Countywide

A long-coming, sometimes bitter battle over the right to represent thousands of Fairfax County government workers ended in victory last week for one union, even as another cried foul over the election process and results.

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local Virginia 512 announced last Friday (May 16) that county government workers have elected it as their exclusive bargaining unit for future contract negotiations after the largest organizing push among general government employees in Virginia history.


Countywide

The battle over Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology’s student admissions policy isn’t quite over after all.

More than a year after the U.S. Supreme Court passed on an opportunity to weigh in, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares accused Fairfax County Public Schools today (Wednesday) of “intentional” discrimination against Asian American students applying to the magnet school in Annandale.


Sponsored

Hi Fairfax,

My name is Drew, and I wanted to take a moment to tell you about what I’ve been working on as I try to make my way in the world.

This past year, I took a leap that honestly scared me. I challenged the comfortable path I’d been on and built something new with trusted partners and friends: a local roofing and home‑exterior company called All Team Exteriors. On paper, it’s a business. But in my heart, it’s something much more personal than that.

I don’t just want to make a living here — I want to contribute something meaningful to a place that’s helped mold me.

Why I started All Team Exteriors

I’ve worked in environments where professionalism, follow‑through, and integrity weren’t optional — they were the baseline. But when it came to home services, especially roofing, I saw how often homeowners were left frustrated, confused, or ignored. Slow responses. Vague communication. Contractors disappearing mid‑project.

And I thought:

Someone young, hungry, and honest should try to fix this.

So… I’m giving it everything I’ve got.

What I’m trying to build

All Team Exteriors isn’t a giant corporation. It’s not some out-of-state outfit with a call center. It’s me — and a small team of people committed to doing things the right way. We spent an extensive amount of time training under a perennial award-winning roofing company in Arizona this winter and learned what great looks like.

We’re bringing modern tools, photo-documented inspections, real-time updates, fast communication, and a “do what we say we’ll do” mentality. Not because it looks good in a brochure, but because that’s how I’d want someone to treat my own family.

So far we are off to an absolutely amazing start. It’s been a great first summer and we’d love to help you as well. You can give us a call anytime at 703-705-7207 for an absolutely free inspection and estimate on your roof, siding, gutters, doors, and windows. I’d love to have a chance to swing by and meet you and take a look at how we can work together to make your home safer and more secure.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I sincerely hope we can help you and your family soon.


Countywide

D.C.-area leaders continue to find common ground elusive when it comes to increased collaboration between the region’s bus systems.

While the possibility of merging all local bus systems has already been taken off the table, the DMV Moves task force is still searching for the sweet spot where systems could work better among themselves and with Metrobus.


Around Town

Barnes & Noble is preparing to start a new chapter at Tysons Corner Center.

The bookstore chain will reintroduce itself to the D.C. region’s largest mall next month, more than a year after closing its longtime, two-story outlet last May.


Event

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.


Countywide

Rep. Gerald “Gerry” Connolly, an influential Democratic voice for nearly 30 years as a local and national legislator, has died. He was 75.

Connolly, who represented Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, died this morning (Wednesday) at his Mantua home of esophageal cancer, an illness he had battled on-and-off since November 2024, his family announced.


Countywide

Memorial Day is coming up next Monday (May 26) with several commemorations and festivities planned around the region to mark the long weekend.

One of the biggest local events is ViVa Vienna, an annual celebration organized by the Rotary Club of Vienna.


Countywide
Sunset Hills Road approaching the Reston Town Center expansion (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

GW Parkway Reopens After Storm — “The National Park Service (NPS) plans to reopen the George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP) before the Wednesday morning rush hour.” A 2.5-mile stretch of the parkway south of Alexandria had been closed since a storm on Friday (May 16) brought down or damaged more than 50 trees. [NPS]

Fairfax Man Killed in ATV Crash — “Police are investigating after a man was killed and a woman was seriously hurt in an ATV collision in Brandywine over the weekend.” Prince George’s County police say the crash on May 17 involved an ATV driver, identified as a 35-year-old man from Fairfax, crashing into a pickup truck and trailer. [DC News Now]

Metro to Roll Out Tap-to-Pay Option — Metro is currently testing a system at some stations that will allow riders to pay by tapping a credit or debit card. “An official launch is on the way, Metro general manager Randy Clarke posted recently: ‘Stay tuned for more details later this month.'” [Axios DC]

Meeting on Braddock Road Improvements — The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will share the results of a study of the “S-curve portion of Braddock Road” at 7 p.m. today (Wednesday) in a virtual public information meeting. The study looked at potential improvements between Pleasant Valley Road and Old Lee Road, and at the Braddock Road and Old Lee Road intersection. [VDOT]

Food Hall Nears Grand Opening — “Pop-Up District recently opened [at Eden Center in Falls Church] with a limited lineup that includes Vietnamese, Korean, and Thai food vendors, plus a coffee shop and bakery. When its grand opening arrives in June, expect expanded menus, a Japanese-inspired bar, rotating retail pop-ups, DJ nights, and hours stretching from 8 AM to 2 AM.” [Washingtonian]

Fairfax City Pub Celebrates 20 Years — “City of Fairfax business leaders and elected officials presented a plaque to the owners of The Auld Shebeen Irish Pub & Restaurant on Saturday, honoring their 20 years of making memories in Old Town.” [Patch]

WaPo Reviews McLean Restaurant — “Supisa Teawboot figured she’d sell a lot of pad thai when she opened Sorn Thai in McLean in March. Patrons surprised her when they ordered more kanom jeen namya instead. The entrée, rice noodles with fish curry, is … a lovely introduction to a Thai restaurant unlike any other in Northern Virginia.” [Washington Post]

It’s Wednesday — Expect showers with a high near 60°F. There’s a 100% chance of precipitation, potentially accumulating between a quarter and half an inch. At night, the low will be around 56°F, with a 70% chance of precipitation. [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 20, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛈️ Wednesday’s forecast

Expect showers and possible thunderstorms after 2pm, with a high near 59 and east winds of 11-13 mph, gusting up to 22 mph. Precipitation is guaranteed, with rainfall amounts up to half an inch. Wednesday night, anticipate showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, followed by likely showers and patchy fog. The low will be around 55, and east winds will be 5-11 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. Precipitation chances are at 80%, with new rainfall amounts of up to half an inch. 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

ArtsFairfax has unveiled the 2025 recipients of its annual awards, which will be given out this fall in a new location.

The 2025 ArtsFairfax Awards will honor a local arts teacher and supporters of Fairfax County’s artistic community on Oct. 24 at the Hyatt Regency Reston (1800 Presidents Street) — a change in venue after four consecutive years at Capital One Hall in Tysons.