Author: Scott McCaffrey

A Northern Virginia native, Scott McCaffrey has four decades of reporting, editing and newsroom experience in the local area plus Florida, South Carolina and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. He spent 26 years as editor of the Sun Gazette newspaper chain. For Local News Now, he covers government and civic issues in Arlington, Fairfax County and Falls Church.

Countywide

Fairfax County board considers tightening rules for contributions to local nonprofits

By Scott McCaffrey
Man in a gray suit and blue plaid tie speaks into a microphone at a formal meeting or hearing, seated at a desk with a laptop nearby
County Director of Management and Budget director Philip Hagen (screenshot via Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is considering tightening rules around funding awarded to nonprofit and regional organizations.

Each year, supervisors distribute about $26 million to the organizations through what is known as the Contributory Fund.

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Countywide

Hiring sluggish in Va., with Fairfax employment down 2.1% since Trump’s return to office

By Scott McCaffrey
Employment and jobs picture (via Creative Campalgn/Unsplash)

Fairfax County has seen a drop in countywide employment since the start of the second Trump administration.

A total of 622,800 jobs were reported across Fairfax in the first quarter of 2026, according to figures reported Aug. 28 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s down 2.1% from the first quarter of 2025.

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Countywide

Fairfax County revamping lobbying tactics as General Assembly session nears

By Scott McCaffrey
Woman in a red blazer speaks into a microphone at a conference table a panel setting.
Fairfax County legislative director Jennifer Van Ee (screenshot via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County elected officials and staff are trying a new approach as the 2027 General Assembly session nears.

Among their goals: Get information and local positions to legislators sooner, don’t overburden them with too much information, and build strategic relationships with downstate lawmakers.

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Countywide

Fairfax County apartment rents down slightly compared to summer 2025

By Scott McCaffrey
Modern mid-rise apartment building with multiple balconies and a large 'LEASE NOW' banner across the top.
A leasing banner for The Ian Apartments in the Woodland Park area of Herndon (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Median apartment rents across Fairfax County in August were down 1% from a year before, but remained well above pre-Covid levels.

Median rents for the month stood at $2,073 for one-bedroom units, $2,401 for two bedrooms and $2,419 overall, according to figures reported Aug. 28 by Apartment List.

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News

United Airlines will add more service from Dulles to France, Italy in 2027

By Scott McCaffrey
Red brick street scene with a green-domed historic building in the background, framed by trees and a pedestrian walkway with cyclists and walkers in the foreground.
United Airlines will add service to Milan, Italy from Dulles in 2027 (courtesy United Airlines)

United Airlines has announced two new international destinations to be served from Dulles International Airport next year.

Daily service to Toulouse, France, is slated to begin on April 26, 2027 before three-days-per-week service to Milan, Italy commences on May 28.

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News

Owner of local ice cream, popcorn shops honored for inclusive hiring practices

By Scott McCaffrey
Group of five smiling staff posing behind an ice cream counter in a shop, one wearing a red apron that says 'Jake's Ice Cream'.
Robin Rinearson, center, and some of the staff at Jake's Ice Cream (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Fairfax County supervisors on Aug. 25 recognized the founder and owner of Jake’s Gourmet Popcorn and Jake’s Ice Cream, who recently was honored by the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS).

The organization earlier this summer presented Robin Rinearson with its Ability Transcends Challenges Award for her efforts to integrate individuals with disabilities into the Fairfax County workforce.

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Countywide

McKay, other regional leaders say streamlining bureaucracy will boost economic growth

By Scott McCaffrey
Panel of five adults seated on a stage, one man raising his hand, others clapping, with a large screen displaying portraits in the background.
Fairfax Board Chair Jeff McKay acknowledges applause at the Elected Leaders Summit (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

The Fairfax County government and others across the region are working to reduce bureaucratic regulations in an effort to help businesses thrive, local leaders said at an Aug. 26 forum.

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay used the 11th annual Northern Virginia Regional Elected Leaders Summit to say area governments must acknowledge concerns of the business community.

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News

County to fast-track review of planned new Seven Corners water tower

By Scott McCaffrey
Willston water tank as seen from Patrick Henry Apartments (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors agreed last Tuesday (Aug. 25) to fast-track consideration of a new water tower serving the Seven Corners area.

Fairfax Water has proposed replacing the existing 72-year-old Willston tank with a significantly larger one on the grounds of Seven Corners Apartments at Patrick Henry Drive near the Fairfax-Arlington border.

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Countywide

County leaders offer tributes to former Community Services Board executive director

By Scott McCaffrey
Officials pose in a government chamber as a man presents a framed certificate to a woman in front of a large County of Fairfax seal and podiums.
Daryl Washington honored by the Board of Supervisors on Aug. 25, 2026 (courtesy Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (Aug. 25) saluted the work of Daryl Washington, who earlier this year stepped down as executive director of the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) to accept a state government position.

Washington spent 30 years at the CSB, rising through the ranks to become executive director in 2018.

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News

Hunter Mill planning commissioner lauded, as board appoints successor

By Scott McCaffrey
John Carter, Hunter Mill District official, sits at a wooden desk holding papers during a formal meeting, with a district seal visible on the left.
Hunter Mill District Planning Commissioner John Carter announces his retirement at the commission's July 22, 2026 meeting (via Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (Aug. 25) paid formal tribute to John Carter, who recently retired as Hunter Mill District’s representative on the Planning Commission, and named his successor on the panel.

Carter, who served on the body for nine years, departed the post on Aug. 31.

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