An innocent bystander who was shot inside a Target store on New York Avenue in Northeast D.C. is speaking out from his hospital bed as police continue to search for the shooter.

Above-average housing costs in Maryland account for 21% of measured poverty in the state, according to a Pew report.

A National Guard member deployed to Washington, D.C. has been arrested for carrying an unauthorized firearm after a traffic stop by U.S. Park Police.

A teen boy was injured in a Northwest D.C. shooting Friday evening, police said.

A 16-year-old boy turned himself in to police in connection with a double shooting in Hybla Valley that left two men injured.

Two men were injured in a Northeast D.C. shooting on Friday that prompted a search for a suspect, police said.

The fight over who will build a proposed $1.4 billion immersive entertainment venue at National Harbor has reached a critical point ahead of a major financing vote scheduled for Monday.

A Northern Virginia elementary school teacher is facing charges in connection with an assault on a student, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.

A man who fled from police and caused a multi-car crash that killed a 3-year-old girl in Prince George’s County was sentenced to spend nine years behind bars.

Eight students were hospitalized Friday after suffering from dehydration due to heat during an ROTC field day at a Northern Virginia high school on Friday.

A crash on US-50 (John Hanson Highway) in Prince George's County left one person in critical condition and resulted in temporary westbound lane closures Friday afternoon. Firefighters and rescue personnel responded around 12:48 p.m. to a motor vehicle collision on US-50 West, past Martin Luther King Jr. Highway. Prince George's County Fire and EMS crews arrived to find an occupant trapped inside a vehicle. Rescuers extricated the victim, who was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. A juvenile patient in the vehicle was also transported to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. According to the Metropolitan Area Transportation Operations Coordination (MATOC), all westbound lanes of US-50 were blocked at I-95/I-495 (Exit 7/Capital Beltway) following the collision. Traffic was diverted to the ramp for the Outer Loop, causing delays extending nearly a mile. Authorities have not released the cause of the crash or the total number of vehicles involved. The identities of the adult in critical condition and the injured juvenile have not been disclosed.

This year's Kennedy Center Honors will be held at Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C. rather than its traditional riverfront venue, which remains at the center of a legal battle over adding President Donald Trump's name to the building. **RELATED:** Kennedy Center accused of delaying planned repairs The 49th annual awards ceremony is scheduled for Dec. 7, a Kennedy Center spokesperson announced Friday. Details regarding the relocation were sparse, and officials offered no immediate explanation for the venue shift. The center's board voted last month to close the iconic performing arts facility along the Potomac River after a federal judge blocked the institution from adding Trump's name to the building. **RELATED:** Kennedy Center faces closure amid financial crisis, report says Trump has stated in social media posts that the center requires closure for safety repairs, but maintained those repairs would only proceed if the board was permitted to add his name to the structure. A federal judge has twice ruled that such a change cannot occur without approval from Congress, which has allocated $257 million for building repairs. Trump hosted the 2025 awards, where honorees included Sylvester Stallone and George Strait. During the event, Trump declared he would rename the facility the "Trump Kennedy Center," and workers began installing his name on the building shortly thereafter. The Trump-appointed board of trustees had voted unanimously for the name change, sparking an ongoing court challenge. Congress designated the performing arts venue as a living memorial to John F. Kennedy in 1964, the year following his assassination. Federal law explicitly prohibits the board of trustees from designating the center as a memorial to anyone else or placing another person's name on the building's exterior. Established in 1978, the Kennedy Center Honors recognize lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts. The 2026 honorees will be announced at a later date, according to the spokesperson.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will not play in Sunday's game in London against the Indianapolis Colts as he continues to rehabilitate a dislocated elbow, head coach Dan Quinn announced Friday. Marcus Mariota will start in place of Daniels for the international matchup. Daniels dislocated his left elbow during a Week 2 loss at Dallas, marking the second time he has suffered the injury to his non-throwing arm. Mariota stepped in last weekend to lead Washington (1-2) to a victory over the Seattle Seahawks in the team's home opener.

