News

Nearly four months after the death of U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly, voters will head to the polls to determine his successor.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) is Election Day for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, which covers most of Fairfax County and Fairfax City.


Around Town

A trio of fast-casual eateries is coming to Idylwood Plaza, further filling out space left empty by Whole Foods Market’s departure in February.

Potbelly and Qdoba Mexican Eats are both anticipating opening at the shopping center in the fall of 2026, property owner Federal Realty Investment Trust announced today (Monday).


Countywide

Inova Health on Wednesday released new data finding nearly half of adults in Northern Virginia are either personally impacted by substance use or know someone who is, with even higher numbers among millennials.

The survey data is part of Inova’s Act on Addiction Campaign, which aims to spark dialogue around the realities of substance use, promote harm reduction and prevention strategies, reduce stigma and highlight the impact addiction has on families and communities, according to a news release.


News

A proposal to install a cell tower on the Mantua Swim & Tennis Club has split the surrounding community.

Despite concerns about the existing, spotty cell service, some residents have criticized the swim club’s plan to allow the potentially 150-foot-tall structure on its property at 9330 Pentland Place — evidenced by protest signs that have sprouted throughout surrounding neighborhoods.


News

Despite being landlocked, some neighborhoods in Fairfax County’s Hunter Mill District have apparently become awash in boats.

Supervisor Walter Alcorn plans to propose expanding Reston’s Community Parking District in order to also ban boats and other large vehicles from parking on public streets in the McNair Farms area south of Herndon.


Countywide

Fairfax County Public Schools has encountered at least a temporary setback in its bid to prevent the federal government from cutting off funding over its support for transgender students.

On Friday (Sept. 5), a federal judge in Alexandria dismissed the lawsuit that the Fairfax and Arlington county school boards had filed against the U.S. Education Department, denying their requests for an injunction to halt the funding freeze as the case proceeds.


Countywide
A pedestrian and a driver approach the Washington & Old Dominion Trail crossing at Cedar Lane in Dunn Loring (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Pedestrian Injured in Hit-and-Run — Fairfax County police are investigating “a hit-and-run pedestrian crash” that occurred in the 3200 block of Holly Hill Drive” in West Falls Church yesterday (Sunday) morning. “The pedestrian, an adult man, was transported to the hospital in life threatening condition. The driver of the striking vehicle fled the scene.” [FCPD/X]

Inside GMU President’s Stand Against Trump Admin — “An engineer by training, [Gregory] Washington is a planner by nature. When he became George Mason’s first Black president — the latest of many barriers he has broken — he vowed to faculty to overcommunicate. So he couldn’t stay silent when the allegations of civil rights violations came.” [Washington Post]

Va. Lawmakers Consider A.I. Rules — “Virginia was among the first states in the nation to write new, online privacy laws. Now lawmakers are also asking if they should be ahead of the curve on artificial intelligence as well.” General Assembly members discussed potential legislation ahead of the 2026 session at a Joint Commission on Technology and Science meeting on Wednesday (Sept. 3). [WVTF]

Man Arrested for Allegedly Threatening Dog Walker — “On Thursday, City of Fairfax Police arrested a 19-year-old man who they say attacked and threatened someone walking their dog Tuesday evening in Kamp Washington. Officers responded around 7:43 p.m. for the report of a weapons violation in the 4000 block of Gateway Drive.” [Patch]

Plane Passenger Appeals Sentencing for Assault — “A Stafford man filed an appeal Thursday with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit after receiving a prison sentence for attacking a deaf passenger during a flight from San Francisco to Dulles International Airport last year.” [Patch]

Tysons Restaurant Thanks Military Service Members — Fogo de Chao in Tysons hosted the Military Bowl Foundation’s 20th annual “Home of the Free … Because of Brave” dinner, which gave free steak dinners to dozens of military service members and also served as a watch party for the first NFL game of the season. [WTOP]

Discounts Offered for Rec Center Memberships — “Make strides toward your wellness goals this fall with an annual membership to Fairfax County Park Authority Rec Centers — get a 15% discount throughout September … Annual membership provides access to any of our nine Rec Centers, each with their own amenities.” [FCPA]

It’s Monday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 75 with a gentle northeast breeze at 7 mph. Overnight, the skies will remain mostly clear as the temperature drops to around 54, and the east wind at 5 mph will calm down by evening. [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 — Sep 5, 2025.

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

  • Fairfax County to test ‘Slow Streets’ project in downtown Springfield (9439 views)
  • Shift to townhouses proposed for The Mile development in Tysons (9180 views)
  • Former FCPS after-school staffer sentenced for child sex crimes (5322 views)
  • Corsica Wine Bar swirls around September opening in Reston (4156 views)
  • Protestors rally near ICE field office in Chantilly after reports of ‘degrading’ conditions (3405 views)
  • Man who assaulted deaf passenger on Dulles-bound flight sentenced (2989 views)
  • Fairfax County sheriff’s deputy charged with domestic assault (2748 views)
  • Vienna cancels Church Street roundabout plans after stop signs seemingly get the job done (2715 views)
  • Bunnyman Brewing owners seek second restaurant at Lorton’s Workhouse Arts Center (2641 views)
  • FCPD investigating fatal student overdose in West Springfield (3304 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 showers and potential thunderstorms throughout the day, with heavier rainfall after 3pm and a high temperature near 88°F. West winds will be around 5 to 8 mph, with an 80% chance of precipitation. Rainfall may range from a tenth to a quarter of an inch, with higher amounts in thunderstorms. Saturday night will likely bring continued showers and thunderstorms, a cloudy sky, and a low near 60°F, with a 60% chance of precipitation. North winds will be around 7 mph, and similar rainfall amounts as the day can be expected. 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. 👋