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.
Expect sunny skies and a high of 86 degrees, accompanied by a 6 mph northwest wind during the day. The night will be partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to around 63 degrees. Calm winds will shift to a 5 to 7 mph breeze from the northeast after midnight. See more from Weather.gov.
A rainbow crosswalk painted across District Avenue at the Mosaic District in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Trump Administration to Withhold Money from Thomas Jefferson High School — “The U.S. Department of Education has notified Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) that it cannot certify their Magnet School grant applications ‘as they are in violation of federal civil rights laws, including Title IX.'” [WJLA]
It’s Thursday — Expect a mostly cloudy day to eventually clear up and become sunny, with temperatures reaching a high near 82°F and a mild north wind at about 5 mph. As for Thursday night, the skies will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to a low around 62°F. A gentle west wind of around 5 mph will begin after midnight. [NWS]
Fairfax Co. Supervisors Tout Proposed Beltway Toll Lane Extension — “Several Fairfax County Supervisors on Tuesday indicated support for a proposal to extend toll lanes through an 11-mile stretch of the Capital Beltway, despite concerns about neighborhood impacts and bike and pedestrian infrastructure.” [WTOP]
Fairfax County Scouts Help Save Father’s Life with CPR — “The Scout’s Motto is ‘be prepared” — and that’s exactly what helped three Longfellow Middle School eighth-graders when the unthinkable happened.” [DC News Now]
Former Vice President Mike Pence Joins Faculty at GMU — “Former Vice President Mike Pence will be joining George Mason University’s Arlington-based Schar School of Policy and Government this fall.” [ARLnow]
New Food and Retail Coming to Dulles — “When the 435,000-square-foot Concourse E opens at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia later this fall, travelers will be able to enjoy some familiar retailers and restaurants, according to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.” [Patch]
The weather will transition from mostly cloudy to sunny, reaching a high of around 82 degrees, with a mild north wind at 5 mph. By Thursday night, the skies will be mostly clear, and the temperature will drop to about 61 degrees, accompanied by a southwest wind ranging between 3 to 5 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
Benches face Belmont Bay at Mason Neck State Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Family Reunited with Missing Cat — “Two years ago, one family’s beloved cat Spencer went missing. Last week, they were finally reunited.” [ABC7]
It’s Wednesday — Showers and potential thunderstorms are likely throughout the day, with temperatures reaching a high near 70°F and north winds of 11 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. There is a 60% chance of precipitation, and new rainfall amounts may vary between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, potentially higher during thunderstorms. The chance of showers decreases to 30% before 2am on Wednesday night, with a cloudy low of 63°F and north winds of 6-8 mph. [NWS]
Senators Demand Education Department Restore School Funding — “U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner sent a letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon on Monday demanding the immediate reversal of federal funding cuts to Alexandria City Public Schools and four other Northern Virginia school districts over transgender student policies.” [ALXnow]
Dranesville Shooting Suspect Charged with Murder — “A 25-year-old man has been charged with murder after police say he rammed the victim’s vehicle with his own and then shot him multiple times.” [FOX5]
Banners Hallmark Shop Files for Bankruptcy — “A Virginia retail chain filed for bankruptcy, telling the court it hopes to recoup its losses during the upcoming holiday shopping season.” [Patch]
Falls Church Officials Prepare for Early Voting This Week — “Falls Church election officials are getting ready for the start of early voting on Friday and the general election in November.” [ARLnow]
Celebrate Guacamole Day at These 5 Northern Virginia Restaurants — “We’re in the last few weeks of summer, so it’s time to savor all the bites, dishes, and ingredients that remind us of sunny days and balmy nights. One of the best? Chips and guacamole. Plus, September 16 is National Guacamole Day, so we’ve rounded up five NoVA restaurants serving up some of the best guac around.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Here is what’s going on Wednesday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
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⛈️ Wednesday’s forecast
Expect showers and thunderstorms likely before noon, followed by potential showers and a thunderstorm between noon to 2pm, with chances of further showers and thunderstorms later. Anticipate a cloudy day with a high near 69, with the north wind around 11 mph, gusting to 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60% with new rainfall ranging between a tenth and quarter of an inch, though higher in thunderstorms. For Wednesday night, there is a 30% chance of showers before 2am, with mostly cloudy conditions and a low around 62. The north wind will blow at 6 to 8 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
Showers and potential thunderstorms after 2pm are expected, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 72. A northeast wind will range from 13-17 mph, gusting up to 28 mph, and a 50% chance of precipitation. Tuesday night will likely have more showers, possibly a thunderstorm, a low around 60, and a north wind of 11-15 mph, gusting up to 22 mph. Precipitation is expected at 70%, with new rainfall of a tenth to a quarter of an inch, potentially higher during thunderstorms. See more from Weather.gov.
