morning notes

FCPD Details Thanksgiving DWI Arrests — “Between November 26 and November 30, the FCPD arrested and charged twenty impaired drivers with a variety of DWI offenses. This enforcement push marked the department’s commitment to improve safety and remove impaired drivers from our roadways.” [FCPD]

New Agreement to Protect Chesapeake Bay — Outgoing Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin joined his counterparts from Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and “other regional representatives” on Tuesday (Dec. 2) to enact “a new, 15-year agreement to reduce pollution, build habitats, and protect the Chesapeake Bay.” [Virginia Mercury]

Virginia Lagging in Traffic Safety Laws — “When it comes to laws aimed at keeping drivers and passengers safe, D.C. and Maryland are ahead of Virginia, according to a new report from Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. But all three jurisdictions have room to improve … Among the improvements needed in Virginia include a need for a strong seat belt law.” [WTOP]

Bill Could Allow More Faith-Based Affordable Housing — “By some estimates, the Commonwealth has a shortage of some 300,000 homes and apartments, but some lawmakers are hoping to boost construction by relaxing some regulations for faith-based and nonprofit groups.” Legislation proposed by state Sens. Jennifer Carroll Foy, whose district includes Burke, and Jeremy McPike would allow religious organizations to develop affordable housing by-right. [NBC4]

Dems Committed to Redistricting Push — “Virginia Democrats appear to be sticking to a plan to put a constitutional amendment before voters that would allow a new congressional map in 2026, despite a sweeping victory in November’s general election and a fluid redistricting landscape nationwide.” Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell expects Democrats could flip at least the 1st and 2nd Congressional districts with redrawn maps. [VPM]

Juveniles Arrested for Vape Shop Burglaries — “A heavy police presence shattered the calm of a quiet street in the Broyhill Crest neighborhood in Annandale on Tuesday morning. Armed with a search warrant, police found evidence in a home on Bradley Circle tying a juvenile to burglaries at nine vape shops.” Police have identified a total of five juveniles they believe were involved, including three were arrested on Dec. 2. [Annandale Today]

Massive Debris Removed From Mount Vernon Trail — “The Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail discovered the debris, a large sling fender, sitting in the Potomac River’s low tide line near the Marina Towers building at 501 Slaters Lane during the Nov. 15 Mega Trash Bash cleanup.” Volunteers needed to return a week later to cut up the fender, which weighed an estimated 500 pounds, so they could remove it. [ALXnow]

Mini Art Vending Machine Offers Holiday Prints — Fairfax City’s Mini-Art Machine has reemerged at Cinema Arts Theatre (9650 Main Street), where it will sell winter and holiday-themed watercolor prints by artist Tommy Tang for $1 through Sunday, Dec. 28. “These stunning mini art prints would make perfect gift tags or holiday card enclosures for those special people on your list!” [Fairfax City]

It’s Thursday — Expect a mostly sunny day with highs around 42 degrees and wind gusts up to 24 mph. Evening will be partly cloudy, with lows near 23 degrees. Northwest winds of 5-10 mph will become light and variable after midnight, with gusts potentially reaching 18 mph. [NWS]

Miyares Sides with Feds in FCPS Funding Lawsuit — “Outgoing Attorney General Jason Miyares and other Republican officials jointly filed a brief last Tuesday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, arguing that the U.S. Department of Education was right to label APS and Fairfax County Public Schools as ‘high risk’ and place restrictions on their funding” based on their policies supporting transgender students. [ARLnow]

Stronger Stance on Casino Proposed — “For the first time since news of the controversial Tysons casino project became public in January 2023, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will consider adding language to its draft 2026 Legislative Program to oppose legislation that would pave the way for the project to move forward.” The amendment will be proposed by Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn. [Patch]

Warner Launches Reelection Bid — Virginia Sen. Mark Warner officially announced yesterday (Tuesday) that he’s running for reelection in the 2026 Congressional midterms. In a video announcing his campaign for a fourth term, “Warner shared concerns about artificial intelligence’s potential impact on the job market and general affordability, including grocery prices, housing and energy costs.” [WTOP]

