Around Town

FFXnow Daily Debrief for Oct 23, 2025

By FFXnow.com

Good Thursday 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 — Oct 23, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

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

☁️ Friday’s forecast

Clouds will increase throughout the day, with a high temperature near 61 degrees. The light west wind is expected to shift to the northwest, reaching 8 to 13 mph in the morning, and could gust up to 23 mph. By Friday night, the sky will be mostly clear, and the low temperature will be around 37 degrees. The northwest wind will be calmer at around 5 to 7 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.

News

FCPD: Hit-and-run victim was alive before being hit by Fairfax police car

By Jared Serre
Body camera footage from the September hit-and-run in Hybla Valley (photo via FCPD)

A Fairfax County police officer remains on restricted duty after striking a hit-and-run victim with his police cruiser last month in Hybla Valley.

Both criminal and administrative investigations continue into the Sept. 24 incident, which may have contributed to the death of a 62-year-old woman, police said in a press conference today (Thursday).

Go to FCPD: Hit-and-run victim was alive before being hit by Fairfax police car Read more
Around Town

South Block to give out free bowls at Reston grand opening

By Angela Woolsey
South Block took over the former Robeks storefront at Spectrum at Reston Town Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

South Block is ready to make its Reston debut, just a few months after confirming the planned expansion.

The Northern Virginia smoothie chain will celebrate its grand opening at 1835 Fountain Drive in the Spectrum at Reston Town Center this Saturday (Oct. 25) with free food, a banana costume contest, giveaways and a live DJ.

Go to South Block to give out free bowls at Reston grand opening Read more
Announcement

Come and Create at AH7

By Art House 7
Triptych image advertising Art House 7 fall classes: kids painting, a teacher guiding a student, and a student pottery‑making on a wheel.

While our Fall 1 season is in swing, we have some terrific opportunities for making art coming up soon. Our Fall 2 season runs late October through December, with six-week and three-week classes you’ll love. We have some new themes in the mix, including Acrylic Painting Fundamentals (adults) and Sculpting with Nature and Found Objects (4th-6th graders). Explore the wheel together at our parent-child ceramics class. And our perennials always shine: painting, drawing, ceramics, sewing, sculpture, and printmaking. Take a look now!

Fall 2 Session, Oct. 27-Dec. 20

Go to Come and Create at AH7 Read more
Countywide

Fairfax planning commission torn over how strictly to regulate electric substations

By Scott McCaffrey
Dominion Energy's Tysons substation on Tyco Road (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A split Fairfax County Planning Commission voted last night (Wednesday) to recommend requiring future electrical substations to be built at least 200 feet away from residential property lines.

The commission narrowly supported a 200-foot setback as one of four options on the table. County staff had recommended 100 feet, while some commissioners proposed 150 or 300 feet.

Go to Fairfax planning commission torn over how strictly to regulate electric substations Read more
Event

Haunt: Dark Encounters

Poster advertising Haunt: Dark Encounters at Workhouse Arts Center — Tickets on sale now for Oct 3–30, 2026 (Fridays, Saturdays, select Sundays) at 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA; sponsored by ACC.

Event location

Workhouse Arts Center

9518 Workhouse Way

Lorton, Virginia 22079

Add to Calendar

One of Northern Virginia's favorite Halloween traditions is back for the 13th year. Think you’re ready for one of the area’s scariest haunted experiences?

Haunt: Dark Encounters at the Workhouse Arts Center is happening in Lorton, Virginia from October 3 – 30, 2026—and this year, you never know what’s waiting around the next corner. Step inside and there’s no telling what you’ll find. Strange sounds. Unexpected scares. And just when you think you’re in the clear…think again. Bring your bravest friends, because this is one fall night you won’t soon forget.— Haunt: Dark Encounters at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Va.

Go to Haunt: Dark Encounters Read more
News

How to vote early for Braddock District supervisor, starting Friday

By Jared Serre
Ken Balbuena, Rachna Sizemore Heizer and Carey Chet Campbell (staff photos by Jared Serre)

Braddock District voters will soon select their next representative on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

Early voting in the race begins tomorrow (Friday), giving residents more than six weeks to cast their ballots before the special election on Dec. 9.

Go to How to vote early for Braddock District supervisor, starting Friday Read more
Around Town

Eco-friendly clothing store opens, gift basket shop coming to Tysons mall

By Angela Woolsey
Reformation, whose recently opened Flatiron location in New York City is shown, opened on Oct. 23, 2025 at Tysons Corner Center (courtesy Reformation)

With the holiday shopping season on the horizon, Tysons Corner Center is continuing to stay busy, welcoming a number of new retail stores in recent weeks and hinting at more still to come.

The clothing brand Reformation, which prides itself on its sustainable practices, is opening its doors this morning (Thursday) on the mall’s second floor at Unit E001U, near the Apple store and Nespresso.

