After initially planning a two-hour delay, Fairfax County Public Schools has now canceled classes tomorrow (Monday) as snow has begun to accumulate across the D.C. region.
“Due to the worsening weather conditions, and after careful consideration, all FCPS schools and central offices will now be closed Monday, February 23, 2026,” FCPS said in an update issued shortly after 6:20 p.m.
Just when the snow and ice from the last winter storm has mostly cleared, another is making its way toward the D.C. region.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the area, including Fairfax County, starting at 3 p.m. tomorrow (Sunday). The alert is currently scheduled to remain in effect until 10 a.m. Monday (Feb. 23).
Fairfax County would overhaul its plan for funding facility renovations and other capital projects with bonds under the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget plan presented by County Executive Bryan Hill earlier this week.
Some projects have been deferred, others shifted to Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (EDA) bonds, and still others eliminated from the bond schedule entirely.
Fairfax County could benefit economically from a casino-anchored development, but the numbers might be more modest than previously shared projections, an internal review by the county suggests.
A Fairfax County casino would produce an estimated $313.6 million in gaming revenue, delivering $62.1 million in local and state taxes, the county’s Department of Management and Budget said in a summary of a feasibility study it commissioned from the consultant MuniCap.
By OLIVIA DIAZ Associated Press/Report for America
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A Virginia court on Thursday effectively blocked Democrats’ planned April voter referendum to redraw the state’s congressional maps, another potentially devastating blow to the party’s effort to pick up four more U.S. House seats in the national redistricting battle.
Post-Explosion Re-Entry Plan Released — “A re-entry plan has been established for residents on Buggy Whip Drive to re-occupy their homes” after dozens were evacuated following a natural gas-fueled explosion in Centreville on Sunday (Feb. 15). “Please complete this form with your contact information to receive re-entry updates. The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will contact you directly with next steps.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]
Teen Charged in I-66 Hit-and-Run — “An 18-year-old is in custody after he was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run on Interstate 66 in Fairfax County.” The Manassas man has been charged with felony hit and run, unauthorized use of a vehicle and following too closely after allegedly rear-ending a Mazda near the Route 28 exit in Centreville and leaving the scene. [DC News Now]
Data Center Tax Exemptions Advance — “The Virginia House of Delegates on Tuesday passed legislation continuing billions of dollars in state tax exemptions for all qualifying new and existing data centers as long as they take a series of steps to move away from fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy.” The bill sponsored by Del. Rip Sullivan passed “roughly along party lines.” [Inside Climate News]
Spanberger Tapped for State of the Union Response — “Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger will deliver the Democratic response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address next week, just months after resoundingly winning an office previously held by a Republican. The Democratic rebuttal will immediately follow Trump’s address to Congress next Tuesday, offering the party’s most high-profile opportunity to deliver a countermessage.” [Associated Press/NBC4]
Bills Would Bump Back Absentee Ballot Deadline — “HB 82 and SB 58, introduced by Del. Adele McClure (D-2) and State Sen. Barbara Favola (D-40), respectively, call for moving the deadline from noon to 5 p.m. on the third day after an election.” Absentee ballots would still need to be postmarked by Election Day. [ARLnow]
Health Care Clinic Temporarily Moves — “The Culmore Clinic, a nonprofit that provides free and low-cost healthcare to lower-income residents of Seven Corners and Culmore, is temporarily relocating” as its home undergoes renovations ahead of a housing development project. “The clinic plans to reopen next Wednesday, Feb. 25, at Columbia Crossroads Baptist Church at 3245 Glen Carlyn Road in Bailey’s Crossroads.” [Annandale Today]
Cherry Blossoms Could Peak Later — “Peak cherry blossom bloom could arrive later than recent years thanks to D.C.’s record-breaking cold … There’s no official peak projection yet, but [National Park Service spokesperson Mike] Litterst says bloom will likely come ‘later in the season than we’ve seen for the last few years.'” [Axios DC]
Mixed Grades for Tobacco Control Policies — The D.C. region received a mixed report card, including a slate of ‘F’s’ in the American Lung Association’s 2026 State of Tobacco Control report … D.C. fared the best with a majority of A’s; Maryland had a more mixed report with an A, as well as B’s and F’s; and Virginia scored a C and four F’s.” [WAMU]
It’s Friday — Expect rain mainly before 10am, accompanied by areas of fog lasting until noon, with the high temperature reaching around 57°F. There is a 90% chance of precipitation, potentially amounting to less than a tenth of an inch. Night skies will be mostly clear, and the low temperature will be around 40°F. [NWS]
Fairfax County intends to move forward with phasing out the use of police officers as school crossing guards.