Republican Challenges Beyer — “Luke Nathan Phillips, a freelance tour guide, is running as a Republican against Rep. Don Beyer in Virginia’s 8th congressional district. In launching his campaign on Dec. 1, Phillips said his main priority is protecting the National Park System and other public lands.” He will compete against Vienna resident and former CIA agent Anthony “Tony” Sabio for the GOP nomination in a June primary. [Annandale Today]

Teen Arrested for Stolen Gun — “On November 28, at 6:42 p.m., detectives were alerted to a larceny in the 1900 block of Chain Bridge Road in Tysons. Our officers learned that Loss Prevention officers had observed the suspect concealing items and left the [store] before being apprehended.” The 18-year-old from D.C. has been charged with possessing a gun that was reported stolen from Prince George’s County, larceny and other offenses. [FCPD]

Cause of Kings Park West House Fire Found — “On Monday, December 1, around 5:15 p.m., the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD) responded to reports of a house fire in the 4700 block of Twinbrook Road … Fire investigators with FCFRD’s Office of the Fire Marshal determined the fire originated in the discarded construction material at the rear of the structure. The fire was accidental and caused by improperly discarded smoking material. Damages are estimated at $108,600.” [FCFRD]

CUE Bus Stop Temporarily Moves — “The CUE Bus stop at Fairfax Boulevard and Campbell Avenue (Green 2, stop #8) will be unavailable during construction of the Beacon Landing housing development, which is scheduled to begin the week of Dec. 1. Westbound riders should use the bus stop located at Fairfax Boulevard and Spring Street.” [Fairfax City]

Metrobus Introduces Digital Signage — “Innovation is the name of the game! Check out our new digital bus sign (the first in the nation!) rolling out as part of a new pilot program. For now, you’ll only see this sign on one bus, but it offers a glimpse into the future of external communication & advertising on Metro.” [WMATA/Bluesky]

It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny skies and a high of 42 degrees, with northwest winds at 5 to 10 mph turning light from the west in the afternoon, and gusts possibly reaching 21 mph. Wednesday night will be mostly clear with a low around 28 degrees and calm winds. [NWS]

Watch Out for Wintery Weather — “As snow makes its way across Virginia early this week, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) wants drivers to keep their guards up for slick roads and to check road conditions before doing any driving, especially during the Tuesday morning commute.” [Press release]

Sales Tax to Fund School Projects Proposed — “For years a bipartisan coalition at the Virginia legislature has sought to empower localities to offer a new sales tax to cover the cost of local school construction. Governor Glenn Youngkin repeatedly vetoed the effort, but those involved have promised to bring it back and Governor Elect Abigail Spanberger is on board.” [WVTF]

Man Arrested for Displaying Knife — Fairfax City police arrested a man yesterday (Monday) after he reportedly displayed a knife while in a business in the 3900 block of Pickett Road and threatened employees. The man was taken into custody “without incident,” and no injuries were reported. [Fairfax City Police/X]

House Fire Extinguished in Kings Park West — Fairfax County firefighters responded early in the evening yesterday to “a house fire in the 4700 block of Twinbrook Rd in the Kings Park West area. Units arrived to find smoke and fire showing from the rear of the home. The fire is under control. No civilian or firefighter injuries. Fire investigators are on scene.” [FCFRD/Facebook]

Ghost Kitchen Coming to Reston — “A new takeout restaurant called Roadhouse is headed to Reston and it will specialize in burgers, wings, and greens.” The team behind the concept hopes to begin operating out of the kitchen at Open Road in Reston Town Center on Jan. 5. [The Burn]

Hershey Eyes Tysons Pop-Up — “Something sweet is popping up soon in Tysons Corner Center. Hershey Super Sweet Adventure, an interactive pop-up experience, recently filed permits to open in the mall, Washington Business Journal reports.” Permits suggest that the pop-up, which made its debut in Chicago last year, will be located on the mall’s first floor next to Macy’s. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Volunteers Plant Native Garden in Annandale — “Volunteers spent hours this past weekend creating a native plant garden on Columbia Pike in front of the ACCA Child Development Center. The garden is the first project in the ‘Greening the Greenway’ pilot program, which is aimed at enhancing the Annandale Greenway, a five-mile trail between Annandale Community Park and Green Spring Gardens.” [Annandale Today]

