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Rockport Elementary students chosen to help decorate National Christmas Tree in Washington, DC

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Rockport Elementary students chosen to help decorate National Christmas Tree in Washington, DC


ROCKPORT, Ind. (WFIE) – Officials with Rockport Elementary say the school has been selected to be part of the 2025 America Celebrates display at the National Tree Lighting in Washington, DC.

They say it’s part of a national program in collaboration with the National Park Service, the National Park Foundation, and the US Department of Education.

Officials say 59 schools created original ornament designs that reflect the culture and landmarks of their home state or territory.

Rockport Elementary’s contributions are now featured in the State Ornaments collection for Indiana.

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Officials say each ornament was designed by a student to tell a story of our community and state and celebrate our heritage.

Eighteen ornaments were created to be displayed on the Ellipse in President’s Park in Washington, DC, surrounding the National Christmas Tree during the 2025 lighting ceremony.

“It is a tremendous honor for our students to represent Rockport Elementary on a national stage. Being selected is an experience our students and our whole school community will always remember. We were thrilled to learn that our designs were chosen to represent not only Rockport Elementary and Spencer County, but the entire state of Indiana. The opportunity shines a spotlight on the creativity, hard work, and pride that our students bring to everything they do. I’m so excited to see their art showcased at the national level, said Art teacher, Veralyn Neal.

The public is invited to view the America Celebrates display during the December viewing season, December 6 through January 1, 2026.

“Indiana” ornaments drawn by Rockport Elementary students(National Christmas Tree Lighting Website)
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The hottest T-shirts in DC are from Metro – WTOP News

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The hottest T-shirts in DC are from Metro – WTOP News


Metro is marking it’s 50th anniversary with gear featuring original Metro concept art an it’s wildly popular.

The hottest T-shirts in D.C. have nothing to do with U.S. soccer or even America’s 250th birthday. People are waiting in long lines for Metro gear.

Those lines have spilled out the door of the transit agency’s pop-up shop in the 300 block of 7th Street in Southwest D.C. and onto the hot sidewalk.

Metro is marking its 50th anniversary with designs that apparently people, such as Matthew Peterson, just have to have.

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“I use Metro like every day and I’ve used all the lines,” Peterson, who has lived in D.C. for eight years, said. “I don’t even have a car. and it’s been essential to getting around so I just wanted to be able to commemorate it, and they’ve got cool marketing and cool merch.”

The shop features original Metro concept art on shirts, hats, postcards and other items. Katrina Gross picked up a shirt for her friend.

“They are pretty hot. I was surprised by how many people are here,” Gross said.

Tanner Holcomb also grabbed a shirt.

“I think these are really cool. There are some really nice vintage designs and I’m excited to wear it around,” Holcomb said.

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The pop-up shop is open through July 10.

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© 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.



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White supremacist group demonstrates on Capitol Hill ahead of America 250 celebrations

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White supremacist group demonstrates on Capitol Hill ahead of America 250 celebrations


WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — A self-proclaimed white supremacist group demonstrated on Capitol Hill on Independence Day, ahead of the America 250 celebrations in the District.

The group, Patriot Front, is recognized by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a white nationalist hate group that is an offshoot of Vanguard America, a now-inactive neo-Nazi group known for leading the deadly 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Va.

George Washington University’s Program on Extremism explained, “Patriot Front is a white nationalist and fascist organization that promotes the idea of a homogenous, white ethno-state in the United States. The group advocates for the preservation of white European culture, viewing multiculturalism, immigration, and diversity as existential threats to its vision of America.”

According to the Associated Press, hundreds of uniformed members of the group could be seen wearing white masks, carrying drums, combat shields, and flags. The group could be heard chanting, “Reclaim America,” as they marched past the U.S. Capitol building towards Union Station. Group members were also seen crowding several Metro stations.

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Some of the flags included the Confederate flag and the fascio flag, which combines “fascist imagery with American patriotism” and was first used in fascist Italy under Benito Mussolini, according to GWU.

According to the Anti-Defamation League, Patriot Front is considered one of the U.S.’ most visible white supremacist groups, frequently participating in localized “flash demonstrations.”

As described in Patriot Front’s manifesto, the group claimed, “The time of the Republic has passed in America as the system grows too weak to perform its duty. … The damage done to this nation and its people will not be fixed if every issue requires the approval and blessing from the dysfunctional American democratic system. Democracy has failed in this once great nation.”

According to U.S. Park Police, no injuries were reported, and there is no threat to public safety.

Officers with the Metropolitan Police Department told DC News Now, “The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) was tracking First Amendment activities that occurred this morning in the Eastern Market neighborhood. MPD recognizes the rights of individuals to peacefully express their views and remains committed to maintaining public safety and security for DC residents and visitors.”

DC News Now reached out to the Southern Poverty Law Center for comment but has yet to hear back.

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Celebration to suffocation: Washington’s air turns world’s worst after July 4 fireworks extravaganza

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Celebration to suffocation: Washington’s air turns world’s worst after July 4 fireworks extravaganza


Washington’s air turns world’s worst after July 4 fireworks extravaganza (X)

WASHINGTON: A massive July 4th fireworks display left Washington, DC, briefly recording the worst air quality among major cities worldwide on Sunday, according to global air quality monitoring platform IQAir. The massive 40-minute fireworks display was held as part of America’s 250th Independence Day celebrations.The US capital dropped to 26th place on IQAir’s global air quality rankings by Sunday evening as pollution levels gradually improved.Code Red air quality alert issuedAs the city officials declared a ‘Code Red’ air quality alert, authorities urged residents to avoid prolonged outdoor exposure and warned that the air was “unhealthy for seniors, children and people with medical conditions,” adding that even healthy individuals could experience adverse health effects due to elevated pollution levels.Ahead of the celebrations, Kisha Davis warned that the combination of extreme heat and fireworks-related pollution could pose serious health risks. “The air quality today is like running a marathon while smoking a cigarette,” she told CNN, adding that the fireworks would further worsen pollution.Hundreds needed medical assistanceEmergency responders treated hundreds of people during the Independence Day celebrations.The DC Fire and EMS Department reported 96 patient contacts and 40 hospital transports, while George Washington University Hospital recorded 289 patient contacts. The US Department of Health and Human Services also reported 314 patient contacts, although authorities have not confirmed how many cases were linked to the heat or poor air quality.The fireworks display, organised by Freedom 250, featured around 850,000 fireworks launched from 10 locations across the National Mall, Potomac River barges and West Potomac Park. The event was expected to challenge the Guinness World Records mark for the world’s largest fireworks display, although no official confirmation had been issued by Sunday.



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