Author: FFXnow.com

Student Test Results Released — “Virginia students made slight gains on state tests last year, according to new data released Wednesday, the first using a revamped exams pushed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin … Still the pass rates on the exams have struggled to rebound to pre-pandemic levels.” [Washington Post]

State Medicaid Systems Outdated, Study Says — “With new federal rules requiring states to track enrollees’ work hours and conduct twice as many eligibility checks each year, Virginia is facing a potentially steep price tag to comply. Currently, only 11% of the state’s local social service agencies complete the majority of applications within the federally required 45-day timeline, according to the study.” [Cardinal News]

Great Falls Contractor Sentenced — “A 43-year-old Great Falls man who pleaded guilty in April to acting as an illegal agent of the Iranian government in the U.S. was sentenced Monday in federal court to 12 months in prison, according to court records … U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan also ordered Rahmati to serve three years of supervised release, court records say.” [Patch]

Spanberger Would End ICE Cooperation Order — “Democratic nominee for governor Abigail Spanberger says one of her first acts if elected would be to undo Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s February directive requiring Virginia law enforcement to help carry out federal immigration crackdowns — a policy she argues wastes local resources and undermines community trust.” [Virginia Mercury]

D.C. Tourism Drops — “It’s already been a tough year for D.C. tourism with a data firm projecting a 5.1% drop in international visitors this year. There’s concern the surge of federal law enforcement and National Guard troops could drive away more visitors … Destination D.C., the city’s tourism marketing organization, is attempting to reassure wary travelers.” [WTOP]

Va. Supreme Court Elects New Chief Justice — “A Black woman will serve as the Supreme Court of Virginia’s Chief Justice for the first time ever following a unanimous vote. The Justices of the Supreme Court of Virginia unanimously elected Justice Cleo E. Powell as the court’s Chief Justice-elect, according to an Aug. 26 press release from the Virginia State Bar.” [WRIC]

Animal Shelter Waives Adoption Fees — “The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is thrilled to host a ‘Clear The Shelters’ fee-waived pet adoption event from Friday, August 29, through Sunday, August 31. Nearly 100 pets will be looking for homes, including cats, dogs, guinea pigs, mice, rabbits and more.” [FCAS]

Students Invited to Decorate Waste Trucks — “If you’re a kid with artistic talent, or know of any, help us spread the word about the first Solid Waste Management Program (SWMP) Truck Art Design Contest. The contest challenges participants to raise awareness about the benefits of zero-waste practices.” The competition is open to all Fairfax County students with a submission deadline of Oct. 3. [DPWES]

It’s Thursday — Expect a mostly sunny day with temperatures reaching up to 81°F and a calm wind transitioning to a southwest breeze of 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. As for Thursday night, anticipate partly cloudy skies, lows around 61°F, and a gentle south wind at 3 to 5 mph. [NWS]

House Fire in Kings Park West — Firefighters responded to a fire at a single-family house in the 9600 block of Commonwealth Blvd around 1:45 a.m. yesterday (Tuesday). No injuries were reported, as four people in the house were alerted by a smoke alarm. “Preliminary investigation by the FCFRD Office of the Fire Marshal determined the fire originated on the outside of the house and was caused by an electrical event at the air conditioner unit.” [FCFRD/Facebook]

AI-Based School Coming to N. Va. — “The pitch by Alpha School is as innovative as it is sensational: For $65,000 a year, students study for just two hours a day using adaptive apps and personalized lesson plans and spend their afternoons on life skills such as learning to ride a bike or financial literacy.” The school anticipates opening for 25 students this fall at 4550 Walney Road in Chantilly. [Washington Post]

Virginia Prepares for Food Stamp Changes — “After a Republican majority in Congress passed a major reconciliation bill this summer, states are expected to potentially absorb additional costs for SNAP, and will likely impose additional verification requirements for recipients. A recent analysis from Voices for Virginia’s Children estimates nearly 447,000 families are at risk of losing at least some of their SNAP benefits.” [Virginia Mercury]

Au Pair in Double Murder Case Shares Story — “Recordings of the au pair’s interview were entered into evidence during a recent hearing, and [Brendan] Banfield’s attorney provided a copy to News4. In the video of the interview Oct. 25, 2024, the au pair explained what she says happened in the months and days leading up to the killings.” [NBC4]

Metro Unveils New Train Design — “After more than 20,000 votes from customers throughout the region, we have a winner. The public selected Option 3 as the updated livery design for Metro’s incoming rail fleet.” The design features a silver “M” intersecting with a train window with a brown background. [WMATA]

Funding Available for Affordable Housing Projects — “Fairfax County seeks affordable housing development and preservations partners to apply for more than $48 million of funding. Requests for Proposals are being accepted on a rolling basis until all funds are awarded. Interested partners can apply online.” [Fairfax County Housing and Community Development]

