News

Heat Advisory in Effect — “The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for … much of the D.C. area. Heat index values are expected to reach around 105 degrees Thursday, creating potentially hazardous conditions for outdoor activities.” Fairfax County has activated its emergency heat plan for the day, establishing cooling centers where people can find water and other supplies. [ARLnow]

GMU Students Concerned by Federal Probe — “When student Hanaan Kazia first heard about the federal civil rights probe into George Mason University, she wasn’t surprised. But the junior political science major and member of the school’s Political Science Honor Society says the implications still scare her.” Kazia and other students, faculty and lawmakers have spoken out in support of GMU, championing its diversity and calling the investigation “baseless and politically motivated.” [Virginia Mercury]

Contractor Moving to Reston Town Center — “Noblis has inked a lease to take virtually the entirety of 12050 Inspiration St., a roughly 90,000-square-foot office that is part of BXP Inc.’s Reston Next extension of Reston Town Center.” Starting in September 2027, the nonprofit will occupy 74,681 square feet, a “significant downsize compared to the 160,000-square-foot, two-building lease” signed a decade ago for its current headquarters at 2002 Edmund Halley Drive. [Washington Business Journal]

Great Falls Road to Temporarily Close — “Weather permitting, Walker Road (Route 681) will be closed to through traffic between Colvin Run Road (Route 743) and Georgetown Pike (Route 193) for two weeks due to work related to the Walker Road over Piney Run bridge replacement project.” The closure is scheduled to last from 10 p.m. this Friday (July 18) until 9 p.m. on Aug. 1, requiring drivers to take a detour. [VDOT]

Seven Corners Offices Sold — “The two high-rise office buildings at the Seven Corners intersection recently sold for 13 percent less than what they were acquired for six years ago, the Washington Business Journal reports. Sage Ventures bought the two 13-story office towers at 6400 and 6402 Arlington Blvd. from BoundTrain Real Estate in June for $33.7 million.” [Annandale Today]

Virginia Partners With Google on A.I. — Visiting the tech company’s Reston offices, “Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced on Tuesday that Google will partner with his administration to provide free and low-cost artificial intelligence certification courses to Virginians as part of his office’s ongoing effort to connect citizens to new jobs amid changes to the state’s economy.” [Associated Press]

Fliers Anxious After DCA Crash — “Ruffini and her cohort aren’t the only passengers experiencing emotional turbulence related to DCA. Following the midair collision over the Potomac River that claimed 67 lives, fliers shared with Washingtonian that they’re experiencing heightened flight anxiety — especially when it comes to traveling through Reagan National.” [Washingtonian]

Deadline to Pay Real Estate Taxes — Fairfax County has mailed bills for the first installment of this year’s real estate taxes, which are due July 28. “If you have not yet received your bill, you may find the taxes owed on our website. If you plan to pay via smartphone or online, you will need this year’s stub number from your real estate tax bill.” [Department of Tax Administration]

It’s Thursday — There’s a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms starting around 5pm, accompanied by mostly sunny weather and a high near 95. The heat index may reach as high as 105, with a southwest wind around 10 mph and gusts up to 18 mph. Night will be partly cloudy with a low around 77. [NWS]

Parkway Speed Cameras in Full Effect — “Work zone speed cameras along Fairfax County Parkway between Popes Head Road and Burke Center Parkway are now live. Drivers who speed in the work zone will receive fines up to $100.” The speed limit in that stretch of road has been lowered to 45 mph while construction continues on multiple road widening projects. [Fairfax County Government/X]

Comstock Responds to Lawsuit — In a statement shared yesterday (Tuesday), Comstock Companies CEO Chris Clemente called allegations in the Town of Herndon’s lawsuit over the stalled downtown redevelopment project “inaccurate and without merit.” The developer says it was unable to meet deadlines imposed last year by the town, but remains interested in implementing the project or transferring the land to another developer. [FFXnow]

Lack of Information on Immigration Arrests — “While the governor’s office has described the 2,512 people arrested [in Virginia] as ‘violent criminals who are illegally in the United States,’ neither Youngkin’s office nor state or federal agencies involved in the operation have provided any documentation about those arrested to be able to verify who they are, what they were charged with or whether they’ve been deported.” [Virginian-Pilot]

Virginia Schools Remove Library Books — “Virginia school divisions are removing books from library shelves with minimal state guidance — in some cases, while incorrectly citing state law — according to a report issued by the General Assembly’s research arm Monday. Thirty-two school districts removed 223 books from libraries a combined 344 times between July 2020 and March 2025,” JLARC reported. [VPM]

Men Charged With Assaulting Police Officers — “City of Fairfax Police arrested two Fairfax men for assaulting a law enforcement officer in two separate incidents over the weekend, according to authorities. Around 4:50 p.m. on Saturday, officers were called to the Wawa at 9700 Blvd. for the report of a man harassing customers.” The other incident occurred on Sunday (July 16) during a traffic stop near Fairfax Blvd and Chain Bridge Road. [Patch]

New Pizzeria Coming to Lincolnia — “Pizzato Pizza, an Italian restaurant in Arlington, plans to open a second location on Little River Turnpike in Lincolnia next month. A sign on the storefront promises pasta, wings, Philly steaks, and salads, as well as pizza. The restaurant will be located in Landmark Plaza between Total Wine and Subway.” [Annandale Today]

ArtsFairfax Names New Board Chair — “ArtsFairfax, the local arts agency serving Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, and the City of Falls Church … announces new members and new officers to its Board of Directors, including Michael Liberman as Board Chair.” Liberman worked for Fairfax County for over 33 years, retiring as director of the Department of Cable and Consumer Services and chair of the County Arts Committee in 2022. [ArtsFairfax]

It’s Wednesday — Expect showers and thunderstorms mainly after 5pm, with partly sunny skies and a high near 89. The heat index may reach 100. There’s a 60% chance of precipitation. At night, showers and thunderstorms are likely before 8pm, followed by mostly cloudy conditions and a low around 76. [NWS]