A plan to upgrade Metro’s service and long-term sustainability by establishing dedicated funding for the transit system won backing Monday afternoon (Nov. 17) from two key panels.
The boards of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) each formally endorsed the funding plan laid out in late October by the DMV Moves Task Force at a joint meeting.
FCPS Expands Weapons Detectors to Football Games — Fairfax County Public Schools started using weapons detectors at high school football playoff games this past weekend “following a string of incidents around the D.C. region during the fall athletic season … Schools are advising sports fans to come early and to purchase their tickets online.” [WTOP]
State Senator Proposes End to Parking Mandates — “Some Falls Church leaders are expressing concern over a possible General Assembly measure that would take away local power to regulate parking in development projects. Such a measure could be introduced by Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim (D-37), who represents the city in the upper house of the legislature.” [ARLnow]
How Federal Cuts Affected Va. Food Banks — “More than 1.7 million pounds of food aid earmarked for Virginia’s seven main food banks was canceled between May and August, according to data obtained by ProPublica. Among the lost shipments was about 550,000 pounds of chicken. Based on average consumption, the federal cuts translate to no chicken for nearly 6,400 typical households for four months.” [Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO]
Holiday Market Coming to Fairfax Corner — After setting up at Tysons Corner Center last year, Creative Collective’s annual Holiday Pop Up market is heading to Fairfax Corner this year, starting “from Friday, November 21, to Wednesday, December 24. Throughout the holiday shopping season, guests will be able to explore goods from more than 30 small businesses across the region.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Reston Row Office Space Leased — “Comstock Cos. has leased 310,000 square feet at two new trophy office buildings at Reston Row, the real estate firm announced Thursday … The company did not name the tenant or tenants, but it said the leases included the entire 210,000 square feet at 1870 Reston Row. Comstock also leased three floors — roughly 100,000 square feet —at sister building 1800 Reston Row.” [Washington Business Journal]
New Class of Police Recruits Graduate — “After completing six weeks of training, ten experienced officers have graduated Option 5 and will be starting their assignments in Fairfax County and around the Commonwealth of Virginia. Our four graduates bring a wide range of experience, education, and military service to the Fairfax County Police Department.” [FCPD]
ArtsFairfax Awards Grants — “As part of the nonprofit’s funding opportunities, ArtsFairfax awarded $160,000 in Project Support Grants to 13 local arts organizations to encourage wider participation in the arts through unique cultural programming.” [ArtsFairfax]
Rec Center to Revise Hours — “The George Washington Rec Center is updating its operating hours starting Thursday, Jan. 1. The new schedule provides access for fitness and recreation opportunities throughout the week while accommodating additional facility needs.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]
It’s Monday — Expect sunny skies and a high temperature near 50 degrees during the day, accompanied by a northwest wind blowing at 11 to 17 mph, and gusts reaching up to 30 mph. Night will be mostly clear with temperatures dropping to around 33 degrees. [NWS]
In the wake of the country’s longest-ever federal government shutdown, a key safety-net organization is calling for a renewed emphasis on helping lower-income, working residents achieve economic independence across Fairfax County and the broader D.C. region.
While welcoming the shutdown’s end on Thursday (Nov. 13), United Way of the National Capital Area President and CEO Rosie Allen-Herring said at a briefing that morning that her organization believes “the impact will be felt, for thousands, for months ahead.”
Fairfax County’s October home-sales market had its best showing since July, with total sales volume up 10% month over month and 12.8% year over year.
A total of 1,027 residential properties went to closing in October, according to figures reported Nov. 11 by Bright MLS, the region’s multiple-listing service. That’s up 6.6% from 963 sales in October 2024.
