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10 perfect hikes in Frederick, Maryland 05/21/2021 01:32pm • The weather is warming up in Frederick County, Maryland and it’s a great time to get back into your hiking shoes! Trails vary from easy to moderate, and, in a few cases, slightly strenuous, for the more seasoned adventurer. Here are 10 opportunities to enjoy the area’s naturally beautiful la Supporters, opponents weigh in on new DC soda tax 05/20/2021 03:56pm • (EDITOR'S NOTE May 20, 2021 4 p.m. — This story has been updated to reflect that the bill would place a 1.5-cent-per-ounce tax on sodas.) D.C. residents weighed in on the new proposed soda tax during the bill's first public hearing Wednesday. The bill drew a lot of attention from supporters Artist renderings depict US Route 1's future from Arlington to Alexandria as urban boulevard 05/20/2021 04:00am • Drivers speed by on U.S. Route 1 in Crystal City, Virginia, keeping an eye on the traffic lights, barely noticing their surroundings — but big changes are coming. Crystal City is morphing into National Landing, the future home of Amazon's HQ2, and since the idea of bringing Amazon to the area w Census Data Shows People Are Ready to Travel Amid Pandemic 05/20/2021 12:00am • Americans -- especially those in Western states -- are ready to hit the road again, according to survey data released Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau. With more states reopening, mask mandates lifting and vaccination rates increasing, the bureau's latest report -- part of its biweekly Household 7 Safe Dividend Stocks to Buy 05/20/2021 12:00am • Choose low-volatility dividend stocks for stability.Things have gotten a bit choppy on Wall Street in 2021 amid talk of rising prices and inflationary pressures. At the same time, the general notion that the "recovery trade" in anticipation of fewer pandemic-related restrictions this summer has pret What Is a Rapid Rescore and How Does It Work? 05/20/2021 12:00am • Your credit score is a crucial factor in determining your interest rate on a mortgage, and even a small rate decrease can save you thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. Typically, improving your credit score takes months. But with rapid rescoring, you can achieve your goal in just a few d Spike in carjackings during pandemic spurred regional crackdown 05/19/2021 04:43pm • Details from the case of two D.C. men charged last week for carjacking and assault highlight the reason the region's top prosecutors are banding together to take on the crime, which has seen a sharp increase since the start of the pandemic. Rashaun Onley and Elijah Greene-Parker face more than 14 Eager to hit the road? US Â鶹´«Ã½ ranks 2021's best vacation spots 05/18/2021 04:10am • With COVID-19 vaccinations increasing daily — and health restrictions being lifted nationwide ahead of Memorial Day — this year’s ranking of best vacation spots from U.S. Â鶹´«Ã½ & World Report carries special significance. And whether it requires flying halfway around the world or staying The Ultimate Guide to REITs 05/18/2021 12:00am • A real estate investment trust, or REIT, is a company that owns, operates or finances income-producing real estate. This is often done by pooling investors' money to buy and possibly manage commercial or residential buildings. The company then collects rent from its tenants and passes that income o How to Get Approved for a Mortgage 05/18/2021 12:00am • Qualifying for a mortgage can seem intimidating if you've never gone through the process or you hear about lenders tightening loan approval standards. But by knowing what the bank is looking for, you will take some stress out of getting a home loan. The approval process "breaks down into four basic Howard Co. high school seniors get good news about graduation 05/17/2021 06:30pm • Howard County, Maryland, high school students and families got some good news Monday about graduation. More tickets will be available to each high school senior participating in a graduation ceremony. Students are now allowed to receive six guest tickets for graduation, and all guests may sit in Did a year of vigilant hygiene, cleanliness weaken immune system responses? 05/17/2021 05:28pm • After a year under lockdown practicing measures of diligent cleanliness, some might wonder whether immune systems not being bombarded have caused them to slow down. An expert from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Maryland thinks not. Dr. Stuart C. Ray, professor of medicine and onco DC-area barbershop uses haircut, shave and style to promote COVID-19 vaccines 05/17/2021 05:23pm • A barbershop and salon in Hyattsville, Maryland, is doing its part to urge people in the community to get a COVID-19 vaccine. At the Shop Spa at 5916 Riggs Road, the incentive is a coupon for $30 off a cut, as well as a free fish sandwich if you get a vaccination. Owner Mike Brown said he’s trying 'Slice' of life after new CDC guidance: Alexandria pastry shop embraces optional mask wearing 05/17/2021 02:40pm • Masks are no longer required for those who are fully vaccinated in Virginia and the Alexandira Pastry Shop is embracing the change. (WTOP/Melissa Howell) Masks are no longer required for those who are fully vaccinated in Virginia, and one local business is embracing the change. Tucked away in Rockville pastry shop makes Yelp list of Asian-owned businesses that ship nationwide 05/14/2021 03:56pm • Shoppers are being encouraged to support Asian-owned businesses this month as part of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. To mark the occasion, Yelp is putting the national spotlight on a couple of D.C.-region businesses. Gwenie's Pastries in Rockville, Maryland, is on Yelp's n