Zak Failla

Assistant Managing Editor

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Equal parts Lois Lane, J. Jonah Jameson and Vicki Vale, Zak! has traveled from coast-to-coast covering small and big town community news in both in print and online for nearly a decade since his graduation from the award-winning Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College in 2010.

Before settling into the Hudson Valley, Zak! previously spent time in the New York Daily News newsroom and worked for hyperlocal digital news outlets on Long Island. He wrote sports for The Ithacan and The Ithaca Journal before taking his talents to the Pacific Northwest, where he served as the sports editor at the Shoshone News-Press until heading back east to work with Daily Voice.

Zak Failla's Contributions

Arlington, VA
Breaking News
2-Year-Old Missing After Mother Shot Dead In DC Alley, Police Say (DEVELOPING) 2-Year-Old Missing After Mother Shot Dead In DC Alley, Police Say (DEVELOPING) 2-Year-Old Missing After Mother Shot Dead In DC Alley, Police Say (DEVELOPING)
2-Year-Old Missing After Mother Shot Dead In DC Alley, Police Say (Developing) A 2-year-old child is missing after his mother was shot and killed in a Northwest DC alley late Tuesday night, police say. Officers were called around 10:52 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, to the 600 block of Kenyon Street NW for a reported shooting, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. When they arrived, officers found a woman unconscious and not breathing in a rear alley, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS responded, but despite lifesaving efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Police are now searching for 2-year-old Royce Hawkins, who has not been se…

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by Zak Failla
Potomac, MD
Your Community
Potomac Named 'Most Endangered River' In US After Massive Sewage Spill, Data Center Surge Potomac Named 'Most Endangered River' In US After Massive Sewage Spill, Data Center Surge Potomac Named 'Most Endangered River' In US After Massive Sewage Spill, Data Center Surge
Potomac Named 'Most Endangered River' In US After Massive Sewage Spill, Data Center Surge The Potomac River — a critical drinking water source for millions across Maryland, Virginia, and DC — has been named the most endangered river in the United States after a massive sewage spill and growing concerns over data center development. A new report by American Rivers ranked it No. 1 on its 2026 list of the country’s most endangered rivers, citing sewage pollution and rapid development across the region. The designation comes months after a major infrastructure failure sent hundreds of millions of gallons of untreated sewage into the river in January 2026. Contamination from that sp…

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by Zak Failla
National Interest
Virginia Votes Yes On Major Redistricting Measure, Paving Way For House Democrats Virginia Votes Yes On Major Redistricting Measure, Paving Way For House Democrats Virginia Votes Yes On Major Redistricting Measure, Paving Way For House Democrats
Virginia Votes Yes On Major Redistricting Measure, Paving Way For House Democrats Virginia voters have narrowly approved a hotly contested redistricting referendum that could help Democrats gain congressional seats.  Earlier this year, Democrats proposed a new map with the intention of flipping four Republican-held House seats. On Tuesday, April 21, with approximately 51 percent of the vote, Virginia residents approved the measure, potentially giving Democrats power over all but one of the state's 11 congressional seats next year. BREAKING: We can now project that the YES vote will WIN Virginia’s redistricting referendum — handing Democrats a major victory with …

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by Zak Failla
Arlington, VA
Breaking News
Dognapped In DC: Puppies Stolen In Broad Daylight From Southeast Home As Police Seek Suspect Dognapped In DC: Puppies Stolen In Broad Daylight From Southeast Home As Police Seek Suspect Dognapped In DC: Puppies Stolen In Broad Daylight From Southeast Home As Police Seek Suspect
Dognapped In DC: Puppies Stolen In Broad Daylight From Southeast Home As Police Seek Suspect A brazen daytime burglary in DC turned into a heartbreaking case of “dog-napping” when two young puppies were stolen from a home, police said. The theft happened in Southeast, where officers are now searching for the missing dogs and the person responsible, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. Investigators say the suspect forced entry into an unoccupied home around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1, in the 2800 block of Robinson Place Southeast. Once inside, the suspect didn’t go for electronics or cash. They took the dogs. Police say two three-month-old male pitbull puppies …

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by Zak Failla
Silver Spring, MD
Breaking News
Cruisers Smashed, Flare Lit, Suspects Arrested In Silver Spring Street Takeover: Police (VIDEO) Cruisers Smashed, Flare Lit, Suspects Arrested In Silver Spring Street Takeover: Police (VIDEO) Cruisers Smashed, Flare Lit, Suspects Arrested In Silver Spring Street Takeover: Police (VIDEO)
Cruisers Smashed, Flare Lit, Suspects Arrested In Silver Spring Street Takeover: Police (Video) Three suspects have been arrested months after a chaotic Maryland street takeover that left a police cruiser smashed — and a fourth is now charged in a separate shooting tied to a similar rally. Months after a street takeover spiraled into chaos in Montgomery County, additional arrests have been made. Detectives announced on Tuesday, April 21, that three suspects have been taken into custody for their roles in the Feb. 22 incident that damaged two police cruisers in Silver Spring. The takeover began shortly before 12:40 a.m. that morning, when a large group of vehicles linked to simil…

