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Police respond to suspicious device in DC

Sex toy outside DC fire station prompts bomb squad response

Trump Press Secretary

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is leaving the Trump administration

A stolen snake

Man hoarding cache of stolen reptiles in Capitol Heights home arrested, police say

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue vehicles on the scene of a deadly crash

Police identify Frederick man, 67, killed in crash near Damascus

In this photo illustration a virtual friend is seen on the screen of an iPhone on April 30, 2020, in Arlington, Virginia. - "It's so good to hear your voice." "I was worried about you." "What would you like to do today?"
This might sound like ordinary banter between friends. But in these cases, the "friend" speaking was a chatbot created with artificial intelligence. The custom-designed chatbots -- male, female or other -- in this case come from California-based startup Replika and are designed to be companions for people needing a connection. The AI chatbots have drawn increased interest during the global virus pandemic, which has led to a sharp rise in isolation and anxiety. (Photo by Olivier DOULIERY / AFP) (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)

What two studies say about teens and AI usage, and what it means for parents

Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook (4) dribbles the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Russell Westbrook retires from the NBA with a farewell video narrated by Michael B. Jordan

New
Virginia’s vaccine recommendations, requirements won’t change after Trump order, officials say

Neighbors fundraise to reopen historic grocery store on Capitol Hill

DC police lieutenant pleads guilty in child sex abuse sting

Delle Donne, Fletcher and Maryland’s title team get Hall of Fame call

TOTAL ECLIPSE: Spain sees country's 1st total solar eclipse in over a century

Pentagon wants to spend millions on Palantir with few details

Elevated view of students writing their GCSE exam

Why is enrollment across DC-area school districts falling?

Row of yellow school buses parked with blue sky in the background

Back to school: Hear from Stafford County Public Schools superintendent

Three young adult university students are sitting on steps, using smartphones and studying, with backpacks beside them

How ‘popcorn brain’ can create challenges in the classroom

children’s boutique Rue & Row

Local boutique says kids are calling the shots on back-to-school fashion

yellow school buses

Back to school: Hear from Spotsylvania County Public Schools superintendent

PEMBROKE PINES, FLORIDA - APRIL 19: A school bus is shown parked at a depot on April 19, 2023 in Pembroke Pines, Florida. The Florida Board of Education today approved banning discussion in the classroom of sexual orientation and gender identity for all grades through 12th grade, an expansion of what critics call the “Don’t Say Gay” law. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Back-to-school guide: Changes coming to DC-area schools this fall

01:29

Mott's Market reopens on Capitol Hill after 4 years

00:43

Why school enrollment is falling across the DC area

01:34

Six arrested for series of retail store robberies around the DC region

00:49

Protesters call to ‘Free DC’ 1 year after Trump deployed National Guard

01:19

Your next DC food delivery could arrive via a robot

00:51

Meet Earl, a dog full of potential and a ton of fun

01:21

Local boutique owner: Kids are rocking bright colors and rhinestones this year

02:58

Step into a vault of centuries-old books at this DC library

01:12

Arlington graduate earns spot on USA Para Hockey World Cup team

01:09

A salute to service includes some serious drilling — NFL style

01:04

Washington-area native Stefon Diggs returns home to the Commanders

00:56

DC brewer wins opportunity to learn from craft beer legend

00:44

NPS notice blames previous administrations for Reflecting Pool issues

00:58

Stefon Diggs won’t just help Jayden Daniels — he’ll unleash him

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Neal Augenstein has been a general assignment reporter with WTOP since 1997.

New test searches for tiniest remnants of Neal Augenstein's lung cancer in his blood

A blockbuster $12.5B deal as Josh Kushner and Bob Iger agree to buy the Lakers, AP source says

DC police cruiser

Neighborhood commissioner sues DC police over reward money allegedly promised in crime cases

soocer player prepares to kick ball hard

U.Md. soccer player the next to sue NCAA over what’s considered professional sports

Car Review: The Subaru Crosstrek Sport Hybrid is desert ready and Beltway friendly

Prince George’s County Police Chief George Nader announces arrests in a series of retail robberies

'This was their profession': 6 arrests in series of DC-area retail robberies totaling $500,000

Maximus earns ‘top workplace’ award by investing in employee growth, training and AI skills

Insight by Maximus

sign in front of house under renovation

Historic Pendleton Rooming House renovation in Alexandria nears completion

Which issues are dominating federal CFO priorities right now? Register to find out!

FNN Event

Immigration Detention Expansion

Federal judge says proposed immigration facility in Howard County can move forward, for now

The E. Barrett Prettyman United States Courthouse, for the US District Court and US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, is seen in Washington, DC, November 3, 2025.

A DC trial was wrapping up when jurors made a discovery that shocked the courtroom

A 'share the trail' sign on the W&OD trail.

Man convicted of first 'stranger rape' in Herndon in more than a decade, according to then-police chief

US Election 2026 Wisconsin Primary Debate

Election takeaways: No clear direction for Wisconsin Democrats

Gotti Grandson Prison

John Gotti’s grandson kept trying to delay prison to donate kidney to mother. A judge said enough.

Wisconsin-Nintendo Games

Ultrarare Nintendo Mario game cartridges discovered in Wisconsin

Immigration ICE Shock Gloves

AP Exclusive: ICE plans to give officers gloves that can deliver painful electric shocks

stadium rendering

Joint venture selected to build new Washington Commanders stadium

APTOPIX Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

Democrats begin probe into prosecution linked to Reflecting Pool

A look at the newest rendering of the exterior of the Capital One Arena during its major renovation. (Courtesy Monumental Sports)

Take a look at the newest renderings of the Capital One Arena renovations

Trump

Amid major federal shifts, McMahon urges Va. universities to reform practices, restore public trust

County News

Man hoarding cache of stolen reptiles in Capitol Heights home arrested, police say

Police identify Frederick man, 67, killed in crash near Damascus

Virginia’s vaccine recommendations, requirements won’t change after Trump order, officials say

Delle Donne, Fletcher and Maryland’s title team get Hall of Fame call

‘We pack a lot into a little’: Mott’s Market grand reopening warms up Capitol Hill

Recalls

Japan Earn Toyota

Toyota recalls 655K Camrys over display error that may deactivate turn signals and other indicators

ELECTIONS

Election 2026 Vermont

Judge again bars Trump administration from implementing order that sought to limit mail voting

FOOD & RESTAURANT

coco robot

Your next DC food delivery could arrive via a WALL-E like robot

Sponsored

How GAP Solutions built an award-winning workplace culture

How GAP Solutions built an award-winning workplace culture

Sponsored by GAP Solutions

VIDEOS

1UP: 'Absolutely pristine' copies of Super Mario Brothers Duck Hunt found

APTOPIX Trump Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

WATCH: 'Apology would be nice.' Judge tosses ex-Olympian's Reflecting Pool vandalism case

Maryland State House

WATCH: Maryland General Assembly advances redistricting amendment

PHOTO GALLERIES

APTOPIX Spain Solar Eclipse

PHOTOS: Total solar eclipse awes millions in Spain, Iceland

Car Review: Subaru Crosstrek Sport Hybrid

Meet Earl and Toppy, WTOP's Pets of the Week.

WTOP's Pets of the Week

22 Hours: A Second Look

American Nightmares Season 6 Primer: From The Garden to The Canal

#17, Justin Baer: Building a $75M men's lifestyle brand from 1 shirt

Beyond the Fame with Jason Fraley

Eli Roth

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

From Our Partners

WTOP News Welcomes Kristin Diaz as New AM Drive Anchor

WTOP News Welcomes John Wordock as New Business Reporter 2026

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