Author: FFXnow.com

Dems Uncertain About Redistricting Vote Outcome — “After putting an aggressive redraw of the state’s congressional map before voters, some Virginia Democrats are growing uneasy about its prospects for passage one month out from the special election.” Rep. Don Beyer acknowledged that the referendum’s approval is “not a done deal by any means.” [NBC News]

FCDOT Moving Forward With Debated Sidewalk — “The Fairfax County Department of Transportation is going ahead with constructing a $900,000 sidewalk at Justice Park, despite objections from the community. Residents of Ravenwood Park, Ravenwood, and Lake Barcroft argue that the sidewalk is not needed,” will damage the park by removing trees and use money that could be spent on other, more urgent projects. [Annandale Today]

Lawsuit Over Kennedy Center Renovations — “A group of eight architecture and cultural organizations is suing President Trump and the board of the Kennedy Center over the planned renovations of the arts complex, which are set to begin in just over three months.” [NPR]

Spring Sewer Cleaning Begins — “D.C., Fairfax County and Arlington County are taking part in the annual process of flushing and disinfecting the region’s water mains. Beginning Monday, residents may notice a slight change in the odor or taste of their tap water as chlorine is added to disinfect and clear away bacteria and natural biofilm buildup.” [WTOP]

Bill Cracks Down on Vape Sales to Minors — “A new bill aimed at keeping vapes out of schools and out of students’ hands is set to reach Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger’s desk for signing. The Vape Enforcement Act … would require all vape stores in the state to be licensed and subject to random inspections to ensure they are not selling to minors, Attorney General Jay Jones told reporters Monday.” [FOX5]

Wolf Trap Adds More Summer Shows — Singers Bob Dylan and Diana Ross are among the artists joining Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts’ summer 2026 lineup. Tickets for the newly announced shows go on sale this Friday (March 27). Earlier this month, Wolf Trap unveiled its Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods schedule as well as additional performances at the Filene Center. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Cherry Blossoms Nearing Peak Bloom — “D.C.’s magnificent cherry blossoms draw more than 1.6 million visitors to the Tidal Basin each spring … On Monday, the National Park Service said the blossom buds reached their fifth stage, puffy white, which is one away from peak bloom.” [Washington Post]

Madison Hockey Title Celebrated — “It was a packed house at [last night’s] Town Council meeting. That’s because the James Madison High School Varsity Ice Hockey team was recognized by Mayor Colbert and the Town Council for their first-time win in the Virginia High School Varsity State Championship! Go Warhawks!” [Town of Vienna/X]

It’s Tuesday — It will be sunny with temperatures reaching a high of 51°F. Winds from the north will blow at 5 to 7 mph but calm by the afternoon. Night will be partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to about 38°F. Winds will shift to the south at around 5 mph after midnight. [NWS]

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Traffic Shifts on Fairfax County Parkway — “Beginning the week of March 23, short-term traffic shifts will occur along northbound Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286) between Route 123 (Ox Road) and Clara Barton Drive (Route 6500), and along northbound and southbound Route 123 between Chapel Road (Route 641) and Clara Barton Drive as part of the Fairfax County Parkway south widening project.” [VDOT]

Fairfax Officials Called to Testify in Congress — The fatal stabbing of Stephanie Minter at a Hybla Valley bus stop on Feb. 23 “will be the focus of an upcoming congressional subcommittee hearing examining why Jalloh was free. Fairfax County’s prosecutor and sheriff were called to testify in Congress next month, News4 learned on Thursday.” [NBC4]

How Va. Could Address Federal Health Care Gap — “Both a reconciliation bill Congress passed last summer and its failure to renew Affordable Care Act subsidies earlier this year mean Virginia lawmakers have scrambled for solutions to make up for federal funding shortfalls. State agencies are also overhauling workflows to comply with new federal mandates for health care and social services.” [Virginia Mercury]

Assault by Eggs Reported to Vienna Police — Officers with the Town of Vienna Police Department responded around 8:35 p.m. on March 14 to “a report of an assault involving individuals throwing objects from a vehicle. The victims reported being struck by eggs thrown from a passing vehicle that returned to the area and made a second pass.” [Vienna Police]

Text Updates on Centreville Gas Incident Ending — Starting this Wednesday (March 25), the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will discontinue the text messaging updates it’s been sending to over 725 community members about the natural gas explosion that took out a house in Centreville on Feb. 15. “While the text updates are ending, the Fairfax County incident webpage will remain active.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]

Mason District Glass Recycling Bin Moved — The purple bin for glass recycling at the Mason Government Center “is being removed because a large section of the parking lot has been taken over by temporary buildings and construction vehicles due to the renovation and expansion of the Mason Police Station.” Fairfax County’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services is still searching for an alternate location. [Annandale Today]

