Countywide

Fairfax County Public Schools has revised, eliminated and postponed several planned redistricting proposals after extensive public feedback.

Superintendent Michelle Reid’s revised recommendations for new attendance boundaries were released last week ahead of a final public hearing on Thursday (Jan. 22).


Countywide

The number of unemployed Northern Virginians spiked 41% year-over-year in November 2025, according to new federal data.

A total of 65,357 residents in the Virginia portion of the Washington metropolitan area were counted as unemployed for the month, according to figures released Jan. 16 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That compares to the 46,381 residents tallied as seeking jobs in November 2024.


Countywide
Wish You Were Here mural on the Draper’s Steak and Seafood building in Old Town Fairfax (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

New Governor’s First Executive Orders — Following her inauguration on Saturday (Jan. 17), “Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed 10 executive actions that broadly targeted affordability and pushed the commonwealth away from former Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s approaches to education, immigration and race.” [VPM News]

Polls Open for House District 17 Election — “Residents in parts of Fairfax County will head to the polls on Tuesday, Jan. 20, to fill a vacancy in the District 17 House of Delegates seat. District 17 includes communities in Franconia, Huntington, Kingstowne, and Rose Hill.” Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. as Democratic nominee Garrett McGuire and Republican Christopher Cardiff compete to succeed longtime delegate Mark Sickles. [WUSA9]

Gun Brandished at Springfield Town Center — “Springfield Town Center in Virginia was locked down for 45 minutes Saturday night after an individual showed a gun during an incident. Police said they got a report of a ‘domestic-related brandishing’ incident just before 8:10 p.m.” There was no evidence any shots were fired. [WTOP]

Trooper Injured in American Legion Bridge Crash — “A Virginia State Police trooper and police dog suffered minor injuries in a crash during a pursuit Friday morning on Interstate 495. At approximately 3:38 a.m., the trooper spotted a vehicle on Interstate 95 northbound near Fairfax County Parkway traveling at 90 mph, Virginia State Police spokesman Matthew Demlein said in a news release.” [Inside NoVA]

DOJ Sues Va. for Voter Data — “The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday sued Virginia for not handing over state voter data, the latest among several states the department has targeted in an effort to retrieve registration information from individuals across the country since last year.” [The Hill]

Cause of Burke Centre House Fire Found — A house fire that occurred on New Year’s Day in the 5500 block of Corot Court was caused by an “electrical event” in the home’s basement, Fairfax County fire investigators have determined. No injuries to firefighters or the three occupants were reported, but “sadly, two cats died in the fire,” which resulted in an estimated $147,750 in property damages. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department]

Former NBA Player Arrested — “Former NBA player Delonte West, who once played a key role on the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers, has been arrested and charged with robbery and assault in Fairfax County, Virginia. West, 42, was arrested after the reported assault and robbery on Dec. 21 around 6:40 a.m. in the 5900 block of Richmond Highway in Belle Haven.” [WTOP]

FCPS Teacher Joins 5th House District Race — “Voters in [today’s] Democratic firehouse primary will have four candidates to choose from after Fairfax County Public Schools teacher Gregory Darrall entered the race this weekend … The candidates are competing to run for Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker’s seat” after she resigned to campaign for outgoing state Sen. Adam Ebbin’s 39th Senate District seat. [ALXnow]

Recommendations for Reston Visitors — “Today, it’s noted for its open-air town center, green spaces, arts and culture, and walking and biking trails that make it easy to get around Reston. Book a room at the Hyatt Regency Reston to be at the center of the action when you come to explore. Here’s what to do on your next visit to Reston.” [Southern Living]

It’s Tuesday — The weather will be sunny, reaching a high of 29 degrees, accompanied by a west wind blowing at 9 to 11 mph and gusts up to 24 mph. The night will be mostly clear with a low temperature of 17 degrees and light variable winds. [NWS]


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 — Jan 16, 2026.

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

  • BREAKING: Protestors blockade Capital One Center in Tysons (34676 views)
  • FCPS anticipates construction on three new schools in proposed capital plan (8580 views)
  • Western High School could be name of Fairfax County’s new western high school (8335 views)
  • FCPD: Speed under investigation in fatal Fairfax County Parkway crash (6456 views)
  • New Reston Town Center offices fully leased, with retail coming (6402 views)
  • Pennsylvania-style diner concept debuts at Audacious Aleworks in Fairfax City (5329 views)
  • Signature apartments at Reston Town Center sold to help fund future development (5019 views)
  • Vienna residents protesting ICE’s fatal shooting of Renee Good line Maple Avenue (4818 views)
  • Another pedestrian seriously injured in Saturday crash on Maple Avenue (4644 views)
  • FCPD: Vienna driver charged with leaving fatal pedestrian crash (4356 views)
  • Fairfax eateries join D.C. Winter Restaurant Week 2026, starting Monday (4194 views)
  • Replacement of Dulles Technology Center office buildings with new housing approved (3399 views)
  • Drought warning issued for Fairfax County amid dry winter (3258 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

    Scattered snow showers in the morning will transition to rain showers between 9am and noon, with a cloudy sky and high near 46. Expect Southwest winds at 8 to 10 mph, gusting up to 20 mph, and a 50% chance of precipitation. Saturday night brings a mix of rain and snow from 1am to 4am followed by possible snow, as temperatures drop to around 31. Light Northwest winds at 3 to 5 mph accompany a 30% chance of precipitation. 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. 👋


    News

    Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk wrapped up a year as chair of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) with a call for continued regional collaboration.

    “Regionalism isn’t something that’s easy,” Lusk said in valedictory remarks at COG’s meeting on Wednesday (Jan. 14). During the meeting, he passed the gavel to Reuben Collins II of the Charles County Board of Commissioners, who will chair the body for 2026.


    News

    By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer

    It was at a relatively minor event in upstate New York in September 2022 that Ilia Malinin, the self-anointed “Quad God” who was fast becoming the biggest name in figure skating, finally landed the jump that so many people had thought impossible.


    Around Town

    Less than two weeks after temporarily closing, American Girl is ready to show off its makeover at Tysons Corner Center.

    Workers have been busy today cleaning and putting the finishing touches on the popular doll maker’s new store in the mall ahead of its grand opening at 10 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday).


    Opinion

    From pulled muscles to arthritis, bodily aches and pains can become debilitating if not properly addressed. Fortunately, there are specialists in Fairfax County who can help.

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

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

    Voting for the Best Pediatrician in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, Jan. 23 at 8:30 a.m.

    A few weeks ago, we voted on the Best Place for Sledding in Fairfax. The results are now official:

    1. Wolf Trap National Park
    2. Mount Reston
    3. King Kong Hill

    News

    The Virginia Department of Transportation is seeking public input on potential changes to a key connection between Burke Centre and Fairfax County parkways.

    An online survey open through next Wednesday (Jan. 21) asks community members to weigh in on proposed modifications to a half-mile stretch of Roberts Parkway, including the addition of a shared-use path and redesigns of the Burke Centre Parkway and Fairfax County Parkway intersections.