Ready for peak bloom? - Friday, March 1, 2024 - Top News from WTOP

TOP NEWS | March 01, 2024 [Web version](   [What you need to know about the National Cherry Blossom Festival 2024]( The annual National Cherry Blossom Festival in D.C. sprouts on March 20 and lasts through April 14 this year. Here's what you need to know. [READ MORE](   [Lockdown at Maryland State House lifted following threatening call, police say]( Around two hours after the lockdown was put in place, police gave the all clear after sweeping the grounds. Authorities say nothing suspicious was found. [READ MORE](   SPONSORED CONTENT [Make 2024 your healthiest year yet]( WTOP talked with health and wellness experts from across the DMV to gain tips both personal and professional for our 2024 Get on Top of Your Health series. Check out the interviews now!   [Dozens of downtown DC business leaders call on lawmakers to curb violent crime]( The letter calls for more to be done to target “the small group of organized and repeat criminals” that D.C. leaders have said are behind a majority of crimes. [READ MORE](   [Speeding ticket fines could double in Arlington under proposal]( Leaders in Arlington are considering increasing the fines for cars caught driving too fast by speed cameras in school crossing zones and highway work zones. [READ MORE](   Sponsored Event [Federal News Network's DoD Cloud Exchange 2024 | Register now!]( Join Federal News Network on March 26 and 27 for our DoD Cloud Exchange. We'll be hosting leaders from across Defense along with industry tech experts to get in the weeds on the latest policy initiatives, real-world implementations and latest technology developments.   [Md. man accused of leading chase in stolen truck was having ‘psychotic episode,' lawyer argues]( A district court judge has ordered the man accused of stealing a state highway truck and leading police on a chase across several suburban neighborhoods to be held without bond. [READ MORE](   [‘Beer bottles, mattresses, ladders': Maryland crews tackle cleanup of 17,000 miles of roadway]( "Operation Clean Sweep" is the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration's continuing effort to clear trash and debris from state roads. [READ MORE](   SPONSORED CONTENT [AI & Data Exchange 2024 | Watch Now]( During Federal News Network's inaugural AI & Data Exchange, presented by Guidehouse, government and industry experts shared insights and progress on AI work and discussed how to address the related challenges that all agencies face.   [Congress approves short-term extension to avoid shutdown, buy more time for final spending agreement]( The short-term extension is the fourth in recent months, and many lawmakers expect it to be the last for the current fiscal year. The bill goes to President Joe Biden to be signed into law. [READ MORE](   [ICE says it tried to detain this man twice last year. He's now charged in a Maryland toddler's killing]( "We're not a sanctuary county." Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich said Nilson Granados-Trejo's theft charges didn't meet its two-page list of crimes to enforce ICE detainers. [READ MORE](   Sponsored by MedStar Washington Hospital Center [How MedStar Health can treat pericardial effusion]( Although well tolerated for some patients, fluid buildup around the heart, particularly in excess, can cause other complications like heart failure and even death. MedStar Washington Hospital Center dives into how pericardial effusion can be diagnosed and managed.   [Faith-based network looks for your support in getting hundreds of guns off Montgomery Co. streets]( "It's really important for us to serve our community and figure out how we can make this a better place for people not just to survive, but thrive." Interfaith Gun Violence Prevention Network's event is on April 20 in Germantown. [READ MORE](   [Beltway Basketball Beat: VCU-Richmond rivalry highlights weekend, addressing court storming conundrum]( This winter, court storming has come under fire, with fans rushing the floor during upsets, leading to at least two collisions. WTOP's Dave Preston breaks the practice and previews this weekend's college basketball action. [READ MORE](   SPONSORED CONTENT [How modern security operations centers keep up with emerging threats]( As agencies turn to outsource their security operations center staffs, they need assurance the employees have both certifications and up-to-date knowledge.   [New Smithsonian show highlights the man who captured Hollywood's Golden Era]( An exhibit featuring portraits of former leading stars, such as Clark Gable, John Barrymore and Jean Harlow, is now on display at the National Portrait Gallery. [READ MORE](   [Kevin Hart, Elton John, Larry David headline March entertainment in DC area]( March is upon us as the nation's capital marches out of winter and into spring. WTOP has gathered all the fun events and shows you need to know about for March. [READ MORE](   Sponsored by iProov [Industry Exchange Cyber: A facial factor to secure authentication?]( Rather than a six-digit token, iProov's biometric technology generates colors that, when bounced from a screen off a user's face and into a camera, can discern between a living person and photograph image. We get the details from iProov's Ajay Amlani.   PARTNERSHIP [Listen live for news, traffic and weather from WTOP News on our FREE App!]( Download the app today - sponsored by Navy Federal Credit Union - to stay up to date on all the latest news in the DMV.   [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.](