As opposition to data centers continues to mount nationwide, some unexpected alliances have emerged.
Just two days after democratic socialist Bernie Sanders shared a stage with right-wing strategist Steve Bannon, a grassroots conservative organization led by the self-proclaimed “founder of the modern day Tea Party” will stop in solidly blue Fairfax County as part of a national “Data Center Revolt” bus tour.
A regional restaurant group known as much for its saucy wordplay as its cuisine is heading to Fairfax City for the first time.
Roll Play, a fast-casual Vietnamese concept, anticipates opening in the Fairfax Pointe shopping center at 10955 Fairfax Blvd, Suite 100, this November, the restaurant announced on its social media pages in August.
Herndon Town Council member Cesar del Aguila has become a campaigning veteran with four terms under his belt, but his bid for a fifth might be the most competitive race yet.
Twelve people are vying for the council’s six seats in the upcoming Nov. 3 election, including five incumbents and a slate of young, progressive-minded newcomers seeking to shake up the town’s status quo.
Reserve your spot for an after-hour event with multi-disciplinary artist Sky Hopinka, Thursday, Nov. 5, 6–9 PM. Experience monumental nature-inspired artworks in the Water’s Edge exhibition, make your own artwork to take home at the National Museum of the American Indian.
Sky Hopinka’s photo and video art—including This is a mnemonic for Truman Lowe in the museum’s collection—shares Truman Lowe’s interest in Indigenous homelands, cultural knowledge, and traditional practices. Hopinka contributed to the exhibition catalog for Water’s Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe, writing on Lowe’s lasting impact on his work. Hopinka joins the museum for this special after hours event featuring a screening of three of his short video works followed by a discussion with Rebecca Head Trautmann, Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art and exhibition curator, along with art-making activities, and time to enjoy Lowe’s work currently on view. Sky Hopinka has been widely recognized for his experimental short films and photo-based works. A MacArthur Fellow, Guggenheim Fellow, and Forge Project Fellow, his work has been shown in major film festivals, museums, and international exhibitions and is in numerous prominent museum collections. Hopinka is currently an assistant professor in the department of Art, Film, and Visual Studies at Harvard University.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has approved plans for redeveloping the 40-acre Prosperity Business Campus, located between the Mosaic District and Dunn Loring Metro station, in Merrifield.
Developer EYA has proposed two options for replacing the existing office park: one with about 1,700 residential units or another with about 1,900 units. Both would include a small amount of retail space and more than 5 acres of publicly accessible parks.
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Former Robinson Student Charged With Assault — “Video of the incident inside James W. Robinson Secondary School was shared on social media,” showing students running away from the former student in the school’s cafeteria at around 8 a.m. on Sept. 10. “Police said the teen entered the school without authorization and assaulted a staff member who tried to stop him.” [FOX5]
Limited Morning Silver Line Service — Today “and Friday from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., trains will single track on the Orange Line between Stadium-Armory and Cheverly, and the Silver Line will run modified service operating between Ashburn and Downtown Largo only.” Metro has been working to “destress” its train rails, a process it says helps prevent issues during extreme heat. [WMATA/Bluesky]
State of Emergency for Hay Shortage — “Virginia farmers struggling with drought-damaged pastures will be able to receive larger hay deliveries under a state of emergency declared by Gov. Abigail Spanberger Wednesday … Persistent drought conditions that began last winter have led to an estimated hay shortfall totaling 500,000 tons.” [Virginia Mercury]
New Guidance on Felon Voting Restrictions — “Among Virginians who are no longer incarcerated, only those convicted of murder and voluntary or involuntary manslaughter remain disqualified from voting under new guidance from the Virginia Department of Elections. The update comes days before early voting begins in the midterm elections.” [Virginia Mercury]
Microsoft Fined for Data Center — “Virginia environmental officials ordered tech giant Microsoft on Monday to pay roughly $2.5 million after its Leesburg data center violated air quality standards during a week-long power grid outage in 2025, according to state documents.” The consent order will be finalized after a public comment period ending Oct. 14. [WJLA]
Gov. Confident in Democratic Midterm Chances — “When Virginia’s state Supreme Court in April struck down a voter-approved redistricting referendum that would have helped Democrats pick up four seats in the House, Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) feared the state would become an afterthought in this year’s midterm elections.” But now, she “feels the court’s action has energized the Democratic base.” [Washington Post]
Va. Preparing for Psychedelic Drugs — “FDA-approved psilocybin — the psychedelic compound in so-called ‘magic mushrooms’ — could be on the horizon, and some Virginia providers are already gearing up to deliver it if approved. Virginia has laid the groundwork for the treatment to become available if it wins federal approval,” and one company is already eyeing an expansion to Richmond. [Axios Richmond]
Smoothie Cafe Opens in Bailey’s Crossroads — “Bora Bora Smoothie Cafe opened last week at 5807 Leesburg Pike … Bora Bora was founded in 2023 in Dearborn, Mich. It has since become a franchise operation with 34 locations in 15 states. Another Bora Bora opened recently at the Tysons Corner Center.” [Annandale Today]
New Legal Notice — ABC wholesaler wine-consumed license application; objections due in 30 days. [Public Notices]
It’s Thursday — Mostly sunny with a high around 89°F and a 20% chance of rain after 2 PM. Thursday night will be mostly cloudy with a low near 71°F, and there is a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 PM, continuing as showers until midnight. [NWS]
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Good Wednesday 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 16, 2026.
Here is what’s going on Thursday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
Showers and thunderstorms may develop after 2pm, with mostly sunny skies and a high of 89°F. There’s a 30% chance of precipitation with light south winds. Thursday night, expect a 50% chance of showers and storms before midnight, becoming a slight chance between midnight and 2am. The night will be mostly cloudy with a low of 70°F, and winds shifting to light and variable. 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.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (Sept. 15) approved the framework for a major future redevelopment of the 46.6-acre Reston Town Center (RTC) North, allowing the county and Inova Health to move forward with long-sought plans for mixed-use and public facilities.
The action paves the way for the eventual construction of about 1,000 units of new housing, retail and office space. The redevelopment will also deliver a central park, a new recreation center, and replacements for Reston’s regional library and Embry Rucker Community Shelter, which would be accompanied by supportive housing.
Amid a growing national backlash to automated license plate readers (ALPRs), Fairfax County leaders want to take a closer look at their partnership with Flock Safety, the country’s leading provider of the controversial cameras.
In response to “hundreds of emails” sent by residents to their offices in recent weeks, county supervisors, led by Board Chair Jeff McKay, voted unanimously yesterday (Tuesday) to pause the installation of new Flock cameras by the Fairfax County Police Department.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted yesterday (Tuesday) to adopt a code amendment that would address the issue of criminal blight, which Virginia law defines as criminal activity on property that endangers the public health or safety of residents.
The new ordinance will be enforced through a multi-step process that starts with law enforcement identifying and investigating a property where there are recurring issues with drugs, prostitution or guns being discharged.
