Fairfax Office Market in Flux — “While uncertainty remains and the Fairfax office market has stayed soft, there are signs of tightening or stabilizing. Demand for Class A and trophy office space remains high as tenants trade up from aging spaces in a ‘flight-to-quality’ trend as they seek new and improved amenities.” [Virginia Business]
Three Injured in Great Falls House Fire — Firefighters responded yesterday (Thursday) morning to “a two-alarm house fire in the 11100 blk Rich Meadow Drive in the Great Falls area. Firefighters arrived on scene with heavy fire showing from the rear of the home extending into the attic … Two civilians and one firefighter were evaluated with non-life-threatening injuries.” [FCFRD/Facebook]
Respiratory Illnesses Rising — “Respiratory illness activity in the Fairfax County Health District has increased to its highest level since February, according to the latest data from the Virginia Department of Health … This year’s flu season is expected to be more serious due to a new Influenza H3N2 mutation known as ‘subclade K,’ which is spreading in North America.” [Patch]
AG Looks to Settle Tuition Aid Lawsuit — “Outgoing Attorney General Jason Miyares is facing some pushback after he chose to enter into an agreement with the Trump administration rather than take its lawsuit … to court. In a Dec. 31 joint press release, the Legal Aid Justice Center, the ACLU of Virginia and the Dream Project announced that they had filed an emergency motion to intervene in a federal lawsuit that took aim at both undocumented and refugee students in Virginia.” [WRIC]
Health Centers Sue State — “Fifteen Virginia health centers on Tuesday announced they are suing the state government, claiming it has violated state and federal law through underpayments on Medicaid reimbursements. The collection of medical providers are designated as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), a type of nonprofit health clinics that are federally funded.” [Virginia Mercury]
Lawmakers to Consider AI Use in Education — “Moore’s experience with AI may help inform Virginia legislators as they head back to Richmond for the 2026 legislative session in mid-January. While details on legislation are still being parsed out, Roanoke Democratic Delegate Sam Rasoul, who chairs the House Education Committee, thinks any future regulations” will focus on children’s safety and emotional development as well as whether the technology actually helps them learn. [WVTF]
McLean Restaurant Featured on TV — “‘Signature Dish,’ the WETA PBS show highlighting the DMV’s diverse food landscape, kicks off its fourth season on Monday by visiting a McLean restaurant that specializes in serving new interpretations of American classics. Host Seth Tillman joins celebrity Chef David Guas for brunch at Neutral Ground Bar + Kitchen, which is located at 6641 Old Dominion Drive.” [Patch]
Fairfax Library’s Top Reads of 2025 — Fairfax County Public Library recently released its lists of the most in-demand digital and print books for 2025. The library system also surpassed 4 million digital checkouts in a single calendar year for the first time on Dec. 22, a milestone met by only 29 libraries that use the digital catalog Libby by OverDrive in 2024. [FCPL]
Metro Silver Line Service Changes — Track work will disrupt some Metro service this weekend (Jan. 3-4), including on the Silver line. “Trains single track between McPherson Sq and Foggy Bottom. Trains run every 15 minutes between Ashburn and Clarendon. No Silver Line service in DC or Maryland.” [WMATA]
It’s Friday — The weather will transition from mostly cloudy to sunny, reaching a high of around 41 degrees. In the afternoon, calm winds will shift northwest at approximately 6 mph. At night, expect mostly cloudy skies and a low temperature around 26 degrees. [NWS]
