Poor AlertDC. Even when it's actually providing District residents with somewhat valuable information potentially affecting more than six people, it has to use the subject which probably made a whole bunch of recipients chuckle and say "that's what she said." more ›

Now, we've given the city's AlertDC system some grief in the past. But today's latest transgression -- emailing everyone subscribed to the service shortly after 4 p.m. to let them know that the District is under a tornado watch until 3 p.m. -- just simply can not go without shaming. more ›

Alert DC sent out an email blast this morning, notifying Washington residents about the following vital piece of information: "National Weather Service reports light snow flurries coming from the west and heading to the District of Columbia; arrival time is between 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM." Please try to limit your panic, dear readers. more ›

Despite what Alert DC told us all this morning, WASA says the power outage in Columbia Heights was not caused by a water main break. We weren't the only ones who reported a main break at 13th and Florida this morning, but it also wouldn't be the first time Alert DC oversimplified something that was more nuanced. more ›

AlertDC sent out word at 4:04 p.m. of some undefined "MPD activity" going down at 3460 14th St. NW. 14th St. is shut down from Monroe St. to Spring Rd. NW. From the looks of the alert it sounds like it may be a suspicious package -- EOD, or Explosive Ordinance Disposal, is also on the scene, as well as DDOT's Roadway Operations Patrol. We're trying to get more details, will update when we do. In the meantime, we have to assume the 50 bus lines are going to experience some delays this evening. As of 4:22 p.m. WMATA wasn't reporting any, however. UPDATE 5:21 p.m.: It was indeed a suspicious package, which has now been cleared and 14th Street has reopened. more ›