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Gaithersburg man killed, car found crashed miles away: police

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:40:18 -0400

Police are investigating a homicide after a Gaithersburg man was found shot inside his home, while his car was later discovered crashed miles away with no one inside.

32-year-old Christopher Gove of Gaithersburg was found injured in his home with gunshot wounds on Carrington Hill Drive around 6:00 a.m. Thursday morning.

Gove was taken to a hospital and was pronounced dead.

After officers located Gove, they were dispatched to the scene of a single-vehicle collision in the area of West Montgomery Avenue and Darnestown Road. The car in the collision was Gove's black Toyota Highlander, which was found empty about five miles away from his home.

It's unclear the circumstances of Gove's death or how his car came to be crashed.

Police say there is no suspect in custody and the investigation is active and ongoing.

Officials are asking anyone in the Willow Ridge neighborhood or in the area of West Montgomery Avenue and Darnestown Road to check their surveillance or Ring camera footage for any suspicious activity on Thursday morning.

Anyone with information regarding this homicide is asked to visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County website at www.crimesolversmcmd.org and click on the "P3 Tips" link at the top of the page or call 1-866-411-8477.

Suspect accused in multiple sex offenses arrested in Spotsylvania County

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:26:30 -0400

The Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office is investigating a man accused of multiple sex offense charges.

On April 10, Spotsylvania County detectives, along with Virginia State Police, arrested James Branton on multiple sex offense charges.

Authorities say one of the victims is believed to be Katelin Akens, who has been missing for over 10 years.

At this time, authorities say the investigation remains open and active.

They still do not know the location of Katelin Akens.

"As we remain committed to locating Katelin and bringing her home to her family, we ask that anyone with information contact us at (800) 928-5822 or (540) 582-5822."

Metro Red Line closing 3 stations this summer for construction

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:54:52 -0400

Major construction will close three Metro Red Line stations in Montgomery County this summer.

Metro Red Line closures

The Grosvenor-Strathmore, Medical Center and Bethesda stations will all be closed for two months this summer, from July 6 through Sept. 6, Metro announced Friday.

Trains between Shady Grove and North Bethesda and between Friendship Heights and Glenmont will still operate, with trains every six minutes.

Free Metro Red Line shuttle

While the stations are closed, Metro is offering free shuttle buses. An express bus will run directly from North Bethesda to Friendship Heights. Another bus will offer local service to all stations.

Aside from the shuttles, Metro says riders can use MARC Commuter Rail from Rockville to Union Station.

Other options will be announced at a later date, Metro said.

Why will Red Line train stations close?

All three stations are closing for different reasons. The Bethesda station will be closed while Metro builds a second platform at the station to integrate the Maryland Transit Administration's Purple Line, which is also being built.

The Purple Line is expected to open in late 2027.

The Medical Center and Grosvenor-Strathmore stations will be closed for routine maintenance like track and platform repairs and new lighting.

When will Red Line stations reopen?

The three closed Metro stations are scheduled to reopen on Sept. 7.

Olney man arrested in road rage shooting on Georgia Avenue in Montgomery County

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:13:36 -0400

An Olney man is in custody after police say he fired a shot at another driver during a road rage incident in Montgomery County.

Detectives with the Montgomery County Department of Police arrested 65-year-old Alfredo Belbusti of Olney in connection with a shooting reported April 7.

Officers responded around 10:02 a.m. to the 3800 block of International Drive for a reported shooting.

Investigators said the victim was driving a pickup truck southbound on Georgia Avenue near the Intercounty Connector (ICC/MD 200) when he changed lanes to pass two vehicles before returning to his lane.

Police say Belbusti, who was driving a black Mitsubishi Outlander behind the victim, then changed lanes, pulled alongside the truck and fired a shot.

The bullet struck the rear passenger-side panel of the victim’s truck.

Authorities said the victim followed the suspect to the 3700 block of Rossmoor Boulevard before calling 911 and providing a description. The victim later drove to International Drive to meet responding officers.

Detectives identified Belbusti’s home in Olney and took him into custody. A search warrant was executed at his home and vehicle, where police say items of evidentiary value were recovered.

Police have not said what led up to the road rage incident.

It’s unclear if the suspect and victim had any prior interaction before the shooting.

Belbusti is charged with first-degree assault, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and related charges.

He is being held without bond as the case moves forward.

Juvenile curfew zone set for Navy Yard this weekend

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 12:20:13 -0400

D.C. police have designated a Juvenile Curfew Zone for this weekend in Southeast D.C.

