Author: FFXnow.com

Call for More Sewer Funding After Potomac Spill — “Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) was among 14 members of Congress from the region who requested federal funding today (Tuesday) to rehabilitate and modernize the burst Potomac Interceptor. The delegation is also seeking additional funds for wastewater infrastructure nationwide following a recent briefing on efforts to repair the sewer line and mitigate health risks.” [ARLnow]

Man Charged With Threatening Metro Riders — A 37-year-old man was arrested on Saturday (Feb. 21) after allegedly brandishing a knife at other passengers on a Silver Line train heading from Herndon to Ashburn. “Deputies met the train at Ashburn Station and evacuated the affected train car. While on the train, deputies encountered the suspect and learned that he had also allegedly touched a 6-year-old child inappropriately.” [Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office]

Cat Cafe Open in McLean — “A nonprofit cat café, MeowTown Lounge, is holding its grand opening in McLean on Saturday, February 28, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.” Located in the Salona Village Shopping Center at 1345 Chain Bridge Road, the lounge is currently home to 14 different cats. Since its soft opening back in January, MeowTown has helped place 10 cats in their forever homes.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Town Hall Planned on Centreville Gas Leak — “The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will host a virtual Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, to provide the community with updated information regarding the recent incident in Centreville. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. and will offer residents an opportunity to … learn about ongoing response and recovery efforts, and ask questions.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]

Bill to Reduce Development Lawsuits Postponed — Del. Marcus Simon agreed to hold House Bill 447 for further deliberation over the next year after the Hanover County NAACP worried it would make it harder to challenge encroachments on historic Black neighborhoods. The bill aimed “to curb people filing lawsuits to stall housing developments by fine-tuning requirements for legal challenges against local government land use decisions.” [Virginia Mercury]

Maryland Rolls Out Beltway Sensors — “After years of testing, the Maryland State Highway Administration announced that ramp metering signals along northbound I-270 are fully operational. The new signals aim to streamline merging and cut morning commutes by up to 30 minutes.” [WUSA9]

How ICE Activities Shaped Virginia Bills — “As the 2026 General Assembly session began, state Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim (D–Fairfax) introduced bills to put restrictions on federal immigration enforcement in Virginia, framing them as a response to the growing fear in immigrant communities.” While Democratic leaders were initially hesitant to center the bills, they gained urgency as ICE activities increased across the country. [VPM Media]

Springfield Gas Station to Add Convenience Store — “Demolition is expected to start in about two weeks on a project at the Ravensworth Shell service station to convert the auto repair shop to a convenience store. The auto repair business closed on Feb. 22.” [Annandale Today]

It’s Wednesday — There’s a slight chance of rain between 8 and 10am. The sky will transition from mostly cloudy to sunny, and the temperature will reach a high near 55. Night will be partly cloudy with a low around 37, as the west wind shifts to 5 to 7 mph and becomes calm after midnight. [NWS]

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

Woman Found Dead in Hybla Valley — Fairfax County police are investigating the death of a woman who was found with wounds to her upper body near a bus stop at Richmond Highway and Arlington Drive around 7:20 p.m. yesterday (Monday). “Call 911 with info,” police said. [FCPD/X]

Va. Could End Data Center Tax Breaks — Senate Democrats proposed ending a sales tax exemption for data centers to fund the state budget for the next two fiscal years, while their counterparts in the House of Delegates Senate “put forth more modest spending for key items.” Both plans would fill gaps left by the federal government for food assistance benefits and Affordable Care Act subsidies, among other priorities. [VPM Media]

Progress on Potomac Pipeline Repairs — “Work to repair the collapsed section of the Potomac Interceptor is moving ahead, and with help from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, D.C. Water crews are working to stay on track toward restoring full flow by mid-March.” [WTOP]

Economic Development Leader Plans Exit — “The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) Commission announced [yesterday] that President and CEO Victor Hoskins will be returning to the private sector this fall” after leading the organization for six years. FCEDA board chair James Quigley told the Washington Business Journal that the authority is planning a “pretty aggressive local search” for a successor, who is expected to be announced later this year. [FCEDA]

Senators Hint at Bill to Reduce DCA Flights — “Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are throwing their support behind the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) final report into the January 2025 midair collision near” Reagan National Airport, saying in a statement that they “will be working on legislation to reduce slots at DCA and meet the NTSB’s other safety recommendations.” [ARLnow]

Poll on Gun Laws and Redistricting — “A new statewide poll shows most Virginians support stricter gun laws and favor keeping the commonwealth’s current redistricting system, even as many question whether tougher firearms restrictions would make them safer and express deep dissatisfaction with the direction of the country.” [Virginia Mercury]

Pizzeria Opens in Lincolnia — “Pizzato Pizza, a brand-new casual eatery at Landmark Plaza, offers some innovative pizza varieties, such as butter chicken pizza, vodka crispy chicken pizza, and chicken tikka pizza. It’s located in a former Pizza Hut at 6226 Little River Turnpike, Lincolnia.” [Annandale Today]

