Opening day for Molly Tea in Rockville quickly turned into a full-on scene, with a line stretching around the block as customers packed into 860 Festival Street for the brand’s DMV debut. A video of the experience can be seen below.
On Monday, Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and a coalition of 22 states secured a federal court order blocking a policy from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that sought to penalize healthcare providers offering care to youth with gender dysphoria.
Last week, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich signed legislation authorizing up to $420 million in tax increment financing bonds to help finance Viva White Oak, a $2.7 billion investment featuring more than 3 million square feet of lab space, office/medical office, retail, and over 4,400 quality residences. The 280-acre site, which is located adjacent to the FDA headquarters and near Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center, is expected to begin construction this fall.
“This is a project that has been discussed and planned for a long time, and now we are getting to the point where people will actually begin seeing it take shape,” said County Executive Elrich. “VIVA White Oak will bring thousands of homes, good jobs, restaurants, stores, and other amenities to an area of the County that has needed this level of investment for decades. We found a financing approach that allows us to build the infrastructure needed to make this development possible while using the new tax revenue generated by the project to repay the bonds. I appreciate the Council, our State partners, MCB, and especially the East County residents who kept pushing to get us to this point.”
Anchored by Costco and with a focus on innovation and research and development, Viva White Oak represents one of the largest development opportunities in Montgomery County in recent years. Once completed, the development is expected to generate $4.9 billion in annual economic output and give the County $21 million year in new revenue. Additionally, the new development is projected to generate 19,000 construction jobs and 9,000 permanent jobs.
“Viva White Oak demonstrates the County’s continued commitment to supporting growth and investment in Montgomery County,” said Jared Smith, President & CEO of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC). “The County’s first TIF gives us another important tool to compete for investment, attract businesses, and create jobs. Montgomery County has tremendous assets and opportunities, and using tools like this strategically will help us translate those strengths into long-term economic growth.”
Viva White Oak is expected to take place in two phases. In phase one, which is expected to be completed by 2031, it will deliver over 960 townhomes, 1,000 apartments, 470,000 square feet of retail space, a 175-room hotel with meeting space, up to 1,279 permanent on-site jobs, and 92,000 square feet of medical office space. Phase two, which will take place between 2033 and 2044, will deliver 1.3 million square feet of life sciences office and lab space, 400,000 square feet of Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) life sciences manufacturing, almost 2,500 additional housing units delivered, a 150-room hotel dedicated to supporting innovation, and over 3,800 permanent on-site jobs.
Viva White Oak represents the County’s first use of a TIF and follows a push by Montgomery County to remove barriers and create new opportunities for businesses to invest, grow, and create jobs. In July, the Montgomery County Council approved the Job Creation Project zoning initiative, which is expected to cut permitting time in half for development projects that are in Montgomery County’s key industries—including life sciences and technology— or are expected to create at least 200 local jobs, further showcasing the County’s commitment to powering economic growth in target industries.
The last MCPS used car and computer sale of the school year will take place from 9-11am on Saturday, May 9 at Thomas Edison High School of Technology, located at 12501 Dalewood Drive in Silver Spring.
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With the gambling industry generating a record $78.7 billion in revenue last year, the personal-finance company WalletHub has released its report on the 2026’s Most Gambling-Addicted States, with Maryland coming in 41st overall (10th least).
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The Triumph Trek at the Rio is the ultimate celebration of strength, recovery and hope — and everyone is invited.
On Sunday, September 20, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation and Adventist HealthCare Home Care Services will gather at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg for an untimed walk-or-wheel around the accessible lakeside path. This is not a race. Scooters, wheelchairs, walkers, strollers and every pace are welcome, and no one finishes last.
The 7-Eleven located at 8484 Georgia Ave., at the intersection with Wayne Ave. in Silver Spring, is set to close next month, with signage on the front door confirming a final day of operation on May 6, 2026.
Anthony G. Brown and the Maryland Department of the Environment have filed a lawsuit against DC Water seeking penalties and damages related to a January 19, 2026 sewer rupture that released an estimated 240 million gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River and nearby tributaries over eight days.
An Extreme Cold Alert has been issued for Montgomery County for Tuesday, April 21 from 1am until 8am, as wind chill values are expected to fall below 32 degrees. Officials are urging residents to dress in layers, limit time outdoors when possible, and take precautions if they must spend extended periods outside. (more…)
The 2026 class of the Montgomery County Sports Hall of Fame (MCSHF) will be honored this Sunday, April 26th, 2026 at the Silver Spring Civic Building. Doors open at 2pm with the ceremony at 3pm. Attendance is free, and food will be served from 2-3pm.
The Square (formerly Rockville Town Square) has announced its 2026 Summer Concert Series, with a full lineup of free outdoor performances scheduled from late May through mid-September in Rockville. The […]
Maryland is launching a statewide hiring campaign to bring more than 60 instructional coaches into public schools, following the approval of $14.2 million in funding to support the initiative.
Montgomery Parks is bringing back one of its largest outdoor events next month, with the third annual Sligo Creek Fest set to take over a stretch of Sligo Creek Parkway in Silver Spring. The festival will take place on Saturday, May 2 from 11am to 3pm along Sligo Creek Parkway between University Boulevard and Dennis Avenue. In preparation for the event, the roadway will close beginning at 10am on Thursday, April 30.