Is a January government shutdown on the way? - Friday, December 22, 2023 - Top News from WTOP

TOP NEWS | December 22, 2023 [Web version](   ['There has to be work done now': Md. Rep. Hoyer urges Congress to work over break to avoid shutdown]( "I think it may be more likely than less likely that we would shut down the government." The Democratic lawmaker senses a shutdown showdown may be looming. [READ MORE](   [Jeep Cherokee believed to be linked to quadruple DC shooting found burned in Prince George's Co.]( A man and a woman were killed, and two others were hurt in a drive-by shooting near Nationals Park. A vehicle possibly linked to the incident may have been found burned in Maryland. [READ MORE](   ADVERTISEMENT [Find the perfect holiday gift at Mervis Diamond Importers]( Looking for the perfect holiday gift? Explore our collection of classic and modern diamond stud earrings. Mervis Diamond Importers is the top rated jewelry store in Washington, DC. Shop online or visit us during our Special Holiday Hours.   [Fairfax Co. concludes investigation into student data breach]( The external review found that the data breach occurred because the parent had access to old thumb drives with unredacted files, the school division said. [READ MORE](   [Despite Republican pushback, Confederate memorial removed from Arlington National Cemetery]( In 2022, a commission recommended to Congress that the memorial be taken down as part of a push to remove names and symbols that commemorate the Confederacy from military-related facilities. [READ MORE](   Sponsored by Spectrum Enterprise [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.   [Where in Maryland are customers buying the most cannabis?]( Marylanders have been buying cannabis since it became legal on July 1 with a sales tax rate of 9%. Following a new report from Comptroller Brooke Lierman, WTOP knows where people are buying it the most. [READ MORE](   [Why using melatonin to help sleep isn't always the best thing for your child's health]( Parents may be tempted to use melatonin to help their children sleep. But D.C.-area doctors said you might want to think twice before doing this. [READ MORE](   SPONSORED CONTENT [AI success relies on good planning, data and engineering]( Planning for artificial intelligence should start with the use cases. How might it benefit the organization? Who will it affect? Where can we get some quick wins?   [A weekly food distribution event gets a festive touch - and a visit from Santa]( The Upcounty Hub, a nonprofit that provides weekly food distributions to families in need in northern Montgomery County, added a slight surprise to their usual giveaways. [READ MORE](   [Santa pays an early visit to kids at Inova Loudoun Hospital]( “It's uplifting for us, it's uplifting for them, and for their families.” This year's event brought over 3,000 toys to children recovering at the Lessburg facility. [READ MORE](   Sponsored by Four Inc. and IBM [Los Alamos looks to the edge of complex data management challenges]( Experts in the High Performance Computing division at Los Alamos National Laboratory are working at the edge of some of the biggest “big data” challenges in the world.   [1st ever Kwanzaa display at Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture]( The display, open from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, will be in the museum's Heritage Hall and include a kinara candle holder, a mkeka mat and a Kwanzaa playlist. [READ MORE](   [‘It has gotten so much better': DC mom on electric tricycle talks going carless in the city]( How safe is it to bike around the District? One mom in Northeast D.C. has gone carless, and despite a recent run-in with a car, she thinks it's pretty safe. [READ MORE](   SPONSORED CONTENT [Federal IT infrastructure improvements are here to stay in a constantly changing landscape]( Federal government agencies are in a constant battle to keep their IT infrastructure modernized to ensure the secure, smooth flow of information.   [What Washingtonians read most at DC's public libraries in 2023]( This year, D.C. Public Library saw the highest number of items circulated with more than seven million items borrowed, streamed or downloaded. [READ MORE](   [Movie Review: ‘The Color Purple' is a stirring big-screen musical powered by its spectacular cast]( Exuberant performances from a cast led by Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson and Danielle Brooks breathe life into Blitz Bazawule's stirring “The Color Purple,” adapted from the Tony-winning Broadway production. [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   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. 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