'Jarring': Kids react to arson that destroyed Potomac playground - Thursday, May 9, 2024 - Top News from WTOP

TOP NEWS | May 09, 2024 [Web version](   [Ambulance purchase interrupted by scammers leaves Rockville Volunteer Fire Department out $220K]( Who would steal from volunteers who dedicate their time to saving lives? That's what Eric Bernard, president of the Rockville Fire Department, would like to know. So would the Montgomery County Police, the FBI and the United States Secret Service. [READ MORE](   [Boil water advisory issued for several Northwest DC neighborhoods]( Residents of a wide swath of upper Northwest D.C. are under a boil water advisory until at least Friday after a water main break on Wednesday afternoon. [READ MORE](   ADVERTISEMENT [We're moved by those who keep America moving]( Public Service Recognition Week is a special opportunity for us to thank you. At Government Employee Health Association - GEHA, we see you and all you do to keep our communities running, protect our natural wonders, preserve our history, educate our youth and contribute to our public safety.   [Montgomery Co. residents, kids lament over arson that destroyed popular Potomac playground]( “Who burns down a kid's playground? Like why would someone do that? It just doesn't make any sense to me,” said resident Gillian Bussey, of Darnestown. [READ MORE](   [Residential tax rate increasing as part of approved Fairfax Co. budget]( As part of the new budget, the residential tax rate is increasing by 3 cents, and will now be $1.125 per $100 of assessed value. The result, the county said, is an average real estate tax bill increase of just over $450. [READ MORE](   Sponsored by Workday [How to leverage data, automation for HR transformation | Download now!]( Is your agency making the most of its HR data? Are you using analytics and automation to distill insights and improve decision-making? In our new eBook, learn from HR and technology leaders about how to transform human capital management.   [Md. company accused of underpaying workers' overtime ordered to issue thousands in back pay]( A Bowie-based concrete subcontractor accused of denying dozens of workers their full pay is being ordered to pay thousands in back wages, the U.S. Department of Labor said Wednesday. [READ MORE](   [How many millionaires are there in DC? Nowhere near as many as NYC]( The number of individual millionaires in the D.C. metro has grown by 75% in the last decade, but it ranks nowhere near the top for wealthiest cities in the world, based on millionaires. [READ MORE](   SPONSORED CONTENT [CX Exchange: Want to measure total experience? Here's how some agencies are doing it]( Gauging the success of experience initiatives depends on collecting data from both customers and employees to understand satisfaction and continually elevate total experience, Maximus' MaryAnn Monroe says.   [Montgomery Co. school board president tells Congress antisemitism not tolerated]( School officials, including the president of the Montgomery County School Board, were pressed Wednesday at a congressional hearing on how they deal with the issue of antisemitism. [READ MORE](   [Safety concerns generate community discussion at Montgomery County's Kennedy High School]( PTSA Vice President Ricky Ribeiro said he was alarmed last year when his son and his nephew, both of whom attended Kennedy, told him, “Kids were smoking Percocets in the bathroom.” [READ MORE](   Sponsored by Clean Fuels Alliance America [Energy Strategy Series: DC Public Works, DC Water drive toward clean energy with biodiesel]( All-electric, heavy-duty vehicles are not yet viable, but discover how two D.C. city agencies are reducing carbon emissions by adapting trucks in their heavy-duty fleets to biodiesel.   [It's teacher appreciation week: U.Md. showed lots of love to 3 alums]( Pedro Gonzalez, a Spanish teacher at Samuel Ogle Middle School, was honored by the University of Maryland during teacher appreciation week. [READ MORE](   [National Harbor kicks off Movies on the Potomac with ‘Titanic' date night and ‘Moana' family night]( National Harbor is bringing back its popular Movies on the Potomac series, running now through Sept. 29, including free date-night movies on Thursdays at 7 p.m. and free family flicks on Sundays at 6 p.m. [READ MORE](   SPONSORED CONTENT [Energy Strategy Series: Setting energy policies that can help drive cleaner, greener future]( We talk with Virginia Sen. Scott Surovell, majority leader, and also Washington Gas' Jim Steffes to get a perspective on the energy challenges facing our area and what's being done to help drive down carbon emissions.   [Matt About Town: Loudoun Co. comic store hosts free comic book giveaway on Star Wars Day]( In today's episode of “Matt About Town,” WTOP's Matt Kaufax went to a galaxy far, far away for National Free Comic Book Day. [READ MORE](   Sponsored by HCLSoftware [CX Exchange: Tips on how to keep people at center of experience design]( Whether customers or employees, it's critical to spend “time upfront, making sure that you've understood and defined the personas, and uncovered the motivations of the folks that are going to be using the experience,” explains HCLSoftware's Michael Roe.   PARTNERSHIP [May We Say Thank You 2024]( Join Federal News Network and NARFE in thanking the dedicated federal employees and contractors who work tirelessly day in and day out in their efforts to serve our communities.   [Check out the latest weather forecast]( [Click here for the latest traffic updates]( [Visit WTOP's Podcast Center]( Download and listen to podcasts created by WTOP and our partners CONNECT WITH WTOP [facebook]( [twitter]( [linkedin]( [instagram]( EVERYTHING YOU NEED EVERY TIME YOU LISTEN [DOWNLOAD THE WTOP APP]( [Click here to manage your newsletter preferences.]( This email and the accompanying website are not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. 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