Countywide

Call for Special Session on Dominion Merger — “As the State Corporation Commission prepares to begin a months-long review of the potential merger of Virginia’s largest electric utility company Dominion Energy and the Florida-based NextEra Energy, two Republican state lawmakers on Tuesday urged Gov. Abigail Spanberger to host a special legislative session that would allow a vote to extend the review period.” [Virginia Mercury]

Two Injured in GW Parkway Crash — “A serious crash on GW Parkway injured two construction workers and left passengers trapped inside a flaming vehicle on Friday night, authorities say … The crash took place around 10:40 p.m. on southbound GW Parkway near the Boundary Channel exit.” [ARLnow]

Fired Immigration Judges Sound Alarm — “It used to be rare for immigration judges to be fired, and they were generally only fired following serious complaints or issues,” according to Anam Petit, a former judge at Annandale Immigration Court. “But since January 2025, the Trump administration has fired more than 113 out of around 700 immigration judges without cause or explanation,” and many others have been reassigned, accepted buyouts or retired early. [Charlottesville Tomorrow]

Reston Man Arrested for Sterling Shooting — “A Reston man has been arrested in connection with a non-contact shooting that happened in Sterling on July 5. Around 2:22 a.m. on July 5, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Community Plaza for a report of shots fired near Tipicos Los Amigos restaurant. No one was hurt in the shooting.” [Loudoun Now]

Lincolnia Data Center Plans Filed — Starwood Capital Group has submitted a permit application and plans for the first building in its controversial Plaza 500 data center development on Edsall Road near the Bren Mar neighborhood. “The first two-story building, named ‘Plaza 500 South,’ is planned to be 226,469 square feet and stand 75 feet tall,” though the company is still waiting approval of an electric substation on the 34-acre site. [Washington Business Journal]

County Raises Awareness of Domestic Violence Indicators — “Strangulation often leaves little or no visible evidence, but Fairfax County officials say it is one of the strongest warning signs that someone experiencing domestic violence may later become the victim of homicide.” That concern will be the focus of an upcoming training for those who work with survivors of domestic and sexual violence. [Patch]

Va. Eases Rules for Birth Record Requests — “Adult adoptees born in Virginia can now request a copy of their original birth certificate without obtaining a court order, following the enactment of House Bill 301, which took effect July 1, 2026.  Previously, adoptees were required to secure a court order before accessing their original birth records.” [Virginia Department of Health]

FCPD Drone Program Wins Award — “The Fairfax County Police Department’s (FCPD) Drone as First Responder (DFR) program was recognized by the National Association of Counties (NACo) with a 2026 Achievement Award and selected as Best in Category for Criminal Justice and Public Safety, the organization’s highest honor within the category.” [FCPD]

It’s Wednesday — There is a 50% chance of precipitation, with partly sunny skies and a high near 85°F. Night will have a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm, with mostly cloudy conditions and a low around 65°F. [NWS]

There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.

Hearing on Jimenez Reckless Driving Charge Postponed — “The reckless driving charge against Mason Supervisor Andres Jimenez has been continued to Sept. 21 … The Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney asked to be recused from the case, so Judge Darwyn Easley on July 20 in Traffic Court granted a request by Jimenez’s attorney, Makan Shirafkan, to continue the case.” [Annandale Today]

Seven Corners Apartments Expansion Approved — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on July 14 approved a rezoning of the Cavalier Club apartments in Seven Corners to permit an additional eight-story apartment building with 238 units … The existing 12-story, 220-unit Cavalier Club building will remain.” [Annandale Today]

Springfield Man Convicted in Child Sex Abuse Materials Case — “Police began investigating 39-year-old Nathaniel Lee, who worked as a tax preparer and Franconia Museum guide, in December 2022. Lee was requesting child sex abuse images on the file sharing network Freenet, prosecutors said … Lee was convicted Monday following a bench trial on three total counts in connection to his possession of the images and is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 6.” [WTOP]

