOP's Bob Immler retires after 40 years in the traffic business

Japan China

Japan protests after China military jet locks radar on Japanese aircraft

Learn about programs offering no-cost energy conservation kits and rebates for qualifying appliances

Insight by Washington Gas

Trump

Hegseth defends strikes on alleged cartel boats, says Trump can order use of force 'as he sees fit'

Expert Edition: How to assemble the building blocks of impact-driven AI

Insight by ThunderCat Technology

Pearl Harbor Anniversary

Soon no Pearl Harbor survivors will be alive. People turn to other ways to learn about the bombing

Trump Dulles

Dulles was supposed to be the airport of the future. So why does everyone, including Trump, hate it?

Fort Dupont Ice Arena

It’s 'Ice Ice Baby' in DC's Ward 7 thanks to $39M ice arena

National Harbor Shooting

MGM National Harbor shooting suspect confessed to doing 'something so bad,' documents say

Francine the cat

How a Virginia cat sent Lowe's staffers on the hunt of a lifetime

County News

DC Police Chief Pamela Smith to step down

Bitter blast of winter chills descend on DC region

He shares the ‘wonders of the night sky’ with DC. But this young immigrant may be forced to leave the US

Scammers are targeting immigrants with promises of quick citizenship. Here’s what to know

Montgomery Co. residents return home after water leak displaces 1,000 tenants

Virginia Drunk Raccoon

Virginia's new party animal, a viral drunken raccoon, honored with cocktail recipes

a man smiles in a photo

Chef Tobias Dorzon on faith, resilience and rebuilding life after shooting

The Sidewalk Astronomers have their own astrophotography art exhibit, located down a brick alleyway off Mount Pleasant Street, in partnership with D.C. gallery Lost Origins.

Have you heard of DC’s ‘Sidewalk Astronomers?’

VIDEOS

can and glass of beer sitting on table

This WTOP Beer of the Week is reminiscent of rich German malts

spiderman balloon thanksgiving parade

WATCH: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

WATCH: Trump pardons turkeys Gobble and Waddle in annual Thanksgiving tradition

PHOTO GALLERIES

S6 Sportback e-tron

Car Review: Audi S6 Sportback e-tron

Very good dogs

2025 Pet of the Week

Britain Auction

PHOTOS: This egg is expected to sell for more than $26 million

VIRGINIA

DEA_Corruption_10075

Ex-DEA agent from Northern Virginia charged in alleged deal to launder millions of dollars for Mexican drug cartel

Health & Fitness

A man getting a vaccine

'Babies are at risk': Health reporter breaks down CDC panel's new Hepatitis B vaccine rules

DC

navy blue straps with a gold medal hanging from the middle

Kennedy Center Honors reveal new medallion design after dismissing original creator

Sponsored

Learn about programs offering no-cost energy conservation kits and rebates for qualifying appliances

Learn about programs offering no-cost energy conservation kits and rebates for qualifying appliances

Insight by Washington Gas

22 Hours: A Second Look

S4 E14 - Appeal Denied: A Second Look

When purpose defines your business plan

Beyond the Fame with Jason Fraley

Cicely Tyson

WTOP's DC Sports Huddle

How the Commanders 'win' NFL free agency

493 | Denmark Confronts Trump Administration over Greenland

thERINpy with Erin Washington

Marni Battista, life design coach and author of Your Radical Living Challenge

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