Author: FFXnow.com

Unhealthy Air Alert Issued — “The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) has forecast a Code Orange air day for [today], June 5, in part of the metropolitan Washington region, including DC and Northern Virginia … Code Orange levels mean the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups like people with heart or lung disease like asthma or emphysema, older adults, and children.” [COG]

Attempt to Toss Murder Convictions Rejected — “Brendan Banfield is set to be sentenced Friday as the Fairfax County chief judge denied a motion to set aside his convictions in the so-called ‘au pair affair’ murders … Defense attorney John Carroll told Chief Judge Penney Azcarate that Fairfax County prosecutors made three errors during Banfield’s prosecution, and that those errors influenced the jury’s decision.” [WTOP]

More Info Wanted on Trump Arch — “The National Capital Planning Commission has kept alive the triumphal arch that President Donald Trump wants built between the Memorial Bridge and Arlington National Cemetery. However, the body is requesting more information on” potential air travel, traffic and construction impacts. [Associated Press/ARLnow]

Guide to Regional Drought Watch — “Regional officials stress that while there is currently an adequate supply of water in the Potomac River and backup reservoirs, residents and businesses are encouraged to take simple, voluntary steps to reduce water use and help protect the region’s water resources if dry conditions persist.” [Fairfax County Government]

Va. Schools Seek for Local Tax Option — “Mathews and other localities hope … lawmakers and the governor approve changes to state law that would allow all localities to generate tax revenue for school construction projects, which have historically been costly for jurisdictions. If approved, voters in each locality decide through a referendum whether to adopt an additional local sales tax to fund school construction and maintenance.” [Virginia Mercury]

Gun Background Checks Surge — “As a new state law banning certain guns classified as ‘assault firearms’ is about to take effect, Virginia is seeing a big spike in background checks for gun transactions. The number of background checks is not necessarily a one-to-one indicator of sales, but it does generally correlate with a surge in people purchasing guns.” [WJLA]

Metro Rolls Out Pride-Themed Vehicles — “This June, Metro is celebrating Pride Month with a specially wrapped train, bus, and Metro Access vehicle, featuring the theme ‘Proudly Join Us on Metro.’ The vehicles will travel throughout the system from June 5-30, and the Pride bus and Metro Access vehicle will participate in the Capital Pride Parade.” [WMATA]

Dashboard Offers Look at Water Quality — “A new dashboard gives the public near real-time water quality data for the Potomac and Anacostia rivers … Water quality is top of mind after last winter’s sewage spill and the Potomac River’s designation as America’s Most Endangered River.” [Axios DC]

It’s Friday — Expect a sunny day with a high of 93°F and calm winds shifting to the west at about 6 mph in the afternoon. Night will be partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 69°F and a gentle south wind blowing at 3 to 5 mph. [NWS]

Crash and Vehicle Fire on I-66 — During yesterday’s afternoon rush hour (Wednesday), Fairfax County firefighters were kept busy on I-66 near Route 123 in Oakton, responding to a two-vehicle crash in the eastbound Express Lanes and a construction van fire in the westbound lanes. The van’s two occupants had safely evacuated, but one person in the crash was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. [FCFRD/Facebook]

Push for Marijuana Compromise in Budget — “Some key lawmakers say they would like to see language included in the state budget to create a legal recreational marijuana market in Virginia.” At a commission meeting on Tuesday (June 2), state Sen. Lashrecse Aird and Del. Paul Krizek expressed hope that a compromise can be reached after Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed their legislation that would’ve allowed sales to start on Jan. 1, 2027. [WRIC]

Tysons Offices Sold for Sliver of Former Value — “An affiliate of Chevy Chase’s Rockwater Ventures and Bethesda’s Buchanan Partners in December jointly bought the two-building American Center office complex at 8300 and 8330 Boone Blvd. for $15.25 million,” down from sales for $68.5 million in 2016 and $120 million in 2007. With the buildings only 30% leased, Rockwater owner Jack Kelly says at least one will likely be repositioned or redeveloped in the future. [Washington Business Journal]

