The Melting Pot has announced that its Arlington, Virginia location will permanently close after 26 years in business. The restaurant’s final day of service will be Saturday, November 21, 2026.
CAVA is preparing to reopen its Westfield Montgomery Mall location following a temporary closure for renovations, and the restaurant is inviting community members to enjoy a free meal ahead of its grand reopening.
Start-ups and early-growth stage companies in Montgomery County, Maryland, are continuing to gain traction and attract capital with eight local companies receiving a combined $70.54 million in venture capital, seed funding, and other investments in October.
Montgomery County is the #3 largest biopharma hub in the nation—and in October, companies in the Research & Development space led investment attraction with more than $58 million raised to advance innovations in biotechnology, drug discovery, and healthcare.
Rockville-based Kaigene raised $54.96 million in Series B venture funding from Loftyrock Investment and others. The biotechnology company is developing therapeutic antibodies to address unmet clinical needs in rare autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis and lupus. Kaigene’s products are said to offer safe and effective treatments that can address the underlying mechanisms driving autoimmune disease, enabling patients to improve their lives. The recent investment brings Kaigene’s reported pre-money valuation to approximately $252.5 million.
Another Research & Development company, Accufy Diagnostics, which is also based in Rockville, raised $2 million in seed funding to further its next-generation sequencing technologies for early cancer detection. The company is developing proprietary technologies that use ultra-sensitive circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection to help clinicians identify minimal residual disease and improve cancer monitoring.
In Gaithersburg, ColoWatch raised $1.325 million in venture funding to expand access to colorectal cancer screening, the second deadliest cancer in the United States according to the American Cancer Society. The healthcare company offers virtual colonoscopy screening services, using high-resolution three-dimensional imaging and radiologist-reviewed reports to provide patients with a less invasive screening option.
Beyond Life Sciences, Montgomery County continues to build on the growing number of technology companies that not only choose to be here but continue to grow here.
Bethesda-based Emerald Intel raised $3.3 million in seed funding in October. The company is developing a market intelligence platform that provides verified business profiles, decision-maker contacts, and regulatory information to help companies identify opportunities and monitor industry trends in the cannabis and hemp industry.
Rockville-based UgenticAI also secured approximately $349,000 through equity crowdfunding to support its platform for acquiring and scaling artificial intelligence and SaaS companies. UgenticAI provides operational, technical, and go-to-market resources to help businesses accelerate growth.
The October investments reflect continued funding activity among Montgomery County’s innovation economy, particularly in the biotechnology, healthcare, and technology sectors.
Results of second round of Maryland high school football playoff games (MCPS games) can be seen below. Scores will be updated as we receive them (an F will signify the score is final):
Takoma Park Police Department is seeking community members to serve on its Police Chief’s Advisory Board, with opportunities available for residents, business owners, and young people ages 16 to 21.
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Join the DC Chamber Musicians in Silver Spring at Calvary Lutheran Church for an extravaganza of lesser-known woodwind gems alongside a towering classic of the piano trio repertoire. The program lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes, with one 10-minute intermission.
Program:
Fernande Decruck: Pavane
Louis Durey: Divertissement, Op. 107
Lowell Liebermann: Flute Concerto, Op. 39
Elaine Fine: A Little Drama for Woodwind Trio
Felix Mendelssohn: Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor, Op. 66
The Friends of the Agricultural History Farm Park will host its annual Christmas on the Farm celebration on Saturday, December 5, and Sunday, December 6, from noon to 5 p.m. each day at the Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood. (more…)
The Washington Spirit is headed to its third consecutive NWSL Championship after defeating Utah Royals FC, 2-1, on Saturday, November 14, in front of a sold-out crowd at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.
New research from the Montgomery County Planning Department estimates that the county could need approximately 53,000 additional housing units by 2050 to accommodate an expected increase of 50,000 households. (more…)
Maryland Governor Wes Moore and the Maryland Department of Labor have announced a new $1.5 million grant program aimed at expanding access to licensed home-based child care, particularly in underserved communities and for families needing care outside traditional working hours. (more…)
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a house fire in the 9200 block of Wendel Street in Silver Spring at approximately 5 a.m. Saturday. (more…)
Montgomery County Police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating 21-year-old Qieriyon Lee, who was last seen on Saturday, November 14, at approximately 8 a.m., leaving his home in the 14000 block of Castle Boulevard in Fairland.
The Hive Soda Bar & More in Poolesville will celebrate its grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, November 21, at 10 a.m., while introducing an expanded food menu. (more…)