Donated Pajamas Distributed to Families — “Fairfax County Police officers from the Mason District station handed out dozens of pajamas, slippers, and socks to families at the Strawbridge Square Apartments in Lincolnia on March 21. The clothing items were donated by community members over the past few months.” [Annandale Today]

Lake Fairfax Park Hiring for Summer — “Lake Fairfax Park is now hiring lakefront staff for the summer season, operating from mid-June through mid-August. Drop-in interviews at the Lake Fairfax Park Main Office will be held March 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]

It’s Monday — Expect rain and possibly a thunderstorm, with a slight chance of rain until 10 am. Highs will reach near 60°F, with northwest winds at 10 to 17 mph and gusts up to 29 mph. There’s an 80% chance of precipitation. Night will be mostly clear, with a low around 33°F. [NWS]

One Injured in Bailey’s Crossroads Shooting — “Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) officers responded [on Thursday, March 19] to a shooting in the 5500 block of Seminary Road and found one man who had been shot in the lower body area. He was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. FCPD said another victim was found, but they were not harmed.” [DC News Now]

Video Shows Mantua Police Shooting — “The Fairfax County Police Department has released the body-worn camera footage from the police-involved shooting at an apartment in Fairfax on Feb. 23.” By the time police arrived, “Chhatra Thapa, 54, had already stabbed his wife, Binda, and daughter, Mamta, and was in the process of stabbing Mamta’s husband, Santosh Basnet.” [Annandale Today]

Partisan Split on Redistricting Referendum — “Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, a Democrat representing part of Fairfax County, said he thinks the referendum will pass, but told WTOP’s Nick Iannelli, ‘It’s going to be close.’ … Former Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, a Republican, however, has been a staunch opponent of the referendum and overall push for redistricting.” [WTOP]

Higher Gas Prices Could Drive More to Metro — “Rising gas prices – as well as a drop in crime – have Metro preparing for more people to potentially choose to ride Metro or take the bus instead of driving … Metro General Manager Randy Clarke said the system welcomes additional riders.” [NBC Washington]

McLean Startup Seeks Site for Innovation Center — Claros Inc. is developing a power management system and supply chips for data centers that could help cut down on their energy costs. Aiming to test the products with the company’s first customer by early 2027, CEO Daniel Kultran is “in talks with George Mason University, Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia” for a new space since its current office in McLean “can’t support the required power draw.” [Washington Business Journal]

Local Author’s Books Set for TV Adaptation — “Fans of Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan books can soon see the story brought to life on TV. Tina Fey and Lang Fisher will adapt the books for a Peacock series. The popular adult mystery series is set in Northern Virginia.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Trout Derby Returns to Herndon — “The Town of Herndon will host its annual Kids Trout Fishing Derby on March 21 from 8 a.m. to noon. This family-friendly tradition allows kids ages 2 to 15 to try their hand at trout fishing. The event is held along the Sugarland Run stream, behind the Herndon Police Station.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Metro to Celebrate 50 Years — “We’re celebrating 50 YEARS serving the DMV with a special ride you don’t want to miss! Tell us what Metro means to you (via comment or DM) for a chance to join us on an exclusive trip Fri, March 27. We’ll have special giveaways, music, & more! Enter by March 24 at 12 pm.” [WMATA/Bluesky]

It’s Friday — Expect scattered showers after 2 pm with increasing clouds and a high near 68°F. Showers are likely Friday night, mainly between 8 pm and 2 am, with mostly cloudy skies and a low around 49°F. Chance of precipitation goes up from 30% during the day to 60% at night. [NWS]

Roof Collapses During House Fire — Yesterday morning (Wednesday), firefighters “responded to reports of a house fire in the 3100 block of Holmes Run Road in West Falls Church. Units arrived with fire engulfing the roof of a two-story single-family home … During operations, there was a partial roof collapse.” One person “was evaluated for non-life-threatening injuries.” [FCFRD/Facebook]

Virginia Joins Tariffs Refund Push — “Attorney General Jay Jones is pressing Congress to force refunds on billions of dollars in tariffs imposed under President Donald Trump, arguing the federal government must quickly repay businesses and consumers after the nation’s highest court struck down the policy.” [Virginia Mercury]

Grad Students Left Out of College Labor Bill — “Service workers like janitors and security guards who work for colleges and universities will be allowed to engage in collective bargaining under a bill lawmakers are sending to the governor. But college professors and graduate students are excluded from the bill.” [WVTF]

Quirky Bills Considered by General Assembly — “Hidden among the more than 3,000 bills filed are a few gems, like ones aimed at taxing porn, studying fungi and more.” Legislation sent by lawmakers to Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger include a ban on livestreaming while driving and a bill that would require movie theaters to show a certain number of films with subtitles or open captioning. [Axios Richmond]