The zone will cover Navy Yard from 8 to 11 p.m. on Friday, April 10, Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12.

The perimeter of the Navy Yard Juvenile Curfew Zone is as follows:

To the north: Interstate 695 and Virginia Avenue, SE from South Capitol Street to 8th Street, SE
To the east: 8th Street, SE from Virginia Avenue to the Anacostia River
To the south: Anacostia River
To the west: South Capitol Street, SE from the Anacostia River to I-695

Under the order, anyone under 18 is prohibited from gathering in groups of nine or more in public spaces or on the premises of any establishment unless participating in exempted activities. A separate citywide curfew for juveniles begins nightly at 11 p.m. and lasts until 6 a.m.

The Juvenile Curfew Second Temporary Amendment Act of 2025 authorizes the police chief to establish curfew zones in areas where large groups of youths are gathering or expected to gather in a way that poses a risk to public safety.

Bowser’s FY27 budget boosts schools, infrastructure spending

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 11:04:19 -0400

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has unveiled her Fiscal Year 2027 budget proposal, dubbed "Grow DC," focusing on increased investments in education, public safety, and economic growth while maintaining core city services.

Mayor Bowser’s FY27 "Grow DC" budget prioritizes funding for education, public safety, health care, and economic development while maintaining essential city services.

The budget includes an increase to the Uniform Per Student Funding Formula by 2.55%, bringing the foundation level to $15,455 per student and supporting nearly 100,000 public and charter school students.

It also maintains full funding for major childcare programs, including universal Pre-K ($266M), childcare subsidies ($114M), PKEEP ($19M), and healthcare for childcare workers ($12M).

In public safety, the budget ensures funding for police hiring and retention, as well as support for fire and EMS, corrections, and other agencies.

The budget also includes the following:

$2.4M to expand advanced technical centers
$3M for high-impact tutoring
More than $2 billion over six years for school modernization
More than $500M for public safety facility upgrades
$350M over six years for fire trucks and ambulances
$75M toward a new D.C. jail
$743M for Metro operating costs
$900M for bridges, roads, and infrastructure
$110M for redevelopment projects
$320M for transportation improvements around RFK campus

"For everything we love about our city—our great schools, parks, transportation, arts, culture, and restaurants—they require us to have robust revenues to make robust investments," said Bowser. "For that, we need a pro-growth budget, which we are delivering with Grow DC."

The budget proposal will now go before the D.C. Council for review and potential changes before a final version is approved.

Wootton High School to close early after water main break on parkway

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:34:42 -0400

A major water main break in Rockville has forced road closures and prompted the early dismissal of Wootton High School, according to police.

A water main break Friday morning in the 2100 block of Wootton Parkway has led to multiple road closures.

Wootton High School will begin early dismissal around 10:15 a.m.

Authorities are urging residents to avoid the area as crews work to address the issue.

This is a developing story. Stay with FOX 5 for updates.

Orphaned bear cubs released back into Virginia wild

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:58:15 -0400

Two orphaned black bear cubs rescued in Virginia last year have been successfully rehabilitated and released back into the wild after months of care.

Wildlife officials say the young bears are now healthy, independent yearlings ready to survive on their own.

The Wildlife Center of Virginia cared for two orphaned black bear cubs, identified as cub #26-1199 and cub #25-2408, after they were admitted in spring 2025.

Over the past year, veterinarians and rehabilitators helped the cubs grow and develop the skills needed to survive in the wild.

On April 7, both bears were safely trapped ahead of their release. The following morning, they underwent final pre-release exams, including weight checks, physical evaluations, and the placement of ear tags identifying them as rehabilitated.

Bear #25-2408 weighed 69 pounds, up from 10 pounds at admission, while bear #26-1199 weighed 87 pounds after arriving at just three pounds.

Both bears were fitted with GPS tracking collars to allow biologists with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources to monitor their movements. They were then transported and released in a remote forested area of Page County. Biologists will track the bears using GPS collars to monitor how they adapt to life in the wild.

"Everything we’ve done for these cubs the past year was to help them build resilience and prepare them for this very moment, and we couldn’t be happier to see them back where they belong," said Alex Olvera, the Center’s rehabilitation supervisor. "We hope their year with us is the start of a long and healthy life in the wild."

The Wildlife Center of Virginia is the only wildlife hospital in the state authorized to provide long-term care for black bears.

Since opening its black bear complex in 2013, the center has cared for and released more than 125 black bears.

