DMV Download from WTOP News

Since 1979, C-SPAN has broadcasted raw coverage of the U.S. Congress. But in the first week of January, something changed. C-SPAN became – as the Hollywood Reporter mused – “America's Hottest TV Drama in 2023.” And all because, Congress let C-SPAN use their cameras to film the 5-day election of now Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. Usually only government provided feeds are allowed. This week, I sit down with the C-SPAN Director of Editorial Operations Ben O'Connell and Crew Chief Steve Kehoe (a.k.a. the man behind the C-SPAN camera). We talk about why C-SPAN wants Congress to change its rule and allow C-SPAN cameras to film the government in action. 

The Jan. 6 insurrection shook the United States and democracy to its core — but it also left a lot of trash in Washington, D.C. Protesters and rioters left bottles, flag poles and stickers behind. But who cleaned up after them? Meet David Smith. He's a Navy veteran and founder of Continue To Serve. Smith gathered more than 400 people to clean up the path of the pro-Trump rally from the White House ellipse to the U.S. Capitol. Now two years out, we hear Smith's story.

TikTok is banned from all U.S. government and military phones, but is this just the beginning? Will TikTok — the most popular app in the world — be banned from all American phones? Virginia Senator and Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee Mark Warner comes on the DMV Download podcast to talk about TikTok and why he doesn't trust the Chinese social media app. Warner breaks down his two main national security concerns and offers potential solutions.

Bruce Alan, Debra Feinstein and Kristi King all got hired at WTOP in the same month in 1990. Now, these three radio greats reflect on their 32 years at WTOP as they all depart the Glass Enclosed Nerve Center in the same month – December 2022. We go back in time with Bruce, Debra and Kristi talking about their careers, favorite memories, and what message they have to all the listeners who have heard them for three decades.

It's time to raise a glass. The holidays are here and News Years is just around the corner. We learn how to make a great toast from a local winner of the Guinness Toast Contest – Tom Ponton. And this is the last daily DMV Download podcast episode before it goes to a weekly format. Then, Luke and Megan reminisce on the more than 150 episodes we've done and talk about what's next.

There's a growing movement among members of the Virginia High School League trying to create a female wrestling league. Coach Charles Phillips from Alexandria's Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology says more and more girls are showing interest in take-downs, pins, and arm bars. We hear from the players themselves, who say wrestling not only makes them stronger and brings them into a community, it gives them a new-found sense of confidence.

The chase of a group of teens arrested with a loaded gun inside Tysons Corner Center gave hundreds of holiday shoppers a legitimate scare even though shots were never fired. Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis joins us in the studio to talk about what happened, recruiting new officers and veterans from other departments, and the crimes that he's most concerned about going into the new year.

Meet the local musician who is creating a way for disabled children and adults in India to play instruments using their brain waves. We have a fascinating conversation with Fulbright scholar and Baltimore native Calvin McCormack about how he's doing it.

Commanders fans are up in arms for a few reasons. First, their team lost yesterday – in Primetime – on an official's controversial call. Then, the design of the team's memorial to a beloved player killed years ago fell flat. WTOP's Sports Director George Wallace tells us why fans, and former players, were underwhelmed by the memorial to Sean Taylor and what went wrong in the game against the New York Giants. Then, Megan and Luke discuss how they approach New Year's resolutions.

It's unclear exactly how many people may be crossing the border in the next few days, with their final destination set for the DMV, but there is a sense that it could be significantly higher than normal. This comes at a time of year when non-profits normally see an increased need. Megan speaks to the CEO of a Baltimore non-profit immigration group about how difficult it is to help set them up and the policy deadline that's affecting asylum seekers' migrations. And then, we talk to two special guests from the newsroom about some Christmas-themed quandaries.

Hospitals in our area are struggling to keep up with increasing respiratory patients amid a mounting nurse staff shortage. Today, city officials are meeting with the D.C. Hospital Association to figure out whether a legislative move could help at all. WTOP's Scott Gelman fills us in on what to expect. Then, Dr. Glenn Wortmann, chief of Infectious Diseases, at MedStar Washington Hospital Center tells us how best to get through this holiday season without getting the flu, RSV or COVID-19.

D.C.'s mayor is moving forward with a plan to add more affordable housing to the city by facilitating its building on land owned by houses of worship. Deputy Mayor John Falchiccio tells us how a new partnership and a request for interested churches, synagogues, and mosques to participate will help the mayor reach her goal of building 36,000 affordable units by 2025. Then a special guest joins Megan for a kid-friendly installment of DMV Dates.

There's growing interest in Frederick County, Maryland to examine what books kids have access to in school libraries, and potentially remove some of them. Nearly 1,000 people have signed up to be on a committee to decide which of the 35 books gets to stay. WTOP's Kate Ryan tells us where the process goes from here. Plus, we have some big news to share about the podcast — we are going weekly! Megan and Luke talk about the details of the change and when it'll happen.

