Justice statue over the entrance to the Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse in Alexandria (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
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.
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]
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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.
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. 👋
Trees line one side of the W&OD Trail along Dominion Road in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
The chainsaws have gone quiet, but the fight to preserve trees along the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail isn’t over yet.
A number of elected officials, nonprofits and community organizations plan to renew pressure on Dominion Energy over its approach to tree clearings with a rally tomorrow (Saturday) in Vienna.
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a two-part series of exclusive interviews with James Walkinshaw and Stewart Whitson, who are competing to represent Virginia’s 11th Congressional District. The story on Whitson was published yesterday (Thursday).
If he’s elected to Congress, James Walkinshaw won’t have any trouble finding his way around Capitol Hill.
A West Springfield High School student died earlier this week from a drug overdose, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) officials have confirmed.
FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid announced the death in a letter on Wednesday (Sept. 3), sharing guidance for parents, students and community members.
Parks and trails across Fairfax County offer a perfect opportunity to enjoy the fair weather and colorful foliage this fall.
Here are the nominees for “Best Hiking Spot in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. See your favorite place below? If not, write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 19.
Voting for the Best Ramen Restaurant in Fairfax is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 9 a.m.
Fairfax County School Board member Mateo Dunne (staff photo by Jared Serre)
Fairfax County Public Schools is rolling out advanced weapons detectors to all middle and high schools, but is that enough to keep schools safe? At least one member of the school board says no.
“Technology can identify a weapon or observe a fight, but it requires a human to intervene to seize the weapon or stop the fight,” Mount Vernon District Representative Mateo Dunne told FFXnow.
A Cirque du Soleil performer in rain during "Luzia" (photo by Matt Beard)
Cirque du Soleil is back in Tysons.
After visiting George Mason University’s Eagle Bank Arena last spring, the Canadian circus will once again open up its Big Top at Lerner Town Square (8025 Galleria Drive) for a new show, starting tomorrow (Saturday).