Authorities have issued a Purple Alert for a missing nonverbal 16-year-old girl with autism last seen early Friday in Silver Spring. Keylijah Holt was last seen around 3:30 a.m. in the area of 16th Street and East-West Highway. She is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing 140 pounds, with brown eyes and short black hair styled in twists. Police said Holt was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, black pants, and black sneakers with white trim. Anyone with information regarding Holt's whereabouts is asked to call the Montgomery County Police non-emergency line at 301-279-8000.

Alexandria police are expected to give an update on the indictment of a man accused of murder and firearm charges in connection with the fatal July shooting of a man in an apartment building parking lot, authorities announced. A Northern Virginia Multijurisdictional Grand Jury returned an indictment Sept. 30 charging Corey Stubblefield, 38, with one felony count of murder and one felony count of use of a firearm in the commission of murder. The charges stem from an Alexandria Police Department investigation into the July 15 shooting death of Charles Talley. Officers responding to reports of a shooting found Talley lying in an apartment building parking lot in the 5300 block of Holmes Run Parkway with a gunshot wound to the chest. Talley was transported to Inova Alexandria Hospital, where he died from his injuries. **RELATED:** Man shot, killed after 911 calls about woman screaming at Alexandria apartment parking lot Investigators identified Stubblefield as a suspect and learned he fled to North Carolina shortly after the shooting. He was arrested in Sampson County, North Carolina, in August on a related firearms charge and remains held in the Sampson County Detention Center awaiting extradition. The case will be tried in Alexandria Circuit Court. Stubblefield faces up to life in prison on the murder charge and a maximum of three years for the firearm offense.

A Virginia man entered no contest pleas Thursday to 12 felony counts of sex offender loitering, resulting in guilty findings by an Arlington County Circuit Court judge. Richard K. Cox entered the pleas without a sentence agreement or concessions from prosecutors. **RELATED:** Serial sex offender found guilty of 12 felony charges in Northern Virginia after previous conviction The convictions follow a decision by the Virginia Court of Appeals, which reversed an earlier Circuit Court dismissal and allowed the Commonwealth’s Attorney to reinstate the loitering charges. Each Class 6 felony count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, exposing Cox to up to 60 years behind bars on the loitering offenses alone. The loitering convictions add to Cox's legal troubles. In February 2026, a jury convicted him of two counts of possession of child pornography as a repeat offender. Those charges carry an additional combined maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Cox is awaiting sentencing on both cases. **RELATED:** Virginia sex offender caught exposing themselves at schools and gyms: police Fourteen additional charges against Cox remain pending, including five counts of indecent liberties, five counts of indecent exposure, three counts of unlawful presence on school property by a Tier III sex offender, and one count of identity theft. Prosecutors said they will continue to pursue all remaining counts, which are scheduled for a jury trial beginning Jan. 11, 2027.

Summerlike temperatures return to the Washington, D.C. area for one final day Friday, with highs reaching the upper 80s. Mild conditions throughout the day will be followed by a chance of showers and thunderstorms arriving in the evening.

Tens of thousands of Amazon Prime customers in D.C.'s Wards 7 and 8 will get money back after an $8.25 million settlement over limited delivery services.

A Florida pilot visiting Washington, D.C., turned the tables on thieves in Southeast by using a hidden GPS tracker to find aviation gear that was stolen during a vehicle break-in.

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor responded Thursday to dozens of local Jewish leaders who said the district must do more to combat antisemitism.

Online retail giant Amazon and carbon-free energy producer Constellation announced a 20-year agreement to support the expansion of Maryland's only nuclear power facility.

A Maryland man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for a shooting at a Washington, D.C. nightclub that left five people injured in November 2025.

