Author: FFXnow.com

Heat Record at Dulles Airport — “Monday brought the heat. Dulles set a record at 95, while DC (93) and Baltimore (95) came close. Not done yet — Tuesday could bring more records with highs in the mid–upper 90s. Scorching through Wednesday.” [Capital Weather Gang/Bluesky]

Increased Traffic Enforcement for Memorial Day — “Officers will conduct increased enforcement efforts throughout the holiday weekend as part of ongoing traffic safety initiatives, including the national ‘Click It or Ticket’ campaign, which continues through the end of May.” Police stressed the importance of safe driving behaviors after a crash in Oakton killed two people who reportedly weren’t wearing seat belts. [FCPD]

Possible Replacement for Closing JCPenney — A site plan submitted to Fairfax County on May 1 identifies Dick’s Sporting Goods as the future occupant of the space at Springfield Town Center that JCPenney is vacating after 53 years on May 24. The application seeks to demolish a 10,208-square-foot addition to the department store and replace it with a running track and synthetic turf field, suggesting the new store could be a Dick’s House of Sport like the one coming to Tysons. [Washington Business Journal]

Job Losses Hitting Unevenly — “Job losses directly and indirectly tied to President Donald Trump’s policies have hit Black workers in the D.C. area the hardest, a new study found.” As of March, the region had about 115,000 fewer jobs than before Trump took office for his second term in January 2025, the Economic Policy Institute says. [WTOP]

Electricity Legislation Signed — “Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Thursday signed legislation that directs regulators to assign electricity costs to data centers and allows Dominion Energy to spend $900,000 a mile burying local distribution lines.” [Inside Climate News]

Reston Contractor Accuses Rival of Poaching Workers — CACI filed a federal lawsuit on May 14 alleging “that T2S LLC of Belcamp, Maryland, recruited at least 20 high-skilled CACI employees in defiance of a non-solicitation pact the companies agreed to while CACI (NYSE: CACI) was assisting T2S on its bid for a $600 million U.S. Army cybersecurity-related contract.” The contractor wants a trial as it seeks to recoup lost profits and legal fees, along with $350,000 in punitive damages. [WBJ]

Boxing Gym Adding Retail Shop — “Z’s Boxing Gym in Annandale is opening a shop selling high-end boxing equipment a couple of doors away. Z’s Boxing Gear will open at 4113 John Marr Drive within the next few weeks, says Monica Zimmerman, the wife of Z’s Boxing Gym owner Eric Zimmerman.” [Annandale Today]

Asian Festival Draws a Crowd — “Morning rain failed to dampen the spirits of the thousands of people who turned out Sunday for the Sixth Annual Asian Festival on Main in the City of Fairfax.” More than 120 vendors, about half of them offering food and drinks, participated in the festival, which has been organized for six years now by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association. [Patch]

It’s Tuesday — Expect a sunny day with a high temperature of around 96°F and a southwest wind blowing at 6 to 10 mph. Tuesday night will be partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to about 75°F. A south wind will persist at around 10 mph, with gusts reaching up to 20 mph. [NWS]

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

SCOTUS Rejects Redistricting Appeal — “The Supreme Court on Friday rejected Virginia’s bid to restore a congressional map that would have given Democrats a chance to pick up four seats in the closely divided House of Representatives.” The court order was “issued without any noted dissent.” [Associated Press]

Boy Hospitalized by Shooting Range Mishap — “A 14-year-old boy was hospitalized after a shotgun exploded in his hands while at a Centreville shooting range on Sunday, according to the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) … The teen was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries to his hand.” [DC News Now]

Va. Could Allow Single-Stairway Buildings — Last week, “the state’s Board of Housing and Community Development advanced a proposal to allow single stairways in four-story buildings, setting it up for potential adoption in the next state code requirements.” Some lawmakers and advocates say the revision to building standards “could unlock housing development on vacant or underutilized lots.” [Virginia Mercury]

Grandmother Graduates From GMU — “At 72 years old, Irma Garcia of Woodbridge is graduating from George Mason University with a bachelor’s degree — decades after first putting her education on hold to raise her family.” She joined thousands of other students who celebrated at commencement ceremonies this past weekend.” [FOX5]

Beauty School Coming to Annandale — “A cosmetology school is expected to open in June on the corner of Columbia Pike and Annandale Road in central Annandale … The owner, Katy Hennessey, plans to offer classes leading to certifications in cosmetology, acrylic nails, and eyelash and eyebrow procedures.” [Annandale Today]

McLean Satellite Company Makes Acquisition — “Iridium Communications, a global satellite communications company, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the remainder of Aireon, a joint project it started in 2011, for $366.7 million. Currently, Iridium owns 39% of McLean-based Aireon, operator of the world’s only space-based” real-time global air traffic information system. [Virginia Business]

Meeting on Route 29 Improvements — “The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) will host an in-person community meeting on the Route 29 Active Transportation Study at 7 p.m.” tomorrow (Tuesday) at Timber Lane Elementary School. FCDOT will present proposed improvements to the street, including sidewalks, bike paths, transit stops and crossings.” [FCDOT]

RCC Lauded for Water Safety Education — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors issued a proclamation earlier this month declaring May as Water Safety Month … The proclamation cited the Reston Community Center’s efforts in providing swimming instruction and safety training for residents of various ages.” [Patch]

New Legal Notice — Business seeks retail on/off-premises wine-beer license; objections within 30 days. [Public Notices]

