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The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) has forecast a Code Orange air day for tomorrow, July 30 in part of the metropolitan Washington region, including DC and Northern Virginia as well as Suburban DC in Maryland (Prince George’s County and Lower Montgomery County).

For more than three decades, the Council of Governments has measured economic growth through its Regional Economic Monitoring System (REMS) reports, tracking job growth, unemployment, inflation, housing production, and more. This year, the information has been made available as an online, interactive dashboard, which allows users to view current and historical regional data as well as some data at the city and county level.

On July 18, the COG Food and Agriculture Regional Member (FARM) Policy Committee convened a policy forum at the direction of FARM Chair Andrew Friedson. The purpose was to discuss how recent changes in federal policy are affecting the region. The recently signed federal FY 2025 budget reconciliation bill, which makes historic cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid, was a key focus of the forum.

The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) is working to strengthen the region’s transportation system against flooding and impacts of severe weather. In 2024, the TPB assessed flood risks to roads, bridges, rail, and bus infrastructure and identified priority resilience investments through its Transportation Resilience Improvement Plan (TRIP). TPB also developed a Mapping tool to explore results.

COG brings together public safety officials from across the region to ensure ongoing communication, joint training, and coordinated emergency planning. While this work often takes place behind-the-scenes, incidents like the tragic mid-air collision near Reagan National Airport on January 29 reveal how crucial it is. Watch our latest COG Collaboration in Action video to learn more.

Officials from DC, Maryland, and Virginia are sharing safety warnings about the dangers of consumer fireworks.

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ (COG) Commuter Connections program celebrated five local employers and organizations today for their outstanding commute alternative programs at the 28th annual Employer Awards ceremony at the National Press Club. The COG program also announced the winners of its first-ever goDMV Commuter Competition, which challenged area employers to encourage their employees to log the most sustainable trips over a three-month period from March to May 2025. ​

The Drought Coordination Committee of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) has lifted the regional Drought Watch put into effect on July 29, 2024, which means the region has returned to the normal stage of the Regional Water Supply and Drought Awareness Response Plan. The late spring rains and cooler temperatures contributed to improved water supplies.