morning notes

Heat Record at Dulles Airport — “Monday brought the heat. Dulles set a record at 95, while DC (93) and Baltimore (95) came close. Not done yet — Tuesday could bring more records with highs in the mid–upper 90s. Scorching through Wednesday.” [Capital Weather Gang/Bluesky]

Increased Traffic Enforcement for Memorial Day — “Officers will conduct increased enforcement efforts throughout the holiday weekend as part of ongoing traffic safety initiatives, including the national ‘Click It or Ticket’ campaign, which continues through the end of May.” Police stressed the importance of safe driving behaviors after a crash in Oakton killed two people who reportedly weren’t wearing seat belts. [FCPD]

Possible Replacement for Closing JCPenney — A site plan submitted to Fairfax County on May 1 identifies Dick’s Sporting Goods as the future occupant of the space at Springfield Town Center that JCPenney is vacating after 53 years on May 24. The application seeks to demolish a 10,208-square-foot addition to the department store and replace it with a running track and synthetic turf field, suggesting the new store could be a Dick’s House of Sport like the one coming to Tysons. [Washington Business Journal]

Job Losses Hitting Unevenly — “Job losses directly and indirectly tied to President Donald Trump’s policies have hit Black workers in the D.C. area the hardest, a new study found.” As of March, the region had about 115,000 fewer jobs than before Trump took office for his second term in January 2025, the Economic Policy Institute says. [WTOP]

Electricity Legislation Signed — “Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Thursday signed legislation that directs regulators to assign electricity costs to data centers and allows Dominion Energy to spend $900,000 a mile burying local distribution lines.” [Inside Climate News]

Reston Contractor Accuses Rival of Poaching Workers — CACI filed a federal lawsuit on May 14 alleging “that T2S LLC of Belcamp, Maryland, recruited at least 20 high-skilled CACI employees in defiance of a non-solicitation pact the companies agreed to while CACI (NYSE: CACI) was assisting T2S on its bid for a $600 million U.S. Army cybersecurity-related contract.” The contractor wants a trial as it seeks to recoup lost profits and legal fees, along with $350,000 in punitive damages. [WBJ]

Boxing Gym Adding Retail Shop — “Z’s Boxing Gym in Annandale is opening a shop selling high-end boxing equipment a couple of doors away. Z’s Boxing Gear will open at 4113 John Marr Drive within the next few weeks, says Monica Zimmerman, the wife of Z’s Boxing Gym owner Eric Zimmerman.” [Annandale Today]

Asian Festival Draws a Crowd — “Morning rain failed to dampen the spirits of the thousands of people who turned out Sunday for the Sixth Annual Asian Festival on Main in the City of Fairfax.” More than 120 vendors, about half of them offering food and drinks, participated in the festival, which has been organized for six years now by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association. [Patch]

It’s Tuesday — Expect a sunny day with a high temperature of around 96°F and a southwest wind blowing at 6 to 10 mph. Tuesday night will be partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to about 75°F. A south wind will persist at around 10 mph, with gusts reaching up to 20 mph. [NWS]

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SCOTUS Rejects Redistricting Appeal — “The Supreme Court on Friday rejected Virginia’s bid to restore a congressional map that would have given Democrats a chance to pick up four seats in the closely divided House of Representatives.” The court order was “issued without any noted dissent.” [Associated Press]

Boy Hospitalized by Shooting Range Mishap — “A 14-year-old boy was hospitalized after a shotgun exploded in his hands while at a Centreville shooting range on Sunday, according to the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) … The teen was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries to his hand.” [DC News Now]

Va. Could Allow Single-Stairway Buildings — Last week, “the state’s Board of Housing and Community Development advanced a proposal to allow single stairways in four-story buildings, setting it up for potential adoption in the next state code requirements.” Some lawmakers and advocates say the revision to building standards “could unlock housing development on vacant or underutilized lots.” [Virginia Mercury]

