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Washington, D.C. (Wednesday, October 1, 2025) – As the federal government shutdown continues, WHUR is here to support our community. We’ve created a comprehensive Resource Guide for federal workers across the DMV, with direct phone numbers and website links to services that can help with food assistance, housing, utilities, daycare, mental health, and even job support. Whether you’re in Washington, D.C., Maryland, or Virginia, this guide connects you to trusted organizations ready to provide relief during this difficult time

Washington, D.C.

Food

• Capital Area Food Bank — (202) 644-9800; free pop-ups & pantry network www.capitalarefoodbank.org
• DC TEFAP Food Assistance — DHS pantries across ward www.dchealth.dc.gov
• Local “shutdown specials” — free/discounted meals from businesses

Mental Health

• DC Behavioral Health HelpLine — 1-888-793-4357 (24/7) www.dbh.dc.gov
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988 www.988lifeline.org
• Federal Employee Assistance Program (EAP) www.opm.gov

Housing

• Shelter Hotline — (202) 399-7093 (24/7)
• ERAP (Emergency Rental Assistance Program) — via DHS

Utilities

• Pepco — (202) 833-7500 hardship programs
• DC Water — (202) 354-3600 customer care & payment help
• Washington Gas — 844-WASHGAS payment plans

Child Care

• DC Child Care Subsidy Program — OSSE/DHS
• Reduced-cost care through rec centers & nonprofits

Other

• Unemployment Insurance — dcnetworks.org
• DC Shutdown Resource Page — dc.gov

Maryland (Montgomery & Prince George’s)

Food

• Capital Area Food Bank — Maryland distribution sites
• Manna Food Center (Montgomery) — (301) 424-1130
• Prince George’s SHARE Food Network — via 2-1-1
• mypgc.us/FedGovShutdown
• www.go.md.gov/federalshutdown

Mental Health

• Montgomery County Crisis Center — (240) 777-4000
• Maryland Mobile Crisis Team — 1-855-634-4673
• 2-1-1 Maryland — counseling referrals

Housing

• Prince George’s ERAP & Shelter Hotline — county housing dept
• Montgomery County HHS Emergency Services — call 311
• Maryland Emergency Loan Program for Federal Workers

Utilities

• Pepco — PG & MoCo hardship plans
• WSSC Water — (301) 206-4001 payment assistance
• BGE — (800) 685-0123 hardship & energy aid

Child Care

• Maryland Child Care Subsidy Program — MSDE
• Parks & Rec in PG/MoCo — fee waivers during shutdowns

Other

• Unemployment Insurance — Maryland DLLR
• Credit unions (NASA FCU, Andrews FCU, SECU MD) — relief loans & skip-payment options

Virginia (Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax)

Food

• Capital Area Food Bank — Northern Virginia sites
• ALIVE! (Alexandria) — (703) 837-9300
• AFAC (Arlington Food Assistance Center) — (703) 845-8486

Mental Health

• Arlington CSB Emergency Line — (703) 228-5160
• Fairfax CSB Crisis Line — (703) 573-5679
• Alexandria Crisis Line — (703) 746-3401
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Housing

• Arlington Housing Grants — (703) 228-1350
• Fairfax Coordinated Services Planning — (703) 222-0880
• Alexandria Office of Housing — (703) 746-4990

Utilities

• Dominion Energy Virginia — (866) 366-4357 hardship programs
• Washington Gas — payment plans available
• AlexRenew (Alexandria water) — (703) 721-3500

Child Care

• Virginia Child Care Subsidy Program — Virginia DSS
• Local Parks & Rec — reduced-fee care during shutdowns

Other

• Unemployment Insurance — Virginia Employment Commission
• Arlington Federal Workforce Resilience Fund
• Alexandria Shutdown Resource Page — alexandriava.gov

Tip: Dial 2-1-1 or 311 in your county/city to be directly connected to food, housing, utilities, and child care referrals in your ZIP code.

At least four people were killed and eight others were wounded Sunday in a shooting at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, according to police.

Authorities say the attacker rammed a vehicle into the front of the church during a large service, opened fire inside the building, and then set a blaze that quickly spread. Officials believe additional victims may still be found as crews search the burned remains.

Officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect and killed him. Investigators have identified the gunman as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford of Burton, Michigan.

Grand Blanc Township is a suburb of Flint, located about an hour north of Detroit.

Assata Olugbala Shakur, a central figure in the Black liberation struggle, has died at the age of 78. A former member of the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Army, Shakur devoted her life to challenging systemic racism, state violence, and oppression in the United States.

Her journey was as controversial as it was influential. Convicted in connection with the 1973 New Jersey Turnpike shooting, Shakur escaped prison in 1979 and later received asylum in Cuba, where she lived in exile for decades. While her critics viewed her as a fugitive, supporters embraced her as a symbol of resistance against racial injustice.

Shakur’s autobiography, Assata: An Autobiography, remains a cornerstone of political literature, inspiring generations of organizers, scholars, and activists. Her words and experiences continue to guide those committed to the fight for freedom and dignity.

“Part of being a revolutionary is creating a vision that is more humane. That is more fun, too. That is more loving. It’s really working to create something beautiful,” Shakur once said.

Her unwavering belief in justice, solidarity, and liberation ensures that her influence will endure far beyond her passing.

ABC has reinstated Jimmy Kimmel Live! after a week-long suspension following the comedian’s controversial remarks about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The suspension came after major broadcasters Nexstar and Sinclair pulled the show from their stations, intensifying the fallout.

President Trump praised ABC’s initial decision, using the moment to call for other late-night hosts to be fired. FCC commissioner Brendan Carr also condemned Kimmel’s comments, saying they crossed a line. The backlash echoed a larger shakeup in late night, coming just months after CBS canceled Stephen Colbert’s show.

Kimmel, whose contract with ABC runs through May 2026, has defended himself, warning of a chilling effect on comedians if political pressure dictates what they can or cannot say. Hollywood and Broadway stars rallied behind him, signing an open letter urging the protection of constitutionally guaranteed free expression.

Meanwhile, ABC’s daytime talk show The View addressed the controversy after initially staying silent for two episodes, with co-hosts debating whether Kimmel went too far or was unfairly targeted.

Kimmel is expected to return to his desk this week, but the controversy has fueled new questions about the boundaries of comedy, politics, and free speech on network television.

WHUR means living YOUR BEST LIFE 24/7!  

We’re partnering with Maxwell and Rose Tours to send you on his 2026 Urban Hang Suite Cruise aboard the luxurious Norwegian Joy sailing from Miami Florida to the Bahamas and Dominican Republic February 7 through the 12th! 

Enjoy live concerts with performances by Kem, Lucky Daye, Kelly Price, PJ Morton,Tweet, and even the Isley Brothers after they finish celebrating Raheem’s Quiet Storm 1st year anniversary with us at the MGM National Harbor!  One FULL grand prize DREAM trip for two, with round-trip air to Miami, a deluxe cruise line cabin and endless entertainment to create forever memories!  

Here’s how you qualify to win:  

Listen to Raheem Devaughn’s Quiet Storm at 8pm.  You’ll hear him give you the “MAXWELL Cruise Artist of the Night” Once you know it, go to WHUR dot com, register your name and give us that artist’s name.  If correct, you’re instantly qualified to set sail on the 2026 Maxwell Urban Hang Suite Cruise.  

Also, special qualifiers get tickets to Raheem’s Quiet Storm Anniversary celebration on October 24^th at the Theatre at M G M National Harbor to warm you up.  You ready?  8pm tune in to Raheem on The Original Quiet Storm. YOUR dream trip awaits only with Maxwell and WHUR.Com!

Click here for full sweepstakes rules

According to ABC7, Los Angeles authorities have searched a Hollywood Hills residence where singer D4vd had been staying as part of an ongoing investigation into the death of a 15-year-old girl, Celeste Rivas. Her body was discovered in the trunk of a Tesla registered to D4vd after the vehicle was towed from a Los Angeles street.

The LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division is leading the probe. As of now, the cause of Celeste Rivas’s death remains undetermined; no official statement has confirmed how or why she died. Authorities are gathering evidence, including searching the home tied to D4vd, to help answer those questions.

