Jay Jones is sworn in as Virginia Attorney General by Lyn M. Simmons, chief judge of the Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, on Jan. 17, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
The Federal Communications Commission announced yesterday (Thursday) that it has approved local television giant Nexstar Media Group’s $6.2 billion takeover of Tysons-based rival Tegna.
Earlier that same day, Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones and his counterparts in seven other states filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Sacramento, California, arguing that the merger will illegally reduce competition in journalism and the broadcasting industry while resulting in increased prices and worker layoffs.
A robin stands on a mound of dirt and leaves in the middle of Wolftrap Creek in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
One Injured in Bailey’s Crossroads Shooting — “Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) officers responded [on Thursday, March 19] to a shooting in the 5500 block of Seminary Road and found one man who had been shot in the lower body area. He was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. FCPD said another victim was found, but they were not harmed.” [DC News Now]
Video Shows Mantua Police Shooting — “The Fairfax County Police Department has released the body-worn camera footage from the police-involved shooting at an apartment in Fairfax on Feb. 23.” By the time police arrived, “Chhatra Thapa, 54, had already stabbed his wife, Binda, and daughter, Mamta, and was in the process of stabbing Mamta’s husband, Santosh Basnet.” [Annandale Today]
Partisan Split on Redistricting Referendum — “Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, a Democrat representing part of Fairfax County, said he thinks the referendum will pass, but told WTOP’s Nick Iannelli, ‘It’s going to be close.’ … Former Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, a Republican, however, has been a staunch opponent of the referendum and overall push for redistricting.” [WTOP]
Higher Gas Prices Could Drive More to Metro — “Rising gas prices – as well as a drop in crime – have Metro preparing for more people to potentially choose to ride Metro or take the bus instead of driving … Metro General Manager Randy Clarke said the system welcomes additional riders.” [NBC Washington]
McLean Startup Seeks Site for Innovation Center — Claros Inc. is developing a power management system and supply chips for data centers that could help cut down on their energy costs. Aiming to test the products with the company’s first customer by early 2027, CEO Daniel Kultran is “in talks with George Mason University, Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia” for a new space since its current office in McLean “can’t support the required power draw.” [Washington Business Journal]
Local Author’s Books Set for TV Adaptation — “Fans of Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan books can soon see the story brought to life on TV. Tina Fey and Lang Fisher will adapt the books for a Peacock series. The popular adult mystery series is set in Northern Virginia.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Trout Derby Returns to Herndon — “The Town of Herndon will host its annual Kids Trout Fishing Derby on March 21 from 8 a.m. to noon. This family-friendly tradition allows kids ages 2 to 15 to try their hand at trout fishing. The event is held along the Sugarland Run stream, behind the Herndon Police Station.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Metro to Celebrate 50 Years — “We’re celebrating 50 YEARS serving the DMV with a special ride you don’t want to miss! Tell us what Metro means to you (via comment or DM) for a chance to join us on an exclusive trip Fri, March 27. We’ll have special giveaways, music, & more! Enter by March 24 at 12 pm.” [WMATA/Bluesky]
It’s Friday — Expect scattered showers after 2 pm with increasing clouds and a high near 68°F. Showers are likely Friday night, mainly between 8 pm and 2 am, with mostly cloudy skies and a low around 49°F. Chance of precipitation goes up from 30% during the day to 60% at night. [NWS]
Introducing Kokua at The Mather—Now Welcoming Residents
At Kokua, we believe that every stage of life holds possibilities for creativity, purpose, and growth. Located in the heart of Tysons, Virginia, Kokua offers a fresh, hospitality-driven approach to care developed by Mather, a nationally recognized pioneer in the senior living space with more than eight decades of experience. Newly opened in 2025, Kokua blends care with our research-driven approach to deliver personalized wellness tailored to individual needs.
For a limited time, Kokua is welcoming new residents seeking assisted living or memory support in the DC area with exclusive move-in incentives. Nestled in a lively urban neighborhood, our LEED-Gold certified community incorporates biophilic design that brings the outside in to enhance health and wellbeing.
THOUGHTFULLY DESIGNED SPACES
In our assisted living and memory support neighborhoods, residents enjoy a collection of thoughtfully designed spaces that feel like an upscale hospitality destination.
Multiple restaurants offer chef-prepared cuisine with flexible, open-hours service, complemented by demonstration kitchens, art and music studios, as well as gathering spaces. A spacious outdoor terrace, Marzenia Salon, and beautifully appointed amenity areas create opportunities for wellness, connection, and everyday enjoyment.