Grandmother Graduates From GMU — “At 72 years old, Irma Garcia of Woodbridge is graduating from George Mason University with a bachelor’s degree — decades after first putting her education on hold to raise her family.” She joined thousands of other students who celebrated at commencement ceremonies this past weekend.” [FOX5]

Beauty School Coming to Annandale — “A cosmetology school is expected to open in June on the corner of Columbia Pike and Annandale Road in central Annandale … The owner, Katy Hennessey, plans to offer classes leading to certifications in cosmetology, acrylic nails, and eyelash and eyebrow procedures.” [Annandale Today]

McLean Satellite Company Makes Acquisition — “Iridium Communications, a global satellite communications company, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the remainder of Aireon, a joint project it started in 2011, for $366.7 million. Currently, Iridium owns 39% of McLean-based Aireon, operator of the world’s only space-based” real-time global air traffic information system. [Virginia Business]

Meeting on Route 29 Improvements — “The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) will host an in-person community meeting on the Route 29 Active Transportation Study at 7 p.m.” tomorrow (Tuesday) at Timber Lane Elementary School. FCDOT will present proposed improvements to the street, including sidewalks, bike paths, transit stops and crossings.” [FCDOT]

RCC Lauded for Water Safety Education — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors issued a proclamation earlier this month declaring May as Water Safety Month … The proclamation cited the Reston Community Center’s efforts in providing swimming instruction and safety training for residents of various ages.” [Patch]

New Legal Notice — Business seeks retail on/off-premises wine-beer license; objections within 30 days. [Public Notices]

It’s Monday — It will be sunny with a high of around 95 degrees, and winds will shift to the south at 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon. Monday night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to about 72 degrees and a south wind of around 8 mph. [NWS]

Murder Charge for Huntington Stabbing — Fairfax County police arrested a 16-year-old boy on Wednesday (May 13) and charged him with first-degree murder for a fatal stabbing that occurred at the Farrington Place condominiums last Saturday (May 9). “The suspect and victim are known to each other and there is no threat to the community.” [FCPD]

Geese Cause I-66 Backup — “A family of geese — walking, instead of flying — backed up traffic on westbound I-66 in Arlington for more than an hour [yesterday] afternoon. A Metro Transit Police K-9 officer was the first to respond, protecting the birds alone for about 45 minutes” before state and county police arrived to assist, D.C.-area public safety watcher Dave Statter reported. [ARLnow]

NAACP Backs Redistricting Appeal — The civil rights organization “asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse Virginia’s high court ruling striking down the state’s redistricting referendum, arguing the decision nullified the votes of millions of Virginians who approved the measure last month.” [Virginia Mercury]

Spanberger Focused on Midterm Elections — “Days after Virginia Democrats filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court as part of their ongoing redistricting battle, Gov. Abigail Spanberger said she’s focused on the fall midterm elections and ensuring voters are motivated to turn out.” This year’s elections “will proceed under the current map,” regardless of the appeal’s outcome, she said. [WTOP]

FCPS Expanding Montessori Program — “Fairfax County Public Schools is embracing the Montessori learning model in some schools. After launching a Montessori program this academic year, the district will expand its offerings to new schools in the 2026–2027 school year.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Smithsonian Castle to Reopen — “The Smithsonian Castle is temporarily reopening on the National Mall next week after a years-long closure, complete with historic treasures and New England eats … The Smithsonian is going big for America’s 250th anniversary, reopening some of its most beloved landmarks on the south side of the Mall amid major renovations.” [Axios DC]

Tenant Coming to Vacant Commercial Building — “Something new and different is coming to a long-vacant building in Seven Corners. The building, at 6320 Castle Place, will be the second location of Redwood K-Wellness, a spa focusing on scalp treatments aimed at producing thick, full, and healthy hair.” [Annandale Today]

Park Authority Wins Federal Energy Award — “The Fairfax County Park Authority has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy as a winner of the Better Project Award, which honors partners for outstanding accomplishments in implementing energy, water, and/or waste reduction projects at individual facilities.” [FCPA]

It’s Friday — The weather will be sunny with a high of around 71°F and northwest winds blowing at 10 to 13 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph. Friday night will be mostly clear with a low near 53°F and calm winds. [NWS]