A Pennsylvania student is being praised for her "heroism" after jumping in to stop her school bus, after the driver had a medical emergency behind the wheel. The dramatic save happened in Hollidaysburg, about 90 miles east of Pittsburgh, last month. Video of the scene shows students getting off at a stop, and when others try to follow, the bus starts rolling again. The students then notice the driver suffering from a medical emergency. That's when school officials said 10th grader Alexis Smith jumped out of her seat and rushed to grab the break, bringing the bus to a sudden stop. The video ends with students calling the incident in on the radio saying "our bus driver passed out." The Hollidaysburg Area School District shouted out Smith in a post on social media after the incident, thanking her for her "quick thinking and courage." According to the district, Smith also monitored the bus driver's pulse and breathing until first responders got there. According to one local report, the driver has recovered since the incident, and is back on his regular route.

A serial sex offender was found guilty Thursday on 12 felony loitering charges after a previous conviction prevented him from getting close to children, according to the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Arlington County.

The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Maryland along with two of its largest counties over a new law that prohibits federal agents and law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings.

A Northern Virginia community is grieving the loss of two fathers after a workplace shooting at a United Rentals facility in Manassas.

Newly unsealed court documents revealed that Roger “Paul" Bradford, who is accused of killing his wife in their Northern Virginia home, kept a journal of other potential targets.

A D.C. man pleaded guilty Thursday in connection with the July 2025 shooting death of 3-year-old Honesty Cheadle, who was sitting in a car with family members when she was fatally shot. Charles Rucker, 25, pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder while armed and three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Under the terms of a plea agreement, Rucker faces a 35-year prison sentence. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 14. According to court documents, Cheadle and her family had returned to the 1000 block of 14th Street in southeast Washington following Independence Day celebrations when Rucker opened fire toward their parked vehicle. **RELATED:** Suspect arrested in shooting death of 3-year-old girl, DC police say Responding officers found the toddler suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. D.C. Fire and EMS transported her to a local hospital in critical condition, where she died two days later on July 7. Authorities said Rucker attempted to collect and remove evidence from the scene following the shooting. He was arrested on July 12, 2025, and has remained in custody since. "This defendant opened fire on a family’s car with complete disregard for human life, and his actions took the life of innocent three year old Honesty Cheadle," Pirro said in a statement, adding that federal prosecutors will continue to hold violent offenders accountable.

Virginia has released a new energy plan that lays out how the commonwealth intends to meet rapidly rising electricity demand while keeping power reliable, affordable and on track for its clean-energy goals. The 2026 Virginia Energy Plan relies on energy efficiency, solar power, battery storage and better use of the existing grid in the near term, while calling for longer-term investment in advanced nuclear energy, offshore wind and long-duration storage. ## What the plan says about data centers Virginia Energy’s modeling found that serving projected data-center demand could account for roughly half of the new systemwide costs under its moderate growth outlook, or about $200 billion. The plan says an average 1-gigawatt data center pays about $700 million a year for electricity under existing cost-allocation rules. At roughly 20 gigawatts of projected demand, new data centers could generate about $265 billion in electricity revenue through 2050, the plan states. ### READ MORE: Virginia introduces new AI data center regulations State officials say that money could help fund new generation and grid investments if costs are assigned appropriately, rather than shifted to households and small businesses. The plan also recommends requiring new large data centers to show they can reduce or shift electricity use during periods of high demand or grid emergencies. ## What it could mean for electric bills About 17% of Virginia households, more than 550,000, spend more than 6% of their income on home energy costs, according to the executive brief. Under status quo conditions, utility plans project residential electricity prices could rise about 60% for Dominion Energy customers and about 17% for Appalachian Power customers during the next decade as utilities replace aging equipment and build infrastructure to serve rising demand. The plan says its recommendations are intended to help reduce those projected increases by prioritizing lower-cost power sources, increasing energy efficiency, improving use of the existing grid and requiring fairer cost allocation for major new customers. ## What the plan proposes Virginia’s plan recommends more solar power, battery storage, energy-efficiency upgrades and distributed energy resources such as rooftop solar, smart devices and virtual power plants. For longer-term reliability, it also calls for development of clean firm power sources, including advanced nuclear energy, offshore wind and long-duration energy storage. The plan projects Virginia will need to more than double its existing power-generation capacity to meet expected growth and clean-energy goals. It estimates the buildout could require 5,000 to 20,000 construction jobs each year over the next two decades and create roughly 20,000 permanent operations jobs. Many of the plan’s recommendations would require action by state agencies, utilities, regulators, local governments or the General Assembly. Virginia Energy said it developed the plan using public feedback and modeling of several possible paths for the state’s power system through 2050. ### Read the **2026 Virginia Energy Plan Executive Brief**