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by Zak Failla
Temple Hills-Camp Springs, MD
Breaking News
Temple Hills Arsonist Behind Fiery Explosions During Robbery Spree Learns Prison Fate: Feds Temple Hills Arsonist Behind Fiery Explosions During Robbery Spree Learns Prison Fate: Feds Temple Hills Arsonist Behind Fiery Explosions During Robbery Spree Learns Prison Fate: Feds
Temple Hills Arsonist Behind Fiery Explosions During Robbery Spree Learns Prison Fate: Feds The Maryland man who used explosive devices to set fire to 7-Eleven stores to rob cash registers and steal from ATMs will avoid life in prison. But he will spend decades behind bars. Temple Hills resident Stephen Kennedy, 34, was sentenced to 45 years in prison following a series of explosive robberies reported at convenience stores in Maryland, federal authorities announced. He was facing life in prison after being convicted on a host of charges following a five-day trial in February 2025. Investigators say Kennedy and his co-conspirator, Donnell Kelly, carried out a dangerous plan betwe…

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by Zak Failla
Alexandria, VA
Breaking News
Kilos Hidden In Secret Car Compartment Fueled Cocaine Pipeline Into DC Region: DOJ Kilos Hidden In Secret Car Compartment Fueled Cocaine Pipeline Into DC Region: DOJ Kilos Hidden In Secret Car Compartment Fueled Cocaine Pipeline Into DC Region: DOJ
Kilos Hidden In Secret Car Compartment Fueled Cocaine Pipeline Into DC Region: DOJ A crafty cocaine supplier who trafficked kilos from New York to the DC area in a secret compartment will spend years behind bars. Daryl Smith-Winfree, 44, was sentenced to 96 months in prison for his role in a large-scale drug distribution conspiracy that flooded parts of the region with cocaine, federal authorities announced. The FBI began investigating the conspiracy in the summer of 2024, uncovering a network that moved cocaine through the District, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York. Authorities say Smith-Winfree personally transported kilogram quantities of cocaine to customers in t…

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by Zak Failla
Towson, MD
On Your Side
Maryland’s Preakness Rights Sold For $85M, But The Race Can Still Be Run Locally Maryland’s Preakness Rights Sold For $85M, But The Race Can Still Be Run Locally Maryland’s Preakness Rights Sold For $85M, But The Race Can Still Be Run Locally
Maryland’s Preakness Rights Sold For $85M, But The Race Can Still Be Run Locally One of Maryland’s biggest sporting traditions just changed hands — the rights to the Preakness Stakes have been sold, putting ownership of the iconic race’s brand in new hands. Churchill Downs Incorporated, the company behind the Kentucky Derby, announced Tuesday, April 21, that it has reached a deal to purchase the intellectual property rights to the Preakness Stakes and Black-Eyed Susan Stakes for $85 million. The deal gives Churchill Downs control of the name, trademarks, and branding tied to the races — not the event itself. Under the agreement, the company will license those rights ba…

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by Zak Failla
Frederick, MD
Breaking News
Four Charged In Frederick Gunpoint Robbery After Victim’s Handgun Stolen, Sheriff Says Four Charged In Frederick Gunpoint Robbery After Victim’s Handgun Stolen, Sheriff Says Four Charged In Frederick Gunpoint Robbery After Victim’s Handgun Stolen, Sheriff Says
Four Charged In Frederick Gunpoint Robbery After Victim’s Handgun Stolen, Sheriff Says A Maryland robbery investigation has led to four arrests after a victim was held at gunpoint and had a handgun stolen, authorities said. The case unfolded in Frederick, where deputies began investigating an armed robbery reported on Feb. 19 in the 7200 block of Corporate Court, according to the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators say the victim was approached by two male suspects and robbed at gunpoint during the incident. The suspects made off with a handgun and other personal property, officials said. The case didn’t end there. As part of a separate firearms investigation,…

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by Zak Failla
Columbia, MD
Breaking News
Viral Gas Station Shooting Suspect Captured Out Of State After Clerk Shot In Columbia: Police Viral Gas Station Shooting Suspect Captured Out Of State After Clerk Shot In Columbia: Police Viral Gas Station Shooting Suspect Captured Out Of State After Clerk Shot In Columbia: Police
Viral Gas Station Shooting Suspect Captured Out Of State After Clerk Shot In Columbia: Police The Virginia woman who went viral following a gas station shooting that was caught on camera in Maryland has been apprehended, authorities announced. Shantay Lashay O'Donnell, 46, has been identified as the shooter in the attempted robbery of a Shell station over the weekend, according to the Howard County Police Department. On Tuesday, April 21, police say O'Donnell was arrested in another state on unrelated charges. Shortly before 7:45 p.m. on Friday, April 17, officers were called to the Shell gas station in the 7200 block of Cradlerock Way to investigate a reported shooting involving a…

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by Zak Failla
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