Woman Injured in Stolen Vehicle Crash — Fairfax County police officers responded last night (Wednesday) to “a crash involving multiple vehicles at Richmond Hwy and Lorton Rd in Lorton. An adult female was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Preliminarily, a delivery vehicle was stolen near Backlick Rd and Richmond Hwy in Fort Belvoir. The suspect then crashed into multiple vehicles and is now in custody.” [FCPD/X]

Health Care Bills Signed in Merrifield — “Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) on Wednesday signed a package of health care bills at Inova Schar Cancer Institute aimed at capping insulin costs, expanding insurance benefits and limiting how insurers use prior authorization and artificial intelligence.” [Patch]

High Security Planned for D.C.’s Fourth of July — “The July 4 celebration on the National Mall has been given the highest-level security designation, an unusual step for Independence Day that will unlock the full weight of local and federal law enforcement resources.” The designation “is typically given to events deemed potential targets for terrorism or other criminal activity” by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. [Washington Post]

Va. Could Mandate Changing Stations in Bathrooms — Virginia doesn’t require public restrooms to include diaper-changing stations, but that could change under a proposal from state Sen. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, who represents Alexandria and a sliver of Fairfax County. The state’s Board of Housing and Community Development advanced the proposal at a meeting on Monday (May 11) and will take a final vote “after the public has the chance to weigh in.” [Virginia Mercury]

Seafood Eatery Opens in Annandale — “Mad Seafood is bringing a taste of Louisiana to Annandale. The new restaurant, at the corner of Annandale Road, Poplar Street, and Markham Street, specializes in Cajun-style, farm-raised fish and shrimp.” [Annandale Today]

Congressional Candidate Likely Dropping Out — “A congressional candidate from Falls Church says he will leave the race if the Virginia Supreme Court’s decision on redistricting stands … Like most other contenders in the proposed new 7th District, Schiarizzi said he was awaiting a final outcome before formalizing any plans.” [ARLnow]

New Mural Honors Late Musician — “A new mural going up in Annandale celebrates singer-songwriter Cat Janice, who died of cancer in 2024 shortly after one of her songs, ‘Dance Outta My Head,’ went viral … The mural, located on the side of Annandale Watch & Clock at 4221 Annandale Road, should be completed by the end of next week, says Cat’s mother, Annandale resident Stacey Ipsan.” [Annandale Today]

McLean Restaurant Revived Under New Owner — “At Café Tatti in McLean, chef Giovanni Carlo has created his own version of the winter dish. And he’s not sure if he can ever remove it from the menu. ‘It’s one of the items that drives in new guests,’ says the restaurateur, who took over the 45-year-old restaurant with his wife, Sema, last year.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Thursday — Expect mostly sunny skies today with a high near 65°F and northwest winds at 11 to 14 mph, gusting up to 23 mph. Tonight will be partly cloudy with a low around 51°F, featuring northwest winds around 11 mph and gusts up to 18 mph. [NWS]

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Survey Work Starts on ‘Triumphal Arch’ — “Workers began preliminary surveys and testing Monday of the proposed site of a Triumphal Arch sought by President Donald Trump, the latest step in plans for the contentious project in the nation’s capital. Workers were seen inspecting the site of the proposed arch between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery with tools and equipment.” [Associated Press/ARLnow]

Regional Pizzeria Chain Using AI — “Behind the counter at Andy’s Pizza, AI now helps direct everything from when mozzarella gets ordered to the moment a pie needs to hit the oven. As big restaurant chains pour money into AI to cut labor costs, fast-growing D.C. pizza chain Andy’s is betting custom-built AI tools can help it scale without sacrificing hospitality.” [Axios DC]

Meeting on Pedestrian Safety at Herndon HS — “We’re working to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety on Bennett Street in front of Herndon High School!” Herndon and Virginia Department of Transportation staff will present preliminary concepts for improvements at a community meeting tonight (Wednesday) at 7 p.m. in the Herndon High School cafeteria (700 Bennett Street). [Town of Herndon/Instagram]