Va. Wildlife at Risk of Reduced Protections — “The Shenandoah salamander, northern long-eared bat and the rusty patch bumble bee are among the many animals on the federal endangered species list that live in Virginia and could be impacted by proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act by the Trump administration.” [Virginia Mercury]

New Legal Notice — Annual 2026-2027 PHA plan available; hearing January 27, 2026. [Public Notices]

It’s Tuesday — Rain mixed with sleet is expected until 2 pm, followed by a chance of rain between 2 pm and 4 pm, with highs near 40°F. Light and variable winds will turn northwest at 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Precipitation is guaranteed, but sleet accumulation will be minimal. Tuesday night will be mostly clear, with lows around 28°F and northwest winds at 10 to 13 mph. [NWS]

Wintry Weather Possible This Week — “Sunny Monday with still-chilly highs in the low to mid-40s. A more substantial rain, perhaps briefly mixing with snow and sleet at the onset, moves in late Monday night into Tuesday.” Impacts are expected to be minimal, particularly east of I-95. The Capital Weather Gang is also tracking a potential storm system that could bring “wintry precipitation” Friday into Saturday, though confidence in that prediction is currently low. [Capital Weather Gang]

Four Injured in Burke House Fire — “Four people, including a firefighter, were injured in a two-alarm house fire early Saturday in the Burke area of Fairfax County. The fire was reported before 3 a.m. in the 5400 block of Guinea Road in Kings Park West, Fairfax County fire and rescue said in a social media post.” The cause of the fire remains under investigation, a department spokesperson told FFXnow. [Inside NoVA]

Reduced Holiday Spending Expected — “Virginians plan to dial back holiday spending this year, trimming budgets by about 5% even as the broader economy shows strong growth, according to a new Institute for Policy and Opinion Research survey at Roanoke College. The poll found that households expect to spend an average of $1,035 this season in Virginia — down from last year — and they’re shifting how they spend, putting more toward gifts while cutting back on personal purchases and experiences.” [Virginia Mercury]

Fairfax Water Proposes Rate Hike — “Fairfax Water is proposing a rate increase, which it says should add about $1.93 per month for most customers. According to Fairfax Water, the increased rates are necessary to cover rising costs for electricity, water treatment supplies, pipes, and project materials.” [Annandale Today]

Bill Targets ICE Face Coverings — “A newly introduced bill for Virginia’s 2026 legislative session would prohibit most law-enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings while performing official duties … The bill, filed November 20 by Del. Michael J. Jones, applies to state and federal law enforcement officers operating in the Commonwealth.” [13NewsNow]

Two Arrested for Alleged Anti-ICE Plot — “Two brothers in Virginia have been arrested after an off-duty police officer overheard the men allegedly discussing plans to kill immigration officers, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday.” [Associated Press]

Runners Tackle Taco Bell Challenge — “The rules of the first-ever Taco Bell DC 50k were pretty simple, organizers Phil Hargis, 54, and Mike Wardian, 51, explained to the hundreds of participants shivering in below-freezing temperatures outside a Taco Bell in Old Town Alexandria on Saturday morning. Each participant must run to nine Taco Bells scattered across Alexandria, Arlington, and the District. At each location, they must purchase and eat an item off the menu.” [Washington Post]

Reminder: New Speed Limit on Herndon Parkway — “Starting Dec. 1, the speed limit on Herndon Parkway between Campbell Dr. and Summerfield Dr. will drop from 35 mph to 25 mph. This change improves safety for pedestrians and motorists and supports future crosswalk access to Chandon Park.” [Town of Herndon/X]

It’s Monday — Expect sunny skies and a high around 43 today, with winds at 5-10 mph becoming lighter in the afternoon, and possible gusts up to 18 mph. Night could bring snow and sleet between 1am and 4am, transitioning to rain and sleet, with a 70% chance of precipitation, clouds increasing, and lows around 30. [NWS]

Area Malls Offer Black Friday Hours — “Northern Virginia’s malls are generally closed on Thanksgiving. That means shoppers will head out on Black Friday to scout discounts at malls and retailers … Here are the mall hours in Northern Virginia.” [Patch]

Firefighter Charged With Larceny — “On Thursday, November 25, 2025, an off-duty Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD) firefighter was charged with petit larceny by the Fairfax County Police Department.” An employee of the department for three years, the firefighter “has been placed on administrative assignment pending the outcome of a Professional Standards Investigation.” [FCFRD]

