Associated Press

Federal job cuts and rising costs disrupt Fairfax County, rest of DMV, report finds

Published September 29, 2026 at 8:30AM | Updated September 30, 2026 at 11:08AM

Participants in a rally at Great Falls Park to support National Park Service workers amid federal government cuts hold up signs (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County and neighboring localities are feeling the impact of federal government workforce reductions and immigration enforcement, according to a recent regional survey.

The report released last Thursday (Sept. 24) from Gallup and the Greater Washington Community Foundation, titled “Voices of the Community: DC, Maryland, Virginia,” incorporated research on federal government disruptions on the region’s residents.

News

Dominion Energy-NextEra merger headed to in-person hearing in Fairfax County

By Emily Leayman and Associated Press

Published September 25, 2026 at 9:15AM

The entrance to the Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Amid pushback on the proposed Dominion Energy merger with NextEra Energy, an in-person hearing to gather public testimony has been scheduled in Fairfax County.

The State Corporation Commission, which is reviewing the proposed merger, scheduled a public hearing for 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 at the Fairfax County Government Center in the Board Auditorium (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax).

News

Pro-Trump group to rally against data centers in Bren Mar this afternoon

By Angela Woolsey and Associated Press

Published September 17, 2026 at 12:45PM | Updated September 17, 2026 at 1:26PM

Data Center Revolt bus (courtesy Humans First)

As opposition to data centers continues to mount nationwide, some unexpected alliances have emerged.

Just two days after democratic socialist Bernie Sanders shared a stage with right-wing strategist Steve Bannon, a grassroots conservative organization led by the self-proclaimed “founder of the modern day Tea Party” will stop in solidly blue Fairfax County as part of a national “Data Center Revolt” bus tour.

Countywide

Dominion and NextEra seek to win Va. support for merger with plan for new jobs, bill credits

By Associated Press

Published September 14, 2026 at 7:15PM

FILE – The Dominion Energy sign outside of the Electric and Fleet Operations center in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Sept. 29, 2024, in Aiken, S.C. (AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr., File)

By SARAH RANKIN Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Power companies NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy, which are seeking approval to merge into one behemoth, announced plans Monday to sweeten the deal in Virginia, Dominion’s home base, where the proposal has faced skepticism from the Democratic governor and legislative leaders.

News

Report: Self-driving taxi from Tesla spotted on Fairfax County roads

By Angela Woolsey and Associated Press

Published September 9, 2026 at 8:30AM

A Tesla Cybercab turns into a residential neighborhood in McLean at Woodhurst Blvd and Lewinsville Road (screenshot courtesy of Adam Tuss/X)

Gold-colored robotaxis developed by Tesla have been spotted driving on roads in Fairfax County, specifically in the Tysons area.

Footage shared last Thursday (Sept. 3) by NBC4 Washington and its transportation reporter, Adam Tuss, showed a so-called Cybercab traveling on Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) and turning into a residential neighborhood off Lewinsville Road in McLean. The self-driving vehicles appear to be collecting data on local roads and traffic.

Countywide

Virginia awarded $353M from Meta settlement of teen social media addiction lawsuit

By Angela Woolsey and Associated Press

Published August 26, 2026 at 11:45AM | Updated August 26, 2026 at 12:07PM

Screenshot of social media mobile apps

Meta has agreed to pay $17 billion and add child-safety measures to its Facebook and Instagram platforms to end a landmark trial over teen social media addiction and settle claims filed by 47 states, state attorneys general announced today (Wednesday).

The agreement guarantees $353 million for Virginia alone, making it one of the largest consumer protection settlements in state history outside of settlements with tobacco companies in the 1990s, Attorney General Jay Jones said in a statement.

News

National Symphony Orchestra to play at GMU in Fairfax amid Kennedy Center uncertainty

By Associated Press and Angela Woolsey

Published August 18, 2026 at 12:05PM | Updated August 18, 2026 at 7:23PM

FILE - Music Director of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) Gianandrea Noseda conducts the orchestra during a rehearsal at Milan's La Scala theatre, Italy, on Feb. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni, File)

George Mason University’s Center for the Arts is one of six D.C.-area venues that will host the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) during its upcoming season.

Faced with an uncertain future due to a potential two-year closure of the Kennedy Center, its long-established home, the NSO made its delayed 2026-27 season announcement today (Tuesday), 5 1/2 weeks before its opening concert on Sept. 26 and five months later than the release of its 2025-26 schedule.

News

UPDATED: Trump announces $22B plan to remake Dulles Airport

By Angela Woolsey and Associated Press

Published July 29, 2026 at 2:50PM | Updated July 29, 2026 at 6:48PM

Mobile lounges at Dulles International Airport with the main terminal building in the background (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

President Donald Trump officially unveiled his sought-after plan to renovate Dulles International Airport this afternoon (Wednesday) at an Oval Office event with U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

A presentation of the proposal, which is expected to cost approximately $22 billion and eliminate the airport’s polarizing mobile lounges or “people movers,” was shared this spring by the newsletter Airport Architecture.

Countywide

Virginia study of data centers’ impact on groundwater calls for tighter regulations

By Associated Press

Published July 24, 2026 at 4:45PM

FILE - Cars drive past data centers in Ashburn, Virginia, on July 16, 2023 (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

By SARAH RANKIN Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia, the world’s largest data center hub, has released a long-delayed study that examined the state’s eastern region groundwater supply and the resource-hungry industry’s possible impact on it, finding declines are likely in a critical aquifer due to population growth and industrial use, and urging stricter regulations.

Countywide

NOW: Outdoor activities, trash service canceled in Fairfax due to wildfire smoke

By Angela Woolsey and Associated Press

Published July 17, 2026 at 10:30AM | Updated July 17, 2026 at 11:51AM

Wildfire smoke around the Reston Town Center Metro station (via Fairfax County government/X)

Hazardous air quality levels due to wildfire smoke have been reported in the D.C. region, prompting cancellations of outdoor activities across Fairfax County.

Early this morning (Friday), the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) issued a Code Purple Air Quality Advisory for the region after conditions considered “very unhealthy” for everyone were recorded in D.C., Northern Virginia and parts of suburban Maryland by 9 a.m.