Here Were DC's Most Memorable Stories of 2019

20 photos
1/20
A <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="winter storm in mid-January dumped nearly a foot of snow (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/weekend-winter-storm-dumps-snow-dc-area/4222/" target="_blank">winter storm in mid-January dumped nearly a foot of snow</a> on parts of the D.C. area, making it the biggest storm to hit the region since the blizzard of January 2016. Federal offices and many schools were closed. And <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser got her very own Pat Collins Snow Stick (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/pat-collins-finall-gifts-mayor-bowser-an-official-snow-stick_washington-dc/1957/" target="_blank">D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser got her very own Pat Collins Snow Stick</a>.
AFP/Getty Images
A winter storm in mid-January dumped nearly a foot of snow on parts of the D.C. area, making it the biggest storm to hit the region since the blizzard of January 2016. Federal offices and many schools were closed. And D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser got her very own Pat Collins Snow Stick.
2/20
The federal government shut down days before Christmas 2018 and remained shut down until Jan. 25, 2019, making it the longest shutdown in U.S. history. President Trump initially <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/government-shutdown-solutions-urgency-senate-white-house/701/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="refused to sign a short-term funding bill (opens in a new tab)">refused to sign a short-term funding bill</a> that did not include funding for a U.S.-Mexico border wall. Furloughed federal workers <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/federal-workers-line-up-for-free-food-in-capitol-heights_washington-dc/855/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="lined up for groceries and free meals (opens in a new tab)">lined up for groceries and free meals</a>, and even said they were <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/chemo-or-rent-donors-help-federal-worker-who-was-forced-to-make-heartbreaking-choice/1858/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="forced to choose between paying for rent or chemotherapy (opens in a new tab)">forced to choose between paying for rent or chemotherapy</a>.
Getty Images
The federal government shut down days before Christmas 2018 and remained shut down until Jan. 25, 2019, making it the longest shutdown in U.S. history. President Trump initially refused to sign a short-term funding bill that did not include funding for a U.S.-Mexico border wall. Furloughed federal workers lined up for groceries and free meals, and even said they were forced to choose between paying for rent or chemotherapy.
3/20
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam fought back calls for his resignation in February after a photo surfaced on his yearbook page showing people in blackface and a KKK robe, saying he "truly" didn't believe he was in the picture. He initially planned to resign after apologizing for appearing in the photo but <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/virginia-gov-ralph-northam-facing-immense-pressure-to-resign-over-1984-photo-of-blackface-kkk-robe/2785/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="said he later had a change of heart (opens in a new tab)">said he later had a change of heart</a>.
Getty Images
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam fought back calls for his resignation in February after a photo surfaced on his yearbook page showing people in blackface and a KKK robe, saying he "truly" didn't believe he was in the picture. He initially planned to resign after apologizing for appearing in the photo but said he later had a change of heart.
4/20
As calls for the resignation of Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam grew in February, Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax denied <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/virginia-lt-governor-justin-fairfax-denies-sex-assault-allegation/4702/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="a woman's allegation that he sexually assaulted her in 2004 (opens in a new tab)">a woman's allegation that he sexually assaulted her in 2004</a>. The woman said he attacked her at the Democratic National Convention that year. Days later, another woman <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/second-woman-accuses-virginia-lt-gov-fairfax-of-assault/2407/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="said Fairfax raped her in 2000, when they were students at Duke University (opens in a new tab)">said Fairfax raped her in 2000, when they were students at Duke University</a>. Fairfax denied both accusations and is pursuing a libel lawsuit against CBS, claiming the station violated his rights by airing interviews with the two women.
NBC Washington
As calls for the resignation of Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam grew in February, Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax denied a woman's allegation that he sexually assaulted her in 2004. The woman said he attacked her at the Democratic National Convention that year. Days later, another woman said Fairfax raped her in 2000, when they were students at Duke University. Fairfax denied both accusations and is pursuing a libel lawsuit against CBS, claiming the station violated his rights by airing interviews with the two women.
5/20
Former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick was <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/vatican-defrocks-former-cardinal-mccarrick-over-sex-abuse/1030/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="found guilty by the Vatican of sex abuse and defrocked in February (opens in a new tab)">found guilty by the Vatican of sex abuse and defrocked in February</a>. The former archbishop of Washington, D.C., became the highest-ranking churchman and the first cardinal to be punished by dismissal from the clerical state, or laicization. The Vatican found him guilty of "solicitation in the sacrament of confession, and sins against the Sixth Commandment with minors and adults, with the aggravating factor of the abuse of power," the Vatican said. That commandment forbids adultery.