Local Schools Given Some Funding Flexibility — “Virginia schools will have greater agency in administrative decisions and flexibility in how they spend federal funds heading into the upcoming school year, potentially affecting low-income student programs and teacher development.” The change is intended to reduce time spent on paperwork, but some worry it will result in funding shifting away from students who need the most resources. [Virginia Mercury]

Arlington to Ban Gas Leaf Blowers — “County Board members on Saturday adopted a 29-month phase-out period for gas-powered leaf blowers countywide, a timeframe officials said would help to make sure the transition goes smoothly.” County staff acknowledged that a challenge to the ban in court might be dicey, considering the General Assembly has yet to explicitly give localities the authority to regulate gas-powered leaf blowers.  [ARLnow]

Mahjong Club Sets Opening Date — “The wait is almost over! We’re thrilled to open the doors of The Bamboo Room and welcome the Vienna community into our new home!” A soft opening is planned for the new social club at 101 Church Street NW, Unit D, on Aug. 2 from noon to 4 p.m. [The Bamboo Room/Instagram]

Early Fundraising Leaders in Fairfax City Elections — “City Council candidate Steve Chang has emerged as the early fundraising leader in Fairfax City’s 2026 election, while mayoral candidate Kirsten Sides Lockhart reported the highest fundraising total among candidates running for mayor, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Virginia Department of Elections.” [Patch]

Charity Softball Game Planned in Chantilly — “Calling all Chantilly Youth Association (CYA) and the Southwestern Youth Association (SYA) alumni: Ellanor C. Lawrence Park Friends (ECLP) is hosting a charity softball game on Saturday, July 25, from noon to 3 p.m.” Funds will go toward scholarships for programs at the park. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Tuesday — Expect showers and possible thunderstorms with a high near 91°F. There’s an 80% chance of rain, with up to half an inch expected. Night will bring more showers and thunderstorms, particularly before 2am, with lows around 73°F. [NWS]

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

Banfield Appeals Murder Conviction — “Brendan Banfield, the Northern Virginia man convicted of killing his wife and a stranger in an elaborate plot to be with the family’s au pair, filed notice he will appeal his murder conviction and life sentence. Banfield’s attorneys filed the notice Friday to the Court of Appeals of Virginia, court records show.” [NBC4]

Lorton Man Charged in Fatal Pedestrian Crash — “Nearly three months after a woman was killed crossing the street in Old Town North, a Lorton man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and failure to yield to a pedestrian causing death.” [ALXnow]

Fairfax Starts Phasing Out Pennies — “Fairfax County, Virginia, leaders [last] week approved a plan to round cash transaction totals up or down to the nearest nickel, a step that comes in response to the lack of new penny coins being produced … The change comes after the U.S. Mint stopped making new pennies last November.” [WTOP]

Kevin Bacon Visits GMU as Volunteer — Actor Kevin Bacon “stepped on to the campus of George Mason University Sunday to volunteer with his nonprofit, appropriately called ‘SixDegrees.Org’ … About 100 volunteers packed about 35,000 meal kits that will be distributed in Fairfax County.” [NBC4]

Driver Injured in I-495 Crash — “Virginia State Police (VSP) said a driver was seriously injured after a crash on Interstate 495 on Friday afternoon. According to a VSP spokesperson, the crash happened around 3 p.m. on I-495’s southbound lanes near Route 29 in Fairfax County” after a tractor-trailer appears to have “failed to slow down enough for upcoming traffic.” [DC News Now]

Child Care Center Approved for Lincolnia — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on July 14 approved a zoning special exception for a childcare center on Fairland Street, Lincolnia, next to the Braddock Road intersection, to serve up to 50 children. The applicant and property owner, Deyi Awadallah, initially requested that the center accommodate up to 99 children.” [Annandale Today]

