Thousands of visitors to Washington D.C.'s cherry blossoms faced hours of standstill traffic around Southwest D.C., the Tidal Basin, the Wharf, Hains Point, and the National Mall. The closure of Buckeye Drive and congested roads contributed to the bottleneck. U.S. Park Police warned of dense traffic, and WTOP traffic reporters provided updates and suggestions for alternative transportation methods.

The Virginia Department of Health is alerting travelers who were at Dulles Airport on January 3 and Reagan National Airport on January 4 to monitor for measles symptoms if unvaccinated, due to a confirmed case in those locations. The VDH is contacting passengers from the affected flights and advising healthcare providers to be vigilant for measles, which is highly contagious and reportable. Most Virginians are vaccinated, but infants under 12 months cannot receive the vaccine.

As winter approaches, DC gyms and fitness studios are adapting to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Cut Seven, owned by Chris and Alex Perrin, has moved classes outside and is searching for a new studio. Reggie Smith of BOOMBOX has taken workouts to outdoor venues and hopes clients will return indoors with safety measures. Candice Geller's Election Cycle has introduced individual workout pods for indoor spinning classes. However, Betsy Poos and Alyson Shade's Realignment Studio will close due to the pandemic's restrictions. While some studios are optimistic about surviving the winter, others are concerned about the impact of the pandemic and the reluctance of landlords to make rent concessions.

Sidwell Friends School's point guard Kiki Rice was named Gatorade’s National Girls Basketball Player of the Year. The announcement was made by WNBA’s Seattle Storm player Sue Bird during a surprise Zoom call. Rice, who has been a standout athlete since her freshman year, plans to attend UCLA for college. Gatorade praised her for her on-the-court skills and off-the-court influence.

A Harrisburg, Pennsylvania man named Peter Custer was arrested on Christmas Eve for burning holiday wreaths at Cedar Lawn Memorial Park in Hagerstown, Maryland. Charged with second-degree malicious burning, destruction of property, and trespassing, Custer claimed he was trying to save the Earth from nonbiodegradable plastic wreaths. Despite his release after a court appearance, Maryland Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci emphasized that disturbing final resting places is a serious offense.

Marc Christopher Brown, Jr. faces up to 107 years in prison following a Charles County jury conviction for home invasion, burglary, kidnapping, assault, and other charges. The incident occurred on December 11, 2019, when Brown attacked Uchenna Okezie in her Waldorf home, tied her up, and used her car and bank cards before abandoning her and crashing the car into a bowling alley. Brown was arrested the next day, and sentencing is set for August 26.

The 2021 inauguration will be a significantly scaled-down event with about 1,000 attendees, emulating the virtual format of the Democratic National Committee. Security measures have been intensified following the Capitol riot on January 6, with armed protests expected at all 50 state capitals. The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies is overseeing the planning, and the theme is 'America United.' Enhanced security includes thousands of National Guard troops and 'unscalable' fences. Metro service and traffic will be heavily affected, with numerous street closures and station shutdowns. The weather forecast for the inauguration is expected to be partly cloudy with temperatures in the mid-30s.

Anne Arundel County's proposed indoor dining ban's decision by Judge William Mulford II is expected on Wednesday after a day of testimony concluded without a verdict. County Executive Steuart Pittman testified that the ban aims to protect public health and prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed, acknowledging the lack of certainty on the exact impact. The ban, which exceeds state restrictions, has been postponed due to an injunction pending the hearing's outcome. Restaurant owners from Annapolis and Severna Park are challenging the emergency order, with similar bans in other Maryland counties being upheld by judges.

Andrew Hammond, historian and curator of the International Spy Museum in D.C., expresses a deep sense of loss over the passing of Sean Connery. As a fellow Scot, Hammond feels a connection to Connery, who is famed for his portrayal of James Bond. While acknowledging the fantastical elements of Bond films, Hammond contrasts Connery's depiction with the more realistic spies in John le Carre's works. WTOP's entertainment editor Jason Fraley also appreciates Connery's diverse roles under directors like Alfred Hitchcock and in films such as 'The Untouchables' and 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade'.

A family in Chevy Chase, Maryland, was displaced after a large tree limb fell on their home on Leland Street. The incident occurred before noon and resulted in a significant tree removal effort involving a crane and a truck. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Public Information Officer Pete Piringer confirmed that the family was inside at the time but no injuries were reported. The removal of the tree limb was still underway.

The article discusses a viral video featuring a 5-year-old girl named Lylah from Colorado, who completed a home-made obstacle course inspired by the television show 'American Ninja Warrior.' Her father, Gavin MacCall, designed the course and provided commentary and crowd noises during her run. The video showcases Lylah navigating various challenges, including a zip line and a steep, curved wall, which she conquers with confidence. The video has gained significant attention, amassing over 60 million views. The article invites readers to share their thoughts on Lylah's obstacle course in the Comments Section or on Facebook.

The article discusses the phenomenal success of Pokemon GO, which has become the biggest mobile game in US history with over 100 million downloads. It explores the various perspectives on the game's impact, from those who see it as a source of legitimate business and educational opportunities to those who view it as a potential threat. Concerns include personal safety issues, data mining, and national security risks. The article delves into the widespread fascination with Pokemon GO and the reasons it has become a hot topic of conversation.