From spending months alongside emperor penguins in Antarctica to photographing strange creatures in Ecuador’s cloud forests, National Geographic Explorers have witnessed some of the world’s most extraordinary sights.

Now, they hope a new museum here in Washington, D.C., will inspire visitors to embark on their own journeys of discovery.

The National Geographic Society rolled out its signature yellow carpet Tuesday to celebrate the opening of the new National Geographic Museum of Exploration, a 100,000-square-foot attraction that will officially open to the public on June 26. The immersive museum is located on the Society’s reimagined campus in downtown D.C. and is designed to bring visitors closer to the science, storytelling and exploration that have defined National Geographic for more than a century.

Director James Cameron was also among the notable guests who attended the yellow carpet celebration ahead of the museum’s opening.

Ahead of the opening, NBC Washington asked several National Geographic Explorers about the most memorable experiences of their careers and what they hope visitors will take away from the new museum.

For wildlife filmmaker and explorer Bertie Gregory, one adventure stands above the rest.

“I think my all-time best encounter was in Antarctica,” Gregory said. “We spent two months camped a mile from an emperor penguin colony and it is exciting and noisy and stinky when the wind is blowing in a certain direction, but to be alongside this animal that is so beautiful and so wild was really special.”

Gregory believes the museum’s greatest impact will be the inspiration it sparks in future generations.

“I think this museum is such an incredible celebration of exploration that National Geographic explorers have done to date, but what I’m most excited about is what that place is going to inspire,” he said. “Kids, passersby and just anyone who goes in this building is going to come out feeling really, really stoked.”

“I’m excited to see how this place evolves because it’s going to be constantly changing.”

Explorer and photographer Anand Varma recalled a trip to Ecuador that introduced him to some of the strangest creatures he has ever encountered.

“One of the most memorable is a place on an island in Ecuador, a rainforest called a cloud forest with some of the craziest bugs I’ve ever seen in my life,” Varma said.

Among the wildlife he encountered were metallic purple click beetles, hummingbirds with tails several times longer than their bodies and horned frogs.

“Just the weirdest animals I’ve ever seen,” he said.

Varma hopes museum visitors leave with a renewed sense of curiosity.

“I hope visitors will feel a sense of wonder that makes them curious about all the secrets the world has left to share.”

For explorer and astrophotographer Babak Tafreshi, some of his most memorable experiences happened much closer to home.

“The U.S. National Parks, especially in Utah or Grand Teton in Wyoming, including Yosemite, were some of my most memorable experiences,” Tafreshi said.

As a photographer, he hopes visitors will appreciate the many elements that come together to tell a powerful story.

“Photography in general is based on four pillars — art, technique, moment and story,” he said. “The combination of all four is quite abundant in this museum.”

The Museum of Exploration features immersive exhibits that transport visitors into real-world expeditions and scientific discoveries. Its inaugural marquee exhibition, “Photo Ark: Animals of Earth,” showcases the work of National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore and his ongoing effort to document species around the globe. The museum will also feature educational experiences, dining options and an outdoor nighttime attraction.

Despite the hottest temperatures of the season, fans packed Washington, D.C.’s RFK Festival Grounds for an unforgettable kickoff to Vans Warped Tour 2026.

The two-day event captured everything that has made Warped Tour a cultural institution for three decades: a diverse lineup spanning punk, emo, hardcore, ska, alternative rock, and everything in between—from the Scumdogs of the Universe, GWAR, to the Juggalos of Insane Clown Posse. It was an atmosphere built on community, discovery, and a passionate fanbase willing to brave the elements for the music they love. From legendary acts that helped define generations to emerging artists making their Warped Tour debut, the festival delivered nonstop energy across its stages while continuing its tradition of bringing together music, skate culture, charitable organizations, and fans from all walks of life.

Doors opened at 11 AM, and fans immediately sprinted toward the coveted red inflatable schedule board to find out who was playing, where, and when. It’s one of the few mysteries left in modern entertainment. There are no official leaks, no advance schedules posted online—just fans piecing together clues from tour dates and social media posts in hopes of predicting who will be playing each day. The diehard Warped Tour faithful love the tradition. For newer fans raised on instant information, it takes some getting used to, but once they experience the excitement of discovering the lineup in real time, many quickly understand why it’s such a beloved part of the festival.

One theme echoed throughout the festival grounds all day long: it’s a dream to be here. Band after band spoke about growing up attending Warped Tour or dreaming of one day performing on its stages. For many artists, that dream became a reality this weekend. At the same time, longtime fans who grew up with Warped Tour were sharing the experience with a new generation, bringing their children and younger family members to experience the culture, community, and music that shaped so many summers. Perhaps somewhere in the crowd was the next generation of musicians, discovering the same dream that inspired so many of the artists performing this weekend.

