News

McLean Bicyclist Killed in Crash — “The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) is investigating a fatal crash at the intersection of Welbourne Road and St. Louis Road in Middleburg [on Thursday, Oct. 29]. At approximately 10:41 a.m., deputies responded to a report of a crash involving a bicyclist and a pickup truck. The bicyclist, Karl David Salnoske, 72, of McLean, was pronounced deceased at the scene.” [LCSO]

Cerina Fairfax’s Family on Her Killing — “Six months after Dr. Cerina Fairfax, a Northern Virginia mom and dentist, was killed by her husband, former Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, her sister spoke with the News4 I-Team about who she was and how their family lives with the tragedy.” Speaking for the first time since Cerina Fairfax’s death, Arisce Wanzer described her sister as someone who “was there for everybody.” [NBC4]

Court Considers Youth Social Media Law — “The Fourth Circuit weighed Wednesday whether a Virginia law restricting minors’ access to social media platforms violates the First Amendment. ​The hearing follows a preliminary injunction from U.S. District Judge Patricia Giles, a Joe Biden appointee, blocking enforcement of the law,” which requires social media platforms to limit users under 16 to an hour of screen time per day. [Courthouse News Service]

Lincolnia Pool Site Eyed for Electrical Tower — “The Lincolnia Park community is alarmed by Dominion Energy’s plans to build an electrical transmission tower on a field owned by the Lincolnia Park Recreation Club. The utility is threatening to use eminent domain to obtain rights to the property.” The monopole would support a substation proposed for Starwood Capital’s planned Plaza 500 data centers. [Annandale Today]

Va. Opening Health Insurance Relief Program — “Thousands of Virginians could see their monthly health insurance premiums shrink — or drop to $0 — under a new $150 million state savings program opening for enrollment Sunday … The new program — which lawmakers funded to help offset the loss of enhanced federal Affordable Care Act subsidies — could help up to 200,000 residents afford coverage next year, per state estimates.” [Axios Richmond]

New Fitness Studio Opening in Tysons — “A new fitness studio specializing in low-impact exercise, strength training and functional movement will open in Tysons on Nov. 2.” Located at 2070 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 185, Pvolve Tysons is offering complimentary introductory classes for potential members through Sunday, Nov. 1. [Patch]

Sky-High I-66 Tolls Spotted — “This week along the I-66 express lanes outside the Beltway in Northern Virginia, the tolls have been some of the highest we have ever seen. Rates are as high as $30, $60 and even $80 for the longest trips at peak times … When News4 asked officials what is going on with these higher prices, they said no doubt more people are using the lanes.” [NBC4]

Reston Man Indicted on Drug Charges — “A Reston man previously charged with federal firearms offenses has been indicted by a federal grand jury on five felony counts involving cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine and firearms, according to court records filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Alexandria.” [Patch]

It’s Friday — Sunny with a high near 75, accompanied by northwest winds of 5 to 13 mph and gusts up to 24 mph. Night will be mostly clear, with a low around 47 and north winds of 6 to 9 mph. [NWS]

No time to read? Now you can listen to your local news. Subscribe to the FFXnow Daily Update on Apple, Spotify or Amazon.

MWAA Gauging Interest in AeroTrain Expansion — “The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is seeking firms interested in the budgeted $3.75 billion contract to design and build a two-station extension of the underground AeroTrain, and the new ‘Center Spine’ pedestrian tunnel linking the terminal with future concourses” at Dulles International Airport. [Airport Architecture]

Va. Could Shift Road Funds to Maintenance — “As Virginia stares down a $1.7 billion highway-maintenance gap, the Commonwealth Transportation Board is considering a plan to close it by shifting funds away from construction and transportation projects. The plan introduced at the board’s Oct. 13 meeting proposes adding $239 million annually for pavement repairs starting in fiscal year 2028.” [Virginia Mercury]

Alexandria Cancels Flock Program — “After months of public outcry over privacy concerns, Alexandria will shut down its 61 license plate readers and other cameras along public roadways this week.” City officials said the cameras would be deactivated within 48 hours and fully removed by December. [ALXnow]

CIA Contractor Charged With Leaking Info — “A CIA contractor is accused of sharing classified intelligence with his journalist girlfriend for articles published on Substack, according to federal court filings in a case involving alleged conduct in Fairfax County.” [Patch]

Vietnam War Oral History in the Works — “The Fairfax County History Commission is encouraging county residents to participate in an oral history project about Vietnam War veterans. Interviews will be conducted through early May 2027 and will become part of the Library of Congress Veterans History Project.” [Annandale Today]

Student Starts Aviation Podcast — “Sanya Bhalla grew up about 10 minutes from Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, and she was always fascinated by the large planes and space shuttles on display … Now a student at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Bhalla is encouraging women to consider a career in aviation through her ‘She Flies Podcast,’ which launched in January 2026.” [WTOP]

Free Lyft Rides for Halloween — “The nonprofit Washington Regional Alcohol Program’s 2026 Halloween SoberRide returns for both Friday and Saturday this year. For those who imbibe too much, the Halloween Lyfts will be available from 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 to 4 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 and again from 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 to 4 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1.” [Inside NoVA]

South Lakes HS Adds Hall of Fame Members — “South Lakes celebrated the accomplishments of 10 new administrators, coaches, contributors, competitors and a state championship team on Sept. 25. The ceremony provided an opportunity for friends, family members, colleagues and coaches to introduce the inductees and speak about how their accomplishments have contributed to South Lakes’ sports legacy.” [Reston Letter]

It’s Thursday — Fog is expected before 10am, followed by mostly cloudy skies clearing later in the day. The high will be near 72. Night will be mostly clear with a low around 53. [NWS]

Support local journalism. Join the FFXnow Press Club to boost our reporting and to get upgraded newsletters.