FOCUS ON PERSONALIZED WELLBEING
Residents enjoy opportunities to choose from enriching programs, meaningful social opportunities with experiences such as sensory walks, meditation, acupuncture, Reiki, songwriting workshops, poetry readings, Sensory Symphony Swim, and more.
Assisted Living in Ādar
Ādar means “respect”, and Kokua delivers. Here, our team encourages residents to be as independent as possible, for as long as possible. Each one-bedroom apartment home (ranging in size up to nearly 900 square feet) offers generous space and thoughtful design, complemented by assistance with daily living tasks and emergency response systems for peace of mind.
Memory Support in Miran
Miran means “peaceful”—another pillar in the Kokua way of life. Private suites are designed for those with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or similar cognitive conditions. Our person-centered approach embraces individual strengths and needs, with an interdisciplinary team and through social events, wellness programs, creative arts, and more.
Kokua offers the next generation of care in Ādar and Miran, true to our commitment to highly personalized service rooted in respect for each individual.
With a limited number of residences available and exclusive move-in incentives currently offered, now is an ideal time to explore the personalized care and quiet luxury that Kokua at The Mather has to offer.
Expect scattered showers after 5 pm, with increasing clouds and a high of about 67°F. South winds will pick up to 8-13 mph, with gusts up to 26 mph. There is a 30% chance of precipitation. Friday night will bring scattered showers and thunderstorms before 8 pm, becoming more likely until 2 am, while the sky turns partly cloudy and the temperature drops to around 48°F. Southwest winds will be 7-10 mph, with gusts up to 18 mph, and a 60% chance of rain, with rainfall between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, higher in thunderstorms. See more from Weather.gov.
Mental health shapes how we lead, love, work, parent, communicate, and show up in the world—yet too often, these conversations stay hidden.
This Mental Health Awareness Month, join local nonprofit Rock Recovery for Strength Not Stigma—an unforgettable evening of honest conversation, community, and impact.
An assistant track coach at Hayfield Secondary School will be dismissed after he was arrested today (Thursday) on child pornography charges, police say.
Richard Huerta, 28, of Kingstowne came to the attention of the Fairfax County Police Department when its Child Exploitation Unit detectives received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicating he “may be in possession” of child sexual abuse material, according to a press release.
Fil-Am Spring Fest 2026 is a free Filipino-American cultural festival hosted by Fil-Am FEST Inc. on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax, Virginia.
The festival celebrates Filipino culture, heritage, food, music, dance, small businesses, and community connection. Guests can enjoy cultural performances, Filipino food vendors, family-friendly activities, artisan and retail vendors, community partner booths, and nonprofit initiatives.
Fairfax County School Board member Kyle McDaniel (staff photo by Jared Serre)
A former chair of the Fairfax County School Board’s budget committee will return to the panel after a judge tossed out a complaint accusing him of embezzling $175,000 from a company he was a part owner of.
Kyle McDaniel, who served as the budget committee chair for 10 months before stepping down last April, is expected to be appointed vice chair of the committee when the school board meets tonight (Thursday), according to the meeting agenda.
Expected to open in the Kings Park West strip mall this summer is Pump24, a local gym brand “designed for individuals who take their training seriously and are seeking a higher-quality experience than traditional big-box facilities,” a spokesperson said.
Emirates has reduced service to Dulles, including replacing A380 aircraft (above) with smaller 777s (courtesy Emirates)
War in the Mideast is having an impact on passenger activity at Dulles International Airport.
About two-thirds of flights from Dulles to the broader Middle East region have been cancelled since the U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on Feb. 28, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) President and CEO Jack Potter told the authority’s board of directors on March 18.
The Fairfax County School Board's governance committee discusses draft AI policies at its March 17, 2026 meeting (via FCPS/YouTube)
Fairfax County Public Schools officials are open to a more robust artificial intelligence policy, but a final version is still a few months from being ready for primetime.
Staff have been working since October on a comprehensive policy governing the use of AI, an umbrella term for technology that uses computer systems to handle complex tasks. Artificial intelligence has become colloquially associated with generative tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which are trained on existing text, video and images to produce “new” content.
Kerrie Wilson is retiring from Cornerstones after 25 years as its CEO (courtesy Cornerstones)
When she officially retires next month after 25 years, Cornerstones CEO Kerrie Wilson is confident that she will be leaving the Reston-based social services nonprofit in more-than-capable hands.
With both major projects and a turbulent economic and political climate to manage, the Cornerstones Board of Directors couldn’t have chosen a better successor for her than Shannon Steene, Wilson told FFXnow in an interview earlier this month.
