'As devastating as a heart attack or a stroke' - Saturday, December 23, 2023 - Top News from WTOP

TOP NEWS | December 23, 2023 [Web version](   [Eating healthy this holiday season? Doctors warn of ‘silent killer' - cholesterol]( As many of us prepare to indulge in holiday eats, doctors said that there are ways to be festive in what you eat and drink without being unhealthy. [READ MORE](   [2 French bulldogs stolen days apart in DC, police say]( In a continuing trend, two more French bulldogs were stolen this week in the District, according to D.C. police. Mocha was stolen from her owner at gunpoint Friday and Tyson was stolen during a home burglary. [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.   [Happy trails: Volunteers tackle repairs along Mount Vernon Trail]( The 18-mile-long Mount Vernon Trail in Virginia has been getting a little work done over the past year, and the people doing it aren't charging a penny. [READ MORE](   [Prince George's Co. elementary school at risk of shutdown to remain open]( Bowie Mayor Tim Adams made the announcement on Facebook on Wednesday that in addition to keeping its doors open, the school will also serve as a site for a regional autism program. [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.   [Christmas trees are the leading cause of fires around the holidays, experts say]( “The longer it's in your home, the more it continues to dry out and the more flammable it becomes,” said Susan McKelvey, communications manager with the National Fire Protection Association. [READ MORE](   [Virginia attorney general drops remaining charge against former Loudoun Co. schools superintendent]( A remaining charge against former Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Ziegler has been dropped, according to a court filing from the Virginia Attorney General's office, obtained by WTOP. [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?   [Police: 2 victims identified in quadruple Southwest DC shooting]( D.C. police have identified the two people killed in Thursday morning's shooting in Southwest, which officials continue to investigate. [READ MORE](   [‘A grassroots community effort': DC chef carries on tradition of providing meals to community on Christmas]( A D.C. chef aims to give back to the city's homeless by cooking for them this Christmas as part of an inspiring grassroots community effort. [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.   [Shop Black, small and locally in DC this holiday season]( On Friday, many people were ditching the big box stores and instead supporting Sycamore & Oak's Southside Holiday Market in Southeast D.C. [READ MORE](   [DC Council chairman introduces bill aimed at reducing violent crime]( As shootings continue to plague the District, D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson introduced a new crime bill that would reduce violent crime in the city. [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.   [Channeling the spirit of giving after the holidays]( While Christmas may inspire families to find chances to volunteer, there are all kinds of ways to donate your time year-round. [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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