NBC 7
Former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick was found guilty by the Vatican of sex abuse and defrocked in February. The former archbishop of Washington, D.C., became the highest-ranking churchman and the first cardinal to be punished by dismissal from the clerical state, or laicization. The Vatican found him guilty of "solicitation in the sacrament of confession, and sins against the Sixth Commandment with minors and adults, with the aggravating factor of the abuse of power," the Vatican said. That commandment forbids adultery.
6/20
Families of students who applied to Georgetown University were among dozens of people nationwide who stood accused of using bribes to secure admission to elite colleges. The stunning stories of false athletic records, cheating on the SAT and hundred-thousand dollar bribes were all revealed in a federal indictment in March. <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/georgetown-student-gloated-about-cheating-on-her-sats-court-documents-say/149387/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="At Georgetown (opens in a new tab)">At Georgetown</a>, families allegedly hired private proctors to correct applicants' SAT exams before submitting them and wrote off bribes as charitable donations from their families' foundations.
Getty Images
Families of students who applied to Georgetown University were among dozens of people nationwide who stood accused of using bribes to secure admission to elite colleges. The stunning stories of false athletic records, cheating on the SAT and hundred-thousand dollar bribes were all revealed in a federal indictment in March. At Georgetown, families allegedly hired private proctors to correct applicants' SAT exams before submitting them and wrote off bribes as charitable donations from their families' foundations.
7/20
The University of Virginia Cavaliers <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/sports/virginia-texas-tech-2019-ncaa-basketball-championship/162207/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="won the 2018-19 NCAA championship in April (opens in a new tab)">won the 2018-19 NCAA championship in April</a>, beating Texas Tech in a thrilling 85-77 overtime win. The victory followed a crushing setback that might have sunk a lesser team for years.
Matt York/AP
The University of Virginia Cavaliers won the 2018-19 NCAA championship in April, beating Texas Tech in a thrilling 85-77 overtime win. The victory followed a crushing setback that might have sunk a lesser team for years.
8/20
A couple from Prince George's County was found dead while vacationing in the Dominican Republic in May. The bodies of Cynthia Day, 50, and her fiancé, Nathaniel Holmes, 63, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="were found in their room (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/maryland-couple-found-dead-in-dominican-republic-resort/85548/" target="_blank">were found in their room</a>. Investigators <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/cause_of_death_announced_for_md_couple_found_in_dominican_republic/148860/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="later said they died of respiratory failure and pulmonary edema (opens in a new tab)">later said they died of respiratory failure and pulmonary edema</a>. Local police said they were looking at the possibility that carbon monoxide poisoning was to blame.
American Cruise Lines: American Constitution
A couple from Prince George's County was found dead while vacationing in the Dominican Republic in May. The bodies of Cynthia Day, 50, and her fiancé, Nathaniel Holmes, 63, were found in their room. Investigators later said they died of respiratory failure and pulmonary edema. Local police said they were looking at the possibility that carbon monoxide poisoning was to blame.
9/20
A city of Virginia Beach worker <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/courthouse-shooting-virginia-beach-suspect-police/136807/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="opened fire inside a municipal building on May 31 (opens in a new tab)">opened fire inside a municipal building on May 31</a>, killing 11 city workers and one contractor. The victims had served the city for more than 150 years combined. "They leave a void that we will never be able to fill," the city manager said. <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/the-information-is-just-not-there-probe-offers-no-clear-answers-in-virginia-beach-mass-shooting/2141122/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="An independent probe of the crime offered few answers (opens in a new tab)">An independent probe of the crime offered few answers</a>.
Getty Images
A city of Virginia Beach worker opened fire inside a municipal building on May 31, killing 11 city workers and one contractor. The victims had served the city for more than 150 years combined. "They leave a void that we will never be able to fill," the city manager said. An independent probe of the crime offered few answers.
