Emily Leayman | FFXnow

Turner Farm earns urban night sky designation for efforts to limit light pollution

Published January 22, 2026 at 11:45AM

The roll-top observatory at Turner Farm Park (courtesy Fairfax County Park Authority)

Light pollution continues to be a concern in the populous Northern Virginia region, but one Fairfax County park has taken steps to protect the night sky.

DarkSky International has designated Turner Farm (925 Springvale Road) in Great Falls as an International Dark Sky Urban Night Sky Place, a certification reflecting its efforts to protect the night sky from light pollution. The Fairfax County Park Authority noted that Turner Farm is one of a few places to view a relatively dark sky near D.C.

News

Space Force colonel ousted by transgender military ban launches congressional bid

By Emily Leayman

Published January 21, 2026 at 10:05AM | Updated January 22, 2026 at 8:53AM

Bree Fram, a military member forced to retire due to the Trump administration's transgender ban, is running for Congress. (courtesy of Bree Fram for Congress)

An earlier version of this article said the campaign will be in the 10th or 11th Congressional District, but redistricting leaves open a third option of running in another district.

A former Space Force colonel who was forced to retire due to the Trump administration’s ban on transgender people serving in the military is seeking to represent part of Fairfax County in Congress.

News

JUST IN: Inova hospital identified as exposure site for recent child measles case

By Emily Leayman

Published January 20, 2026 at 6:30PM

Inova Fairfax Medical Campus patient drop-off (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A measles case in Northern Virginia has raised concern about more people becoming exposed to the disease, including at the Inova Fairfax Hospital campus in Merrifield.

The Virginia Department of Health reported today (Tuesday) that a preschool-aged child who traveled internationally was confirmed to have measles. This is the third measles case reported in Virginia so far in 2026.

Around Town

Gourmet toast eatery plans grand opening with giveaways in Great Falls

By Emily Leayman

Published January 20, 2026 at 1:45PM

Toastique in Great Falls (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

Toastique, a gourmet toast eatery with an expanding presence in Northern Virginia, will have an incentive for the first customers at its new Great Falls location.

The new Toastique at the Great Falls Center (9891 Georgetown Pike) will open at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24. The first 100 customers in line who make a $10 minimum purchase will get $50 in Toastique Reward Dollars.

News

George Snyder Trail extension canceled by Fairfax City Council after split vote on funding

By Emily Leayman

Published January 15, 2026 at 9:15AM

George Snyder Trail head in City of Fairfax (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

The contentious George Snyder Trail extension will officially remain unbuilt, as the Fairfax City Council opted to nix the project Tuesday (Jan. 13) following more than two hours of public comments.

The council voted 4-2 to cancel the project, with Councilmembers Tom Peterson, Rachel McQuillen, Stacy Hall and Billy Bates in favor and Councilmembers Stacy Hardy-Chandler and Anthony Amos opposed.

Around Town

Pennsylvania-style diner concept debuts at Audacious Aleworks in Fairfax City

By Emily Leayman

Published January 14, 2026 at 3:45PM

Audacious Aleworks in Fairfax City (courtesy of Brian Reinoehl)

A new food concept in Fairfax City’s Audacious Aleworks allows diners to get Pennsylvania-style diner food and locally-brewed beers all in one place.

Brian’s Brunch-A-Torium will celebrate its opening at 8 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24 and Sunday, Jan. 25 at Audacious Aleworks‘ tasting room at 10940 Fairfax Blvd Suite E in Fairfax City, Audacious Aleworks co-founder Brian Reinoehl told FFXnow.

News

Au pair testifies against Brendan Banfield in Herndon double murder trial

By Emily Leayman and Associated Press

Published January 14, 2026 at 8:30AM | Updated January 14, 2026 at 7:25PM

Juliana Peres Magalhães is escorted into the courtroom before continuing her testimony, during the double murder trial for Brendan Banfield in Fairfax County Circuit Court, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Fairfax, Va. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner, Pool)

On the second day of Brendan Banfield’s trial for the February 2023 killings of his wife and another man at a Herndon-area home, the woman originally accused of fatally shooting the man testified against her alleged former lover in Fairfax County court.

Juliana Peres Magalhaes, who was employed by the Banfield family as an au pair, testified following opening arguments yesterday (Tuesday) in Fairfax County Circuit Court with Judge Penney Azcarate presiding. Brendan Banfield is facing seven felony charges — including four counts of aggravated murder — in relation to the killings of 37-year-old Christine Banfield and 39-year-old Joseph Ryan.

News

Western High School could be name of Fairfax County’s new western high school

By Emily Leayman

Published January 12, 2026 at 10:00AM | Updated January 27, 2026 at 9:34AM

The lobby of the former King Abdullah Academy, which will be converted into a new public high school for western Fairfax County (via FCPS/YouTube)

The Fairfax County School Board could opt for a geographical reference, rather than a person, for the newest high school’s name.

On Thursday (Jan. 8), Superintendent Michelle Reid presented Western High School as her final name recommendation for the future school at 2949 Education Drive in the Herndon area.

Countywide

First Hike Fairfax photo contest opens voting for People’s Choice Award

By Emily Leayman

Published January 9, 2026 at 3:50PM

Joshua Brick's photo of a bird at Huntley Meadows Park won Best in Show for wildlife in the 2026 First Hike Fairfax contest (courtesy Fairfax County Park Authority)

Photographers braved the cold to capture moments from their New Year’s Day hikes for a chance to win the Fairfax County Park Authority’s (FCPA) First Hike Fairfax photo contest.

The annual contest invited Fairfax County residents to submit photos from their first hikes of 2026 on the park authority’s more than 420 parks and 334 miles of trails.

Around Town

New restaurant Nalak Thai brings family’s food and matcha recipes to Fairfax

By Emily Leayman

Published January 9, 2026 at 10:00AM

Nalak Thai, a family-owned restaurant with family Thai and matcha recipes, is open in Fairfax. (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

Comfort food from Thailand and matcha are the specialties of the family-owned Nalak Thai that opened in the Fair Oaks area.

Nalak Thai had its soft opening in December at the Fairfax Court shopping center (11270A James Swart Circle) near Fairfax City limits. The space formerly hosted U-SA Thai.