One of the first bands we caught after arriving at Warped Tour was Girlfriends on the main stage, and they immediately brought a burst of energy to the festival grounds. Their set balanced infectious pop-punk anthems with emotionally charged lyrics, as fans sang along to favorites like “MOUTH LIKE A LOADED GUN,” “GOOD LUCK,” and “Where Were You.” The duo kept the momentum rolling with “Jessica” before treating the crowd to a nostalgic cover of Blink-182’s “What’s My Age Again?” that had fans of all ages joining in. Closing out with “Tattoo” and “California,” Girlfriends delivered the kind of upbeat, feel-good performance that perfectly captured the spirit of Warped Tour and set the tone for the rest of the day on the festival’s main stage.

Next up was The Wrecks, who brought an infectious burst of energy to the stage that perfectly matched the spirit of Warped Tour. The band had fans moving from the start with “Freaking Out,” before delivering a spirited cover of Jet’s “Are You Gonna Be My Girl.” Crowd favorites, including “Out of Style,” “James Dean,” and “Favorite Liar,” turned the set into one massive sing-along, showcasing the band’s knack for blending catchy hooks with high-energy performances. Their charismatic stage presence and connection with the audience made them one of the day’s standout acts.

The Home Team showcased the melodic sound and polished musicianship that have helped them build a growing fanbase. Highlights included fan favorites “Hell,” “Brag,” “Slow Bloom,” and “Somebody Else’s Face,” with the crowd responding strongly throughout the set. The band’s blend of pop-punk, rock, and R&B influences stood out on the Warped Tour lineup, while “Loud” and set closer “Worthy” provided memorable moments for longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Underoath delivered a crowd-pleasing set packed with the songs that helped make them one of the defining bands of the Warped Tour era. Fan favorites, including “It’s Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door,” “Reinventing Your Exit,” and “Down, Set, Go,” had longtime listeners singing along throughout the performance. The band’s signature blend of melody and intensity was on full display, while set closer “A Boy Brushed Red Living in Black and White” provided a nostalgic ending that reminded fans why Underoath remains such an important part of the scene.

Sleeping With Sirens delivered a nostalgic trip through the songs that helped define a generation of Warped Tour fans. Frontman Kellin Quinn’s unmistakable vocals led the crowd through fan favorites including “The Bomb Dot Com V2.0,” “A Trophy Father’s Trophy Son,” “Do It Now Remember It Later,” and “If I’m James Dean, You’re Audrey Hepburn.” The loudest sing-alongs came during the closing stretch, as thousands of fans joined in for every word of “If You Can’t Hang,” proving that Sleeping With Sirens remains one of the most beloved bands to emerge from the Warped Tour scene.

Taking Back Sunday leaned heavily into nostalgia during their Warped Tour appearance, delivering the songs that helped define an entire generation of emo and pop-punk fans. While the set spanned multiple eras of the band’s catalog, it was the classics that transformed the RFK Festival Grounds into one massive sing-along. “You’re So Last Summer” had fans screaming every word back at the stage, while “A Decade Under the Influence” showcased the emotional intensity and infectious hooks that made the band a staple of the early 2000s scene. The energy reached another level during “Cute Without the ‘E’ (Cut From the Team),” as thousands of voices joined Adam Lazzara for one of the genre’s most iconic anthems. Closing with “MakeDamnSure,” Taking Back Sunday delivered the perfect ending to a hit-filled set, proving that their songs remain just as powerful and beloved today as they were during Warped Tour‘s original run.

Third Eye Blind proved that great songs never go out of style, drawing one of the largest and most diverse crowds of the day. The band’s set expertly balanced newer material with the hits that have defined their career, including “Never Let You Go,” “Graduate,” “Losing a Whole Year,” and the always emotional “Motorcycle Drive By.” Late in the set, frontman Stephan Jenkins paused to acknowledge the incredible energy coming from the audience, explaining that the passion and atmosphere they were experiencing at Warped Tour had helped inspire the band’s upcoming album. He told the crowd that he hoped fans would welcome Third Eye Blind back next year, a sentiment that was met with enthusiastic cheers. Fans then sang every word to “Jumper” before joining together for a powerful rendition of David Bowie’s “Heroes.” The celebration reached its peak with the unmistakable opening notes of “Semi-Charmed Life,” turning the festival grounds into a massive sing-along, while “How’s It Going to Be” provided a fitting and nostalgic close to a set that showcased exactly why Third Eye Blind continues to connect with audiences nearly three decades after their debut.