10/20
In July, a <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/weather-alert-flash-flood-watch-in-effect-heavy-rain-possible/148729/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="flash flood drenched the District (opens in a new tab)">flash flood drenched the District</a> with nearly 3.5 inches of rainfall in just two hours. <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/flash-flood/148723/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="The inundation (opens in a new tab)">The inundation</a> stranded drivers, poured into Metro stations and soaked basements, including the White House's. Some terrified drivers were trapped in their cars.
WTOP/Dave Dildine
In July, a flash flood drenched the District with nearly 3.5 inches of rainfall in just two hours. The inundation stranded drivers, poured into Metro stations and soaked basements, including the White House's. Some terrified drivers were trapped in their cars.
11/20
In October, the <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/sports/nationals-world-series-final-astros/2051371/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Washington Nationals won their first World Series in franchise history (opens in a new tab)">Washington Nationals won their first World Series in franchise history</a>, sending overjoyed fans into the streets for a victory parade. The Nats won Game 7 in Dallas, after nearly falling out of contention in May.
Getty Images
In October, the Washington Nationals won their first World Series in franchise history, sending overjoyed fans into the streets for a victory parade. The Nats won Game 7 in Dallas, after nearly falling out of contention in May.
12/20
During Game 5 of the World Series, a home run ball flew toward a Nats fan. He had a can of beer in each hand, so he made a split-second decision to <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="let the ball hit him in the chest rather than drop the beers (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/nats-fan-holds-on-to-beers-as-world-series-ball-wallops-him/2049600/" target="_blank">let the ball hit him in the chest rather than drop the beers</a> … making him an instant internet hero. <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Within 48 hours, Bud Light made him the star of an ad campaign (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/beer-guy-moment-jeff-adams-worth-estimated-8m-in-ads-bud-light-tells-how-it-happened/2051540/" target="_blank">Within 48 hours, Bud Light made him the star of a national ad campaign</a>.
Getty Images
During Game 5 of the World Series, a home run ball flew toward a Nats fan. He had a can of beer in each hand, so he made a split-second decision to let the ball hit him in the chest rather than drop the beers … making him an instant internet hero. Within 48 hours, Bud Light made him the star of a national ad campaign.
13/20
Also in October, <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/washington-mystics-connecticut-sun-wnba-finals-game-5/1960326/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="the Washington Mystics won their first WNBA championship (opens in a new tab)">the Washington Mystics won their first WNBA championship</a>, getting 22 points from Emma Meesseman and 21 from banged-up league MVP Elena Delle Donne to beat the Connecticut Sun in Game 5.
The Washington Post/Getty Images
Also in October, the Washington Mystics won their first WNBA championship, getting 22 points from Emma Meesseman and 21 from banged-up league MVP Elena Delle Donne to beat the Connecticut Sun in Game 5.
14/20
<a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/us-rep-elijah-cummings-dies-maryland/1912869/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Maryland Rep. Elijah E. Cummings died in October (opens in a new tab)">Maryland Rep. Elijah E. Cummings died in October</a> due to complications from longstanding health challenges, his congressional office said. He was 68. A sharecropper's son, Cummings became the powerful chairman of a U.S. House committee that investigated President Donald Trump and was a formidable orator who passionately advocated for the poor in his black-majority district, which encompasses a large portion of Baltimore as well as more well-to-do suburbs.
Getty Images
Maryland Rep. Elijah E. Cummings died in October due to complications from longstanding health challenges, his congressional office said. He was 68. A sharecropper's son, Cummings became the powerful chairman of a U.S. House committee that investigated President Donald Trump and was a formidable orator who passionately advocated for the poor in his black-majority district, which encompasses a large portion of Baltimore as well as more well-to-do suburbs.
15/20
Virginia Democrats continued their winning streak under President Donald Trump and <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/virginia-legislative-elections-test-anti-trump-sentiment/2074976/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="took full control of the statehouse in November (opens in a new tab)">took full control of the statehouse in November</a>, for the first time in more than two decades. Democrats won majorities in both the state House and Senate in the marquee warmup for the 2020 presidential election, the third election in a row in which they have made significant gains since Trump was elected.
Steve Helber/AP
Virginia Democrats continued their winning streak under President Donald Trump and took full control of the statehouse in November, for the first time in more than two decades. Democrats won majorities in both the state House and Senate in the marquee warmup for the 2020 presidential election, the third election in a row in which they have made significant gains since Trump was elected.
