Fairfax County leaders have reacted favorably to a Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) proposal for expanding Express Lanes on I-95 to reduce traffic bottlenecks.
VDOT officials sketched out their plan on Tuesday (Sept. 22) for converting the existing reversible I-95 Express Lanes, which can be used only in one direction at a time, into a bidirectional network running 45 miles from Fairfax south to Spotsylvania County.
Amid pushback on the proposed Dominion Energy merger with NextEra Energy, an in-person hearing to gather public testimony has been scheduled in Fairfax County.
The State Corporation Commission, which is reviewing the proposed merger, scheduled a public hearing for 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 at the Fairfax County Government Center in the Board Auditorium (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax).
Despite some lingering concerns, Fairfax County officials are moving forward with a large mixed-use development proposal near the Innovation Center Metro station.
At its Sept. 16 meeting, the Fairfax County Planning Commission recommended approval of several applications for the Aurora Station at Dulles development.
After 8 years in operation, Settle Down Easy Brewing would like to expand their offerings to include mix beverage and cocktails.
Fight Brewing Over Federal Worker Pay Freeze — “Over 100 members of Congress are calling on their colleagues to approve a 4.1% raise for federal employees in 2027 as opposed to enacting a pay plan proposed by the Trump administration that would prevent most civilian workers from getting an increase in their base pay next year.” [Fox5DC]
Voting Rights Being Restored for Some with Felony Convictions — “Nearly 235,000 Virginians are being notified that their felony convictions should have never kept them from voting and they can now register in time for the 2026 general election, according to the Department of Elections (ELECT) … The notifications come after months of confusion on who are now eligible voters, and as early voting is underway in the 2026 general election. [VPM]
Meeting Planned on Oakton Congestion and Safety Study — “The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) is hosting the third public meeting for the Oakton Congestion and Safety Study on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, 7-9 p.m., in the Oakton High School cafeteria (2900 Sutton Road, Vienna). FCDOT will present results from the first survey, the analysis conducted for future traffic scenarios and proposals for active transportation improvements.” [Fairfax County]
Fort Belvoir’s Oktoberfest Continues Through Weekend — “The four-day festival will bring authentic German cuisine, beverages, music and dancing to the Fort Belvoir community. Guests can also enjoy a carnival, the Volksmarch 5K/10K Walk and family-oriented activities throughout the event.” [Inside NoVA]
Dolly Parton Day Events Set for Friday —Sept. 25 has been proclaimed as Dolly Parton Day, and various activities are planned around the region to mark the occasion. Among the festivities are a Dolly Parton Concert and Look-Alike Contest in Reston and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Fundraiser in Herndon. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
New Fantasy Bookstore Coming to Falls Church — “The Dark, Unbound, in the works for over a year, has been gradually taking form at 112 W. Broad Street. A new sign for the ‘mystic parlor,’ which plans to sell incense, herbs and candles in addition to books from diverse authors, says it’s planning to open this fall.” [ARLnow]
New Legal Notice — Restaurant seeks on/off-premises mixed-beverage, wine, and beer license. [Public Notices]
It’s Friday — It will be mostly sunny with a high of around 72°F. Expect a north wind at 11 to 14 mph, with gusts reaching up to 23 mph. Overnight, the weather will be mostly clear with a low of about 56°F, and the north wind will continue at 10 to 13 mph, with gusts up to 18 mph. [NWS]
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Good Thursday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Sep 24, 2026.
Here is what’s going on Friday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 72 degrees, accompanied by a north wind between 11 to 14 mph and gusts up to 24 mph. Friday night will be mostly clear with a low around 55 degrees, and a north wind between 10 to 13 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
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.
Fairfax County marked the installation of its newest public artwork, conceived several years ago as a way to honor local residents lost to COVID-19, with a ceremony attended by a small crowd of people yesterday (Sept. 23).
“Circles of Memory,” located near the county’s Herrity Building and Public Safety Headquarters in Fairfax, was envisioned as a way to memorialize local people lost in the pandemic; in 2024, according to county zoning records, its purpose was expanded to also provide an area of “respite, reflection and remembrance in support of the mental health well-being” of the public and first responders.
A new Nothing Bundt Cakes is taking shape in Hybla Valley.
The nationwide chain of bakeries has a location “coming soon” to 7732E Richmond Highway in Mount Vernon Plaza, a corporate spokesperson confirmed to FFXnow.
At this time last year, hopes remained high that two long-vacant office buildings at a prominent Reston intersection would soon be gone, making way for new housing and retail.
Instead of watching that mixed-use development take shape, however, nearby residents find themselves still contending with an eyesore in a neighborhood that has reportedly become a magnet for trespassing, vandalism and other property issues.
Inova Health System is making the jump from tenant to property owner at a pair of medical office buildings near its main Fairfax hospital campus.
The nonprofit health care provider has acquired the Willow Oaks Medical Campus at 8260 and 8280 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive in Merrifield for $97.5 million, the commercial real estate advisor Newmark announced yesterday (Wednesday).
