FFXnow - Fairfax County, Va. local news

FFXnow Daily Debrief for Jun 25, 2025

Published June 25, 2025 at 9:00PM

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 25, 2025.

7:30 am: Morning Notes for June 25, 2025 | 🗣️ Comments
8:30 am: Military financial services group rethinks plan for redeveloping Reston campus | 🗣️ Comments
9:15 am: Fairfax County’s first affordable housing conversion project breaks ground in Merrifield | 🗣️ Comments
10:00 am: Local leaders seek fresh evidence of Richmond shortchanging Fairfax on tax revenue | 🗣️ Comments
11:45 am: Fairfax school board blames communication failures for FY 2026 budget clashes | 🗣️ Comments
1:45 pm: New Mosaic District cafe serves Oprah-endorsed cookies, coffee and more | 🗣️ Comments
2:45 pm: Herndon ‘hires’ Elden the Bear as parks and recreation mascot | 🗣️ Comments
3:15 pm: NOW: Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Fairfax County | 🗣️ Comments
3:45 pm: Democratic Congressional candidates make their pitch to succeed the late Gerry Connolly | 🗣️ Comments

📅 Upcoming events

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

👉 1:00 pm: MVFD-Inova Blood Drive
6:00 pm: Author Talk: Christina Hillsberg at Bards Alley
7:00 pm: Take A Break Concert Series: Ocho de Bastos

⛈️ Thursday’s forecast

Expect showers and thunderstorms mainly after 5pm, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 95. Heat index values may reach 106. Calm winds will shift to northwest at 5 mph in the afternoon. There is a 60% chance of precipitation, with potential rainfall of a quarter to half an inch. Thursday night, showers and thunderstorms are likely before 8pm, with more showers possible until 2am. Cloudy conditions and a low of 72 are expected, accompanied by a 5-mph east wind. Chance of precipitation remains at 60% with similar rainfall amounts. 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

Democratic Congressional candidates make their pitch to succeed the late Gerry Connolly

By Jared Serre

Published June 25, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated June 27, 2025 at 1:34PM

Irene Shin and James Walkinshaw (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Local Democrats seeking to succeed the late Rep. Gerry Connolly sought to distinguish themselves from a crowded field yesterday (Wednesday), outlining how they would represent Virginia’s 11th Congressional District if elected.

Nine of the 10 candidates vying for the Democratic nomination attended the party’s lone forum at the Reston Community Center in Hunters Woods ahead of a primary election on Saturday (June 28).

A post from Catoctin Walk

Catoctin Walk Now Selling in Downtown Leesburg from the $600s

Published September 9, 2026 at 10:45AM

Group of people walking along a brick townhouse with black shutters and a vertical 'Shutter's on King' sign outside.

Catoctin Walk is now selling in Downtown Leesburg, offering upscale 2-level townhome-style condominiums from the $600s and sophisticated 4-level rooftop terrace townhomes from the $800s. Designed for modern comfort and style, these distinctive homes feel right at home among the character and charm of Downtown Leesburg.

Catoctin Walk is part of Harrison Post, an up-and-coming mixed-use and residential neighborhood taking shape in Downtown Leesburg. Here, there’s always something to explore just moments from home. Grab coffee at Goosecup, browse local shops, meet friends for dinner, or catch a show at the Tally Ho Theater. Then, wind down the day back at home, relaxing on your rooftop terrace and taking in the evening.

Discover a place where modern living and the energy of Downtown Leesburg come together!

Schedule A Visit

Countywide

NOW: Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Fairfax County

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 25, 2025 at 3:15PM | Updated June 25, 2025 at 3:32PM

Radar forecasts a storm approaching Fairfax County on June 25, 2025 (via National Weather Service)

A thunderstorm is bearing down on Fairfax County, bringing some potential, albeit limited relief from the ongoing heat wave.

The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for parts of the D.C. area, including northwestern Fairfax County. Damaging winds with gusts up to 60 mph are possible.

