A Few Clouds and Breezy 35°
Lifestyle
'People's Choice:' Baby Hippo That Took Social Media By Storm Gets Name After Heated Vote 'People's Choice:' Baby Hippo That Took Social Media By Storm Gets Name After Heated Vote
'People's Choice:' Baby Hippo That Took Social Media By Storm Gets Name After Heated Vote What's in a name?  After a spirited global contest, the people have spoken: Richmond Metro Zoo’s baby pygmy hippo now has a fitting moniker. Poppy. The newborn entered the world on Monday, Dec. 9, and has quickly captivated local residents and animal lovers alike, taking off on social media after being transferred to the zoo family on Christmas Eve. Hippo hooray and Merry Christmas Eve! We’re thrilled to welcome a precious baby pygmy hippo to the zoo family - just in... Posted by Metro Richmond Zoo on Tuesday, December 24, 2024 More than 116,000 votes from 165 countries narr…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Snow Way! These Maryland, Virginia School Districts Announce Tuesday Closures (UPDATED) Snow Way! These Maryland, Virginia School Districts Announce Tuesday Closures (UPDATED)
Snow Way! These Maryland, Virginia School Districts Announce Tuesday Closures (Updated) Some students are celebrating - and some parents are mourning - as school districts in Maryland and Virginia begin announcing closures for Tuesday.  With the first snowstorm of 2025 rolling through the region, most schools were closed on Monday, Jan. 6, and some districts chose to be proactive and called off classes on Tuesday as a precaution. As of 5:30 p.m. on Monday, these districts have announced closures:  Maryland Anne Arundel County Public Schools; Baltimore County Public Schools; Calvert County Public Schools; Charles County Public Schools; College of Southern Maryland;…

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by Zak Failla
Weather
Here's How Much Snow Has Fallen In These DMV Communities (DEVELOPING) Here's How Much Snow Has Fallen In These DMV Communities (DEVELOPING)
Here's How Much Snow Has Fallen In These DMV Communities (Developing) The DMV is contending with the first snowstorm of 2025, causing chaos for motorists and homeowners throughout the region. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect in the area through 1 a.m. on Tuesday morning as Maryland, Virginia, and DC contend with the first major storm of the season. 7:45am-The heaviest mixed precip remains across southern MD/central VA. Areas further north continue to see light to moderate precip mainly in the form of snow. Meanwhile, a dry slot continues east from I-81 setting up a lull later this morning-midday. More snow later aft/eve. pic.twitter.com/RaTa1FjYsC — NWS…

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by Zak Failla
Weather
Here's How Much Snow Is Expected To Fall In DMV During Incoming Storm: National Weather Service Here's How Much Snow Is Expected To Fall In DMV During Incoming Storm: National Weather Service
Here's How Much Snow Is Expected To Fall In DMV During Incoming Storm: National Weather Service With the first major winter storm of 2025 coming in hot from the midwest, residents in DC, Maryland, and Virginia are preparing to be peppered with snow and inclement weather over the next few days. Things are expected to remain dry on Saturday, with a Winter Storm put in place beginning on Sunday,  Jan. 5 that will be in place for several days. Aside from upslope snow showers along the Alleghenies, most areas will be dry with gusty winds today. Looking ahead to Sunday, a Winter Storm Watch is in effect for the potential for significant accumulating snow late Sunday into Monday. -&g…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Some DMV Schools Closing Early Due To Inclement Weather: Here's The Latest Breakdown Some DMV Schools Closing Early Due To Inclement Weather: Here's The Latest Breakdown
Some DMV Schools Closing Early Due To Inclement Weather: Here's The Latest Breakdown With rain expected to turn to snow across parts of Maryland and Virginia, some school districts are being proactive and have already announced early dismissals or closures for students and staff. A Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, Tidal Potomac River, and I-95 corridor through central Maryland, northern Virginia, and District of Columbia. Temperatures are expected to continue dropping over the weekend, with a wintry mix expected on Sunday night into Monday. Rain and snow will develop across the region today with higher snow accu…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
Sauerkraut Ice Cream Returns As Mid-Atlantic's Must-Try New Year's Tradition Sauerkraut Ice Cream Returns As Mid-Atlantic's Must-Try New Year's Tradition
Sauerkraut Ice Cream Returns As Mid-Atlantic's Must-Try New Year's Tradition Sauerkraut ice cream? Yes, you read that right—Urban Churn is once again delighting adventurous taste buds with its famously unique and surprisingly delicious Sauerkraut Ice Cream. This limited-time yearly classic is a bold way to ring in the New Year, blending the tangy zest of sauerkraut with creamy goodness that has become a must-try tradition for many. A New Year’s Tradition With A Twist For Pennsylvanians of German heritage, pork and sauerkraut are New Year’s staples, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune. Urban Churn, a central Pennsylvania favorite, has elevated this tradition by tr…

