The National Mall gets ready for the Fourth of July ... in 2026? - Tuesday, May 23, 2023 - Top News from WTOP

TOP NEWS | May 23, 2023 [Web version](   [America's 250th birthday is 3 years away. Planning for big celebration has already begun]( Three areas around downtown D.C. are slated for improvements ahead of the 2026 event celebrating the nation's 250th birthday - known as the semiquincentennial. [READ MORE](   [U-Haul crashes into security barrier near White House, driver facing charges]( U.S. Secret Service confirmed to WTOP that robots were used to search the truck and that a Nazi flag was found inside. [READ MORE](   ADVERTISEMENT [FVCbank. Success Has a Bank.]( FVCbank has been serving Virginia and Maryland residents business banking and personal banking services since 2007. Open an account with us today!   [Amazon's HQ2 office towers are open. They're named Jasper and Merlin]( Amazon is finally graduating from rented space in Crystal City with the official opening of its two Metropolitan Park office towers in Pentagon City. [READ MORE](   [What will Metro rail cars look like in the future?]( Metro gave a peek at the rail cars of the future with new features different from what riders of the D.C.-area transit agency have been used to, including holding slightly fewer passengers. [READ MORE](   Sponsored by Whitman-Walker Health [Behind the scenes at Whitman-Walker Health: An array of medical and wellness services]( In its 50th year, the health care provider continues to expand its services and is preparing to open a new location in Southeast D.C. We talk with CEO Naseema Shafi to learn about Whitman-Walker Health's many health and wellness services.   [‘Long overdue': Prince William Co. schools launch task force to review grading policy]( The Prince William County Public School system has convened a task force to review its grading policy, making it the latest Virginia school system to evaluate how student work is graded. [READ MORE](   [‘Get back up the best way you can': U.Md. grad delivers commencement speech on facing adversity]( “Staying down is a choice. But what we can control is our attitude, our impact on others, and our ability to keep pressing forward despite the circumstances,” Damon Brooks said during the commencement ceremony, [READ MORE](   SPONSORED CONTENT [Managing multi cloud through the ‘by design' approach]( Kelsey Monaghan, the lead for federal strategic programs and partnerships for cloud and edge at Dell Technologies, said agencies need the ability to govern and provide workload flexibility across all individual cloud deployments to ensure consistency.   [Air bag thieves hit 20 Hondas in Arlington]( Theft of air bags, particularly in Honda model cars, has been a nagging problem across the D.C. region, including in Arlington County. [READ MORE](   [Md. Gov. Moore condemns man seen with rifle near school bus stops in Anne Arundel Co.]( “The governor won't allow these tactics to stop his administration from taking common-sense steps to protect our communities. He condemns this behavior and will keep fighting to build a safer Maryland.” [READ MORE](   Sponsored by The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation [How Montgomery County incubators cultivate, nourish new businesses]( The county created its Business Innovation Network to create launchpads for new businesses in Maryland. We talk to entrepreneurs who use the incubators in Germantown, Rockville and Silver Spring to house and grow their young companies.   [Staffing up for summer: Search for lifeguards continues in Montgomery Co.]( Summer's just around the corner, and there are still plenty of openings for lifeguards at Maryland universities, recreation departments and neighborhood pools. [READ MORE](   [Flying Dog Brewery is being acquired, and flying out of Maryland]( Craft beer maker Flying Dog Brewery in Frederick known for its sometimes edgy beer names and labels, has agreed to be acquired by FX Matt for an undisclosed sum. [READ MORE](   SPONSORED CONTENT [What your nails may be telling you about other health conditions]( A lurking health condition may be at your fingertips - literally. Your nails can provide clues to other health conditions, and specialists at MedStar Washington Hospital Center can help with treating and diagnosing fingernail and toenail conditions.   [Helen Hayes Awards crown GALA Hispanic Theatre's ‘On Your Feet,' Signature Theatre's ‘Color Purple']( Over 1,600 theater creators and supporters attended the annual Helen Hayes Awards at The Anthem in Southwest D.C., where judges crowned the best of the local theater. [READ MORE](   Sponsored by EY [Knowing your customer journey will help agencies deliver better CX]( Chris Gianutsos, the managing director for digital at EY, said agencies need to take an outside in point of view when reimaging how they serve their customers.   PARTNERSHIP [Celebrate summer, June 24 & 25th at the Giant BBQ Battle!]( It's two days of great BBQ, amazing bands, microbrew tasting and much more!   [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. [Unsubscribe](  | [Contact us.](