FFXnow - Fairfax County, Va. local news

The weather will transition from cloudy to mostly sunny with temperatures reaching a high of around 85 degrees. Expect southwest winds at 13-17 mph, gusting up to 30 mph. Later, Saturday night will be mostly cloudy with lows near 64 and southwest winds at 8-10 mph, shifting to northwest after midnight. 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

‘Longest Table’ fundraiser for Rustic Love coming to Vienna on May 3

By FFXnow.com

Published April 18, 2025 at 2:30PM

Longest Table event in Cloverdale, Calif. (via longestablecommunity.org)

Only a few seat remain available as Vienna prepares to host a Longest Table fund-raising event on Saturday, May 3 from noon to 2 p.m.

A total of 400 participants will be accommodated on two long tables placed on Mill Street, part of an international effort to support non-profit organizations.

Trek & Treat returns this fall: Explore Tysons and earn big prizes

By Sponsor

Published September 29, 2026 at 10:45AM

Yellow Route Check-In Point sticker on a concrete sidewalk; person in black flats and jeans stands nearby, with shadow visible. Text on sticker says to scan to join the game.

Image from Trek & Treat returns this fall: Explore Tysons and earn big prizes

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

Register Today

News

George Mason University contacts law enforcement after student posts essay on political violence

By Vernon Miles

Published April 18, 2025 at 1:45PM | Updated April 18, 2025 at 3:47PM

George Mason University (file photo)

George Mason University said it has referred a student’s essay to state and federal law enforcement after it sparked concern online.

While GMU did not respond to a FFXnow request to specify which essay, a social media post from GMU comes after a student’s Substack post titled ‘When Must We Kill Them?‘ went viral in conservative circles.

Opinion

Poll: The best outdoor recreation in Fairfax County

By FFXnow.com

Published April 18, 2025 at 11:15AM

Fairfax is home to dozens of trails and parks accompanied by lush greenery, vibrant wildlife, waterside views and even waterfalls! Do you have a favorite local spot for walking, hiking or biking?

Here are the nominees for “Best Outdoor Recreation in Fairfax” as part of our new FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. See your favorite outdoor spot below? If not, write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 9 a.m. Friday, May 2.

Voting for the Best Food Truck 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 Pizza Place in Fairfax. The results are now official:

Wiseguy Pizza
Paisano’s Pizza
Pupatella

#FFXnow Reader Choice

Event

Reston Home Tour Tickets on Sale Now!

October 17, 2026 10:00 am -4:00 pm

Event location

Reston Museum

1639 Washington Plaza North

Reston , Virginia 20190

Add to Calendar

The Reston Museum is excited to announce that the much-anticipated Reston Home Tour will take place from 10:00AM to 4:00PM Saturday, October 17th. The tour will feature six fabulous residences throughout Reston. Visit the homes at your own leisurely pace and enjoy the special touches, unique styles and specially crafted designs of each home. Tickets can be purchased at the Reston Museum located on Lake Anne Plaza or online at restonmuseum.org.

News

George Mason University considers cuts to diversity programs under pressure from Trump administration

By Vernon Miles

Published April 18, 2025 at 10:05AM

Inside the Johnson Center on George Mason University's Fairfax campus (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

After years of championing its diversity, George Mason University revealed this week that it has cut two DEI positions and is considering further eliminations of diversity programs, Virginia Mercury first reported.

Virginia Mercury reported that the Academic Programs, Diversity, and University Community Committee considered a resolution yesterday to comply with the Trump administration’s crackdown on universities with diversity initiatives under threat of losing federal funding.

News

Travel agent pleads guilty over failed GMU basketball trip, faces 20-year sentence

By Jared Serre

Published April 18, 2025 at 9:00AM

George Mason's basketball court at EagleBank Arena (photo via George Mason Athletics)

A Georgia-based travel agent faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for his role in defrauding the George Mason men’s basketball team out of a trip to The Bahamas in August.

Maurice Eugene Smith, 44, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in federal court earlier this month, stemming from a scheme he orchestrated that left George Mason’s plans for the trip unbooked and unpaid for, according to federal court documents.

News

Morning Notes for April 18, 2025

By FFXnow.com

Published April 18, 2025 at 7:00AM

Metro train traveling next to I-66 in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax Co. police launches recruiting push targeting laid-off federal workers — “Fairfax County police are launching a recruitment push aimed at federal workers who have lost their jobs.” [WTOP]

Car fire near Tysons blocks traffic — “Watch: This is the car fire that tied up the Beltway south of Route 7 in Tysons a short time ago. Two lanes now getting by to the right.” [Dave Statter/X]

Fairfax restaurant owner candidly tells customers struggles of staying open with tariff threats — “The owner of Okonomi Asian Grill in Fairfax is letting customers know the reality of making a profit and worries of tariffs affecting his bottom line.” [WUSA9]

It’s Friday — Expect a mostly sunny day with temperatures reaching about 77°F, accompanied by a south wind blowing at 7-16 mph and gusts up to 28 mph. The night will be partly cloudy, as temperatures drop to around 64°F. The south wind will persist at around 14 mph and may gust up to 22 mph. [NWS]

Make Your Own Scented Candles, Charm Jewelry At New Mosaic Boutique — “District Candle Lab and Fawne will celebrate the grand opening of their shared space in the Mosaic District on May 3 with free swag.” [Patch]

Around Town

FFXnow Daily Debrief for Apr 17, 2025

By FFXnow.com

Published April 17, 2025 at 9:00PM

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 — Apr 17, 2025.

7:30 am: Morning Notes for April 17, 2025 | 🗣️ Comments
9:00 am: Decline in corporate sponsorship causes challenges for Reston Pride organizers | 🗣️ Comments
9:45 am: British Invasion: Founding Father’s home hosting British car show this weekend | 🗣️ Comments
11:30 am: Gov. Youngkin maintains support for federal cuts and tariffs despite ‘near term’ pain in Virginia | 🗣️ Comments
1:30 pm: Massive Easter Egg hunt, petting zoo and more coming to Tysons this weekend | 🗣️ Comments
2:30 pm: Fairfax home sales, prices post increases in first-quarter data | 🗣️ Comments
3:45 pm: Nonprofit that offers free piano lessons seeks to extend range in Fairfax County | 🗣️ Comments

📅 Upcoming events

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

10:30 am: ONE-OF-A-KIND- The Age of Deer and Moonlight Elk
7:00 pm: Unfailing Love: A Good Friday Cantata

☀️ Friday’s forecast

The weather will be mostly sunny, reaching a high of around 78 degrees, accompanied by a south wind ranging from 8 to 17 mph and gusts up to 29 mph. As for Friday night, expect partly cloudy skies and a low temperature of approximately 65 degrees. The south wind will persist at around 15 mph and have gusts as high as 21 mph. 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.

News

Nonprofit that offers free piano lessons seeks to extend range in Fairfax County

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 17, 2025 at 3:45PM

A student in Piano and More's Play It Forward program performs a recital at Jordan Kitt's Music in Merrifield (courtesy Piano and More)

A nonprofit music studio in Arlington is hoping to get more donors and supporters to tune in, so it can expand a program that offers free piano lessons to low-income students into Fairfax County.

Piano and More currently has two participants from Fairfax and three from Arlington in its Play It Forward program, which provides free lessons, keyboards and other resources to students at Title I schools.