Retired Fairfax Deputy Loses Home in Fire — “Imagine losing nearly everything at age 72. That’s what happened to a retired Fairfax County deputy in March when his home burned to the ground. Dan DePalma’s neighbors say he spent his career helping others, so now they are trying to help him rebuild.” [NBC4]

Fairfax City School Briefly Evacuated — “Students at Daniels Run Elementary School in Fairfax City were evacuated for a short period of time on Tuesday as firefighters investigated the report of a building fire, authorities say.” Principal Susan Mullen later informed families that a light had “burst in a classroom, which generated some smoke.” No injuries were reported. [Patch]

Yemeni Cafe Opening Soon in Seven Corners — “Qahwah, a Yemeni coffee shop, is expected to open in Seven Corners within the next couple of weeks, as soon as it clears the inspection process. The shop is located in a long vacant building at 6315A Leesburg Pike that once housed the Seven Corners Pub.” [Annandale Today]

Prepare for Graduation Traffic — “Drivers may see heavier than normal traffic around George Mason University’s Fairfax campus from May 14 through June 17, according to a traffic advisory about graduation events at EagleBank Arena.” The stadium will host commencements for GMU and Northern Virginia Community College on May 14 and May 18, respectively, followed by a slate of high school graduation ceremonies. [Patch]

Lighthouse from 1800s For Sale — “The Middle Ground Lighthouse is a privately owned, fully restored lighthouse that is only accessible by boat. The property is now on offer for private sale.” Built in 1891, the lighthouse has been renovated into a private home, but its light still functions, flashing over the Chesapeake Bay near Newport News. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

New Legal Notice — Applicant seeks ABC license for on/off-premises beer, wine, mixed beverages. [Public Notices]

It’s Wednesday — Expect increasing clouds with a high near 75°F, a 30% chance of showers, and possible thunderstorms after 5 pm. Night will have showers and thunderstorms until 2 AM and a low of around 53°F. Precipitation chance rises to 90% with potential rainfall between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. [NWS]

There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.

Democrats Appeal Decision on Redistricting Amendment — “Democrats on Monday filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to halt a Virginia ruling invalidating a ballot measure that would have given their party an additional four winnable U.S. House seats.” [Associated Press/ARLnow]

SCOTUS Ruling Adds to Representation Concerns — “The recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling weakening a key enforcement tool of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is fueling new concerns in Virginia over the future of Black political representation, particularly if Republicans regain full control of state government after the next census.” [Virginia Mercury]

Two Residents Charged With Sex Trafficking — “Two women are being held without bond in Alexandria after being arrested for alleged sex trafficking at a massage parlor in the Huntington area of Fairfax County, according to the Alexandria Police Department.” The arrests occurred after police executed a search warrant at a massage business on Ashlar Way. [ALXnow]

State Paid Family Leave Law Signed — “Virginia’s governor signed the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Law last month, making the commonwealth one of more than a dozen states offering similar benefits and the first in the South to do so. Gov. Abigail Spanberger made it official, saying the law is designed to help smaller businesses retain employees who encounter difficult times.” [WTOP]

FCPD Rolls Out Defibrillators to Patrol Officers — “The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) has launched a new Automated External Defibrillator (AED) program that will equip patrol officers with additional life-saving tools to respond to cardiac emergencies in the community … As part of the program, each district police station will receive five Avive Connect AEDs to distribute across patrol shifts.” [FCPD]

Road Closure for Fairfax Blvd Improvements — “Please be advised of a planned temporary road closure on Warwick Avenue between Fairfax Boulevard and Farr Avenue. Warwick will be closed to thru traffic May 12-22, and drivers will be rerouted via Farr Avenue to Fairfax Boulevard.” [City of Fairfax]

Hook Road Ballfields Reopen After Renovation — “Reston Association leaders, community officials, and local families gathered Saturday morning for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Hook Road Recreation Area ballfields, celebrating the end of a ‘labor of love’ to modernize the facility.” The project had been under construction for months and in planning for almost a decade. [Patch]

