Around Town

Washingtonian released its annual ranking of the D.C. region’s 100 very best restaurants yesterday (Tuesday), championing culinary offerings to seek out in 2026 from across the District, Northern Virginia and Maryland.

For the third year in a row, Joon in Tysons placed higher on the list than any other Fairfax establishment, though at no. 35, it has slipped down from 23rd in 2024 and 24th last year.


Countywide
A worker on an awning over the Vienna Community Center entrance (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

N. Va. Democrats Hopeful After Inauguration — “Northern Virginia Democrats were in high spirits at the inauguration of Gov. Abigail Spanberger this weekend, looking toward new opportunities for a variety of bills held back by the previous administration. Legislators and political observers expect fewer vetoes and more collaboration with Democratic policymakers.” [ARLnow]

Big Snow Storm Possible This Weekend — “Confidence is increasing that there will be a ‘significant’ winter storm Saturday into Sunday along the Interstate 95 corridor, including the D.C. region and the rest of the mid-Atlantic, according to the National Weather Service … The storm is on track to begin in the D.C. region Saturday afternoon, peak Saturday night into Sunday, and end Monday.” [WTOP]

Virginia U.S. Attorney Ousted — “Lindsey Halligan, a Trump administration lawyer who was named head of a key U.S. attorney’s office in Virginia last year with instructions to seek criminal charges against President Donald Trump’s political adversaries, left her post at the Justice Department on Tuesday, Attorney General Pam Bondi said.” [Washington Post]

New Members Appointed to GMU Board — “Shortly after being sworn in on Saturday, Gov. Abigail Spanberger appointed members to the Boards of Visitors for George Mason University, the University of Virginia, and Virginia Military Institute. She also ordered a review of the higher-ed board confirmation process, which was the center of contention between lawmakers and the previous gubernatorial administration last year.” [Virginia Mercury]

Progress on American Legion Bridge Overhaul — U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore say they’ve “made significant progress” on an agreement to accelerate rebuilds of the Francis Scott Key and American Legion bridges. For the American Legion Bridge in particular, they say they will “leverage innovative approaches like a public private partnership” to move the project forward. [FOX5]

Dog Reunited With Family After Almost Three Years — “A dog was reunited with his family in Maryland last week after he went missing almost three years ago. The Fairfax County Animal Shelter said animal services officers responded to a call about a stray dog and ‘they had no idea they were about to help reunite a long-missing pet!'” [DC News Now]

Reston Native Coaches College Championship Team — “A former NFL coach from Reston was one of the coaches that helped lead the Indiana University football team to its first national championship on Monday night. The Hoosiers defeated the Miami Hurricanes, 27-21, and finished the season with a perfect 16-0 record.” A graduate of South Lakes High School, Ola Adams was in his second season as Indiana’s safeties coach. [Patch]

Ethiopian Market Coming to Bailey’s Crossroads — “An Ethiopian food shop called Nazret Market #4 is expected to open in Bailey’s Crossroads next month, says owner Aftataw (Mamush) Muluneh. The shop, at 5810 Seminary Road, will offer spices, meat, grains, and other items imported from Ethiopia.” [Annandale Today]

It’s Wednesday — Clouds will gradually increase throughout the day, reaching a high near 40°F, accompanied by a southeast wind that will shift south at 9-14 mph in the morning and gust up to 25 mph. At night, expect partly cloudy skies with a low around 33°F. [NWS]


News

Democrats are on track to add another vote to their already-comfortable majority in the Virginia House of Delegates.

Garrett McGuire, who won a primary last month to become the Democratic nominee, has declared victory in today’s special election for the 17th House District, which covers the Franconia area of Fairfax County from I-95 to Hayfield and Huntington.


Announcement

For many young families and seniors, everyday expenses continue to add up. Two locally owned Great Clips salons are helping make one routine expense a little easier.

Every Tuesday, seniors age 65+ and children age 10 and under can receive a haircut for just $17.99 at locally owned Great Clips locations in Fairfax City and Reston.


Around Town

Good Tuesday 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 20, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌥️ Wednesday’s forecast

Expect increasing clouds and a high near 40, accompanied by a south wind blowing at 5 to 15 mph and gusts up to 28 mph. Wednesday night will turn partly cloudy with lows around 33, and a southwest wind ranging from 9 to 13 mph, gusting as high as 23 mph. 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

Join us on September 19, 2026 at 9:00 AM (Eastern Daylight Time) at 12000 Government Center Pkwy for Pender’s First Annual Angel Fund 5K!

This fun community event supports the Angel Fund at Pender Veterinary Centre, which helps pet owners in Northern Virginia cover unexpected veterinary costs when finances are tight. For over 50 years, Pender Veterinary Centre has been proud to care for pets and their families, and this 5K is all about bringing everyone together to celebrate that bond.


News

A measles case in Northern Virginia has raised concern about more people becoming exposed to the disease, including at the Inova Fairfax Hospital campus in Merrifield.

The Virginia Department of Health reported today (Tuesday) that a preschool-aged child who traveled internationally was confirmed to have measles. This is the third measles case reported in Virginia so far in 2026.


News

Fairfax County police are charging a man who allegedly pulled out a gun at Springfield Town Center this past weekend, prompting the mall to be evacuated.

Officers responded to the 6600 block of Springfield Mall at 7:04 p.m. on Saturday (Jan. 17) after detectives were alerted to a weapons call.


News

A routine bus trip from New York City to D.C. took a harrowing turn for passengers last night (Monday) when the driver reportedly decided to ditch their intended destination for a journey into the unknown.

As documented in a viral thread on the nascent social media platform Bluesky by user Musicology Duck, a driver on a BestBus route from Penn Station to Union Station and Dupont Circle allegedly sped down a highway and refused to go to Union Station despite pleas from both riders and the bus company’s staff, dropping everyone off at the Vienna Metro station only after the police were called.


Around Town

Toastique, a gourmet toast eatery with an expanding presence in Northern Virginia, will have an incentive for the first customers at its new Great Falls location.

The new Toastique at the Great Falls Center (9891 Georgetown Pike) will open at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24. The first 100 customers in line who make a $10 minimum purchase will get $50 in Toastique Reward Dollars.


Around Town

After opening its doors in Vienna last month, popular donut chain Texas Donuts is not slowing down.

The local pastry and breakfast brand is planning to add three more locations in Northern Virginia this year, including one in Chantilly, Texas Donuts owner Hoang Ton told FFXnow.


Announcement

Reston Children’s Center announces that it is continuing to be a sponsor of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Reston Children’s Center has been part of the CACFP program since 1995.

The same meals will be available at no separate charge to all participants at each CACFP facility without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.