While the NFL world is focused on next week’s NFL draft, the Washington Commanders continue to make significant hires.
On Monday, Washington hired Dave Gardi away from the league office to serve as the senior vice president of football initiatives. Gardi will handle in-game management duties for the Commanders, supporting the coaching staff and front office on compliance with NFL protocols, officiating trends and health and safety protocols.
On Tuesday, owner Josh Harris made another big hire, bringing top Senate aide Kirtan Mehta, per Hans Nichols of Axios.
Mehta’s new role will focus on Washington’s search for a new home. While the team would likely prefer to build its new stadium on the old RFK Stadium site in D.C., some hurdles remain.
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Here’s why Mehta’s hiring is important via Nichols:
But he’s the kind of hire a new NFL owner would make to navigate the politics of moving a team from the Maryland suburbs to a parcel of land that’s currently owned by the federal government.
D.C., Maryland and Virginia all want the Commanders, and Mehta will be instrumental in Harris finding the best possible deal for the franchise.
Washington mayor Muriel Bowser has been outspoken about the Commanders returning to D.C. since Harris bought the team from former owner Dan Snyder last year.
Nichols on Mehta:
Mehta’s first task: Getting House-passed legislation through the Senate that would allow Bowser to negotiate with Harris on a potential package for a stadium on the banks of the Anacostia River
Mehta comes to the Commanders after serving as the chief of staff for Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO). He previously worked with Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) for five years. Manchin chairs the Energy & Natural Resources committee.
Officers are searching for three suspects who police said hopped out of a vehicle and fired at a man walking along a sidewalk near the school’s track in the 800 block of 26th Street NE.
D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith speaks at a news conference on May 20, 2025, following a deadly shooting nearby a school track meet.(WTOP/Mike Murillo)
D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith speaks at a news conference on May 20, 2025, following a deadly shooting nearby a school track meet.(WTOP/Mike Murillo)
A man is dead after he was shot Tuesday as an elementary school track meet was underway at a vacant high school in Northeast D.C., police said.
Officers are searching for three suspects who police said hopped out of a vehicle and fired at a man walking along a sidewalk near the school’s track in the 800 block of 26th Street NE.
“No child should ever have to experience what was experienced today,” D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith said.
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The suspects took off after the shooting, which happened just before 2 p.m., Smith said. The vehicle police believe the suspects used was found in the Fort Lincoln area, and it was on fire.
Police haven’t identified the man who died at the scene, Smith said during a 4 p.m. news conference.
The elementary school was holding a track meet at Spingarn High School, which has been closed for more than a decade.
“During an elementary school track meet individuals opened fire, putting the lives of our children at risk, and any use of a firearm in our community, especially near our schools, around our children, is unacceptable,” Smith said.
It’s unclear whether the suspects fired in the direction of the school when they shot and killed the man.
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There are several schools nearby, including Two Rivers Public Charter School and Phelps High School. A D.C. schools spokesperson said all public school students are safe and accounted for.
“We are continuing to work very closely with our DCPS schools and charter schools to reunite our kids who are still in some of the classrooms with their parents and with their families,” Smith said.
Smith said law enforcement is reviewing footage of the shooting and working to find the suspects.
“I’m a track athlete. I like to be out in public and I like to be able to recreate, and we want our children to be able to do that in safe spaces,” Smith said. “We’re going to do everything we can to find out who these individuals are, and we’re going to hold them accountable.”
Smith said anyone with information about the shooting can call police at 202-727-9099 or text at 50411.
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WTOP’s Mike Murillo reported from the scene.
WTOP’s Ana Golden contributed to this report.
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Maryland lawmakers and FBI Director Kash Patel agree on at least one thing — the agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., have to go. After that, they still disagree on where the new HQ should be, with Maryland lawmakers pushing for Greenbelt.
Hosted by Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise with Performances by Robert Patrick, Gretchen Mol, Blair Underwood, Loren Allred, Scotty Hasting, Yolanda Adams, Mary McCormack, Angel Blue and Maestro Jack Everly conducting the National Symphony Orchestra
WASHINGTON, May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On Sunday, May 25, the NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT airs live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for its 36th annual broadcast. This beloved tradition honors the courage, sacrifice and service of our military men and women, their families, and pays tribute to all those who have given their lives in defense of our nation. The evening will feature powerful storytelling, musical salutes and poignant moments of remembrance. Hosting the concert are Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna and Emmy Award-winner Gary Sinise – both steadfast champions of veterans’ causes and active service members.
The NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT airs live on Sunday, May 25, 2025, from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. E.T. on PBS. will be hosted by Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Sunday May 25.
