Hunter Mill District School Board Representative Melanie Meren and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay (staff photos by Jared Serre)
The growing tension between Fairfax County’s government and schools leaders over funding spilled into public view yesterday (Wednesday) when Hunter Mill District School Board Representative Melanie Meren shared a hostile text exchange with Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay.
In response to a May 7 newsletter where Meren criticized the Board of Supervisors for eliminating high school crossing guards in the county’s fiscal year 2027 budget, adopted on May 5, McKay texted that she “should apologize” for the “crazy words you have put out,” according to screenshots that Meren posted on Facebook and provided directly to FFXnow.
Construction continues in early February 2026 on the Exchange at Spring Hill apartment buildings near the Spring Hill Metro station in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Fairfax County officials now have a lengthy to-do list in their efforts to increase the community’s housing stock.
The goal is to “ensure we keep the pedal down on this priority,” Ben Aiken, a county staffer who serves as project manager for the Housing Task Force, told the Board of Supervisors at a Land Use Policy Committee meeting on Tuesday (May 12).
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)
Despite a relatively stable year-over-year homelessness count in new data, Fairfax County’s level of those experiencing chronic homelessness ticked up more substantially between 2025 and 2026.
Clouds fill the sky over lights at Stratton Woods Park’s baseball field in Herndon (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Woman Injured in Stolen Vehicle Crash — Fairfax County police officers responded last night (Wednesday) to “a crash involving multiple vehicles at Richmond Hwy and Lorton Rd in Lorton. An adult female was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Preliminarily, a delivery vehicle was stolen near Backlick Rd and Richmond Hwy in Fort Belvoir. The suspect then crashed into multiple vehicles and is now in custody.” [FCPD/X]
Health Care Bills Signed in Merrifield — “Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) on Wednesday signed a package of health care bills at Inova Schar Cancer Institute aimed at capping insulin costs, expanding insurance benefits and limiting how insurers use prior authorization and artificial intelligence.” [Patch]
High Security Planned for D.C.’s Fourth of July — “The July 4 celebration on the National Mall has been given the highest-level security designation, an unusual step for Independence Day that will unlock the full weight of local and federal law enforcement resources.” The designation “is typically given to events deemed potential targets for terrorism or other criminal activity” by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. [Washington Post]
Va. Could Mandate Changing Stations in Bathrooms — Virginia doesn’t require public restrooms to include diaper-changing stations, but that could change under a proposal from state Sen. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, who represents Alexandria and a sliver of Fairfax County. The state’s Board of Housing and Community Development advanced the proposal at a meeting on Monday (May 11) and will take a final vote “after the public has the chance to weigh in.” [Virginia Mercury]
Seafood Eatery Opens in Annandale — “Mad Seafood is bringing a taste of Louisiana to Annandale. The new restaurant, at the corner of Annandale Road, Poplar Street, and Markham Street, specializes in Cajun-style, farm-raised fish and shrimp.” [Annandale Today]
Congressional Candidate Likely Dropping Out — “A congressional candidate from Falls Church says he will leave the race if the Virginia Supreme Court’s decision on redistricting stands … Like most other contenders in the proposed new 7th District, Schiarizzi said he was awaiting a final outcome before formalizing any plans.” [ARLnow]
New Mural Honors Late Musician — “A new mural going up in Annandale celebrates singer-songwriter Cat Janice, who died of cancer in 2024 shortly after one of her songs, ‘Dance Outta My Head,’ went viral … The mural, located on the side of Annandale Watch & Clock at 4221 Annandale Road, should be completed by the end of next week, says Cat’s mother, Annandale resident Stacey Ipsan.” [Annandale Today]
McLean Restaurant Revived Under New Owner — “At Café Tatti in McLean, chef Giovanni Carlo has created his own version of the winter dish. And he’s not sure if he can ever remove it from the menu. ‘It’s one of the items that drives in new guests,’ says the restaurateur, who took over the 45-year-old restaurant with his wife, Sema, last year.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Thursday — Expect mostly sunny skies today with a high near 65°F and northwest winds at 11 to 14 mph, gusting up to 23 mph. Tonight will be partly cloudy with a low around 51°F, featuring northwest winds around 11 mph and gusts up to 18 mph. [NWS]
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Bicyclists on Colts Neck Road in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Fairfax County will join a regionwide celebration of bicycling as an option for commuters this Friday (May 15).
More than two dozen pit stops are planned across the county for Bike to Work Day 2026, offering free T-shirts, snacks and other giveaways to cyclists who pass by on the way to their office or workplace.
Fairfax County trash collection (photo via Fairfax County)
Fairfax County leaders appear to have largely abandoned controversial efforts to impose a future countywide residential trash district.
“We’ve heard pretty loud and pretty clearly that this is not the model,” said Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik, who chairs the Board of Supervisors’ Environment Committee and presided over its May 12 meeting.
Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid presents her proposed reductions in the fiscal year 2027 budget to the school board on May 7, 2026 (via FCPS/YouTube)
Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid has proposed trimming a number of items from the school system’s fiscal year 2027 budget to address a $28.9 million shortfall.
“At this time,” Reid wrote in a May 8 letter to FCPS families, “I am proposing to make up the difference by reducing the staffing reserve, leveraging alternative major maintenance funding, extending the time to refresh FCPSOn technology devices, deferring microcredentialing, reducing math adoption curriculum materials, and reducing the Superintendent’s Strategic Reserve.”
Fairfax County’s average home sales price tiptoed toward $1 million in April, as the spring buying market was dominated by upper-end properties.
“There is significant pent-up demand in the marketplace, but higher-income buyers are the ones primarily driving activity while budget-conscious buyers remain more sensitive to rate volatility and economic uncertainty,” said Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist for Bright MLS, the region’s multiple listing service.
A crow perched on a folding sign in Vienna’s Maple Avenue Shopping Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Survey Work Starts on ‘Triumphal Arch’ — “Workers began preliminary surveys and testing Monday of the proposed site of a Triumphal Arch sought by President Donald Trump, the latest step in plans for the contentious project in the nation’s capital. Workers were seen inspecting the site of the proposed arch between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery with tools and equipment.” [Associated Press/ARLnow]
Regional Pizzeria Chain Using AI — “Behind the counter at Andy’s Pizza, AI now helps direct everything from when mozzarella gets ordered to the moment a pie needs to hit the oven. As big restaurant chains pour money into AI to cut labor costs, fast-growing D.C. pizza chain Andy’s is betting custom-built AI tools can help it scale without sacrificing hospitality.” [Axios DC]
Meeting on Pedestrian Safety at Herndon HS — “We’re working to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety on Bennett Street in front of Herndon High School!” Herndon and Virginia Department of Transportation staff will present preliminary concepts for improvements at a community meeting tonight (Wednesday) at 7 p.m. in the Herndon High School cafeteria (700 Bennett Street). [Town of Herndon/Instagram]
Retired Fairfax Deputy Loses Home in Fire — “Imagine losing nearly everything at age 72. That’s what happened to a retired Fairfax County deputy in March when his home burned to the ground. Dan DePalma’s neighbors say he spent his career helping others, so now they are trying to help him rebuild.” [NBC4]
Fairfax City School Briefly Evacuated — “Students at Daniels Run Elementary School in Fairfax City were evacuated for a short period of time on Tuesday as firefighters investigated the report of a building fire, authorities say.” Principal Susan Mullen later informed families that a light had “burst in a classroom, which generated some smoke.” No injuries were reported. [Patch]
Yemeni Cafe Opening Soon in Seven Corners — “Qahwah, a Yemeni coffee shop, is expected to open in Seven Corners within the next couple of weeks, as soon as it clears the inspection process. The shop is located in a long vacant building at 6315A Leesburg Pike that once housed the Seven Corners Pub.” [Annandale Today]
Prepare for Graduation Traffic — “Drivers may see heavier than normal traffic around George Mason University’s Fairfax campus from May 14 through June 17, according to a traffic advisory about graduation events at EagleBank Arena.” The stadium will host commencements for GMU and Northern Virginia Community College on May 14 and May 18, respectively, followed by a slate of high school graduation ceremonies. [Patch]
Lighthouse from 1800s For Sale — “The Middle Ground Lighthouse is a privately owned, fully restored lighthouse that is only accessible by boat. The property is now on offer for private sale.” Built in 1891, the lighthouse has been renovated into a private home, but its light still functions, flashing over the Chesapeake Bay near Newport News. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
New Legal Notice — Applicant seeks ABC license for on/off-premises beer, wine, mixed beverages. [Public Notices]
It’s Wednesday — Expect increasing clouds with a high near 75°F, a 30% chance of showers, and possible thunderstorms after 5 pm. Night will have showers and thunderstorms until 2 AM and a low of around 53°F. Precipitation chance rises to 90% with potential rainfall between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. [NWS]
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Fairfax County Supervisor Andres Jimenez and public service workers rally outside the Fairfax County Government Center May 6. (Courtesy SEIU)
Fairfax County firefighters, teachers and other public sector workers recently rallied outside the county government center, asking Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger to sign legislation granting public workers the right to engage in collective bargaining.
The May 6 rally was one of several held around the commonwealth by unions, including the Virginia Education Association, the International Association of Firefighters, and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), in support of HB 1263 and SB 378.
