News

George Mason University plans to focus on athletics facilities first when redeveloping the western portion of its Fairfax campus.

After new sports/recreation facilities are in place, Mason will move forward with developing housing — for both the university community and others — plus retail spaces and community facilities, university officials and consultants told community members on May 22.


Countywide

The start of REAL ID enforcement in early May went without major hassle at Northern Virginia’s two airports.

“The rollout was smooth and uneventful,” Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer Thomas Beatty said at the authority’s May 21 board of directors meeting.


News

Three of the best places to live in the country can be found in Fairfax County, according to one recently released ranking.

U.S. News and World Report included Burke, Reston and Centreville on its 2025-2026 list of the Top 250 Best Places to Live in the U.S., with the first two taking first and second place, respectively, among Virginia localities.


News

The Town of Vienna Police Department (VPD) is warning about a phone scam that purports to come from the Vienna Police Department.

Vienna Police warned that they will never call to collect fines or request personal information.


Event

Online event (see link)

Tuesday’s primaries are behind us. November is ahead. And the work that wins starts now.

This Friday we welcome Lynlee Thorne of Rural GroundGame and Naomi Beck of Connecting the Dots on proactive election protection — building the defense of democracy long before Election Day. Then Maya Benson of NGP VAN on the organizing tools that free up volunteers to do what matters most.


Countywide
Flint Hill Centre office building seen from the intersection of Chain Bridge and Jermantown roads (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

No More Pedal Boats at Accotink — “Lake Accotink Park was busy on a beautiful Memorial Day, with people kayaking, hiking, fishing, feeding the geese, playing mini-golf, and enjoying the playground. No one was pedal boating, however, because the pedal boats are no longer available.” The lake has become too shallow for the boats due to a lowered water level for dam inspections and sediment accumulation. [Annandale Today]

Suspect in Murder Trial Flees — “A man accused of killing a young mother in Reston, Virginia, went on the run, on the very day his murder trial was supposed to begin. Police say the defendant recently fled to Canada. Fairfax County prosecutors say it’s exactly what they warned would happen after a judge first let the man out on bond, then later let him remove his GPS monitor.” [NBC4]

Man Who Set Car on Fire Sentenced — “A Fairfax County man arrested by U.S. Capitol Police on Jan. 8 after he tried to set his car on fire with what authorities described as homemade napalm along First Street NW, near the Grant Memorial, has been sentenced.” [Patch]

Affordable Housing Waitlist to Open — “The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) will be accepting waiting list applications for both privately-owned and Fairfax County-owned Project-Based Voucher (PBV) units Monday, June 2, 2025, through Sunday, June 8, 2025.” [FCRHA]

School Board Approves Revised Budget — “Fairfax County’s school board approved a nearly $4 billion budget Thursday that will give educators a raise but may also result in more students in their classrooms … As part of the cuts, the district is also changing the way it staffs schools.” [WTOP]

Metro Advances Train Automation — “Metro’s effort to fully automating the agency’s trains inched one step closer to the finish line on Friday, as the Green and Yellow Lines became the latest to undergo the transition.” Metro CEO and General Manager Randy Clarke says the transit agency hopes to expand automation to the Blue, Orange and Silver lines in June. [WTOP]

Hockey Player Retires With World Record — “Nearly 50 years ago, at the age of 35, Linda Sinrod laced up her ice skates for the first time since graduating college. She had just been laid off from her job and decided to rekindle her passion for figure skating on an icy pond in Annandale … Last month, Sinrod hung up her skates for the last time, at age 84. She holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest woman to play ice hockey.” [Washingtonian]

Tips for Staying Safe This Summer —  “The pools are open, beaches are filling up and the sun is shining longer each day. While summer brings fun and freedom, it also brings unique safety challenges we need to prepare for during the hot months ahead.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]

It’s Wednesday — Expect showers and potential thunderstorms after 5pm, with a high near 63. There’s a 90% chance of precipitation and rainfall amounts could range from three quarters to one inch. At night, there’s a 60% chance of precipitation with a low around 59, and lighter winds after midnight. [NWS]


Around Town

Good Tuesday 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 — May 27, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛈️ Wednesday’s forecast

Expect showers and potential thunderstorms after 5pm, with a high near 62 and east winds reaching up to 22 mph. A 90% chance of precipitation brings three quarters to one inch of new rainfall. For Wednesday night, showers and thunderstorms are likely, accompanied by a cloudy low of 59 and easing winds. With a 60% chance of precipitation, total rainfall averages below a tenth of an inch, unless affected by thunderstorms. 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.


Countywide

A golfing renaissance and introduction of next-generation playgrounds were among the 2024 success stories for the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA).

“We’re in the business of fun,” FCPA Executive Director Jai Cole said on May 20 at a joint meeting between the park authority board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.


News

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is applying for an expansion to The Barns, an enclosed theater that supplements its main performing arts center.

Housed in two restored 18th-century barns, the venue at 1635 Trap Road hosts concerts and performances mainly from October through May — when the Filene Center is typically closed. It also has space for patrons to enjoy food and drinks during the summer season.


Around Town

F45 Training has changed up its routine in Reston.

The fitness chain closed its Reston Station franchise at Faraday Park (11201 Reston Station Blvd) after May 12 in order to consolidate its operations in the area at Reston Town Center, the gym’s future owner told FFXnow.