Progress on Purple Line in Maryland — “The Purple Line is coming together in Maryland — the final track was laid on Thursday. We’ve been waiting for the 16-mile light rail line between New Carrollton and Bethesda for close to 10 years.” Now about 90% complete, the new rail line is expected to open to the public in winter 2027. [Axios DC]

It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny skies today with a high near 71°F, accompanied by a light north wind that will become variable. Tonight will see increasing cloud cover, with temperatures dropping to around 55°F. Winds will shift to the south at 6 to 11 mph, and gusts could reach up to 21 mph. [NWS]

Want more local news? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow, with the latest from across the region.

Man Fatally Shot by Police on Columbia Pike — “A police standoff inside a Columbia Pike 7-Eleven ended with gunfire” last Friday (May 8). A man who had barricaded himself in the convenience store and was reportedly armed with a knife “was shot and killed after officers tried to take him into custody,” Arlington County police said. [ARLnow]

Road Closures in Fairfax, West Springfield — “Willowmeade Drive (Route 5407) between Route 29 and Knight Arch Road (Route 7699) will be closed from 7 a.m. Monday, May 11, until 7 a.m. Thursday, May 14, for Route 29 intersection work as part of the Route 29 widening project.” In addition, a portion of Taft Drive is going to be closed for about a month, starting at 9 a.m. today, for the Rolling Road widening project. [VDOT]

Vehicle Sales Approved for Office Site — “The Board of Supervisors on May 5 authorized a new use for a property in a hidden corner of Mason District with two vacant office buildings. The board passed a motion to rezone the property [at 6850 Versar Center in Springfield] from I-5 to the C-8 [district] to allow the sale of passenger vehicles.” [Annandale Today]

Some Skepticism of DOJ Investigation — “The Department of Justice says it formally launched a new investigation [last] week into Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano … But former federal prosecutor Gene Rossi is skeptical. He says the point may be the announcement rather than the investigation.” [WVTF]

Man Faces Federal Gun Charges — “A Woodbridge man faces federal firearms charges after a Feb. 18 domestic dispute in Herndon … Federal authorities took over prosecution after state-level charges of carrying a concealed weapon and obstruction of justice were dropped in Fairfax County General District Court on May 5.” [Patch]

Fairfax Native Leads Softball Team to First Title — “At the center of the breakthrough season is head coach Maggie Mrowka, a Fairfax County native who became the youngest head coach in Division I college softball when she took over the program last year. Now, in her first season leading the Cougars, Mrowka has guided Charleston to one of the biggest accomplishments in program history.” [WJLA]

Falls Church Plans Cemetery Tours — “A series of monthly walking tours will explore Oakwood Cemetery and the lives of some of those interred there,” starting at 4 p.m. on May 24. “The tours are part of Falls Church’s commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026 and are a welcome addition, said Jim Coyle, who chairs the Falls Church250 Committee.” [ARLnow]

VR Tool Offers Caregivers Insight Into Aging — “Taking care of a loved one at the end of their life can often be a stressful and confusing task, so Fairfax County wants to help. The Virginia county is offering a new virtual training series, developed by Embodied Labs, called Exploring the Dimensions of Aging through Virtual Reality.” [WTOP]

It’s Monday — Expect a 40% chance of rain before 2 PM. The weather will start cloudy but should gradually become mostly sunny, with a high near 67°F and a north wind at 7 to 9 mph. Night will be mostly clear with a low around 45°F. [NWS]

Man Charged in Reston Assaults Arrested Again — “A man who last month entered pleas in connection with a series of assaults in Reston is facing new charges after an abduction attempt in Pentagon City last night. The latest incident happened just before 8 p.m. Wednesday on the 1400 block of S. Hayes Street.” [ARLnow]

Fire Limited in West Falls Church Business — A fire that broke out in Mavana Nails & Waxing, a nail salon in Graham Park Plaza, around 10:35 p.m. on April 28 was limited by the activation of ceiling sprinklers, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department says. “Fire Investigators determined the fire was caused by the discharge of a lithium-ion battery.” [FCFRD]