Va. Man Reaches Everest Summit — McLean business owner Frank Fumich can add climbing Mount Everest to a list of accomplishments that includes over 150 marathons, a visit to the South Pole and a bicycle ride across the U.S. “The trip to the top of the world’s tallest peak is decades in the making for Fumich. He climbed to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro around 22 years ago and the idea started, and he began to work toward this goal ever since.” [WTOP]

Hurricane Season Begins — “With the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season underway, Virginia officials are urging residents to prepare now for severe weather that can bring flooding, damaging winds, tornadoes and prolonged power outages across the commonwealth … The Atlantic hurricane season began June 1 and runs through Nov. 30, with Virginia typically facing its greatest risk from late summer into early fall.” [Virginia Mercury]

Karaoke Venue Opening in Annandale — “NRB Karaoke is expected to open this month at 4316 Markham St. in Annandale.” In addition to seven karaoke rooms that can each host four to five people, “NRB will offer fusion Korean food, such as snacks and finger foods.” [Annandale Today]

Virginia Tops U.S. Income Ranking — “In WalletHub’s 2026 ranking of the states where people have the highest income, Virginia placed No. 1. The ranking analyzed average annual income of the top 5% of residents, the overall median household income, and the average annual income of the bottom 20%,” with adjustments for cost of living. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Paws on the Plaza Returning to Tysons — This Saturday (June 6), Tysons Corner Center “will once again transform PenFed Plaza into a pet-friendly gathering space with the return of Paws on the Plaza, presented by PenFed Credit Union. The event invites pet owners, dog lovers, and the community to enjoy a day dedicated to their furry companions through a variety of interactive experiences, vendors, and activities.” [Press release]

It’s Thursday — Expect sunny weather with a high near 89 and a light northwest wind. Night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to around 65. Winds will be light and variable, shifting to come from the south at about 5 mph in the evening. [NWS]

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Driver in Chantilly Crash Died — A sedan driver involved in a collision with a pickup truck on Pleasant Valley Road yesterday (Tuesday) died after being transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, police say. The truck driver was also taken to a hospital with injuries resulting from the crash, which remains under investigation. [FCPD]

Memorial Dedicated to Mid-air Crash Victims — “Surrounded by friends, family and regional leaders, a memorial was dedicated Monday at Rivergate City Park in Old Town North to the 67 victims of the mid-air collision near Reagan National Airport on Jan. 29, 2025 … The memorial was installed by the city and the office of U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8).” [ALXnow]

Felon Voter Registrations Still on Hold — “Virginia’s elections department had until Monday to comply with a federal court order to stop denying voter registration applicants for convictions other than 11 common-law felonies in 1870, a list including arson, manslaughter and murder … Local election officials were told to continue to hold the applications,” pending “further review” and guidance from the state. [VPM News]

Police Plan Traffic Enforcement Campaigns — “Throughout the month, Fairfax County Police Department officers from patrol and specialized units will conduct targeted education and enforcement efforts aimed at reducing fatal, serious injury, and property damage crashes across the county. June’s initiatives will focus on Move Over enforcement, loud exhaust violations, and our Road Shark campaign.” [FCPD]

Dog Prompts Emergency Response to DCA — “First responders met an American Airlines flight at Reagan National Airport Tuesday afternoon after a service dog had an ‘accident’ on the plane, according to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. Traveling in close quarters, several passengers felt ill after the dog relieved itself on Flight 5085 from Nashville after 2 p.m.” [NBC4]

Coalition Advocates for Same-Sex Marriage Amendment — Virginians for Marriage Equality marked the start of LGBTQ Pride Month on Monday (June 1) by formally launching a statewide campaign in support of a November constitutional amendment referendum that “would repeal Virginia’s dormant constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and replace it with language requiring the commonwealth to recognize all marriages, regardless of sex, gender or race.” [Virginia Mercury]

