FFXnow is the definitive local news source for Fairfax County, featuring countywide coverage and hyperlocal reporting on the Reston and Tysons areas. This article was written by an editor or other member of FFXnow's full-time staff.
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A bee on French marigold flowers in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
New Group Opposes License Plate Readers — “A new advocacy group is trying to get the Board of Supervisors to remove the police department’s Flock license plate readers that are popping up all over Fairfax County.” DeFlock Fairfax will host a public event highlighting its concerns about the automated cameras on Aug. 22 at Ravensworth Baptist Church in Annandale. [Annandale Today]
Kennedy Center Board Votes for Closure — “The battle over the Kennedy Center’s future escalated Thursday as President Donald Trump’s allies on the board took new steps to commemorate him with physical changes to the iconic performing arts institution that could defy a federal court order.” [ARLnow and AP]
Governor Tours Local Health Clinic — Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger visited Neighborhood Health in the Groveton area yesterday (Thursday), “touting the progress the state has made in capping insulin costs and preventing prescription drugs from becoming unaffordable.” She also highlighted recently approved funding intended to offset the impacts of Medicaid changes on local residents. [WTOP]
Civil War Soldier’s Remains Destined for ANC — “A young Union soldier who likely died fighting in the Second Battle of Manassas more than 160 years ago is finally heading to his final resting place at Arlington National Cemetery. The National Park Service announced Thursday it will transfer the soldier’s remains to the Office of Army Cemeteries.” [Inside NoVA]
I-95 Ramp Closure Tonight — “Weather permitting, the ramp from northbound I-95 to Franconia Road/Old Keene Mill Road (Route 644, Exits 169 A-B) will be closed for paving Friday night, Aug. 14; Sunday night, Aug. 16; and Monday night, Aug. 17 … Drivers are asked to follow posted detour signs.” [VDOT]
NSO Sees Bump in Support at Wolf Trap — “One of the few bright spots in the [National Symphony Orchestra’s] budgets suggests its audience is waiting in the wings, willing to buy tickets to performances outside the Kennedy Center. Its summer residency at Wolf Trap, an outdoor performing arts venue in Northern Virginia, beat sales projections last fiscal year and is on pace to do so again.” [Washington Post]
Veterans Launch Printing Center in Kingstowne — “PostNet, a global leader in high-quality shipping, printing and logistics solutions, has opened a new veteran-owned center in Alexandria, Virginia, at 6471 Old Beulah Street, and will host a grand opening celebration on Aug. 18 at 11 am.” [Press release]
Free Celebration at Clemyjontri Park — “Celebrate inclusion at the Clemyjontri Park Open House event on Sunday, Aug. 30. Fairfax County Park Authority’s access and inclusion staff invites one and all out to explore the wonders of this inclusive play space located at 6317 Georgetown Pike, McLean.” [FCPA]
It’s Friday — Expect mostly cloudy skies with a high near 88°F and a 30% chance of showers and possible thunderstorms after 5 PM. In the evening, there is a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms until 10 PM, followed by showers after 2 AM, with a low around 71°F and light, variable winds. [NWS]
There is a 30% chance of showers and possible thunderstorms after 5 PM, with mostly cloudy skies and a high of 87°F. Winds will be calm, shifting northeast at about 5 mph. Friday night brings a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10 PM, then showers are possible again after 2 AM, with mostly cloudy conditions and a low of around 70°F. Winds will be light and variable. See more from Weather.gov.
