Dana Hedgpeth

Washington, D.C.

Reporter covering local breaking news

Education: University of Maryland at College Park

Dana Hedgpeth is The Washington Post’s local reporter on early-morning breaking news. From traffic jams to Metro problems, overnight mayhem and other quirky news, she’s the early bird in the newsroom. Dana joined The Post in 1999 and has spent more than a decade covering the D.C. area’s Metrorail and bus systems, local government, courts, and federal and military spending, plus the defense, commercial real estate and manufacturing industries. Dana is an American Indian and a member of the Haliwa-Saponi tribe in North Carolina.
Share confidential news tips with The Post
Latest from Dana Hedgpeth

Three peregrine falcon chicks take flight at Harpers Ferry

It marks the first time in years that an entire brood of peregrine falcon chicks has survived and fledged from cliffs that were once a historic breeding site.

July 2, 2023

Verizon customers in Maryland had trouble making 911 calls

The problems affected customers in Montgomery, Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s and Prince George’s counties.

June 30, 2023

Several arrests made in separate homicide cases in Prince George’s County

One of the killings involved an attempted robbery at a motel in Camp Springs, police said.

June 30, 2023

Firefighter dies when burning house collapses in Southern Maryland

The member of the Naval District Washington Fire Department died after becoming trapped inside a house on fire in Leonardtown, Md., officials say.

June 28, 2023

Lanes reopen after truck carrying ammonium nitrate overturns on I-81 in Md.

A tanker truck carrying ammonium nitrate overturned on Interstate 81 in Hagerstown, Md., causing officials to shut down the road and evacuate nearby businesses.

June 26, 2023

18-year-old accused of stealing car, hitting Prince William officer

A Prince William County police officer was hurt after a thief hit him with a stolen car.

June 23, 2023

More bear sightings, this time in Arlington and D.C.’s Roosevelt Island

Animal welfare officials said they received calls over the weekend from area residents reporting the bear roaming through yards and nosing into trash cans.

June 20, 2023

Cuteness at the National Zoo as several baby animals born

In the past few months, a gorilla, black-footed ferrets and 400 yellow frogs have been born at National Zoo facilities in and near D.C.

June 18, 2023

Inside the race to capture a 200-lb. black bear on the loose in D.C.

Brookland residents dubbed the bear “Franklin,” as authorities worked to bring him in unharmed.

June 9, 2023

Native Americans, far from their tribes, build community around a drum

A group of Native Americans in the D.C. region comes together to form friendships and bond through song and tradition.

June 2, 2023