Announcement

Tryouts for 3rd and 5th Grade Girls Basketball Teams

By Virginia Hurricanes Girls Basketball Club

Published September 9, 2026

The Virginia Hurricanes Girls Basketball program is holding tryouts for its 3rd Grade and 5th Grade travel teams, competing in a full schedule this Fall and Winter season. Join a competitive, supportive program built to develop skilled, confident players on and off the court.

Registration is required at: https://www.virginiahurricanes.net/basketball/aau-teams

News

Herndon ‘hires’ Elden the Bear as parks and recreation mascot

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 25, 2025 at 2:45PM

The Herndon Parks and Recreation Department introduces Elden the Bear as its new mascot (via Town of Herndon/YouTube)

It has been a couple of weeks now since a black bear ventured into Herndon, but the town is still riding the high of that rare visitation.

The bear has inspired a new promotional campaign from the Herndon Parks and Recreation Department, which announced Monday (June 23) that it has “hired” Elden the Bear to serve as its ambassador.

Event

Alpha Kappa Omega Exhibit Launches

September 13, 2026 11:00 am -4:00 pm

Event location

Reston Museum

1639 Washington Plaza North,

Reston, Virginia 20190

Add to Calendar

The Reston Museum is honored to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Lambda Kappa Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority with a new exhibit, unveiled on September 13, 2026, immersing museum visitors in the chapter’s rich legacy of sisterhood and service to our community. Established with the help of the late Cathy Hudgins, former member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the chapter has made significant contributions to the people of Fairfax County through extensive service and charitable investments. Admission to the museum is free to the public.

Around Town

New Mosaic District cafe serves Oprah-endorsed cookies, coffee and more

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 25, 2025 at 1:45PM

The bakery and cafe maman is open at the Mosaic District in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A new breakfast and brunch option is now available at the Mosaic District in Merrifield.

Maman, a New York-based cafe chain, opened its first Virginia location in the former Oath Pizza space on June 11, and the response so far has been as warm as the recent weather, according to company co-founder Elisa Marshall.

Countywide

Fairfax school board blames communication failures for FY 2026 budget clashes

By Vernon Miles

Published June 25, 2025 at 11:45AM | Updated June 25, 2025 at 12:01PM

Fairfax County School Board logo (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Fairfax County School Board members faced the embarrassment earlier this year of having to reduce salary increases previously promised to staff under a landmark labor contract.

Moving forward, school board representatives said at a work session on June 17 that they need to drastically change how Fairfax County Public Schools’ needs and commitments are communicated throughout the budget process.

Countywide

Local leaders seek fresh evidence of Richmond shortchanging Fairfax on tax revenue

By Scott McCaffrey

Published June 25, 2025 at 10:00AM

Board Chairman Jeff McKay at FY26 budget-markup session (screenshot via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County leaders hope to soon have a better gauge of how much they’re getting back from tax revenue sent to Richmond.

The Board of Supervisors voted yesterday (Tuesday) to direct County Executive Bryan Hill and staff to return before the end of the year with an analysis of how many local tax dollars flow to the state government, and how much comes back.

News

Fairfax County’s first affordable housing conversion project breaks ground in Merrifield

By Jared Serre

Published June 25, 2025 at 9:15AM

Fairfax County officials in 2025 broke ground on an affordable housing project at 2990 Telestar Court in Merrifield (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A high-priority project to create more affordable housing in Merrifield is officially underway.

Officials with Fairfax County and developer Conifer Realty broke ground Monday (June 23) on a project to repurpose the currently vacant, four-floor office building at 2990 Telestar Court as an 80-unit affordable apartment building.

News

Military financial services group rethinks plan for redeveloping Reston campus

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 25, 2025 at 8:30AM

Rendering of EYA's proposed townhouse development at 1850 Old Reston Avenue (via VIKA Virginia/Fairfax County)

The American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association (AAFMAA) is no longer planning to transform its administrative offices in Reston into a new headquarters.

With its office needs declining, the member-owned nonprofit, which provides life insurance, mortgages and other financial services to members of the U.S. military community, has shifted its focus instead to housing, according to a rezoning application submitted to Fairfax County on June 24.