Fairfax County flag flying at half-mast in judicial complex (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Ikea Considering Full-Service Restaurant in Chantilly— “The Swedish home goods retailer recently filed an application to open a full-service facility in Northern Virginia, reports say.” [Patch]
Traffic Shift for Route 29 Widening — “On Tue 9/16, 9:30a-7p, NB Rt 29 from Clifton Rd/Stringfellow Rd to Hampton Forest Way/Meadow Estates Dr will have lane closures to implement a traffic shift as part of the Route 29 Widening Project. #VaTraffic” [VDOT]
Expect sunny skies with a high near 83 and a calm wind shifting to the south at 6 mph during the afternoon. Saturday night will be mostly clear with a low around 62 and a steady south wind at 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
We hope you have a great weekend! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋
Looking up at the Skymark apartment building in Reston Town Center from RTC West (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Beltway Lane Closures Planned in Tysons — “Lane and ramp closures will begin Friday at 9 p.m. and continue until 9 a.m. Sunday on the northbound lanes of the Capital Beltway between Leesburg Pike and the George Washington Parkway. Triple lane closures and ramp closures will be in effect Friday and Saturday nights, VDOT said, and a single lane closure is planned all day Saturday” as construction on the new I-495 Express Lanes continues. [WTOP]
Homeless Shelter Operator Scrutinized — “Staff at the homeless shelter in Bailey’s Crossroads and other shelters run by New Hope Housing are not being paid on time, have seen their health benefits canceled, and have been spending their own money for supplies like toilet paper and food.” Fairfax County’s housing office says the nonprofit is currently “out of compliance” with its contract, and New Hope Housing is facing a wrongful death lawsuit after a supportive housing resident died in a fire. [Annandale Today]
Virginia Eases Covid Vaccine Rules — “In recent days, residents of Virginia and other states began to need a prescription from their primary care provider in order to get a COVID vaccine, a change prompted by shifting federal requirements. An order the Virginia Department of Health issued Wednesday now makes it easier for eligible Virginians to get vaccines in the weeks ahead by dropping the prescription requirement.” [Virginia Mercury]
Superintendent Statement on Shootings — In light of “the senseless and devastating attacks at Evergreen High School in Colorado and at Utah Valley University” on Wednesday (Sept. 10), Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid assured families that school officials “continue working hard to ensure everyone is safe as this remains a critical priority at FCPS.” [FCPS]
State and Dems Clash Over University Boards — Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera recently instructed university rectors to ignore directives from Senate Democrats telling them not to recognize contested board appointees. “Senate Democrats have rejected a long list of appointments to boards of Visitors this year, accusing them of being too partisan. The rejections have left multiple vacancies on the boards. 10 GMU board members have been removed, along with seven at VMI and five at UVA.” [Virginia Scope]
Stuff the Bus Food Drive Returns — “Fastran buses, along with Fairfax County Fire Department trucks, will be at several sites from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. [tomorrow] for this Hunger Action Month event to combat hunger. Please consider donating non-perishable food items and gift cards at the below locations.” [Neighborhood and Community Services]
Taste of Annandale Coming Up — “This year’s Taste of Annandale promises to be bigger and better than ever. This family-friendly community festival with more than 100 vendor booths is Sept. 20, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m., at the Eileen Garnett Civic Space, 7200 Columbia Pike.” Attractions include live music, a 5K, a petting zoo, a chili cook-off and more. [Press release]
Ken Burns Doc Preview at Mount Vernon — “Registration opens September 24 to see Emmy and Grammy Award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns unveil his latest documentary series at George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate. Burns will offer remarks and share clips from the six-part series ‘The American Revolution’ on Oct. 29.” [ALXnow]
It’s Friday — Expect a sunny day with a high of around 81 degrees and a north wind at about 6 mph, shifting to the east in the afternoon. On Friday night, the skies will be mostly clear with a low temperature near 60 degrees. [NWS]