Washington, D.C. is on track to have the largest free fare transit plan in the country — offering Metro bus service within the nation's capital for no charge and giving residents a monthly $100 allowance for Metrorail. Councilmember Charles Allen proposed the idea 3 years ago and it's just one vote away from becoming law. Allen walks through the bill and argues that this massive public investment is worth it. Plus, Megan and Luke share their favorite sledding spots around the region.

Artificial intelligence or AI, whether you notice it or not, is becoming a bigger part of our lives. Its increasing presence in the technology we all interact with has prompted lawmakers – like D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine – to push for creating ground rules on how corporations and even individuals can use it. But what is AI? For answers, we turn to WTOP Engineer David Mundschenk, who knows a thing or two about AI. He explains what it is and then we have a “conversation” with a new AI called ChatGPT.

The House committee tasked with investigating Commanders' owner Daniel Snyder didn't hold back in a scathing report today — finding that Snyder withheld information, was deliberately vague, and potentially misled to the committee and to the NFL in what information he revealed about previous sexual assault investigations and settlements in the past. WTOP Congressional Correspondent Mitchell Miller gives us the upshot on the findings of the members' 14-month investigation.

With the retreat of the pandemic, also comes the departure of Dr. Anthony Fauci. Fauci is stepping away as director of the NIH and the public arena after three intense years serving as the “nation's doctor.” Dr Fauci joins us to reflect on his time in the limelight and what's ahead. Plus, we get WTOP's entertainment editor Jason Fraley's picks for what to see in the theater, in concert and in your living room this holiday season.

With the retreat of the pandemic, also comes the departure of Dr. Anthony Fauci. Fauci is stepping away as director of the NIH and the public arena after three intense years serving as the “nation's doctor.” Dr. Fauci joins us to reflect on his time in the limelight and what's ahead. Plus, we get WTOP's entertainment editor Jason Fraley's picks for what to see in the theater, in concert and in your living room this holiday season.

How much will it cost to ride the Metro next year? It's really anyone's guess with CEO and GM Randy Clarke proposing fare hikes, D.C. council members pushing to make buses free in the District and WMATA hoping to bring back autonomous trains. WTOP's Luke Lukert tells us about the changes ahead. Then we hear about his surprising talent that has saved his friends thousands.

Police are investigating who is responsible after vandals drew swastikas on the side of an old Food Lion building in Loudoun County, Virginia. It's the latest instance of antisemitic vandalism seen in our area. We talk to Gil Preuss, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, who tells us what we can do as antisemetic hate speech is on the rise. Plus, what's the best type of Christmas tree? And how do you keep it alive? We discuss.

When one Maryland driver got a $100 speeding ticket from the D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles in 2019, he didn't pay the fine like hundreds of thousands of drivers do every year. He decided to fight it. He took his case all the way to the District's highest court and won. WTOP's Jack Moore explains how the court ruling could change how you can contest a speeding ticket in D.C.

Weeks before he is sworn in, Democratic governor-elect Wes Moore sits down with our Kate Ryan to share a little about himself, the challenges he faced on the campaign trail, and how his kids are getting their heads around their new life and home in the governor's house. Kate tells us about her one-on-one interview with Moore. Plus, Megan tries to teach Luke how to whistle — with little success.

December is right around the corner, and with it, the gift-giving season. As kids take part in choosing presents for their siblings, friends and family, what's the best way to talk to them about money? Certified financial planner Gregg Murset says we have to get real and lose the piggy bank. He offers tips on integrating the conversation into daily life. Plus, Megan and Luke deliver a fresh round of DMV Dates.

It all started with a nagging cough. Months later, our Neal Augenstein has recently shared he is fighting lung cancer. We spend the episode with Neal, discussing his diagnosis, the plan for his treatment, and his choice to share the news publicly. Plus, he tells us how he's continuing to voice stories despite his new challenges. Neal, Megan and Luke also discuss his widely undiagnosed form of cancer and why doctors across the U.S. are pushing for increased screenings.

First responders share new details into how a single-engine plane crashed into high voltage power lines near the Montgomery County Airpark in Gaithersburg, Maryland — knocking out power to nearly 100,000 customers Sunday night and forcing county schools to close. Montgomery County Fire Chief Scott Goldstein explains how they went about untangling the plane, securing it and rescuing the two people on board. Plus, WTOP's Kate Ryan tells us about nearby residents' long standing safety concerns when it comes to the oversight and noise at the regional airport.

