Countywide
A jogger and a cyclist on the Washington & Old Dominion Trail near the Virginia Lane crossing in Idylwood (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Unemployment Continues to Rise — “Virginia’s unemployment rate is on a steady five-month increase — the longest streak since the 2008 Great Recession … The Trump administration’s federal job slashing and freezing of grants, contracts and medical research may be to blame.” [Axios DC]

Warner Questions HUD Relocation — “Senator Mark Warner is demanding a full cost-benefit analysis of the federal government’s decision to relocate the Department of Housing and Urban Development to Alexandria, expressing skepticism about claimed taxpayer savings and concern for displaced National Science Foundation employees.” [ALXnow]

Arrest Made in Tysons Vehicle Break-Ins — “Detectives from our Criminal Investigations Division, with the assistance of our Fugitive Track and Apprehension Unit, have arrested a Maryland man responsible for multiple vehicle break-ins and larcenies in McLean.” Expected charges include credit property destruction and card fraud and theft. [FCPD]

What Might Come First in RTC North — At a June 23 community meeting on the proposed Reston Town Center North development plan, Fairfax County officials and an attorney representing Inova indicated that a new Reston Regional Library will likely be the first block to start development. Work won’t start, though, until a land swap agreement is finalized, which is expected in mid-2026. [Patch]

Updated Speed Camera Citations Data — “It’s been over two years since Fairfax County, Virginia, first rolled out speed cameras in some school zones, and they’re still catching thousands of drivers going too fast. The two speed cameras in the school zone near Key Middle School issued the most tickets last school year, according to Fairfax County data obtained by WTOP.” [WTOP]

Man Charged With Package Thefts — “Just before 1 p.m. [on June 25], a patrol supervisor from the Mount Vernon Police Station spotted a man riding an e-scooter along Sherwood Hall Lane in Hybla Valley who matched the description of a suspect wanted for multiple package thefts.” The 25-year-old man from New York was arrested and “charged with grand larceny and being a fugitive from justice.” [Annandale Today]

Food Festival Begins in Springfield — “Get ready for three full days of food, fun, and community at Springfield Town Center, June 27-29! With over 40 food trucks and vendors serving gourmet dishes and sweet treats, and dozens of artisans showcasing handmade jewelry, art, and crafts, there’s something for everyone!” [Springfield Town Center]

Tennis Court Repairs for Lake Barcroft Park — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will begin reconstruction work on the tennis courts at Justice Park early next week. This project includes crack filling, birdbath levelling, new fencing, and a complete level construction repair to improve the playing surface and user experience.” [FCPA]

It’s Friday — Showers and thunderstorms are expected mainly after 1pm with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 81. At night, the chance of rain increases from 40% to 60% with lows around 71. New rainfall amounts could range between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. [NWS]


Around Town

Good Thursday 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 26, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛈️ Friday’s forecast

Showers and thunderstorms are possible after 1pm, with mostly cloudy conditions and a high near 81. Winds will come from the east at around 8 mph, and there’s a 40% chance of precipitation. For Friday night, showers and thunderstorms are more likely before 8pm, and temperatures will dip to a low of around 71 with east winds at 3 to 7 mph. A 60% chance of precipitation with new rainfall between a tenth and quarter of an inch, though higher amounts are possible during thunderstorms. 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.


Sponsored

Trek & Treat is back with a brand-new route, fun prizes, and a $150 Early Bird incentive if you register by October 1

Game on! The Tysons Trek & Treat Fall Challenge returns this week, running October 2 through November 1. Participants can walk, bike, or roll through Tysons while checking in at stops, earning points, and redeeming them for prizes.

Hosted by Tysons Community Alliance (TCA), the free mobility challenge features five walkable and bike-friendly routes—including a brand-new route this season!—for a range of ages and abilities. Explore The Boro on the Yellow Route, wander past Arbor Row and Tysons Galleria on the Green Route, stroll Scott’s Run Trail and Capital One Center on the Red Route, or take on the Orange and Purple routes by bike or wheels.

