News

With just over three months to go, a crew of 600 workers is shifting into round-the-clock mode to ensure Dulles International Airport’s $700 million Concourse E is ready on time.

“These guys are working hard to get this done,” Airport Manager Richard Golinowski said during a Wednesday (June 10) media event spotlighting progress on the 14-gate facility to be used by United Airlines.


Countywide

Fairfax County’s drinking water utility is joining several D.C.-area organizations in a regional study to evaluate backup water supply alternatives to the Potomac River.

Fairfax Water is joining Maryland’s WSSC Water and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a $25 million “Secure the Source” study to explore potential large-scale alternatives that could provide several weeks of emergency backup water supply for over 5 million residents in the D.C. region currently served by the Potomac.


Sponsored

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.

1. Trying to Write a Will Without Legal Guidance

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.

2. Forgetting to Update Your Will

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.

3. Overlooking Federal Estate Tax Planning

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.

4. Not Planning for Minor Children

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.

5. Choosing the Wrong Executor—or Not Naming One at All

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.

Don’t Forget the Rest of Your Estate Plan

A will is only one part of a comprehensive estate plan. Depending on your circumstances, you may also benefit from:

  • A revocable living trust
  • A durable power of attorney
  • An advance medical directive
  • A transfer-on-death deed for your home

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.

The Bottom Line

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.

PJI Law, PLC: Estate Planning Attorneys in Fairfax, VA

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


News

Fairfax County police believe a driver might’ve been speeding when she fatally crashed on Old Keene Mill Road in Springfield on Tuesday (June 9).

Charity McGhee, a 49-year-old resident of Alexandria, was driving a Toyota Camry east on Old Keene Mill Road when the sedan appears to have veered off the roadway “and struck a guardrail” near Tiverton Drive, the Fairfax County Police Department said in an update yesterday.


Countywide
Benches and trees along Reston Station Blvd near the Faraday Park apartments (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Hate Incidents at Thoreau Middle School — “A Northern Virginia father said he’s sad and angry after two classmates at Thoreau Middle School in Vienna allegedly targeted his daughter with drawings of swastikas. He said he decided to come forward after seeing a News4 story last week about another student at that school who said he was called the N-word multiple times and had water dumped on his head.” [NBC4]

No ICE Reforms in Federal Funding Bill – “The Republican-controlled House on Tuesday narrowly passed a roughly $70 billion immigration enforcement funding bill” that will extend through the end of President Donald Trump’s term. Fairfax County’s “Rep. James Walkinshaw … told Morning Edition that Democrats unsuccessfully pushed for changes such as limits on face coverings, body camera requirements and clearer use-of-force standards.” [NPR]

Metrobus Detours for UFC Event — Starting at 10 p.m. tonight “through Monday at 6am, road closures in support of the Freedom250 UFC event will cause bus detours” on several Metrobus routes, including the F19 Mount Vernon Estate Express from southeastern Fairfax into D.C. The bout is scheduled to take place on the White House lawn this Sunday (June 14). [WMATA/Bluesky]

Va. Residents Seek to Halt UFC Fight — “The Justice Department on Tuesday urged a federal judge to reject a lawsuit seeking to stop the White House’s Ultimate Fighting Championship event scheduled for this weekend.” The lawsuit was filed this past weekend by the Public Integrity Project, which is representing “a political activist and Vietnam veteran” from Virginia. [ABC News]

More Damage Found to Potomac Pipe — “DC Water is once again working to repair a damaged section of the Potomac Interceptor. The utility says crews discovered corrosion and broken supports in another area of the pipe in Potomac, Maryland, on Tuesday.” The issue was found in different section from the one that collapsed in January, “triggering a massive sewage spill into the Potomac River.” [WUSA9]

Interactive Art Installed in Annandale — “The ‘Conversation Bench,’ installed by Community Art for Everyone (CAFE) on June 8, is part of the Art in Daily Spaces project.” Located in the Eileen Garnett Civic Space at 7200 Columbia Pike, “it consists of two attached pink-and-blue chairs facing in opposite directions with a glass screen between them.” [Annandale Today]

Fairfax City Redevelopment Proposed — “A proposal to replace four office buildings on Chain Bridge Road with a mixed-use development of apartments, office space, retail and structured parking moved through another review step Monday during a Fairfax City Planning Commission work session.” [Patch]

Public Health Center Closing Tomorrow — “Services offered at the Fairfax County Health Department’s West Springfield Public Health Center (located in the Cary Building at 8136 Old Keene Mill Road in Springfield) are being transitioned to the Franconia-Springfield Public Health Center. The last day for client services at West Springfield is June 12, 2026.” [Fairfax County Health Department]

Students Succeed in Problem-Solving Competition — Seven fourth-grade students from Forestville Elementary School in Great Falls are celebrating after finishing in third place at the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals. Held at Iowa State University from May 27-30, the competition challenged 54 teams from eight different countries “to solve technical problems in creative ways.” [FCPS]

It’s Thursday — Expect mostly sunny weather with a high of 96°F and heat index values reaching 104°F. There’s a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 pm. Night will be mostly cloudy, with a low of 73°F and a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms. [NWS]

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Event

Spend a fun Saturday at the Fairfax Funky Flea–7/25 from 9-3PM. Find vintage clothing, jewelry, home goods and more at a pet and family friendly flea market. Free parking, free admission, food trucks, coffee and matcha vendor, and restrooms. Only one block from historic Main Street in the City of Fairfax – home to many restaurants, cute shops and coffee houses. Don’t miss this one!


Around Town

Good Wednesday 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 — Jun 10, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

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

☀️ Thursday’s forecast

Expect mostly sunny weather with a high near 95 degrees and heat index values reaching up to 103. There will be a west wind blowing at 5 to 8 mph. Thursday night will see a chance of showers and thunderstorms, primarily before midnight, with mostly cloudy skies and a low around 73. The west wind will drop to 3 to 5 mph, and there is a 40% chance of precipitation. 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

The Fairfax City Council has unanimously approved an updated noise ordinance that clarifies the maximum possible sound levels, tweaks the hours the law is applicable, and gives the city more ability to enforce noise violations — including a new criminal penalty intended for rare cases.

Passed at yesterday’s city council meeting, the ordinance expands prohibitions on certain noises that are currently banned from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Starting July 15, restrictions will change to be in effect from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily.


Countywide

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has approved what amounts to a pilot program that will look at the impacts of reducing some road speeds from 25 to 20 mph.

Board members voted 10-0 yesterday (Tuesday) to take advantage of powers delegated by the General Assembly in 2024, giving localities the power to reduce speed limits on certain roadways under control of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).


News

A Reston company that makes technology for satellites has zeroed in on Merrifield for an expansion.

Scout Space will open a 2,650-square-foot manufacturing facility in the still-industrial area south of the Dunn Loring Metro station, while maintaining its existing headquarters in the Summit office buildings at 2002 Edmund Halley Drive.


Around Town

Reston residents will have many free ways to get out of the house and enjoy the outdoors as part of Play All Day VA celebrations, which fall on Father’s Day this year.

As a part of a statewide initiative to get residents active in their own communities, Reston Association is offering a number of activities at its facilities that are free or reduced in price on June 21, the longest day of the year.