There's finally an agreement between teachers and the DC School system on a contract just weeks before the Washington Teachers' Union was set to take the issue to court. WTOP's Scott Gelman shares the details about what D.C. teachers can expect from their first contract in three years, plus why their students have to show a negative covid test to return Monday. And Maryland's Department of Natural Resources wants your recipes. It's efforting to create a holiday cookbook for meals that are prepared with wild-caught food, including plants. WTOP's Kate Ryan tells us why someone who doesn't hunt or fish might find it interesting.

Online sports betting in Maryland will be legal and available starting Wednesday. This move marks the end of a years-long campaign to fully legalize sports gambling in the Old Line State, which just two years ago did not allow the controversial practice. WTOP Reporter John Domen has reported on the issue in Maryland ever since the Supreme Court got rid of a nationwide ban on athletic betting in 2018. Domen tells us why Maryland bet on sports gambling.

Over the weekend, Giles Warrick — the man accused of being the so-called Potomac River Rapist — was found dead in a DC jail cell. DC police say he killed himself days before he was set to stand trial for the 1998 raping and killing a young woman and talented scientist. We hear from Paul Wagner, host of WTOP's “American Nightmare: Unknown Subject.” He's been following this case for years. Paul tells us what we know about Warrick's death and how the victims of the Potomac River Rapist are responding to it.

Saturday, Nov. 19 is World Toilet Day, a day officially recognized and observed by the United Nations to raise awareness of the 3.6 billion people without access to managed sanitation. Going to the bathroom is not something people think about or want to think about, but for many people in the world, including in the D.C. area, potty planning takes up a lot of their time. WTOP's Abigail Constantino tells us what's being done in DC to increase public bathroom access and decrease the stigma around going to the bathroom.

A day after an explosion and fire tore through the Potomac Oaks Condominium building in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Wednesday morning, officials said 14 were injured and they still aren't sure if anyone died in the blast. WTOP's John Domen reports from the scene as crews search through the rubble. We also hear a heroic story of a man who saved four people from the flames.

During the suspect's first court appearance, prosecutors released new details on what happened during a shooting at the University of Virginia that left three students dead and two injured Sunday night. WTOP's Luke Lukert joins us from a courthouse in Charlottesville, Virginia with the latest information on the shooting and how the UVA community is dealing with this tragedy.

It's a day D.C.-area residents and more specifically Dulles International Airport travelers have been waiting on for years, if not decades. The Silver Line extension opened up to rail passengers — four years behind schedule. The six new rail stations connect the Metrorail system to Dulles International Airport and Loudoun County, Virginia. WTOP's Nick Iannelli went to the opening ceremony and tells us how these new Metro stations will impact the region. Plus, we hear how WTOP's Jessica Kronzer got tickets to the Taylor Swift Eras Tour.

Since 1797, the Hagers-Town Town and Country Almanack has provided residents in our area a 16-month weather forecast. The almanack's prognosticator and WTOP meteorologist Chad Merrill joins the show to give his prediction of how much snow we will get this winter and when to expect the white stuff. Plus, WTOP engineer David Mundschenk tells us why vinyl is making a comeback in this digital age.

Forty years after the Vietnam Veterans Memorial first opened to the public, millions still flock to the spot on D.C.'s National Mall. Some are there to search for the names of their loved ones, while others leave tokens or letters. But when it was first unveiled to the public, the memorial was criticized as ugly and unpatriotic. WTOP's Kate Ryan takes us back in time, walks us through the history of the wall and shares the stories of those who feel the magic of the memorial.

D.C.'s attorney general Karl Racine on Thursday announced that he has filed a consumer protection lawsuit against the Washington Commanders, owner Dan Snyder, the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell. WTOP's John Domen breaks down the lawsuit, what it means and what it might reveals about the investigation into sexual harrassment and misconduct at the Commanders.

It's DMV Black Restaurant Week. It runs until November 13 and the now three-term DC mayor, Muriel Bowser, kicked off the week announcing seven new Food Access Fund grants to small businesses in Wards 7 and 8. We talk to Deputy Mayor John Falcicchio – who oversees the program – and Melvin Hines – owner of DCity Smokehouse – who received one of these grants.

Over the last week, we've heard from candidates, politicians, and poll workers, but on this Election Day, it's the voters' turn to speak. Today we're going to be hearing from those at the polls across our region, starting in Virginia where there are two super competitive House races in Districts 7 and 10. Then we turn to Maryland voters who weighed in on the race for governor and shared strong feelings about the state of democracy in our country.

On this Election Day eve, many jurisdictions are facing a problem — there are not enough poll workers. WTOP's Kate Ryan spoke to veterans who are part of an organization stepping up to serve at polling places across our region that are understaffed. Then, Luke shares a story of a freak accident that doctors say isn't uncommon.