The center works closely with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, which helps determine when cubs need assistance and coordinates their care and release.

Route 50 construction to cause major traffic delays in Fairfax

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:40:07 -0400

Drivers in Fairfax should prepare for significant traffic disruptions as a major construction project along Route 50 begins Friday night. The work, expected to last about 10 weeks, will impact a heavily traveled corridor near Fairfax Circle and I-66.

Officials say lane closures and delays are likely, especially during the early phases of the project.

A major road construction project is underway along Route 50 (Fairfax Boulevard), impacting the stretch between Draper Drive and Fairfax Circle.

The City of Fairfax awarded a $1.73 million contract to Virginia Paving to complete the work.

Construction is set to begin at 11 p.m. on Friday, with initial work focused on the eastbound lanes. The right two lanes of eastbound Fairfax Boulevard will be closed at various points, with traffic able to pass using the left lane.

The project is expected to last approximately 10 weeks, with completion anticipated by summer 2026.

Officials are urging drivers to plan ahead and consider alternate routes to avoid congestion.

City officials say the repairs are necessary after discovering that the right lane of eastbound Route 50 was cracking and deteriorating due to soft base materials underneath.

Instead of a simple repaving, crews will need to excavate the roadway and replace the underlying base with more compacted stone before rebuilding the surface.

1 rescued as fire crews battle massive blaze at apartment building in Montgomery County

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 22:17:11 -0400

A massive fire broke out at an apartment building in Montgomery County.

At this time, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue say one person was rescued from the top floor and others were assisted out of the building by firefighters.

The fire broke out at the Sawyer Flats at 9800 Mahogany Drive, near Washington Boulevard in Gaithersburg.

"A little before 9 p.m. we received a call for the fire here,"said Montgomery County Fire spokesperson Pete Piringer. "We had some pretty heavy fire conditions."

Drone video provided to FOX 5 shows the four-story apartment building engulfed in flames, with fire shooting out of the building.

Montgomery County Fire says about 85 personnel responded to the two-alarm fire.

Piringer says the fire caused $2 million worth of significant damage and displaced at least eight families.

Montgomery County Fire says they located and rescued a person from the top floor, and several others were assisted out of the building.

"We did have somebody trapped. Firefighters did rescue somebody from the top floor. Pretty significant fire conditions. We also get a dog out. We assisted some other people out," Piringer said.

Piringer says the victim "has some injuries, but nothing life-threatening."

At this time, Montgomery County fire says the bulk of the blaze has been knocked down.

The fire was likely caused by "misplaced smoking materials," per Piringer.

'Sphere' planned for Prince George's County could break ground in 2027

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 02:56:36 -0400

Prince George's County is buzzing as leaders work to fast-track the ‘Sphere’ at National Harbor.

It comes on the heels of the announcement that the former Six Flags site was just bought by a group of investors, which includes basketball star Kevin Durant.

Prince George’s County wants the Sphere here as quickly as possible. There's legislation both at the county level and state level to make that happen.

The hope is to break ground by early next year, but not everyone is sold on the Sphere just yet.

"I understand it's a great tourist attraction, but MGM has a lot of tourist attractions. Honestly, it seems like we're putting more effort to attract tourists, and it's not stimulating the economy the way i think the governor would like it to," said Maryland resident Yvonne Harris.

Here’s what’s going on at the Sphere so far.

The entertainment venue will be at National Harbor near the MGM casino – a smaller version of what we see in Vegas – about 6,000 seats.

Early estimates say it'll bring in about $2 million visitors a year and result in $63 million in annual tax revenue for the county. The total economic impact has been touted as $1.3 million.

Meanwhile, there's already a team created to fast-track the zoning and permitting process.

p-g leaders are also submitting specifics to the council in a few weeks, and then sending TIF legislation to be approved by the end of the summer.

There is also legislation in Annapolis that changes the use of TIFs in the state of Maryland, and for this project in particular.

County Executive Aisha Braveboy told FOX 5 that she expects that to be approved by the general assembly in the coming days. So essentially, borrow money now, and hope the sphere generates enough revenue to cover the costs.

"While we give up some tax revenue early in the process, after three to four years, it's really generating solely income for us, and that's what this is all about," Braveboy said. "If we never did the TIF we would never get the project, never get the increase in revenue."

National Harbor was built using a TIF too, and is now one of the highest-grossing areas in Prince George's County, bringing in about $80 million every year.

Again, they're hoping for groundbreaking by the first quarter of 2027, moving as fast as they can to get all approvals.

