Associated Press

Tysons media company’s merger blocked for now by federal judge

Published April 21, 2026 at 8:30AM

FILE - Chairman, President and CEO of Nexstar Broadcasting Group Perry Sook attends the 24th Annual Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame Awards at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York on Oct. 29, 2014. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

A federal judge has blocked a $6.2 billion merger of local television giants Nexstar Media Group and Tysons-based rival Tegna until an antitrust lawsuit is resolved.

U.S. District Court Chief Judge Troy L. Nunley in Sacramento, California, made the ruling late Friday (April 17) afternoon, finding that eight attorneys general and DirecTV were likely to prevail in their legal bid to stop the merger. The attorneys general, all Democrats, and DirecTV contend the merger will lead to higher prices for consumers, stifle local journalism and that the deal runs afoul of federal laws designed to protect against monopolies.

News

BREAKING: Former LG Justin Fairfax killed wife, self in Annandale, police say

By Jared Serre and Associated Press

Published April 16, 2026 at 9:50AM | Updated April 16, 2026 at 3:40PM

Fairfax County police secure the home of former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, in Annandale, Va., Thursday, April 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

Former Virginia lieutenant governor Justin Fairfax is one of two people found dead early this morning (Thursday) after an apparent murder-suicide in Annandale.

Fairfax, 47, shot and killed his wife, 49-year-old Cerina Wanzer Fairfax, before turning the gun on himself inside the family’s home in the 8100 block of Guinevere Drive, the Fairfax County Police Department confirmed.

Countywide

Fairfax faces ‘moderate heat risk’ with record temperatures possible

By Angela Woolsey and Associated Press

Published April 15, 2026 at 11:15AM

Heat forecast for the D.C. region on April 15, 2026 (via National Weather Service)

Fairfax County will get an early taste of summer over the next couple of days, with temperatures expected to climb into the low to mid-90s.

While the D.C. region is no stranger to those temperatures, it would set records for this time of the year, the county government said on its emergency blog, urging residents to “take heat safety seriously” today and tomorrow (Thursday).

Countywide

Democrats line up to run in Virginia congressional districts, even before voters approve them

By Associated Press and Angela Woolsey

Published April 14, 2026 at 8:15PM

Voters walk outside the Fairfax County Government Center during early voting for the Virginia redistricting referendum, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Fairfax, Va. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Even before Virginia voters decide on a new congressional map, Democrats are piling in to run for districts proposed under a redistricting plan that is designed to give their party a near sweep of the state’s U.S. House seats.

The latest entrant is Olivia Troye, who was an aide to former Republican Vice President Mike Pence and has become a vocal critic of President Donald Trump. She announced today (Tuesday) that she’ll run in Virginia’s newly created 7th Congressional District — one of five that would include Fairfax County — joining an already crowded field.

Countywide

United Airlines testing security wait times tracker at Dulles, as DHS shutdown drags on

By Angela Woolsey and Associated Press

Published April 3, 2026 at 8:30AM | Updated April 3, 2026 at 1:43PM

A security screening area at Dulles International Airport in April 2025 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

United Airlines is testing a digital tracker for airport security wait times after the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown snarled lines at major airports across the country.

Touting the tool as the “first of its kind” from a major U.S. airline, United added the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) wait times tracker to its mobile app on Wednesday (April 1). It’s currently available for seven pilot locations, including Dulles International Airport.

Around Town

Labubu maker to open retail shop at Tysons Corner Center

By Angela Woolsey and Associated Press

Published March 30, 2026 at 8:30AM

A Pop Mart retail store is coming soon to Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Labubu craze is coming to Tysons Corner Center, where it will no doubt be greeted by avid collectors and befuddled observers alike.

Pop Mart, the Chinese toy company best known for its popular line of grinning, bunny-eared monster dolls, is planning to open a retail store at the mall, its second in the D.C. region following a launch in Pentagon City last November.

News

FCC approves $6.2B takeover of Tysons-based Tegna as Virginia AG sues to block it

By Angela Woolsey and Associated Press

Published March 20, 2026 at 8:30AM

Jay Jones is sworn in as Virginia Attorney General by Lyn M. Simmons, chief judge of the Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, on Jan. 17, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Federal Communications Commission announced yesterday (Thursday) that it has approved local television giant Nexstar Media Group’s $6.2 billion takeover of Tysons-based rival Tegna.

Earlier that same day, Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones and his counterparts in seven other states filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Sacramento, California, arguing that the merger will illegally reduce competition in journalism and the broadcasting industry while resulting in increased prices and worker layoffs.

Countywide

General Assembly’s data center tax dispute leaves Va. budget unresolved

By Emily Leayman and Associated Press

Published March 17, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated March 17, 2026 at 2:55PM

CoreSite's Reston data center campus (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A dispute over ending a sales tax exemption on data centers stood in the way of the Virginia General Assembly passing a state budget passing before its regular session ended.

Over the past 18 years, Virginia became the world’s largest data hub, but community opposition to data centers has swelled. Most recently, in Fairfax County, environmental groups are questioning plans to sell part of a county-owned parcel at 3721 Stonecroft Blvd in Chantilly to data center developer Starwood Capital Group.

Countywide

Virginia legislators debate whether to scrap tax breaks for data centers

By Associated Press

Published March 11, 2026 at 11:45AM

FILE - Cars drive past data centers that house computer servers and hardware required to support modern internet use, such as artificial intelligence, in Ashburn, Virginia, July 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

By OLIVIA DIAZ and MARC LEVY Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Nearly two decades ago, Virginia gave tech companies a tax break on equipment and software, and they began to build. The state became a data center hub, and they kept building. Residents bemoaned the noise while they built some more. Artificial intelligence boomed, and the power grid strained — still, more building.

News

Former Va. first lady Dorothy McAuliffe to run for Congress in proposed 7th district

By Angela Woolsey and Associated Press

Published March 11, 2026 at 10:20AM

FILE - Dorothy McAuliffe speaks during a campaign event for her husband Virginia democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe at Lubber Run Park, July 23, 2021, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

Former Virginia first lady Dorothy McAuliffe is officially running for Congress.

The onetime state department official and wife of former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced today (Wednesday) that she will campaign for the proposed 7th Congressional District seat, which would include Annandale, Burke, West Springfield, West Falls Church and Pimmit Hills in Fairfax County.