A Woodbridge man who was previously convicted in Fairfax County for the sexual assault of two minors faces 40 years in prison after coercing dozens of underage victims to send him sexually explicit material.
Malachi Morgan Thomas, 24, pleaded guilty yesterday (Thursday) in federal court to two counts of sexual exploitation of children, as well as one count of possession of child sexual abuse material, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced.
With the weather warming up, Fairfax County families are dusting off the strollers and heading outside — and the county’s playgrounds are ready for them, from fully accessible destination parks to shaded neighborhood favorites tucked into the woods.
Here are the nominees for “Best Playground in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. Did we miss your favorite playground below? Write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, April 17.
Voting for Best Pest Control Company in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, April 10 at 8:30 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Lawn Care Service around Fairfax. The results are now official:
What will Herndon look and feel like in 2050?
That’s the big question behind Herndon 2050 — the Town of Herndon’s Comprehensive Plan update that will help shape policies, priorities, and decision-making for the next 20 years.
This is more than a planning document. It’s a vision for tomorrow.
Right now, the Town is asking residents, business owners, community stakeholders, and visitors to participate in an important first step: the Herndon 2050 community survey. While there will be additional opportunities for engagement throughout the planning process, this initial survey is critical in helping establish the community’s priorities and overall vision for the future of Herndon.
The survey closes Monday, May 18 at 11:59:59 PM.
Share your vision! Herndon2050.org
The Comprehensive Plan serves as the Town’s long-range policy guide and influences how Herndon grows, develops, and invests in the future over time. The decisions made through this process will help shape the community for current residents and future generations alike.
The new plan will establish policies and recommendations covering a wide range of topics, including:
In short, Herndon 2050 will help guide how the Town evolves — from neighborhoods and business districts to trails, parks, transportation systems, gathering spaces, and redevelopment opportunities.
At the heart of Herndon 2050 is community input.
The Town wants to hear directly from the people who live, work, and spend time in Herndon. What should the community prioritize? What should be preserved? Where are there opportunities for improvement? What kind of experience should Herndon provide 20 years from now? (more…)
The water in Lake Thoreau is finally high enough to allow crews to begin clearing sediment.
Delayed from last fall due to insufficient water levels, Reston Association now anticipates beginning the approximately four-week process of dredging Lake Thoreau’s Westcove next week.
An increased fee for non-riders is one option reportedly being considered to ease traffic and parking constraints at the West Falls Church Metro station in Idylwood.
Traditionally one of Metro’s sleepiest stops, the West Falls Church station has become a hub of activity in recent months due to simultaneous construction on three different developments.
*Mamistad Groups meet IN PERSON-only the introductory Zoom call is virtual. 🙂
Pregnancy and new mom groups are a lifesaver when it comes to normalizing those feelings we just can’t be prepared for.
United Airlines is testing a digital tracker for airport security wait times after the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown snarled lines at major airports across the country.
Touting the tool as the “first of its kind” from a major U.S. airline, United added the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) wait times tracker to its mobile app on Wednesday (April 1). It’s currently available for seven pilot locations, including Dulles International Airport.
Potomac Interceptor Upgrades Backlogged — “The D.C.-area utility responsible for a massive sewer line that failed catastrophically in January had planned to reinforce the aging section years ago but repeatedly delayed construction as federal officials studied potential environmental impacts.” [Washington Post]
School Safety Legislation Signed — “Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Thursday signed a new batch of legislation centered on school safety, student well-being and expanded support systems in Virginia’s public schools, alongside measures addressing public health protections and food insecurity among children.” [Virginia Mercury]
Data Vague on Police Use of License Plate Readers — More than six months after Virginia adopted a law requiring law enforcement agencies to report “specific purposes” for their use of automated license plate readers, a “VCIJ at WHRO analysis of 200,000 search logs from Flock Safety data … shows that officers across the Commonwealth frequently relied on broad or vague justifications when searching the systems.” [VCIJ at WHRO]
McKay Outlines County’s Top Priorities — In a March 31 episode of the Connect With County Leaders podcast, “Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said affordable housing, economic development, public safety and school funding remain among the county’s top priorities, while county leaders continue to focus on transportation investment and a broader tax base.” [Patch]
Free Film Festival in Tysons — “The 12th annual Northern Virginia International Film & Music Festival will take place April 9 and 10 in Tysons. Screenings are free to the public, but registration is required. LOOK Dine-in Cinemas at the Boro in Tysons will host the event.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Szechuan Restaurant Coming to Bailey’s Crossroads — “Yeshi Kitfo, the Ethiopian restaurant at 3400 Washington Drive in Bailey’s Crossroads, has permanently closed. The restaurant is undergoing a complete renovation.” Comments from a construction worker and a building permit indicate that the space will be filled by Chili Wok, which has a location in Vienna. [Annandale Today]
Park Authority Intern Program Lauded — “The Fairfax County Park Authority is proud to announce that we have been recognized for the second year in a row as a 2026 Top Employer for Interns by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. This recognition highlights FCPA’s dedication to providing meaningful work-based learning experiences that empower the next generation of leaders.” [FCPA]
Nominations Open for Park Volunteers Award — “The Park Authority is now accepting nominations for the annual Elly Doyle Park Service Awards Program, recognizing the outstanding contributions of volunteers … Nominations are due by Friday, May 22, 2026.” [FCPA]
It’s Friday — Expect fog in the morning before 10 a.m., then mostly sunny skies with a high near 82°F. Winds from the south will range from 7 to 14 mph, with gusts up to 23 mph. Overnight, there is a 20% chance of showers before 2 a.m., with partly cloudy skies and a low around 65°F. [NWS]
Good Thursday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Apr 2, 2026.
Here is what’s going on Friday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
Expect foggy conditions before 10 AM, followed by mostly sunny skies with a high of around 82°F. Winds from the southwest will blow at 8 to 14 mph, with gusts up to 23 mph. On Friday night, there is a 20% chance of showers. The weather will be partly cloudy with a low of around 65°F, and a southwest wind at about 9 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
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.
Cherry blossoms are so last week. In Fairfax County, April is the delicate bluebell’s time to shine.
The wildflower will take center stage at the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Bluebells at the Bend celebration, which is set to return to Riverbend Park (8700 Potomac Hills Street) in Great Falls on Saturday, April 11.
Hilton is still among the best companies to work for in the U.S., but it’s no longer number one, according to Fortune.
After holding the top spot in 2024 and 2025, the hospitality giant, which has been headquartered in Tysons since 2009, slipped to no. 2 behind Synchrony — a financial services company located in Stamford, Connecticut — in Fortune’s annual ranking of the country’s 100 Best Companies to Work for.
