Countywide
Cars heading west on Route 123 into Vienna with a sprinkling of snow in the median (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Falling Tree Behind Fatal GW Parkway Crash — “The GW Parkway was closed in Arlington for hours [yesterday] after a fatal crash caused by a falling tree. The incident happened in rainy weather just after 7:30 a.m., in the southbound lanes of the parkway near Chain Bridge.” [ARLnow]

Former N. Va. Resident Identified as ODU Shooter — “The gunman believed to be behind Thursday’s shooting that left one dead and two wounded at Old Dominion University was Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former Sterling resident convicted nine years ago of attempting to provide material support to ISIS.” [Inside NoVA]

Bill Tightens Speed Camera Rules — “Under the pending legislation [patroned by Del. Karrie Delaney], cities and counties would still be allowed to keep the cash they generate from the cameras. But they must use it only on roadway safety initiatives — not to prop up other parts of their budgets.” Cameras would need signs telling drivers how fast they’re going, and they can only operate in construction zones when workers are present. Versions of the bill have passed both chambers and are now being reconciled. [Virginian-Pilot]

Potomac Sewer Line Repair Costs Estimated — “The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments briefed local leaders on the latest repair efforts and costs for the Potomac Interceptor project on Wednesday.” COG Water Program Resources Director Steve Bieber estimates emergency repairs will cost around $30 million, but the cost of more extensive capital projects could total “roughly $600 million over the next ten years.” [DC News Now]

Medical Cannabis Bill Under Negotiation — “A bill moving through the Virginia General Assembly would allow hospital staff to store and administer medical cannabis oil to patients who have a valid medical certification. Virginia already allows certified patients to use medical cannabis, and state law permits its use in nursing homes, hospice facilities and assisted living centers,” but not in hospitals. [WHRO]

Gen Z Reviving Mall Culture — “For some teenagers, the pandemic was the very thing that spurred their interest in the mall. It was a place to go to get out of the house and break the cycle of endlessly scrolling on TikTok or Instagram in favor of having real life experiences. ‘Even if I don’t buy anything, just going out is really fun,’ Pranvi Yarvaneni, 14, told The Journal while out at Tysons Corner Center.” [Wall Street Journal/Daily Mail]

Vienna Names New Deputy Police Chief — After promoting Dan Janickey to chief, the Vienna Police Department has hired David Huchler to serve as its new deputy police chief, a role he previously filled for the Alexandria City Police Department. He also served as chief of police for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority until this past January. “His service with the Town of Vienna will begin on April 6.” [Town of Vienna]

Earth Day Celebration Volunteers Wanted — “Earth Day Fairfax will be an unforgettable day of fun, education and community. The 2026 event will take place on Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston. Earth Day Fairfax is the county’s largest Earth Day celebration, and we are asking for your help. Join us as an Earth Day Fairfax volunteer.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]

It’s Friday — Clouds will thicken throughout the day as temperatures reach a high near 54°F. Expect winds to pick up from the south, ranging from 7 to 22 mph and gusting up to 38 mph. At night, skies will clear, leaving a low temperature around 42°F. [NWS]


Around Town

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 — Mar 12, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌥️ Friday’s forecast

Clouds will increase throughout the day, reaching a high of 54°F. Breezy conditions are expected, as south winds of 8-13 mph will increase to 18-23 mph in the afternoon, with potential gusts up to 39 mph. The night will be mostly clear with a low of 41°F, while southwest winds continue at 13-18 mph and gusts could reach 32 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.


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Countywide

Fairfax County leaders continue to take preparatory steps toward more aggressively tackling impacts of artificial intelligence on the local economy and workforce.

The county government had “dozens of applicants” respond to a request for proposals to help develop an “AI Economy Action Plan,” Rebecca Moudry, director of the Fairfax County Department of Economic Initiatives, told local elected officials and business leaders on Tuesday (March 10).


Announcement

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.


News

More housing could be coming to the partially finished Tysons Central neighborhood outside the Greensboro Metro station, but it will take a slightly different form than what developers pictured over a decade ago.

The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) has partnered with the developer Lincoln Avenue Communities to acquire a long-vacant lot near the Tysons water tower and turn it into affordable housing.


Event

The Golf Outing will be at the Chantilly National Country Club. Gather your friends for a fantastic day on the greens, enjoy friendly competition, and help us create a brighter future for our youth. Together, we can swing for a cause that truly matters to support area children receiving mental health counseling. Registration and Practice: 8:00-9:00am Tee Time: 9:00am Shotgun Start Lunch and Awards ceremony: 1:30pm- 2:30pm


Around Town

CVS has backtracked on plans to shutter its pharmacy at Reston Station.

The drug store chain told FFXnow today (Thursday) that it has decided not to close the store at 1906 Reston Metro Plaza, Suite 100, next month after reevaluating its “upcoming store closure plans.”


Countywide

All but one of the Fairfax County Police Department’s major crime statistics dropped in 2025, according to police data released this week.

Rates of carjackings (down 48%), non-fatal shootings (37%), burglaries (27%), robberies (19%), shoplifting (11%), sex offenses (11%), vehicle theft (10%) and homicides (7%) all saw a year-over-year drop, Police Chief Kevin Davis told the Board of Supervisors’ Safety and Security Committee on Tuesday (March 10).


News

An ex-Reston man will spend more than two years in federal prison after making various threats to the life of President Donald Trump and other government officials on social media.

Valeriy Kouznetsov, 41, was sentenced yesterday (Wednesday) to two years and four months behind bars after admitting to making the threats last summer, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.


Countywide

Fairfax County saw solid home sales and increasing prices in February, but the U.S. war in Iran and its potential to exacerbate existing affordability challenges may cloud the springtime market.

Sales countywide for the month totaled 691, up 6.2% from a year before, according to figures reported Tuesday (March 10) by MarketStats by ShowingTime.


Countywide

Fairfax County Public Schools students will have an unexpected day off this spring, as polling sites take over many school buildings for the upcoming special election on mid-decade redistricting.

FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid announced yesterday (Wednesday) that all schools will close on April 21 in anticipation of high turnout for the referendum, which asks voters to temporarily amend Virginia’s Constitution so the General Assembly can adopt a new Congressional district map.