News

Fairfax County Public Schools is planning its own investigation separate from the police into allegations that a Fairfax High School student groped multiple female students, Superintendent Michelle Reid announced.

In a letter sent on Monday (March 23) to families, Reid said that FCPS had retained the services of “an independent outside law firm to conduct a comprehensive review of this matter.”


News

Another rabid cat has been identified in the Alexandria section of Fairfax County.

The Fairfax County Health Department is urging community members to reach out if they or a pet might’ve come into contact with the cat, which reportedly attacked “multiple” people last Thursday afternoon (March 19) in the Huntington area.


Countywide
A blossoming cherry tree near a bench on PenFed Plaza at Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Dems Uncertain About Redistricting Vote Outcome — “After putting an aggressive redraw of the state’s congressional map before voters, some Virginia Democrats are growing uneasy about its prospects for passage one month out from the special election.” Rep. Don Beyer acknowledged that the referendum’s approval is “not a done deal by any means.” [NBC News]

FCDOT Moving Forward With Debated Sidewalk — “The Fairfax County Department of Transportation is going ahead with constructing a $900,000 sidewalk at Justice Park, despite objections from the community. Residents of Ravenwood Park, Ravenwood, and Lake Barcroft argue that the sidewalk is not needed,” will damage the park by removing trees and use money that could be spent on other, more urgent projects. [Annandale Today]

Lawsuit Over Kennedy Center Renovations — “A group of eight architecture and cultural organizations is suing President Trump and the board of the Kennedy Center over the planned renovations of the arts complex, which are set to begin in just over three months.” [NPR]

Spring Sewer Cleaning Begins — “D.C., Fairfax County and Arlington County are taking part in the annual process of flushing and disinfecting the region’s water mains. Beginning Monday, residents may notice a slight change in the odor or taste of their tap water as chlorine is added to disinfect and clear away bacteria and natural biofilm buildup.” [WTOP]

Bill Cracks Down on Vape Sales to Minors — “A new bill aimed at keeping vapes out of schools and out of students’ hands is set to reach Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger’s desk for signing. The Vape Enforcement Act … would require all vape stores in the state to be licensed and subject to random inspections to ensure they are not selling to minors, Attorney General Jay Jones told reporters Monday.” [FOX5]

Wolf Trap Adds More Summer Shows — Singers Bob Dylan and Diana Ross are among the artists joining Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts’ summer 2026 lineup. Tickets for the newly announced shows go on sale this Friday (March 27). Earlier this month, Wolf Trap unveiled its Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods schedule as well as additional performances at the Filene Center. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Cherry Blossoms Nearing Peak Bloom — “D.C.’s magnificent cherry blossoms draw more than 1.6 million visitors to the Tidal Basin each spring … On Monday, the National Park Service said the blossom buds reached their fifth stage, puffy white, which is one away from peak bloom.” [Washington Post]

Madison Hockey Title Celebrated — “It was a packed house at [last night’s] Town Council meeting. That’s because the James Madison High School Varsity Ice Hockey team was recognized by Mayor Colbert and the Town Council for their first-time win in the Virginia High School Varsity State Championship! Go Warhawks!” [Town of Vienna/X]

It’s Tuesday — It will be sunny with temperatures reaching a high of 51°F. Winds from the north will blow at 5 to 7 mph but calm by the afternoon. Night will be partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to about 38°F. Winds will shift to the south at around 5 mph after midnight. [NWS]

Want more local news? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow, with the latest from across the region.


Announcement

There’s something a little bit magical about picking up a foil for the first time — or drawing back a bow and watching your arrow fly true. It’s why fencing and archery have such a hold on kids and adults alike: real focus, real skill, and a thrill you don’t get from the usual sports lineup.

This fall, Nova Fencing & Archery Club in Bailey’s Crossroads is opening registration for both, with beginner classes for every age starting the week of September 12th. Fencing welcomes ages 7 to 12 and teens and adults 13 and up. Explore Archery, coached by USA Archery certified instructors, welcomes ages 8 to 12 and meets Tuesdays or Saturdays. And for our youngest fencers, ages 4 to 6, ABC’s of Fencing meets on Saturdays. All classes run eight sessions for $195, equipment provided, no experience needed — yes, even for grown-ups who’ve never held a sword or a bow before.


Around Town

Good Monday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Mar 23, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Tuesday throughout the county, from our event calendar.

  • No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.

☀️ Tuesday’s forecast

Expect sunny conditions with a high of 51 degrees. North winds at 5 to 8 mph will become calm in the afternoon. Tuesday night will be partly cloudy with a low of 37 degrees and calm winds shifting to the south at about 5 mph after midnight. See more from Weather.gov.

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.


Event

Communities are how we actually experience Congress's impact on our lives. Congressional Communities is hosting a free public briefing making the case for putting communities, instead of districts, at the center of how members of Congress, their staff, and we ourselves think about representation. Speakers Warren Glimpse (ProximityOne) and Dan Carracino (Congressional Communities) will use Virginia's 8th District as a real-world example.


News

Hunter Mill Road is temporarily closed, and hundreds of Reston residents have lost power after a fallen tree took out a power line.

“Officers are on scene at the intersection of Hunter Mill Road and Sunrise Valley Drive for a tree that fell onto a power line, causing sparking in the roadway,” the Fairfax County Police Department said.


News

Dulles International Airport is about to mark another milestone as the opening of its 14-gate Concourse E draws closer.

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority expects to take possession of concessions facilities from Turner Construction Co. on March 30. On April 1, contractors for restaurants, retail outlets and other concessionaires will be able to start work on their spaces.


News

A Free Little Art Gallery (FLAG) is coming to a shopping center on Richmond Highway this spring, kicking off what organizers hope will be a proliferation of the boxes along the corridor.

The FLAG will be installed by the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation (SFDC) at 12:30 p.m. on April 8 in the Mount Vernon Plaza Parklette (7698 Richmond Highway) in Hybla Valley.


Around Town

Capital One Center in Tysons will be hopping with activity this spring, highlighted by the return of its “ultimate” Easter Egg Hunt early next month.

Approximately 3,000 eggs will be strewn across the Great Lawn at The Perch for kids to collect during the popular event, which is set to take place on Saturday, April 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.


News

A TikTok pastor who was arrested last month claimed that an “evil spirit” was inside a woman’s genitalia before he allegedly sexually assaulted her last November, police said.

Marco Antonio Ocampos Zamora, a 36-year-old Harrisonburg man, reportedly assaulted the woman in Merrifield after coming into contact with her online and offering to give her an in-person “counseling session.”