A leaning sign for the Fairfax County Parkway Trail in the Franklin Farm area of Herndon (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
No Changes to Va. Vaccine Rules — “After President Donald Trump issued an order seeking more spaced out childhood vaccinations, the Virginia Department of Health joined other medical experts in backing the existing childhood vaccination schedule … VDH said the executive order does not change Virginia’s school immunization requirements, which include two doses each of measles and mumps shots and one rubella dose.” [ALXnow]
Task Force Deployed to Colombia — “Members of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue team landed in Bogotá, Colombia, on Wednesday to assist after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake rocked the area. A 10-person disaster coordination and structural engineering assessment team was deployed in support of the U.S. Department of State’s response to the disaster.” [WUSA9]
Herndon Man Charged With Kidnapping — “A Herndon man accused of abducting an acquaintance at knifepoint and leading police on a pursuit through three jurisdictions has been arrested on federal carjacking and kidnapping charges, court records show.” The man also still faces state-level charges related to robbery, domestic assault, reckless driving and driving without a license. [Patch]
Police Crack Down on Reptile Theft Ring — “Two men are facing charges in connection with an organized theft scheme that led to the theft of more than 60 reptiles from multiple stores in Maryland and Virginia … Fairfax Police first began looking into the thefts after officers were called to a Petco on Richmond Highway in Groveton on May 21. Officers learned two suspects walked into the store and stole four pythons from the reptile habitat.” [WUSA9]
Reston Media Analytics Firm Plans Layoffs — Comscore “is making ‘substantial’ headcount reductions, executive salary cuts and a possible decrease in its footprint” after reporting a net loss of $6.2 million in the first quarter of 2026. The company didn’t comment on how many workers will be affected overall or at its Reston headquarters, but pay cuts will include a 20% reduction to CEO Matt McLaughlin’s $625,000 base salary. [Washington Business Journal]
Regional Downturn in Public School Enrollment — Fairfax County, Prince William and Loudoun public schools all reported drops in student enrollment last year compared to the 2024-2025 and 2022-2023 academic years. “Declining birth rates, immigration and migration patterns and housing costs are all playing a role in fewer students enrolling in public schools, experts said.” [WTOP]
Advocates on Abortion Referendum — “As Virginians vote this fall on whether to put enshrine protections for abortion and other reproductive healthcare at the highest level — the state constitution — advocates on either side are presenting familiar, and newer, arguments on the issue.” [VPM News]
New Vietnamese Restaurant at Eden Center — “Restaurateur couple Thao Tran and Tin Truong want to add a slightly more upscale date-night spot to the mix” at the Falls Church retail hub. “Their new restaurant, Tam Tam Brunch and Dinner, has a trendy bistro vibe, with a menu spanning from a citrusy salmon crudo to abalone soup to a variety of hot pots.” [Washingtonian]
It’s Thursday — Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 90 degrees and a northwest wind blowing at 5 to 8 mph. During the night, the weather will be partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 72 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind at 3 to 5 mph. [NWS]
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Mostly sunny with a high near 90°F and a gentle northwest wind at 6 to 8 mph. Thursday night will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 72°F and a light northwest wind. See more from Weather.gov.
A pedestrian crosses over the Dulles Toll Road to the Herndon Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Death Investigation in Herndon — “Officers responded [on Tuesday, Aug. 11] to a death investigation in the 1200-block of Bond St. There is no threat to the public and no further information at this time,” though a police spokesperson confirmed no criminal activity is suspected. [Herndon Police/Facebook]
Apple Settles Discrimination Claims — “Apple has agreed to pay $150,000 to settle the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s claims that the manager of a retail store [in Reston] made antisemitic comments and denied a Jewish longtime employee’s requests for time off before firing him.” [Reuters]
Sweetgreen Adding Drive-Thru in McLean — “Sweetgreen built its D.C.-born brand around millennials and downtown professionals. Nearly 20 years later, the homegrown chain says its future looks more like McLean. Its newest concept — launching Aug. 20 — is the region’s first ‘Sweetlane,’ a drive-thru pickup.” The McLean location will be the company’s fourth overall to add a drive-thru lane. [Axios DC]
Herndon Engineering Firm to be Acquired — “Bernhard Capital Partners, a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, private equity firm, has struck a deal to acquire Bowman [Consulting Group] for $1 billion in cash — or $43 per share — and take it private. The acquisition, announced Monday, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year or the first quarter of 2027 — unless Bowman (NASDAQ: BWMN) receives a better offer” by Sept. 13. [Washington Business Journal]
