Lilly Mashayek
News writer
Politics
President Obama responds to Orlando shooting
In a statement from the White House, President Barack Obama said the mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando is being investigated as an act of terrorism. “We know enough to say this was an act of terror and an act of hate,” Obama said on Sunday afternoon. “The FBI is appropriately investigating this as an act of terror. We will go wherever the facts lead us … What is clear is he was a person filled with hatred.” Obama continued, saying “This massacre is a further reminder of how easy it is for someone to get their hands on a weapon that allows them to shoot people.” He said the shooting was “an especially heartbreaking day for our friends who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.”
Entertainment
Singer Christina Grimmie shot in Orlando
Christina Grimme, a 22-year-old singer who rose to fame on NBC’s “The Voice,” was shot and killed late Friday evening. Grimmie was signing autographs for fans after her show at The Plaza Live theater in Orlando with the band Before You Exit when 27-year-old Kevin James Loibl shot her. Loibl fatally shot himself after Marcus Grimmie, Christina’s brother, tackled him. Police say Marcus’ actions may have saved the 120 people who were at the meet-and-greet at the time of the attack. Christina Grimmie was rushed to the hospital, where she later died. According to police, Grimmie’s killer traveled to Orlando with the intent to attack her. Marcus paid tribute to his sister in a Facebook post, saying, “Christina was more than my sister. She was a partner in life,” he posted. ” A superstar. A goofball. Introverted. And a friend to everyone. Genuinely. But above all…she was my baby sister.”
Washington, DC
DC residents get the chance to draft new constitution
Residents of the District of Columbia who want to draft the city’s constitution in the event that it ever becomes a state will get the chance to in more than 30 years. The District starts it’s constitutional convention Monday, and will continue on Friday and Saturday. The convention on Monday is meant to discuss the bill of rights and legislative branch for the new state, which would be called New Columbia. The convention comes as part of a plan by Mayor Muriel Bowser’s administration to put pressure on the next president and Congress to accept the District as the nation’s 51st state. The new constitution would be voted on by city residents in November.
Virginia
Kings Dominion theme park closes due to power outage
Kings Dominion officials say they closed the theme park early over the weekend due to a power outage. The park released a statement saying there was a partial power outage at Kings Dominion around 8 p.m. Saturday. All rides were subsequently stopped and safely evacuated. However, some news outlets report that customers say they were stuck on rides after the power outage. Kings Dominion remained closed for the rest of the night. Power was returned to the park and it reopened Sunday. The theme park said it will honor tickets from Saturday until July 31.
Maryland
Co-founder of Orlando’s Pulse nightclub has Baltimore ties
Ron Legler, who runs the Hippodrome Theater in Baltimore, co-founded Pulse, the Orlando nightclub that became the scene of a mass shooting that left at least 50 people dead. “It is devastating — the worst nightmare you could ever imagine,” Legler told The Baltimore Sun. He opened Pulse in 2004 with his friend Barbara Poma. The nightclub was opened as a tribute to Poma’s brother who had died of HIV. When Legler moved to Baltimore in 2014, he gave up ownership of the club. Legler told The Sun he “started getting text messages from people inside the club” but that “There are employees of the club we have not been able to reach.” Legler said he is “devastated and heartbroken,” and that he is “praying for my Pulse Orlando Family and for the City of Orlando,” in a Facebook post.
Washington Wizards: End of Season
Washington Capitals: End of Season
Washington Redskins: End of Season
Washington Nationals: Philadelphia Phillies 4 – 5 Washington Nationals
Washington Mystics: Minnesota Lynx 83 – 76 Washington Mystics
June 13 7 PM Ellie Goulding, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD
June 13 8 PM DC Jazz Festival: A Night at the Kennedy Center, Kennedy Center, Washington, DC
June 15 9 PM Joe Budden, Howard Theatre, Washington, DC
June 15 7:30 PM Chris D’Elia, DC Improv, Washington, DC
June 16 7 PM Tame Impala, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD
June 16 8 PM Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals ‑ The Malibu Tour, The Fillmore Silver Spring, Silver Spring, MD
June 17 8 PM Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band, Warner Theatre – Washington D.C.
June 17 8 PM BSO: VERDI’S REQUIEM, Strathmore, Bethesda, MD
June 18 7 PM Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream,Verizon Center, Washington, DC
June 18 9 PM Dave Matthews Band, Jiffy Lube Live, Bristow, VA
June 18 11 AM Groovy Nate, National Theatre, Washington, DC
June 19 6 PM Ravens Family Movie Night, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD
June 19 7:30 PM Bill Burr: Plowin’ Ahead, Baltimore Arena, Baltimore, MD
June 19 8 PM Brantley Gilbert, Justin Moore & Colt Ford, Jiffy Lube Live, Bristow, VA