A D.C. Superior Court judge agreed Thursday to permanently dismiss a criminal case charging a former Olympian with vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, preventing federal prosecutors from reviving the charges. Judge Todd Edelman ordered the dismissal of David Hearn’s case with prejudice, blocking U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office from refiling the felony charge against the Maryland resident. The ruling comes nearly a month after Edelman heard arguments from attorneys. Hearn’s defense team said Trump administration officials continued to falsely accuse Hearn of vandalizing the landmark even after Pirro moved to drop the case on July 31. President Donald Trump publicly criticized that decision, saying Pirro "choked" and "folded like an umbrella." **RELATED** Former Olympian David Hearn pleads not guilty in Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool damage case Hearn said he was on a bike ride on June 19 when he reached in to examine the pool’s newly peeled coating and briefly touched a chunk attached to the side. He said he immediately obeyed a park worker’s command to let go. Hearn was charged with property destruction, a felony carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. His defense team questioned whether prosecutors presented adequate evidence to the grand jury to support the charge and the financial damage alleged by the government. Hearn, 67, of Bethesda, Maryland, competed in three Summer Olympic Games, achieving his highest finish of ninth place at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

Authorities are investigating after what appear to be human remains were discovered late Tuesday afternoon in a wooded area of an Annapolis park. Officers responded to Truxtun Park following the discovery, according to police. The Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner took custody of the remains to conduct an examination to determine the individual's identity and cause of death. Annapolis Police said portions of Truxtun Park may remain restricted while investigators process the scene. Officials said there is no known threat to public safety. The investigation remains ongoing. Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Annapolis Police Department at 410-268-4141.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to eliminate invasive ticks and mosquitoes in Washington, D.C., using non-chemical, technology-enabled control methods. The order instructs officials to implement a campaign aimed at reducing mosquito populations in D.C. by 90 percent and tick populations by 50 percent by 2028. Federal agencies must also establish a regulatory framework for pest-control technologies, expand Lyme disease research, and explore allergen labeling on foods for alpha-gal syndrome. ## Read the full executive order: ## ELIMINATING DISEASE-CARRYING PESTS AND RESTORING ENJOYMENT OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: _Section_ _1_. _Background and Purpose_. Ticks and mosquitoes are among the deadliest animals worldwide, transmitting major diseases that impose growing health and economic burdens on the American public. Foreign, invasive mosquitoes, especially the Asian tiger and Egyptian mosquitoes, are multiplying across the United States and have become the dominant species in some areas, including the District of Columbia (D.C.), spreading disease and diminishing quality of life. Furthermore, the expanding tick populations in the United States expose Americans, our pets, and our livestock to debilitating and expensive health risks. Historical approaches have relied primarily on the use of conventional pesticides; however, the use of commonsense, non-chemical, technology-enabled measures can significantly reduce the negative effects of these pests, enhancing enjoyment of the great outdoors for all Americans. _Sec_. _2_. _Policy_. It is the policy of the United States to develop and deploy commonsense approaches and technological capabilities to suppress tick and mosquito populations and address the harms these insects cause, using improved detection, screening, prevention, and health care interventions. These goals will be achieved through the following policy priorities: (a) Leading the world in safe and effective tick and mosquito population control to prevent disease through smart land management techniques and procedures, natural predator populations, non-chemical pest control measures, and advanced technologies, including sterile insect techniques and insect control tools developed with safe and effective biotechnologies. (b) Diagnosing, preventing, and treating the syndromes and diseases spread by ticks and mosquitoes in the United States, including alpha-gal