The proposed fiscal year 2027 Fairfax County Public Schools budget includes funding to increase athletic programming and augment stipends to coaches.
“We’re expanding middle school sports again next year, as well as adding junior-varsity boys volleyball,” Superintendent Michelle Reid said during her Jan. 22 budget briefing to the Fairfax County School Board.
Fairfax Connector Resumes Full Service — For the first time since Saturday (Jan. 24), “Fairfax Connector will operate full service with some snow detours on Friday, Jan. 30. All regularly scheduled weekday routes will be in service. The following routes will begin operating with snow detours in the morning until road conditions improve: 151, 152, 161, 162, 231, 232, 310, 321, 322, 334, 703, 803 and 937.” [Fairfax Connector]
Memorial Planned for Midair Crash Victims — “A new memorial in Alexandria will honor the lives of the 67 people killed in last year’s midair collision over the Potomac River, which happened one year ago [Thursday]. A bench, newly planted trees and plaque bearing the names of the 67 victims will be installed on the Potomac waterfront on the northeastern portion of Rivergate Park.” [ALXnow]
N. Va. Skating Community Honors Crash Victims — Ashburn figure skater Alexis “Winch was friends with Everly Livingston, 14, a victim of the regional jet’s mid-air collision with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River … Winch and a few peers participated in a commemorative tribute skate at the Ashburn Ice House on Tuesday following a sculpture unveiling ceremony.” [Inside NoVA]
Felon Disenfranchisement Partly Struck Down — “A federal judge in Richmond partially struck down Virginia’s felony disenfranchisement rule earlier this month, in a court decision that could make hundreds of thousands of people eligible to vote again — and have broader implications across the southern United States.” Virginia General Attorney Jay Jones is expected to “make a public announcement on the case this week.” [VPM News]
Virginia AG Condemns DOJ Pressure on Minnesota — “Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones joined 21 colleagues on Thursday in sharply condemning the U.S. Department of Justice’s latest push to force Minnesota officials to surrender sensitive state data and dismantle public-safety policies as a condition for federal cooperation, calling it unconstitutional and an overreach of federal power.” [Virginia Mercury]
Fairfax Speed Skater Set for Olympic Debut — “When 24-year old Brandon Kim was growing up in Fairfax, Virginia, he first saw short-track speedskating on television, during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver … Now, he’s preparing to make his Olympic debut in Italy next month.” [WTOP]
Renewed Push for Paid Sick Leave — “While Virginia does have a paid sick leave law, it applies to a narrow scope of workers. House Bill 5 by Del. Kelly Convirs-Fowler, D-Virginia Beach, would expand that to all public and private sector employees in the state. Workers would be able to earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked.” State Sen. Jennifer Boysko, who represents Reston, Herndon, Great Falls and McLean, has also proposed a paid family medical leave bill. [Virginia Mercury]
Oakton Golf Center Named Among Best in U.S. — “Oakmont Golf Center range was recognized as one of America’s Top 50 Public Ranges by Golf Range Magazine,” which has now included the facility in its ranking four years in a row. Owned and operated by the Fairfax County Park Authority, the range “features 78 lighted stations, with 30 stations that are also covered and heated.” [FCPA]
New Legal Notice — Public hearings on FY2027 budget: Feb 10; overflow Feb 11. [Public Notices]
New Legal Notice — Application for restaurant beer/wine on- and off-premises license. [Public Notices]
It’s Friday — Expect mostly sunny skies and a high of around 21 degrees during the day, with wind chill values dropping as low as -1 due to a 6 mph northwest wind. The night will be mostly cloudy, seeing a low of around 9 degrees, identical wind chill values, and a calm wind that will shift to north at around 6 mph after midnight. [NWS]
At least three people in Fairfax County have died this week in the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern and the extreme cold continuing to grip the D.C. region.
The Fairfax County Police Department says its officers have responded to “several” CPR calls for people experiencing heart troubles in recent days, including three cases where the person died.