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by Jillian Pikora
Business
Recall Issued For Popular Frozen Vegetable Product Sold In MD, DC Recall Issued For Popular Frozen Vegetable Product Sold In MD, DC
Recall Issued For Popular Frozen Vegetable Product Sold In MD, DC A popular frozen vegetable product is being recalled due to undeclared milk allergens, posing a risk to individuals with milk allergies. Key Details: Company: Lidl Product Name: “Taste of Deutschland Buttered Vegetables” Product Details: 10.5 oz box, UPC 4 056489 122876 Distribution Period: Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023 to Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 States Affected: Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia Consumer Action: Do not consume the product. Return it to any Lidl store for a full refund; no rece…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
These Party City Stores To Shut Down In Maryland, Virginia Amid Massive Closure These Party City Stores To Shut Down In Maryland, Virginia Amid Massive Closure
These Party City Stores To Shut Down In Maryland, Virginia Amid Massive Closure Dozens of Party City locations in the DMV region are among the hundreds set to be closed as the company announced it is going out of business. Both Maryland and Virginia were hit hard by the reported closure, which will impact approximately 800 stores across the country. Party City was founded in 1986 and is the largest retailer of party goods in North America. In Maryland, there are 19 stores among those set to be shut down in these locations, according to the company's website:  Annapolis; Baltimore; Bel Air; Catonsville; Cockeysville; Columbia; Forestville; Frederick; Gaithersb…

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by Zak Failla
Business
Party City Going Out Of Business, Closing All 800 Stores Party City Going Out Of Business, Closing All 800 Stores
Party City Going Out Of Business, Closing All 800 Stores The party is over for a popular chain store that's been in business for decades. Party City is “winding down” operations immediately at its approximately 800 locations, CEO Barry Litwin told corporate employees  in a video call on Friday, Dec. 20, CNN reports. Workers were told they will not receive severance pay, and that their benefits would end as the company goes out of business, CNN says. The company, headquartered in in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, is running low on cash and unable to pay rent in some locations, according to an earlier Bloomberg report. Party City was foun…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly Elected To Be Top House Oversight Dem; Vows For 'Trench Warfare' Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly Elected To Be Top House Oversight Dem; Vows For 'Trench Warfare'
Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly Elected To Be Top House Oversight Dem; Vows For 'Trench Warfare' A Virginia lawmaker has been tabbed for an important and influential position as the country prepares for a seismic shift in the White House. Democrat Gerry Connolly, now 74, who represents Virginia's 11th District, was selected to be the top member of the House Oversight Committee over controversial New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who had been pushing for the position and a change of the guard. Connolly easily earned the nomination by nearly 50 votes. "I thank my colleagues for their support and the confidence they've placed in me to lead House Democrats on the Oversight Comm…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
Maryland Man’s $50K Lottery Win Multiplies Into Jaw-Dropping $500K Jackpot Maryland Man’s $50K Lottery Win Multiplies Into Jaw-Dropping $500K Jackpot
Maryland Man’s $50K Lottery Win Multiplies Into Jaw-Dropping $500K Jackpot A Maryland man’s retirement plan just got a major upgrade after a $50,000 lottery win turned into a jaw-dropping $500,000 thanks to a 10X multiplier—and his son’s sharp eye. The Calvert County commuter, set to retire in early 2025, snagged the life-changing win on a $20 Bonus Bingo X20 scratch-off, Maryland Lottery officials announced. “It couldn’t happen at a better time,” the winner said after claiming his prize at Lottery headquarters on Monday, Dec. 16. A regular scratch-off player who enjoys bingo and crossword-themed games, the lucky retiree picked up the ticket at Ken-Mar Liquors in…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
These Maryland, Virginia Staples Rank Among America's Favorite Christmas Dishes: New Report These Maryland, Virginia Staples Rank Among America's Favorite Christmas Dishes: New Report
These Maryland, Virginia Staples Rank Among America's Favorite Christmas Dishes: New Report Some holiday staples most familiar to Virginia and Maryland residents are among the most popular Christmas foods in America, according to a newly released survey.  Fabuwood surveyed thousands of Americans in advance of the holiday season kicking into high gear, with Maryland's crab cakes and sweet potato pie making the list that was topped by New York cheesecake and prime rib out of Idaho. However, it was a dish out of Virginia that topped the list out of the DMV region, with Virginia's baked mac and cheese coming in at 7th overall and cracking the top 10. "This creamy and indulgent d…

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by Zak Failla