16/20
Police <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/potomac-river-rapist-who-terrorized-dc-maryland-in-90s-arrested/2141622/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="arrested the suspected Potomac River Rapist (opens in a new tab)">arrested the suspected Potomac River Rapist</a> who killed a D.C. intern and raped nine women over the course of seven years in the 1990s. Officials said in November that they used DNA evidence and forensic genealogy techniques to close the case.
Police arrested the suspected Potomac River Rapist who killed a D.C. intern and raped nine women over the course of seven years in the 1990s. Officials said in November that they used DNA evidence and forensic genealogy techniques to close the case.
17/20
The former mayor of Baltimore <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/former-baltimore-mayor-catherine-pugh-pleads-guilty-in-fraud-case/2152745/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy and tax evasion charges (opens in a new tab)">pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy and tax evasion charges</a> in a case involving sales of her self-published children's books. Catherine Pugh pleaded guilty in federal court in November to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the government and tax evasion. The case involves sales of her self-published "Healthy Holly" books to nonprofits and foundations to promote her political career and fund her run for mayor. Pugh, a Democrat who was elected in 2016, resigned under pressure in May.
Getty Images
The former mayor of Baltimore pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy and tax evasion charges in a case involving sales of her self-published children's books. Catherine Pugh pleaded guilty in federal court in November to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the government and tax evasion. The case involves sales of her self-published "Healthy Holly" books to nonprofits and foundations to promote her political career and fund her run for mayor. Pugh, a Democrat who was elected in 2016, resigned under pressure in May.
18/20
A man was <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/police-update-stabbing-chicken-sandwich-popeyes-maryland/2074960/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="stabbed to death at a Popeyes restaurant in Prince George's County (opens in a new tab)">stabbed to death at a Popeyes restaurant in Prince George's County</a> in November after he cut in front of people in line to order the chain's popular chicken sandwiches, police said. Kevin Davis was stabbed once by a man who confronted him outside. He lived in Oxon Hill and was 28.
Darcy Spencer/NBCWashington
A man was stabbed to death at a Popeyes restaurant in Prince George's County in November after he cut in front of people in line to order the chain's popular chicken sandwiches, police said. Kevin Davis was stabbed once by a man who confronted him outside. He lived in Oxon Hill and was 28.
19/20
In a historic vote, <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dc-council-committee-recommends-expulsion-of-jack-evans/2182482/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="every member of a D.C. Council committee voted in December to recommend the expulsion of Council Member Jack Evans (opens in a new tab)">every member of a D.C. Council committee voted in December to recommend the expulsion of Council Member Jack Evans</a>, who repeatedly has been accused of ethics violations. Members of the Ad-Hoc Committee recommended Evans' ouster in a 12-0 vote. The Council has never voted to expel a council member. Evans violated the D.C. Council ethics rules 11 times since 2014 and earned $400,000 from clients who were deemed "prohibited sources," an investigation found. He was first elected in 1991 and is up for reelection in 2020 but has not filed paperwork to run.
Marlena Sloss/The Washington Post via Getty Images
In a historic vote, every member of a D.C. Council committee voted in December to recommend the expulsion of Council Member Jack Evans, who repeatedly has been accused of ethics violations. Members of the Ad-Hoc Committee recommended Evans' ouster in a 12-0 vote. The Council has never voted to expel a council member. Evans violated the D.C. Council ethics rules 11 times since 2014 and earned $400,000 from clients who were deemed "prohibited sources," an investigation found. He was first elected in 1991 and is up for reelection in 2020 but has not filed paperwork to run.
20/20
A jury <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/jury-deliberates-on-fatal-stabbing-of-black-bowie-state-student/2189044/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="found a Maryland man guilty of fatally stabbing Bowie State University student Richard Collins III (opens in a new tab)">found a Maryland man guilty of fatally stabbing Bowie State University student Richard Collins III</a>. In December, a Prince George's County jury convicted Sean Urbanski for the May 2017 murder. Prosecutors said racist propaganda emboldened the killer. But a judge dismissed a hate crime charge. Urbanski could serve a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.
Courtesy of family; University of Maryland Police Department
A jury found a Maryland man guilty of fatally stabbing Bowie State University student Richard Collins III. In December, a Prince George's County jury convicted Sean Urbanski for the May 2017 murder. Prosecutors said racist propaganda emboldened the killer. But a judge dismissed a hate crime charge. Urbanski could serve a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.
Contact Us