Dominion Energy Rate Increase Approved — “State regulators on Tuesday approved a base rate increase for Dominion Energy that will raise the average residential customer’s monthly bill by $13.60, or about 9%, over the next two years.” The State Corporation Commission also created a new class for large-scale energy users to address the growing demands of data centers. [Cardinal News]

Early Voting for Braddock Supervisor Expands — “Early voting for the Braddock District Special Election expands this weekend!” Starting tomorrow (Saturday), early voting will be available at Burke Centre Library in addition to the Fairfax County Government Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both locations will then be open during the week until early voting ends after Dec. 6. [Fairfax County Office of Elections/Bluesky]

Lawmakers Renew Push for Free School Lunches — “A bill to provide elementary and secondary school students across Virginia with free breakfasts is heading back to the Virginia General Assembly. The proposed bill by Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5) was killed in the House Appropriation’s Elementary & Secondary Education subcommittee in January due largely to its $29.2 million price tag.” [ALXnow]

Police Collect Toys for Santa’s Ride — “Since 1988, the Fairfax County Police Department’s annual Santa’s Ride has delivered toys and joy to children in hospitals and local charities … Help make the season brighter by donating new, unwrapped toys, books, or games at one of our many drop-off locations by Monday, December 8.” [FCPD]

Paris Baguette Opening in Falls Church — “Paris Baguette has announced plans to begin serving customers at 169 Hillwood Avenue starting at 6 a.m. on Saturday, offering free giveaways to go with its wide menu of baked goods and other breakfast and lunch items.” [ARLnow]

Comment Period for Parks Fee Increases Extended — “Recognizing the importance of community participation, the Park Authority Board is seeking public input to ensure the proposed 2026 Fee Schedule reflects the priorities of Fairfax County residents. To provide additional time for community members to share their perspectives, the public comment period has been extended to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]

It’s Friday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 41 accompanied by a west wind blowing at 14 to 17 mph, gusting up to 34 mph. For Friday night, the weather will be mostly clear with a low of around 27, as the west wind continues at 7 to 10 mph and gusts reaching up to 20 mph. [NWS]

FCPS Serves Thanksgiving Meals — “On Monday, FCPS Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) and Educate Fairfax hosted the first FCPS Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Herndon High School. FNS staff served more than 150 Thanksgiving-inspired meals in one hour, welcoming all students and their families from the community to participate. Close to 100 meals were also served at Justice High School.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]

GMU Professor Reportedly Fired for Drinking — “News4 has learned an adjunct faculty member at George Mason University (GMU) has been fired after multiple sources say they openly drank alcohol with their undergraduate students in class last week. The University confirms it has launched an internal investigation along with a police investigation into the allegations.” [NBC4]

Youngkin Reviews Tax Forecasts — “Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin said a group of corporate executives that advise him on how much tax revenue Virginia’s economy can expect are ‘cautiously optimistic’ about the coming budget cycle.” The report stood in contrast to warnings to the House and Senate appropriations committees that the state might “need to dip into a one-time surplus to cover projected expenses.” [VPM News]

Dems Propose Energy Efficiency Bills — “In recent days, House Democrats released some of their priority bills – two of which zoom in on energy efficiency in homes.” One would establish a task force to review the accessibility of weatherization and efficiency programs offered by power utilities to low-income customers, while the other would require utilities to implement upgrades, potentially reducing heating costs. [Virginia Mercury]

Local Woman Doubts Russia Will Agree to Peace Deal — “Reports of a potential peace deal aimed at ending the nearly four-year war in Ukraine are generating guarded hope among those with loved ones caught in the conflict, including a Fairfax County woman who says she wants to believe progress is finally being made but fears it may not hold.” [WUSA9]

Tysons Korean BBQ Spot Expands — “Now, one of the region’s very best tabletop grill restaurants, Ingle Korean Steakhouse, has expanded from Tysons to 14th Street. Since opening in 2022, Ingle Korean Steak has become a standout on the Korean barbecue scene for its higher-end vibe.” [Washingtonian]