The Fairfax County Police Department would eliminate crossing guards at local public high schools and turn to contractors to fill vacancies at elementary and middle schools under the fiscal year 2027 budget proposed on Tuesday (Feb. 17) by County Executive Bryan Hill.
What Bills Are Still Alive in General Assembly — “The 2026 General Assembly reached its midpoint Tuesday night as lawmakers hit crossover, the session’s deadline for legislation to pass its chamber of origin and move to the other side of the state Capitol … At crossover, Democrats have moved several of their highest-profile priorities, and they approved three constitutional amendments that will appear on November’s ballot.” [Virginia Mercury]
Emergency Declared for Potomac Sewage Spill — “D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has declared local public emergency regarding the sewage spill in the Potomac River, according to the Mayor’s Office. The declaration allowed her to also make a Presidential Emergency Disaster Declaration request, which could bring in federal support to help respond to the disaster.” [NBC4]
Fatal Crashes Increasing in Region — “Vehicle crashes in the D.C. region remain below pre-pandemic levels but have been rising since 2020, and crash-related fatalities have increased almost continuously since 2015, according to the findings of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board’s 2025 Roadway Safety Study.” [WTOP]
Residents Share Thoughts on Possible Casino — “A proposal to allow Northern Virginia voters to weigh in on whether to build a casino in Fairfax County has advanced to the state’s House of Delegates. And even though the latest plan doesn’t specify Tysons as the location for the project, some community members there are still skeptical.” [WTOP]
Report on Deadly Mid-Air Crash Finalized — “A dizzying range of factors led to last year’s deadly collision between an Army helicopter and a regional jet over the Potomac River, per the final National Transportation Safety Board report out Tuesday.” Identified issues included the proximity of a helicopter route to the path airplanes use to approach Reagan National Airport, “unsustainable” traffic levels at DCA, high workloads for control tower operators and more. [Axios]
New Metro Railcars Running Late — “The next series of Metro railcars will modernize the transit agency’s fleet, but delivery of those trains could be delayed. The 8000 series is supposed to be in service in 2028, but Metro signaled it is not happy with the way the timeline stands right now.” [NBC4]
Community Center to Celebrate 20 Years — The recently reopened “Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate in Reston will celebrate its 20th anniversary this July. The center, which first opened on July 10, 2006, serves as an intergenerational hub for the community.” A community celebration will be held on Aug. 15. [Patch]
Eden Center Celebrates Lunar New Year — “The Vietnamese community celebrated the Lunar New Year at the Eden Center on Feb. 17 with a lion dance, speeches, the raising of Vietnamese and American flags, recognition of Vietnamese military veterans, and fireworks.” [Annandale Today]
It’s Thursday — Expect rain to begin mainly after 3pm with a high near 48°F. An east wind of 5 to 10mph accompanies an 80% chance of precipitation. There’s a 100% chance of rain and patchy fog at night, with a low around 42°F. New rainfall may reach a quarter to half an inch. [NWS]
Support local journalism. Join the FFXnow Press Club to boost our reporting and to get upgraded newsletters.
Please stop flushing wipes down the toilet, even if they’re labeled “flushable,” Fairfax County said in a recent message to community members.
The county’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services urged residents late last week to avoid flushing anything other than toilet paper after a mass of non-disposable wipes clogged a regional sewer pipeline, exacerbating overflows into the Potomac River.
Fairfax County officials sent mixed messages last Friday (Feb. 13) over General Assembly progress, or lack of it, toward dedicated transit funding for Northern Virginia.
Legislation to establish dedicated transit funding is unlikely to be acted on during the month remaining in the 2026 legislative session, county staff reported at a meeting of the Board of Supervisors’ Legislative Committee.
