Countywide
Vienna Centennial Park during ViVa Vienna 2026 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Boy Scouts Rescued in West Virginia — “A group of 31 Fairfax County Boy Scouts and adults were rescued Saturday afternoon after getting separated on the Cacapon River, West Virginia authorities said.” Troop 1865, which consisted of 24 kids and seven adults, “became split across three different locations while tubing.” [WJLA]

Waiter Fired for Alleged Racist Slur — “A waiter at a Fairfax restaurant has been fired after a racial slur was discovered written on the button of a customer’s receipt … Crazy Crab manager Rez Choudhury apologized to the customer and the community on Thursday.” [FOX5]

Area Malls Respond to Anchor Closures — “The shutdown of Saks Fifth Avenue’s Friendship Heights and Tysons stores this month leaves its landlords with hundreds of thousands of square feet to refill or repurpose. Those and other department store closures also have retail experts rethinking the traditional mall anchor store.” [WTOP]

Education ESOL Office Closing — “The U.S. Department of Education’s move [earlier this month] to dissolve an office dedicated to ensuring that English learners and immigrant students gain English proficiency and academic success has prompted uncertainty among Virginia’s schools and students.” [Virginia Mercury]

Va. Launches Measles Data Dashboard — “Virginia health officials launched a new dashboard Thursday to keep the public informed as measles cases surge in Virginia. The Virginia Department of Health reports an outbreak in Buckingham County with 17 confirmed cases. Statewide, VDH is reporting 40 cases this year.” [WWBT]

Overnight Paving on Franconia Road — “Weather permitting, lane closures will occur in the area of eastbound/westbound Franconia Road (Route 644) and the Loisdale Drive/Commerce Street (Route 789)/Frontier Drive (Route 2677) interchange Wednesday night, May 27, and Thursday night, May 28, for asphalt paving and patching.” [VDOT]

Indoor Soccer Training Center Proposed — “A large indoor soccer training facility has been proposed for a vacant building on Port Royal Road in Springfield. The Board of Zoning Appeals has scheduled a hearing on July 22 for a special permit for the project.” [Annandale Today]

Forrest Gump Actor Visits Fort Belvoir — “Actor, musician and veterans advocate Gary Sinise returned to Fort Belvoir with his Lt. Dan Band Thursday, telling service members and families their sacrifices remain at the center of his foundation’s mission … The appearance was part of the Gary Sinise Foundation’s Invincible Spirit Festival, now in its 33rd installment nationwide at military medical centers.” [Inside NoVA]

It’s Tuesday — It will be mostly cloudy with a high of around 76°F and calm winds shifting to the east at 6 mph. There is a 40% chance of precipitation. Overnight, showers are likely after 2am with a low of about 65°F and a 50% chance of rain. [NWS]

Want more local news? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow, with the latest from across the region.


Around Town

Good Friday 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 — May 22, 2026.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  • UPDATED: Speed, lack of restraints contributed to fatal Route 123 crash, police say (25254 views)
  • UPDATED: Motorcyclist killed in crash with semi truck on Route 29 (10249 views)
  • Southern-inspired breakfast and brunch spot prepares to open at University Mall (6652 views)
  • Fairfax supervisors to consider property tax rebates for years county is flush with cash (5408 views)
  • Tesla fire on Dulles Access Road sends one to hospital (5390 views)
  • JUST IN: Spanberger signs one bill to rein in ICE, vetoes another (5111 views)
  • McKay publicly apologizes for calling School Board member a ‘bimbo’ in heated texts (4605 views)
  • Town of Vienna grapples with frustration over dead zones in cell phone coverage (4255 views)
  • The Water Mine in Reston set to reopen for summer this weekend (4179 views)
  • County board approves apartments to replace offices at ‘gateway’ to Tysons (4118 views)
  • Community input wanted on future of office in Tysons (4060 views)
  • Fairfax County completes largest solar energy project so far on I-95 landfill (3908 views)
  • Chocolate shop, mystery ‘Loopy Land’ and more coming to Tysons Corner Center (3123 views)
  • Revenue concerns may prompt Dulles Toll Road rate increase earlier than expected (3116 views)
  • 📅 Upcoming events

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

    🌧️ Saturday’s forecast

    Expect rain and patchy fog today with a high of 58°F and east winds at 10 mph, gusting up to 23 mph. Rain continues Saturday night with patchy fog, a low around 55°F, and east winds at 6 to 10 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. There’s a 100% chance of precipitation during the day and 90% at night, with new rainfall between a quarter and half an inch possible. 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. 👋


    News

    A former police officer who now works at a private school in Lorton has been charged with child solicitation, the Fairfax County Police Department announced today.

    Detectives in the FCPD’s Child Exploitation Unit received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that Lawrence Lofzewski, a 37-year-old Springfield resident, “had posted disturbing online content regarding minors,” according to a press release.


    Countywide

    Fairfax County leaders marked the 10th anniversary of the Fairfax Area High School Student Shark Tank Technology Challenge earlier this week.

    “It’s only gotten bigger and better,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said when presenting a proclamation saluting the contest’s first decade on Tuesday (May 19).


    Event

    Spend a fun Saturday at the Fairfax Funky Flea–7/25 from 9-3PM. Find vintage clothing, jewelry, home goods and more at a pet and family friendly flea market. Free parking, free admission, food trucks, coffee and matcha vendor, and restrooms. Only one block from historic Main Street in the City of Fairfax – home to many restaurants, cute shops and coffee houses. Don’t miss this one!


    Around Town

    New York City-based food hall Wonder is continuing its regional expansion with a new location in Hybla Valley.

    Wonder is hosting a grand opening next week for its new food hall at 7713 Fordson Road in the Fordson Place shopping center. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 28, with festivities including giveaways and a ribbon cutting.


    News

    Centreville could get a defined town center with more walkable, mixed-use spaces over the next few decades if Fairfax County adopts a proposed amendment to its comprehensive plan.

    The amendment lays the groundwork for connecting parts of Centreville that are split by I-66 with pedestrian pathways and potentially an extension of New Braddock Road; expanding the availability of affordable and mixed-use housing; and enhancing public transportation, including a potential location for a hypothetical expansion of Metro’s Orange Line.


    Opinion

    Whether your kid enjoys getting active outdoors, expressing their artistry or volunteering in the community, Fairfax County offers plenty of options for keeping students busy outside the classroom.

    Here are the nominees for “Best After School Programs in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. Did we miss your favorite program below? Write them in!

    Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, June 5.

    Voting for Best Tutoring Service in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, May 29 at 8:30 a.m.

    A few weeks ago, we voted on the Best Title Company serving Fairfax County. The results are now official:

    1. Federal Title & Escrow Company
    2. Cardinal Title Group
    3. EKKO Title

    Around Town

    The rain that’s expected to persist in the D.C. area throughout Memorial Day weekend has already put a damper on one summer tradition.

    Tonight’s Friday Night Live! concert in Herndon has been canceled due to the inclement weather, organizers announced this morning (Friday).


    News

    A McLean resident was hospitalized as a result of a fire that broke out at their home in the Langley High School area early this morning (Friday).

    Firefighters were dispatched to the 900 block of Turkey Run Road for the house fire at around 12:49 a.m., according to scanner traffic.