FCPD Increases Patrols for Holidays — “With the holiday season in full swing, Fairfax County Police are stepping up patrols and encouraging residents to take steps to safeguard their homes.” During a patrol on Monday (Nov. 24), “officers from the McLean District worked alongside members of the Tysons Urban Team, passing out fliers and deploying both on bikes and on foot through neighborhoods.” [WUSA9]

Vienna Restaurant Hosts Thanksgiving Dinner — “The Virginian, in conjunction with Vienna Business Association and One Neighborhood Foundation, is hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner for people in our community who are food insecure, homeless, furloughed, or alone for the holidays.” Meals will be available tomorrow (Thursday) from 1-5 p.m., or while supplies last. Donations can be dropped off at the restaurant or sent to One Neighborhood’s Venmo account. [Vienna Business Association]

It’s Wednesday — Patchy fog will gradually give way to sunny skies, with a high near 70. There’s a 30% chance of precipitation. Night will be partly cloudy and breezy, with a low of 38 and winds gusting up to 39 mph. Thanksgiving Day will be partly sunny with a high of 44. [NWS]

Virginia U.S. Attorney Appointee Disqualified — “A federal judge has thrown out the criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, concluding that President Donald Trump’s handpicked prosecutor, Lindsey Halligan, was illegally appointed to the role when she single-handedly secured the indictments.” [Politico]

State Budget Challenges Expected — Virginia General Assembly legislators gathered at Radford University last week to hear forecasts for the 2026 budget. “Democrats, who are now in control of all three branches of Virginia’s government thanks to a record win by Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger, are bracing for stark cuts and a slowed economy.” [WVTF]

Va. GOP Grapples With Post-Election Future — “After Democrats swept all three statewide offices in November 2025 and picked up more than a dozen seats to solidify a 64-seat House of Delegates majority, Buchanan’s concerns have become the center of a widening debate inside a party struggling to process the magnitude of its losses — and to figure out what comes next.” [Virginia Mercury]

Metro Awarded Hybrid Bus Funding — The Federal Transit Administration announced last week that Metro will receive a $50.3 million grant to help it “procure 50 new 40-foot diesel-electric hybrid buses, replacing aging vehicles that have exceeded their useful life. The new buses will be deployed throughout the region and will enhance Metro’s ability to provide safe, efficient, and reliable service for riders.” [WMATA]

Friends Open Pottery Studio — “Reston neighbors and friends Jennie Persson and Paola Lluberas first tried making pottery on a beginner wheel in Lluberas’ back yard. The two wanted a creative outlet, but they found that pottery classes and studios in the area often had long waitlists or strict requirements. Their solution? The two opened their very own studio, Potters Union, in Herndon in October.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Falls Church Considers Affordable Housing Plans — “The city, through its Economic Development Authority, already owns nine small apartment properties in the Virginia Village community near Annandale Road. At a Nov. 19 meeting between elected officials and staff, discussion turned to moving forward on a consolidated plan for housing the neighborhood.” [ARLnow]

Parade to Honor McLean Youth Sports Supporter — “The McLean Revitalization Corporation (MRC) is pleased to announce that longstanding McLean youth sports leader Wayne Loving will be honored as the Grand Marshal of the McLean Winterfest Parade, to be held on Sunday, December 7 in Downtown McLean.” [Press release]

Winter Reading Program Starts Soon — Fairfax County Public Library is inviting community members to participate in its Winter Reading Adventure, which will kick off on Dec. 1 and continue through Jan. 31, 2026. Readers interested in taking on the challenge can pre-register through Beanstack now or pick up paper logs at their local branch once the program starts. [FCPL]

It’s Tuesday — Expect rain to begin after 3pm with a high temperature near 57. The precipitation probability is 80%, with less than a tenth of an inch expected. Rain will continue at night, with a low temperature around 52 and south wind at 6 to 8 mph. [NWS]

Man Hospitalized After Metrobus Fight — “A Metrobus ride turned violent Saturday [Nov. 22] after an argument escalated into a brutal beating, leaving a man hospitalized in critical but stable condition, according to the Metro Transit Police Department … MTPD and Fairfax County Police officers responded to the bus in Falls Church for reports of a fight on board.” [WJLA]