There’s no app to download, so just choose a route, grab your phone, and start exploring.

And there’s a good reason to sign up now: pre-register by October 1, and you’ll automatically be entered to win a $150 Experience Tysons e-gift card, redeemable at participating businesses throughout Tysons.

Explore More, Earn More

As you make your way through Tysons, be on the lookout for Trek & Treat check-in stickers posted at stops along each route. Scan the QR code on each sticker to check in, earn points, and keep moving toward your next prize.

While racking up points, you can earn prizes including wireless earbuds, a Bluetooth speaker, an OGIO backpack, Metro SmarTrip cards, portable chargers, and more. Participants can also earn Experience Tysons e-gift cards, including $300 for the Tysons Trailblazer grand-prize winner, $250 for second place, and $200 for third place.

Register and complete at least one check-in by October 10, and you’ll also receive an exclusive “I Trekked Tysons” t-shirt.

So whether you’re looking for a fun way to get outside, discover new corners of Tysons, or earn prizes along the way, Trek & Treat offers plenty of reasons to explore this fall. Registration is easy at tysonsva.org/exploretysons/gameon.

Tysons Trek & Treat Fall Challenge runs October 2–November 1


Countywide

Fairfax County School Board leaders warned locals not to expect an upcoming redistricting to fix all of the county’s student population problems.

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is currently working through its first major school boundary overhaul in 40 years, but at a work session on June 17, School Board members said there’s a thin line to walk between making overdue school boundary adjustments and avoiding significant disruptions to families in the school system.


Announcement

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a time for commemorating our ancestors. Rather than a period of mourning, it is an occasion for celebrating with family—both living and dead—and honoring the cycle of life. Learn about La Catrina and her joyful view of life and mortality. Enjoy family-friendly activities throughout the day, including dance performances, coloring activities, and paper marigold and mask making. Visitors are invited to leave photos and mementos of their loved ones on the ofrenda (altar) or commemorate them by writing their names on a butterfly to attach to the memorial arch.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:


News

After three years of construction on its I-495 Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project, the Virginia Department of Transportation is preparing to advance work on the actual toll lanes.

To make way for the new lanes, crews will shift traffic for all four southbound, general-purpose lanes on I-495 (also known as the Capital Beltway Outer Loop) to newly built lanes in McLean, starting tomorrow (Friday) around 8 p.m.


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.


Around Town

Potbelly has put the finishing touches on makeovers for its restaurants in Fairfax Corner and Reston.

The national sandwich chain will officially unveil the new looks tomorrow (Friday) with celebrations at both locations, offering a variety of giveaways to customers.


Countywide

Though the thunderstorm that the National Weather Service warned about yesterday (Wednesday) was largely felt in the form of some strong winds, a new round of storms coming this afternoon (Thursday) could potentially have a more meaningful impact.

The NWS has issued a Flood Watch for the D.C. region, including Fairfax County, that’s currently scheduled to take effect at 3 p.m. and stay in place until midnight. About 1 to 2 inches of rainfall are possible, the agency says, though isolated areas could see as much as 3 to 4 inches.


Around Town

A new mural is taking shape in the heart of Fairfax City.

Richmond-based illustrator Bailey Sullivan is currently working on “Fox in the Flowers” and expected to finish painting tomorrow (Friday). The completed mural will be officially unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2 p.m. on July 10.


News

The three Republicans seeking election to statewide office this November will rally together in Vienna next week.

Current Virginia lieutenant governor and gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears, along with lieutenant governor nominee John Reid and incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares, who’s seeking reelection, will hold the ticket’s first joint appearance on Tuesday (July 1).


News

Fairfax County leaders remain uneasy about the Virginia Department of Transportation’s proposed I-495 Southside Express Lanes project and the possible impact of widening the highway on residents of neighboring communities.

The Board of Supervisors agreed to send a five-page letter to Virginia Secretary of Transportation W. Sheppard Miller III on Tuesday (June 24) detailing its concerns.


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.