Few bands embody the spirit of Warped Tour quite like The Used, and their set was a chaotic, emotional, and unforgettable highlight of the weekend. Opening with “Pretty Handsome Awkward” and “Take It Away,” the band immediately ignited the crowd before rolling through fan favorites including “The Bird and the Worm,” “Buried Myself Alive,” and “I Caught Fire.” Frontman Bert McCracken remained as charismatic and outspoken as ever, using the stage not only to connect with fans but also to voice his thoughts on the current political climate. Before launching into “F**k You,” McCracken dedicated the song to political figures and issues he felt deserved the message, encouraging the crowd to raise their middle fingers in the air as thousands enthusiastically joined in. The energy continued to build through “Blow Me,” “Sound Effects and Overdramatics,” and a dramatic performance of “Blood on My Hands,” complete with its signature Macbeth-inspired introduction. As the set neared its conclusion, fans screamed every word to “The Taste of Ink” before The Used closed with “A Box Full of Sharp Objects,” incorporating an outro of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” that sent the crowd into one final frenzy. It was a reminder of why The Used remain one of the defining bands of the Warped Tour generation.

Rise Against had the honor of closing out the first day of Vans Warped Tour, and the Chicago punk rock veterans delivered a set worthy of the occasion. Opening with “Re-Education (Through Labor),” the band immediately commanded the attention of a crowd that had endured hours of heat and nonstop music. Favorites including “Satellite,” “Give It All,” “Help Is on the Way,” and “Ready to Fall” kept the energy high, while “The Good Left Undone” and “Prayer of the Refugee” inspired massive sing-alongs across the festival grounds. A stripped-down performance of “Swing Life Away” provided a brief moment of reflection before the band launched back into high gear with “Chamber the Cartridge” and set closer “Savior,” which brought thousands of voices together one final time.

As the last notes faded into the warm Washington night, it was hard to believe that fans had experienced just one day of the festival. With more than 60 bands performing across multiple stages, day one offered everything from legendary Warped Tour veterans to emerging artists making their mark on a new generation of fans. If the opening day was any indication, Warped Tour‘s return is proving to be more than a nostalgic reunion; it’s a reminder that the festival’s spirit of discovery, community, and live music remains alive and well. And with an entire second day still ahead, there was plenty more music, memories, and surprises waiting to unfold.

VANS WARPED TOUR
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WASHINGTON – Washington, D.C., mayoral candidate Kenyan McDuffie on Thursday conceded the Democratic primary race to Janeese Lewis George.

Although the official certification of the primary race is continuing, McDuffie said in a statement that “it is clear that the voters have chosen a different path.” The former member of the D.C. council said he had contacted Lewis George and congratulated her. He thanked his supporters and urged them to continue working for the city.

“The campaign may be over, but the work of building a safer, more affordable, more prosperous city continues.”

The Associated Press has not declared a winner in the race. Lewis George had a little less than 53% of the vote Thursday morning, which is just a few percentage points above the 50% threshold to avoid ranked choice voting.

The city is scheduled to release preliminary ranked choice voting results on Sunday. AP will call the race before then if it is clear that the ranked choice process will be avoided.

Lewis George has pledged to aggressively stand up to federal intervention into Washington, D.C.’s, affairs, setting up a potential showdown with President Donald Trump over his administration’s moves to challenge the city’s limited autonomy.

If the results stand, Lewis George is likely to win November’s general election in the heavily Democratic city. The winner in the general election will replace Muriel Bowser, who decided not to run again after three terms.

Lewis George would join Robert White Jr., who won the Democratic primary for the district’s delegate to Congress, as the top local officials who likely will contend with the federal government’s intentions for the city. They each campaigned on a promise to take a harder line than their predecessors against the Trump administration’s moves on the district, including its deployment of the National Guard on an ongoing, open-ended mission meant to fight crime.

“As mayor, I will work with anyone who makes D.C. safer,” Lewis George told a crowd of cheering supporters Tuesday night, “but I will also stand up to Trump.”

Washington has limited autonomy and federal leaders retain significant control over local affairs, including approval of the budget and laws passed by the D.C. Council.

Trump further encroached on that autonomy last year when he briefly federalized the city’s police force and deployed an ongoing law enforcement surge that included the National Guard. His efforts to downsize the federal government also roiled the capital region, costing thousands of people their jobs. And he has been reshaping the city by renovating storied landmarks and putting his name or image on buildings.

Lewis George, a self-described democratic socialist and a member of the D.C. Council, has already come under fire from Trump, who last week threatened to place the city under federal control if she won.

“Maybe we’d take back Washington, run it on the federal basis,” he said.

Lewis George, 38, and a third generation Washingtonian, has vowed to overrule an executive order by the city’s police chief permitting local law enforcement to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Lewis George argued the order “hurt the trust of our community.”

She also pledged to use any levers available to her through the city’s home rule compact to resist what she called authoritarian infringements on the district’s local governance.

“We have legal tools we can use to fight back,” she told the AP in an interview before the vote. “And we know that when we have gone to court, we’ve won.”

Bowser found herself walking a fine line between staying in Trump’s good graces and responding to the concerns of constituents, many of whom said she didn’t push back hard enough on Trump’s actions. Eleanor Holmes Norton, the 18-term, 89-year-old delegate to Congress, meanwhile, faced mounting concern from critics who said she wasn’t forcefully pushing back on the Trump administration’s moves against the city.