Nine progressive prosecutors around the country, including Fairfax County’s Steve Descano, have joined forces in hopes of holding federal agents accountable for violating state laws.
The Project to Fight Against Federal Overreach (FAFO) coalition, which launched yesterday (Wednesday), aims to “rein in unlawful conduct” amid a growing presence of federal immigration and law enforcement in communities across the country.
Transit Service Inches Closer to Normal — Metro is returning to weekday rail and bus service today (Thursday) after several days of no or limited operations as post-Winter Storm Fern cleanup efforts continue. Most Fairfax Connector routes will operate on a limited Saturday schedule, but a couple have resumed regular weekday schedules. [WMATA]
Extreme Cold Could Be Among Worst Since 1800s — “D.C. plunged to 13 degrees on Tuesday morning, while many locations in the region dipped into the single digits and below zero. The frigid morning was part of a punishing cold snap that ramped up Saturday and may not relax until around Groundhog Day on Feb. 2. By some measures, it could rank among the most severe cold spells since the late 1800s.” [Capital Weather Gang]
Health Insurance Enrollment Lagging — “With the deadline to register for health insurance coverage through the state’s marketplace this year fast approaching, thousands fewer Virginians have signed up so far this cycle. The deadline to register or change insurance coverage is Friday, Jan. 30.” Advocates attribute the decline to “a sharp increase in health insurance costs” due to changes at both the state and federal levels. [VPM News]
Responders Reflect on DCA Crash Anniversary — “Nearly one year ago, on Jan. 29, 2025, the capital region and the nation watched with shock and confusion as an American Airlines regional jet collided midair with an Army Black Hawk helicopter … While most watched the tragedy in the aftermath from phone screens and television, D.C. Police and Fire and EMS’ divers and crew members had to sift through the wreckage in the icy Potomac River.” [WTOP]
Dual DUI Arrests in Annandale — “Fairfax County police arrested two drivers after two vehicles struck police cruisers during a traffic stop on I-495 in Annandale. On Jan. 23, at approximately 4 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on the beltway approaching Little River Turnpike for suspicion of driving while intoxicated.” While officers were testing that driver for sobriety, a different driver crashed into two police cruisers stopped on the shoulder. [Annandale Today]
Family Reunited With Dog After Five Years — “How did you spend your snow day? Luke spent his day reuniting with his family after FIVE YEARS!” Two community members came across the dog “playing in the snow” at a local recreation center on Tuesday (Jan. 27) and brought him to the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, which was able to locate Luke’s adopted family using a microchip. [FCAS/Facebook]
McLean Estate Sells for Almost $16M — “Easter Hill, a property consisting of two lots and nearly four acres along McLean’s Gold Coast, went under contract with contingencies at a list price of $15.999 million recently … While there is a four-bedroom home on the land, the buyer is primarily paying top dollar for some of the best views of the Potomac in the region.” There are signs that the site could be part of a “megadeal” involving three other adjoining properties, totaling 6 acres. [DC UrbanTurf]
Burke Store Sells $1M Raffle Ticket — “A retired U.S. Army officer couldn’t believe that the New Year’s Millionaire Raffle ticket he purchased at a Burke grocery store would be worth $1 million, according to the Virginia Lottery … The number of the ticket that the man purchased at the Giant Food at 6011 Burke Center Parkway in Burke was #038045.” It was one of five winning tickets worth $1 million reported on Jan. 1. [Patch]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny conditions and a high of 23 degrees, but wind chills could reach as low as -5 due to a west wind blowing at 6 to 10 mph, and gusts reaching up to 20 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear with a low of 6 degrees and wind chill values as low as -2, accompanied by a northwest wind at around 6 mph. [NWS]
By MARY CLARE JALONICK and KEVIN FREKING Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — As a partial government shutdown looms at week’s end, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has laid out a list of demands for the Department of Homeland Security, including an enforceable code of conduct for federal agents conducting immigration arrests and a requirement that they identify themselves to the public.
