Brand new day: Pep rally awaits after NFL owners approve Commanders sale - Friday, July 21, 2023 - Top News from WTOP

TOP NEWS | July 21, 2023 [Web version](   [Pep rally awaits after NFL owners approve Commanders sale]( Current and former Washington NFL players as well as the Commanders' new owners will hold a 1 p.m. pep rally at FedEx Field after NFL owners Thursday unanimously approved the sale of the Washington Commanders to a group led by Philadelphia 76ers owner Josh Harris. [READ MORE](   [INTERVIEW: DC's new acting police chief says she won't be satisfied until crime goes down]( Homicides in the District are up 15% and violent crime overall is up 36%. “It bothers me, and it certainly upsets me,” Pamela Smith said. “My job as the chief of police is to make sure that we drive down crime, and I won't be satisfied until we do that.” [READ MORE](   SPONSORED CONTENT [CIEDs and lead extraction: How MedStar Washington Hospital Center is helping cardiac device patients]( The lead extraction of a Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device - or CIED - is something the team at MedStar Washington Hospital Center is skilled at doing and collaborates with other teams to improve the patient experience.   [Tony Bennett, masterful stylist of American musical standards, dies at 96]( Tony Bennett, the eminent and timeless stylist whose devotion to classic American songs and knack for creating new standards such as “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” graced a decades-long career, died Friday. He was 96, just two weeks short of his birthday. [READ MORE](   [A Commander walks into a bar and orders free drinks for all]( Following the NFL owners' vote, Commanders fans gathered at The Bullpen in Southeast D.C. to celebrate the end of Dan Snyder's 20-plus-year reign, and a new beginning for the franchise. Only an hour into his time as owner, Josh Harris had a special treat for the fans who came out. [READ MORE](   Sponsored by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield [CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield builds bridges by investing in healthcare innovators]( Providing affordable, accessible, equitable and quality healthcare is what CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield strives to do every day, but the company goes a step further by building bridges and investing in other businesses that can help advance its overarching goals.   [1 dead, several hurt after being struck by car in Georgetown hospital parking garage]( One person was killed and several others hurt after they were struck by the driver of a car in the parking garage of MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in D.C. Thursday afternoon. The incident is still being investigated. [READ MORE](   [Hiring blitz: Maryland's transportation dept. aims to fill 1,100 jobs]( These open vacancies across MDOT include the State Highway Administration, Motor Vehicle Administration, Maryland Transit Administration and the Maryland Transportation Authority, according to the department. [READ MORE](   SPONSORED CONTENT [Local bank stakes its claim by being friend to DC region entrepreneurs, small businesses and startups]( Capital Bank, based in Rockville, celebrates its new 14th Street corridor location by sharing its own growth story, which is intrinsically tied to its investment in businesses and young companies across the DMV.   [Commanders' Dan Snyder fined $60 million for sexually harassing employee, financial improprieties]( Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder sexually harassed a team employee, and he has agreed to pay a $60 million fine, the NFL said Thursday. [READ MORE](   [Judge sets a trial date for next May in Trump's classified documents case in Florida]( The newly announced trial date is a compromise between a request from prosecutors to set the trial for this December and a request from defense lawyers to schedule it after the 2024 presidential election. [READ MORE](   Sponsored by Rocky Gorge Animal Hospital [5 summertime tips for a pet-safe season]( More activity is great for your furry friend, but there are some precautions and things to be aware of during the warmer temperatures.   [Embracing your inner artist: How Manassas Splatter Paint Room is promising family fun in a creative new way]( The Splatter Paint Room in Manassas is a budding hub of local creativity - even for those who say they aren't artists. See video. [READ MORE](   [What the 'phub' is 'phone snubbing,' and how might it be affecting your marriage?]( Too much time on your phone could be making your partner feel ignored, according to a recent study. [READ MORE](   SPONSORED CONTENT [Expert advice: How to navigate current interest rate environment]( Do you know why credit unions typically can offer lower home and car loan rates? Do you understand upfront fees and how they can affect your total cost? We get the 411 from Northwest Federal Credit Union CEO Jeff Bentley.   [Your guide to an explosive - and pink - Barbenheimer release weekend in the DC area]( Plan to check out both "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer?" Here are some restaurants, bars and clubs around the D.C. region that can help to make sure your "Barbenheimer" release weekend is equal parts fiery and glittering. [READ MORE](   Sponsored by Workday [Ask the CIO: USDA]( In this exclusive webinar edition of Ask the CIO, host Jason Miller and his guest, Gary Washington, of the USDA dive into IT modernization, goals and insights at the USDA. In addition, Wayne Bobby, of Workday Federal provides an industry perspective.   PARTNERSHIP [Register TODAY! Make a difference in our fight against breast cancer]( Registration is open for the 2023 Komen DMV Tri-State MORE THAN PINK Walk!   [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.](