Summer seems firmly established by now in D.C. as a scorching Saturday matched a simmering Friday with another afternoon of 98-degree heat. But the city could give thanks for small favors, as Saturday’s humidity seemed decidedly lower.
Washington, D.C
Another scorching day in D.C. as summer settles in
Yet by comparison with Friday, that figure could offer some small consolation. On Friday the National Weather Service calculated a maximum “feels-like” temperature of 108. Saturday, it appeared to reach only 103.
Saturday was a small landmark in the advance toward the fiery heart of summer. On Saturday, for the first time this year, the average daily high temperature in the District became 90 degrees.
That may signal that the most summerlike period of summer is now at hand. With Saturday, D.C. has embarked on a long run of July days with an average high temperature of 90 degrees.
Such days may be regarded as close to the thermal height of summer and the capital is now in it.
Yet, of course, summer days here, even well into July, need not be hours of unrelieved meteorological misery.
White clouds proceeded in proud array across the skies on Saturday, and from time to time, covered and even dimmed the sun, producing instant and noticeable cooling. Cloud shadows may be among the subtle comforts that exist even deep in July.
In addition, even if they cover only small patches of ground, and extend for only a few feet or yards, relatively cool and shady places of respite seem to exist in much of the metropolitan area.
On some older streets in the city, trees stand so tall that the leaves and branches of those on one side touch the leaves and branches on the other, several stories in the air. They form a kind of high-arched natural redoubt against the swelter of summer.
The tall oak tree on the east side of the street may touch the tall oak on the other, and to stand in their shadows, peering up at blue sky and white clouds through gaps in green leaves may mitigate much of the harshness of a 98 degree day.
WASHINGTON (7News) — An ice cream truck caught fire in Southeast D.C. on Thursday, the D.C. Fire and EMS Department said.
The commercial vehicle was reported fully engulfed when crews arrived in the 1700 block of Tobias Drive SE.
SEE ALSO | Man, woman injured in Southeast DC double shooting
Firefighters quickly put out the flames and prevented the fire from spreading to nearby buildings.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
No injuries were reported.
WASHINGTON (7News) — The Catholic archbishop of Washington, D.C., Cardinal Robert McElroy, on Wednesday removed a well-known priest as an exorcist of the archdiocese after he made public comments suggesting that UFO sightings were the work of demons.
McElroy said the archdiocese also was cutting ties with the St. Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal, a Washington-based nonprofit headed by the priest, Monsignor Stephen Rossetti.
The archbishop said Rossetti’s statements “linking UFOs to demonic presence and the Center’s recent use of social media gravely undermine the Church’s very precise teaching on the devil, demons and exorcism.”
“There’s a danger here,” Rossetti said in a May 29 video posted on his Facebook page addressing UFO sightings and the existence of aliens. “As an exorcist I wanted to raise that danger. And that is that demons like to hide. … They don’t want us to know what they’re doing because they’re more effective when we don’t realize it.”
“They can kind of get into your head, you know, and manipulate things in the world to influence us to do evil.”
“It’s my personal belief that probably many if not most of these UFO sightings are in fact demons,” Rossetti added.
Rossetti also said that people can be good Catholics and believe there’s life on other planets, though he does not personally believe life exists elsewhere.
In a statement posted on the St. Michael Center website, Rossetti said he was saddened by the action of the archdiocese.
“I ask forgiveness for any ways that I have not been faithful to the teachings of the Church’s Magisterium, particularly in the cited video on ‘aliens and the demonic,’” he said. “I believe it is of the utmost importance to be obedient to the Church and I will continue to endeavor to subject all that I do and the Center to be thus obedient.”
Rossetti, who has over 148,000 followers on Instagram, is a prominent psychologist as well as an exorcist. His center has specialized in offering spiritual healing for priests troubled by various difficulties.
In 2023, he told The Associated Press there was increasing and renewed appetite for information about demonic possession and exorcism.
Washington, D.C
Nurses at Washington D.C.’s largest hospital call on leadership to reverse planned cuts to maternal health
RNs at MedStar Washington Hospital Center say closure of postpartum unit will disproportionately harm marginalized and underserved communities
Union nurses at MedStar Washington Hospital Center (MWHC) in Washington, D.C. are demanding that management stop the planned closure of an entire postpartum unit, announced National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU). The hospital notified the union on May 26, 2026 of its intention to eliminate 11 maternal health beds and displace eight nurses by July 26, 2026, leaving MWHC with one postpartum unit.
In a follow-up town hall with staff nurses, Chief Nursing Officer Ariam Yitbarek confirmed the closure. Other leaders have additionally informed staff that the hospital will strictly limit scheduled C-sections and inductions for patients from numerous D.C. maternal health organizations. The list of organizations includes many that primarily serve low-income patients, immigrants, and patients of color, all communities with significantly higher risks of maternal mortality. Additionally, staff were informed that Kaiser Permanente, which notably insures a large number of DC city employees and even many of MWHC’s own workers, will see a strict limit on scheduling inductions and C-sections for their patients as well.
“Closing postpartum unit 5F will gravely impact those most affected by health disparities,” said Stephanie Sims-Coates, RN in the neonatal intensive care unit. “Our low-income families and families of color will be most affected by this closure. Families trust the medical staff at MWHC and plan to come to us for their care. In a city where Black women make up 90 percent of pregnancy-related deaths despite being only half the population, the hospital’s decision to close this unit is a significant mistake.”
Community leaders and healthcare workers are joining the call for MedStar to put patients before profits and keep the unit open. This past weekend, nurses met with D.C. mayoral candidate and Ward 4 councilwoman Janeese Lewis George about the planned closure and the impact it would have on DC’s most vulnerable residents.
“Maternal mortality is a crisis for Washington, DC, and our healthcare system needs to address the crisis immediately, rather than exacerbate the challenges that birthing parents face,” said Councilwoman Janeese Lewis George. “Now is the time to invest in health care, rather than make cuts. I want to work with the hospital to identify solutions that work for patients and the provider.”
“In my time at Washington Hospital Center, I’ve seen the hospital tout its Safe Moms, Safe Babies program and host a community baby shower specifically designed to call attention to the maternal mortality crisis,” said Marcqueata “Tiya” Butler, RN in the Mother/Baby unit. “Their current plan to shut down 11 postpartum beds betrays the hospital’s stated commitments. They are aware of persistent inequities in access to care. We are calling on the hospital to consider the impacts on the community, safeguard the mothers and infants of DC and commit to addressing the maternal mortality rate.”
In 2024, MedStar Health, a registered non-profit, reported $9 billion in operating revenue.
NNOC/NNU represents more than 2,200 registered nurses at Washington Hospital Center.
National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with more than 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates include California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.
-
Delaware1 minute agoDelaware high school lacrosse star returns for playoffs after potentially deadly jaw condition
-
Florida6 minutes agoTeen on e-scooter crashes into Florida deputy’s patrol car, video shows
-
Georgia13 minutes agoChattanooga closes Wilson Road bridge connecting Tennessee to Georgia for structure repair
-
Hawaii16 minutes agoUniversity of Hawaii leaves Spectrum Sports for free over-the-air broadcasts
-
Idaho16 minutes agoIdaho water officials warn thousands of users about potential reductions amid historic drought
-
Illinois28 minutes agoIllinois lawmakers approve statewide regulations for electric bikes, scooters, skateboards
-
Indiana31 minutes agoKelsey Mitchell eclipses 5,000 career points in Fever victory.
-
Iowa36 minutes agoDoctor fights sanctions, saying he’ll be ‘run out of practice’ by Iowa board