Grandmother speaks out after young boy, friend hit by man on dirt bike in DC

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:28:24 -0400

A grandmother is speaking out after a man on a dirt bike hit her grandson and sped off, leaving the 10-year-old boy with serious injuries.

D.C. police are hoping surveillance video helps identify the suspect. Now, that grandmother is pleading for the suspect to turn himself in to police.

D.C. police are searching for the driver of the dirt bike that hit two children and fled the scene just before 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 4.

Officers responded to the intersection of 14th Street and Chapin Street, Northwest, for the report of a crash.

When they arrived, police found the two boys, both injured by the dirt bike rider as they rode an e-bike in the bike lane.

DC Fire and EMS responded to the scene and took one of the children, who was unconscious, to an area hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

The second injured child was treated on scene for minor injuries.

Police say the dirt bike operator lifted the bike onto its back wheel just before the collision, and then the driver fled the scene, continuing northbound on 14th Street with a large group of ATVs and dirt bikes.

The grandmother of one of the boys who was hit is outraged over the teens illegally riding dirt bikes and ATVs on the streets of D.C.

She says her grandson, 10-year-old Johari Alford and his friend were at a birthday party when they decided to go outside and ride scooters.

That’s when police say the guy crashed into them.

Surveillance video shows a large group illegally riding on the ATVs and dirt bikes.

Officers responded to the scene, finding Johari suffering with serious injuries to his head, spinal cord, arm, and face.

When asked about his condition, Johari’s grandmother, Karyn Alford, said he doesn’t understand what’s going on.

"He's asking questions. He's wondering why this is happening to him.

What do you say to the man who hit Johari and his friend and kept on going?

I want to say you need to have a heart. You need to know that you rolled over my grandson like he was a piece of trash and didn't care you were out there acting like hooligans in the middle of the street where people pay taxes, and my grandson was affected. So you need to turn yourself in," Karyn Alford said.

Johari’s friend was left with minor injuries and is expected to be ok, but it will take Johari several months to fully recover.

Police are offering a reward of up to $1,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and indictment.

Fairfax County Public Schools considers changes to school calendar

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:05:41 -0400

The Fairfax County School Board is weighing new action after feedback from hundreds of fed-up families across the district who are angry with the school calendar.

Parents say the number of shortened school weeks is unacceptable – and impossible to work with.

These Fairfax families are frustrated because only about half of the school weeks in the year in Fairfax are actually full, five-day weeks, and that’s before you add in any weather-related closures.

Data shared by one board member shows that compared to school districts in the DMV and the largest school districts in the country, FCPS has the longest school year at 303 days. The shortest summer was 62 days. The lowest percentage of five-day weeks is at only 52%. The highest number of days off at 40, and the largest number of cultural/religious holidays at nine.

On top of those early release days, parents say the calendar is disruptive to kids, reduces their instruction time, makes it impossible to establish their routines and also upends parents' work schedules, increasing childcare costs.

On Thursday night, it was clear that most, if not all, board members agree this is a big issue.

What they did not all agree on his how to fix it.

The board is considering and debating three proposals to adjust the calendar next school year.

The first includes nixing Indigenous People’s Day and Veterans Day as official student holidays to keep kids in school on those days, and also limiting the number of scheduled early release days to four per year.

The board disagreed on whether Indigenous People's Day was an effective holiday to cancel, given that many parents might have off work themselves, and that they may have already committed their kids to sporting events that day.

In the end they voted that solution down.

At this hour, they are still debating the other two proposals on Veterans Day and the limit on early release days.

The main concern on early release days appears to be how it might affect teachers’ important work and planning time.

Some parents who spoke were also split on whether these proposals were the best way to tackle the issue.

Many board members stressed these are just initial proposals, that this debate needs to continue, so it's clear this discussion is far from over but obviously, time is not unlimited.

Virginia civil rights leaders warn of misleading vote mailers

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 23:26:15 -0400

There’s more controversy in Virginia as a referendum to redraw the state’s congressional districts continues.

Civil rights leaders say they are upset over recent political mailers that have been sent to voters in Northern Virginia.

They call the effort misleading and are trying to trick people into voting against the democratic plan.

Virginia Democrats say they’re pushing this redistricting to counter moves by Republicans in other states to boost their numbers.

The party is trying to redraw the state’s map to make it harder for Republicans to get elected, but easier for Democrats.

A yes vote changes the maps, a no vote keeps them the same.

