Car comparison: Fun family cars

By John Aaron
October 29, 2019 | 4:35 AM

<strong>Buick Regal GS AWD</strong>
$44,110 as driven — The Buick packs the desirable combination of a V6 and winter-ready all-wheel drive. Add a hidden rear hatchback into the mix, and it’s a great all-around vehicle.

<strong>Volkswagen Jetta GLI 35th Anniversary Edition</strong>
$27,890 as driven — “A sedan with gusto” is how our Mike Parris described the Jetta GLI in August.

<strong>Mazda6 Signature</strong>
$36,520 as driven — Mazda has upped its game with the Mazda6 signature. The Mazda6 now has the power it’s been lacking, but its healthy 250 horsepower is achieved with top-shelf, 93 octane fuel. Horsepower drops to 227 with regular, 87 octane. The ride is sporty, without beating you up.

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If you’re looking for a family-friendly car that packs a punch but won’t break your budget, WTOP has you covered.

Bowie mother shot in the head while holding her baby, another child tried to intervene, police say

By Thomas Robertson
August 21, 2026 | 8:29 PM

The Bowie, Maryland, mother who was shot in the head by her romantic partner Thursday was holding the couple’s 2-month-old baby as they argued about school supplies, according to charging documents. The woman was rushed into surgery and, as of Friday afternoon, remained in critical condition, police said. Her partner, Kimball Hinton Jr., 41, has been charged with first- and second-degree attempted murder, first- and second-degree assault, three counts of reckless endangerment and other firearm-related charges in connection with the shooting. One of the couple’s six children, who were all in the house on Myrtle Avenue in Bowie when the shooting happened, called police at 4:16 p.m. Thursday and said her mother had just been shot by her father, the documents state. Hinton himself called police two minutes later, according to the documents, and admitted shooting her.

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