What to expect during Tuesday's vice presidential debate - Tuesday, October 1, 2024 - Top News from WTOP

TOP NEWS | October 01, 2024 [Web version](   Good morning! Welcome to October! Are you tired of the rain? The remnants of Helene continue to move through the D.C. area, with [showers falling in the morning]( before tapering off in the afternoon. Wednesday will bring the first signs of a break from the wet weather as cloud cover moves in with a slight chance for sun during the day. Do you still need to make dinner plans despite the dreary weather? The New York Times' list of the 50 best restaurants for 2024 includes [three D.C.-area restaurants,]( which all opened last year. Yum! If the skies remain clear throughout the month, you can catch [a special comet streaking across the sky](. It has been four years since the Northern Hemisphere had the appearance of a bright, visible comet. -José Umaña, Digital Editor [Why the Vance-Walz debate could be more consequential than usual]( "The polls are such that it is a dead heat." According to a political expert, Tuesday's vice presidential debate between JD Vance and Tim Walz will likely be more impactful compared to previous vice presidential debates. [READ MORE](   [Fairfax students design stickers to be given out at polling places this fall]( One student drew a "Future Voter" design, which includes several hands raised in the air. While another drew the phrase "I Voted" with the city hall building in the background. [READ MORE](   ADVERTISEMENT [National Ballet of Ukraine Kicks Off US Tour at Kennedy Center Oct. 8]( One of the world's top ballet companies-National Ballet of Ukraine-with special guests Ukrainian Shumka Folk Dancers, kicks off premiere US tour at The Kennedy Center. Featuring 44 elite dancers and timeless classics before a massive 3D screen.   [Dockworkers at ports from Maine to Texas go on strike, a standoff risking new shortages]( Dockworkers at ports nationwide, including Baltimore, began walking picket lines in a strike over wages and automation that could reignite inflation and cause shortages of goods if it goes on more than a few weeks. [READ MORE](   [Alexandria elementary school closed after lead found in classrooms]( Administrators at Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School in Virginia, are urging parents and students to get blood tests after the discover of lead particles. [READ MORE](   Event - Webinar [Federal News Network's Cyber Leaders Exchange 2024 | Happening today!]( Join Federal News Network for our third annual cyber exchange Oct. 1 and 2 at 1 p.m. ET each day. During this exclusive two-day virtual event, discover how agencies are leading the way as the government “fundamentally re-imagines America's cyber social construct”.   [Despite hiring spree, oversight hearing shows staffing problems persist at DC 911 call center]( Efforts to turn District's embattled Office of Unified Communications around have revealed slow progress, but a perception remains that things are not as strong as they should be. [READ MORE](   [Changes to pandemic program blamed for DC landlords' financial crisis]( D.C. leaders said some are using COVID-era changes to a program to delay their evictions, and those delays are impacting landlords that provide affordable housing in the city. [READ MORE](   INSIGHT BY FEBA [Understanding how FEHB and Medicare work together in retirement]( Here's what federal employees need to know about FEHB and Medicare in retirement.   [‘There were a lot of tears': What DC-area crews have been seeing as they help with Helene devastation]( As rescue teams from Northern Virginia help with the devastation from Hurricane Helene, they have seen and spoken with people who lost everything due to flooding. [READ MORE](   [‘You give me hope': Montgomery Co. man repairs hundreds of old bikes to donate]( Manuel Vera, 74, of Montgomery County takes old, unwanted bikes that have been collecting dust and refurbishes them in his backyard for others to ride. [READ MORE](   Event - Webinar [Financial Wellness Across Your Federal Career | Register now]( Join us to explore financial strategies and tools that can help you throughout your federal career. WAEPA CEO M. Shane Canfield will open the event and share a brief overview of the association's 2024 state of the association. Be sure to register now for this must-attend virtual event!   [Local woman receives first-of-its-kind surgery to repair her ankle]( A woman was allergic to metal, so she could not have the traditional surgery to repair her ankle. Now, she is considered a "pioneer" after receiving a first-of-its-kind surgery using only plastic components. [READ MORE](   [‘We've got screenshots:' Scam surging in Fairfax Co. threatens release of online activity]( "We've seen what you do, we've got screenshots." That's the message that comes followed by a demand for payment in a scam that authorities say is surging in Virginia's most populated county. [READ MORE](   Insight by Neo4j [Unleashing data insights to drive government innovation | Download now]( In a new ebook, Federal News Network talks with data experts from the Army, Army Corps of Engineers, Homeland Security, and Neo4j to discover initiatives and research they're undertaking to squeeze the most insights possible out of data to drive results:   PARTNERSHIP [Listen live for news, traffic and weather from WTOP News on our FREE App!]( Download the app today - sponsored by Navy Federal Credit Union - to stay up to date on all the latest news in the DMV.   [YouTube]( [instagram]( [linkedin]( [facebook]( [Advertise with us]( | [Contact Us]( This email and the accompanying website are not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. [Unsubscribe](  | [Manage Subscription](