Mailings show Gov. Abigail Spanberger and former President Barack Obama – both of whom have past statements denouncing political gerrymandering.

But the flier asking people to vote ‘no’ on the referendum even though Spanberger and Obama support the move.

The head of Virginia’s NAACP says it’s misleading.

"As people are becoming more and more educated about exactly what this initiative is about and just how desperate those who oppose it are," said Virginia NAACP Conference President Rev. Cozy Bailey.

The leader of the Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC) says it’s using the politicians' own words.

"What’s their next step? They're going to say we can’t even oppose these politicians in what we put in the mail!? This is really scary stuff," said Matt Schalpp with CPAC.

One of the fliers features Martin Luther King, Jr., with a message reading "vote now, vote now."

The group behind that is a political action committee called "Justice for Democracy Now," out of Williamsburg, Va.

FOX 5 showed the flyers to voters who both support and oppose redistricting and despite their differences on the issue, they say they find the flyers misleading.

"I think it’s confusing people because when they go in, they’ll look at it," one resident told FOX 5.

Another agreed, saying, "It’s crazy! I mean, this is crazy the way this world is going now.

"All I know is everyone I’ve heard said vote ‘yes,’ so I’m of course I’m not," another person said.

FOX 5 did reach out to Justice for Democracy Now for a comment. Early voting for the redistricting amendment ends on Saturday, April 18, and election day for the question is Tuesday, April 21.

When is the deadline to register for the DC primary?

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 20:47:40 -0400

The 2026 elections will include Washington, D.C.’s race for its non-voting Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives, along with other local offices.

Ahead of the general election, Washington, D.C. will hold a primary election to determine which candidates advance to the November ballot, where voters will choose their preferred candidates for federal and local offices.

In Washington, D.C., the June primary will narrow the field of candidates who will compete in the November general election for several important posts, per Ballotpedia.

Mayor — Voters will choose party nominees for the District’s chief executive, though in practice the Democratic primary is typically the decisive contest in heavily Democratic Washington, D.C. The field of candidates is already quite crowded.
Delegate to the U.S. House — Voters will choose a nominee for the district’s nonvoting member of Congress.
Attorney General — Voters will choose nominees for the District’s top legal official, who serves a four-year term.
D.C. Council — Voters will select nominees in Council races up for election that cycle, including ward and at-large seats as applicable.
State Board of Education — Voters in select wards will choose nominees for seats on the board.

Voter registration and deadlines

Voters in Washington, D.C., who want to take part in the District’s 2026 primary can register by the advance deadline of Tuesday, May 26, or register and vote on Election Day through same-day registration, according to the D.C. Board of Elections.

The primary election will be held on Tuesday, June 16.

The deadline to request a mail ballot in Washington, D.C., is Tuesday, May 26, as well, while voters may still vote in person during early voting or on Election Day.

Voters are encouraged to check their registration status and ballot information well before these dates to ensure participation in both the primary and the November general election.

University of Mary Washington wins school's first-ever NCAA Championship title

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 20:37:43 -0400

A "Welcome Home" celebration was held for the University of Mary Washington’s men’s basketball team this week.

They’re back in Northern Virginia after winning the school's first-ever national championship

The crowd on the University of Mary Washington’s campus was full of excitement as the men’s basketball team brought home the NCAA championship trophy.

The team was proudly wearing their t-shirts and hats that said "National Champions."

A buzzer-beater shot sealed the deal for UMW’s 75-73 win over Emory University on April 5.

It came down to the wire when Kye Robinson put up a shot that missed, but was saved by his teammate Colin Mitchell's rebound just as the clock ran out.

The victory was a milestone, marking the first national championship for a Mary Washington men’s team in any sport.

Both players and fans were excited after the big win.

"It's incredible, everyone being out here tonight, supporting us through this whole journey," player Colin Mitchell said.

"It means everything," student athlete Jay Randall said. "The community is amazing."

"It means a lot to have this support behind our backs, especially in a season like this, and, you know, it just feels great to be back to bring home a National Championship," player Owen Pottemburgh added.

18-year-old accused of groping classmates at Fairfax High School found guilty on 9 counts

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 19:09:37 -0400

An 18-year-old student accused of groping classmates at Fairfax High School has been found guilty on nine counts.

He was originally charged with 13, but was found not guilty on three counts, and one was dropped.

The individual convicted in this case is 18-year-old Israel Flores Ortiz.

On March 5, the City of Fairfax Police were alerted by Fairfax High School about reports of multiple assaults at Fairfax High School.

