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Published April 30, 2025 at 2:30PM

Fairfax County Public Schools (file photo)

Fairfax County Public Schools is one of two Virginia school divisions that reportedly declined to sign a form committing it to complying with federal anti-discrimination laws and a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that barred race from being considered in college admissions.

Superintendent Michelle Reid instead sent a “modified certification and assurance document” to Virginia education leaders last week affirming FCPS’ compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Virginia Mercury reported yesterday morning (Tuesday).

News

Decline in corporate sponsorship causes challenges for Reston Pride organizers

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 17, 2025 at 9:00AM | Updated April 17, 2025 at 4:25PM

Vendor tables at the 2023 Reston Pride Festival (courtesy of Jennifer Heffner Photography)

Despite a decline in corporate support, organizers of the 2025 Reston Pride Festival say they are moving forward with what is planned as the largest in the event’s history.

Set to run May 31-June 1 at Lake Anne Plaza, the event’s all-volunteer organizing committee has begun a last-minute effort to attract sponsors, after a number of those that had participated in the past opted against doing so in 2025.

Countywide

NEW: Visas revoked for multiple international students at GMU

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 16, 2025 at 9:00AM

George Mason University (file photo)

More than a dozen international students at George Mason University have recently had their visas terminated or revoked by the federal government, the university says.

The U.S. departments of state and homeland security apparently changed the statuses of 15 students without any involvement by or prior notice to university officials, GMU President Gregory Washington and Vice President for University Life Rose Pascarell told the community yesterday (Tuesday).

Countywide

Local leaders seek united front as D.C. region responds to economic upheaval under Trump

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 10, 2025 at 2:30PM

D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen, Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk and Charles County Board of County Commissioners President Reuben Collins at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' April 9, 2025 board meeting (via COG/YouTube)

Regional leaders seem to agree that they must cooperate and coordinate in an effort to blunt impacts of Trump administration’s gutting of the federal workforce.

But that may not be so simple in a region where jurisdictions across the D.C. metropolitan area typically have competed, rather than collaborated, to achieve economic development goals.

News

Kings Park West seniors join nationwide anti-Trump protests

By Vernon Miles

Published April 7, 2025 at 3:45PM

Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw (at center) joined residents of the Woodleigh Chase Senior Living Community for a "Hands Off" rally on Braddock Road (photo by Michael Feil)

Rona Hitlin-Mason is afraid for the future she leaves behind for her grandchildren.

Hitlin-Mason and over 50 other residents or friends of residents at Woodleigh Chase — a retirement community off Braddock Road in Kings Park West — took to the streets on Saturday (April 5) to join in a day of nationwide protests against President Donald Trump.

Countywide

Fairfax County leaders plan to reinforce financial reserves in case of economic downturn

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 27, 2025 at 9:45AM

The Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by Jared Serre)

Fairfax County officials plan to put additional millions in fiscal reserves as they brace for the economic fallout from Trump administration policies to take hold.

County staff are recommending that the Board of Supervisors allocate $2.4 million more for reserves, with an additional $8.1 million available that also could be sent there or used to address other priorities.

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‘We’re standing with them’: N. Va. residents advocate for national parks after ranger layoffs

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 25, 2025 at 9:45AM | Updated March 25, 2025 at 10:50AM

Community members express support for national parks and their workers at a Resistance Rangers rally on March 22, 2025 at Great Falls Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The steady stream of visitors who descended on Great Falls Park this past weekend likely noticed little amiss, as they enjoyed a hike, picnic and scenic views of the Potomac River on a balmy spring day.

But the couple dozen protestors who lined a path near the McLean park’s visitor center on Saturday (March 22) fear that may soon change, if the Trump administration’s plans to terminate hundreds of federal workers and open up more public lands for resource extraction move forward.

News

Upcoming protest at Great Falls Park seeks to rally public support for national parks

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 21, 2025 at 3:30PM | Updated March 21, 2025 at 9:03PM

A sign welcoming visitors to Great Falls Park in the fall (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The “resistance” to the Trump administration’s efforts to shrink the federal government is coming to Great Falls Park.

The park at 9200 Old Dominion Drive in McLean is expected to host a rally tomorrow (Saturday) as part of a nationwide Protect the Parks Protest organized by a group of off-duty, former and retired National Park Service rangers and staff known as the Resistance Rangers.

Countywide

Fairfax supervisors ask state to increase unemployment benefits as federal layoffs intensify

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 19, 2025 at 1:15PM

Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaking at the Capital One headquarters in Tysons on Feb. 24, 2025 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Democrats on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted yesterday (Tuesday) to send a letter to state leaders, asking for expanded unemployment coverage for federal workers having lost their jobs due to downsizing.

The maximum weekly Virginia unemployment-compensation rate of $378 is “one of the lowest in the country,” according to Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw.

Countywide

Fairfax County leaders get initial, hazy look at scope of federal government cuts

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 12, 2025 at 2:30PM

Fairfax County Economic Development Authority president and CEO Victor Hoskins (screenshot via Fairfax County)

Recent actions by the Trump administration are heightening the urgency of the Fairfax County and the D.C. area’s longtime goal of reducing their reliance on federal government employment and spending.

With mass worker layoffs, contract cancellations and potential real estate sales promising significant economic upheaval, local and regional leaders may have no choice but to “think and act differently,” according to Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Julie Coons.