Graduation season is getting underway for college and high school students alike, which means an influx of traffic for people living around George Mason University.
GMU warns that “heavy traffic” is expected around its main Fairfax campus for the next month, with dozens of graduation ceremonies scheduled to take place at EagleBank Arena (4500 Patriot Circle).
White South African ‘Refugees’ Coming to Dulles — “Plans are underway to fly approximately 60 Afrikaners to Dulles International Airport on a State Department-chartered plane Monday, with federal and Virginia officials preparing to receive them in a ceremonial news conference.” The group is being welcomed despite the Trump administration’s suspension of other U.S. refugee admissions. [Washington Post]
Update on Herndon Double Murder Case — “Prosecutors are seeking to include statements made to police by a 4-year-old girl after her mother and another victim were found slain in the family’s home [in] Herndon.” The motion will be argued soon after attorneys met for a brief hearing last Friday (May 9). [NBC4]
Prison Sentence for Fatal I-395 Motorcycle Crash — “A Falls Church man who fled the scene after striking a motorcyclist near the Pentagon last year has been sentenced to three and a half years behind bars.” The sentence was handed down in Arlington Circuit Court last Friday, May 2. and exceeds the recommended 180 days. [ARLnow]
School Board Revises Cell Phone Usage Policy — After months of debate, the Fairfax County School Board voted 9-3 on Thursday (May 8) to permit “limited cellphone use by students. The compromise allows students to use their cellphones before and after class and during their lunch break.” A phone storage pilot program is still in effect. [WTOP]
Tree Falls Onto Fairfax City Home — “A falling tree crashed onto a duplex in Fairfax County, tearing down power lines and forcing a family out of their home.” The family that resides in the duplex was sleeping at the time, but fortunately, no one was in the bedroom where the tree fell, so there were no injuries. [NBC4]
New Watch Shop Opens in Tysons — “Luxury watch retailer Lenkersdorfer has unveiled a new 7,800-square-foot showroom in Tysons Corner Center, where customers can find a selection of watches from prestigious brands.” The showroom is complemented by the brand’s only Tudor boutique in the area. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Park Authority Awarded Invasive Species Grant — The Fairfax County Park Authority will receive a $60,827 grant from the Virginia Department of Forestry for invasive species management on parkland. The funds will support an Early Detection Rapid Response program that identfies new populations of invasive plants and “must be used by the end of June 2025.” [FCPA]
It’s Monday — Expect mostly cloudy skies and a high near 76, accompanied by a 30% chance of rain. The likelihood of precipitation will jump to 90% at night, with showers and possible thunderstorms appearing after 5am. The low temperature will be around 64. [NWS]
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.
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
Bae Down the Line Sports Center Inc.
Trading as: DTL Sports Center
4311 Ravensworth Rd.
Annandale, VA 222003
The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Retail Annual Mixed Beverage Application – Sports Facility, Wine, Beer, Mixed Beverages, Consumed On and Off Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.
Jimmy Bae/Partner
Good Friday 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 — May 9, 2025.
Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.
Here is what’s going on Saturday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
Here are the events planned for Sunday:
Expect sunny skies and a high near 71 during the day, accompanied by a northwest wind blowing at 9 to 14 mph and gusts up to 22 mph. The night will be partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 53, and a gentle west wind at 3 to 5 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.
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. 👋
Event location
Caboose Commons
2918 Eskridge Rd
Fairfax, Virginia 22031
Join the Do It for Dan Foundation for our annual fall fundraiser supporting lung cancer research at Inova Schar Cancer Institute. Enjoy live music, trivia, raffles, foundation updates, and a special presentation from thoracic oncologist Dr. Janakiraman Subramanian. Help us raise $10,000 to advance research and better treatment options for people facing lung cancer.
Fairfax County police are investigating a single-vehicle crash in Clifton that killed a teenager yesterday (Thursday).
Officers responded to the 11000 block of Chapel Road at 3:24 p.m. for a report of a 2005 Toyota Highlander SUV “that left the roadway and struck a tree,” the Fairfax County Police Department said in a press release today (Friday).
The man allegedly behind a recent shooting outside a Bailey’s Crossroads nightclub has been arrested.
Detectives believe Evangel McNeill, a 35-year-old from Maryland, shot another man during an argument outside the Black Rose Lounge (5815 Seminary Road) around 1 a.m. on April 30, the Fairfax County Police Department says.
Another option for Korean fried chicken is cooking in Annandale, and so far, it appears to be getting a thumbs up from patrons.
Bb.q Chicken opened its doors on March 18 at 7131 Little River Turnpike, where it shares a building with Cafe V. This is the chain’s fourth location in Fairfax County, joining locations in Idylwood, Centreville and Tysons.
Fairfax is home to plenty of outdoor patios and restaurants to enjoy the scenery this spring and summer.
Here are the nominees for “Best Outdoor Dining in Fairfax” as part of our new FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. See your favorite restaurant below? If not, write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 9 a.m. Friday, May 23!
Voting for the Best Ice Cream Shop 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 Garden Center in Fairfax. The results are now official:
Voters won’t cast their ballots in the Democratic primary election for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District for another year, but that hasn’t stopped early candidates from sprinting out of the gates.
Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw, who was the first Democrat to enter the race to replace retiring Rep. Gerry Connolly, has already garnered support from the incumbent congressman and former 10th Congressional District representative Jennifer Wexton.