Their investigation revealed that an adult male student assaulted numerous girls at his school. Police issued an arrest warrant and Flores Ortiz turned himself in on March 7.

After the arrest, additional victims came forward and further investigation led police to file four additional counts of assault and battery.

The Department of Homeland Security says Flores Ortiz is an illegal immigrant from El Salvador who came to the U.S. in 2024. ICE says it's filed a detainer on Flores Ortiz.

In a statement to FOX 5, the Department of Homeland Security said, "We are calling on Fairfax County to honor our detainer to ensure this violent criminal is removed from our country so he can never claim another victim again."

The sentencing hearing for Flores Ortiz is set for April 21.

When is the deadline to register for the Maryland primary?

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 19:04:44 -0400

The 2026 midterm elections will decide control of the next U.S. Congress and key state leadership, including Maryland’s statewide offices.

Before the general election, each state will hold primaries to determine which candidates appear on the November ballot.

In Maryland, the June primary will narrow the field of candidates who will compete in the November general election for several important posts, per Ballotpedia.

U.S. House of Representatives — All congressional districts will hold primaries to choose nominees.
Governor and Lieutenant Governor — Candidates run on a joint ticket. Governor Wes Moore and Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller are seeking reelection.
State executive offices — Voters will choose party nominees for statewide offices, including attorney general and comptroller.
State Senate — All 47 seats are up for election, with primaries determining party nominees in each district.
House of Delegates — All 141 seats will be on the ballot, with candidates competing in primaries across legislative districts.
State Supreme Court — One Maryland Supreme Court justice is up for retention: Justice Peter K. Killough.
State Appellate Court — One Maryland intermediate court judge is up for retention: Judge Dan Friedman.
Local offices — Municipal and school district elections, including school board races, will also take place in various jurisdictions across the state.

The 2026 midterms are expected to be highly competitive and potentially pivotal in determining which party controls the two chambers of Congress. As of April 2026, the Republican Party controls both chambers of Congress.

On Nov. 3, voters will cast ballots for all 435 U.S. House seats, 35 U.S. Senate seats and numerous state and local positions, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center.

Voters will decide 33 regularly scheduled Senate seats, plus two special elections to fill the seats vacated by J.D. Vance of Ohio and Marco Rubio of Florida, who left Congress to serve as vice president and secretary of state, respectively.

Voter registration and deadlines

Voters in Maryland who want to take part in the state’s 2026 primary must register by Tuesday, June 2, though same-day registration is available through Election Day at early voting sites and polling places, according to the Maryland State Board of Elections.

The primary election will be held on Tuesday, June 23. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is June 16 by mail or fax, or June 19 online, though in-person requests can be made up to Election Day.

Voters are encouraged to check their registration status and ballot information well before these dates to ensure participation in both the primary and the November general election.

When is the deadline to register for the Virginia primary?

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:58:44 -0400

The 2026 midterm elections will decide control of the next U.S. Congress and key state leadership, including Virginia’s statewide offices.

Before the general election, each state will hold primaries to determine which candidates appear on the November ballot.

State lawmakers moved the primary election from its traditional June date earlier this year to give election officials and candidates more time to adjust if new congressional district maps are approved through an ongoing redistricting process.

In Virginia, the August primary will narrow the field of candidates who will compete in the November general election for several important posts, per Ballotpedia.

U.S. House of Representatives — All congressional districts will hold primaries to choose nominees.
U.S. Senate — One seat, currently held by Senator Mark Warner, will be on the ballot in Virginia in 2026.
Local offices — Municipal and school district elections, including school board races, will also take place in various jurisdictions across the state.

On Nov. 3, voters will cast ballots for all 435 U.S. House seats, 35 U.S. Senate seats and numerous state and local positions, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center.

Voter registration and deadlines

Voters in Virginia who want to participate in the state’s 2026 primary must register by Friday, July 24, according to the Virginia Department of Elections. This deadline applies to both new registrations and updates to existing voter registrations.

The primary election will be held on Tuesday, August 4. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is also July 24, while early in-person voting will be available from mid-June through Saturday, August 1.

Voters are encouraged to check their registration status and ballot information well before these dates to ensure participation in both the primary and the November general election.

MPD impounds car with nearly 900 tickets, more than $260K in fines

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:48:30 -0400

Police in the District impounded a car with a jaw-dropping number of outstanding traffic violations on Wednesday.

The Metropolitan Police Department shared the details on social media. A post on X shows the car, a black Audi with a Maryland license plate.

