'It’s a journey' forward for one Montgomery Co. police officer - Wednesday, December 20, 2023 - Top News from WTOP

TOP NEWS | December 20, 2023 [Web version](   [Montgomery Co. police sergeant remains positive, on road to recovery after losing both legs]( Patrick Keep never expected he would require a form of “critical care” or need to learn how to walk again until an intentional crash on Interstate 270 made him a double amputee. [READ MORE](   [Taxpayers could bear the brunt of ‘monumental' cost of Potomac Yards development]( Moving the Capitals and Wizards to Virginia could cost taxpayers over $1 billion, sparking mixed feelings around the state about the $2.2 billion project's scale. [READ MORE](   SPONSORED CONTENT [Telecommunications stability, security and modernization are key for agency productivity]( When it comes to telecommunications security and modernization, the COVID-19 pandemic caused many agencies to pivot quickly from an in-office working environment to almost exclusively remote or hybrid work schedules.   [Md. Senate candidate says he's more progressive, but also more bipartisan]( “Voters are just sick and tired of Washington getting nothing accomplished." Congressman David Trone has spent the fall and early winter racking up endorsements for his campaign. [READ MORE](   [‘Unacceptable': How DC business leaders are working together in response to crime]( In recent months, store shelves have been bare in some D.C. shops, and others have considered moving locations or closing entirely. Certain items have also been locked behind cabinets in an effort to prevent theft. [READ MORE](   Sponsored by Spectrum Enterprise [Federal agencies and cybersecurity: Challenges and opportunities]( Federal agencies have been working to fulfill a White House mandate to update their networks to improve government cybersecurity.   [They qualified for free medical care, but were billed anyway. How is Maryland working to provide refunds?]( For years, Maryland hospitals billed patients who qualified for free medical care. Now, the hospitals, state agencies and the Health Services Cost Review Commission are working on plans to provide refunds to those patients. [READ MORE](   [Judge reverses earlier decision and allows removal of Confederate memorial at Arlington Cemetery]( U.S. District Judge Rossie Alston said the allegations that the removal efforts amounted to grave desecration “were, at best, ill-informed and, at worst, inaccurate.” [READ MORE](   SPONSORED CONTENT [Accessing the dark web safely is key to using open source intelligence]( When it comes to open source intelligence, most experts believe the intelligence community remains in the early stages of embracing it as a discipline.   [Teen involved in deadly DC crash involving stolen car pleads guilty]( In a plea deal, the girl admitted to “unauthorized use of a vehicle” but was not charged with carjacking. She also pleaded guilty to playing a role in several violent robberies. [READ MORE](   [Police who make house calls: Takoma Park's vacant home checks]( Before heading out of town for the holidays, Takoma Park residents can sign up for a very targeted neighborhood watch: one where police swing by their homes to make sure not a creature is stirring -- or stealing. [READ MORE](   Sponsored by Workday [How are agencies doing with efforts to improve human capital management?]( Federal News Network surveyed government HR leaders to learn both where agencies are in developing and implementing HCM strategies and also the underlying challenges in improving human capital management. | Download the survey report now   [DC-area leaders propose ways to address Metro's budget gap without causing ‘transit death spiral']( Some of the near-term recommendations to Metro include transferring some capital funding to cover operating costs, increasing fares and implementing targeted service reductions. [READ MORE](   [What to expect at the airport and on the roads this holiday season]( Even more people from the D.C. region will be hitting the roads and taking to the skies in the next few weeks than they did last year, according to recent estimates from AAA. [READ MORE](   SPONSORED CONTENT [Hospice awareness campaign launched to educate D.C. residents about care benefits]( Capital Caring Health was awarded a charitable grant by The Washington Home Foundation to support a multimedia campaign aimed at raising awareness of hospice care options in the District.   [Christmas Day 2023: What's open, what's closed in the DC area?]( Need a last-minute gift or ingredient for that Christmas meal? WTOP has a list of what's open and what's closed this Christmas Day 2023. [READ MORE](   [The Commanders' bad parallel with the Jets and a crucial question for Rivera]( After the Washington Commanders' latest loss in L.A., the WTOP Sports team discusses how the Burgundy and Gold should perform when facing off the New York Jets on Sunday. [READ MORE](   Sponsored by ICF [IT modernization use cases]( Keeping up with technology requires constant evolution. How are agencies employing new technology to better meet their missions and how is it impacting the workforce?   PARTNERSHIP [Virginia Tech to play in Military Bowl in Annapolis]( The National Capital Region's college football bowl game, the Military Bowl presented by Go Bowling.com will feature Virginia Tech Hokies VS. the Tulane Green Wave December 27 at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.   [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.](