Washington

Maryland to require interlock devices in all DUI offenders' cars

Published

2 years ago

October 1, 2024

Press Room

Maryland to require interlock devices in all DUI offenders' cars

Maryland will have a new tool to keep drunken drivers off the roads starting Tuesday.

“It’s been a long, long journey, and it shouldn’t have been.”

The long journey for Rich Leotta started when his son Noah died in 2015. The Montgomery County Police officer was hit and killed while on patrol by a drunk driver.

“I think about Noah all the time,” Leotta said. “I know he’s with me.”

Noah’s Law passed in 2016, requiring ignition interlock devices — like breathalyzers — to be installed in the cars of those convicted of drunk driving in Maryland.

But there was a loophole that allowed thousands of drunk drivers to avoid the program every year. If they were given what’s called probation before judgment, as many are for a first DUI offense, then they weren’t required to participate.

The exemption applied to about 50% of cases statewide.

This past session, Maryland lawmakers closed the loophole, requiring all DUI offenders to participate.

Under the new law, experts predict another 5,700 will be required to get into the ignition interlock program.

supporters say the program is not about punishment — it’s about changing behavior.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those who have the ignition interlock device are less likely to drive drunk again in the future.

“But we still have a lot of work to do to make sure every state requires interlock devices beginning with the first offense,” said Stacey Stewart with Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Kathleen Riley with Smart Start demonstrated how the device works. If it detects alcohol, you can’t start your car.

“In the state of Maryland, we also have cameras, so it identifies who is trying to take the test,” she said.

For Leotta, the journey isn’t over. He’s working to get legislation passed by Congress to require interlock laws across the country.

According to Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, ignition interlocks prevented more than 76,000 drinking and driving attempts in Maryland last year.

All DUI offenders are required to take part in the Ignition Interlock System Program starting Tuesday, Oct. 1.

Convicted drivers will have to install the system and use it for at least 180 days.

Under a new change to the law, all drivers convicted of alcohol-related offense will have to get interlock devices installed in their vehicles.

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Washington

Houston pizza bar owner says he was arrested after dispute over health permit

Published

1 day ago

May 13, 2026

Press Room

Houston pizza bar owner says he was arrested after dispute over health permit

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The owner of a popular Washington Avenue restaurant says he was arrested after a dispute with city health inspectors over whether his business had a valid permit to operate.

Surveillance video recorded May 6 inside Betelgeuse Betelgeuse shows owner Chris Cusack speaking with Houston Health Department officials before he was taken into custody.

“I was pretty dazed, and all I could do is comply until it all got figured out,” Cusack said.

Cusack was charged with failure to comply with local health and sanitary laws after authorities accused the restaurant of operating without a food dealer’s permit.

The Houston Health Department says food dealer permits are valid for one year and must be renewed annually.

Cusack disputes the allegation, saying he has paperwork he believes proves the business had renewed its permit in March.

“I pulled it off the wall and showed it to him,” Cusack said. “He said it wasn’t the right business. I said it has my business’ name and address on it.”

Cusack said inspectors questioned whether the permit was tied to the correct business identification number.

“(The inspector) saw the first ID and said, ‘Ah ha, that’s the one you’re working under, so therefore this isn’t valid,’” Cusack said.

ABC13 reached out to the Houston Health Department with questions about the arrest. The department referred questions to the Houston Police Department.

According to HPD, the health department ordered the business closed in October 2025 for operating without a permit, though officials did not specify which type of permit was involved.

Police said the business was instructed to remain closed until it complied with health regulations. On May 4, inspectors learned the restaurant was open, according to HPD. Inspectors returned two days later, when Cusack was arrested.

Cusack said he was never told to shut down the business and questioned why inspectors waited months before returning.

The restaurant, known for pizza and drinks, reopened following the arrest and was serving customers again on Wednesday.

Cusack also expressed concern about what he described as aggressive enforcement targeting Washington Avenue businesses.

The entertainment district has faced increased law enforcement scrutiny in recent years as city leaders attempted to curb reckless behavior and nightlife-related crime.

“Washington Avenue business owners are just being confused by these intense raids on businesses for what are typically really basic scenarios,” Cusack said.

Court records show Cusack is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday on the charge.

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Washington

Metro not planning RFK Stadium rail station, suggests ‘Gold Line’ buses instead

Published

2 days ago

May 12, 2026

Press Room

Metro not planning RFK Stadium rail station, suggests ‘Gold Line’ buses instead

Metro is not recommending the construction of a new Metrorail station at the Commanders’ future home at the RFK Stadium site, documents released Tuesday reveal.

The transit agency instead recommended the creation of a rapid bus line called the Gold Line that would connect to Metrorail and buses at Union Station.

Metro also recommended major improvements to the Stadium-Armory Metro station. Without these measures, they warned it could take more than two hours to clear crowds after events at the stadium.

Metro said it projects that building a new rail station would cost about $1 billion and not be complete by the time the stadium is set to open in 2030.

More than half of people heading to events at the new stadium are expected to take public transportation.

Metro studied potential locations for a new Metro station, including Oklahoma Avenue and Benning Road NE.

Neighbors have repeatedly said they’re worried about traffic and parking.

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Washington

Washington Lottery Powerball, Cash Pop results for May 11, 2026

Published

2 days ago

May 12, 2026

Press Room

The Washington Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at May 11, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from May 11 drawing

24-30-37-56-64, Powerball: 07, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 11 drawing

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 11 drawing

7-6-9

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Match 4 numbers from May 11 drawing

07-12-18-19

Check Match 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Hit 5 numbers from May 11 drawing

07-09-11-32-42

Check Hit 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Keno numbers from May 11 drawing

05-07-15-27-30-32-35-36-40-43-45-47-49-58-59-62-64-65-72-76

Check Keno payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto numbers from May 11 drawing

01-18-28-34-37-48

Check Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from May 11 drawing

09-13-34-42-59, Powerball: 01

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Washington Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Washington Lottery’s regional offices.

To claim by mail, complete a winner claim form and the information on the back of the ticket, making sure you have signed it, and mail it to:

Washington Lottery Headquarters

PO Box 43050

Olympia, WA 98504-3050

For in-person claims, visit a Washington Lottery regional office and bring a winning ticket, photo ID, Social Security card and a voided check (optional).

Olympia Headquarters

Everett Regional Office

Federal Way Office

Spokane Department of Imagination

Vancouver Office

Tri-Cities Regional Office

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Washington Lottery prize claim page.

When are the Washington Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 7:59 p.m. PT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 8 p.m. PT Tuesday and Friday.
Cash Pop: 8 p.m. PT daily.
Pick 3: 8 p.m. PT daily.
Match 4: 8 p.m. PT daily.
Hit 5: 8 p.m. PT daily.
Daily Keno: 8 p.m. PT daily.
Lotto: 8 p.m. PT Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Powerball Double Play: 8:30 p.m. PT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Washington editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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