Fairfax Senator Dropped From Key Committee — “The Virginia Senate shuffled key committee assignments Friday following Sen. Adam Ebbin’s departure to join the Spanberger administration, triggering a shake-up that included Sen. Dave Marsden’s, D-Fairfax, removal from the powerful Finance and Appropriations Committee and Sen. Bryce Reeves’, R-Orange, ouster from Commerce and Labor.” [Virginia Scope]

GMU Launches Teaching Scholarships — “George Mason University’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) has announced a new Future Ready Teachers initiative” that will provide full scholarships to cover tuition and the cost-of-living for aspiring educators. “It will also provide mentorship, a three-year induction program, and preparation for technology-enabled environments.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Tuesday — Expect sunshine and a high near 39 today, accompanied by a northwest wind of 7-11 mph with gusts up to 20 mph. Moving into night, there’s a 30% chance of snow after 1 am, turning into a rain mix after 4 am. Clouds will increase, and the temperature will drop to around 32. [NWS]

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

County Government Closed by Weather — “Fairfax County Government offices are closed Monday, Feb. 23. Emergency administrative leave is granted for county employees not designated as emergency personnel. Emergency personnel should report as scheduled.” Courts and libraries are closed, and Fairfax Connector will provide holiday weekday service levels. [Fairfax County Emergency Information]

Street Race Closes McLean Intersection — An apparent street race led police to shut down the intersection of Georgetown Pike and Dolley Madison Blvd in McLean early yesterday (Sunday) morning. While a pedestrian was initially believed to have been struck by one of the drivers, no injuries were ultimately reported. [DMV Live/X]

U.S. Attorney Hired, Then Fired — “The federal judges in the Eastern District of Virginia unanimously appointed longtime litigator James W. Hundley to serve as interim U.S. attorney on Friday, and the Justice Department almost immediately fired him, continuing a clash over control of one of the country’s highest-profile prosecutor’s offices.” A former Fairfax County prosecutor, Hundley co-founded the firm Briglia Hundley in Tysons. [Washington Post]

Contractor Signs Reston Station Lease — Amentum, an engineering and technology firm currently based in Chantilly, has signed a lease for 45,000 square feet of office space at Reston Station. The company plans to relocate its headquarters “early next year into 1900 Reston Metro Plaza, a 365K SF glass office tower that also houses Google. The new headquarters will also include a technology showcase for Amentum’s clients.” [Bisnow]

Potomac Spill Raises Environmental Concerns — “The Potomac accident is among the largest sewage spills in U.S. history, and it highlights a chronic problem facing communities around the United States, says Gussie Maguire, Maryland staff scientist at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.” Sewage overflows could increasingly become a challenge, as climate change leads to more intense storms that then strain aging infrastructure. [NPR]

Fairfax Connector Changes Proposed — “Fairfax Connector seeks public comment on proposed service changes for several routes, including routes 401 and 402, which go through Annandale. The changes will be discussed at two virtual meetings on Feb. 24 at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m.” If approved, the changes would take effect on June 27. [Annandale Today]

Legislators Weigh A.I. Regulations — “Legislators in Richmond are looking to put some limits on the growth of artificial intelligence, but an executive order from President Donald Trump” threatening to withhold funds for broadband internet expansion from states that impose regulations could stymie changes. Among the bills still under consideration is one from state Sen. Saddam Salim (D-37) that would require disclaimers for political ads that use A.I. [WVTF]

FCPS Hosts Adaptive Baseball Clinic — “The gym at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in the Alexandria section of Fairfax County, Virginia, was packed Saturday as 25 young athletes with disabilities took part in the school’s first adaptive baseball clinic. The event was hosted by the school’s varsity baseball team and led by Andrew Haydon, a 17-year-old junior who created it.” [WTOP]

New Legal Notice — Clarity is applying for a restaurant alcohol license for its new location at Reston Town Center: wine, beer, mixed; 30-day objections. [Public Notices]

It’s Monday — Snow is likely mainly before 1pm and it will be cloudy with a high temperature around 39°F. Expect a breezy northwest wind of 17 to 20 mph, gusting up to 33 mph, and a 40% chance of precipitation. For Monday night, the sky will transition from mostly cloudy to mostly clear, as the temperature drops to around 23°F. The northwest wind will continue at 14 to 17 mph, gusting as high as 26 mph. [NWS]

Post-Explosion Re-Entry Plan Released — “A re-entry plan has been established for residents on Buggy Whip Drive to re-occupy their homes” after dozens were evacuated following a natural gas-fueled explosion in Centreville on Sunday (Feb. 15). “Please complete this form with your contact information to receive re-entry updates. The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will contact you directly with next steps.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]

Teen Charged in I-66 Hit-and-Run — “An 18-year-old is in custody after he was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run on Interstate 66 in Fairfax County.” The Manassas man has been charged with felony hit and run, unauthorized use of a vehicle and following too closely after allegedly rear-ending a Mazda near the Route 28 exit in Centreville and leaving the scene. [DC News Now]