syndrome, Theileriosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, and Babesiosis (spread by ticks), and viral infections such as West Nile, Zika, Chikungunya, and Dengue fever (spread by mosquitoes). (c) Advancing the objectives of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force set forth in Executive Order 14252 of March 27, 2025 (Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful), by reducing the invasive tick and mosquito populations across D.C. both safely and effectively, without negative effects on beneficial insects, native plants and animals, or the natural beauty of our parks, waterways, and recreational areas. (d) Expanding the successful techniques and approaches developed in section 3 of this order as a model for nationwide control of tick and invasive mosquito populations. _Sec_. _3_. _Implementation_. (a) Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Administrator of General Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall develop and implement a campaign across D.C. to, by 2028, reduce the Asian tiger mosquito, Egyptian mosquito, and other invasive mosquito populations, as appropriate, by 90 percent and reduce the tick population by 50 percent, with further reductions as practicable. The campaign shall: (i) remediate tick and mosquito breeding grounds on lands subject to Federal jurisdiction throughout D.C., including by reducing tick and mosquito habitats through landscaping and drainage improvements, e.g., mowing and rain gardens, and strategic deployment of natural, targeted controls; (ii) control pest transport and key host reservoir or amplification populations, including rodents and deer, that facilitate ticks and tickborne diseases; (iii) prioritize the use of commercial capabilities or cooperative agreements, including the deployment of advanced technological solutions such as sterile insect techniques for mosquitoes or other safe and effective biotechnologies; and (iv) include a plan, developed in consultation with the Government of D.C., as appropriate, for implementing tick and mosquito controls on lands across D.C. communities. (b) Within 60 days of the date of this order, to expedite the campaign ordered in subsection 3(a) of this order, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall: (i) submit to the President, through the Assistant to the President and Homeland Security Advisor, a regulatory framework, informed by relevant academic centers and industry, for the planned development and release into the environment of advanced, safe, and effective tick and mosquito control technologies. This framework shall consider sterilization techniques, safe genetic modification, and use of safe, beneficial bacteria, in alignment with Executive Order 14292 of May 5, 2025 (Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research); and (ii) prioritize and expeditiously advance or register novel tick and mosquito control methods or products that the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency finds to be both safe and effective. (c) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, building on the Lyme Disease Moonshot initiative already underway, as appropriate, shall: (i) issue prize competition announcements under 15 U.S.C. 3719 or other applicable laws, or direct research and development programs for rapid diagnostics to identify, prophylactics to prevent — and therapeutics to treat — tick- and mosquito-borne diseases of consequence as determined by the head of the agency, including those listed in subsection 2(b) of this order; and (ii) review available and candidate immunotherapy treatments for alpha-gal syndrome and develop a research agenda to accelerate the clinical review of viable candidates. (d) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, shall issue prize competition announcements under 15 U.S.C. 3719 or other applicable laws, or direct research programs, for the development of non-chemical means to reduce tick- and mosquito‑borne diseases of consequence, including through reducing tick and mosquito populations. (e) Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as appropriate, shall explore options for labeling food and drug products that include significant amounts of alpha-galactose, in a manner similar to other allergy warnings. (f) The Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the heads of other relevant agencies, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, shall review available resources to support the implementation of this order. _Sec_. _4_. _General Provisions_. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. (d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of the Interior. DONALD J. TRUMP THE WHITE HOUSE, September 29, 2026. Read the full Executive Order online