Woman Who Chained Children Sentenced — A Groveton woman has been sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty in July to assault and abduction charges. “Police called to an apartment in Groveton in August 2024 found two brothers, ages 7 and 9, with red marks on their ankles. Investigators seized chains and padlocks that had been used to restrain them while their mother, Wendi Del Cid Rodriguez, was at work.” [NBC4]

Lawmakers Seek Trump Call Transcript — “U.S. Rep. Eugene Vindman on Friday led a press conference urging President Donald Trump to release the transcript of Trump’s 2019 phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman. The issue relates to the crown prince’s involvement in the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Northern Virginia resident and Washington Post journalist.” [Inside NoVA]

Centreville Fun Land Faces Lawsuit — “Annandale residents Ellen and Michael Smith say a faulty go-kart caused severe injuries to their adult daughter, Chloe Elizabeth Smith. They have filed a $1 million personal injury lawsuit against Fun Land in Fairfax, The Independent reported. Chloe is autistic and is under the legal guardianship of her parents.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

FroYo Shop Opens in Annandale — “A frozen yogurt shop called Yomo opened Nov. 15 at 7406 Little River Turnpike in Annandale in the former Casa d’Mama Pizzaria spot. In addition to self-serve frozen yogurt, Yomo offers smoothies and Nutella crepes. Additional crepe varieties will be added later.” [Annandale Today]

Buckle Up for Thanksgiving Travel — “The holiday travel season is nearly upon us and Virginia State Police is asking everyone to buckle up every time you enter a vehicle. During the last two Thanksgiving holidays, more than half of the fatal crashes involved someone not wearing a seatbelt, or seatbelt use could not be determined.” [Press release]

Teacher Nominated for National Award — Laure Grove, an early childhood inclusion teacher at Terra Centre Elementary in Burke, has been nominated for a National Wildlife Federation award for her work leading sustainability initiatives. “What started as a small project to get the gardens ready for use again evolved into a schoolwide approach to get students involved and excited about protecting the environment.” [WTOP]

Holiday Donation Drives Underway — “There are many ways to support your neighbors and community this holiday season. We’ve rounded up a list of giving opportunities right here in Fairfax County,” including the annual Toys for Tots campaign and several food and winter clothing drives. [Fairfax County Government]

It’s Monday — Expect sunshine and a high of 55 degrees with a northwest wind around 6 mph, calming in the afternoon. By Monday night, skies will become mostly cloudy and the temperature will drop to around 41 degrees. The calm wind will shift to the south at about 6 mph after midnight. [NWS]

Harris Teeter Plans Layoffs — “North Carolina-based supermarket chain Harris Teeter will permanently close a fulfillment center in Fairfax County on Feb. 1, 2026, resulting in layoffs of 91 employees. Harris Teeter notified the state of the closure and layoffs on Tuesday,” indicating that delivery operations from the site at 6306 Gravel Avenue in Franconia “may begin to wind down in early to mid-January 2026.” [Virginia Business]

Deep Dive Into Virginia Election Data — While the results of Virginia’s Nov. 4 elections won’t be officially certified until Dec. 1 “enough dust has settled since the polls closed on Election Day that we can look at some of the commonwealth’s interesting voting trends in 2025.” The data confirms that voters heavily favored Democrats, with all 133 jurisdictions in the state moving further left compared to the 2021 gubernatorial race. [VPM Media]

Driver Hospitalized After Bailey’s Crossroads Crash — “An adult male is in the hospital in a life-threatening condition following a crash in the 3400 block of Carlin Springs Road in Bailey’s Crossroads shortly before 4 p.m. on Nov. 19.” Police say the man was driving a BMW “at a high rate of speed toward Leesburg Pike when he struck a bollard and lost control of the vehicle.” [Annandale Today]

Fairfax Man Charged with Child Porn — “A 19-year-old Fairfax City man is facing 29 charges of possession of child pornography, according to authorities.” The man was arrested on Wednesday (Nov. 19) following a search of his home “in connection to an unnamed incident that occurred on Sept. 28, according to court documents.” [Patch]

Driver Crashes into Tysons Store — ” A woman has been cited for reckless driving after crashing into the American Girl doll store at Tysons Corner and injuring a wheelchair user Wednesday afternoon, according to police.” [WUSA9]

