FFXnow - Fairfax County, Va. local news

Expect mostly cloudy skies and a high of around 45 degrees accompanied by a southwest wind at about 6 mph. Saturday night will bring snow showers, which might initially mix with rain, turning into full-fledged snow after 4am. The temperature will drop to a low of around 28 with calm winds, later picking up a northward direction at a speed of 5 to 8 mph after midnight. There is an 80% chance of precipitation and a potential accumulation of 1 to 2 inches of snow. 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

ICE raids in Hybla Valley condemned at candlelight vigil

By James Cullum

Published December 12, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated December 12, 2025 at 4:15PM

A protest against ICE detainment on Richmond Highway in Hybla Valley on Dec. 11, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Dozens of protestors last night (Thursday) held a candlelight vigil to protest recent apprehensions of multiple Fairfax County residents by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in the Hybla Valley area.

Three unidentified men along the Richmond Highway (Route 1) corridor were detained by ICE on Nov. 22, according to Tenants and Workers United, which hosted the vigil outside a local church.

A post from Schar School

Ready for the next step in your career? Explore graduate programs near D.C.

Published July 28, 2026 at 10:45AM

Advance Your Career. Explore Graduate Programs Near D.C.

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Explore Programs

News

Kaine still sees small chance Senate could vote to extend health care subsidies

By James Cullum

Published December 12, 2025 at 2:45PM | Updated December 12, 2025 at 3:12PM

(Left to right) Neighborhood Health CEO Dr. Basim Khan, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine and Katie Baker of Protect Our Care at a roundtable discussion on healthcare at Neighborhood Health in the Alexandria area of Fairfax County, Dec. 12, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) predicts there’s a small chance that the Senate will coalesce around a deal to prevent premium health care hikes for millions of Americans before next month.

Kaine made the statement today (Friday) at a roundtable with health care professionals at a Neighborhood Health clinic in Hybla Valley after most Senate Republicans rejected a Democratic bill Thursday that would’ve extended Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire at the end of this year.

Countywide

Fairfax County board reworks towing rules, increases fees

By Scott McCaffrey

Published December 12, 2025 at 1:45PM

A-1 Towing truck in Rose Hill (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday night (Dec. 9) to raise the maximum base charge for trespass towing by 40% to the new state maximum of $210.

Maximum allowable fees for the drop charge, storage and administration also would increase. The new fees went into effect immediately.

Event

First Baby? Connect with other New Moms! (Online)

August 8, 2026 11:00 am -12:00 pm

Online event (see link)

Website Contact Social

*Mamistad Groups meet IN PERSON-only the introductory Zoom call is virtual. 🙂

Pregnancy and new mom groups are a lifesaver when it comes to normalizing those feelings we just can’t be prepared for.

News

Fairfax Democrats quickly schedule primary for Jan. election to replace Bulova

By Jared Serre

Published December 12, 2025 at 11:50AM

Del. David Bulova (via Channel 16 screenshot)

Fairfax Democrats are wasting no time in their bid to retain David Bulova’s seat in the House of Delegates.

Local party officials have scheduled a firehouse primary for next Tuesday (Dec. 16) — only five days after news of Bulova’s departure as the 11th House District’s delegate became public.

Opinion

Poll: Best primary care doctors in Fairfax County

By FFXnow.com

Published December 12, 2025 at 11:15AM

Primary care doctors can be literal lifesavers, providing valuable health advice and detecting potential issues before they become crises. But given the different needs of different patients, finding the right match can be a challenge.

Here are the nominees for “Best Primary Care Doctors 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, Dec. 26.

Voting for the Best Orthodontist in Fairfax is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, Dec. 19 at 8:30 a.m.

A few weeks ago, we voted on the Best Car Wash or Auto Detailing Service in Fairfax. The results, published earlier this week, are:

Divine Auto Spa
ClubExec Auto
Flagship Car Wash and Cruz-N-Shine Car Wash (tie)

News

County board approves expansion of facilities for Barns at Wolf Trap

By Scott McCaffrey

Published December 12, 2025 at 10:00AM

The Barns at Wolf Trap entrance (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

New facilities to enhance the visitor experience at the Barns at Wolf Trap have been approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

Supervisors voted unanimously at their Dec. 9 meeting in support of land-use changes requested by the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts for a 9,300-square-foot addition to the 352-seat performance facility, located at 1635 Trap Road in the Vienna area.

News

George Mason to commemorate Final Four basketball team

By Dave Fawcett / Inside NoVA

Published December 12, 2025 at 9:15AM

Ticket to George Mason University's 20th anniversary celebration for its 2006 Final Four men's basketball team (courtesy George Mason University Athletics)

Jim Larranaga liked to bring in sports psychologist Bob Rotella for two reasons.

The George Mason University men’s basketball coach did so if he believed an individual player needed some help. Or he did so if he felt he had a good team that needed some extra clarity to tap into their potential.

News

Mansion at George Washington’s Mount Vernon reopens after two-year renovation

By James Cullum

Published December 12, 2025 at 8:30AM

Doug Bradburn, president of George Washington’s Mount Vernon, speaks at the mansion's ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dec. 10, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

After two years of renovations, the first and second floors of George and Martha Washington’s mansion at Mount Vernon reopened to visitors on Wednesday (Dec. 10).

The $40 million preservation project at the first president’s home included designing and installing a new HVAC system, major infrastructure repairs, and improving drainage in and around the mansion’s cellar, and Washington’s newly restored bedroom.