The former principal of Hayfield Secondary School is out on an unsecured $3,000 bond after turning himself in to authorities on a felony embezzlement charge, according to Fairfax County police. Darin Thompson, 51, turned himself in after Fairfax County police obtained a warrant for his arrest. Police allege Thompson used nearly $8,000 in school funds for unauthorized personal expenses, including non-work-related travel and event attendance. Detectives launched an investigation in April after receiving a referral from the school system’s Office of the Auditor General regarding the alleged fraudulent use of school-issued payment cards by an employee. **RELATED:** Hayfield Secondary withdraws from Virginia football playoffs Thompson was previously tied to an investigation into Hayfield Secondary School's football program two years ago. Fairfax County Public Schools hired an outside law firm to investigate whether school leaders and the football coach conspired to violate student transfer rules to build a championship team. The review concluded that football programs at Hayfield and Fairfax High School violated rules, though specific personnel actions were withheld under employee confidentiality laws. Thompson has been employed by Fairfax County Public Schools since 2023. He was placed on administrative leave when police became aware of the allegations and has been suspended following his arrest. Thompson left Hayfield last August to accept a position as senior administrator of nontraditional school programs, effective Sept. 15, 2025, according to reporting from the Fairfax County Times.

The City of Alexandria is pushing for full transparency from its police department regarding automated license plate readers, with officials planning to publish a map Thursday detailing all Flock camera locations. The controversial cameras have sparked privacy concerns around the region. Residents want to know not just where the cameras are installed, but also why those specific locations were chosen. **RELATED:** Alexandria police to make map of Flock camera locations public The police department said camera placement is based on crime patterns, transportation networks, connections to neighboring jurisdictions, and other public safety needs. Police department data shows there are currently 61 Flock Safety cameras in the city. The cameras scan license plates and alert police when a vehicle matches a plate entered into the system. Officers receive alerts for stolen vehicles, stolen plates, missing persons, active arrest warrants, and vehicles recently involved in crimes or felonies. The system does not generate alerts for civil infractions, immigration enforcement, driver's license violations, or parking and tax offenses. Amid nationwide questions about privacy and data security, Alexandria officials said camera data is retained for only 21 days. The database can only be queried by trained officers with an active case number, and data is not shared with federal agencies unless required by a court order.

Authorities have taken one juvenile into custody and are searching for another after recovering a stolen vehicle late Wednesday night in Herndon. Officers responded to the area of Sterling Road near Crestview Drive around 11:30 p.m., according to police. One suspect was apprehended at the scene, while a second suspect fled on foot. Police believe both suspects are juveniles. The outstanding suspect is described as between 5 feet 4 inches and 5 feet 6 inches tall with a thin build and black hair, last seen wearing all-black clothing. Police said additional suspects may have been in the vehicle. The investigation remains ongoing.

The Treasury Department and the IRS are moving to automatically establish Trump Accounts for millions of eligible children, significantly expanding an investment program created under legislation signed by President Donald Trump. Temporary regulations issued by Treasury and the IRS establish a system that allows the Treasury secretary to open an account for an eligible child without requiring a parent or authorized guardian to opt in first. Officials said the new rules aim to broaden overall participation while safeguarding sensitive taxpayer information. The department estimates the regulations will affect roughly 73 million children across 44 million families, potentially creating more than 60 million new accounts in 2026. Under the framework, Treasury will create individual accounts using authorized government records. Investments for automatically generated accounts will be pooled through a master group trust, though separate financial records will be maintained for each child. Treasury emphasized that automatic account creation is separate from the federal government's $1,000 contribution. Auto-enrollment does not automatically qualify a child for the federal payment. The $1,000 pilot contribution applies to eligible children born between 2025 and 2028, but an authorized person must still make a separate election to receive the government funds. Parents and guardians must also claim an automatically created account before it can accept private contributions from family members or employers. To claim an account, individuals must verify their identity, prove legal authority to act on the child's behalf, and submit required information to Treasury. Unclaimed accounts can receive certain qualified general contributions, such as those funded by government or nonprofit programs. Once claimed, accounts can accept standard private contributions, including family and employer deposits. Trump Accounts were established under tax legislation signed in July 2025 as a new form of individual retirement account for eligible children. The updated regulations also permit governments and nonprofits to make large-scale contributions, including donations of publicly traded stock. Treasury noted that the automatic enrollment system was designed following public feedback warning that mandatory opt-in requirements would lower participation, particularly among non-filers and low-income households unfamiliar with tax procedures.

The suburbs were long a Republican advantage in presidential elections, but they are now a battleground, and their voters help decide close races across the Mid-Atlantic.

