After a contentious debate, the Fairfax County School Board will give parents the opportunity to opt out of take-home laptops and tablets in the upcoming school year and study stronger screen limits and restrictions.
At its meeting Thursday (June 11), the board discussed restrictions on screen time and school-provided devices for students amid local, regional and national pushback against technology in classrooms, particularly in elementary schools.
A combination of more sales and higher average prices pushed Fairfax County’s real estate sales volume up 17% year-over-year in May, according to new data.
A total of 1,427 residential properties went to closing last month, up 11.7% from 1,278 in May 2025, according to figures that MarketStats by ShowingTime reported June 10 based on data from Bright MLS.
No matter your age, having a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family. A properly prepared will ensures your wishes are carried out, helps reduce family disputes, and can make the estate administration process much smoother.
Unfortunately, many Virginians make avoidable mistakes that can create unnecessary stress and expense for their loved ones. Here are five of the most common.
Online templates and DIY wills may seem like an easy way to save money, but they often create bigger problems later. Virginia law has specific requirements for a valid will, including proper signatures and witness requirements. Even small mistakes can leave a will open to challenges or delay the administration of an estate.
A will shouldn’t be something you create once and forget. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, buying a home, or losing a loved one can all affect your estate plan.
Reviewing your will every few years—or after a major life event—helps ensure it still reflects your wishes and keeps your loved ones protected.
Virginia no longer has a state estate tax, but federal estate taxes may still affect larger estates. As home values and investments continue to grow, more families may find themselves closer to the federal exemption than they expected.
Planning ahead can help minimize tax consequences and preserve more of your estate for your beneficiaries.
For parents, a will does more than distribute assets—it allows you to name a guardian for your minor children. Without that designation, a court may ultimately decide who will care for them.
Many families also choose to establish a trust so inherited assets can be managed responsibly until children reach an age or milestone they determine is appropriate.
Your executor is responsible for carrying out your wishes, paying debts, and distributing your assets. Selecting someone who is organized, trustworthy, and capable of handling those responsibilities is just as important as deciding who inherits your property.
It’s also essential to clearly identify your beneficiaries. Vague language or outdated information can create confusion and, in some cases, disputes among family members.
A will is only one part of a comprehensive estate plan. Depending on your circumstances, you may also benefit from:
Together, these documents can help protect your finances, outline your healthcare wishes, and simplify matters for your family if you’re ever unable to make decisions yourself.
A well-prepared estate plan provides peace of mind for both you and your loved ones. By avoiding these common mistakes and keeping your documents up to date, you can help ensure your wishes are honored while reducing stress for your family in the future.
If it’s been several years since you’ve reviewed your will—or you’ve never created one—it may be time to speak with an experienced Virginia estate planning attorney about your options.
At PJI Law, PLC, we work with clients across Fairfax and Northern Virginia to build estate plans that reflect their intentions and align with Virginia law. Our estate planning attorneys take the time to review your assets, beneficiary designations, business interests, and family structure so your plan works as intended.
Whether you’re creating your first will or revisiting an existing one, our team will help you avoid the mistakes that can undermine your entire estate plan.
Call (703) 865-6100 or contact us online to schedule your complimentary consultation today.