Trump Nominee Opposes Dulles Mobile Lounges — Former White House personnel office deputy director Trent Morse wants Dulles International Airport to eliminate its people movers, “saying the passenger-transport shuttles that drew headlines this week for a crash that sent 18 people to the hospital are slow, outdated and dangerous.” Morse’s nomination to the MWAA board is being considered by the Senate Commerce Committee in Congress. [Washington Post]
Man Charged With Threatening CIA Head — “A man armed with a box cutter who is accused of threatening to kill CIA Director John Ratcliffe was stopped on Nov. 5 by police as he tried to enter the agency’s headquarters in McLean, according to court documents.” The man was charged the following day with making threats against a federal official and was denied bond on Monday (Nov. 10). [Patch]
North Shore Drive Residents Frustrated by Crashes — “A drive along North Shore Drive in Reston shows one damaged car after another. Car parts and other debris line the side of the roadway. Fairfax County police say that in the past two years, 31 accidents and an additional 15 hit-and-runs have been reported along the well-traveled stretch.” [FOX5]
Virginia Introduces Digital IDs — “Virginians can now use a digital version of their driver’s license at the DMV, TSA, some ABC stores and a handful of police departments … Virginia is the first state in the nation where a digital ID will be accepted in lieu of a physical ID in multiple places, Virginia’s Department of Motor Vehicles announced this week.” [Axios Richmond]
Community College Students Walk Out — “Dozens of students staged a walkout at Northern Virginia Community College’s Annandale campus Nov. 12 to protest NOVA’s plan to convert the Humanities Building into HR and administrative offices … Students suspect NOVA’s goal is to cut costs by moving more courses online,” though NOVA President Anne Kress says the college has “no desire to displace classrooms.” [Annandale Today]
New Candidate for Potential Braddock School Board Race — “Annandale resident Alexa Krezel has announced plans to run for the Braddock District seat on the Fairfax County School Board, assuming current school board member Rachna Sizemore Heizer wins the special election for Braddock supervisor on Dec. 9.” Krezel and previously declared candidate Tom Dannan are both seeking an endorsement from the Fairfax County Democratic Committee. [Annandale Today]
Potomac River Cleanup Progress Stalls — “It’s not fishable or swimmable yet, but according to the Potomac Conservancy, the Potomac River earned a grade of ‘B’ for the fifth year in a row.” While the river’s water quality has come a long way from the “D” it earned in 2011, officials identified “development that results in the loss of forest land” as one hurdle keeping the region from achieving an “A” rating. [WTOP]
Wellness Expo Returns to Vienna — The Vienna Business Association’s “Wellness Wonderland” expo will return for a third year this Saturday (Nov. 15) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center. The event will include a resource fair with 50 health, wellness and fitness exhibitors as well as presentations by experts, including a keynote address by author and chef Amy Riolo. [Press release]
It’s Friday — Expect a sunny day with a high of around 58 degrees and a west wind of 6 to 9 mph. For Friday night, the weather will be mostly cloudy with a low of approximately 43 degrees, accompanied by calm wind conditions. [NWS]
While acknowledging a request for more funding is on the horizon, the chair of Fairfax County’s School Board says she is eager to avoid a repeat of budget clashes earlier this year between her body and the Board of Supervisors.
Springfield District School Board member Sandy Anderson, who rotated in as chair over the summer, said Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) leaders need to be realistic about the current state of fiscal affairs, and considerate of the choices supervisors will need to make next spring.
Federal Government Shutdown Ends — “The House passed a bill Wednesday to end the nation’s longest government shutdown, sending the measure to President Donald Trump for his signature after a historic 43-day funding lapse that saw federal workers go without multiple paychecks, travelers stranded at airports and people lining up at food banks to get a meal for their families,” including their pets. [Associated Press/ARLnow]
Economic Challenges Await New Governor — “The strains resulting from federal cuts to the social safety net will likely be the biggest challenge facing the new Democratic leadership in Richmond. After Democrats’ resounding wins on Election Night last week, what to do about it will fall to Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger.” [WAMU]
Fairfax City Affordable Housing Plan Unveiled — “Many City of Fairfax residents said they had faced affordable housing challenges over the previous year, according to a new Affordable Housing Strategic Plan presented to the Fairfax City Council last Tuesday.” Nearly half of all renters and 13% of homeowners reported experiencing affordability challenges over the past year. [Patch]
Utility Work to Close West Springfield Road — “Taft Drive (Route 4167) between Rolling Road (Route 638) and Smithfield Avenue (Route 4147) will be closed from 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, to 4 a.m. Friday, Nov. 14, for water main tie-in work as part of the Rolling Road widening project … Drivers are asked to follow posted detour signs.” [VDOT]
Kingstowne Condiment Maker Files for Bankruptcy — “Alexandria condiment company True Made Foods Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as it faces a lawsuit filed by snack food manufacturer and distribution partner PIM Brands Inc.” True Made, whose products can be found in many area grocery stores, says the lawsuit over a 2020 distribution contract is “baseless,” but “the legal costs are too high” for the company to continue fighting it. [Washington Business Journal]
Annandale Fashion Boutique Closed — “Thauma, the Korean fashion boutique at 7224 Columbia Pike in Annandale, closed at the end of October, and the property is available for lease. Thauma owner Yoon Lee is focusing on her small shop, K Fashion, at the food court inside the K Market grocery store on John Marr Drive.” [Annandale Today]
Meet WaPo’s New Food Critic — Elazar Sontag, formerly the restaurant editor for Bon Appétit, introduced himself this week as the Washington Post’s new food critic, taking over a position held for 25 years by Tom Sietsema. Among Sontag’s first meals for his new gig was an “over-order of such hilarious proportions at Mama Chang in Fairfax, that my next five breakfasts were all lion’s head meatballs and glossy seafood-rice stew.” [Washington Post]
Veteran Oversees Reston Hospital Heart Surgeries — “Twenty miles outside the nation’s capital, Reston Hospital Center is developing a world-class cardiac surgery program with a decorated Army veteran at the helm. 7News Anchor Victoria Sanchez spoke with Dr. William Cooper about how his decades of military service and clinical work will help reshape Northern Virginia.” [WJLA]
New Legal Notice — Salt + Light Hair Co. seeks ABC Marketplace license for a Fair Lakes location; objections due within 30 days. [Public Notices]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high temperature near 56°F. Northwest winds will blow at 7 to 14 mph, and may gust up to 26 mph. In the evening, the sky will be mostly clear, and the temperature will drop to around 35°F. A gentle west wind at approximately 6 mph is expected. [NWS]
The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) on Thursday (Nov. 6) gave its support to two transit-funding initiatives currently working their way through a complex review process.