D4vd, an artist who gained popularity on TikTok and in the indie music scene, has not publicly addressed the investigation. It is not clear whether he is being considered a suspect, a person of interest, or simply a witness. Investigators are working to establish a timeline, trace Celeste’s whereabouts prior to her death, and determine how she came to be inside the trunk of the vehicle.

The community is awaiting further details to emerge, and law enforcement has requested that anyone with information come forward.

Join us for Howard University’s Opening Convocation featuring Sherrilyn Ifill, Vernon E. Jordan Jr., Esq. Endowed Chair in Civil Rights.

DMV native Tramell Tillman has etched his name in television history, becoming the first Black man to win the Emmy for Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his breakout role in Severance.

Tillman, a proud product of the DMV, has captivated audiences with his layered performance as Seth Milchick, balancing authority and subtle vulnerability in Apple TV+’s critically acclaimed thriller. His win marks a milestone moment not just for his career, but for representation in Hollywood.

According to his Variety cover story back in August, Tillman reflected on the idea of making history. “Do I feel a weight? No. I feel honored to join the legacy of these incredible storytellers,” he said. “I’m ambitious and would love an Emmy, but I’ve learned it’s not up to me.”

Now with Emmy gold in hand, the moment is both surreal and groundbreaking. Tillman’s win underscores the importance of diverse voices in television and signals a new chapter for Black actors in prestige dramas. For the DMV community, it’s a proud reminder that homegrown talent continues to shine on the world’s biggest stages.

In a recent interview, Jermaine Dupri reflected on his past relationship with Janet Jackson, pushing back on the idea that he “fumbled” the iconic singer. “I don’t know what a fumble is,” Dupri said. “I be trying to figure out why y’all don’t say she fumbled me. I’m not something that you just let roll down the street.”

Dupri stressed that their relationship was meaningful, noting that they were together for eight years. He also explained that he intentionally avoided producing music for Jackson to ensure his intentions were never questioned.

Their relationship ended after Jackson, who once expressed wanting to start a family with Dupri, reportedly had second thoughts following rumors of his infidelity. Despite the breakup, Dupri made it clear that he doesn’t view their time together as a loss but as an important chapter in his life.

Stephen Colbert received a standing ovation after The Late Show with Stephen Colbert won the Emmy for Outstanding Talk Series, according to Rolling Stone.

In his acceptance speech, Colbert thanked CBS for the opportunity to be part of the late-night tradition and expressed deep gratitude to his crew of more than 200. “You are the pros, and I’m so proud to be one of you,” he said. Colbert also honored his late assistant and reflected on love, loss, and the state of the country.

The win comes as The Late Show approaches its planned end in May 2026, a decision some speculate may be tied to political pressures.

Hollywood has rallied behind Colbert, with fellow late-night host Jimmy Kimmel publicly endorsing him for the award.

The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards delivered plenty of star power, but also some notable absences. Kendrick Lamar, who entered the night with 10 nominations, did not attend the ceremony.

He took home only one award, for Best Cinematography, despite a standout year that included five Grammy wins for his hit single “Not Like Us.” In a recent Harper’s Bazaar conversation with SZA, Lamar reflected on balancing his public image with his private self, stressing honesty, vulnerability, and embracing both masculine and feminine energy in his artistry.

SZA was also missing from the VMAs, where she was nominated for Best R&B Song and Best Collaboration but left empty-handed. In a separate interview, she spoke about finding peace through spirituality and continuing to push past feelings of doubt in an industry where she still feels like an outsider.

Ariana Grande returned to the VMAs stage for the first time in seven years, captivating fans with two striking looks and high energy throughout the night. Her emotional acceptance speeches paid tribute to her fans, collaborators, therapists, and the LGBTQ+ community, drawing warm reactions from the audience.

Mariah Carey, honored with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, delivered a powerful vocal performance but faced criticism for awkward choreography, including a widely discussed fake slap. Still, she earned a positive reception for her vocals and legacy.

Lady Gaga emerged as the evening’s biggest winner, named Artist of the Year over Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. With 12 nominations, Gaga secured her place as the night’s top honoree, while Swift and Beyoncé remain tied at 30 career VMA wins. The night also introduced new categories for Best Country Video and Best Pop Artist, alongside performances from Ricky Martin and a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne and Ananda Lewis.