Fairfax City Reviews Zoning Rules — “A proposal intended to bring Fairfax City’s zoning rules in line with its small area plans prompted a broader City Council debate Tuesday over building heights, residential density and the pace of development. The second draft would establish an Activity Center Zoning District for properties in Northfax, Fairfax Circle, Kamp Washington, Old Town Fairfax and Pickett and Main.” [Patch]

Praise for Puerto Rican Restaurant in McLean — “Three years on, Pikoteo is still serving smoked meats, creative appetizers, and chalkboard specials every day. Tucked into a quiet back street near downtown McLean, it’s no surprise the restaurant remains largely undiscovered — even by many locals. But that’s a shame. There aren’t many places left where a pair of diners can share three delightful courses for less than $100.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

New Legal Notice — Applicant seeks ABC brewery license; objections due in 30 days. [Public Notices]

It’s Monday — The weather will be mostly sunny today, with a high of around 85°F. Expect light winds that will shift to the south at about 6 mph in the morning. Overnight, there is a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m., with increasing cloudiness and a low of around 70°F. Winds will be from the south at 5 to 8 mph. [NWS]

More Heat, Smoke and Storms Expected — “Fairfax County residents face a mix of weather hazards over the next several days. Smoke from Canadian wildfires is reducing air quality now, and forecasters expect heat and severe thunderstorms to build in by the weekend.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]

Nonprofit Youth Programs Shut Down — “Second Story, a nonprofit that serves youths and families in underserved areas, learned with very little notice that four of its programs were at risk of closing on July 1 ‘due to unexpected interruptions to long-standing funding sources,’ said Chief Executive Officer Jade Leedham. Second Story was able to save the Culmore Teen Center, at least temporarily, thanks to donations, but shut down the Safe Youth Projects in Culmore, Annandale, and Springfield.” [Annandale Today]

Dominion Officially Files for Merger — “Dominion Energy on Wednesday submitted their official arguments to the State Corporation Commission to allow the utility to merge with the Florida-based NextEra … The SCC now has six months to review the arguments, hear testimony from both sides and make a decision on if the merger will succeed.” [Virginia Mercury]

New Acting U.S. Attorney Appointed — Former Arlington Commonwealth’s Attorney Theo “Stamos has been appointed first assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. With the U.S. Attorney position currently vacant, she also will serve as acting U.S. Attorney until the post is filled permanently.” [ARLnow]

Youngkin Joins Tysons Company — “Virginia’s former Gov. Glenn Younkin has made a return to the private sector. Youngkin has joined Tysons-based company Red Cell LLC as a partner, chairman, and board member … Youngkin’s appointment at Red Cell follows months of speculation about his future plans, including whether he would return to politics.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Dominion Faces Data Center Connection Backlog — “For years, the number of data centers asking for connection dates from Dominion Energy had been a secret … Now a State Corporation Commission hearing has parted the curtain. What it revealed surprised and infuriated the one dozen data center companies, citizens, and environmental groups that participated.” [Prince William Times]

Negative Approval Rating for Spanberger — “The Summer 2026 Commonwealth Poll, released Wednesday by Virginia Commonwealth University’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, found 44% of registered voters approve of the job Spanberger is doing as governor, while 47% disapprove. Nine percent said they were unsure. Voters cited economic concerns as their top issue.” [Virginia Scope]

National Ice Cream Day Deals in Fairfax — Moo Thru’s Herndon and Burke locations will celebrate National Ice Cream Day this Sunday (July 19) with 10% discounts on all sales. Meanwhile, Dolcezza will mark that occasion and its 22nd anniversary by offering free scoops of its limited-edition Chocotorta gelato on Tuesday, July 21 from 5-7 p.m. at all locations, including the Mosaic District.

It’s Friday — This afternoon, expect widespread smoke mainly after 2 p.m., with mostly sunny skies and a high near 92°F. Tonight, there is a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m., along with widespread smoke. Conditions will be partly cloudy with a low around 74°F. [NWS]