FILE - Cars drive past data centers in Ashburn, Virginia, on July 16, 2023 (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)
By SARAH RANKIN Associated Press
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia, the world’s largest data center hub, has released a long-delayed study that examined the state’s eastern region groundwater supply and the resource-hungry industry’s possible impact on it, finding declines are likely in a critical aquifer due to population growth and industrial use, and urging stricter regulations.
A man who pleaded guilty to raping a high school friend and then hiding her body in a wooded area of Springfield will spend the next seven decades in prison.
Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Jonathan Frieden sentenced Terence Bridgett Jr. today (Friday) to more than two life terms in prison today, suspending all but 70 years, Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano announced.
Captain Harold Morris, Assistant Traffic Division Commander, provides an update on a fatal crash involving a minivan and a child on an electric scooter at a press conference on July 24, 2026 (Screenshot via FCPD)
Fairfax County police are emphasizing safety after a fatal collision between a 9-year-old boy riding an electric scooter and a minivan in Herndon’s Highland Mews neighborhood last night (July 23).
The driver of a 2012 Honda Odyssey had just turned left from Highland Mews Court into a parking area in the 3000 block of Madden Court, when the child struck the vehicle’s rear on the passenger side, the Fairfax County Police Department said during a press conference today (July 24).
Commuters exit an Orange Line train during a weekday rush hour at the Vienna Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Head’s up to Fairfax County travelers: Metro rides into D.C. might take longer than usual this weekend due to planned track work.
Orange Line trains will single track between the Vienna and West Falls Church stations tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday (July 26), the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced earlier this week.
Hunter Mill District Planning Commissioner John Carter announces his retirement at the commission's July 22, 2026 meeting (via Fairfax County)
Residents of Reston and the Vienna area will soon have their interests represented by a new face on the Fairfax County Planning Commission.
Hunter Mill District Commissioner John Carter announced Wednesday (July 22) that he is retiring, making that his last meeting after almost nine years on the body charged with making land use and development-related recommendations to the county’s Board of Supervisors.
Northern Virginia Lego User Group made an installation of Fairfax County landmarks for the U.S. 250th anniversary commemorations, now on display at Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
An overview of Fairfax County in Lego form is now on display at Tysons Corner Center.
Blackberry lilies in a Vienna garden (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Motorcyclist Killed in Fairfax Station Crash — Fairfax County police responded last night (Thursday) to “a fatal crash involving a motorcycle at Ox Rd and Chapel Rd in Fairfax Station. The adult female motorcyclist was pronounced deceased on scene. The driver of the other vehicle remained on scene.” [FCPD/X]
Sen. Warner Making Final Reelection Bid — “U.S. Sen. Mark Warner said that, if he’s reelected in November, this upcoming term would be his last, Daily Press reported. Warner said that he believes it was time to bring younger people into office. The senator is 71 and would be 78 at the end of the next term.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Metrobus Ridership Dips After Overhaul — “A year after the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority reconfigured its entire bus network with the goal of improving service, ridership is down and buses are actually moving slower than they were before – frustrating both riders and Metro officials alike.” [The 51st]
History of Va. Gun Debate — A Virginia Declaration of Rights clause supporting “a well-regulated militia” didn’t address individual gun ownership until “1971, when Virginia amended Section 13 to add, ‘the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.’ That’s the moment gun rights and militia rights became legally braided together in Virginia, and why untangling them in court today might be difficult. ” [Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism]
New Watch Boutiques in Tysons Galleria — “The new 2,800 square foot Rolex boutique opened this month alongside a Patek Philippe showroom … Rolex and Patek Philippe have been relocated to the new 2nd floor position at the main entrance to Tysons Galleria and part of a recently upgraded cluster of prestigious brands including Cartier, Prada and Balenciaga.” Louis Vuitton also recently expanded its store at the mall. [WatchPro]
Lifeguards Honored for Pool Rescue — “Four Fairfax County Park Authority staff members were recognized on July 16 with lifesaving awards from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department for their extraordinary actions during a water emergency at Providence Recreation Center earlier this year.” [FCPA]
Peach Truck Visits Springfield Town Center — “The Peach Truck is coming to Springfield Town Center on Sunday, July 26th from 1-2:30pm! Don’t miss your chance to grab a box of fresh, juicy peaches — picked at their peak and bursting with flavor. It’s the perfect way to sweeten up your summer.” Pre-orders are closed, but walk-ups will be allowed “while supplies last.” [Springfield Town Center]
Job Openings at Burke Lake Park — “Spend the rest of your season at Burke Lake Park, one of Fairfax County’s most beautiful outdoor destinations! Positions are available to start immediately and continue through the end of the season in October. Drop-in interviews will be held at the Burke Lake Park Information Center on July 29-31 and Aug. 5-7 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.” [FCPA]
New Legal Notice — Restaurant applying for on/off-premises wine and beer license. [Public Notices]
It’s Friday — Expect mostly sunny weather with a high of about 82 degrees, and a calm wind that will pick up to 5 to 8 mph from the east in the morning. Night will be mostly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 65 degrees. [NWS]
Fairfax County Police Department Public Affairs Bureau Commander Capt. Chris Cosgriff briefs media on a crash that killed a boy on an e-scooter in the Herndon area on July 23, 2026 (via FCPD/Facebook)
A child has died after he was struck by a minivan driver while riding an electric scooter in Herndon’s Highland Mews neighborhood just east of Dulles International Airport.
Units with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department were dispatched to the 3000 block of Madden Court near Food Lion at around 5:30 p.m. today (Thursday) for the crash, according to scanner traffic.
A Fairfax County Public Schools bus (Staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)
Going forward, Fairfax County Public Schools will prohibit the use of generative artificial intelligence by elementary school students, tablets and laptops in preschool and kindergarten, and student use of personal electronic communication and computing devices during instructional time.
The Fairfax County School Board approved the restrictions — which include a handful of narrow exceptions — at its July 16 meeting, along with several directives for the superintendent to report back to the board about the potential additional limitations on technology.
A sign for Crossroads Baptist Church in Bailey's Crossroads (via Google Maps)
The senior pastor at Crossroads Baptist Church in Bailey’s Crossroads was arrested this week in connection with allegations that he sent sexually explicit images to a teen for more than a year.
Kenneth Baldwin, a 46-year-old resident of Lincolnia, has been charged by Pennsylvania State Police with three counts of indecent exposure, six counts of open lewdness, two counts of unlawful contact with a minor, and both felony and misdemeanor counts of corrupting minors, according to court documents.