Fairfax County leaders marked the 10th anniversary of the Fairfax Area High School Student Shark Tank Technology Challenge earlier this week.
“It’s only gotten bigger and better,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said when presenting a proclamation saluting the contest’s first decade on Tuesday (May 19).
Lane Closures Lifted for Memorial Day — “The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will be suspending many highway work zones and lifting temporary lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon on Friday, May 22 until noon on Tuesday, May 26. While lane closures will be lifted in most locations, motorists may encounter semi-permanent work zones that remain in place during this time.” [VDOT]
Flights From Ebola-Affected Countries Sent to Dulles — “The Secretary of Homeland Security is ordering all U.S.-bound flights carrying travelers who were in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan within the past 21 days to land only at Washington–Dulles International Airport following the discovery of a rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak.” [FOX5]
Construction Funds Cover VDOT Shortfall — “The Commonwealth Transportation Board voted to transfer funds from construction projects and other areas to address a $193 million budget shortfall caused by increased spending on storm response and employee bonuses during Wednesday’s business meeting.” [Virginia Mercury]
AI Bills Fall by Wayside — “Most of the AI bills proposed by the General Assembly during the 2026 session were pushed aside over concerns that Trump would make good on his threat to sue and withhold broadband funding from states that pass laws stifling the technology’s growth.” [VPM News]
Arrests in Lego Retail Thefts — “Detectives from our Criminal Investigations Division have charged two suspects involved in nearly $10,000 worth of stolen merchandise, including LEGO sets, small appliances, and clothing, from stores across Fairfax County.” The cases date back to December 2025, targeting Target, Home Depot and Walmart. [FCPD]
Fairfax Connector Bus in Crash — Two lanes of Herndon Parkway were closed yesterday afternoon (Thursday) due to a crash involving a Fairfax Connector bus, the Herndon Police Department (HPD) said. Fairfax County police said “that no injuries were reported, and only minor damage occurred.” [DC News Now]
New Laws to Manage Invasive Species — “The measures make new opportunities for localities to collaborate on invasive control, set new requirements on the state Department of Transportation’s management of plants on highways and close a loophole on how plants are prohibited from sale in the commonwealth.” [VPM News]
Free Rec Center Access for Veterans — “In recognition of Memorial Day, the Fairfax County Park Authority invites veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families to enjoy complimentary access to select park amenities and activities on Monday, May 25.” The deal includes recreation center access, camping at Lake Fairfax Park and, for active service members, wagon rides at Frying Pan Farm Park. [FCPA]
It’s Friday — Expect rain before 5 p.m., followed by showers, with a high of around 61°F. East winds will be 9 to 14 mph, with gusts up to 18 mph, and an 80% chance of up to a quarter-inch of precipitation. Friday night will have showers until 11 p.m., then more rain, with a low of about 51°F, east winds at 8 to 13 mph, and a 100% chance of similar rainfall. [NWS]
The number of Fairfax County residents counted as unemployed rose 17% year-over-year in March, and was up 52% from two years before, according to new state data.
A total of 22,680 county residents were included in the ranks of unemployed for the month, according to figures reported May 19 by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement.
The final bill introduced by the late Gerry Connolly dealt with the disease that took his life early in his ninth term representing Virginia’s 11th Congressional District.
In a rare moment of unity, the Senate voted unanimously yesterday (Wednesday) to support the Gerald E. Connolly Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act, sending the bill to President Donald Trump almost a year after it passed the House of Representatives on June 3, 2025.
Lower-than-projected use and revenue could trigger rate increases on the Dulles Toll Road in advance of the previously anticipated 2028 time frame.
Total toll road revenue for 2025 was down 2.3% year-over-year to $198.4 million in 2025, according to figures presented yesterday (Wednesday) to a Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) board of directors committee.
Barn Fire in Great Falls — The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department responded last night to “a barn fire in the 200 block of Walker Rd in Great Falls. Crews encountered a well-involved barn fire and established tanker shuttle operations due to limited hydrants. All occupants and animals are out safely.” [FCFRD/X]
Congress Seeks Answers on Potomac Spill — “Key officials involved in the cleanup of a massive sewage spill in the Potomac River testified Wednesday at a congressional hearing that they quickly responded after a pipe burst and that public health was never at risk.” Lawmakers, however, expressed continued concern about the effects of the disaster and whether it could’ve been prevented. [WTOP]
Motorcyclist Killed in Crash Identified — “Preliminarily, detectives determined that Mikhail Perry, 22, of Fairfax, was traveling northbound on Route 29 on a 2005 Ducati motorcycle” when he crashed into a semi truck making a U-turn on Tuesday (May 19). Police say “speed was a factor in the crash for the motorcyclist.” [FCPD]
Virginia Revenue Exceeds Forecast — “Virginia’s economy is showing increasing signs of strain from slower job growth, rising inflation and weakening consumer confidence, even as state revenues continue exceeding expectations and giving lawmakers more room to negotiate a stalled state budget, Virginia Secretary of Finance Mark Sickles said Tuesday.” [Virginia Mercury]
Overdose Deaths Declining in Va. — “Virginia recorded one of the steepest declines in overdose deaths nationwide over the past year, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” Virginia Commissioner for Behavioral Health Daryl Washington attributed the drop to expanded access to naloxone and treatment programs. [WAMU]
Osprey Saved From Drowning — “The Fairfax County Animal Shelter said earlier this month that its animal services officers responded to a report of an osprey that had gotten trapped on a fishing line … When the officer arrived, the osprey had freed itself but looked to have gotten injured from the struggle.” [DC News Now]
Metro Featured in Smithsonian Exhibit — As part of a collaboration timed to celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary, the National Museum of American History is displaying a mural highlighting “destinations across the District, Maryland, and Virginia accessible by Metro Rail and Metro Bus.” A special Metro map shows the connections between the transit system and sites crucial to the nation’s history. [WMATA]
Private School Completes New Turf Field — “The Griffin Field project – the ‘field of dreams’ – at the Westminster School in Annandale is nearly completed. A ribbon-cutting celebration will be held in October. The independent, private school, located at 3819 Gallows Road, serves students from preschool through middle school.” [Annandale Today]
New Legal Notice — Restaurant seeks ABC on/off-premise alcohol license; objections in 30 days. [Public Notices]
It’s Thursday — Expect showers and possibly a thunderstorm today, with a high of around 67°F. The 90% chance of rain will drop to 60% at night, which will be cloudy with a low of around 54°F. Northeast winds will range from 7 to 10 mph. [NWS]
Support local journalism. Join the FFXnow Press Club to boost our reporting and to get upgraded newsletters.
