Washington, D.C

Great River Honor Flight sends 31 veterans to Washington, D.C.

Published

5 months ago

October 16, 2025

Great River Honor Flight sends 31 veterans to Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) – A group of veterans participated in a once in a lifetime trip: an all-expensive paid visit to Washington, D.C. to see how their service is being honored.

31 veterans from Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri were flown to the nation’s capital as part of Great River Honor Flight’s 79th mission. The organization has sent more than 2,500 veterans from the Tri-State region to D.C. since the very first flight in 2009.

For some in attendance, it marks their first visit to Washington to see the war memorials, including the Vietnam, Korean War, and World War II memorials located around the National Mall.

One attendee – Ed Brant, an Army Vietnam War veteran – flew in from Missouri. He and his son enjoyed their visit to the monuments so much, he’s planning on returning to Washington for an extended trip.

“It’s an honor to serve the country,” Brant said, “and I really think they should honor all services.”

While Brant spent two years in Vietnam, his goal was instead to visit the Korean War Veterans Memorial and find the name of his brother.

“My brother was K.I.A in Korea, and I went to count his name off the wall,” explained Brant.

For Emmett Monks, a Navy Vietnam veteran, participating in an honor flight is a chance to share a part of history and reunite with the lives touched by war decades later.

“Got to see the [Vietnam] wall,” said Monks. “That’s the main attraction. The folks with the tour and everything… puts a lot of old souls back together.”

Veterans were also able to visit Arlington National Cemetery and watch the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier before boarding a flight back home.

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Washington, D.C

San Francisco Ballet cancels upcoming performances at Kennedy Center

Published

6 hours ago

March 1, 2026

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San Francisco Ballet cancels upcoming performances at Kennedy Center

Sunday, March 1, 2026 6:36AM

SF Ballet cancels upcoming performances at Kennedy Center

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — The San Francisco Ballet board has voted to cancel its upcoming performances at the Kennedy Center.

The company is scheduled for a four-day run in Washington D.C. in May.

Petition urges SF Ballet to cancel Kennedy Center tour stop as company opens 2026 season

Last year, Pres. Donald Trump overhauled the Kennedy Center’s board, including naming himself the chairman.

That led several artists to cancel scheduled performances.

A statement from SF Ballet says the group “looks forward to performing for Washington, D.C. audiences in the future.”

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Washington, D.C

97-year-old World War II veteran honored virtually at home

Published

18 hours ago

February 28, 2026

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97-year-old World War II veteran honored virtually at home

At 97, Veteran Harley Wero wasn’t up for a trip to the nation’s capital, so volunteers from the Western North Dakota honor flight brought the trip to him. Wero, his wife Muriel and their daughter Jennifer got to experience Washington, DC, without ever leaving their home.

Web Editor : Sydney Ross

Posted 2026-02-28T15:57:08-0500 – Updated 2026-02-28T15:59:05-0500

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Washington, D.C

DC Public Health to begin daily testing of Potomac, Anacostia rivers for E. coli

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

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DC Public Health to begin daily testing of Potomac, Anacostia rivers for E. coli

WASHINGTON – Beginning on Monday, the D.C. Department of Health will be conducting daily tests for E. coli in the Potomac and Anacostia rivers.

It comes more than five weeks after the Potomac interceptor collapse sent millions of gallons of sewage into the river.

The testing will also coincide with an important safety advisory being lifted.

Why it matters:

Director of the D.C. Department of Health, Dr. Ayanna Bennett, says they will begin daily testing for E. coli in the Potomac and Anacostia rivers on Monday, along with help from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Currently, D.C. is only testing weekly.

“We feel really secure that the initial sewage is not a threat to people, it’s passed through some time ago, but we do want to get more information about what the long term condition of the river is gonna be and how we should look at it going forward.”

Big picture view:

Monday is also an important day because it’s when the District is expected to lift its advisory that recommends against recreational activities on the Potomac — we’re talking boating, fishing, walking pets by the water.

It’s important to note, however, that D.C.’s advisory pertains to its portion of the Potomac, and it has no bearing on advisories issued by officials in Maryland or Virginia.

Still, this is being treated by many as a hopeful sign.

What they’re saying:

But significant concerns absolutely remain for residents.

“I’ve had tons of messages from people saying they’re not going to let their kids row crew, they’re not going to go to sailing schools. We catch three million tons of blue cats out of the Potomac River. That season starts next week, and they’re not gonna be able to bring those blue cats to market,” said Dean Naujoks with the Potomac Riverkeepers.

“You knew years ago that parts of this Potomac Interceptor were corroded and vulnerable, especially where it broke, in Cabin John, our neighborhood,” one resident said, speaking at a public meeting in Bethesda on Thursday.

“I know there are small business owners here. Who’s accounting for all of our losses that we’re getting due to your sewer blowing up?” another resident asked.

Officials with D.C. Water, which is a public utility, have been running daily tests and will continue to do so as well.

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