Senate Park by angela n. used with permission.

MWCOG sets goal of maintaining 50% tree canopy coverage regionally

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) adopted a goal of maintaining least 50% tree coverage across the Washington region. Coverage recently dipped to 49.6% with the loss of 22,000 acres of trees from 2018 to 2023. Dense urban centers need to maintain 35-40% tree coverage to support the overall goal.  (Daniel Egitto / ARLNow)  

Class action lawsuit filed against Foxtrot amid sudden closure and layoffs

A class action lawsuit filed in Illinois alleges wrongful termination by Foxtrot, Dom’s Market, and Outfox Hospitality following the sudden nationwide closure of all their stores, including 11 stores in the Washington region. The lawsuit claims that over 1,000 employees were terminated without notice, in violation of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act.  (Makea Luzader / DC News Now)  

EPA fines oil recycling facility in South Baltimore $230,000 for pollution

The US Environmental Protection Agency fined an oil recycling facility in South Baltimore $230,000 for violating federal clean air and water laws. Petroleum Recovery and Remediation Management, Inc. operated in Curtis Bay, processing, recycling, and disposing of waste oil material. Following a settlement, the facility ceased certain operations to address violations. (This article is behind a paywall)  (Dillon Mullan / Baltimore Sun)  

Alexandria office building near King Street-Old Town Metro station set for foreclosure auction

The 164,407-square-foot office building at 2000 Duke St. in Alexandria is scheduled to be auctioned next month. The property faces foreclosure after the owner defaulted on its mortgage, with a minimum bid set at $500,000.The building, headquarters of The Motley Fool, also houses coworking operator Spaces and is 44% occupied. (This article is behind a paywall)  (Business Journal)  

Congresswoman Norton proposes renaming Rock Creek Park to “Rock Creek National Park”

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton has introduced a bill to rename Rock Creek Park to Rock Creek National Park, aiming to elevate its national significance and potentially secure more federal funding for its preservation.  (Josh Rosenthal / FOX5)  

Historic Markley building in Baltimore’s Lauraville neighborhood to be repurposed as community hub

The historic Markley Hotel building in Baltimore’s Lauraville neighborhood is set to be transformed into a community hub and entrepreneurial center. The $7 million project, led by Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street and MCB Real Estate, will include space for food and retail entrepreneurs, with student housing next door for Morgan State University. (This article is behind a paywall)  (Lorraine Mirabella / Baltimore Sun)  

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