Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Three Fairfax County communities ranked among Best Places to Live in U.S.

Published May 28, 2025 at 9:15AM

Rolling Valley West Park's athletic field at sunset in Burke (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Three of the best places to live in the country can be found in Fairfax County, according to one recently released ranking.

U.S. News and World Report included Burke, Reston and Centreville on its 2025-2026 list of the Top 250 Best Places to Live in the U.S., with the first two taking first and second place, respectively, among Virginia localities.

Around Town

F45 Training closes Reston Station gym, consolidating at town center

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 27, 2025 at 1:45PM

F45 has closed its studio at Faraday Park (photo by Adam Rubinstein)

F45 Training has changed up its routine in Reston.

The fitness chain closed its Reston Station franchise at Faraday Park (11201 Reston Station Blvd) after May 12 in order to consolidate its operations in the area at Reston Town Center, the gym’s future owner told FFXnow.

News

FCPD charges Chantilly man with murder of wife

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 27, 2025 at 11:45AM | Updated May 27, 2025 at 1:13PM

Alexander Towne, 32, of Chantilly has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his wife, Kim White (via FCPD)

A Chantilly woman was killed on Saturday (May 24) in an apparent case of domestic violence, police say.

Police officers and Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to the 16000 block of Bromall Court in Chantilly at 7:48 p.m. for a possible cardiac arrest stemming from an assault, according to the police scanner.

Obituary

Cathy Hudgins, former Hunter Mill District supervisor, dies at 81

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 27, 2025 at 9:15AM | Updated May 28, 2025 at 8:09PM

Cathy Hudgins retired from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 2019 (via Fairfax County/YouTube)

Fairfax County has lost another influential elected representative and public servant.

Former Hunter Mill District supervisor Cathy Hudgins, who made local history when she was first elected to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 1999, died on Saturday, May 25 at the age of 81, her family announced over the weekend.

News

BREAKING: McLean teen charged with murder for Herndon shooting

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 24, 2025 at 12:25PM | Updated May 29, 2025 at 2:38PM

Herndon Police Department (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A teen from McLean has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting a man last night (Friday) in Herndon.

Officers were dispatched to the 300 block of Elden Street around 9:40 p.m. in response to “calls about a disorderly male subject,” according to the Town of Herndon Police Department (Herndon PD).

Countywide

Democratic lieutenant governor candidates have mixed views on a Tysons casino

By Angela Woolsey and Jared Serre

Published May 23, 2025 at 2:45PM

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.

Countywide

Education Department launches investigation of FCPS over TJ admissions

By Associated Press and Angela Woolsey

Published May 22, 2025 at 6:15PM | Updated May 22, 2025 at 6:38PM

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.

News

UPDATED: Shooting at CIA HQ in McLean under investigation

By Angela Woolsey and Jared Serre

Published May 22, 2025 at 10:00AM | Updated May 22, 2025 at 5:14PM

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.

Countywide

Fairfax County government workers vote to unionize in contentious election

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 21, 2025 at 2:45PM

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.

Around Town

Barnes & Noble sets date for Tysons Corner Center reopening

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 21, 2025 at 10:00AM

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.