Fairfax County is bringing back a popular program that provides free trees to community groups for planting on privately owned properties.
The county’s Urban and Community Forestry Division (UCFD) is currently accepting applications for its tree distribution program until Oct. 30, inviting any local community organization — from volunteer groups and civic associations to faith organizations and nonprofits — to participate.
The Herndon Town Council voted this week to authorize collective bargaining with officers in the town’s police department.
Unanimously passed on Tuesday (Aug. 11) with the exception of one absent member, the ordinance permits police employees to negotiate hourly wages and annual base salaries, and an advance pay program through a union.
Up to Two Months Free on Select Apartments!*
Finding a modern, budget-friendly apartment in the heart of Tysons Corner just got easier. Indigo at McLean Station is open and welcoming residents to a vibrant, connected lifestyle. Located just .3 miles from the McLean Metro Station, this brand-new affordable housing community merges transit-oriented convenience with exceptional apartment finishes and upscale amenities.
Discover Phase I & Phase II Floor Plans
Whether you are looking to move immediately or planning for the fall, Indigo has an option for you:
Ready to find your perfect layout? Visit the Floor Plan Page of our Website to browse current availability and download detailed information on maximum allowable household income guidelines.
Join Us for an Open House Event
Come experience the community firsthand! We are hosting an Open House, and you are invited to tour our brand-new spaces.
Can’t make it to the event or want to lock in your spot sooner? Schedule a Tour Today to see the property on your own schedule.
Modern Finishes, Flexible Living, and Ultimate Pet-Friendliness
Indigo at McLean Station is designed to elevate your daily routine. Inside your apartment, you will find contemporary finishes, open layouts, and energy-efficient appliances.
We also believe peace of mind extends to your finances and your furry family members:
A Connected, Tech-Driven Community Lifestyle
Life at Indigo is built around connection. Through our exclusive resident app, Cobu, neighbors easily plug into a thriving community lifestyle. The Cobu app serves as your digital neighborhood hub, allowing you to:
Curious about what it is actually like to live here? Chat With One of Our Residents to get an authentic perspective on the Indigo lifestyle.
Start Your Journey Today
We are currently offering incredible introductory leasing incentives, including Up to Two Months Free on Select Apartments!*
Take a look around right now by exploring our Virtual Tour Playlist to view detailed video walkthroughs of our Phase I apartments and amenities. For more details, Visit Our Website for full availability, pricing, and active specials. Have questions about income qualifications? Contact Us Online or call our leasing team directly at (571) 786-5546.
*Specials apply to new applicants only, on select apartments, are subject to change and may have additional conditions
Blue Bottle Coffee has arrived at Tysons Corner Center.
The Oakland, California-based chain will open its first cafe in Virginia at the D.C. region’s largest mall at 9:30 a.m. today (Thursday), offering complimentary giveaways to the first 150 customers who stop by.
