AAA: Expect 'absolute gridlock' Friday afternoon - WTOP Afternoon Headlines - Friday, December 23, 2016

The last time Christmas was on a Sunday, AAA Mid-Atlantic says, the Friday before was the heaviest travel day of the season, especially on the roads. They're predicting that'll be the case again this year. And Christmas Eve will probably see "heavy" traffic too, the group says. [Logo] AFTERNOON HEADLINES - December 23, 2016 [mobile-header-ad] [alt text here] [mobile-img] [alt text here] [AAA: Expect 'absolute gridlock' Friday afternoon] The last time Christmas was on a Sunday, AAA Mid-Atlantic says, the Friday before was the heaviest travel day of the season, especially on the roads. They're predicting that'll be the case again this year. And Christmas Eve will probably see "heavy" traffic too, the group says. [mobile-img] [alt text here] [Va. judge grants Severance’s petition for appeal] A Virginia court of appeals judge has granted the bid to overturn the convictions for Charles Severance, a man serving multiple life sentences for the murders of three Alexandria residents. [Passenger faces weapons charges after Md. police-involved shooting] The passenger of a car at the center of a police-involved shooting Thursday in Capitol Heights, Maryland, is now facing firearms charges. [mobile-img] [alt text here] [Lawsuit: Md. nursing home evicts patients when benefits dry up] Maryland attorney general said that there is a "clear pattern of behavior" that a local nursing home company kicked out patients who had run out of benefits. [mobile-img] [alt text here] [Best Christmas commercials of 2016] From the clever to the tearjerking, here is a sampling of the best Christmas commercials of 2016. [mobile-img] [alt text here] [Top 25 Christmas Movies] With Christmas nearing, WTOP has compiled 25 essential watches of the holiday season, from 20th-century classics to modern-day favorites. [mobile-img] [alt text here] [Berlin attack suspect slain in shootout with Milan police] Italian news agency ANSA says a man killed in a shootout with police in Milan is the main suspect in the Berlin Christmas market attack. The shootout took place during a routine police check. [mobile-img] [alt text here] [Colorado State basketball player dedicates season to relatives lost in Md. fire] It's approaching a year since a Maryland fire killed the senior's parents and his sister's 2-year-old twins. [Sponsored Content] [mobile-img] [alt text here] [How well do you know your holiday song lyrics?] Test your musical song knowledge with this holiday song quiz. Sponsored by Jiffy Lube DC [mobile-img] [alt text here] [Redskins head to Chicago, keeping slim playoff hopes alive] The Redskins need to win their remaining two games and get some help, mainly from the Saints, Vikings and Cowboys, this weekend. [mobile-img] [alt text here] [P-Nats closer to new multimillion dollar stadium, park-and-ride off I-95] The Potomac Nationals could finally be closer to a long-planned new stadium just off Interstate 95, based on newly public documents regarding the project. [Sponsored Content] [mobile-img] [alt text here] [GERD: Long-term treatment risks] Do you think you might be an individual who suffers from GERD? Here are a few classic symptoms of GERD to look out for. Sponsored by MedStar Washington Hospital Center [mobile-img] [alt text here] [Got a live Christmas tree for replanting? Time is a-wasting] WTOP Garden Editor Mike McGrath has all the tips and tricks for keeping holiday trees, plants and flowers fresh for the season. [mobile-img] [alt text here] [A way to put old shipping boxes to good use — for free] You might have a lot of empty boxes from online retailers lying around your home this holiday season, and now there’s a free way to put them to good use. [mobile-img] [alt text here] [Holiday photos with HHS Secretary Burwell] Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell poses for 381 photos with staff members and their families at the annual HHS Holiday Open House. See video. [mobile-img] [alt text here] [How to get the best deals for Christmas at the last minute] With Christmas just two days away, many retailers across the country are slashing prices for last-minute shoppers still looking for the perfect gifts for everyone on their list. [mobile-img] [alt text here] [Princeton men’s swim team done for year after ‘vulgar’ posts] Princeton University has canceled the rest of the men’s swimming and diving season after school administrators discovered that team members had posted “vulgar and offensive” material on their electronic mailing list. [Partnership] [mobile-img] [alt text here] [Fun & Games] Take a break with our new Fun & Games section at WTOP.com [mobile-img] [alt text here] [Malta plane hijacking ends peacefully; 2 Libyans surrender] Malta airport says a Libyan plane has landed at the Mediterranean island and that there appear to be two hijackers on board. [mobile-img] [alt text here] [Metro working with Trump inaugural committee to design SmarTrip covers] The transit agency confirms it's designing special sleeves for the fare cards that will feature the incoming president. [mobile-img] [alt text here] [WTOP picks its top 2016 DC-area images] Snow, sunsets, pandas and pumpkins — this past year has been full of memorable images from around the D.C. area. Here are some of our favorites. [FEDERAL NEWS RADIO] [alt text here] [Defense civilian workers may get $40k payout for retiring early] The 2017 defense authorization bill increases the amount DoD workers get for leaving their jobs by $15,000. If President Obama signs the bill, workers will be able to receive up to $40,000 in incentive pay for retiring early. 3400 Idaho Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016 [Unsubscribe] | [View this email in your browser] If you believe this has been sent to you in error, please safely [unsubscribe].