Double Murder Case Draws True Crime Interest — “The Northern Virginia au pair who had an affair with her boss and helped scheme to kill his wife and a stranger may have a good chance of selling her story. But the law limits whether she can cash in.” During Brendan Banfield’s double murder trial in January, Juliana Peres Magalhães “told jurors she was fielding calls from producers from behind bars.” [NBC4]

Opposition to Proposed Annandale Development — “Residents of Willow Run and nearby neighborhoods filled a conference room at the Mason Government Center on May 6 to confront the developer of a proposed 120-unit multifamily building at 6675 Little River Turnpike.” They argued that the building would be “inappropriate for the property.” Developer George Hong wasn’t present at the meeting. [Annandale Today]

McLean Man Sentenced for Ponzi Scheme — Warith Deen Muhammad, 39, was sentenced Wednesday (May 6) “to four years and two months in federal prison for running a $1.5 million Ponzi scheme” involving a precious metals investment business he owned and operated in Alexandria. “In addition to paying earlier investors, Muhammad used investor funds to finance what prosecutors described as a lavish lifestyle.” [Alexandria Brief]

Virginian Part of Deadly Viral Outbreak — “The Virginia Department of Health says one Virginia traveler who was aboard a cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak has returned home and is under public health monitoring … The traveler ‘is currently in good health, not showing any signs of infection,’ the department said.” [FOX5]

Hybla Valley Park Renovation Complete — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate recent improvements at Hybla Valley Park, located at 3431 Lockheed Blvd. in Alexandria, on Friday, May 8, at 4:30 p.m. … Recent improvements transformed underused areas into vibrant community spaces.” [FCPA]

County Appoints New HR Director — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has appointed Christina Peterson as director of the Department of Human Resources. Her appointment is effective Monday, May 18.” The board has also appointed Nicole Rawlings as the next director of the county’s Office of Human Rights and Equity Programs. [Fairfax County Government]

It’s Friday — Expect increasing clouds with temperatures reaching a high of around 70°F. Light winds from the northwest will shift to the southwest at 5 to 10 mph in the morning, with possible gusts up to 20 mph. Overnight, the weather will be mostly cloudy with a low around 54°F. [NWS]

Help Wanted With Fire Investigation — Investigators are seeking tips from the public about anyone who might’ve been in the area of a vacant, one-story building in the 11100 block of Popes Head Road near Fairfax Station on or before the weekend of May 3, when it caught fire. “There was evidence that the location had been used previously by trespassers starting campfires or performing general vandalism.” [FCFRD]

FBI Raid on Va. Senate Leader’s Office — The FBI searched the Virginia Senate President L. Louise Lucas’s “hometown office and her neighboring cannabis shop Wednesday, bringing into public view what two people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press was a corruption investigation. One of the people said the investigation … was opened during Democratic former President Joe Biden’s administration.” [Associated Press]

Kayaker Who Died in Potomac River Identified — “The kayaker who died after falling out of his boat in the Potomac River [near Great Falls] on Sunday has been identified as 22-year-old William Lankford from Lynchburg … Maryland Natural Resources Police are leading the investigation; an autopsy will be conducted to determine cause of death.” [WTOP]

Town Hall on Ranked Choice Voting — “As ranked choice voting becomes increasingly more popular, Fairfax County Supervisor Walter Alcorn will hold a town hall meeting on May 11 to discuss this voting method and what it could mean for Fairfax County.” The town hall at the North County Governmental Center in Reston will feature Arlington’s elections director and the executive director of the democracy reform organization UpVote Virginia. [Hunter Mill District Office]

Reston Cybersecurity Business Closing — NeoSystems, a cybersecurity firm that supports defense contractors, “is shutting down, raising concerns about impacts on companies that depend on it to maintain Pentagon compliance.” Jeff Huckle, president of the 26-year-old company, told employees in a letter last Friday (May 1) that a “deteriorating financial condition” left “no viable options” for continuing operations. [Washington Business Journal]