Traded Football Player Selling Great Falls Home — “Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen was recently traded from the Washington Commanders to the Minnesota Vikings, taking a $51,000,000 three-year deal. And with that move, the pro footballer apparently no longer needs a mansion in Great Falls.” The home was listed for sale this week with a starting price of $4.25 million. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Back-to-School Party Coming to Tysons — “The Boro in Tysons is hosting a free night of family fun with the Back to School Boro Bash, featuring a night of crafts, an outdoor movie, refreshments and a school supplies drive. The Back to School Boro Bash will kick off at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6.” [Patch]

It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny skies and a high of 77°F, accompanied by a northwest wind blowing at 7 to 10 mph, with gusts reaching up to 20 mph. At night, clouds will increase, and the temperature will drop to around 59°F. The northwest wind will slow to about 6 mph. [NWS]

GMU President Disputes Finding — “Facing mounting pressure from the Trump administration, a lawyer for George Mason University President Gregory Washington told the board on Monday the leader had done nothing unlawful and would not apologize for his diversity, equity and inclusion policies, despite a call from the Education Department to do so.” [Washington Post]

Driver Injured in Multi-Vehicle Crash — Fairfax County police officers responded yesterday (Monday) afternoon to a multi-vehicle crash at Sully Park Drive and Kamputa Drive in Centreville. “One adult male driver was transported to a local hospital in life-threatening condition.” The road reopened around 8:45 p.m., but an investigation is ongoing. [FCPD/X]

McLean Mansion Sells for Record Price — “The 22,000-square-foot mansion at 6431 Georgetown Pike sold Monday for $18.5 million,” making it “the most expensive home ever sold in Northern Virginia that doesn’t front the Potomac River.” Listed for $22 million in March, the estate formerly known as Chateau du Soleil first got a makeover to remove some gaudier touches, such as a mirrored ballroom ceiling. It still features a spa, gym, a lap pool, gardens, a jogging path, smart-tech systems, a 200-inch retractable TV and more. [Washington Business Journal]

Man Cited for Concealed Gun at Fairfax Park — “A 40-year-old Annandale man was cited for having a concealed firearm in a public park during last Friday’s Rock the Block event at Old Towne Square, according to authorities. Around 7:54 p.m., police responded for the report of someone carrying a concealed firearm while drinking.” The Fairfax City Council is considering expanding its restrictions on guns, which have been in place since 2021. [Patch]

License Plate Reader Company Pauses Work With Feds — “Flock Safety, whose cameras are mounted in more than 4,000 communities nationwide, put a hold last week on pilot programs with the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection and its law enforcement arm, Homeland Security Investigations, according to a statement by its founder and CEO, Garrett Langley.” [Associated Press/ABC News]

Police Warn About Romance Scams — “Our Financial Crimes Unit is seeing versions of the same pattern: a ‘perfect’ match starts a conversation, moves you to private messaging, avoids meeting in person or on live video, and eventually asks for money or sensitive information. Here’s how to spot the red flags and protect yourself and your loved ones.” [FCPD]

New FCPS Hall of Fame Members Announced — “Three Annandale High School graduates are among the 11 Fairfax County Public School’s Alumni Hall of Fame, Educate Fairfax announced on Aug. 22.” The new inductees, who will be honored at Wolf Trap next month, include CNN anchor Jim Acosta and Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay’s chief of staff, Amir Abu-El-Hawa. [Annandale Today]

Theater Coming to D.C. Area This Fall — “This fall, many exciting plays and musicals are being staged at theaters across the Northern Virginia area. Here are some highlights of the season’s must-see shows,” including “Fair Play” at the renovated 1st Stage in Tysons and NextStop Theatre’s production of “The Last Five Years” in Herndon. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Tuesday — Expect sunshine and a high near 79 degrees with a northwest wind of 5 to 7 mph. On Tuesday night, it will be partly cloudy and the temperature will drop to around 59 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind at about 6 mph. [NWS]

National Guard in D.C. Now Armed — “Some National Guard units patrolling the nation’s capital at the direction of President Donald Trump have started carrying firearms, an escalation of his military deployment that makes good on a directive issued late last week by his defense secretary.” [Associated Press]

Fire at Merrifield Shopping Center — Fairfax County firefighters responded to “reports of smoke coming from” the Providence Place shopping center in Merrifield around 4:15 a.m. on Friday (Aug. 22). “Arriving units located a fire in the kitchen of a restaurant in the shopping center … Smoke extended to two neighboring businesses. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries. Fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire.” [FCFRD/Facebook]

Algae Clears From Lake Accotink — “Lake Accotink is now clear of the reported blue-green algae. However, please remember that swimming and pets are not permitted in the lake. Algae blooms are normal and natural occurrences during the summer months depending on temperature, sunlight, and nutrient conditions. Please lookout for lakefront signs and advisories through September in the event of another bloom.” [Fairfax County Park Authority/Facebook]

