Countywide

The Fairfax County School Board is considering a series of changes that might help cut down costs and other hurdles for new school projects.

During a work session on Tuesday (May 6), the school board and Fairfax County Public Schools staff discussed ways to reduce costs for new construction or share that burden with other entities — like through public-private partnerships or cost-sharing agreements.


News

Capital One Center might reintroduce parking to a site that had been closed off for the construction of an urban park.

While the park is still in the works, Capital One has proposed building an interim parking garage at 1820 Dolley Madison Blvd near its headquarters in Tysons, asking Fairfax County staff to confirm that no zoning changes are necessary to allow the structure.


News

A new plan is officially under review for Fairfax County’s long-awaited Reston Town Center North (RTC North) redevelopment.

Inova Health System and the county’s Board of Supervisors have submitted a joint rezoning application for at least 1.6 million square feet of mixed-use development that will make way for a new Embry Rucker Shelter and Reston Regional Library, along with housing, a school, recreational facilities and retail.


Countywide
Eastbound traffic on I-66 passing Fair Oaks (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

FBI Standoff Near McLean — An individual barricaded himself inside a house in the 3600 block of N. Abingdon St. yesterday (Wednesday) morning, drawing “a large contingent” of FBI agents, crisis negotiators and other law enforcement to the residential neighborhood. Armed personnel were spotted at nearby Chesterbrook Shopping Center in McLean, which was apparently used as a staging area. [ARLnow]

Culmore Library Closed Today — “Culmore Library will remain closed Thursday, May 8 due to continuing repairs. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please check back at this page or on our website Friday morning for the latest information regarding the branch’s operational status.” [Fairfax County Public Library/Facebook]

Kennedy Center Performers Plan Boycott — “When President Donald Trump descends on the Kennedy Performing Arts Center next month for a high-dollar fundraiser and a performance of ‘Les Misérables,’ he won’t be seeing the usual cast performing, sources told CNN. At least 10 to 12 performers in Les Mis are planning to sit out the show on June 11.” [CNN]

Fairfax City Council Adopts New Budget — “It took two votes, but the Fairfax City Council unanimously adopted the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget and a new real estate tax rate during a contentious meeting Tuesday night at city hall.” The adopted tax rate of $1.055 per $100 of assessed value was lower than what City Manager Bryan Foster proposed in February and the council advertised in March. [Patch]

How Federal Cuts Are Affecting Housing Market — “The Department of Government Efficiency began making large cuts to the federal workforce back in February, and new data suggests how the regional housing market is being affected. The latest weekly report from Bright MLS continues to find that there is an uptick in new listings coming online in the DC area, but the market is not being flooded.” [DC UrbanTurf]

I-95 Ramp in Lorton to Close Overnight — “Weather permitting, the ramp from northbound I-95 to Lorton Road (Route 642, Exit 163) will be closed from 11:59 p.m. Thursday, May 8, to 4 a.m. Friday, May 9, for paving … Drivers are asked to follow posted detour signs.” [VDOT]

New Condos Under Construction in Chantilly — Commonwealth Place at Westfields Belle Haven Collection, a new development with 81 stacked condominiums, is emerging at 4751 Sully Point Lane in Chantilly. “Thirty Belle Haven units have been completed, and the builder, Toll Brothers, anticipates completing construction on all homes by early 2026.” [Washington Post]

Reston Native on Selena Gomez Partnership — Benny “Blanco and pop star Selena Gomez announced their engagement late last year, and have chronicled their relationship in a new album, I Said I Love You First. We asked Blanco about his NoVA childhood, his early love of music, and his artistic collaborations with Gomez.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Thursday — Expect showers after 2pm, partly sunny skies, and a high near 78; there’s a 50% chance of precipitation. Night brings a 70% chance of rain with mostly cloudy skies, a low around 58, and a northeast wind at 3-6 mph. [NWS]


Event

Local author and Fairfax County Public Library librarian Luis D. Aponte invites parents and community leaders to an empowering discussion inspired by his book “A Safe Place: How to Prevent the Next School Shooting.” Drawing on seven years of research into more than 1,200 U.S. school shooting incidents, he shares practical, nonpartisan, research‑based steps families and schools can use to strengthen safety and emotional well‑being. Discover hopeful, community‑building solutions that help every child feel supported and able to thrive. Attendees receive two free ebooks, with a paperback signing to follow.

Adults. No registration required. Free event. For more information, visit ASafePlaceBook.com.


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 — May 7, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛈️ Thursday’s forecast

Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms from 2pm to 5pm, followed by more likely showers and potential thunderstorms after 5pm. The day will be partly sunny with a high of 78°F and calm wind shifting to southeast at 5 mph in the afternoon. Precipitation chance is 60%, with rainfall under a tenth of an inch, although higher in thunderstorms. For Thursday night, showers and possible thunderstorms prevail mainly before 2am, with continued chances thereafter. The low will be around 57°F, and light wind turns northeast at 6 mph after midnight. Precipitation chance rises to 80%, with rainfall amounts between half and three-quarters of an inch possible. 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

Fairfax County teachers’ elation at securing a collective bargaining agreement, the first of its kind in nearly 50 years for the district, has proven short-lived.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is set to adopt a budget for fiscal year 2026 that transfers $2.93 billion to Fairfax County Public Schools — up $119 million from the current fiscal year, but well short of the $248 million increase that Superintendent Michelle Reid requested primarily to cover employee pay raises promised by the union contract.


Countywide

Civil rights advocates had been pushing the Fairfax County Police Department for years to establish clear rules limiting when officers can pursue individuals on foot.

However, the department’s implementation of a formal foot pursuit policy last month inspired consternation, rather than celebration, from community organizations that had advocated for the reform, including the Fairfax County chapter of the NAACP.


News

Plans for significant future expansion of the Vinson Hall retirement community in McLean took a small but key procedural step forward last Thursday (May 1).

The Fairfax County Planning Commission unanimously, if informally, indicated support for adding the development proposal to a list of possible comprehensive plan amendments that will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors in June.


News

Reston Association (RA) is looking for community input on plans to renovate the Lake Newport Tennis Court.

The courts at 11452 Baron Cameron Avenue are currently funded for renovation sometime in 2026 or 2027, with community engagement and engineering starting this year.