Lower-income Fairfax County residents rely more on their own vehicles to get to and from work, and are less likely to be able to telework throughout the week, than those at the top of the income spectrum.
Though not necessarily surprising, the data from the 164-page 2025 State of the Commute report recently issued by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) does have public policy implications.
With the nation’s eyes on Minneapolis after residents Renee Good and Alex Pretti were fatally shot by federal agents this month, Democratic lawmakers have become increasingly critical of the Trump administration’s aggressive approach to immigration enforcement, with some calling for Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem’s impeachment.
In Richmond, state Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim is pushing three pieces of legislation that he says will keep “the chaos, lawlessness, and violence that we have seen perpetrated against Minnesotans from coming to Virginia.”
Former FCPD Officer Pardoned for Fatal Shooting — “Shortly before leaving office, Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin granted an absolute pardon to a former Fairfax County police officer who killed a man while on duty and was later convicted of reckless firearm handling.” Wesley Shifflett’s prison sentence for shooting Timothy Johnson in Tysons was previously commuted by Youngkin. With the pardon, his conviction will be erased. [VPM News]
Investigation of DCA Plane Crash Concludes — “After a yearlong investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board blamed multiple systemwide failures for the midair collision of an Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines regional jet that killed 67 people.” Among other issues, investigators say the FAA ignored warnings from air traffic controllers that helicopters and planes landing at Reagan National Airport lacked “adequate separation.” [NPR]
Guide to County’s Hypothermia Program — “We are still facing significant challenges with near record cold temperatures this week. Prolonged exposure to extreme cold can be deadly. Our Hypothermia Prevention Program is now active, designed to ensure that no one in our community is forced to sleep outside.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]
Regional Restaurant Week Extended — “More Flavor. More Time. Winter #RestaurantWeek is officially EXTENDED through Feb 1. From signature 3-course lunches to can’t-miss dinners, the window is wide open. Follow the Flake: the icon marks participating restaurants.” [RAMW/X]
Helmer Settles Defamation Lawsuit — “Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax, has reached a settlement with all parties in a defamation lawsuit he filed more than a year ago, ending a legal battle tied to sexual assault allegations that surfaced days before he finished second in a crowded June 2024 Democratic primary for Virginia’s 10th Congressional District.” [Virginia Mercury]
Behind the Scenes of FCPS Snow Days — “A week ago, as the threat of a major storm became realistic, the facilities team for Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia started holding meetings and getting contractors lined up.” Overseeing cleanup efforts from a snow command center at Woodson High School, FCPS leaders estimate that the response to Winter Storm Fern could cost about $1 million. [WTOP]
Reston Association Job Fair Coming — “Reston Association (RA) is gearing up for summer and inviting local job seekers to its Seasonal Job Fair, which will take place February 28 from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. at RA Headquarters (12001 Sunrise Valley Drive).” Temporary positions will be available in aquatics, camps, tennis, maintenance and member services. [Reston Association]
A Look Inside Tysons Speakeasy — “Tysons got a taste of Tokyo last spring with the arrival of reservation-only Naisho Room atop the Watermark hotel. The sky-high speakeasy, which translates to ‘hidden’ in Japanese, is tucked inside the hotel’s gym.” [Eater DC]
It’s Wednesday — Expect increasing clouds and a high near 22, along with wind chill values dropping to -1, accompanied by a west wind blowing at 5 to 9 mph. Night will be partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to a low of 6 and wind chill values as low as -3. A calm wind will turn into a northwest breeze around 6 mph after midnight. [NWS]
A Virginia judge ruled Tuesday that a proposed constitutional amendment letting Democrats redraw the state’s Congressional maps was illegal, potentially foiling their efforts to pick up seats in the U.S. House in November.
Tazewell Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley Jr. struck down the legislature’s actions on three grounds, ruling that lawmakers failed to follow their own rules for adding the redistricting amendment to a special session; failed to approve the amendment before the public began voting in last year’s general election; and failed to publish the amendment three months before the election, as required by law.