N. Va. Getting First Women’s Sports Bar — “Women’s sports fans could soon have a bar of their own in Arlington. Sarah White, a longtime local restaurateur and partner at Westover Taco, is in the process of buying out of the taqueria at 5849 Washington Blvd.” She plans to turn the establishment into what she says will be Northern Virginia’s first sports bar to center on women’s teams. [ARLnow]

Watch for Roadwork in Fort Belvoir — “The Fort Belvoir community should plan to avoid the intersection of Stonewall Jackson and Gorgas Road from March 23-24 due to construction. Crews will be using heavy equipment to repave the lane divider. The area will be an active construction site with road closures and is off-limits for safety reasons.” [Fort Belvoir/X]

Walkway Proposed on Idylwood Road — “The Fairfax County Department of Public Transportation (FCDOT) will hold a virtual public meeting on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 7 p.m., to gather public input” on a project to add an asphalt walkway along Idylwood Road from Idylwood Court to Hillside Drive. “Additional feedback will be accepted via an online survey available after the meeting through April 2.” [FCDOT]

When GMU Men’s Basketball Made Final Four — “Twenty years ago, George Mason University’s men’s basketball team defied odds, toppled giants, and created a legacy that continues to reverberate in the college sports world.” After entering the NCAA tournament in 2006 in the at-large No. 11 seed, the Patriots “emerged as the longest-shot ever to reach the vaunted Final Four.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Thursday — Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 55 degrees and a gentle south wind at 5 to 7 mph. Thursday night will be partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 40 degrees and a light south wind. [NWS]

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Potomac Recreational Advisory Lifted — “The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is lifting the remaining recreational water advisory for the Potomac River from the American Legion Memorial Bridge (I-495) to the Route 120 Chain Bridge.” The department will “continue to monitor sampling data as available,” with efforts to clean up the Jan. 19 sewage spill in Maryland continuing. [VDH]

Women Killed in Domestic Stabbings Mourned — “The Nepalese community gathered Tuesday to honor two women killed in a gruesome domestic attack, while also offering prayers for the man accused of the slayings. The memorial service, held weeks after a violent stabbing rocked a Mantua apartment complex, focused on the lives of Mamta Thapa and her mother, Binda Thapa.” [WUSA9]

Input Wanted on GW Parkway Trees — “The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public input on big-picture plans for GW Parkway’s vistas and foliage — a topic that has previously sparked significant controversy. A virtual public meeting on ‘long-term care of historic scenic views’ will be held at 6 p.m. today (Wednesday), and comments are being accepted online. [ARLnow]

Study Considers Congestion Pricing in D.C. — “A D.C.-backed study of how congestion pricing might work in the city is now public, following years of wrangling. With that drama in the rearview mirror, policymakers can start to confront thornier questions about whether the policy is the right fit for D.C.,” though even the most supportive current elected officials don’t expect to start charging commuters any time soon. [WAMU]

Housing Bills Sent to Governor — Though the General Assembly nixed a few more radical bills, “many housing proposals are on their way to Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s desk — some of which she has already stated she will sign into law. The bills represented a flurry of efforts to address housing issues including affordability, supply, renter protections, and state input on local zoning decisions.” [Virginia Mercury]

Belle Haven Office Building for Sale — “The 97,581-square-foot, eight-story office at 5845 Richmond Highway, currently branded as the Belle Haven Professional Center, is 56% leased to a mix of medical and professional tenants, according to marketing materials.” A floodplain and resource protection area limit potential redevelopment options, so the site is instead being pitched to businesses that would be interested in occupying it. [Washington Business Journal]

New Florida Flight Planned at Dulles — “Frontier Airlines Inc. is adding another route out of Dulles International Airport with plans to launch nonstop flights to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this spring. The daily flights to Fort Lauderdale, its ninth nonstop destination linking to Dulles, will begin on May 21 via an Airbus A320 aircraft.” [WBJ]

Vienna Photo Show Winners Named — “Amateur photographers from across the region showcased their talent in the 2026 Vienna Photo Show, displaying a collection of unique, award-winning photos at the Vienna Community Center March 14-15, 2026 … This year’s event featured 156 entries from 60 photographers and 171 attendees.” [Town of Vienna]

New Legal Notice — Restaurant seeks ABC wine, beer, mixed-beverage on/off-premises license. [Public Notices]

It’s Wednesday — Expect mostly sunny weather with a high near 42 degrees and light, variable winds shifting to the south at 6 mph in the afternoon. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy with a low of around 31 degrees and a southeast wind at about 5 mph. [NWS]

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