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

Northern Virginia unemployment up year-over-year in latest jobs report

By Scott McCaffrey
Job interview (photo via Resume Genius on Unsplash)

The number of unemployed Northern Virginians spiked 41% year-over-year in November 2025, according to new federal data.

A total of 65,357 residents in the Virginia portion of the Washington metropolitan area were counted as unemployed for the month, according to figures released Jan. 16 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That compares to the 46,381 residents tallied as seeking jobs in November 2024.

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News

Franconia supervisor lauded for work leading regional Council of Governments board

By Scott McCaffrey
2025 Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments board chair and Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk at the Talent Capital launch (photo by Chris Ferenzi)

Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk wrapped up a year as chair of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) with a call for continued regional collaboration.

“Regionalism isn’t something that’s easy,” Lusk said in valedictory remarks at COG’s meeting on Wednesday (Jan. 14). During the meeting, he passed the gavel to Reuben Collins II of the Charles County Board of Commissioners, who will chair the body for 2026.

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Fairfax board to consider loosening zoning rules for group homes

By Scott McCaffrey
The St. Rose of Lima Priests' Retirement Villa in Annandale was the first congregate living facility approved in Fairfax County under its current zoning ordinance (via Google Maps)

Fairfax County supervisors on Tuesday (Jan. 13) set public hearings for later in the winter to consider expansion of zoning districts where group homes, also known as congregate living facilities, would be allowed.

The proposal also would update nearly quarter-century-old standards for the facilities.

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News

D.C. region leaders warn against disruptions to federal funds for homeless services

By Scott McCaffrey
Individuals call attention to homelessness in Reston near a newly cleared homelessness encampment on the morning of Sept. 10, 2024 (staff file photo by Fatimah Waseem)

Leaders from across the D.C. region voted on Wednesday (Jan. 14) to ask Congress and the Trump administration to bring back predictability when it comes to funding homelessness response services at the local level.

“These programs provide critical support to thousands of our neighbors,” said Christine Hong, who chairs the Homeless Services Planning and Coordinating Committee of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG).

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News

Replacement of Dulles Technology Center office buildings with new housing approved

By Scott McCaffrey
Mandrake Capital Partners is planning to redevelop two Dulles Technology Center office buildings with the residential development Valley Village Drive (via Hybrid Architecture/Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a rezoning proposal on Tuesday (Jan. 13) that will bring nearly 450 new residential units to a 12-acre site in the McNair Farms area near Herndon.

Dubbed Valley Drive Village, the project will replace two 25-year-old office buildings and surface parking in the Dulles Technology Center complex (13600 and 13650 Dulles Technology Drive), which is located within a half-mile of the Innovation Center Metro station.

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Countywide

Fairfax County saw flat home sales, modest uptick in price in 2025, data shows

By Scott McCaffrey
Home for sale sign (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Home sales across Fairfax County in 2025 were essentially flat from a year before, according to new data, while the average sales price was up modestly.

A total of 11,780 properties went to closing countywide last year, down 0.1% from 11,787 in 2024, according to figures reported Jan. 12 by MarketStats by ShowingTime.

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News

County board salutes Fairfax police for service during 2021 Capitol attack

By Scott McCaffrey
Resolution presentation to Fairfax police on Jan. 13, 2026 (screenshot via Fairfax County)

County supervisors on Tuesday (Feb. 13) honored Fairfax County Police Department personnel for providing support at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

“We can’t forget the people who were wearing the uniform that day, defending democracy,” Board Chair Jeff McKay said at the presentation, which honored the police personnel from the county who responded when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol to disrupt the certification of the 2020 presidential election results.

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Countywide

Fairfax County proposes new zoning rules on facilities for large-scale battery storage

By Scott McCaffrey
Battery Energy Storage System (photo by Dennis Schroeder/National Renewable Energy Laboratory, via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County supervisors on Tuesday (Jan. 13) set a pair of future public hearings on proposed revisions to zoning rules for large-scale battery storage in the county.

The proposed changes would impact what are known as Battery Energy Storage Systems, or BESS. Language in the amendments would add a new definition for BESS and add new use standards and submission requirements, including minimum setbacks and the completion of a noise study before a site plan can be approved.

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Countywide

Residents urge Fairfax’s state legislators to ‘seize the moment’ in 2026 session

By Scott McCaffrey
Elizabeth Lower-Basch speaks to legislators (screenshot via Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County delegation to the General Assembly heads to Richmond this week with plenty of requests from constituents.

Nearly 100 of them descended on the Fairfax County Government Center Saturday morning (Jan. 10) to make their case on issues ranging from social services to economic development.

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News

Fairfax elections staff trying to keep up as another wave of special elections hits

By Scott McCaffrey
A voting ballot scanner in the Cedar Park Elementary School polling precinct in September 2025 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County election officials say they are holding their own as a series of special elections keeps local voters on their toes.

“We’ve got a fantastic team,” said Eric Spicer, the county’s registrar and elections director, at the Jan. 7 Electoral Board meeting.

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