Washington
NBC Washington reporter, WTOP alum Derrick Ward dies at 62 – WTOP News

NBC Washington reporter Derrick Ward, who has delivered local news in the D.C. area for decades, has died. He was 62.
NBC Washington reporter Derrick Ward, who has delivered local news in the D.C. area for decades, died Tuesday. He was 62.
The local news outlet reported Wednesday Ward died following complications from a cardiac arrest.
As a general assignment reporter, Ward was known for his coverage of tragedies and triumphs in the D.C. area. The D.C. native reported on a swath of historic local events including the 9/11 attacks on the Pentagon and the D.C. sniper shootings, according to his biography on NBC Washington’s website.
Before Ward began reporting for the local NBC affiliate in 2006, he worked in radio at WTOP, WAMU and WPFW.
Joel Oxley, the president of WTOP News and Federal News Network, shared memories of Ward.
“Derrick Ward was truly an outstanding journalist. His passion and dedication shown through every day. But what set him apart was what a great person he was. His warmth and caring were evident at every turn. Everybody liked Derrick. I saw why right away. He’ll be missed tremendously.”
In a statement to WTOP, Ward’s family said:
It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Derrick Ward, Sr., on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, following complications from a recent cardiac arrest. Derrick has been an inspiration and cherished member of our family and his hometown community, as a longtime reporter at News4 Washington, and previously WTOP Radio. As a distinguished journalist, Derrick’s storytelling, prolific writing, warmth, and humor touched countless lives. Our children and our entire family will miss him dearly.
We ask for your thoughts and prayers during this time, and we extend our gratitude to everyone for the outpouring of love and support. Details regarding his memorial service will be shared in the coming days.
-The Ward, Rampersad, and Sermons Families
Ward grew up in D.C. and graduated from H.D. Woodson High School in Northeast and the University of Maryland.
Ward is survived by his three children.
See NBC Washington’s announcement of Ward’s death below.
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© 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

Washington
Navy Yard residents call to lower DC's youth curfew

Some residents in D.C.’s Navy Yard neighborhood have begun an aggressive push to lower the District’s youth curfew to 8 p.m., or even earlier, after dozens of teenagers, and even younger children, swarmed the area Saturday.
There were reports of fights, disorderly conduct, two alleged robberies and some of the participants even made their way onto the upper floors of some apartment buildings.
“Summer hasn’t even begun yet,” said Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Edward Daniels, whose district includes parts of Navy Yard. “Memorial Day, the unofficial start to summer, is this coming weekend. We’ve seen this twice in three weeks.”
He said what happened around 9 p.m. Saturday night on top of a similar event in April warrants a change in the District’s curfew law. Currently, those 17 and under cannot be on the streets without an adult between midnight and 6 a.m.
“As parents, because I’m a parent of a teen, you have to make the executive decision for safety,” said Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Markita Bryant, who also represents parts of the Navy Yard neighborhood. “We saw what was happening down at the Wharf, and they implemented an 8 p.m. curfew. Now it’s Navy Yard and U Street left, so what do we do? I recommend we have a curfew down here.”
Bryant said constituents told her some of the teens made their way past security at apartment buildings and were running through the upper floors. She called on parents to take accountability.
“What I saw was that parents knew where their children were because they picked them up at the end of the night,” she said.
Resident Carolette Sweatt said she believes the solution requires a multi-layered approach.
“The schools are the target area, and that’s our link to find the families that have troubles or that have barriers that are stopping them,” she said.
Curfew regulations, and any changes to them, must be approved by the D.C. Council.
Washington
Washington Capitals’ Alex Alexeyev pepper-sprayed by police, charged with public intoxication – WTOP News

Alex Alexeyev of the Washington Capitals has been charged with public intoxication following a fight in Arlington, Virginia, early Saturday morning, police said.
A Washington Capitals player has been charged with public intoxication following a fight in Arlington, Virginia, early Saturday morning, police said.
Arlington County police said Alex Alexeyev, 25, of Arlington, was arrested around 3:30 a.m. in the 3100 block of Clarendon Boulevard after a patrol officer deployed pepper spray on the Capitals defenseman.
Police said officers on patrol in the Clarendon area were flagged down by a witness who reported “an active fight outside a business” between Alexeyev and another person.
A first-round pick by the Capitals in the 2018 NHL Draft, Alexeyev made his NHL debut in 2021.
Alexeyev’s contract with the Capitals expires this summer and he’s slated to become a restricted free agent, according to CBS Sports.
The Carolina Hurricanes ended the Capitals’ season last week.
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© 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
Washington
Denzel Washington snaps during heated exchange with photographer on Cannes red carpet: ‘Stop!’

Don’t mess with the Equalizer.
Denzel Washington was caught getting into a tense exchange with a photographer at France’s Cannes Film Festival on Monday, May 19.
The Oscar winner, 70, looked fired up when he approached the line of shutterbugs at the world premiere of Spike Lee’s “Highest 2 Lowest,” in which Washington stars.
He was talking to Lee, 68, and being approached by A$AP Rocky, 36, who also stars in the film, when one photographer decided to grab him in an attempt to get the A-lister’s attention.
The move appeared to set Washington off because the “Gladiator II” actor decided to confront him.
Firmly pointing his finger in the photographer’s face, the actor repeatedly screamed “stop” as he approached the man.
Ignoring Washington’s concerns by laughing in the award winner’s face, the star continued shouting at the man.
When the superstar turned around to walk away, the photographer grabbed his arm, provoking Washington to snap.
Pulling his arms from the cameraman’s grasp, Washington showed the man he meant business.
“Stop it!” the actor shouted, with the veins popping from his neck. “Stop!”
The Post reached out to Washington’s rep for comment.
Washington didn’t let the heated altercation keep him down, though.
He was surprised at the Cannes Film Festival with an honorary Palme d’Or honor from inside the theater before the film’s premiere.
After showing a reel of his legendary career, festival chief Thierry Frémaux addressed the crowd to give Washington the prestigious honor.
“It’s a very special day,” he said, per Deadline. “Denzel, because you are here, we want to make something special for you … it’s a kind of way for us to tell you our adoration, what you have done in cinema. Nobody knows about that except Spike Lee, who wrote me to do that.”
Lee walked up to the stage with Washington to present the coveted award to his dear friend.
“This is my brother right here. I love him, I love him. I’m glad you’re here where all the people love you too,” Lee told him.
“This is a total surprise for me so I’m a little emotional, but from the bottom of my heart, I thank you all,” Washington said to the crowd. “It was a great opportunity to collaborate with my brother once again — brother from another mother, Spike.”
“To be here once again in Cannes, you know, we’re a very privileged group in this room that we get to make movies and wear tuxedos and nice clothes and dress up and get paid for it as well,” he added, prompting laughter from his peers. “You know, we’re just blessed beyond measure, I’m blessed beyond measure, and from the bottom of my heart, I thank you all. Thank you.”
“Highest 2 Lowest” is a thriller and the English reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 Japanese movie “High and Low.” The latter was loosely based on the 1959 novel “King’s Ransom” by Ed McBain (real name Evan Hunter).
The movie follows David King (Washington), a successful executive who becomes an extortion victim when a kidnapper mixes up his son (Aubrey Joseph) with his driver’s kid and holds him for ransom.
Jeffrey Wright plays the chauffeur.
“Highest 2 Lowest” is scheduled to hit theaters on Aug. 22 and will be available on Apple TV+ in September.
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