Community Hub Launches in Culmore — “Free toys for kids, resources for adults, and free food for everyone: that’s the concept of the Unity in the Community event in Culmore. George Mason University’s Place-Based Initiative and the Mason Police District sponsored the event,” which took place on Monday, Aug. 10 to celebrate the launch of PBI’s Culmore Community Health and Wellness Hub at a local church. [Annandale Today]
Rehab Center Opens in Burke — “Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center has opened two new Sentara Therapy Centers in Manassas and Burke, expanding access to rehabilitation and physical therapy services for residents throughout Prince William and the region … The Manassas facility is at 9962 Liberia Ave., while the Burke center is at 9520 Burke Road.” [Inside NoVA]
Tysons Contractor Hired to Build Football Stadium — “McLean-based Clark Construction Group, Minneapolis-based Mortenson Co. and D.C.-based Smoot Construction Co. will lead construction of the 1.8-million-square-foot, 70,000-seat stadium, the Commanders announced Tuesday. Site work began in June, led by the same trio, and construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2027.” [WBJ]
D.C. Chefs to Serve Some Dulles Flights — “Two Washington, D.C., chefs are bringing new dishes to international flights from Dulles through United Airlines’ collaboration with Chef’s Table, the brand behind the acclaimed Netflix culinary series … The dishes are available beginning in August on nearly two dozen long-haul flights from Dulles that serve lunch or dinner.” [Patch]
It’s Wednesday — Expect partly sunny skies with a high near 87°F. Night will have a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m. Skies will be mostly cloudy before clearing, with temperatures dropping to around 70°F. [NWS]
There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.
Expect partly sunny skies with temperatures reaching a high of 87°F and a northwest wind blowing at 5 to 7 mph. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m., temperatures dropping to around 70°F, and light, variable winds. The chance of rain is 20%. See more from Weather.gov.
Geese graze on the the grass near Page Avenue in Fairfax as people walk along the sidewalk in the distance. (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)
GW Parkway Lane Closures Begin in Northern Section — “Drivers will face road closures in McLean, Virginia, on the George Washington Parkway beginning Monday as crews conduct routine maintenance to nearby trees. The good news for commuters is that the closures will not take place during morning or afternoon rush hour. The northbound lanes of the George Washington Parkway between Spout Run Parkway and Chain Bridge Road/Route 123 are scheduled to be closed from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays until Sept. 1.” [WTOP]
Former Academy Sold by Saudi Embassy — “The 34-acre property on Popes Head Road was sold by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia to an affiliate of the International Institute of Islamic Thought for $4.6 million on July 13, according to Fairfax County property records.” [Washington Business Journal]
Firefighters Respond to Vienna House Fire — “#FairfaxBravest are on the scene of a house fire near Onondio Circle SE and Aponi Rd SE in Vienna. Crews arrived with fire showing from the side and exterior. Utilities secured and fire extinguished. No injuries. Cause under investigation.” [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department/X]
Digital Protections for Children Presented to State Lawmakers — “On Wednesday, lawmakers considered a measure that would further require app store providers like Google and Apple to independently audit their products’ age ratings and content descriptions. This step would also require parental controls to be easy to find, understand, and configure, and require app stores to provide a clear and conspicuous mechanism to improve oversight. Another idea [Joint Commission on Technology and Science] discussed was limiting parental consent to apps rated above the account holder’s age category and apps offering in-app purchases.” [Virginia Mercury]
FCPD Road Shark Program Returns — “Drivers across Fairfax County can expect stepped-up traffic enforcement for the next week as police launch the third round of the “Road Shark” program, an initiative aimed at cracking down on aggressive and dangerous driving … During the seven-day enforcement period, officers will be out 24/7 in every nook and cranny of the county to catch dangerous driving behaviors in an effort to reduce deadly and serious injuries.” [WJLA]
It’s Tuesday — Expect a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms today, especially after 5 PM, with a high near 90°F and a northwest wind at 5 to 8 mph. Rainfall may reach up to a quarter of an inch, more during thunderstorms. Tonight, showers and thunderstorms are likely before 1 AM, with a low around 72°F. It will be mostly cloudy, with winds shifting to the northwest after midnight, and similar rainfall amounts. [NWS]
Want more local news? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow, with the latest from across the region.
