Maryland
Stone-to-Maryland connection lifts SMU to 29-24 win over upset-minded Nevada
Watch CBS News
The Water Lantern Festival is underway at Maryland’s National Harbor, where hundreds of people turned out Friday to participate in the opening event.
(WTOP/Kyle Cooper)
WTOP/Kyle Cooper
(WTOP/Kyle Cooper)
WTOP/Kyle Cooper
(WTOP/Kyle Cooper)
WTOP/Kyle Cooper
Hundreds of people took part in the first night of a weekend Water Lantern Festival at National Harbor in Maryland.
According to organizers, the festival is a community-centered experience where you can decorate a floating paper lantern with personal messages of love, hope, remembrance or intention, and release them onto the water.
Jack Hawkins came all the way from Richmond, Virginia, to take part in the event.
“You’re with friends, family and loved ones. You can put your dreams and hopes and everything in the lantern and, hopefully, they come true,” he said.
Hawkins wrote a special wish for his children on his lantern which read, “The kids to have a bright and meaningful life with all the happiness in the world.”
A woman named Tee said the lantern release represents hope for her. “Life has been hard the last couple of months, and just the thought of being able to write it down and watch it flow away kind of connected with me,” she said.
One of the lanterns quoted scripture from the book of Psalms: “God is with her, she will not fail.”
Alyssa Bailey expressed gratitude on her lantern.
“I actually just served a mission for my church and so I wrote about how Jesus loves me and how he cares for me and loves other people,” she said.
Jessica Hawkins sees the event as a way to express what’s inside.
“I like the idea of getting your hopes and wants out, and putting it out in the world and watching what the future brings from there,” she told WTOP.
The festival runs through the weekend, with water lanterns launched each night at about 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are available online.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
© 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
It was a summer morning last July when 64-year-old Mairi Morrison set out for her daily walk, not knowing it would be her last.
Surveillance video shows a USPS mail truck pulling out of a gas station in Kensington, Maryland, right as Morrison was crossing the driveway.
After the USPS driver hit Morrison, he kept driving forward for 4 seconds and then backed up for 6 seconds, all with her body still underneath the van, according to court documents.
“I feel her loss every single day and I try not to imagine, but it’s not easy, how painful and horrific her death ended up being,” Morrison’s sister, Catriona Morrison, told News4 by phone.
The driver of the mail truck was 26-year-old Oscar Pedrozo from Silver Spring. Montgomery County prosecutors have now charged him with criminally negligent manslaughter, a misdemeanor.
Court documents show Pedrozo told police in an interview he heard a thump and felt a vibration, and thought someone ran into him.
He admitted he had earbuds in and was listening to music, but he said the volume was low and that he could still hear his surroundings.
“I am relieved the driver is being held responsible. I also feel, of course, sadness and a renewed sense of how much has been needlessly lost,” Catriona Morrison said.
Mairi Morrison was an attorney. Her sister said she enjoyed reading, traveling and giving pro-bono legal assistance.
“If somebody needed legal help, she would just throw herself into the cause and work tirelessly for them free of charge,” she said.
Court records show Pedrozo posted bond on Thursday.
If convicted, he could face up to three years behind bars.
Pedrozo’s trial is scheduled for May 14.
“The individual is still an employee with the U.S. Postal Service,” USPS said in a statement to News4. “Pursuant to postal policy, we do not discuss internal personnel matters, and we cannot further comment on the status of this employee.”
Ken Roczen wins second race of 2026 in Detroit, Hunter Lawrence crashes and loses points lead
San Francisco’s 5 Best Affordable Places To Stay On A Tight Budget, According To Guests – Islands
DAL@PIT Postgame: Glen Gulutzan | Dallas Stars
1 dead, 9 injured in 3-vehicle crash in southwest Miami-Dade
+)WAY TO WATCH Ｆｒｅｅ Boston Legacy FC vs Utah Royals LIVE
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Jeffries declines to break with indicted Democrat after ethics panel’s guilty verdict
Hundreds of thousands march through London in stand against the far right
2 students killed, 7 other people injured in Tennessee bus crash during school field trip
Dem senators dodge crucial question on illegal alien accused of killing Chicago college student
EU Parliament unblocks key political hurdle in digital euro talks
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago‘Youth’ Twitter review: Ken Karunaas impresses audiences; Suraj Venjaramoodu adds charm; music wins praise | – The Times of India
-
Sports1 week agoIOC addresses execution of 19-year-old Iranian wrestler Saleh Mohammadi
-
New Mexico6 days agoClovis shooting leaves one dead, four injured
-
Business1 week agoDisney’s new CEO says his focus is on storytelling and creativity
-
Tennessee5 days agoTennessee Police Investigating Alleged Assault Involving ‘Reacher’ Star Alan Ritchson
-
Technology6 days agoYouTube job scam text: How to spot it fast
-
Minneapolis, MN3 days agoBoy who shielded classmate during school shooting receives Medal of Honor
-
Texas1 week agoHow to buy Houston vs. Texas A&M 2026 March Madness tickets