With no dissents, the commission signaled its backing of recommendations of the DMV Moves task force and the General Assembly’s Northern Virginia Growing Needs of Public Transit Joint Subcommittee, also known as the SJ28 Subcommittee after the state Senate resolution that established it.
FCPD Helicopter Visits Middle School — “On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, Katherine Johnson Middle School will host their annual career day. As a part of this year’s career day, Katherine Johnson Middle School has arranged for a Fairfax County Police Department helicopter to land and take off on the school’s athletic field. The helicopter will be in the area from approximately 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.” [City of Fairfax Police]
Stabbing Victim Was a Teacher — “A young teacher who was stabbed to death on Friday had just wrapped up a home session with a student in Annandale, Virginia. Fairfax County police were called to the 3900 block of Terrace Drive. They found 26-year-old Isha Koroma with several stab wounds to the face and neck, police said.” [NBC4]
Rescue Team Returns From Jamaica — Virginia Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue returned to Fairfax County Monday night (Nov. 10) after spending 10 days in Jamaica to assist with the emergency response to Hurricane Melissa, which resulted in at least 98 deaths on that island and in Haiti. “During the task force’s deployment, they helped to clear storm debris, assisted with food and water delivery, worked on reconnaissance missions and more.” [DC News Now]
New I-495 Toll Lanes to Open Next Week — “The northern extension of the 495 Express Lanes is on track to open on Saturday, Nov. 22 — ahead of the design-build contract schedule and the upcoming Thanksgiving travel period — pending no weather delays or unforeseen circumstances.” The new toll lanes will extend from Tysons to just south of the American Legion Bridge in McLean. [VDOT]
Delegate Partially Settles Defamation Lawsuit — “Days before the June 2024 Democratic primary for Virginia’s 10th Congressional District, allegations surfaced that Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax, had sexually assaulted a woman. Helmer, who finished second in the crowded contest, later filed a defamation lawsuit claiming the allegations were false and politically motivated.” As of late October, two of the three defendants in the lawsuit have settled out of court. [Virginia Mercury]
DMV Honors Purple Heart Recipients — “The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will be setting aside a parking space for Purple Heart recipients at 16 different locations,” including centers in Alexandria, Fairfax and Tysons.” Announced on Veterans’ Day, the “initiative is part of the national Purple Heart Parking Project, which aims to honor and raise awareness of the sacrifices made by service members.” [WJLA]
Fairfax City Finishes Playground — “We’re excited to share that the new Pat Rodio Park playground is officially open and ready for play! Please note — the temporary fencing currently in place will remain while we finish final touches, including the new walkway, permanent fencing, and landscaping.” [Fairfax City Parks and Recreation/Facebook]
FCPS Views Girls’ Flag Football as Success — “Fairfax County Public Schools is putting its first girls flag football season in the win column. This sport was offered for the first time this year at all of FCPS’s 25 high schools, and more than 770 girls participated.” FCPS Executive Director of Student Activities and Athletics Tom Horn says the sport will be offered again next fall. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny skies and a high around 58 degrees, with southwest winds of 10 to 13 mph shifting to west in the afternoon and gusts up to 24 mph. Wednesday night will be mostly clear, with a low temperature of 39 degrees and west winds between 6 and 9 mph. [NWS]
All three of Fairfax County’s Congressional representatives say they will not support a legislative deal advanced late yesterday (Sunday) by the U.S. Senate to reopen the federal government.
Without a guarantee that health care subsidies will be extended, the latest effort by lawmakers to break the record-long stalemate over funding is a non-starter, Rep. James Walkinshaw, who’s in his first term representing Virginia’s 11th District, said in a statement.
