The South Alex development just off Richmond Highway (Route 1) in Penn Daw is getting some new retail tenants, all of them expected to open in the coming months.
Three new businesses are opening on the south side of the shopping center:
Fairfax County Public Schools has received millions in federal funding that was held up for nearly a month by the Trump administration.
FCPS spokesperson Julie Allen told FFXnow yesterday (Wednesday) that the school division has confirmed receipt of the $13.1 million in withheld funding.
Kokua at The Mather Now Open in Tysons
Something unique is happening in the heart of Tysons, Virginia: A new venue for assisted living and memory support is offering a fresh, hospitality-driven approach to care—where residents explore possibilities for creativity, purpose, and connection. Opened in fall 2025, Kokua is part of Mather, an innovative pioneer in senior living.
For a limited time, Kokua is welcoming new residents seeking assisted living or memory support in the DC area with exclusive move-in incentives. Nestled in a lively urban neighborhood, our LEED-Gold certified community incorporates biophilic design that brings the outside in to enhance health and wellbeing.
THOUGHTFULLY DESIGNED SPACES
In our assisted living and memory support neighborhoods, residents enjoy a collection of thoughtfully designed spaces that feel like an upscale hospitality destination.
Multiple restaurants offer chef-prepared cuisine with flexible, open-hour service, complemented by demonstration kitchens, art and music studios, as well as gathering spaces. A spacious outdoor terrace, Marzenia Salon, and beautifully appointed amenity areas create opportunities for wellness, connection, and everyday enjoyment.
FOCUS ON PERSONALIZED WELLBEING
Residents enjoy opportunities to choose from enriching programs, meaningful social opportunities with experiences such as sensory walks, meditation, acupuncture, Reiki, songwriting workshops, poetry readings, Sensory Symphony Swim, and more. (more…)
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After several days of hot, muggy weather, a major cooldown is in store for the D.C. region in the wake of storms expected to land this afternoon (Thursday).
However, the heavy rain will bring a risk of “significant flash flooding,” according to the National Weather Service, which has issued a Flood Watch for the entire area, including Fairfax County.
LARGE DC FIRM LOOKING FOR PARTICIPANTS FOR FOCUS GROUP TAKING PLACE ON JUNE 6TH FROM 10 AM 1 PM
We are holding a focus group via Zoom on June 6th, 2026 from 10 am to 1 pm. Payment is $90.00 for three hours. If interested, please e-mail us at focusgroupresearch26@gmail.com.
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The next meeting of George Mason University’s Board of Visitors could be among the most heavily scrutinized in the Northern Virginia school’s 53-year history.
In addition to revisiting an anti-diversity-programs resolution that was tabled in May, the board is scheduled “to discuss the performance goals” of GMU President Gregory Washington during a closed session at its annual meeting tomorrow morning (Friday).
🔥 The Summer Cookout Cook Off is ON! 🔥
Get ready to fire up your taste buds, Fairfax! On Sunday, June 7, 2026 from 1-5 PM, Unity of Fairfax is hosting its very first Summer Cookout Cook Off, and YOU are the judge.
Construction is underway on a new coffee shop in Reston.
Simply Social Coffee, which can currently be found in Vienna’s Cedar Park Shopping Center and next to Burlington Coat Factory just outside Fairfax City, has been working on a third location in Reston at 11511 Sunrise Valley Drive, Unit 9.
China Wok has carved up its final Peking duck.
The old-school Chinese restaurant permanently closed its doors at Pike 7 Plaza in Tysons at the end of July, wrapping up a 34-year run.