Springfield Man to Compete in Bermuda Boat Race — “The boat that Kevin Sherwood of Springfield, Virginia, bought is still in dry dock as he makes final repairs and preparations ahead of the whole reason he bought the ‘Bay Retriever’ in the first place. If all goes as planned, he’ll get it in the water Wednesday, and starting at noon on Friday, he’ll be heading south down the Chesapeake Bay on a 753-mile voyage to Bermuda.” [WTOP]

Head of Defunct Office Moving Business Pivots to Recycling — “John Kane has raised nearly $2 million from individuals and family offices to launch an office furniture recycling company called Smart Cyclers Inc., he told me. His goal is to raise $6 million … He’s currently deciding among three locations between Manassas and Lorton to serve as the company’s first base of operations.” [Washington Business Journal]

It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny skies with a high of about 82°F and a gentle north wind at 8 mph. Overnight, conditions will be clear with temperatures dropping to around 60°F, accompanied by light and variable winds. [NWS]

There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.

Special Session Set on State Budget — “Virginia lawmakers are set to return to Richmond this month for another attempt to reach a budget deal, with just days until the start of the new fiscal year and no agreement yet on the state’s next two-year spending plan.” The lack of an approved budget has left school systems in limbo. [Virginia Mercury]

Driver in Deadly Bus Crash Had Prior Speeding Ticket — “The bus driver who faces charges after five people were killed in a chain-reaction crash on I-95 in Stafford County, Virginia, was scheduled to appear in court this week for a speeding ticket, court records say.” The driver had been ticketed by Maryland State Police on March 6 for allegedly driving 72 mph in a 50-mph zone. [NBC4]

Questions About Data Center Water Discharge — “Most data centers in Virginia are permitted to discharge water into municipal wastewater systems, the same place household water goes to be treated and recycled for consumption. But there’s limited data tracking of potential chemicals in data centers’ discharge water.” [Virginia Mercury]

Reston Contractor Subleases RTC Space — “Bechtel Corp. continues to grow its Reston headquarters footprint, subleasing nearly 55,000 square feet … at BXP Inc.’s Democracy Tower, 11955 Democracy Drive. That equals two full floors of the nine-story, 230,000-square-foot office.” The addition will expand Bechtel’s footprint at Reston Town Center to nearly 350,000 square feet. It’s unclear which tenant is leasing the space, but AOL indicated it would lay off 108 people based in the building. [Washington Business Journal]

Plug-in Solar Coming to Virginia — “Thanks to new state laws, Maryland and Virginia residents will be allowed to use plug-in ‘balcony’ collar systems with a maximum output of 1,200 watts. Marylanders can take advantage as soon as today, while Virginia’s law goes into effect on January 1, 2027.” [Washingtonian]

Volunteers Help Clean Up Culmore — “If the Culmore area of Bailey’s Crossroads is looking a lot nicer, it’s because nearly 70 volunteers – including adults, children, and youths – spent Saturday morning collecting trash around the neighborhood … The Culmore Cleanup was organized by Andres Curtin, strategy director for Crossroads Opportunity Neighborhoods at Second Story.” [Annandale Today]

Latvian Band Making U.S. Debut in Reston — “Big Al & The Jokers, a nine-piece band from Europe, will make its U.S. debut June 5 and 6 at Reston Town Center Pavilion. The concerts are part of the Reston Concerts on the Town series and are scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. each night.” [Patch]

Annandale Dessert Shop Draws Lines — “Pasha Castle in Annandale just celebrated its grand opening. But lines are already forming in the cute two-story red house that holds it. Guests will find hot mini pancakes and Middle Eastern and Turkish treats such as baklava, knafeh and lokum (Turkish delight) on offer. The star of the show, however, is the booza,” described by an employee as “Lebanese gelato.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny skies with temperatures reaching a high of around 75°F and northeast winds blowing at 7 to 9 mph. Tuesday night will be mostly clear with a low temperature near 57°F and a gentle north wind. [NWS]

Want more local news? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow, with the latest from across the region.