The Montgomery County Council will celebrate Muslim and Korean American Heritage and hold hearings on zoning changes, bag taxation, U Visa policy, a mental health hotline, and a sector plan revision.

The CFPB proposes a rule to ban financial contract clauses that strip away consumer rights, emphasizing the need to preserve constitutional freedoms and legal recourses.

The CFPB reports a rise in Buy Now, Pay Later loans, particularly among consumers with lower credit scores, noting a trend of multiple BNPL loans per user.

The U.S. Department of Commerce is awarding $25 million to workforce training programs under the Good Jobs Challenge, focusing on key industries in 35 states and one territory.

President Biden discussed regional security and economic cooperation with the leaders of Japan and the Philippines amid concerns over China's actions in the South China Sea.

President Biden has declared a major disaster in South Carolina following severe weather, enabling federal aid for storm and flood recovery in Bamberg, Calhoun, and Orangeburg counties.

Montgomery County will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. on January 19 with a free event at Strathmore, including music, storytelling, and a community service initiative.

The CFPB seeks public input on updating financial privacy laws for digital payments and proposes a rule for transaction disputes, aiming to protect consumers in the evolving digital marketplace.

Mayor Bowser and federal partners are scheduled to hold a public safety press briefing for the Presidential Inauguration on January 13 at the Marion S. Barry Jr. Building.

The District of Columbia's Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against the US government for over 150 years of pollution in the Anacostia River, seeking cleanup and accountability.

Montgomery County launched the Veteran Business Preference Program on January 2 to help veteran-owned businesses gain additional points on proposals under the Local Small Business Reserve Program.

DC Council Period 26 starts with new members, teachers' contract approval, cap on rent increases for vulnerable groups, and a measure to clarify repairs of government heating systems.

A radio discussion on the University Boulevard Corridor Plan will air on Radio America, addressing its impact on Montgomery County's Latino community. Key speakers include urban designer Luis Estrada and officials Pedro Rodriguez and Katherine Canto.