A summer-like feel returns to the Washington, D.C. area Thursday, bringing warm and humid conditions that will push afternoon temperatures into the mid-to-upper 80s. High pressure overhead will keep the region dry under a mix of sun and clouds throughout the daytime. Warm conditions will peak Friday, with temperatures in the upper 80s across parts of the area. An approaching cold front will bring a chance of showers late Friday into Saturday morning, though a weekend washout is not expected. Additional showers are possible Sunday, with the heaviest rainfall expected to stay south and east of the city. The cold front will pass through the region by late Sunday, clearing the way for significantly cooler and drier weather early next week.

Fans packed Audi Field for an international friendly that brought competitive soccer energy to the District. German squad Paderborn defeated D.C. United with a final score of 1-0.

Hundreds of new laws will take effect in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia on October 1, bringing changes for consumers, gun owners, renters, workers and more.

A man was killed in a shooting in Mt. Rainier Wednesday night, according to Prince George's County police.

Heartbreak and shock gripped the Manassas community after a deadly workplace shooting at a local United Rentals facility. The shooting left two employees dead, and a third injured.

A Prince George's County man is facing charges in a string of residential burglaries across Maryland. He was arrested after Montgomery County police caught him in the act outside a home in Potomac.

Former employees at the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute are speaking out against the director of psychology over an alleged pattern of overruling clinical staff to grant unescorted privileges to high-risk patients.

Millions of families who rely on SNAP are about to see an increase in their monthly grocery budget next month. Beginning October 1, new USDA adjustments will increase the maximum benefit for a family of four in 48 states and Washington, D.C., to $1,023. Key household deduction limits, such as the standard deduction and excess shelter caps, are also going up, which could make it easier to maximize your monthly amount. ## Maximum benefit increases For most of the country, the maximum amount of money you can receive each month is going up. Here is a look at the new maximum monthly benefits for a family of four: * **48 contiguous states and D.C.:** The maximum benefit increases to $1,023. * **Alaska:** Depending on whether you live in an urban or rural area, the maximum ranges from $1,306 to $2,027. * **Guam:** The maximum benefit will be $1,507. * **U.S. Virgin Islands:** The maximum benefit will be $1,315. * **Hawaii:** Hawaii is the only location where the maximum benefit for a family of four is actually decreasing, dropping to $1,655. If you live in the 48 states or D.C. and qualify for the minimum monthly benefit, that amount will be bumped up slightly to $25. Larger households will also see adjustments. The USDA calculates benefits for families of nine or more by adding an extra 22 percent of the four-person maximum for each additional person. ## Deductions going up When figuring out if you qualify, SNAP lets you deduct certain living expenses from your income. Several of these deduction caps are also increasing: * **Standard deduction:** If you have one to three people in your household in the 48 states or D.C., your standard base deduction increases to $217 a month. * **Housing costs:** The maximum excess shelter deduction is rising to $769 in the 48 states and D.C. * **Homeless shelter deduction:** If you are experiencing homelessness, the maximum shelter deduction is increasing to $205.66 across all states and territories. ## Income and savings limits To qualify for SNAP, your household income and assets (like savings) must fall below certain lines, which have been updated to match new poverty levels. For a family of four in the 48 states, D.C., Guam, and the Virgin Islands, the gross monthly income limit is now $3,575, while the net income limit is $2,750. When it comes to your savings, the rules are mostly the same, but offer a higher safety net for certain households: * **Standard households:** You can have up to $3,000 in countable assets, such as money in a bank account. * **Elderly or disabled households:** If someone in your home is 60 or older, or has a disability, you can have up to $4,750 in assets. Keep in mind that this $4,750 limit is also the threshold that requires you to report any substantial lottery or gambling winnings.

Police are searching for Marvin Grant, a United Rentals employee suspected of opening fire at a Manassas facility Wednesday morning and leaving three coworkers in critical condition in what authorities described as an act of workplace violence. Manassas City Police Chief Douglas W. Keen said officers responded around 7 a.m. following multiple calls reporting an active shooter at the workplace. Responding officers found three victims, all employees of the facility. Two victims were found in a garage area, while a third walked in an office area in the garage. Two of the victims were transported to Prince William Hospital, and one was transported to Fairfax Hospital. All three remain in critical condition. **RELATED:** Manassas shooting: Manhunt for United Rentals employee after workplace violence leaves 3 critical Investigators identified the suspect as Grant, a coworker with a North Carolina address. Authorities believe an altercation at the site led to the shooting, though police are still reviewing video evidence and have not determined the exact number of shots fired. Keen noted that police had no prior interactions with Grant before Wednesday's incident. Numerous other employees were on site at the time of the shooting. Area schools were placed on lockdown as a precaution. Police believe Grant has fled the immediate area, and a manhunt remains underway. Grant has been described as a light-skinned Black male, approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, with brown eyes and brown hair. Officials said he may be driving a gray Toyota Camry or Toyota Corolla with temporary North Carolina license plates. They are actively searching for Grant at this time. Officers advised to avoid the area and follow all directions from law enforcement personnel. Residents nearby should remain indoors, secure doors, and avoid approaching the scene. If you see the suspect or vehicle, do not approach. Call 911 immediately. Authorities have lifted a shelter-in-place order issued for the community following a shooting on the 9400 block of Wellington Road. School officials said Jennie Dean Elementary School will remain in "Secure the Building" status for the remainder of the school day as a precautionary measure. Parents and community members are advised to follow directions from school leadership.

A heavy police presence responded to a location in Manassas early Wednesday morning. Law enforcement vehicles were spotted on the scene along the 9400 block of Wellington Road around 8 a.m. No injuries or confirmed details regarding the nature of the police activity were immediately reported. This is a developing story - stay with FOX 5 as more information becomes available.

WSSC Water made solid progress overnight restoring production at its Potomac Water Filtration Plant, but a critical water restriction request remains in effect Wednesday for nearly two million residents in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. A major electrical issue disrupted operations at the plant for most of Tuesday. While power delivery is adequate and distribution system storage levels are returning to normal Wednesday morning, officials warned the situation remains critical and risks remain. The facility is currently operating under a temporary internal electrical configuration, according to an update. Crews will continue work Wednesday to fully restore power and return the plant to normal operations. Until further notice, WSSC Water urges all 1.9 million customers to continue limiting consumption to essential purposes. Recommended conservation measures include avoiding outdoor water use and lawn irrigation, limiting toilet flushes, and minimizing the use of washing machines and dishwashers. Officials confirmed there is no boil water advisory, and the drinking water remains safe to use. WSSC Water will evaluate system status and electrical repairs later Wednesday to determine if the conservation request can be lifted. ## Customers are strongly encouraged to continue conserving water through the following measures (WSSC): * **Use water only as necessary.** * **No outdoor water use, including lawn irrigation systems.** * **Avoid or limit flushing toilets (do not flush after every use).** * **Avoid or limit using washing machines and dishwashers.**

An adult pedestrian died early Wednesday morning after being struck by a vehicle on Route 28 in Fairfax County, authorities said. Fairfax County police reported the incident occurred just after midnight on northbound Route 28 near Air and Space Museum Parkway in Chantilly. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. Crash Reconstruction detectives were on the scene investigating the collision. Following the crash, northbound lanes of Route 28 were closed north of Route 50.

The Washington, D.C., region will see mostly sunny skies Wednesday as temperatures warm into the upper 70s and low 80s, marking the start of a late-week warming pattern. High pressure in the region will keep conditions dry through Thursday and much of Friday. The warmup will intensify Thursday as temperatures approach the upper 80s with a noticeable increase in humidity. Dry weather is expected to hold through most of Friday before an approaching cold front brings an increased threat of showers late Friday evening into Saturday morning. As the front stalls near the region, shower chances continue into Sunday. Temperatures are expected to drop over the weekend and into early next week.