No Changes to Va. Vaccine Rules — “After President Donald Trump issued an order seeking more spaced out childhood vaccinations, the Virginia Department of Health joined other medical experts in backing the existing childhood vaccination schedule … VDH said the executive order does not change Virginia’s school immunization requirements, which include two doses each of measles and mumps shots and one rubella dose.” [ALXnow]
Task Force Deployed to Colombia — “Members of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue team landed in Bogotá, Colombia, on Wednesday to assist after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake rocked the area. A 10-person disaster coordination and structural engineering assessment team was deployed in support of the U.S. Department of State’s response to the disaster.” [WUSA9]
Herndon Man Charged With Kidnapping — “A Herndon man accused of abducting an acquaintance at knifepoint and leading police on a pursuit through three jurisdictions has been arrested on federal carjacking and kidnapping charges, court records show.” The man also still faces state-level charges related to robbery, domestic assault, reckless driving and driving without a license. [Patch]
Police Crack Down on Reptile Theft Ring — “Two men are facing charges in connection with an organized theft scheme that led to the theft of more than 60 reptiles from multiple stores in Maryland and Virginia … Fairfax Police first began looking into the thefts after officers were called to a Petco on Richmond Highway in Groveton on May 21. Officers learned two suspects walked into the store and stole four pythons from the reptile habitat.” [WUSA9]
Reston Media Analytics Firm Plans Layoffs — Comscore “is making ‘substantial’ headcount reductions, executive salary cuts and a possible decrease in its footprint” after reporting a net loss of $6.2 million in the first quarter of 2026. The company didn’t comment on how many workers will be affected overall or at its Reston headquarters, but pay cuts will include a 20% reduction to CEO Matt McLaughlin’s $625,000 base salary. [Washington Business Journal]
Regional Downturn in Public School Enrollment — Fairfax County, Prince William and Loudoun public schools all reported drops in student enrollment last year compared to the 2024-2025 and 2022-2023 academic years. “Declining birth rates, immigration and migration patterns and housing costs are all playing a role in fewer students enrolling in public schools, experts said.” [WTOP]
Advocates on Abortion Referendum — “As Virginians vote this fall on whether to put enshrine protections for abortion and other reproductive healthcare at the highest level — the state constitution — advocates on either side are presenting familiar, and newer, arguments on the issue.” [VPM News]
New Vietnamese Restaurant at Eden Center — “Restaurateur couple Thao Tran and Tin Truong want to add a slightly more upscale date-night spot to the mix” at the Falls Church retail hub. “Their new restaurant, Tam Tam Brunch and Dinner, has a trendy bistro vibe, with a menu spanning from a citrusy salmon crudo to abalone soup to a variety of hot pots.” [Washingtonian]
It’s Thursday — Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 90 degrees and a northwest wind blowing at 5 to 8 mph. During the night, the weather will be partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 72 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind at 3 to 5 mph. [NWS]
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Dreaming about your next vacation? Join Cruise Planners Beth Borrego and Rod Rodriguez for an inspiring day devoted to ocean and river cruises, guided tours, luxury travel and unforgettable destinations!
Meet representatives from AmaWaterways, Collette, Oceania Cruises and Premier World Discovery. Hear informative presentations, ask questions, explore exciting vacation possibilities and discover which travel experience may be the perfect fit for you.
Good Wednesday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Aug 12, 2026.
Here is what’s going on Thursday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
Mostly sunny with a high near 90°F and a gentle northwest wind at 6 to 8 mph. Thursday night will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 72°F and a light northwest wind. See more from Weather.gov.
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
Though summer is winding down, Wolf Trap won’t be quiet for long, as The Barns prepares to kick off a new season later this fall.
Actor and singer Matthew Morrison, best known for his role as Will Schuester on the polarizing teen show “Glee,” and tributes to icons like the Beatles and Joni Mitchell will be among the highlights of The Barns at Wolf Trap’s 2026-2027 season, announced yesterday (Tuesday) by the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts.
A new developer has stepped in to complete Reston’s Halley Rise neighborhood, but it says some changes are needed for that to happen.
Revised development plans submitted to Fairfax County by Halley Rise Holdings LLC on July 31 would concentrate office space on the south side of the approximately 36-acre property, moving two future buildings closer to the existing One and Two Halley Rise offices.
A man accused of attempting to rape a woman at a Groveton hotel last year is facing a new charge of attempting to bribe a witness, according to Fairfax County Circuit Court records.
A grand jury indicted Oscar Junior Barrios of Alexandria on the bribery charge on July 20, adding it to a list of felony charges that already included abduction with intent to defile, attempted rape, grand larceny of a person, and misdemeanor simple assault.
Home sales edged up slightly across Fairfax County, while average prices also were modestly higher year over year in July, according to new data.
A total of 1,148 properties went to closing last month, up 0.4% from the 1,144 transactions in July 2025, according to figures reported Aug. 11 by Bright MLS, the region’s multiple-listing service, based on figures from MarketStats by ShowingTime.
