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D.C.’s mayor is moving forward with a plan to add more affordable housing to the city by facilitating its building on land owned by houses of worship. Deputy Mayor John Falchiccio tells us how a new partnership and a request for interested churches, synagogues, and mosques to participate will help the mayor reach her goal of building 36,000 affordable units by 2025. Then a special guest joins Mega...

There’s growing interest in Frederick County, Maryland to examine what books kids have access to in school libraries, and potentially remove some of them. Nearly 1,000 people have signed up to be on a committee to decide which of the 35 books gets to stay. WTOP’s Kate Ryan tells us where the process goes from here. Plus, we have some big news to share about the podcast — we are going weekly! Megan...

Washington, D.C. is on track to have the largest free fare transit plan in the country — offering Metro bus service within the nation’s capital for no charge and giving residents a monthly $100 allowance for Metrorail. Councilmember Charles Allen proposed the idea 3 years ago and it’s just one vote away from becoming law. Allen walks through the bill and argues that this massive public investment...

Artificial intelligence or AI, whether you notice it or not, is becoming a bigger part of our lives. Its increasing presence in the technology we all interact with has prompted lawmakers – like D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine – to push for creating ground rules on how corporations and even individuals can use it. But what is AI? For answers, we turn to WTOP Engineer David Mundschenk, who knows a...

The House committee tasked with investigating Commanders’ owner Daniel Snyder didn’t hold back in a scathing report today — finding that Snyder withheld information, was deliberately vague, and potentially misled to the committee and to the NFL in what information he revealed about previous sexual assault investigations and settlements in the past. WTOP Congressional Correspondent Mitchell Miller...

With the retreat of the pandemic, also comes the departure of Dr. Anthony Fauci. Fauci is stepping away as director of the NIH and the public arena after three intense years serving as the “nation’s doctor.” Dr Fauci joins us to reflect on his time in the limelight and what’s ahead. Plus, we get WTOP’s entertainment editor Jason Fraley’s picks for what to see in the theater, in concert and in your...

With the retreat of the pandemic, also comes the departure of Dr. Anthony Fauci. Fauci is stepping away as director of the NIH and the public arena after three intense years serving as the “nation’s doctor.” Dr. Fauci joins us to reflect on his time in the limelight and what’s ahead. Plus, we get WTOP’s entertainment editor Jason Fraley’s picks for what to see in the theater, in concert and in you...

How much will it cost to ride the Metro next year? It’s really anyone's guess with CEO and GM Randy Clarke proposing fare hikes, D.C. council members pushing to make buses free in the District and WMATA hoping to bring back autonomous trains. WTOP’s Luke Lukert tells us about the changes ahead. Then we hear about his surprising talent that has saved his friends thousands. See Privacy Policy at htt...

Police are investigating who is responsible after vandals drew swastikas on the side of an old Food Lion building in Loudoun County, Virginia. It’s the latest instance of antisemitic vandalism seen in our area. We talk to Gil Preuss, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, who tells us what we can do as antisemetic hate speech is on the rise. Plus, what’s the best type of Christmas tre...

When one Maryland driver got a $100 speeding ticket from the D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles in 2019, he didn’t pay the fine like hundreds of thousands of drivers do every year. He decided to fight it. He took his case all the way to the District’s highest court and won. WTOP’s Jack Moore explains how the court ruling could change how you can contest a speeding ticket in D.C. See Privacy Policy...

Weeks before he is sworn in, Democratic governor-elect Wes Moore sits down with our Kate Ryan to share a little about himself, the challenges he faced on the campaign trail, and how his kids are getting their heads around their new life and home in the governor’s house. Kate tells us about her one-on-one interview with Moore. Plus, Megan tries to teach Luke how to whistle — with little success. Se...

December is right around the corner, and with it, the gift-giving season. As kids take part in choosing presents for their siblings, friends and family, what’s the best way to talk to them about money? Certified financial planner Gregg Murset says we have to get real and lose the piggy bank. He offers tips on integrating the conversation into daily life. Plus, Megan and Luke deliver a fresh round...

It all started with a nagging cough. Months later, our Neal Augenstein has recently shared he is fighting lung cancer. We spend the episode with Neal, discussing his diagnosis, the plan for his treatment, and his choice to share the news publicly. Plus, he tells us how he’s continuing to voice stories despite his new challenges. Neal, Megan and Luke also discuss his widely undiagnosed form of canc...

First responders share new details into how a single-engine plane crashed into high voltage power lines near the Montgomery County Airpark in Gaithersburg, Maryland — knocking out power to nearly 100,000 customers Sunday night and forcing county schools to close. Montgomery County Fire Chief Scott Goldstein explains how they went about untangling the plane, securing it and rescuing the two people...

There’s finally an agreement between teachers and the DC School system on a contract just weeks before the Washington Teachers’ Union was set to take the issue to court. WTOP’s Scott Gelman shares the details about what D.C. teachers can expect from their first contract in three years, plus why their students have to show a negative covid test to return Monday. And Maryland’s Department of Natural...

Online sports betting in Maryland will be legal and available starting Wednesday. This move marks the end of a years-long campaign to fully legalize sports gambling in the Old Line State, which just two years ago did not allow the controversial practice. WTOP Reporter John Domen has reported on the issue in Maryland ever since the Supreme Court got rid of a nationwide ban on athletic betting in 20...

Over the weekend, Giles Warrick — the man accused of being the so-called Potomac River Rapist — was found dead in a DC jail cell. DC police say he killed himself days before he was set to stand trial for the 1998 raping and killing a young woman and talented scientist. We hear from Paul Wagner, host of WTOP’s “American Nightmare: Unknown Subject.” He’s been following this case for years. Paul tell...

Saturday, Nov. 19 is World Toilet Day, a day officially recognized and observed by the United Nations to raise awareness of the 3.6 billion people without access to managed sanitation. Going to the bathroom is not something people think about or want to think about, but for many people in the world, including in the D.C. area, potty planning takes up a lot of their time. WTOP’s Abigail Constantino...

A day after an explosion and fire tore through the Potomac Oaks Condominium building in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Wednesday morning, officials said 14 were injured and they still aren’t sure if anyone died in the blast. WTOP’s John Domen reports from the scene as crews search through the rubble. We also hear a heroic story of a man who saved four people from the flames. See Privacy Policy at https:/...

During the suspect’s first court appearance, prosecutors released new details on what happened during a shooting at the University of Virginia that left three students dead and two injured Sunday night. WTOP’s Luke Lukert joins us from a courthouse in Charlottesville, Virginia with the latest information on the shooting and how the UVA community is dealing with this tragedy. See Privacy Policy at...

It’s a day D.C.-area residents and more specifically Dulles International Airport travelers have been waiting on for years, if not decades. The Silver Line extension opened up to rail passengers — four years behind schedule. The six new rail stations connect the Metrorail system to Dulles International Airport and Loudoun County, Virginia. WTOP’s Nick Iannelli went to the opening ceremony and tell...

Since 1797, the Hagers-Town Town and Country Almanack has provided residents in our area a 16-month weather forecast. The almanack’s prognosticator and WTOP meteorologist Chad Merrill joins the show to give his prediction of how much snow we will get this winter and when to expect the white stuff. Plus, WTOP engineer David Mundschenk tells us why vinyl is making a comeback in this digital age. See...

Forty years after the Vietnam Veterans Memorial first opened to the public, millions still flock to the spot on D.C.’s National Mall. Some are there to search for the names of their loved ones, while others leave tokens or letters. But when it was first unveiled to the public, the memorial was criticized as ugly and unpatriotic. WTOP’s Kate Ryan takes us back in time, walks us through the history...

D.C.’s attorney general Karl Racine on Thursday announced that he has filed a consumer protection lawsuit against the Washington Commanders, owner Dan Snyder, the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell. WTOP’s John Domen breaks down the lawsuit, what it means and what it might reveals about the investigation into sexual harrassment and misconduct at the Commanders. See Privacy Policy at https://art19....

It’s DMV Black Restaurant Week. It runs until November 13 and the now three-term DC mayor, Muriel Bowser, kicked off the week announcing seven new Food Access Fund grants to small businesses in Wards 7 and 8. We talk to Deputy Mayor John Falcicchio – who oversees the program – and Melvin Hines – owner of DCity Smokehouse – who received one of these grants. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/p...