It wasn’t a white Christmas, but I guess it was pretty close.

Yesterday, the DMV region was hit by a Capital S snowstorm. The National Weather Service reported that 8.5 inches of snow fell in Washington at 1 p.m. Monday. The rest of the DMV went from 6 to 10 inches. This included 7 inches of snow on the NBC4 reporter Pat collins‘rear deck, as measured by the mayor Muriel bowser in the most ambitious crossover event since Avengers: Endgame. Heavy snowfall resulted in a flurry of cancellations. Government services, Metrobus, and COVID testing and vaccination sites have been suspended due to unsafe conditions.

These conditions were fatal for some. Three people in Montgomery County were killed and one was injured after a car crashed into a snow plow. Thousands of drivers—including Virginia Sen. Tim kaine– got stuck on Interstate 95 after ice storm interrupted travel. Some people were trapped until 8 p.m. Authorities are working to free the traffic, but for now, do not go onto I-95. Virginie Gouv. Ralph northam told WTOP it has responded to more than a thousand crashes since midnight.

“An emergency message is being sent to all stranded drivers connecting them to assistance, and the state is working with communities to open a heated shelter for passengers, as needed,” he said.

For those who don’t drive or lose power, the day brought fun to the District! A giant snowball fight took place Monday afternoon at the National Mall. Many residents took out their skis and the children took advantage of their day off sledding and playing.

Here’s more non-snow related news for your day.

Schism

DC public school students return to class on January 6, but students and teachers are asking if in-person learning should continue. DC is in the midst of its most mind-boggling surge in cases thanks in part to the omicron variant. Johns Hopkins reports just over 9,200 cases in Washington on Jan.3.

This leads to the big question now hanging over education. Some students and officials are arguing for temporary virtual learning to avoid further spreading the spread. Others say students have lost too much teaching ground to leave classes in person.

DCPS is asking students to upload a negative COVID test into the school system before they return Thursday. (Classes were originally scheduled to resume on Wednesday, but the start date was pushed back due to the snowstorm.) Student negative tests must be uploaded by 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Bound together

DC Bookstore Workers Politics and prose have officially recognized their union. The owners Bradley graham and Lissa Muscatine chose to recognize the union in a collective agreement on December 31st. Now 54 employees are represented at three sites by TUAC Local 400, the organization’s director. Alain hanson says DCist.

“We are proud to join the growing movement of booksellers and baristas across the country who have organized their workplaces,” the Politics and Prose organizing committee said in a statement. “The formation of our union has not only served to affirm our shared values ​​within the political and prose community, it will also strengthen our workplace and ensure the long-term success of our well-established community center. love. “

Graham and Muscatine did not initially recognize the union last month and even hired anti-union law firm Jones Day to represent them. But the public scrutiny changed its mind.

“As delegates of an independent local business with a legacy of 37 years of progressive management and mission, we have enjoyed working with employees to solve problems and meet needs, and we look forward to working with the union. in the same spirit. The owners said in a statement on Monday.

–Bailey vogt (advice? [email protected])

• To view today’s COVID-19 data, visit our coronavirus tracker.
• The people of Capitol Hill reflect on January 6 and its effects on their community as the anniversary of the insurgency approaches. [Post]
• DC’s youngest panda shows us how to snowmicron. [Washingtonian]

Through Ambar Castillo and Bailey vogt (advice? [email protected] and [email protected])