Author: Angela Woolsey

Angela Woolsey is the site editor for FFXnow. A graduate of George Mason University, she worked as a general assignment reporter for the Fairfax County Times before joining Local News Now as the Tysons Reporter editor in 2020.

Countywide

Democratic lieutenant governor candidates have mixed views on a Tysons casino

By Angela Woolsey and Jared Serre
Democratic lieutenant governor candidates share their thoughts on a Tysons casino and gaming in a televised debate on May 22, 2025 (via WJLA 7News)

With early voting in the June 17 Democratic primary underway, Fairfax County residents might be curious where the politicians on the ballot stand on the prospect of a casino development in Tysons.

Fortunately, the topic was one of the first to crop up last night (Thursday) during a televised debate between the six lieutenant governor candidates seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination — right after a discussion about how they would protect Virginia’s economy and help workers affected by the Trump administration’s federal government cuts.

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Countywide

Education Department launches investigation of FCPS over TJ admissions

By Associated Press and Angela Woolsey
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon testifies before a House Committee on Appropriations subcommittee budget hearing on the US Department of Education on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

The U.S. Department of Education is investigating Fairfax County Public Schools over its admissions policy for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJ).

The department announced today (Thursday) that it has opened an investigation into whether policy changes designed to diversify the magnet school’s student body violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race.

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News

UPDATED: Shooting at CIA HQ in McLean under investigation

By Angela Woolsey and Jared Serre
The CIA seal next to a U.S. flag at the agency's Langley headquarters (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

A person was shot this morning (Thursday) at the CIA’s headquarters in McLean.

Patrol officers were dispatched to the 900 block of Dolley Madison Blvd shortly before 4 a.m. to assist CIA Police with managing traffic after a “non-fatal shooting” on the intelligence agency’s property, the Fairfax County Police Department says.

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Countywide

Fairfax County government workers vote to unionize in contentious election

By Angela Woolsey
SEIU Virginia 512 has been elected as the exclusive collective bargaining agent for Fairfax County government workers (courtesy SEIU Virginia 512)

A long-coming, sometimes bitter battle over the right to represent thousands of Fairfax County government workers ended in victory last week for one union, even as another cried foul over the election process and results.

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local Virginia 512 announced last Friday (May 16) that county government workers have elected it as their exclusive bargaining unit for future contract negotiations after the largest organizing push among general government employees in Virginia history.

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Around Town

Barnes & Noble sets date for Tysons Corner Center reopening

By Angela Woolsey
Barnes and Noble is opening a new store at Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Barnes & Noble is preparing to start a new chapter at Tysons Corner Center.

The bookstore chain will reintroduce itself to the D.C. region’s largest mall next month, more than a year after closing its longtime, two-story outlet last May.

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News

ArtsFairfax Awards to honor 2025 winners in Reston this fall

By Angela Woolsey
The 2025 ArtsFairfax Awards recipients (courtesy ArtsFairfax)

ArtsFairfax has unveiled the 2025 recipients of its annual awards, which will be given out this fall in a new location.

The 2025 ArtsFairfax Awards will honor a local arts teacher and supporters of Fairfax County’s artistic community on Oct. 24 at the Hyatt Regency Reston (1800 Presidents Street) — a change in venue after four consecutive years at Capital One Hall in Tysons.

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News

Satellite company to move, expand headquarters space in Tysons

By Angela Woolsey
The office building at 1676 International Drive in Tysons is home to Guidehouse's headquarters (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A company whose satellites help connect people across the globe is looking to expand its footprint in Tysons.

After more than a decade at 1775 Tysons Blvd, Iridium Communications will move its corporate headquarters to the west side of Tysons Galleria, investing $13 million to build out a 55,000-square-foot space at 1676 International Drive.

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Around Town

Future of Noodles & Company at Reston’s Plaza America uncertain

By Angela Woolsey
Noodles and Company at Plaza America in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Plaza America in Reston is in a period of transition: one retailer has left, another is preparing to relocate, and the future of a third is unclear.

The question mark centers on Noodles & Company, the fast-casual noodle eatery that has occupied a prominent spot at the shopping center since 2012.

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News

NEW: GW Parkway still partly closed due to storm-damaged trees

By Angela Woolsey
GW Parkway is closed at Belle View Blvd in Belle Haven for tree removals (staff photo by James Cullum)

A 2.5-mile segment of the George Washington Memorial Parkway remains inaccessible to traffic three days after a storm brought down over a dozen trees and left others severely damaged.

The closure from Belle View Blvd in Belle Haven to Alexandria Avenue in Fort Hunt is expected to continue at least through the morning rush hour tomorrow (Tuesday), as crews work to remove fallen and hazardous trees, the National Park Service announced this afternoon.

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News

Construction on new McLean arts center anticipated this summer

By Angela Woolsey
A rendering of the planned MPA Berlage Arts and Education Center galleries (via McLean Project for the Arts)

The arts center planned for downtown McLean has a new name and a potential timeline for starting construction.

The facility will officially be known as the MPA Berlage Arts & Education Center in honor of McLean Project for the Arts (MPA) board member and longtime supporter Bruce L. Berlage, who made a “significant” contribution to help fund the project, MPA announced last week.

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