Town Halls Planned on Explosion — “Fairfax County will host two town hall meetings on Tuesday, Feb. 17, for residents affected by the ongoing fire-related incident in the Centreville area. These meetings are an opportunity for community members to receive the latest updates, ask questions and hear directly from county officials.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]
Senate Passes Fairfax County Casino Bill — “A proposal to bring a casino and entertainment district to Northern Virginia passed the state’s senate Friday, even as some Fairfax County leaders and residents criticized the idea. After a 23-14 vote, the measure will now head to the Virginia House of Delegates.” [WTOP]
Faith-Based Affordable Housing Legislation Passed — “The Senate voted 21-18 on Wednesday [Feb. 11] to pass state Sen. Jeremy McPike (D-29)’s SB 388, which would eliminate the rezoning step for faith-based organizations and other tax-exempt nonprofits to develop affordable housing on their properties. The legislation might still need final approval in the House next year, however.” [ARLnow]
Reproductive Freedom Amendment Set for Ballot — “Gov. Abigail Spanberger has signed a proposed constitutional amendment that would guarantee reproductive freedom in Virginia’s Constitution, clearing the final step before the measure heads to voters in November.” The amendment wouldn’t expand access to abortion beyond what’s currently legal, but enshrining reproductive freedom in the state’s bill of rights would make it harder to change the law in the future. [WHRO]
State Police Helped With ICE Detentions — “Virginia State Police (VSP) aided federal immigration agents in apprehending nearly 200 people between February 2025 and February of this year, when Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) ended the 287(g) agreements established under her Republican predecessor … Per a VSP spokesperson, a total of 60 of the agency’s employees were given credentials under its” agreement. [WRIC]
Police Traffic Stops Rise in Virginia — “Law enforcement officers conducted more than 1.24 million stops last year, a 7% increase from 2024, according to new data from the Virginia State Police … In raw numbers, Fairfax County recorded the highest number of stops last year, with more than 117,000 encounters, a reflection of its large population and proximity to Washington, D.C.” [Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism]
HIV Program Funding Uncertain — “The Virginia Department of Health has not yet developed a clear plan for how to manage lost services that provide wraparound care for the state’s most vulnerable residents with HIV, the state epidemiologist said Friday. Late last year, the department significantly reduced funding for” a federal program that provides medical services “for low-income residents living with HIV.” [Cardinal News]
Local Firefighter Dies After Illness — “With deep sadness, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department announces the death of Firefighter Brandon Winfield on Thursday, February 12, 2026, following a brief illness.” The fire department’s honor guard transported Winfield’s body to a funeral home during a ceremony yesterday (Monday). [FCFRD]
Franconia District Office Moving — “The process of moving the Franconia District Supervisor’s office from 6121 Franconia Road to its new location at 7130 Silver Lake Blvd has begun. Staff from my office and I will continuously serve you remotely … Unfortunately, walk-in services and community room use will not be available beginning Tuesday, February 17, 2026, through Sunday, March 15.” [The Lusk Report]
It’s Tuesday — Expect patchy fog to clear by 8am, giving way to partly sunny skies and a high near 55 with light southwest winds. As for Tuesday night, it’ll turn cloudy with a low around 43. The calm wind will gradually pick up from the south at around 5 mph after midnight. [NWS]
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