Though the federal government is still closed, that won’t stop the National Park Service from tackling tree maintenance along the southern portion of the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
The agency resumed work to evaluate and trim trees along the roadway south of Alexandria last week, requiring lane closures starting today (Monday) through Friday, Nov. 21.
Fairfax City is considering whether to keep a fare-free policy in place for its CUE bus system.
The city’s CUE buses stopped collecting fares in mid-2020 when the pandemic started. In 2022, the city adopted a four-year zero-fare pilot program that will expire at the end of fiscal year 2026, according to city documents.
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.
The Town of Vienna intends to seek state funding to support a planned Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail visitor center.
The request for $8 million is among more than two dozen priorities identified in the town’s legislative agenda for the Virginia General Assembly’s upcoming 2026 session.
Plans to redevelop a portion of the Courthouse Plaza Shopping Center near Old Town Fairfax into housing were rejected by Fairfax City Council members late last month, leaving the aging site’s future in limbo once again.
The 4-2 vote on Oct. 28 came three months after council members opted on July 22 to delay a final decision in hopes a revamped proposal by developer Combined Properties would address concerns raised by critics throughout the development process.
Spanberger Discusses Initial Priorities — Following her election as Virginia’s next governor last Tuesday (Nov. 4), Abigail Spanberger says she intends to sign executive orders on her first day in office that deal “with high costs and overall issues of affordability, particularly in housing and health care and in energy.” She also says a top priority right now is advocating for an end to the federal government shutdown. [WTOP]
Suspect Arrested in Annandale Stabbing — A 42-year-old man from Maryland is expected to be charged with second degree murder after allegedly fatally stabbing a woman in Annandale on Friday night (Nov. 7). Police say the stabbing doesn’t “appear to be a random act as the suspect and victim are believed to be known to each other.” [FCPD]
Furloughed Fed Starts Food Pantry — “Inside the Landsdowne Community Pool House, shelves are stacked with sauce, soups, beans even diapers and period products. The mastermind behind it [is] Katrina Ksander a furloughed federal employee. When the government shutdown left her without a paycheck, she decided she wasn’t going to wait for help, she was going to create it.” [WUSA9]
Meetup Group Offers Solace During Shutdown — “Every Friday starting at 7 a.m., you can find Abraham Walker with a group of fathers at the Panera in Kingstowne. Even for a few hours, the weekly meetup group is an opportunity for community. Amid the government shutdown, it has also become a saving grace.” [WUSA9]
New 24-Hour Gym Open in Vienna — After some delays, Pump24 is now open for business in the Vienna Shopping Center (136A Maple Avenue). “Co-owner Nash Cook shared that the decision to open in Vienna was intentional. ‘Vienna residents really support local businesses — and we can’t wait to be part of that,’ he said.” [Town of Vienna Economic Development]
Vegetarian Eatery Coming to Chantilly — “Chay is coming to a large end-cap unit in the Westfields Restaurant & Retail Park off State Road 28 at Westfields Boulevard. The spot used to be a Moe’s Southwest Grill. This will be the second location for Chay” after the Vietnamese restaurant made its debut a couple of years ago in Falls Church. [The Burn]
County Pumpkin Composting Underway — “Used Halloween pumpkins can get a second, Earth-friendly life as compost in Fairfax County’s annual Pumpkin Palooza collection drive, now underway until the end of November. Again this year, the county’s Solid Waste Management Program will turn your post-Halloween pumpkins and other gourds into compost gold.” [DPWES]
Reston Association Seeks Board Candidates — “Reston Association is calling for candidates to run in the 2026 Board of Directors election. The RA Elections Committee is seeking candidates to fill a total of four seats on the RA Board of Directors,” including one at-large director, directors for the Hunters Woods/Dogwood and Lake Anne/Tall Oaks districts, and an apartment owners’ representative. [RA]
It’s Monday — Expect sunshine and a high of 49 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind at 11-16 mph, gusting up to 25 mph. Night will be mostly clear with a low of 29 degrees. On Veterans Day, it will be sunny and breezy, with a high near 45 degrees and a west wind at 15-20 mph, gusting as high as 33 mph. [NWS]
FFXnow Takes a Break on Veterans Day — Since it’s a federal holiday, FFXnow will take a day off tomorrow (Tuesday), with the exception of any urgent, breaking news. Our regular publishing schedule will resume on Wednesday (Nov. 12).
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is voting on the first steps to end the 40-day government shutdown Sunday after a group of moderate Democrats agreed to proceed without a guaranteed extension of health care subsidies, angering many in their caucus who wanted to continue the fight.
The group of three former governors — New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan and Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine — said they would vote to reopen if the Senate passed three annual spending bills and extend the rest of government funding until late January. Senate Majority Leader John Thune endorsed the deal Sunday night and called an immediate vote to begin the process of approving it.
A Maryland man is expected to be charged with murder for allegedly stabbing a woman to death in Annandale Friday night (Nov. 7).
Officers responded around 9:52 p.m. to the 3900 block of Terrence Drive for a report of an “unconscious and unresponsive” woman lying in the roadway, Fairfax County Police Department Capt. Jesse Katzman said in an initial update.
VHC Health patients will soon no longer have to trek to Arlington to receive mammograms or pregnancy support.
The nonprofit community health system recently expanded its Tysons Pavilion at 1760 Old Meadow Road with an imaging center, and it will launch a center focused on women’s health early next year.
A new community collaboration is set to kick off a week of action aiming to remove invasive species from trees in Fairfax County.
Fairfax Tree Rescuers will officially launch the Fairfax Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) with invasive species removal events throughout the county from Saturday (Nov. 8) to Nov. 16.
