News
First-of-its-kind research leads to new discoveries about Maryland's first permanent colony
1+ hour, 7+ min ago (522+ words) Michelle Basch | mbasch@wtop. com May 20, 2026, 4: 46 AM Using a groundbreaking method, researchers have likely identified the lost remains of the second governor of the colony of Maryland. They've also found 1. 3 million genetic relatives of Maryland's first colonists who are alive…...
Two humpback whales set records swimming between Australia and Brazil
10+ hour, 45+ min ago (370+ words) May 19, 2026, 7: 08 PM The whales were identified by their distinctive tail markings at the two locations about 9, 000 miles (14, 500 kilometers) apart. They traveled in opposite directions and journeyed farther than any humpback known so far. "It's a very rare event, but it…...
From "ghost sharks" to "death ball" sponges: Scientists find more than 1, 100 wild and unusual ocean species
12+ hour, 12+ min ago (788+ words) (CNN) " Deep in the ocean is a worm that makes its home inside a "glass castle," a mysterious "ghost shark" and a carnivorous "death ball" sponge. These are just three of the 1, 121 "previously unknown" species discovered in the world's oceans…...
DC area heats up, then cools fast as storms move in Wednesday
22+ hour, 39+ min ago (438+ words) Matt Small | msmall@wtop. com May 19, 2026, 7: 14 AM Tuesday marks Day 2 of a three-day heat wave across the D. C. area that began Monday. Highs in the low to mid-90s and a few upper 90s are possible in parts of the District, Northern Virginia and…...
Fast-growing brush fire in Southern California threatens homes
1+ day, 8+ hour ago (163+ words) May 18, 2026, 3: 27 PM The fire was reported just after 10 a. m. in Simi Valley, a city in Ventura County about 30 miles (48 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles. The blaze had spread to over 180 acres (73 hectares) shortly before noon, according to Scott Dettorre, spokesperson for…...
America 250: Stealth technology reshaped modern warfare and military survival
1+ day, 19+ hour ago (513+ words) LOCAL ALERT: Police officers fatally shoot man who killed woman inside Alexandria apartment JUST IN: President Trump moves to dismiss $10 B suit against IRS over tax returns leak J. J. Green | jgreen@wtop. com May 18, 2026, 9: 54 AM As the'United States'marks its 250th anniversary, WTOP…...
Summerlike heat wave to bring potential record highs to DC region
1+ day, 19+ hour ago (374+ words) May 18, 2026, 6: 00 AM The D. C. region will be hit with a summerlike heat wave starting Monday, with record-breaking temperatures possible every day through Wednesday. "Get ready for the hottest weather of the year so far," 7 News First Alert Meteorologist Eileen Whelan said,…...
How AI is helping space exploration now " and what the future holds
2+ day, 40+ min ago (1180+ words) May 18, 2026, 5: 13 AM Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming one of the most important tools in modern space exploration " helping humans make sense of what those missions are finding. As telescopes grow more powerful, the volume of data they collect has exploded....
What a possible "super El Ni'o" could mean for DC-area weather this summer
3+ day, 21+ hour ago (287+ words) May 16, 2026, 8: 51 AM Summer and fall storms could pack more of a wallop in the D. C. area this year due to a potential "super El Ni'o" pattern. "A normal El Ni'o does already affect us in terms of storms and heat and…...
Wyoming cuts wolf hunt in half to buoy Yellowstone region's disease-depleted population
4+ day, 14+ hour ago (578+ words) ENTERTAINMENT ALERT: Judge declares a mistrial in Harvey Weinstein's rape retrial May 15, 2026, 3: 06 PM Wyoming wildlife managers plan to reduce how many wolves can be hunted by 50% following a canine distemper outbreak that has cut the state's wolf numbers to the…...