It’s Monday — It will be sunny with a high of around 95 degrees, and winds will shift to the south at 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon. Monday night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to about 72 degrees and a south wind of around 8 mph. [NWS]

Murder Charge for Huntington Stabbing — Fairfax County police arrested a 16-year-old boy on Wednesday (May 13) and charged him with first-degree murder for a fatal stabbing that occurred at the Farrington Place condominiums last Saturday (May 9). “The suspect and victim are known to each other and there is no threat to the community.” [FCPD]

Geese Cause I-66 Backup — “A family of geese — walking, instead of flying — backed up traffic on westbound I-66 in Arlington for more than an hour [yesterday] afternoon. A Metro Transit Police K-9 officer was the first to respond, protecting the birds alone for about 45 minutes” before state and county police arrived to assist, D.C.-area public safety watcher Dave Statter reported. [ARLnow]

NAACP Backs Redistricting Appeal — The civil rights organization “asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse Virginia’s high court ruling striking down the state’s redistricting referendum, arguing the decision nullified the votes of millions of Virginians who approved the measure last month.” [Virginia Mercury]

Spanberger Focused on Midterm Elections — “Days after Virginia Democrats filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court as part of their ongoing redistricting battle, Gov. Abigail Spanberger said she’s focused on the fall midterm elections and ensuring voters are motivated to turn out.” This year’s elections “will proceed under the current map,” regardless of the appeal’s outcome, she said. [WTOP]

FCPS Expanding Montessori Program — “Fairfax County Public Schools is embracing the Montessori learning model in some schools. After launching a Montessori program this academic year, the district will expand its offerings to new schools in the 2026–2027 school year.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Smithsonian Castle to Reopen — “The Smithsonian Castle is temporarily reopening on the National Mall next week after a years-long closure, complete with historic treasures and New England eats … The Smithsonian is going big for America’s 250th anniversary, reopening some of its most beloved landmarks on the south side of the Mall amid major renovations.” [Axios DC]

Tenant Coming to Vacant Commercial Building — “Something new and different is coming to a long-vacant building in Seven Corners. The building, at 6320 Castle Place, will be the second location of Redwood K-Wellness, a spa focusing on scalp treatments aimed at producing thick, full, and healthy hair.” [Annandale Today]

Park Authority Wins Federal Energy Award — “The Fairfax County Park Authority has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy as a winner of the Better Project Award, which honors partners for outstanding accomplishments in implementing energy, water, and/or waste reduction projects at individual facilities.” [FCPA]

It’s Friday — The weather will be sunny with a high of around 71°F and northwest winds blowing at 10 to 13 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph. Friday night will be mostly clear with a low near 53°F and calm winds. [NWS]

Woman Injured in Stolen Vehicle Crash — Fairfax County police officers responded last night (Wednesday) to “a crash involving multiple vehicles at Richmond Hwy and Lorton Rd in Lorton. An adult female was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Preliminarily, a delivery vehicle was stolen near Backlick Rd and Richmond Hwy in Fort Belvoir. The suspect then crashed into multiple vehicles and is now in custody.” [FCPD/X]

Health Care Bills Signed in Merrifield — “Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) on Wednesday signed a package of health care bills at Inova Schar Cancer Institute aimed at capping insulin costs, expanding insurance benefits and limiting how insurers use prior authorization and artificial intelligence.” [Patch]

High Security Planned for D.C.’s Fourth of July — “The July 4 celebration on the National Mall has been given the highest-level security designation, an unusual step for Independence Day that will unlock the full weight of local and federal law enforcement resources.” The designation “is typically given to events deemed potential targets for terrorism or other criminal activity” by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. [Washington Post]

Va. Could Mandate Changing Stations in Bathrooms — Virginia doesn’t require public restrooms to include diaper-changing stations, but that could change under a proposal from state Sen. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, who represents Alexandria and a sliver of Fairfax County. The state’s Board of Housing and Community Development advanced the proposal at a meeting on Monday (May 11) and will take a final vote “after the public has the chance to weigh in.” [Virginia Mercury]

Seafood Eatery Opens in Annandale — “Mad Seafood is bringing a taste of Louisiana to Annandale. The new restaurant, at the corner of Annandale Road, Poplar Street, and Markham Street, specializes in Cajun-style, farm-raised fish and shrimp.” [Annandale Today]

Congressional Candidate Likely Dropping Out — “A congressional candidate from Falls Church says he will leave the race if the Virginia Supreme Court’s decision on redistricting stands … Like most other contenders in the proposed new 7th District, Schiarizzi said he was awaiting a final outcome before formalizing any plans.” [ARLnow]

New Mural Honors Late Musician — “A new mural going up in Annandale celebrates singer-songwriter Cat Janice, who died of cancer in 2024 shortly after one of her songs, ‘Dance Outta My Head,’ went viral … The mural, located on the side of Annandale Watch & Clock at 4221 Annandale Road, should be completed by the end of next week, says Cat’s mother, Annandale resident Stacey Ipsan.” [Annandale Today]

McLean Restaurant Revived Under New Owner — “At Café Tatti in McLean, chef Giovanni Carlo has created his own version of the winter dish. And he’s not sure if he can ever remove it from the menu. ‘It’s one of the items that drives in new guests,’ says the restaurateur, who took over the 45-year-old restaurant with his wife, Sema, last year.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Thursday — Expect mostly sunny skies today with a high near 65°F and northwest winds at 11 to 14 mph, gusting up to 23 mph. Tonight will be partly cloudy with a low around 51°F, featuring northwest winds around 11 mph and gusts up to 18 mph. [NWS]

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