Around Town

Good Friday 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 27, 2025.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  • BREAKING: Harris Teeter to close Tysons store next month (24363 views)
  • Power outages hit McLean amid region-wide heat wave (12373 views)
  • Fairfax County Public Schools try to mitigate expectations for upcoming redistricting (11053 views)
  • Tysons Plaza office campus acquired by major developer (11008 views)
  • Fairfax County’s first affordable housing conversion project breaks ground in Merrifield (9480 views)
  • Data: Renters increasingly dominate housing in certain areas of Fairfax County (8386 views)
  • Fairfax County leaders still uneasy with VDOT’s I-495 Southside Express Lanes plan (7085 views)
  • DEVELOPING: Motorcyclist critically injured in Braddock Road crash (6108 views)
  • Fairfax school board blames communication failures for FY 2026 budget clashes (5883 views)
  • Military financial services group rethinks plan for redeveloping Reston campus (4702 views)
  • Upcoming Fairfax County code changes target pedestrian safety, public drinking (4096 views)
  • Major traffic shift on I-495 in McLean scheduled to begin Friday (4040 views)
  • 📅 Upcoming events

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

    Here are the events planned for Sunday:

    🌤️ Saturday’s forecast

    Patchy fog clears by 9am, making way for a mostly sunny day with a high of 92°F and heat index up to 102°F. Expect a south 5-7 mph wind in the morning. Saturday night brings a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, with mostly cloudy skies and a low of 73°F. The southwest wind at 5 mph becomes calm in the evening. 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.

    We hope you have a great weekend! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋


    Around Town

    With the weekend nearly upon us, FFXnow would like to extend a warm welcome and thank you to everyone who has signed up so far for our recently launched Press Club.

    Given the economic uncertainty facing the D.C. region and the many news outlets and other services out there competing for subscriptions, your willingness to part with some hard-earned cash to support our reporting is truly appreciated.


    Countywide

    Metro’s first major overhaul of its bus network in decades is set to take effect this coming Sunday (June 29).

    Approved by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Board of Directors last November, the Better Bus Network redesign will introduce revised routes and new signage, while also eliminating a number of stops.


    News

    Undeterred by long lines, more than 5,000 Fairfax County Democrats cast ballots during the party’s early voting period for the 11th Congressional District primary.

    With turnout steadily increasing over the three days from Tuesday through Thursday (June 23-26), a total of 5,085 votes were cast — including a high of 1,793 yesterday, the final day before tomorrow’s scheduled primary election.


    Event

    Join Breast Cancer Collective for the 2026 Walk to Bust Cancer on Sunday, October 18, at Fort Hunt Park in Alexandria.
    Walk alongside survivors, caregivers, friends, families, and neighbors for an uplifting community event supporting access to breast cancer screening and care across the DMV.
    Walk to Bust Cancer brings our community together to turn hope into action and help expand access to timely breast health care. Register to walk, gather your team, and join us at Fort Hunt Park.


    News

    A 21-year-old man is facing the possibility of life in prison for fatally shooting a teen at the Fairmont Gardens Apartments in Annandale over an alleged gang rivalry.

    Ezequiel Diaz-Mondragon was convicted yesterday (Thursday) by a Fairfax County jury of first-degree murder for killing 18-year-old Anthony “Tony” Benitez on Feb. 19, 2021, Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano’s office announced today.


    Opinion

    Over a dozen highly rated delis and shops across Fairfax County offer classic sandwiches, subs and bagels piled high with toppings.

    Here are the nominees for “Best Sandwich Shop in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. See your favorite place below? If not, write them in!

    Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 9 a.m. Friday, July 11.

    Voting for the Best Barbecue Restaurant in Fairfax is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 9 a.m.

    Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Bar and Nightlife Spot in Fairfax. The results are now official:

    1. P.J. Skidoos
    2. Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern
    3. Starr Hill Brewery

    News

    Artwork at the Reston Town Center Metro station is in the running for an international public art award, with local residents eligible to cast ballots in support.

    “Ethos” by George Bates is among 100 pieces of public art vying in the CODAawards competition, sponsored by CODAworx.


    News

    Four years after voting to prohibit firearms on public property, the Fairfax City Council is contemplating whether to expand those restrictions.

    At a city council meeting on Tuesday (June 24), Fairfax leaders took a preliminary look at the 2021 ordinance and planned further discussion for another meeting on July 22.


    News

    A developer has returned to Fairfax County with a new proposal to add housing on Spring Hill Road in McLean.

    The new Spring Hill Reserve subdivision would deliver 14 single-family, detached houses on a nearly 5-acre lot across the street from the Sunrise of McLean assisted living community, according to a rezoning application submitted to the county in late May.


    Announcement

    Alexandria, Virginia – October 1, 2026 – Body Imperium, an Old Town Alexandria strength-training studio, has announced that it is rebranding as Imperium Strength and Longevity, known simply as Imperium.

    The new name reflects the studio’s evolution from its Pilates origins into Alexandria’s only strength-training facility powered by ARX® (Adaptive Resistance Exercise) technology. The evolution of the business closely follows founder Victoria Azor’s personal experience building strength and longevity.