DCA Crash Probe Finds Chopper Issues — “Investigators probing the January midair collision of a passenger plane and an Army helicopter over Washington that killed 67 people found the chopper was flying higher than it should have been and its altitude readings were inaccurate.” [Associated Press/ARLnow]
Police Investigate Falls Church Spa — “After questions lingered for months from several homeowners about the spa’s operations, two misdemeanor charges were levied against the business owner of a Limited Liability Corporation registered to the spa’s address. Two neighbors on the 2700 block of Summerfield Road shared their observations of the Rose Spa on South Washington Street … anonymously in fear of possible retaliation.” [DC News Now]
Bugs Swarm D.C. Area — “A bug boom of ticks, lanternflies and mosquitoes is fueled by climate change and invasive species.” Congressional lawmakers introduced a bill last week to fund projects intended to control the spread of lanternflies, while emergency rooms nationwide saw a surge in tick-related visits this past May and June, according to CDC data. [Axios DC]
Sales Tax Holiday Starts Friday — “Virginia families have a chance to save money while getting ready for emergencies this August. The state’s annual three-day sales tax holiday runs from 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 1, through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 3.” School supplies are also exempt from state sales taxes through the weekend. [Fairfax County Emergency Information]
FCPD Concerned by Vape Store Burglaries — “Fairfax County police are issuing a public warning and urging Northern Virginia business owners to be vigilant after a string of burglaries involving kratom products … Police said they’re increasing awareness about the substance after a string of recent burglaries committed by the same person targeting Star Tobacco along Braddock Road. One robbery was in June and the other was earlier this month.” [WTOP]
Artists Wanted for Springfield Town Center — “ArtsFairfax is proud to partner with Springfield Town Center to present a public art opportunity for local artists in Fairfax County! Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in an art show that will receive high visibility and foot traffic.” Today (Thursday) at 7 p.m. is the deadline for artists to apply for the show, which is scheduled to run from October through March 2026. [ArtsFairfax/Instagram]
Tower Club Tysons Closes for Renovation — “As part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing your member experience, we’ve entered a major phase of renovations that includes flooring installation, concrete work, and extensive sanding throughout the Club … During this time, no member access will be permitted … We look forward to welcoming you back on Tuesday, August 5, when we reopen with normal hours.” [Tower Club Tysons/Instagram]
Win a Capybara Hangout Session — Reston’s NOVA Wild is holding a contest for its social media followers, offering a 20-minute “encounter” with its capybaras Nugget and Tater as a prize. Participants can enter by liking the zoo’s posts on Facebook and Instagram and tagging a friend. The winner will be announced on Aug. 12. [NOVA Wild/Facebook]
It’s Thursday — A slight chance of showers could turn into thunderstorms after 2 pm, with increasing clouds and a high near 94. Heat index values could reach 103. A 60% chance of rain will jump to 80% at night. Expect a low around 70, and possible rainfall amounts between three-quarters and one inch. [NWS]
Good Wednesday 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 — Jul 30, 2025.
- 7:30 am: Morning Notes for July 30, 2025 | 🗣️ Comments
- 8:30 am: Work to begin on extending I-495 ramp in McLean, affecting traffic | 🗣️ Comments
- 9:15 am: Smithsonian warns potential Texas move could damage Space Shuttle Discovery | 🗣️ Comments
- 10:00 am: Greenheart Juice closes Reston shop, plans transition into cafe | 🗣️ Comments
- 11:45 am: DIY home construction academy TradeWorx opens in Fair Oaks Mall | 🗣️ Comments
- 1:45 pm: Lake Anne cooling system falters again amid summer heat | 🗣️ Comments
- 2:45 pm: Critics press their concerns as vote on I-495 Southside Express toll lanes plan looms | 🗣️ Comments
- 3:45 pm: Programs that support solar panel installations warn residents of expiring tax credit | 🗣️ Comments
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on Thursday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
⛈️ Thursday’s forecast
Expect increasing clouds with a high near 94 and heat index values up to 102. Showers and thunderstorms are likely after 2pm, with a 60% chance of precipitation and potential rainfall between a half and three quarters of an inch. Thursday night, showers and possible thunderstorms will occur before 2am, followed by a chance of showers and storms after 2am, with a low around 69. Southeast wind at 6 mph will become north after midnight, and the chance of precipitation rises to 80%, with possible rainfall between 1 and 2 inches. 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.
Time is running out for Fairfax County homeowners to get a federal tax credit for adopting solar energy.
The reconciliation bill passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump on July 4 will eliminate a residential clean energy credit that lets residential property owners deduct 30% of the cost of installing rooftop solar panels, solar water heaters, geothermal heat pumps and other clean energy systems from their federal income taxes.