Data Center Tax Exemptions Advance — “The Virginia House of Delegates on Tuesday passed legislation continuing billions of dollars in state tax exemptions for all qualifying new and existing data centers as long as they take a series of steps to move away from fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy.” The bill sponsored by Del. Rip Sullivan passed “roughly along party lines.” [Inside Climate News]

Spanberger Tapped for State of the Union Response — “Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger will deliver the Democratic response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address next week, just months after resoundingly winning an office previously held by a Republican. The Democratic rebuttal will immediately follow Trump’s address to Congress next Tuesday, offering the party’s most high-profile opportunity to deliver a countermessage.” [Associated Press/NBC4]

Bills Would Bump Back Absentee Ballot Deadline — “HB 82 and SB 58, introduced by Del. Adele McClure (D-2) and State Sen. Barbara Favola (D-40), respectively, call for moving the deadline from noon to 5 p.m. on the third day after an election.” Absentee ballots would still need to be postmarked by Election Day. [ARLnow]

Health Care Clinic Temporarily Moves — “The Culmore Clinic, a nonprofit that provides free and low-cost healthcare to lower-income residents of Seven Corners and Culmore, is temporarily relocating” as its home undergoes renovations ahead of a housing development project. “The clinic plans to reopen next Wednesday, Feb. 25, at Columbia Crossroads Baptist Church at 3245 Glen Carlyn Road in Bailey’s Crossroads.” [Annandale Today]

Cherry Blossoms Could Peak Later — “Peak cherry blossom bloom could arrive later than recent years thanks to D.C.’s record-breaking cold … There’s no official peak projection yet, but [National Park Service spokesperson Mike] Litterst says bloom will likely come ‘later in the season than we’ve seen for the last few years.'” [Axios DC]

Mixed Grades for Tobacco Control Policies — The D.C. region received a mixed report card, including a slate of ‘F’s’ in the American Lung Association’s 2026 State of Tobacco Control report … D.C. fared the best with a majority of A’s; Maryland had a more mixed report with an A, as well as B’s and F’s; and Virginia scored a C and four F’s.” [WAMU]

It’s Friday — Expect rain mainly before 10am, accompanied by areas of fog lasting until noon, with the high temperature reaching around 57°F. There is a 90% chance of precipitation, potentially amounting to less than a tenth of an inch. Night skies will be mostly clear, and the low temperature will be around 40°F. [NWS]

What Bills Are Still Alive in General Assembly — “The 2026 General Assembly reached its midpoint Tuesday night as lawmakers hit crossover, the session’s deadline for legislation to pass its chamber of origin and move to the other side of the state Capitol … At crossover, Democrats have moved several of their highest-profile priorities, and they approved three constitutional amendments that will appear on November’s ballot.” [Virginia Mercury]

Emergency Declared for Potomac Sewage Spill — “D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has declared local public emergency regarding the sewage spill in the Potomac River, according to the Mayor’s Office. The declaration allowed her to also make a Presidential Emergency Disaster Declaration request, which could bring in federal support to help respond to the disaster.” [NBC4]

Fatal Crashes Increasing in Region — “Vehicle crashes in the D.C. region remain below pre-pandemic levels but have been rising since 2020, and crash-related fatalities have increased almost continuously since 2015, according to the findings of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board’s 2025 Roadway Safety Study.” [WTOP]

Residents Share Thoughts on Possible Casino — “A proposal to allow Northern Virginia voters to weigh in on whether to build a casino in Fairfax County has advanced to the state’s House of Delegates. And even though the latest plan doesn’t specify Tysons as the location for the project, some community members there are still skeptical.” [WTOP]

Report on Deadly Mid-Air Crash Finalized — “A dizzying range of factors led to last year’s deadly collision between an Army helicopter and a regional jet over the Potomac River, per the final National Transportation Safety Board report out Tuesday.” Identified issues included the proximity of a helicopter route to the path airplanes use to approach Reagan National Airport, “unsustainable” traffic levels at DCA, high workloads for control tower operators and more. [Axios]

New Metro Railcars Running Late — “The next series of Metro railcars will modernize the transit agency’s fleet, but delivery of those trains could be delayed. The 8000 series is supposed to be in service in 2028, but Metro signaled it is not happy with the way the timeline stands right now.” [NBC4]

Community Center to Celebrate 20 Years — The recently reopened “Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate in Reston will celebrate its 20th anniversary this July. The center, which first opened on July 10, 2006, serves as an intergenerational hub for the community.” A community celebration will be held on Aug. 15. [Patch]

Eden Center Celebrates Lunar New Year — “The Vietnamese community celebrated the Lunar New Year at the Eden Center on Feb. 17 with a lion dance, speeches, the raising of Vietnamese and American flags, recognition of Vietnamese military veterans, and fireworks.” [Annandale Today]

It’s Thursday — Expect rain to begin mainly after 3pm with a high near 48°F. An east wind of 5 to 10mph accompanies an 80% chance of precipitation. There’s a 100% chance of rain and patchy fog at night, with a low around 42°F. New rainfall may reach a quarter to half an inch. [NWS]

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