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) has vetoed legislation from numerous Democratic Fairfax County legislators relating to a marijuana retail market, class action lawsuits and other issues.
Yesterday, Spanberger rejected the General Assembly-passed versions of HB 642 and SB 542, which would have set up a retail market for recreational marijuana on Jan. 1, 2027 — more than five years after Virginia became the first state in the South to legalize possession of the drug by adults.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (May 19) took the first step toward considering giving property owners tax rebates in years when the local government shows a significant budget surplus.
In a unanimous vote, supervisors agreed to a request by Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity, directing staff to begin looking at the technical and cost implications of such a proposal.
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has taken a mixed approach to bills from Fairfax state Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim (D-37) intended to counter the Trump administration’s draconian approach to immigration enforcement.
The governor announced today (Wednesday) that she has signed SB 352 and its House of Delegates companion HB 1482, which ban law enforcement officers from covering their faces, while vetoing legislation (SB 351 and HB 650) that would restrict federal immigration agents from conducting civil arrests in certain public places, including courthouses, schools and health care facilities.
Congressional Candidates Drop Out — Several House of Delegates candidates have officially suspended their campaigns after the Virginia Supreme Court voided the results of the April 21 redistricting referendum. That includes former Space Force Col. Bree Fram, who was set to challenge Rep. James Walkinshaw in the 11th District, and contenders for the proposed 7th District: Dorothy McAuliffe, Del. Dan Helmer, state Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim and J.P. Cooney. [ABC News]
Man Sentenced for Burke Lake Park Murder — “A man convicted of the 2023 slaying of his girlfriend at a Fairfax County park was sentenced Friday [May 15] to 40 years in prison, after a judge cited the defendant’s heavy use of psychedelic mushrooms on the night of the killing as one of his mitigating factors.” The judge said he believed Rami El-Sayed, 36, “was not fully aware of his actions.” [WUSA9]
Majority of Metrobus Riders Not Paying — “Metro says nearly seven out of every 10 bus riders are still not paying the fare to ride the bus. Now, a new crackdown is coming that will involve bus operators and transit police. Metrobus operators will quote the fare to ride the bus as a reminder to riders to pay.” [NBC4]
Burke Ranked Best Place to Live in Va. — “U.S. News & World Report has released its 2026–2027 Best Places to Live list, and the results might surprise you … Burke was the No. 1 Best Place to Live in Virginia, and it landed at 108 on the list of 250 U.S. cities. The Burke 22015 zip code also topped our list of the 20 Hottest Zip Codes in Northern Virginia.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Unionized Electricians Back Data Center Tax Break — “Dozens of electricians, all union workers who help build data centers across Virginia, attended a meeting of the Senate Finance committee Tuesday. They were there to urge negotiators to keep tax breaks for data centers, a sticking point in the ongoing fight over Virginia’s budget.” If a new budget isn’t in place by June 30, Virginia would face its first-ever partial government shutdown. [WVTF]
Metro Leader Pitches ‘Gold Line’ — “Randy Clarke sees Metro’s future in the Gold Line: A zippy, dedicated bus route from Georgetown to the new Commanders stadium.” The Metro general manager also that “fares are probably going up next year for inflation … three years after the last increase.” [Axios DC]
RA Revising Pesticide Notification Policies — “The Reston Association is updating its communication procedures for pesticide applications following community transparency concerns, according to an email sent Monday by Acting Chief Executive Officer Peter Lusk.” The changes are being implemented after local homeowner Amy Becker raised concerns at a board meeting on May 1. [Patch]
Asian Celebration Planned in Annandale — “The community is invited to an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration on Saturday, May 23, 2-6 p.m., at the Eileen Garnett Civic Space.” The festival will feature over 50 vendors, live entertainment, a fashion show, an eating contest, crafts and appearances by community organizations. [Annandale Today]
It’s Wednesday — There’s a 60% chance of rain, likely after 5 p.m. and a high near 95°F, with a west wind of 6 to 11 mph. Tonight, the low will be around 59°F, with a north wind of 5 to 7 mph and an 80% chance of rain. [NWS]
There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.
