A student takes a school test (via Ben Mullins on Unsplash)
Virginia students would be allowed to take the state’s annual learning assessments in a language other than English under a bill that advanced out of a House Education subcommittee on Tuesday.
Del. Laura Jane Cohen, D-Fairfax, introduced the legislation, after the Virginia Board of Education recently made changes to include more testing results from English learners, who have typically been excluded because of the language barrier, into a school’s accountability calculations.
A row of townhouses in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Fairfax County’s homes market saw year-over-year upticks in sales and prices in 2024.
A total of 11,787 properties changed hands during the year, according to preliminary figures reported by Bright MLS, the region’s multiple-listing service.
Finding an affordable apartment home in Tysons Corner that matches your fast-paced lifestyle just got easier. Indigo at McLean Station delivers the ultimate connected experience, situated just steps from the McLean Metro Station. We invite you to experience our neighborhood firsthand during our Open House on Saturday, November 14th, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Explore Your Perfect Floor Plan
Come Tour our community spaces and see inside a variety of layouts. We are proud to feature move-in ready options across both phases of the property:
Phase I Options: Select studio and one-bedroom layouts are ready for immediate occupancy for households meeting 60% AMI standards.
Phase II Options: Select homes in our newly completed phase are officially available to be leased and moved into right away. Phase II accommodates a wide range of household sizes with studio, 1, 2, and 3-bedroom floor plans spanning the 50%, 60%, and 70% AMI qualification tiers.
A Tech-Forward, Pet-Friendly Neighborhood Vibe
Indigo is built around cutting-edge convenience and a vibrant, friendly atmosphere. Residents enjoy premium digital and physical perks that make everyday life stress-free:
The Cobu App: Stay plugged into the neighborhood with our dedicated resident platform. Chat with neighbors, coordinate social events, buy and sell goods safely, and unlock local discounts at Tysons businesses.
Flex Platform Partnership: Take complete control of your monthly cash flow with custom-tailored rent payment schedules built around your personal budget.
Massive New Amenity Spaces: Tour our newly opened Phase II additions, which double your community spaces with a second fitness center, an additional resident club room, a spacious, elegant lobby, a dedicated business center, and enhanced outdoor recreation areas.
Unmissable Leasing Promotions
Take advantage of the best affordable housing incentives in Northern Virginia. Apply during our November 14th Open House event to claim our stackable special: Get an extra 1/2 month of rent free, valid ONLY for Phase I apartments. This event-specific discount can be combined with our ongoing incentive of Up to Two Months Free on Select Apartments.
Join us at 1750 Old Meadow Rd, McLean, VA 22102 to find your new home. For complete layout details, qualifying income limits, and virtual video walkthroughs, visit our official website or connect with our leasing office at (571) 786-5546. Can’t make the Open House? Schedule a Tour Today and we’ll be happy to show you around.
*Specials apply to new applicants only, on select apartments, are subject to change, and may have additional terms and conditions.
Tysons Blvd with lingering snow (photo by Kyle Brewer)
Park Police Officers in Bijan Ghaisar Shooting Reinstated — “The two U.S. Park Police officers who shot and killed Bijan Ghaisar are back on the job after federal investigators cleared them in the case.” Lucas Vinyard and Alejandro Amaya had been on paid administrative duty and then paid leave since the Nov. 17, 2017 shooting. [NBC4]
Person Critically Injured in Springfield House Fire — “#FairfaxBravest are on scene of a house fire in the 7500 block of Long Pine Dr. Crews arrived with fire showing. The fire is under control. One civilian was transported with life-threatening injuries. No firefighter injuries.” [FCFRD/Twitter]
Lawsuit Alleges Fraud by Compass Coffee Owner — “The co-founders of the popular Compass Coffee chain in Washington have severed ties, with the company’s former chief executive accusing its owner of fraudulently misusing pandemic relief funds in a lawsuit filed Monday.” The chain’s 20 D.C.-area shops include locations in Fairfax City and West Falls Church. [Washington Post]
Police Make Arrest in Business Burglaries — A 32-year-old man was arrested and charged on Monday (Jan. 13) for allegedly burglarizing a business in the 9400 block of Mathy Drive in Mantua the previous day. Police say they found the man outside a business in Annandale that had reported a larceny and recognized him from surveillance footage. [FCPD]
Japanese Grocery Store Sets Opening Date — Marufuji Japanese Market will celebrate the grand opening of its new store in Tysons starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25. Plans for the event are still being finalized, but expect plenty of giveaways, deals and demonstrations, Fuji Mart Corp. Vice President Joshua Nakama says. [FFXnow]
Stream Restoration Planned at Lincolnia Park — “The Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services is planning a major stream restoration project at Turkeycock Run in Bren Mar Park. The design is expected to be completed in late summer or early fall of 2025.” [Annandale Today]
New Fairfax City School Board Sworn In — “The five members of Fairfax City’s new school board were officially sworn in during a ceremony at City Hall on Monday night. Lauren A. Bartelme, Kristina M. Cecere, Amit S. Hickman, Sarah M. Kelsey and Carolyn S. Pitches were elected during the Nov. 5, 2024 general elections.” [Patch]
GMU Professor Shares Vision for Use of A.I. — In a podcast interview, Dr. Amarda Shehu, George Mason University’s inaugural chief artificial intelligence officer, “discusses her groundbreaking role at Mason, the university’s proactive approach to AI, and the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on education, the workforce, and the economy.” [Potomac Local News]
It’s Wednesday — Expect a sunny day with highs near 30 and northwest winds of 14 to 16 mph, gusting up to 31 mph. The night will be mostly clear with lows around 17, as northwest winds decrease to 6 to 11 mph, turning light westerly after midnight, and potentially gusting up to 18 mph. [NWS]
Menopause is more than a physical transition—it can also be a time of profound change in how we see ourselves and what we want from life. As familiar roles, responsibilities, and priorities shift, many women find themselves asking, “Who am I now?” In this presentation, we'll explore how our identities have been shaped and consider which parts of ourselves still fit and which may be ready to change.
Here is what’s going on Wednesday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.
☀️ Wednesday’s forecast
Expect sunny skies and a high temperature near 30 degrees. Winds will be blowing from the northwest at 14 to 17 mph, gusting up to 32 mph. Wednesday night will remain mostly clear, with a low temperature around 16 degrees. Northwest winds at 6 to 11 mph will become lighter, shifting to the west after midnight, with gusts reaching up to 20 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
Anya Rahman is a top scorer for Langley (photo by Deb Kolt)
The Langley Saxons (9-3) improved to 3-0 in the Liberty District with a difficult road victory over the Yorktown Patriots in a Jan. 10 girls basketball game.
Langley led throughout the high-school game, but couldn’t pull away from Yorktown. The Saxons led 7-2 after the first quarter and 18-14 at halftime.
Snow and ice cover Rupert Street in McLean on Jan. 8, 2025 (courtesy Jennifer Myers)
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is seeking answers to what it feels was an inadequate response to last week’s Jan. 6 snowstorm by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).
“Planning, execution and communication fell far short of the service level that our residents demand and deserve,” supervisors said in a joint board matter adopted at the governing body’s meeting today (Tuesday).