Go to Eco-friendly clothing store opens, gift basket shop coming to Tysons mall Read more
Around Town

Halloween celebrations coming to haunt Fairfax County in 2025

By Caitlyn Meisner
The Boo-ro, a Halloween celebration, returns to The Boro in Tysons on Oct. 25 (Courtesy of The Boro)

Spooky season is upon us, and Fairfax County has no shortage of events to check out as Halloween approaches.

Upcoming festivities at local libraries, parks and neighborhoods range from parades and costume contests to pumpkin patches, races and more.

Go to Halloween celebrations coming to haunt Fairfax County in 2025 Read more
News

Work starts in Reston on first phase of Isaac Newton Square development

By Jamie Rogers
Construction entrance at Isaac Newton Square in Reston (photo by Jamie Rogers)

The first phase of work is underway in the redevelopment of Isaac Newton Square, an office park in Reston that will be transformed into a mixed-use neighborhood in phases over the next 20 years.

Work started at the end of September at the northern end of the site to preserve a line of willow oak trees located along Isaac Newton Square North near Wiehle Avenue. Improvements to streets and infrastructure, such as stormwater facilities, utilities and bioretention facilities, are also in the works.

Go to Work starts in Reston on first phase of Isaac Newton Square development Read more
Countywide

Morning Notes for October 23, 2025

By FFXnow.com
A tree with fall colors next to My Eye Dr in Spectrum at Reston Town Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Police Wrap Up Traffic Safety Campaign — “The Fairfax County Police Department has concluded the 2025 ‘Road Shark’ campaign, issuing nearly 50,000 citations and warnings to dangerous drivers on Fairfax County roadways over the last five waves. This represents a 43% increase from 2024.” [FCPD]

Region Braces for Loss of Food Benefits — “In days, the impacts of the government showdown could go from bad to much worse after the Department of Agriculture said it doesn’t have enough money to pay for SNAP Benefits or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in November … Stephanie Berkowitz with Northern Virginia Family Services says the impact of losing SNAP, even for a month, can’t be overstated.” [NBC4]

Local GOP Takes Issue with Absentee Ballots — “Fairfax County Republican leaders are raising concerns about ballot privacy after discovering a hole punched in absentee ballots could reveal a voter’s decision … Fairfax County election officials are now giving tips on their website about how to properly secure the ballot.” [NBC4]

Man Posing as Firefighter Arrested — “A 28-year-old Manassas man who was posing as a Washington, D.C. firefighter was arrested after he tried to enter a Fairfax City fire station on [Oct. 15], according to police.” The man was charged with impersonating a firefighter and being drunk in public. [Patch]

State Legislators Debate Gambling Expansion — “Virginia began legalizing casinos in 2020 with the first wager cast in 2022 … While recent gambling revenue numbers have dipped across the state, elected officials are holding judgement as more casinos and gambling alternatives are expected to be considered under the new state gambling authority.” [WVTF]

Virginia Reviews Special Education Compliance — “A Virginia commission on Tuesday unanimously accepted a study recommending that policymakers separate the Parent Ombudsman for Special Education’s office from the Virginia Department of Education to improve its ‘neutrality and public trust.'” The study was ordered after “years of ongoing complaints and a federal investigation” into the state’s system for resolving special education-related conflicts. [Virginia Mercury]

Capital One Reports Turnaround After Merger — “Three months after disclosing a $4.3 billion loss, Capital One’s profit jumped 80% year-over-year in the third quarter. Its revenue surged 53%. And its net interest income rose 54%, according to an earnings report released Tuesday.” The boost came after the financial corporation closed a $35 billion acquisition of rival Discover in May. [Banking Dive]

UVA Complies with Trump Admin Demands — “The University of Virginia has agreed to abide by White House guidance forbidding discrimination in admissions and hiring, becoming the latest campus to strike a deal with the Trump administration as the college tries to pause months of scrutiny by the federal government.” [Associated Press]

It’s Thursday — Expect a sunny day with a high around 62 degrees, accompanied by a west wind blowing at 7 to 14 mph and gusts reaching up to 23 mph. For Thursday night, the skies will be mostly clear with the temperature dropping to around 41 degrees, and a northwest wind blowing at 5 to 7 mph. [NWS]

Announcement

A Bison Celebration

By National Museum of the American Indian

A Bison Celebration is part of the Smithsonian Institution’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. The Bison Celebration will be a full day event that brings together organizations, scholars, scientists and filmmakers to celebrate the past, present, and future of North America’s largest land mammal. Through captivating films and thought-provoking panel discussions, the museum will explore the bison’s vital role in restoring grassland ecosystems and its deep spiritual connection to Tribal nations.

Go to A Bison Celebration Read more
View More Stories