Countywide

Virginia is facing another lawsuit over its newly adopted but not-yet-enacted ban on future sales and manufacturing of assault firearms.

The Trump administration sued the Commonwealth of Virginia and Virginia State Police in federal court today (Wednesday), arguing that its planned restrictions on gun sales violate the Second Amendment.


News

Two Vienna-based nonprofits are coming together to support victims of the twin earthquakes that left thousands dead and injured in Venezuela last week.

The One Neighborhood Foundation and People and Pets Together will host a fundraiser Saturday (July 4) from 8 a.m. to noon at Texas Donuts (167 Glyndon Street SE). A portion of every purchase will be donated to World Central Kitchen, the disaster relief nonprofit founded by celebrity chef José Andrés.


News

The newest addition to Fairfax County Public Schools, Skyview High School in Herndon, is set to open this fall with over 700 ninth and tenth graders who opt in to attend the new school.

But the county school board is still deciding on a plan for full implementation of school boundaries — wherever those lines are drawn.


News

Metro halted all Silver Line trains between the Tysons and McLean stations for a period this morning (Wednesday) so police could get a man off of the tracks.

Fairfax County police officers were dispatched at around 11:32 a.m. to an address near the McLean Metro station for a passenger experiencing an apparent “medical emergency,” according to scanner traffic.


Event

Spend a fun Saturday at the Fairfax Funky Flea–7/25 from 9-3PM. Find vintage clothing, jewelry, home goods and more at a pet and family friendly flea market. Free parking, free admission, food trucks, coffee and matcha vendor, and restrooms. Only one block from historic Main Street in the City of Fairfax – home to many restaurants, cute shops and coffee houses. Don’t miss this one!


News

The popular Saudi-style coffee shop Shotted is continuing to expand its reach across the D.C. area, setting its sights next on a location in West Falls Church.

Founder and CEO Bandar Alhenaki says the growing chain is on track to open its first drive-thru coffeehouse this summer in the Shops at West Falls Church, where it will take over the vacated Compass Coffee building at 7393 Route 29.


News

Fairfax County’s public works department can now move forward with a new wastewater pump station to replace a more than 50-year-old one near Alexandria.

At its meeting last Wednesday (June 24), the Fairfax County Planning Commission unanimously approved plans for the Jones Point Pump Station upgrade project.


News

Fairfax County Public Schools has long planned to renovate and expand the aging facilities at Centreville High School to serve as many as 3,000 students.

But after unexpectedly purchasing a new campus in Herndon last year in the hopes of alleviate overcrowding at four high schools in the western end of the county, FCPS officials are facing a quandary: Does Centreville High School, which serves about 2,350 students today, still need an expansion?


Countywide

Potentially record-breaking heat is expected to take hold of the D.C. area, as the nation’s 250th anniversary nears.

A Heat Advisory issued by the National Weather Service is scheduled to take effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. today (Wednesday), followed by an Extreme Heat Watch that will be in place from 11 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday) until 8 p.m. on Friday, July 3.


Countywide
Summer sun shining on Washington & Old Dominion Trail users in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Va. Can Now Order Speed-Limiting Devices — One of the many new laws taking effect in Virginia today (Wednesday) “allows judges to require people convicted of reckless driving to have the device installed in their cars, which prevents them from being able to speed. It’s a law D.C. already has, and it’s coming to Maryland this fall.” [NBC4]

Mount Vernon Releases Exclusive Whiskey — This Fourth of July, “George Washington’s Mount Vernon will mark the occasion with the release of an exclusive new whiskey: George Washington’s Spirit of ’76 Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey, the first bourbon ever produced by George Washington’s Distillery. The Spirit of ’76 is a special release to mark the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.” [Mount Vernon]

FCPS Pushed to Do More to Address Racism — “Fairfax County’s NAACP chapter is calling for more transparency and urgency in how Northern Virginia’s largest school system investigates and responds to complaints of anti-Black bias and discrimination … The statement followed the group’s forum with Superintendent Michelle Reid [on June 18]. For over 90 minutes, some families expressed frustration with a lack of communication or transparency.” [WTOP]

Pizzeria Started in Tysons Wins RAMMY — Andy’s Pizza, which got its start at Tysons Galleria in 2018, was named the D.C. region’s Fast Casual Restaurant of the Year at the 44th annual RAMMYs Awards on Monday (June 29). While that was the only winner with a Fairfax County location, four others were among the finalists, and Old Ebbitt Grill in D.C., winner for Favorite Gathering Place, is getting a spin-off at Reston Station. [ALXnow]

FCPS Expands Virtual Mental Health Service — “Since 2023, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has partnered with Hazel Health to offer virtual mental health services to FCPS high school students. Beginning July 1, 2026, these services will also be available to students enrolled in all FCPS middle schools.” [FCPS]

Tenants Wanted for Vacant Building — “After lying dormant for years, the Hana Plaza building, at 7409 Little River Turnpike in Annandale, is now available for leasing. The building has been totally redone, and interior renovations are expected to be completed in October or November, says Diane Lee of Mega Realty & Investment.” [Annandale Today]

State Budget Funds Pentagon Memorial — “The Pentagon Memorial Fund said the two-year spending plan — approved by the General Assembly on Monday and set to take effect July 1 — includes money for the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial Visitor Education Center. A budget amendment provides $1 million to Arlington County to support the center’s construction.” [ARLnow]

GMU President’s Contract Extended — “George Mason University’s Board of Visitors has extended the contract of President Gregory Washington through June 30, 2031 … The extension comes after federal investigations into civil rights violations by the university, which Washington has forcefully pushed back against.” [Inside NoVA]

New Legal Notice — Estate creditors notice; claims due by December 31, 2026. [Public Notices]

It’s Wednesday — There is a 20% chance of precipitation, but expect sunny and hot conditions, with temperatures nearing 99 degrees and heat index values as high as 106. Night will be mostly clear with a low of around 77. [NWS]

There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.