‘Just getting through it’: What was your highlight of 2025?

WTOP News 12/31 2:51A Jimmy Alexander

2026 is only hours away and before it arrives, a lot of people will look in the rearview mirror and ask the question, What was my favorite part of 2025? WTOP asked tourists and locals on the National Mall that question and even with the extremely...

Top DOJ officials may have been pressing to bring criminal charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia,...

WTOP News 12/31 1:52A WTOP Staff

Kilmar Abrego Garcia leaves a check-in at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Baltimore Field Office the day after a federal judge ordered his release from a detention in Pennsylvania, on...

WATCH LIVE: New Year’s Eve fireworks and National Monument light show

WTOP News 12/30 10:50P Valerie Bonk

It s almost time to ring in 2026 — and D.C. is celebrating on the National Mall. The fireworks will begin at midnight to celebrate the new year. To commemorate America’s 250th birthday in 2026, the Washington Monument will have a projection show...

7 Great Ski Destinations an Easy Drive From DC

Washingtonian Things To Do 12/30 10:00P Jennifer Albarracin Moya

For Beginners of All Ages Wisp Resort location_on McHenry, MD language Website Photograph courtesy of Wisp Resort. A smart layout and tons of beginner terrain make this Deep Creek Lake resort a mecca...

The Washington Monument Will Light Up This Week in Honor of America’s 250th Birthday

Washingtonian Things To Do 12/30 2:51A Kate Corliss

Although America s birthday isn t technically until July, an early celebration is underway: Freedom 250 , the public-private organization established by President Donald Trump to commemorate America s semiquincentennial, will host a six-night...

New Year’s Day 2026: Check out what’s open and closed in the DC area

WTOP News 12/29 11:17P Tadiwos Abedje

It s the time of year to celebrate the transition from 2025 to 2026. Related stories Where to party on New Year s Eve in the DC area These laws start New Year s Day in Virginia, Maryland, DC DC’s annual Fresh Start 5K starts off 2026 with new...

15 superb soups and stews worth slurping in the DC area this winter

WTOP News 12/29 10:13P Michelle Goldchain

As winter settles over the D.C. region, the brisk chill of the air may bring forth a longing for one specific dish. WTOP has rounded up 15 soups and stews from local restaurants in the District and...

Pipe bomb suspect told FBI he targeted US political parties because they were ‘in charge,’ memo...

WTOP News 12/28 9:57P WTOP Staff

WASHINGTON (AP) — The man accused of placing two pipe bombs in Washington on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol told investigators after his arrest that he believed someone needed to “speak up” for people who believed the 2020...

DOGE in review: Did the agency create opportunities for new government efficiencies in 2026?

WTOP News 12/28 8:58P Sarah Jacobs

President Donald Trump greenlighted the Department of Government Efficiency as a means to modernize information technology and slash federal spending while improving productivity, but now that the agency has since been quietly disbanded, how...

New laws in Virginia, DC, Maryland take effect in the new year

WTOP News 12/28 8:56P Jessica Kronzer

A slew of new laws will go into effect in Virginia, Maryland and D.C. on New Year s Day. Health, social media and paychecks are among the topics addressed in the wide range of legislation that hits the books on Jan. 1, 2026. Here a few of the new...

Is it closing time for DC’s ‘ugliest’ building?

WTOP News 12/28 12:02A Jimmy Alexander

File photo of the J. Edgar Hoover Building. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)(AP/Andrew Harnik) File photo of the J. Edgar Hoover Building. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)(AP/Andrew Harnik) FBI Director Kash Patel...

Couples, community and a bunch of baby animals: Good news from the DC area in 2025

NBC DC (Local) 12/27 9:42A Maggie More, NBC Washington digi

Whether 2025 was the best of times, the worst of times, or both, congratulations: You made it to the end, dear reader, and a fresh start is just around the corner. Maybe you clicked on this good news...

5 people shot near DC’s Walter E. Washington Convention Center

WTOP News 12/27 3:42A Ciara Wells

Five men were injured in a shooting near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Northwest D.C. Friday night. Related stories 1 dead after shooting at food court at MGM National Harbor in DC...

WATCH: WTOP’s most viral videos of 2025

WTOP News 12/26 10:00P Kay Perkins

This year has been full of viral moments — from the funny, to the emotional, to the just plain weird. As we wrap up 2025, let s look back at the moments WTOP staff caught on camera that drew the eyes of millions. #5: Federal workers at Virginia...

Looking back: How the Commanders’ RFK stadium deal came together in 2025

WTOP News 12/24 11:27P Mike Murillo

This page contains a video which is being blocked by your ad blocker. In order to view the video you must disable your ad blocker. How the Commanders' $3.7B RFK Stadium deal came together This story is part of WTOP’s series “ Five stories that...