Mary Stachyra Lopez | FFXnow

Fairfax City Council signals support for raising members’ pay

Published May 14, 2026 at 1:45PM

Fairfax City Hall sign (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The last time the Fairfax City Council approved a pay raise for its members, the year was 2015. The amount was $12,000 for council members, and $13,000 for the mayor.

During a work session on Tuesday (May 12), council members unanimously agreed it’s time to raise their own salaries — potentially up to the maximum allowed by Virginia law. For cities with a population between 20,000-34,999 people, that’s up to $24,000 for mayors and $22,000 for council members.

News

Divided Fairfax City Council moves forward with public hearing on accessory housing units

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published May 13, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated May 13, 2026 at 4:09PM

Depiction of an accessory dwelling unit in the backyard of a house (via City of Fairfax)

It’s not clear yet if many Fairfax City homeowners will have the option one day to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) — more commonly known as “granny pods” or “in-law suites” — in their yards. But despite some hesitation expressed during a May 12 work session, Fairfax City Council members are ready to hear public comments on the issue.

In a presentation to the council, city staff laid out the implications of a new zoning ordinance that would let significantly more homeowners build detached accessory units in their yards.

Countywide

FCPS proposes budget cuts to cover $28 million funding gap

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published May 13, 2026 at 9:15AM

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid presents her proposed reductions in the fiscal year 2027 budget to the school board on May 7, 2026 (via FCPS/YouTube)

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid has proposed trimming a number of items from the school system’s fiscal year 2027 budget to address a $28.9 million shortfall.

“At this time,” Reid wrote in a May 8 letter to FCPS families, “I am proposing to make up the difference by reducing the staffing reserve, leveraging alternative major maintenance funding, extending the time to refresh FCPSOn technology devices, deferring microcredentialing, reducing math adoption curriculum materials, and reducing the Superintendent’s Strategic Reserve.”

Countywide

Fairfax County workers rally in support of Va. collective bargaining bill

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published May 12, 2026 at 10:00AM | Updated May 13, 2026 at 1:08PM

Fairfax County Supervisor Andres Jimenez and public service workers rally outside the Fairfax County Government Center May 6. (Courtesy SEIU)

Fairfax County firefighters, teachers and other public sector workers recently rallied outside the county government center, asking Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger to sign legislation granting public workers the right to engage in collective bargaining.

The May 6 rally was one of several held around the commonwealth by unions, including the Virginia Education Association, the International Association of Firefighters, and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), in support of HB 1263 and SB 378.

News

Judge dismisses lawsuit alleging FCPS retaliated against teacher for abortion claims

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published May 11, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated May 13, 2026 at 10:13AM

Zenaida Perez speaks during a press conference in front of the Fairfax County Courthouse on Oct. 29, 2025 (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A federal judge has dismissed a Centreville High School teacher’s lawsuit alleging retaliation and violations of whistleblower protection laws by Fairfax County Public Schools after she claimed that school staff helped minors obtain abortions.

In his memorandum opinion, issued May 8, Judge Anthony J. Trenga wrote that the teacher, Zenaida Perez, had “failed to plead facts which, when viewed most favorably to her, plausibly give rise to a claim for whistleblower retaliation.”

Around Town

‘Shark Tank’-funded menswear startup to open retail store in Reston Town Center

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published May 11, 2026 at 1:45PM

Collars & Co will open a new location at 11869 Market Street, Reston. (Staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

A Bethesda-based menswear company best known for nabbing a deal with Mark Cuban and Peter Jones on “Shark Tank” will expand to Reston later this month.

Collars & Co, which produces polo shirts with a sturdy, dress shirt-style collar, will open its first permanent location in Northern Virginia in a 1,700-square-foot store at 11869 Market Street. The space was previously occupied by an Allen Edmonds shoe store.

News

Renovation of Reston North playground nearly complete

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published May 7, 2026 at 3:45PM

New equipment at the Reston North Playground, seen May 6 (Staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

The Fairfax County Park Authority’s overhaul of the Reston North playground — designed to replace aging equipment and make the park more accessible — is nearly complete.

The Park Authority announced today (Thursday) that it will celebrate the playground’s official reopening with a ribbon-cutting on June 3 at 5 p.m.

News

AI defense intelligence company moves HQ from San Francisco to Chantilly

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published May 7, 2026 at 12:10PM | Updated May 7, 2026 at 12:34PM

TurbineOne Chief Technology Officer and co-founder Matt Amacker leads a demonstration at the company's new Chantilly headquarters (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

A company that specializes in artificial intelligence-driven software for the military has moved its headquarters from San Francisco to Chantilly, where it will offer defense clients a place to preview its technology.

Ahead of a ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday (Wednesday), TurbineOne said the move was a reflection of its growth supporting national security missions.

News

Mason District Little League opens season with visit from Nationals pitcher

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published May 6, 2026 at 11:45AM

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Cade Cavalli chats with Mason District Little League players during a ceremonial opening day (courtesy Washington Nationals)

Youth baseball players in Annandale marked the ceremonial start of their spring season on Saturday (May 2) with practices, visits from Little League alumni — and a first pitch thrown by Washington Nationals starting pitcher Cade Cavalli.

The visit was courtesy of the Nationals’ Team UP program, which supports local youth leagues throughout the D.C. metro area, including the Mason District Little League.

Around Town

Herndon’s new festival on Lynn Street promises ‘cool vibes’ and ‘hot beats’

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published May 5, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated May 6, 2026 at 9:28AM

Signs for Lynn Street and Elden Street in downtown Herndon (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Herndon is going all-in on a “hot and cool” theme with its newest festival, where upbeat and mellow musical performances will be complemented by activities such as a snowball fight and jalapeno-eating contest.

“Polar Heat on Lynn Street,” a free, day-long event on Saturday, May 16 sponsored by the town’s Parks and Recreation Department, will feature nonstop music on two different stages, food trucks, inflatables, a smores station and themed community vendor booths.