Fairfax County is a lot of county to keep up with.
More than a million people live across Tysons, Reston, Herndon, Vienna, McLean, Annandale, Springfield, Centreville and everywhere in between. On a typical day we publish seven or more stories: a Board of Supervisors vote, an FCPS decision, a development plan in Tysons, a restaurant opening in Reston, a public safety incident somewhere else entirely.
Reading all of it is a commitment, and the commutes around here are long enough already.
That’s why we’ve launched the FFXnow Daily Update podcast, now available via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and other podcast apps.
Each episode runs about 4-5 minutes and catches you up on FFXnow’s original reporting from the past day — including the parts of the county you don’t live in. Roughly the length of the Toll Road stretch between Reston and Tysons, if traffic cooperates.
The podcast is free and open to everyone — no Press Club membership required. It’s read by virtual hosts, which is a deliberate choice: it means producing a daily episode doesn’t pull our small editorial staff away from reporting. The stories are ours. The narration is automated so that covering the largest county in Virginia always comes first.
Expect showers and thunderstorms after 2 PM, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 84°F. Southeast winds will blow at 5 to 8 mph, with a 40% chance of rain. Showers and thunderstorms are likely Saturday night, with additional showers and possible thunderstorms after midnight. Patchy fog is expected from 10 PM to 5 AM, with lows around 70°F and south winds at 3 to 8 mph. There’s an 80% chance of precipitation, with rainfall between half and three-quarters of an inch possible. See more from Weather.gov.
We hope you have a great weekend! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋
Catoctin Walk is now selling in Downtown Leesburg, offering upscale 2-level townhome-style condominiums from the $600s and sophisticated 4-level rooftop terrace townhomes from the $800s. Designed for modern comfort and style, these distinctive homes feel right at home among the character and charm of Downtown Leesburg.
Catoctin Walk is part of Harrison Post, an up-and-coming mixed-use and residential neighborhood taking shape in Downtown Leesburg. Here, there’s always something to explore just moments from home. Grab coffee at Goosecup, browse local shops, meet friends for dinner, or catch a show at the Tally Ho Theater. Then, wind down the day back at home, relaxing on your rooftop terrace and taking in the evening.
Discover a place where modern living and the energy of Downtown Leesburg come together!
Firefighters fly a flag for the 25th anniversary of 9/11 near the Fairfax County Government Center on Sept. 11, 2026 (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)
Both the past and the future were on the minds of elected officials and public safety leaders, as they gathered at the Fairfax County Public Safety Headquarters this morning (Friday) to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.
During the approximately 40-minute ceremony, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Deputy Fire Chief Bill Betz led two moments of silence for those lost as a result of the attacks.
The Virginia Hurricanes Girls Basketball program is holding tryouts for its 3rd Grade and 5th Grade travel teams, competing in a full schedule this Fall and Winter season. Join a competitive, supportive program built to develop skilled, confident players on and off the court.
Registration is required at: https://www.virginiahurricanes.net/basketball/aau-teams
8th District U.S. House of Representatives candidates Don Beyer and Tony Sabio (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)
Rep. Don Beyer (D-8) and his three challengers expressed wariness of data centers and artificial intelligence in a recent debate that kicked off the eight-week sprint to Election Day.
But several of the contenders also warned against rushed efforts to corral the emerging technology at the expense of the good it could provide.
Music. Art. Food. Community. The Takoma Park Folk Festival brings it all together for one free, unforgettable day. Discover six stages of live music from around the world, shop an acclaimed juried craft show, enjoy international cuisine, connect with local community organizations, and let the kids explore crafts and activities in the Children's Nook. It's one of the region's most beloved traditions, and a celebration of the creativity, diversity, and welcoming spirit that has long defined Takoma Park.
New this year! Jam at the Crossroads is a place for musicians of all levels to come together and be part of the music.
The fall equinox is still a couple of weeks away, but as temperatures and tree leaves start to drop, Fairfax County will offer an abundance of events and activities to welcome pumpkin spice season.
Here are the nominees for “Best Fall Activities in Fairfax County” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. Did we miss your favorite activity below? Write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25.
Voting for Best Dentist in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, Sept. 18 at 8:30 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Summer Camp in Fairfax County. The results are now official:
Fairfax County firefighters address a fire at the I-66 Transfer Station caused by an improperly disposed-of lithium-ion battery (courtesy Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services)
Rechargeable batteries and pressurized gas tanks erroneously placed in the trash or recycling for regular curbside pickups have been wreaking potentially dangerous havoc on Fairfax County’s waste management operations.
