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59+ min ago (444+ words) From the Festival of Trees to the 113th Annapolis tree lighting, there's plenty of holiday spirit to go around. Here's a look at you weekend planner. Festival of Trees-Fri.: The Kennedy Krieger Festival of Trees kicks off at the Maryland State Fairgrounds today You can see more than 800 decorated trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses designed by businesses, community groups, schools, and even w-m-a-r! Santa will be there throughout the weekend to take pictures.There are rides, games and crafts for the whole family and plenty of booths for holiday shopping It runs from 10 to 7 today and from 10 to 4 on Saturday and Sunday.Winter Wonderland in Bel Air-Sat.: Bel Air Winter Wonderland begins on Saturday!Downtown is transformed with thousands of twinkling lights as well as carolers and carriage rides! Santa will be in front of the Harford County courthouse from 5 to…...

6+ hour ago (471+ words) US Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old member of the West Virginia National Guard, has died after being shot in Washington, D.C., in what officials are now treating as a targeted attack. The incident, which also critically wounded Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, has triggered federal terrorism investigations and renewed scrutiny over the presence of National Guard troops in the capital. Beckstrom's identity was confirmed by the West Virginia National Guard and later acknowledged publicly by President Donald Trump, who called her an 'incredible person, outstanding in every single way' during remarks on Thanksgiving Day. The shooting occurred on 26 November 2025, two days before Thanksgiving. Her death has prompted vigils in her hometown of Webster Springs, and tributes continue to pour in from classmates, comrades and grieving family members. According to the West Virginia National Guard, Spc. Beckstrom enlisted on 26 June 2023, serving with…...

6+ hour, 24+ min ago (470+ words) The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is said to have driven from the other side of the country to carry out the attack - which authorities are treating as terrorism. Friday 28 November 2025 01:44, UK One of the National Guard members shot in Washington DC on Wednesday has died from her injuries, Donald Trump has said. The US president called 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom, part of the West Virginia guard, a "highly respected" and "magnificent person". The other person who was shot, Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in a critical condition. Mr Trump said he is "fighting for his life". The pair were ambushed while patrolling near the White House. Ms Beckstrom's father had earlier told The New York Times she was unlikely to survive, and he was "holding her hand". The suspected gunman, Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, is in a serious condition, Mr Trump told reporters. Mr…...

8+ hour, 13+ min ago (413+ words) While the federal government has reopened and federal services have resumed until January at the least, Maryland Food Bank and the people it serves will be feeling the effects of the shutdown for the foreseeable future. Elise Krikau, chief philanthropy officer for the Maryland Food Bank, said cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, as well as its halt during the shutdown, and cuts to The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), will be felt well into 2026 even with furloughed government workers returning to work and SNAP benefits resuming. "So as we think of people in the holidays, I encourage people to think beyond that because a lot of the furloughed workers in government and contractors, some are going to get paid back," Krikau said. "Others may not." TEFAP, administered by the Maryland Department of Human Services, provided…...

8+ hour, 36+ min ago (281+ words) FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. " Fairfax County Public Schools is under the microscope. The House Committee on Education and Workforce announced it's investigating incidents of antisemitism within the district. The House Committee on Education and Workforce sent a letter to Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid on Monday. It explains the committee is investigating whether there was or is a hostile environment against Jewish K-12 students in FCPS schools and whether the district is fulfilling its obligation under Title VI. Title VI requires districts to make sure learning environments are safe and free from harassment. "By December 8, the district must turn over: The letter cited multiple allegations over the last three years, including students allegedly making offensive gestures at Jewish students and the recent video posted by the Muslim Student Association that included mock kidnapping scenes. "We're always glad when elected officials and other leaders shine…...

9+ hour, 51+ min ago (469+ words) The Afghan national who shot two National Guard soldiers near the White House had been part of a brutal CIA force called Zero Unit in Kandahar province. Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Washington | An Afghan national who worked with the CIA in his native country and immigrated to the US in 2021 drove from Washington state to shoot two National Guard members deployed in Washington, DC, just blocks from the White House, US officials said on Thursday (Friday AEDT). The Afghan refugee fought in the late days of the US war there as part of "Zero Unit," a paramilitary force that worked with the CIA, according to a person briefed on the investigation and an Afghan intelligence officer familiar with the matter. The units were known for their brutality and labelled "death squads" by human…...

9+ hour, 55+ min ago (436+ words) MARTINSBURG, W.Va " Just an hour and a half from downtown Washington, D.C., the close-knit community of Berkeley County, West Virginia, is mourning after a tragic ambush shooting struck one of their own. A West Virginia Air National Guardsman deployed to the nation's capital. The county, home to the 167th Airlift Wing of the Air National Guard, learned with heavy hearts that one of the two guardsmen gravely wounded in Wednesday's attack was Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, a local resident. On Thanksgiving Day in Martinsburg, shoppers preparing for their holiday feasts spoke of a collective, profound sadness. "It's just sad," one resident said. "It made me a little sick to my stomach" because they said, you know"it was someone around here." The attack has struck deep into the heart of Berkeley County, a small area where many families know one another. Anthony…...

10+ hour, 19+ min ago (181+ words) The suspect and the two young National Guard members shot near the White House have now been named, deepening the mystery surrounding a case that has triggered sweeping FBI terror raids across Washington state and San Diego. Officials say Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal'once linked to CIA-backed units during the war'ambushed the Guardsmen less than a day after they were sworn in. Both victims remain in critical condition as investigators seize devices and probe possible motives. | Videos Washington DC shooting: Officials reveal names of troops attacked by Afghan citizen near White House The suspect and the two young National Guard members shot near the White House have now been named, deepening the mystery surrounding a case that has triggered sweeping FBI terror raids across Washington state and San Diego. Officials say Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal'once linked to CIA-backed units during the…...

10+ hour, 26+ min ago (396+ words) WASHINGTON " Many in downtown DC were shocked to learn that two National Guard members, Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, and Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, were ambushed and shot Wednesday afternoon, a block away from the White House. On Thursday morning, authorities met to share more information about the alleged shooter. "He has been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, Afghan national," said DC's US Attorney, Jeanine Pirro. However, as investigators work to learn more about the shooting, President Donald Trump used Lakanwal's national origin to take unprecedented action. "We must now re-examine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden," Trump declared. "We must take all necessary measures to ensure the removal of any alien from any country who does not belong here, or add benefit to our country." However, Ilhan Cagri of Project Safe says this approach is problematic....

10+ hour, 56+ min ago (210+ words) Sarah Beckstrom, one of the National Guard soldiers shot in Washington DC yesterday, has succumbed to her injuries. Beckstrom, 20, was reportedly shot in the chest and head. West Virginia's Governor Patrick Morrisey also wrote on X "A few moments ago, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom passed away from the injuries sustained during yesterday's horrific shooting. This is not the result we hoped for, but it is the result we all feared." Beckstrom's father, Gary, had hinted that his daughter would most likely not make it. "I'm holding her hand right now. She has a mortal wound. It's not going to be a recovery," he had told the New York Times. A mortal wound is an injury that is ultimately fatal and leads to a person's death, even with medical treatment. In this case, Beckstrom had undergone surgery but remained critical. Her fellow…...