PJI Law, PLC
3900 Jermantown Rd, 2nd Floor
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
(703) 865-6100
https://pjilaw.com
Va. House Releases Budget Proposal — “Budget leaders in the Virginia House of Delegates announced a new roughly $74 billion spending plan during a Friday morning press conference in Richmond … Most of the new funding is dedicated to public education while preserving the sales tax exemption for data centers, which the Senate proposed nixing.” [VPM News]
Trump Admin Sues Va. Over ICE Laws — “The Trump administration is suing Virginia over new state laws surrounding immigration enforcement, including one that bans U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing masks … On Thursday, June 11, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit challenging these new laws, calling them unconstitutional.” [WRIC]
Fairfax Residents Moving to Richmond — “Migration data released by the Internal Revenue Service (which tracks where people file their tax returns) shows an uptick in the number of people moving out of Fairfax County and into the Richmond metro. The data also shows a smaller, but still significant trend: The Roanoke Valley now attracts more new residents from Fairfax County than it loses to the state’s most populous county.” [Cardinal News]
Amazon Eyes Distribution Site in Tysons — “Amazon.com Inc. is expected to bring its new 30-minute delivery option to Tysons and Arlington as the competition to provide the speediest distribution heats up among the world’s largest online retailers.” The company is seeking multiple permits to build out “an 8,450-square-foot industrial storefront sandwiched between Tyco Road and the Dulles Access Road,” possibly for its Amazon Now delivery service for groceries and “household essentials.” [Washington Business Journal]
Assistant Police Chief Leaving — “Assistant Chief Brooke Wright will retire from the Fairfax County Police Department after almost three decades of service, leadership, and commitment to public safety. She has been appointed Assistant Chief with the Wilmington Police Department in North Carolina, where she will continue her law enforcement career.” [FCPD]
Spanberger Defends Vetoes — “The pushback has exposed ideological and procedural tensions inside Virginia’s Democratic Party at a moment when lawmakers had hoped to capitalize on full control of Richmond after years of divided government. Spanberger, however, rejects the idea that her vetoes reflect dysfunction or political drift.” [Virginia Mercury]
First Varsity Girls’ Wrestlers Head to College — “Two years later, Fairfax County made girls’ varsity wrestling a new sports option. MacKay was eager to join and did, becoming part of a cohort of first-ever team members across the Northern Virginia suburb. Now, MacKay and two other students who were part of the inaugural teams have been recruited to compete in college.” [WTOP]
Madison Girls Win Lacrosse State Title — “The Madison High School girls lacrosse team can finally put last season’s state runner-up finish behind them. On Saturday, the Warhawks held off Battlefield 11-9 in the Class 6 state final at Briar Woods High School in Ashburn to claim a state title they almost captured a year ago.” [Inside NoVA]
New Legal Notice — On-premises beer and wine license application; objections within 30 days. [Public Notices]
It’s Monday — Expect sunny skies with a high near 80 degrees and a northwest wind blowing at 9 to 11 mph, with gusts reaching up to 20 mph. Monday night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to around 60 degrees and a northwest wind at 5 to 8 mph. [NWS]
Good Friday 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 — Jun 12, 2026.
Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.
Here is what’s going on Saturday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
Here are the events planned for Sunday:
Expect sunny weather with temperatures reaching a high of around 87°F and a northwest wind at approximately 6 mph. Saturday night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to about 67°F and light, variable winds. See more from Weather.gov.
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. 👋
Flowers, Fine Art & Fashion is an immersive cultural experience presented by People of The Garden LLC, where nature, creativity, and modest couture converge in a breathtaking indoor garden setting.
Guests will journey through a living landscape featuring dramatic floral installations, botanical art, and a one-of-a-kind rectangular runway designed around lush greenery and sculptural plantings. Throughout the evening, attendees will experience a curated runway presentation showcasing modest fashion designers, alongside original fine art, artisan vendors, and interactive floral experiences.
More than 21,200 Dominion Energy customers in Fairfax County have reported losing power as a result of thunderstorms currently passing through the region.
As of 8 p.m., the majority of outages are focused in the eastern part of the county, though some in the Fair Oaks area have also been affected, according to Dominion’s outage map. In most cases, the utility hasn’t determined an estimated time of restoration yet.
Fairfax County supervisors on Tuesday (June 9) honored students from robotics teams at two schools for participation in recent international competition.
The Hayfield Secondary School Night Hawks and Marshall High School Gryphon Robotics each competed in the FIRST Robotics World Championship, held in Houston April 29-May 2.
Local and state transportation planners hope to provide some additional protection to users of the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail with a new safety initiative.
If approved by the Virginia Department of Transportation, the initiative will add high-visibility stop signs at nine trail intersections in Fairfax County, according to NOVA Parks, which owns the 45-mile-long regional park and is supporting the proposal.
A proposed amendment to Fairfax County’s comprehensive plan that could transform Centreville over the next few decades gained a key endorsement from the county’s planning commission this week.
The commission voted Wednesday (June 10) to recommend adoption of the amendment, which envisions a more walkable 2,700-acre area with a defined “town center,” more affordable and mixed-use housing, and enhanced public transportation.
The most popular month for weddings is here, and Fairfax County offers a variety of settings for couples looking to tie the knot, from elegant ballrooms to scenic vistas and historic sites.
Here are the nominees for “Best Wedding Venue in Fairfax County” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. Did we miss your favorite location below? Write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, June 26.
Voting for Best Mortgage Lender in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, June 19 at 8:30 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Summer Activities in Fairfax County. The results are now official:
