Countywide

Fairfax County Public Schools will change up its schedule tomorrow (Monday) in anticipation of potentially severe weather, including thunderstorms and even possible tornadoes.

Instead of the more typical two-hour delayed opening, however, FCPS has announced that schools and administrative offices will close three hours early, forcing many families to scramble for last-minute child care plans.


News

Three people were killed and two were hospitalized as a result of a single-vehicle crash near Crossfield Elementary School in Reston earlier this morning (Saturday).

As of 10:30 a.m., Fox Mill Road remains closed in both directions at Folkstone Drive, where the crash occurred, as detectives with the Fairfax County Police Department’s Crash Reconstruction Unit investigate.


Countywide

The bill to allow a casino in Fairfax County has reemerged after nine days of negotiations with some significant changes from the version that passed the Virginia House of Delegates earlier this month.

The State Senate voted 22-16 today (Friday) to accept a substitute for Senate Bill 756 that would allow a temporary casino establishment in Fairfax before a referendum to permit a permanent development goes to voters.


Around Town

Good Friday 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 13, 2026.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  • Fairfax County offers free trees to residents in bid to expand canopy (11767 views)
  • Construction begins on updates to AMC Theatres in Tysons (9555 views)
  • Transit advocates push for use of W&OD right-of-way as new rail line (7959 views)
  • CVS Pharmacy at Reston Station to permanently close (7538 views)
  • Reston Crossing redevelopment revived under new property owner (7063 views)
  • Fairfax County schools to close for redistricting referendum special election (6083 views)
  • As homes get taller, Fairfax County seeks to clarify longstanding height limit (5212 views)
  • FCPD seeking man who burglarized Centreville homes ‘while fully nude’ (5077 views)
  • Vacant site near Tysons water tower acquired for affordable housing (4298 views)
  • Iran conflict clouds Fairfax County homes market as springtime approaches (3677 views)
  • NEW: Katie Cristol stepping down as Tysons Community Alliance CEO (3597 views)
  • Reston Association resumes consideration of Lake Audubon renaming (3486 views)
  • Environmental groups seek more details of plan to sell Chantilly land for data center (3362 views)
  • 📅 Upcoming events

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

    Here are the events planned for Sunday:

    ☀️ Saturday’s forecast

    Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 56 degrees and a west wind of 10 to 16 mph, gusting up to 29 mph today. Tonight, the sky turns mostly cloudy with a low around 40 degrees, as the north wind at 6 mph becomes light and variable. 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.

    We hope you have a great weekend! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋


    Event

    One of Northern Virginia's favorite Halloween traditions is back for the 13th year. Think you’re ready for one of the area’s scariest haunted experiences?

    Haunt: Dark Encounters at the Workhouse Arts Center is happening in Lorton, Virginia from October 3 – 30, 2026—and this year, you never know what’s waiting around the next corner. Step inside and there’s no telling what you’ll find. Strange sounds. Unexpected scares. And just when you think you’re in the clear…think again. Bring your bravest friends, because this is one fall night you won’t soon forget.— Haunt: Dark Encounters at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Va.


    Countywide

    The Fairfax County government will not be imperiling its coveted AAA bond rating despite taking on an estimated $2.26 billion in new debt in coming years, county staff told supervisors this week.

    Despite the reassurance, staff raised concerns at the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ Budget Policy Committee meeting on Tuesday (March 10) that the increasing debt load will put the squeeze on a county budget already facing economic headwinds.


    News

    Update — George Mason University Police have determined that the bomb threat targeting Fenwick Library was unfounded.

    “Law enforcement conducted an extensive search of the building and no devices were found,” a GMU spokesperson said. “The area has been deemed safe and normal operations may resume.”


    News

    By Tram On and James Jarvis

    Inside a small storefront in Vienna, neatly labeled dispenser bins line the walls. Wooden shelves are laden with bulk containers of everything from hand soap to vinegar, reusable bags to pasta.


    Opinion

    With spring on the horizon, greenery will soon return to yards and gardens across Fairfax County — as will the sounds of workers cultivating those spaces into botanical works of art.

    Here are the nominees for “Best Landscapers in Fairfax County” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. See your favorite business below? If not, write them in!

    Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, March 27.

    Voting for the Best Cleaning Service in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, March 20 at 8:30 a.m.

    Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Home Renovation Firm in Fairfax. The results are now official:

    1. Synergy Design and Construction
    2. Peerless Construction
    3. Ryan Reph Remodeling

    News

    The driver who struck and killed a 17-year-old girl while street racing in Burke in 2023 will spend the next three years behind bars.

    Joel Angel Zelaya, 45, was sentenced yesterday (Thursday) after previously pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter. He received a sentence of 10 years, seven of which were suspended, Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano’s office announced.