“This concert is a powerful reminder of what Memorial Day truly represents,” said co-host Joe Mantegna. “It offers comfort, connection, and community for families who have lost loved ones in service to our country, honoring their sacrifice with the dignity and gratitude they deserve.”
“Joe and I are honored to host this annual tribute to our American heroes – past and present – that salutes the courage and commitment of those who have served and those who continue to serve,” continued co-host Gary Sinise. “The freedoms we enjoy are made possible by the brave men and women who wear the uniform.”
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The NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT airs live on Sunday, May 25, 2025, from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. E.T.on PBS, as well as to our troops serving around the world on American Forces Network. The concert will also be streaming on YouTube and www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert and available as Video on Demand, May 25 to June 8, 2025.
The 2025 NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT will feature the following segments:
250th Anniversary Army, Navy and Marine Corps The concert will salute the 250th anniversary of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps to honor these service branches who have defended America even before it was a nation.
World War II 80th Anniversary – featuring acclaimed actor Robert Patrick(TULSA KING, 1923, PEACEMAKER). A salute to the millions of Americans who served the nation in World War II in uniform and on the home front. On the 80th anniversary of the end of the war, the concert will share the story of U.S. Marine Veteran Don Graves, who fought as a flamethrower at the bloody 36-day Battle of Iwo Jima, a volcanic island of strategic importance to the invasion of Japan and the end of the war. Members of the Greatest Generation will be honored on stage.
Gold Star Families Tribute – with SAG Award-winning actress Gretchen Mol (BOARDWALK EMPIRE, MILLERS IN MARRIAGE). The concert will remember and honor our fallen heroes and Gold Star Families with the poignant and inspiring story of Gold Star Wife and mother of two, Krista Simpson Anderson, whose beloved Green Beret husband was killed in May of 2013 in Afghanistan when their sons were toddlers.
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VietnamWarDustoff Crews – with Emmy/Grammy Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated actor Blair Underwood(QUANTICO, LONGLEGS, L.A. LAW). The concert will honor the courageous Army Air Ambulance Units of the Vietnam War with the story of helicopter pilot Col. Otis Evans, (Ret.). At great risk and danger under enemy fire, Evans and his crew rescued wounded troops in remote locations. Commonly called “Dustoff,” their radio call sign, it is estimated that these life-saving air medevac units evacuated 900,000 casualties during the war.
This inspiring night of remembrance will also feature performances by: country music star and wounded Army combat veteran Scotty Hasting; multi-platinum selling singer, songwriter and recording artistLoren Allred (THE GREATEST SHOWMAN); four-time Grammy-Award Award-winning Gospel music legend Yolanda Adams; Tony Award-nominated star of stage and screenMary McCormack(HEELS); two-time Grammy Award-winning soprano Angel Blue(AIDA at the Metropolitan Opera); and the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly.
In tribute to all the members of our armed forces, the annual audience favorite Salute to Services features the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Service Color Teams. Also participating are members from The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, The U.S. Army Chorus, The Soldiers’ Chorus of the U.S. Army Field Band, The U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters, vocalists from the Quantico Marine Band, The U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants, and the Armed Forces Color Guard provided by the Military District of Washington, D.C.
The NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERTis pleased to welcome back Lockheed Martin as lead corporate sponsor. Lockheed Martin’s commitment to the military and veteran community, integral to the center of everything it does, begins with the veterans, National Guard and Reservists, and military spouses that comprise more than one-fifth of its 121,000 employees. Lockheed Martin’s charitable investments are made to causes that support service members, veterans, and their families. Lockheed Martin always works to make a positive impact on the lives of those who have served our nation, never forgetting those who made the ultimate sacrifice to secure our freedoms.
The NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERTwelcomes back the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans as lead underwriter, a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding leaders by bestowing upon them the prestigious Horatio Alger Award and lifetime membership in the Association. to more than 37,000 deserving students. Through the Association, Horatio Alger Members and supporters ensure the American Dream for future generations by sponsoring one of the nation’s largest privately-funded, need-based scholarship programs. Over the past 40 years, more than $265 million has been awarded in undergraduate, graduate, military veteran and career and technical education scholarships to more than 37,000 deserving students. In addition to financial assistance, the Association provides comprehensive support services to its Scholars enabling them to succeed academically, personally, and professionally.
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The concert is also made possible by grants from: the National Park Service, the Department of the Army, General Dynamics, 84 Lumber, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, PBS and public television stations nationwide. Air travel is provided by American Airlines.
The program is a co-production of Michael Colbert of Capital Concerts and WETA, Washington, D.C.
For images and additional information, visit PBS Pressroom atwww.pbs.org/pressroom Visit the program website at http://www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert/home/
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