New Tool Helps With Food Donations — “Fairfax County has developed a new tool to help residents support food distributions in their communities. The Emergency Food Access Providers Application has added a ‘donate’ geolocation tool to allow users to see which food distribution sites need donations and the types of donations they are accepting.” [Neighborhood and Community Services]

Bagel Deli Legal Fight Brewing — The owners of Call Your Mother, the D.C. deli that now boasts three Fairfax County locations, filed a lawsuit this week “against Bubbi Bagels — also known as Call Your Bubbi — a bagel shop that opened on the Jersey Shore last year.” Andrew Dana and Daniela Moreira argue that the New Jersey shop’s continued use of the name Call Your Bubbi and a similar bagel-focused logo infringes on their trademark. [Washingtonian]

Winter Lantern Festival Returns — “Hundreds of lanterns light the night sky in Tysons for the holiday season,” as the Winter Lantern Festival returns to Lerner Town Square (8025 Galleria Drive) for a fourth year. Featuring light displays, food and entertainment, the festival will open tomorrow (Saturday) and stay through Jan. 20, per its online calendar. Tickets start at $18. [Out and About Fairfax]

It’s Friday — Rain is expected mostly after 1pm, accompanied by mostly cloudy conditions and a high temperature near 56°F. There’s a 50% chance of precipitation. Friday night will see temperatures drop to 49°F with a 90% chance of precipitation. [NWS]

Va. Democrats Unveil Initial Agenda — Minimum wage increases, the creation of a recreational cannabis market, constitutional amendments on abortion rights and marriage equality and other proposals stalled under Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin will be priorities for Virginia Democrats when they take control of the state government in 2026. Cost of living is a major focus of the first pre-filed bills. [Washingtonian]

Tysons Metro Station Manager Threatened — “Metro Transit Police Department said its officers, along with the Fairfax County Police Department, responded to the Tysons Corner Metro station [yesterday] after a woman allegedly threatened a station manager. She was placed under arrest for assault, disorderly conduct, and fare evasion.” [DC News Now]

$300K Income Needed for N. Va. Home — “The National Association of Realtors says the average first-time home buyer is now 40, an all-time high. The path to homeownership could be even tougher if you live in Northern Virginia.” Homebuyers need to earn roughly $300,000 to afford a single-family house in Northern Virginia, with median prices nearing or surpassing $1 million, Bright MLS economist Lisa Sturtevant says. [NBC4]

Metrobus Introduces Contactless Payments — “On Tuesday, WMATA launched Tap. Ride. Go. to make paying for bus fare easier on the Metrobus … Riders can now get a transfer discount between Metrorail and Metrobus by using the same card when transferring.” The system, which lets riders pay by tapping a credit card, debit card, or Google or Apple Pay, has been in place for trains since May. [WUSA9]

New Opening Date for Aldi — After previously displaying a Nov. 20 opening date on its website, Aldi announced yesterday that its new store at the West Springfield Shopping Mall (6230 Rolling Road) will in fact celebrate its grand opening on Dec. 4. The launch will include assorted giveaways and promotions, along with a “sneak peek” the preceding day. [FFXnow]

Merrifield Italian Store Braces for Tariff — “A proposed tariff on Italian pasta that could take effect in January may cause you to lose your appetite. Vally Graham, the general manager of Olio2go, a specialty Italian store in Fairfax County, Virginia, says if the tariff takes effect, it will jack up prices significantly.” [WTOP]

Astronaut Visits Former Elementary School — “Blue Origin astronaut George C. Nield visited his elementary school alma mater, North Springfield Elementary School, [on Nov. 18] to talk with students about his experience traveling to space.” The visit was part of a week-long Space in the Community program that also included a community night held yesterday (Wednesday) at Dogwood Elementary School in Reston, among other activities. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

When to Travel for Thanksgiving — “There’ll be a record-breaking 81.8 million Americans leaving town for Thanksgiving this year, AAA predicts … The DMV’s worst Turkey Day traffic will be the Tuesday before Thanksgiving around 4:30pm on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway heading out of the D.C., per INRIX.” [Axios DC]

It’s Thursday — Expect mostly cloudy skies with a high temperature near 52 degrees accompanied by a light and variable wind. Thursday night will also be mostly cloudy, while the temperature drops to around 43 degrees and a calm wind prevails. [NWS]