Abigail Spanberger

Published November 3, 2026 at 10:10PM | Updated November 3, 2026 at 11:14PM

Rep. James Walkinshaw delivers a victory speech at an election night party in Alexandria on Nov. 3, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Ballots are still being tallied, but Virginia Sen. Mark Warner and the three incumbent Democratic Congressmen representing parts of Fairfax County have all claimed victory in today’s general election.

Statewide, Democrats can also celebrate the expected passage of three amendments to Virginia’s constitution that will protect access to abortion and other reproductive health care, eliminate an outdated ban on same-sex marriage and automatically restore voting rights to people convicted of felonies after they finish serving their prison sentence.

News

Aerospace defense company picks Reston for new East Coast HQ

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 29, 2026 at 8:30AM

The contractor Auria is establishing an East Coast headquarters at 2000 Edmund Halley Drive in Reston (courtesy Auria)

A Colorado-based contractor that provides space-based defense and national security services is ramping up its operations in the D.C. region with plans for a new East Coast headquarters in Reston.

Auria has committed to investing $1.8 million to establish the Fairfax County base, which is expected to bring 78 jobs and supplement an existing office in Warrenton, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger and the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) announced on Tuesday (Oct. 27).

Countywide

Fairfax leaders seek collaboration with governor as Va.’s data center rules evolve

By Scott McCaffrey

Published October 28, 2026 at 9:15AM

Gov. Abigail Spanberger announces a new executive order on data centers (courtesy Office of the Governor)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors directed staff yesterday (Tuesday) to stay in close touch with the Spanberger administration as the state government refines rules for dealing with data center development.

The county government needs to be “fully engaged” and ensure its “needs, challenges and experiences are represented” in a statewide discussion, Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith said when introducing the directive to staff.

News

Surovell expresses ‘full support’ for Lucas amid marijuana criminal conspiracy charges

By Angela Woolsey and Associated Press

Published October 22, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated October 22, 2026 at 8:29PM

FILE - Virginia Senate President pro tempore Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, listens to debate on the Senate floor, Feb. 17, 2026, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Ryan M. Kelly, File)

Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34) called for restraint as the state’s political establishment reels from accusations of marijuana trafficking and money laundering against Senate President pro tempore L. Louise Lucas.

One of the state’s most powerful Democrats and Portsmouth’s representative in the state Senate since 1991, Lucas (D-18) was charged today (Thursday) by the U.S. Department of Justice with racketeering, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, conspiracy to launder money, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and maintaining a drug-involved premises.

News

Dominion Energy-NextEra merger headed to in-person hearing in Fairfax County

By Emily Leayman and Associated Press

Published September 25, 2026 at 9:15AM

The entrance to the Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Amid pushback on the proposed Dominion Energy merger with NextEra Energy, an in-person hearing to gather public testimony has been scheduled in Fairfax County.

The State Corporation Commission, which is reviewing the proposed merger, scheduled a public hearing for 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 at the Fairfax County Government Center in the Board Auditorium (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax).

Countywide

NEW: Gov. Spanberger orders ‘framework’ for regulating data centers, establishes AI task force

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published September 18, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated September 18, 2026 at 4:48PM

Gov. Abigail Spanberger announces a new executive order on data centers (courtesy Office of the Governor)

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has issued an executive order creating a new “accountability framework” that aims to increase transparency around proposed data center projects, establishes checkpoints around energy and environmental impacts, and convenes a new “rapid response” AI task force.

Touted as the “most comprehensive and aggressive data center accountability framework in the country,” Executive Order 22 bans nondisclosure agreements by state agencies or employees, eliminates “by-right” approvals in favor of requiring public hearing and approval processes for projects that generate over 25 megawatts of power, and requires centers to contribute a “more equitable share” of electric costs.

News

Reston tech contractor announces expansion, adding 75 jobs

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 18, 2026 at 10:00AM

The office building at 12100 Sunset Hills Road in RTC West (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County’s sluggish job market is expected to get a small boost in the coming months, thanks to a Reston-based contractor.

The technology company Data Machines has committed to investing $849,000 in an expansion of its headquarters in RTC West (12100 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 605), a move that will create 75 new jobs, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger and the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority announced yesterday (Thursday).

Countywide

Dominion and NextEra seek to win Va. support for merger with plan for new jobs, bill credits

By Associated Press

Published September 14, 2026 at 7:15PM

FILE – The Dominion Energy sign outside of the Electric and Fleet Operations center in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Sept. 29, 2024, in Aiken, S.C. (AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr., File)

By SARAH RANKIN Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Power companies NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy, which are seeking approval to merge into one behemoth, announced plans Monday to sweeten the deal in Virginia, Dominion’s home base, where the proposal has faced skepticism from the Democratic governor and legislative leaders.

Countywide

County leaders offer tributes to former Community Services Board executive director

By Scott McCaffrey

Published August 28, 2026 at 3:45PM

Daryl Washington honored by the Board of Supervisors on Aug. 25, 2026 (courtesy Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (Aug. 25) saluted the work of Daryl Washington, who earlier this year stepped down as executive director of the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) to accept a state government position.

Washington spent 30 years at the CSB, rising through the ranks to become executive director in 2018.

Countywide

Gov. Spanberger formally intervenes in proposed Dominion Energy-NextEra merger

By Emily Leayman

Published August 18, 2026 at 2:45PM

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger delivers her State of the Commonwealth address before a joint session of the Virignia General Assembly at the Capitol Monday Jan. 19, 2026, in Richmond, Va. (Steve Helber/Associated Press)

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) has formally filed to intervene in the proposed merger of Dominion Energy with Florida-based NextEra Energy.

The $67 billion merger proposal is under review by Virginia’s State Corporation Commission (SCC). According to her office, Spanberger is the first governor in Virginia history to intervene in an SCC case. Chief Energy Officer Josephus Allmond, the first person appointed to Spanberger’s new cabinet position, also filed to be a party in the case.