FCPD Videos of Traffic Violations Go Viral — Since the Fairfax County Police Department’s communications director bought a pointer with a Mickey Mouse-like hand, “millions of people are viewing and engaging the videos with ‘Tappy,’ the pointer’s given name. In July, views reached 19 million on Facebook. The department has over 61,000 Instagram followers, a spike of over 200% since the beginning of January 2024.” [WTOP]

Regional Restaurant Week Extended — Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington’s (RAMW) annual Summer Restaurant Week was set to end yesterday (Sunday), but the organization “announced Thursday that more than 120 restaurants have opted to extend their restaurant week deals until August 31.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Virginia’s Largest-Ever Lottery Jackpot Claimed — “According to the Virginia Lottery, the winner in June 27’s Mega Millions drawing purchased one ticket that ended up being worth nearly $350 million … While we do not know their identity, the Virginia Lottery says the winner plans to buy a zero-radius riding lawn mower with their millions.” [WUSA9]

Fairfax City Man Owns World’s Largest Zelda Collection — “In July, the Guinness Book of World Records made it official, declaring software engineer Constantine Adams as the new world record holder for the largest collection of [Legend of] Zelda memorabilia, more than doubling the previous record of 1,816 held by Anne Martha Harnes of Norway.” [Patch]

It’s Monday — The weather will be sunny with a high temperature of around 83 degrees and a northwest wind blowing at 7 to 10 mph. During Monday night, conditions will be partly cloudy with a low temperature of about 61 degrees, and the northwest wind will continue at approximately 7 mph. [NWS]

Man Detained by ICE Previously Charged in Fairfax — “Federal agents and D.C. police detained a man along the National Mall as he cried and screamed for help on Wednesday afternoon.” The man had been charged with sex crimes in Fairfax County in January, but Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano says the charges were dropped after the victim and her mother, whose cooperation was critical to the case, declined to move forward. [NBC4]

McLean Woman Dies From Beltway Fall — “A 36-year-old Virginia woman died Wednesday night after falling from an overpass on the outer loop of the Beltway near MacArthur Boulevard and Clara Barton Parkway in Bethesda, Maryland State Police said Thursday morning in a press release. State police are investigating the incident and have identified the woman who died as Madina Rhine of McLean, Virginia. The release did not state why or how Rhine fell.” [Bethesda Today]

Richmond Overtaking N. Va. in Data Center Growth — “The Richmond region is becoming the fastest-growing data center market in the country … Northern Virginia’s ‘Data Center Alley’ being close to capacity is driving developers south, according to a report this month from real estate services firm Avison Young.” [Axios Richmond]

Brothel Charge Against Spa Dropped — Fairfax County prosecutors dropped a misdemeanor charge of “keeping, residing in, or frequenting a bawdy place” against a massage spa in West Falls Church on Tuesday (Aug. 19) as part of a plea agreement. The business pleaded guilty to operating a massage parlor without a license, a violation that carries a $500 fine, but police say it “remains under active investigation.” [Washington Examiner]

Court Rejects Felon Voting Rights Case — “The Fourth Circuit rejected a challenge to Virginia’s singular voting rights restoration process Tuesday, ruling the system isn’t a licensing scheme subject to scrutiny under a First Amendment doctrine. George Hawkins, convicted as a minor of attempted murder and aggravated malicious wounding in 2010, challenged the system after Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin declined to restore his voting rights in 2023.” [Courthouse News Service]

Poll Finds Support for Housing Reform — “A survey of about 1,300 Virginia voters found that the vast majority of respondents — about 73% — believe that the state lacks enough homes that people can afford to rent or buy.” A majority of Northern Virginia respondents showed support for building affordable housing, allowing homes on smaller lots, capping rent increases for older properties and other legislative changes. [ARLnow]

Tysons VC Firm to Fund Veterans-Led Startups — “Investment firm Veteran Ventures Capital has raised $60 million to deploy equity investments into more than a dozen defense and civilian technology startup companies in the next few years.” The firm, which moved its headquarters from Tennessee to The Boro in April 2024, is looking to support companies involved in space, drones, robotics, cybersecurity, computing, and A.I. and machine learning. [Washington Business Journal]

Reston Town Center Hosts Back-to-School Bash — “BXP, Ted’s Bulletin and Shake Shack in Reston Town Center will be hosting a Back-to-School Bash on Saturday.” Scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the pavilion, the event will include live performances, arts and crafts, a Children’s Entrepreneur Market, giveaways, information about educational programs and more. [Patch]

It’s Friday — Expect a sunny day with a high of around 83°F and a gentle north wind at about 6 mph. The night will be clear, and temperatures will dip to around 62°F, accompanied by a southeast wind blowing at 3 to 5 mph. [NWS]