According to the post, the driver had 893 outstanding tickets, and had racked up more than a quarter of $1 million in fines.

"Repeated disregard of traffic law is unacceptable," the post read. "We'll continue to track down scofflaw vehicles to keep DC roadways safe."

A recent analysis by the Washington Post found that of the 103 vehicles that got the most tickets in D.C. in 2025, nearly 90% of them were from Maryland and Virginia. That report also draws focus to one of the most notorious offenders — an Audi with a Maryland license plate, like the one from MPD's post.

If the car in MPD's Wednesday post is, in fact, the same one mentioned in the Washington Post story, the driver received two more tickets in the two days since the story was published.

That Audi isn't the only serial offender in the district.

From January to mid-April 2025, MPD impounded more than 600 cars with at least $3,000 in outstanding fines.

Man dies after being shot in his Montgomery County home, no suspect in custody: police

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:07:12 -0400

Montgomery County police are investigating after a man was shot inside his home and later died.

At this time, there is no suspect information available, and no one is in custody.

According to MCPD, the fatal shooting happened on Thursday, April 9 in the 12000 block of Carrington Hill Drive.

Just before 6 p.m., Montgomery County Fire and Rescue were dispatched for the report of a shooting.

The man was found inside his home suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead despite life-saving efforts.

The Montgomery County Police Homicide Unit is investigating.

They say at this time, they don't have any information on a suspect, and no arrests have been made.

Police say additional information will be released as it becomes available, including the name of the victim.

This is a developing story. Check back with FOX 5 DC for updates.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoes proposed casino in Fairfax County

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:29:26 -0400

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has vetoed legislation that would allow the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to call a referendum vote on a casino in Tysons Corner.

The casino plans have been a point of controversy for the county.

This now means that, regardless of the Board’s explicit opposition, they are not able to make the decisions on gambling. The governor says she is going against the bill because it would set a precedent.

She also reiterated her belief that a statewide independent commission is needed to regulate gambling in Virginia.

"Local governing boards should lead on proposed casino development, as has happened in every locality that now has a casino," Spanberger said in a statement. "But in Fairfax County, the Board of Supervisors has explicitly opposed this legislation, and an overwhelming majority of the General Assembly members who represent Fairfax voted against it."

Spanberger says that since the General Assembly first authorized casinos in 2020, all of the five cities where they now operate — and the one where multiple local referendums failed — have actively sought the authority to hold referendums .

The existing law requires that once the General Assembly asserts a locality is eligible for a casino — as Senate Bill 756 does for Fairfax County — the local governing body must petition the court for a referendum.

This process worked for the six localities that wanted to hold casino referendums, but in the case of a locality where the local governing body opposes such an effort, the impact of this legislation is to supersede local authority.

The governor says the legislation would further restrict local decision-making by enabling state legislators to assign the specific location of the casino.

"In no other circumstance has the General Assembly prescribed specifications for a casino’s location," said Spanberger. "This effectively precludes local input and eliminates local decisions. While this legislation specifically affects only Fairfax County, it would set a precedent to bring casino referendums to other localities where the local governing board may similarly oppose such an effort."

She also adds that while gambling has expanded in recent years in Virginia, the Commonwealth continues to lack a statewide entity to regulate the industry.

"I remain deeply concerned about the continuous efforts to expand gaming across Virginia without a single, independent, and dedicated entity responsible for regulating all legal forms of gaming across the Commonwealth," Spanberger added. "A unified regulatory structure is essential to ensuring transparency, accountability, safety, and public confidence. I am committed to working with the General Assembly moving forward to ensure that communities across the Commonwealth remain safe, prosperous, and healthy."

The Governor’s official veto statement for Senate Bill 756:

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6 of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto Senate Bill 756 as it would strip the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors of control over the local approval process, require the county to set a referendum, and set a broader precedent.

Per existing law, once the General Assembly decides a locality is "eligible" for a casino regardless of the locality’s preferences, the local governing board has a non-discretionary, ministerial duty to adopt a resolution and petition the court to hold the referendum. Therefore, local governing boards should lead on proposed casino development, as has been the prior standard and process. Senate Bill 756 would effectively change this standard and eliminate local control.

While this legislation only affects Fairfax County, it would set a precedent that could be used to bring casino referendums to other localities where the local governing boards may similarly oppose such efforts.

Accordingly, I veto this bill.

Montgomery County Public Schools accused of keeping gender transitions secret from parents

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:48:10 -0400

A Maryland school district is coming under fire for its gender identity policies as a conservative legal group urges the Trump administration to investigate.

