'Nothing is impossible': Area students reflect on their journeys to graduation - Tuesday, May 21, 2024 - Top News from WTOP

TOP NEWS | May 21, 2024 [Web version](   [Even cartels couldn't stop this high school grad from getting his diploma in Prince George's Co.]( Graduating seniors from Oxon Hill High School will receive their diplomas on Monday. It's a walk that Henry Teo Palma risked his life to make -- after two failed attempts to immigrate to the U.S. from Guatemala. [READ MORE](   [How Baltimore Key Bridge collapse could affect Memorial Day weekend travel]( With an additional challenge this year, the Maryland Transportation Authority is hoping planning and awareness will improve the Memorial Day weekend exodus. [READ MORE](   EVENT [Federal News Network's Cloud Exchange 2024 | Register now]( Are civilian agencies across the government cloud-smart? How are they taking advantage of cloud to deliver digital services and improve mission deliverables? Find out during our exclusive event June 25 and 26.   [Mapping Asian American history in the nation's capital]( “Finding Asian American History in Washington, D.C.,” maps 17 locations in D.C. that are considered essential and historic landmarks for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. [READ MORE](   [Loudoun Co. drops plan for 16 delayed school-start days]( School officials considered adding 16 delayed start days for the upcoming school year to give teachers more time to complete training. However, the plan has been thrown out after receiving feedback from families. [READ MORE](   Partnership [May We Say Thank You 2024]( Join Federal News Network and NARFE in thanking the dedicated federal employees and contractors who work tirelessly day in and day out in their efforts to serve our communities. Send an e-card today!   [The buffet is back and why it's ‘the best place' to hold a party]( WTOP takes a look at the connection between Asian American and Pacific Islander celebrations and the role buffet restaurants often play. [READ MORE](   [Raising Cane's eyes second DC location]( Chicken finger restaurant Raising Cane's has its eyes set on a Georgetown location, filing plans with the D.C. Historic Preservation Office for renovations to a former tobacco shop. [READ MORE](   SPONSORED CONTENT [Why men have heart attacks earlier in life than women]( Dr. Robert Lager, a clinical cardiologist at MedStar Health dives into why men are at risk for heart disease and how it can be prevented.   [How to avoid letting scammers take control of your student loans]( There are no shortage of student loan forgiveness programs, but the same goes for the number of related scams, the Federal Trade Commission warns. [READ MORE](   [‘It means so much': Prince George's Co. teacher of the year awarded new car]( Kathy Russell, a third-grade teacher at Rose Valley Elementary School, has been on the job for 26 years, and her boss says she embodies everything you want in an educator. [READ MORE](   Sponsored by FEBA [Navigating the complexities of federal retirement benefits]( Federal retirement benefits require specialized advice to maximize. Feds planning to retire need a fiduciary who specializes in federal retirement.   [More applicants dive into the hiring pool for Montgomery Co. lifeguards as 7 pools open]( Pools across the region are getting ready for eager swimmers this Memorial Day weekend, and in Montgomery County, seven outdoor pools will open for the season. [READ MORE](   [Uncle Kracker joins WTOP ahead of Kenny Chesney's ‘Sun Goes Down' Tour at Commanders Field in Md.]( Uncle Kracker brings the 'Sun Goes Down' Tour to Landover, alongside the Zac Brown Band and Megan Maroney, for a day of tailgating fun and music. [READ MORE](   EVENT - WEBINAR [AI progress 2024: Challenges and opportunities in government | Register now]( Join moderator Justin Doubleday, and government and industry leaders as they discuss AI in government trends, challenges and goals for the future.   [Matt About Town: Explore a little-known monument to a US-UK treaty hiding in plain sight in DC]( WTOP's Matt Kaufax heads to the intersection of 25th and L streets, off Pennsylvania Avenue, to explore the history of the Rush-Bagot Treaty and the marker commemorating it. [READ MORE](   [‘Don't come here': NATO sends message to Russia with ‘Spring Storm' training exercise]( NATO's Spring Storm exercise aims to show Estonia is stable, which might serve as a message of deterrence to neighboring Russia. [READ MORE](   Sponsored by American Gas Association [Research shows no connection between asthma and gas stoves]( A study funded by the World Health Organization (WHO) and published in the Lancet medical journal in February found no association between heating and cooking with natural gas stoves and asthma in children or adults.   PARTNERSHIP [May We Say Thank You 2024]( Join Federal News Network and NARFE in thanking the dedicated federal employees and contractors who work tirelessly day in and day out in their efforts to serve our communities.   [Check out the latest weather forecast]( [Click here for the latest traffic updates]( [Visit WTOP's Podcast Center]( Download and listen to podcasts created by WTOP and our partners CONNECT WITH WTOP [facebook]( [twitter]( [linkedin]( [instagram]( EVERYTHING YOU NEED EVERY TIME YOU LISTEN [DOWNLOAD THE WTOP APP]( [Click here to manage your newsletter preferences.]( This email and the accompanying website are not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. 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