Here is what’s going on Tuesday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
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⛈️ Tuesday’s forecast
Expect mostly sunny weather with a high near 90, and a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms, especially after 5 PM. Rainfall could range from a tenth to a quarter of an inch, with heavier amounts in thunderstorms. Overnight, showers and thunderstorms are likely before 1 AM, decreasing to a chance of showers by early morning. The low will be around 70, with mostly cloudy skies and a southwest wind shifting to northwest at 6 mph. Precipitation chances are 70%, with similar rainfall amounts. See more from Weather.gov.
Sunrise Valley Drive near the Point at Rise apartments in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Fire Injures Resident in Dunn Loring — “Firefighters said crews responded shortly before 6:40 p.m. to reports of smoke coming from a two-story home. There, crews searched the home while battling the flames, with one person being transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.” [DC News Now]
$22B Dulles Revamp Could Come with Price Tag for Passengers, Taxpayers — “The plan removes the much-maligned “people movers”, rebuilds the C and D concourses, and add thousands of new parking spaces. However, Robert Mann, an aviation industry analyst and consultant with R.W. Mann & Company, says the project could also lead to a significant price tag for travelers and airlines … The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which runs Dulles’ operations, plans to finance most of the project through municipal bonds rather than direct federal funding. Airlines are also expected to help cover the cost, recouping some of the expenses through per-passenger charges, which are built into ticket prices.” [WAMU]
N. Va. Congressmen on Unannounced Visit to ICE Facility in Chantilly — “We exercised our right to direct congressional oversight over ICE facilities after hearing reports of overcrowding and lengthy stays at a facility designed for temporary processing. At the time of our visit, we did not witness overcrowding. ICE staff asserted that they are complying with a recent court order limiting stays at temporary processing facilities like Chantilly to 12 hours. Our oversight does not end with one visit. We will continue monitoring this facility and holding ICE accountable to ensure everyone in its custody is treated humanely and in accordance with the law.” [Reps. Don Beyer, James Walkinshaw and Suhas Subramanyam news release]
Vienna House Fire Response Injures Firefighter — “Fairfax County Fire and Rescue reports that crews responded to a commercial building fire at 400 Mill St NE in Vienna just after 12:30 p.m. [Friday]. When crews arrived, they found a two-story commercial structure with smoke and fire showing from the roof and building bays. As they battled the fire, a second alarm was requested because of the building’s size.” [Patch]
County Executive Recommends Dissolving Tree Commission — “The Office of the County Executive is calling for a number of boards and commissions to be dissolved, including the Fairfax County Tree Commission and the Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC). Those entities would be replaced by a new Environmental Commission. Some of the Tree Commission’s responsibilities might be shifted to the Urban Forest Management Division in the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services.” [Annandale Today]
Student Creates Tool for Nneurodivergent Job Seekers — “Now a rising senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Fairfax County, Virginia, Tuteja observed a similar pattern at school. Students who approach problems differently were “looked down upon or didn’t get as much support as they needed, because their disability wasn’t visible, and they were often seen as less capable,” she said. Those experiences prompted Tuteja to create Raaha, a free artificial intelligence tool that assists neurodivergent job seekers in determining whether a potential job will fit the way they work.” [WTOP]
Popes Head Road Closure at Fairfax County Parkway — “Eastbound and westbound Popes Head Road (Route 654) will be closed at Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286) from 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, until 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, for water main work as part of the Fairfax County Parkway and Popes Head Road interchange project, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.” [VDOT]
Fairfax County Police Drone Team Wins Competition — “🏆 Taking home first place! Our Drone Team, RTCC, and SWAT put their skills to the test at the inaugural Capital Skies: An NVERS Game of Drones competition, hosted by the Northern Virginia Emergency Response System.” [FCPD/X]
It’s Monday — Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m., with sunny skies and a high of 94°F. The heat index may reach 100°F, and winds will shift to the southwest at 5 to 9 mph. There is a 30% chance of rain. Monday night will have scattered showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m., with partly cloudy skies and a low of 75°F. Winds will be southwest around 5 mph, becoming light and variable. The chance of precipitation is 40%. [NWS]