American First Legal has filed a formal federal complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Education against Montgomery County Public Schools for violating the First and Fourteenth amendments and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

The complaint claims that the district's 2025-2026 "Gender Identity in Montgomery County Public Schools" handbook "establishes a systematic policy of facilitating students’ social ‘gender transitions’ while actively concealing this information from parents who are deemed insufficiently ‘supportive’ by school staff."

Those changes include names, pronouns, school records, bathroom and locker room access, and overnight field trip sleeping arrangements.

The complaint alleges that MCPS violated FERPA, free speech and due process by directing staff to withhold gender transition information, excluding parents from "critical decisions" about their children, discriminating against parents who disagree with "radical gender ideology" and depriving parents of the right to direct their children's upbringing.

AFL is calling on the DOJ and Department of Education to require MCPS to rescind the policies, restore parents' access to educational records and fully comply with federal law.

MCPS has yet to comment on the complaint, citing policy not to comment on pending litigation, according to FOX News.

The district's 14-page handbook, which aims to provide a "culture of respect and equity," with policies for any student who wants to identify as "transgender or "gender-nonconforming."

Its "Gender Support Plan" ensures students have "equal access and equal opportunity to participate in all programs and activities at school," protecting them from "gender-based discrimination at school."

As part of protecting the student's privacy, the handbook claims that sharing such "confidential medical information" with parents or guardians is a FERPA violation. Teachers are instructed to speak with the student to "ascertain the level of support the student either receives or anticipates receiving from home."

"Matters of gender identity can be complex and may involve familial conflict. If this is the case, and support is required, the Department of Student Conduct and Appeals (DSCA) should be contacted. In such cases, staff will support the development of a student-led plan that works toward inclusion of the family, if possible, taking safety concerns into consideration as well as student privacy, and recognizing that providing support for a student is critical, even when the family is nonsupportive."

"Montgomery County Public Schools has constructed an elaborate system designed to keep parents in the dark about some of the most consequential decisions affecting their own children," said Ian Prior, Senior Counsel at America First Legal. "Federal law and the Constitution are unambiguous: parents have the fundamental right to direct the upbringing of their children and to access their children’s education records. MCPS’s policies turn both of those principles on their head."

Metro employees killed in early morning murder-suicide in Northwest DC: sources

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:50:50 -0400

Two men are dead following a shooting in the Friendship Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C., early Thursday morning.

Officers responded to the scene shortly after 1 a.m. near Wisconsin Avenue, close to the intersection of 44th Street and Jenifer Street. They arrived to find two men suffering from gunshot wounds. Both victims died at the scene.

Police say a firearm was recovered, and investigators are continuing to piece together what led up to the shooting.

At this time, police say they are not searching for any additional suspects.

Sources tell FOX 5 DC's Stephanie Ramirez that both men are Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority employees.

FOX 5 has heard from MPD and Metro sources that say the incident may have been a murder suicide. Sources say the two men knew each other and had an ongoing dispute over a woman.

Officials have yet to confirm those details.

The shooting occurred near the Metro Western Bus Division depot, an area that typically sees increased activity due to nearby transit operations and an adjacent employee parking lot.

Video from the scene shows a significant police presence, along with a tow truck removing a silver Chevy Zipcar that investigators say may be connected to the incident.

According to police radio traffic, a witness reported hearing yelling followed by two gunshots before officers were called to the scene.

Residents and commuters in the area expressed shock, describing the neighborhood as typically quiet.

FOX 5 has reached out to both the Metro and Zip Car.

Man whose pull-up burst water pipe at George Mason University comes forward

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:07:05 -0400

A stunt gone wrong sparked an investigation, but the man responsible is already owning up to his actions.

George Mason University police released a video showing a man doing a pull-up on a water pipe, which burst and flooded a parking garage on the Arlington campus last month.

He and the group of people he was with scattered as water started pouring from the ceiling.

Police released the footage in hopes of identifying the suspects, but the man called just hours later to admit that he was the one in the video.

He said he is not a student at George Mason University and is not from the DMV, but he was just visiting with friends. Police have not identified the man, and he has not been charged.

Authorities say the fact that he came forward made a big difference.

"There could be serious consequences; misdemeanors, potentially even felonies like destruction of property. But while this was clearly a mistake and bad decision-making, taking responsibility helped."

The case remains under investigation as he works to pay for the damage, which could cost thousands of dollars.