Morning Notes

Reminder: I-495 Exit to Toll Road Changes Today — “Beginning on or about November 17, drivers traveling on northbound I-495 (Capital Beltway) to westbound Dulles Toll Road will take an earlier exit, rather than the existing left exit (Exit 45), which is closing to allow room for construction of a new, replacement I-495 bridge over the Dulles Toll Road ramps.” [VDOT]

FCPS Considers Changes to Grading Policies — Fairfax County Public Schools is considering altering its high school grading policy for the first time in five years “after principals reported variation in grading processes from school to school.” Possible changes include whether to continue with a 100-point scale or shift to “a standards-based scale,” and how to determine a student’s final grade. [WTOP]

Silver Line from D.C. to Dulles Airport Reviewed — “Taking a 90-minute train ride instead of a 35-minute drive to catch a flight might not sound like an ideal transportation swap. But it’s a choice I made hours after the Silver Line extension opened and one that local officials hope you will make now that Metrorail goes to Dulles International Airport.” [The Washington Post]

Prince William Data Center Could Affect Fairfax County Water — “Action earlier in November by one of Fairfax County’s neighbors may negatively impact the Occoquan Watershed, primary source of water for Fairfax Water’s Occoquan Reservoir.” A comprehensive plan amendment approved on Nov. 2 by the Prince William County Board of Supervisors would allow a large, much-debated PW Digital Gateway data complex to be built. [The Connection]

County Offers Toolkit to Help Address Food Insecurity — Started by a local parent, the Fairfax County Health Department’s “Care to Share” initiative encourages schools and other organizations to donate extra food to food banks and pantries in need. The program is active at “several sites” in the county, and a new toolkit provides information for groups looking to start their own. [FCHD]

Fairfax Auto Dealer Acquired — “Springfield’s Safford Automotive has purchased Fairfax’s Brown Automotive Group in one of the largest dealership transactions in the country this year…With the acquisition, Safford adds Brown’s 14 franchised car dealerships, one used-car outlet and a muscle and classic car shop to its roster.” [Washington Business Journal]

FCPS Will Have Covid Testing After Thanksgiving — “COVID diagnostic testing will be available for FCPS teachers, staff, and students at five locations across the county November 28-30 from 5 to 8 p.m. This testing is for those who are either experiencing COVID symptoms or have been exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID.” [FCPS]

Virginia Gets $5 Million to Expand Broadband — “Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $4,999,975.50 in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding for…the Commonwealth. Awarded to Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, this first phase of funding will allow Virginia to develop their plans for deploying funding made available under the bipartisan infrastructure law to expand access to high-speed internet.” [Mark Warner]

It’s Thursday — Clear throughout the day. High of 47 and low of 33. Sunrise at 6:55 am and sunset at 4:55 pm. [Weather.gov]