George Mason University (GMU) Board of Visitors approved a resolution late last month aimed at combatting antisemitism, despite concerns about language that opponents fear could restrict free speech on the public school’s campuses.
Debate at the board’s meeting on Feb. 27 highlighted grey areas where the policy could be used as a cudgel against pro-Palestinian protestors and crack down on discussions about the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
By the end of this month, local residents should have a better idea of options on the table, as regional leaders attempt to find dedicated funding streams for transit service in the D.C. area.
“We do expect information to be shared” at the next meeting of the DMV Moves task force, Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) Executive Director Kate Mattice told the commission’s board at a meeting last Thursday (March 6).
Fairfax Man Charged with Arson — “On March 11, 2025, at approximately 9:46 p.m., the City of Fairfax Police responded to the 3900 block of Fairview Drive to assist the City of Fairfax Fire Department with a house fire.” A 32-year-old man has been arrested and charged with burning a dwelling after investigators determined the fire was set intentionally. [City of Fairfax Police and Fire]
DCA Crash Responders Recognized — “At Wednesday’s Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments meeting, dozens of first responders from D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia were recognized for their efforts in the aftermath of the crash. The regional assistance, leaders said, made a major difference in the response.” [WTOP]
Falls Church to Prohibit More Right Turns on Red — “Additional no-turn-on-red traffic restrictions are coming to Falls Church … Police Chief Shahram Fard told City Council members that the Department of Public Works has approved several of his requests for additional no-turn-on-red restrictions along Broad Street.” [ARLnow]
Lacrosse League Contests Field Cancellations — “Annandale Youth Lacrosse, a program under the umbrella of the Annandale Boys & Girls Club, had already had a game schedule approved for this spring, then learned three of their dates were canceled without warning. The league is fighting back” after they say Fairfax County bumped them in favor of the women’s football program DC Divas. [Annandale Today]
Closing Fairfax Eatery Finds Temporary Location — “While Havabite Eatery still plans to close the doors of its Main Street location on March 31, the family restaurant will not be disappearing completely from the Fairfax area. On Monday, the owners announced that Havabite will be operating at Mazadar Restaurant temporarily until a new permanent location can be found.” [Patch]
Jeopardy! Coming to D.C. — “The popular trivia game show Jeopardy! is headed our way. From April 10 to 12, the show will be hosting multiple events throughout Washington, DC. Details about the three-day showcase are still developing, but it will include visits to local universities and a taping of the podcast Inside Jeopardy! Live at the Lincoln Theatre.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Local Businesses to Celebrate Pi Day — “Pi Day is celebrated every year on March 14 because the date aligns with the first three digits of pi — 3.14. In 2025, Pi Day falls on a Friday … Here are some fun activities to celebrate the day in the D.C. area.” [NBC4]
It’s Thursday — Patchy fog will clear by 10am, giving way to mostly cloudy conditions and a high around 59. A gentle northeast wind of 6 mph will be present during the day. The night will also remain mostly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to a low of 43, accompanied by a similar east wind at 6 mph. [NWS]
Recent actions by the Trump administration are heightening the urgency of the Fairfax County and the D.C. area’s longtime goal of reducing their reliance on federal government employment and spending.
With mass worker layoffs, contract cancellations and potential real estate sales promising significant economic upheaval, local and regional leaders may have no choice but to “think and act differently,” according to Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Julie Coons.
What do a Fairfax County public library, bowling alley and the Dulles family home have in common?
They’re all examples of modernism, an architectural style that exploded onto the scene in Fairfax County after World War II, according to a new survey that could help preserve some key remnants of the movement.
Fairfax County will need to hire more than 20 new staff and spend about $2.8 million a year to administer a countywide meals tax, if one is authorized in the coming months.
Even with the additional expenses, overall revenue would far exceed the costs of administering the program, which would tax food and drinks served by restaurants and other food service establishments, staff told the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at a budget policy committee meeting yesterday (Tuesday).
Capital One Sued by Trump Family Business — “On March 7, multiple entities connected with the Trump Organization sued the McLean-based bank for terminating more than 300 Trump Organization bank accounts following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.” The complaint filed in a Florida circuit court alleges that the account closures were motivated by politics, an argument that Capital One denies. [Virginia Business]
Herndon ‘Tunnel Girl’ Permitted to Keep Digging — “Kala the Science Girl, also affectionately known as Tunnel Girl, is digging back in after receiving a permit to continue her intricate tunnel work under her Northern Virginia home … She amassed more than half a million followers on TikTok, where she documented the process of digging.” [WUSA9]
Limits on Helicopter Flights at DCA Recommended — Following the mid-air collision on Jan. 29 that killed 67 people, the National Transportation Safety Board recommended yesterday that helicopter operations be permanently prohibited “on Route 4 between Hains Point and Wilson Bridge when runways 15 and 33 are in use at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.” [ALXnow]
Job Market Likely Can’t Handle Federal Layoffs — “The Washington region may not have enough white-collar jobs to absorb the federal workers being laid off by the Trump administration, according to data from Indeed … While overall job postings in the U.S. are up compared with pre-pandemic numbers, they were down 13.8% in the DMV as of Feb. 28, per Indeed.” [Axios DC]
Rural Areas Seek to Lure Data Centers From N. Va. — Wythe County “and some other rural Virginia communities are looking to bring data centers to their parts of the state as industry hubs in Northern Virginia and suburban Richmond sour on the industry worth billions in local and state funds.” [Virginia Public Media]
Community Center Opens in Annandale Apartments — “Located in a former apartment, the FACETS Cares Community Development Center will offer after-school tutoring, access to technology and professional development resources, and connections to vital resources for low-income families. It will enhance community safety by building positive relationships with the police.” [Annandale Today]
Reston Startup Raises $2 Million — “Reston startup Tiga AI has raised $2 million to get its tools for business-to-business sales professionals to more customers … Tiga’s products act as digital assistants for sales professionals. These tools can conduct tasks automatically like drafting emails or LinkedIn pitches to customers based on analyzing internal datasets like client notes or prior purchasing behaviors.” [Washington Business Journal]
Burke Nursery Joins Discounted Tree Program — “The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is expanding its Throwing Shade VA program. Through the program, DOF partners with nurseries to offer a $25 discount on eligible native trees and shrubs valued at $50 or more. The offer is available through May 1 while supplies last at 15 participating nurseries,” including Burke Nursery and Garden Centre. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Wednesday — Expect mostly sunny skies with a high temperature around 61 degrees. The north wind will blow at 6-8 mph, eventually shifting to the east in the afternoon. As the night progresses, clouds will increase, and the low temperature will be around 44 degrees with an east wind ranging from 3-8 mph. [NWS]
The D.C. region’s upcoming cherry-blossom season is expected to give Metro another boost as it continues a post-Covid rebound.
“If all goes to plan, we’re hoping for our first combined one-million-trip day since the onset of the pandemic,” Paul Smedberg, first vice president of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), said on Thursday (March 6).
After-school and summer programs that serve thousands of middle school students are at risk of ending under Fairfax County’s proposed budget.
To close a projected $292.7 million funding gap, County Executive Bryan Hill pitched a fiscal year 2026 budget last month that cuts nearly $60 million in spending and 208 staff positions across multiple agencies, affecting everything from public safety to housing assistance programs and park maintenance.
More than a decade after it started exploring a program, Fairfax County is finally ready to introduce school bus cameras designed to catch illegally passing drivers.
The county government and Fairfax County Public Schools will install stop-arm camera systems on 50 buses for the program’s initial launch, which will begin with a 30-day warning period on April 9.