Reston Space Company Plans New Facility — “Scout Space, a Reston developer of in-space observation systems, said Wednesday it has raised $18 million in Series A funding to support expansion of its manufacturing, including the buildout of new Northern Virginia facility … The company said its new manufacturing facility will span 2,600 square feet” but didn’t share the location. [WBJ]

County Rec Centers Host Open House — “Bring friends and family to tour and try out any of the Park Authority’s Rec Centers all day [today] for free with sign up. Stop by between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. for special programming, such as fitness demonstrations, sample classes, a membership table with arts and crafts, and other fun activities depending on the location.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]

Dog Celebration Returns to Chantilly — “Dog lovers, mark your calendars: Park and Bark returns Saturday, May 9, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly. The free, dog- and family-friendly festival takes place on the lawn outside the Walney Visitor Center at 5040 Walney Rd.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Thursday — There is a 30% chance of showers in the afternoon, with cloudy skies transitioning to mostly sunny and a high near 65°F. Thursday night will see mostly cloudy conditions clearing to a low around 48°F. [NWS]

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Elevated Gas Prices Continue — “Virginia drivers are feeling more pressure at the gas pump. And fuel prices continue to rise. The average fuel cost in Virginia has risen to above $4 per gallon, according to AAA data. Prices are the highest they’ve been since late July 2022,” driven by the ongoing war in Iran. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Potomac Water Quality Improving After Spill — “Heading into the summer, environmental advocates are stressing the importance of continued water quality monitoring along the Potomac River, even as months of testing has shown E. coli levels are back to normal following January’s massive sewage spill.” [WTOP]

Va. Opposes USPS Gun Mailing Plan — “Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones on Tuesday joined 21 other states in opposing a proposed United States Postal Service rule that would allow certain firearms to be sent through the mail, warning the change could undermine state gun laws and make it easier for prohibited individuals to obtain weapons.” [Virginia Mercury]

Millions Dropped From SNAP Benefits — “At least 2.5 million low-income people quickly lost help affording groceries under a Republican-passed law that added new requirements for the nation’s largest nutrition program and shifted hundreds of millions of dollars in costs from the federal government to states, according to a study by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.” [Maryland Matters]

Transmission Upgrades Slowing Energy Projects — “Costs and delays related to upgrading transmission infrastructure are blocking new power sources from getting onto the grid in Virginia, according to a new analysis … It found that 103 power plants in Virginia have withdrawn or been significantly delayed by network upgrade bottlenecks since 2018, mostly clean energy projects.” [VPM News]

Italian Restaurant Expanding to Herndon — “Exciting news for the team at a popular Italian restaurant in Loudoun County – they are expanding and opening a new location in Herndon … The owners of Urbano Modern Italian announced they will be bringing a new restaurant to the Woodland Park Crossing shopping center.” [The Burn]

Teacher Wins Lottery Jackpot — “A Fairfax County teacher won a $986,399 jackpot in the Virginia Lottery’s The Lamp: Dark Arts online game after deciding to play on his wife’s birthday, according to a Virginia Lottery press release. The winner, who was not identified, later told his wife during a walk that he had a gift for her,” calling the winnings “truly life changing.” [Patch]

Scholarships Awarded to Local Students — “Some of the students honored at the Hispanic Leadership Alliance awards ceremony on May 4 are the first in their families to go to college, others came to the U.S. alone, and some just learned English a couple of years ago.” The organization “presented $1,000 scholarships to 29 Fairfax County seniors at a banquet at the FCPS Willow Oaks Administrative Center.” [Annandale Today]

New Legal Notice — Restaurant seeks ABC license for wine and beer, on/off-premises. [Public Notices]

It’s Wednesday — There’s an 80% chance of rain with showers and possible thunderstorms likely after 5 pm, with a high near 77°F, and south winds at 15 mph, gusting up to 30 mph. At night, showers and possibly thunderstorms will continue. The low will be around 55°F. [NWS]

There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.