Metro General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke passed the 100 day mark as the head of the region's transit system this week. In an exclusive interview, we talk to Clarke about recent breakthroughs at the transit agency: the return of the sidelined 7000 series rail cars and the opening of the Silver Line extension. We also discuss the work left to be done: reducing crime on the system and increasing reliable service on bus and rail lines.

In our series ‘Cramming for the midterms,' we look at Maryland's race for governor. The Governor's mansion in Annapolis is up for grabs this midterm election and the two candidates, Democrat Wes Moore and Republican Dan Cox, have very different visions for the Old Line State. WTOP's Kate Ryan talked to both men about their plans for education, transportation and the economy among other issues.

There's a buzz around the Washington Commanders after the team released a statement saying owners Dan and Tanya Snyder hired Bank of America Securities to “consider potential transactions.” Forbes and Axios are reporting the team is considering a potential sale. It's hard to say what exactly is going on behind the scenes, but we know one thing for sure, this has never happened before. WTOP's Senior Sports Director George Wallace shares his thoughts on the potential sale from the Commanders headquarters in Ashburn, Virginia. And then we talk with fans from the newsroom about what they want from the possible new owner.

One week out from the midterm elections, we'll be looking at the candidates in the major races across the DMV, starting in Virginia's 7th district. WTOP's Congressional Correspondent Mitchell Miller sat down with Democratic incumbent Abigail Spanberger and tells us why Republican candidate Yesli Vega is energizing the right in the Commonwealth, making the race too close to call. Then Luke shares his theory on why Taylor Swift will skip D.C. while on tour this year.

Pay parity — making the same amount for the same job — is a hard thing to pin down. It's difficult to ask your co-workers what they make, which also is often based on experience and time at the company. But it's also not easy to answer the question out of fear of how you'll feel after learning you make more or less than your cohorts. We talk to WTOP Digital Editor Abigail Constantino who has a great report on pay transparency on WTOP.com. Plus, we give you tips on how to optimize sound quality on your phone.

Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis sits down for a one-on-one interview with Megan Cloherty to discuss the sharp rise in pedestrian deaths in the county, where current investigations stand including the killing of Hannah Choi, teens breaking into cars, protests at the Supreme Court Justices' homes, and the role of police at polling places in the upcoming elections, among other topics.

We get a sneak peek into a brand new art museum here in the District. It's owned by a couple from Miami with an extensive contemporary art collection. Our Mike Murillo talks to the owners about their mission to bring art to the public and the dream of opening a space in Washington, D.C. He also shares the story of a local artist whose work will be featured in the museum which opens Saturday. Plus, we share our biggest Halloween costume wins — in case you're still looking for ideas.

The FBI needs a new headquarters. That's something everyone can agree on, but a nearly decade-long debate over where the next HQ should be: Maryland, Virginia, or DC, is heating up after the feds changed the criteria, devaluing Maryland's 2 proposed sites. WTOP's John Domen explains why this process has been stalled for so long and what's next in the fight for the FBI headquarters. Plus, another, sweet DMV Dates segment.

Cold and flu season is upon us but it's coming in stronger than many expected, and far more severe. Kids are filling hospitals across the country and in turn, concerned parents are doing what they can to get them seen early. We talk to a professor of infectious diseases at University of California San Francisco Dr. Monica Gandhi about why cold and flu are hitting us so hard.

We're learning just how far behind our students are after the pandemic. The National Assessment of Educational Progress released numbers that quantify how bad learning loss was in our region. What can parents do to help their students catch up? We talk to the executive director of City Tutor DC, Cat Peretti, about the free tutoring resources. We also talk about how they can improve their child's learning at home. And it's that time of year again, soup season. Stick around until the end of the show to hear Megan's butternut squash soup recipe.

Cemeteries in our region see a huge increase in visitors looking for a spooky activity to embrace the Halloween holiday. But there's far more than just the novelty of a visit, the history of the land and the stories of the people buried there make these graveyards living museums. We speak to the superintendent of Georgetown's Oak Hill Cemetery Paul K. Williams, who actually lives on the grounds. Williams tells us how they create space for more plots and says one of his favorite parts of the job is helping clients find their final resting place.

Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh is calling for the re-examination of the autopsies of 100 people who died while restrained in police custody. We speak with Frosh about why the work of the former chief medical examiner, Dr. David Fowler, are being called into question, in part, due to his testimony regarding the murder of George Floyd. Also, Rusty the Red Panda has died. We remember the local legend who escaped the Smithsonian National Zoo in 2013, capturing the attention and hearts of DC residents.

A one-on-one interview with Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, our colleague Nick Iannelli caught up with Youngkin campaigning in Arizona for candidate Kari Lake – an out-spoken election denier. The Virginia Governor addresses why he is spending so much time outside of the Commonwealth. Youngkin also doubles down on his proposed changes to school policy that would limit transgender student rights.