Just last week, some trash collection workers were injured when a compacted gas container exploded, according to the county’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES).
The Home Store Furniture building in the Fairfax Circle Shopping Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Some of the latest development proposals underway in the City of Fairfax include an 11-story building that would be among the tallest in the city, and an office building that may include “live-work” units.
During a work session on Sept. 1, council members got a preview of three new developments that would bolster the city’s housing supply. The pre-application hearings gave the property owners and developers an opportunity to hear feedback from the council and make adjustments before officially submitting their initial plans.
Surveillance footage of a fire at Virginia Task Force 1's training site in Lorton (via FCFRD/X)
One adult and five teenagers have been arrested in connection with a fire that burned down a training facility for Fairfax County’s urban search and rescue team this summer, police announced yesterday (Thursday).
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department was dispatched at 5:20 p.m. on June 27 after receiving reports of heavy black smoke issuing from a storage facility in the 9900 block of Furnace Road in Lorton.
A bridge over Wolftrap Creek at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Local Residents Remember 9/11 — “To mark the 25th anniversary of that infamous day — in which D.C.’s tragedy is often eclipsed by New York’s — City Paper sought out the stories of those who were here when American Airlines Flight 77 felled a part of the Pentagon. From librarian Gail Kouril to City Paper’s own Darrow Montgomery, six longtime D.C.-area residents shared their memories and reflections.” [Washington City Paper]
Motorcyclist Injured in Route 7 Crash — “A motorcyclist was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after they were involved in a crash on Leesburg Pike in Fairfax County, police said. Details are limited; however, the collision happened along Leesburg Pike near Rio Drive in the Seven Corners area.” [DC News Now]
Prison Sentence for Home Contractor — “Virginia home contractor Richard Craig Tadlock was sentenced to 12 years in prison Thursday after his construction fraud conviction.” Residents testified during the sentencing hearing in Fairfax County court that “Tadlock agreed to build their homes, and either wouldn’t finish or didn’t even start the projects,” despite taking money through home construction loans. [WUSA9]
Police ID Couple Shot in Centreville — Fairfax County police are investigating the fatal shooting that occurred in a Centreville home Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 9) as a murder-suicide. “Preliminarily, detectives believe Brandon [Brown] shot his wife, Lavinia, before shooting himself.” [FCPD]
Student Killed While Bicycling Mourned — “The boy, a student at Frost Middle School, was riding home when he was struck [by a truck] on the 3900 block of Pickett Road, about a half-mile from the school. Parents said many students bike or scooter to and from Frost Middle School, and they worry about the safety of the roads surrounding the campus.” [WUSA9]
Senators Seek DCA Flight Limits — “Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, both Virginia Democrats, are set to introduce a bill next week that would restrict flights at National, also known as DCA, in an effort to make Washington’s chronically congested airspace safer following the deadly 2025 plane crash near the airport.” [Washington Post]
Herndon Man Indicted for Carjacking — “A Herndon man accused of taking a Jeep at knifepoint with another man inside before leading police on a pursuit through Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland has been indicted on federal carjacking and kidnapping charges.” [Patch]
DACA Renewal Delays Continue — “Virginia DACA recipients are facing months-long renewal delays that are causing their work permits and deportation protections to expire while they await approval, Richmond-area immigration attorneys tell Axios … Renewal processing times nationwide have climbed from roughly a month last year to at least 6.5 months this year, per the USCIS site.” [Axios Richmond]
Herndon Considers E-Bike Rule Changes — “The town of Herndon is considering changes to its e-bike rules to improve safety on local roads and trails.” At a community meeting on Wednesday (Sept. 9), residents shared their concerns, while Mayor Keven LeBlanc said town officials are looking into their options for potentially changing age and helmet requirements for riders of e-bikes, scooters and other vehicles. [WUSA9]
It’s Friday — There is a 20% chance of precipitation, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 81°F. Winds will be from the northeast at 3 to 6 mph. Night will remain mostly cloudy with a low around 67°F and calm winds. [NWS]
No time to read? Now you can listen to your local news. Subscribe to the FFXnow Daily Update on Apple, Spotify or Amazon.
