Meredith Somers

Life goes on, but memories remain fresh for 9/11 survivors 10 years later

When the constant rewind of the airplanes slamming into buildings, fireballs and faces stricken with grief became overwhelming, most of the world could at least turn off the TV or put down a newspaper. But for those directly affected by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, those images remain as constant and vivid as the warm, sunny day on which they occurred. Published September 8, 2011

Crane falls at Washington National Cathedral

A 350-foot heavy-duty crane fell at the Washington National Cathedral on Wednesday morning, crushing cars and damaging two buildings on the campus, officials said. Published September 7, 2011

Days of heavy rain will produce ‘a mess’

The Washington area is looking at a week's worth of dark skies and wet weather that could threaten already saturated ground, according to forecasts. Published September 6, 2011

Contest over, skateboard park here to stay

Skateboarders from around the globe rolled into Washington on Sunday to compete for one of the sport's biggest cash prizes and properly scuff up the city's newest skate park. Published September 4, 2011

Shaw residents rally for terminated tavern

Residents of the Shaw neighborhood in Northwest hailed the arrival of an upscale tavern that would rival those in the neighboring U Street corridor and in Columbia Heights. But a month from its opening, Shaw's Tavern last week closed its doors after several missteps in its efforts to obtain permits from the city. Published September 1, 2011

D.C. police ID woman found dead near Old Post Office Pavilion

A woman found fatally stabbed near the Old Post Office Pavilion was identified Tuesday by the Metropolitan Police Department. Published August 30, 2011

Judge denies postponement of Lululemon murder case

Attorneys for the woman charged in the killing of a co-worker at a Bethesda yoga store failed Tuesday to persuade a judge to delay the trial so they could learn more about their client's "major mental illness," including whether concussions she may have suffered as a collegiate soccer player were a factor. Published August 30, 2011

Hurricane delays King dedication

An impending storm threatening to be the worst to hit the region in nearly a decade has prompted evacuations and declarations of emergency and forced the postponement of the Sunday dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial on the Mall. Published August 25, 2011

King’s dream comes true

The long march toward universal freedom and equality that has become the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. made another historic stop in Washington, D.C., where a memorial to the civil rights leader on the Mall this week began receiving visitors from around the nation. Published August 25, 2011

Favola wins primary for state Senate seat in Northern Virginia

Virginia state Senate candidate Barbara Favola cruised to a Democratic primary victory Tuesday on an election day marked by light turnout and overshadowed by an earthquake that jarred the eastern United States. Published August 23, 2011

Crowds get early peek at MLK memorial

Hundreds of D.C. residents, employees and tourists took advantage of August's "soft opening" of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial, the last of its kind to be built on the National Mall and the only dedicated to someone who was not a former president. Published August 22, 2011

Full-contact jousting draws crowds

The clanging of armored knights atop thundering horses can still be heard in Maryland on most weekends, as jousting draws hundreds of spectators and preserves its position as the state's official sport. Published August 21, 2011

Mental heath defense emerges in Lululemon case

Attorneys for the woman charged in connection with the killing of her co-worker at the Lululemon Athletica shop asked a Montgomery County judge Wednesday for more time to arrange for an expert, mental-health witness. Published August 17, 2011

Anacostia River tests positive for petroleum, then doesn’t

The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating a sheen on the Anacostia River that stretched several miles northeast from the 11th Street Bridge on Tuesday. Published August 16, 2011

D.C.’s culinary stature continues to rise

Some of the country's best and most famous chefs are eschewing New York and other big U.S. cities to open restaurants in Washington — the result of what some say is a near-perfect setting of a stable economy and deep-pocket patrons eager for first-rate food experiences. Published August 15, 2011

D.C. retailers say it pays to be thrifty

This Wednesday marks National Thrift Shop Day, an effort to help spotlight the small-business owners across the District and around the country who are offering affordable and unique alternatives to merchandise usually found in chain stores. Published August 14, 2011

Felony warrants in P.G. catch up with suspects up to 39 years later

The Prince George's County Sheriff's Office has arrested two men on felony charges dating back more than 30 years as part of the department's increased efforts to erase a backlog of crimes nearly 50,000 warrants deep, officials said Wednesday. Published August 10, 2011