An empty bench on The Perch at Capital One Center in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Gov. Calls for Federal AI Guardrails — “Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Tuesday called on Congress to set national rules for artificial intelligence, warning that its rapid development could threaten jobs, privacy and public resources if oversight remains largely in the hands of the companies building it.” [Virginia Mercury]

Fairfax City Townhomes Approved — “The Fairfax City Council voted 4-2 Tuesday night to approve the Highlands at Mantua townhome proposal after neighboring residents urged changes to address building height, tree preservation, buffers and traffic safety. RJL Associates Inc. plans to replace five office buildings … with 14 townhomes on 2.12 acres at 9495 Silver King Court.” [Patch]

District 10 Congressional Candidates Face Off — “With early voting underway in Virginia, incumbent Democratic Rep. Suhas Subramanyam faced off Tuesday morning against Republican challenger Dave Beckwith in a Loudoun Chamber of Commerce-hosted 10th Congressional District debate.” Topics of discussion ranged from data centers and the electrical grid to federal workforce protections and immigration. [Inside NoVA]

Dessert Shop Open in Falls Church — “Lil’ Cakes & Creamery opened at 120 Founders Avenue, on Founders Row, earlier this month. So far, a store employee told ARLnow, the business’s deluxe cupcakes have been particularly popular — with flavors like pumpkin salted caramel cheesecake, caramel apple pie crisp and maple pecan praline.” [ARLnow]

GMU Launches Va. Quantum Hub — “George Mason University on Tuesday announced plans to establish the Virginia Quantum Hub … The hub aims to generate intellectual property across research and technology, attract capital investments, train the current and future workforce and address global needs in health, logistics, national security and energy, according to a George Mason news release.” [Inside NoVA]

Dulles Adding New Flight to Mexico — “Low-cost carrier Volaris plans to launch regular service between IAD and Guadalajara International Airport … starting in October.” Flights will depart Guadalajara for Dulles at 6:40 a.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays starting Oct. 1, while leaving in the other direction at 1047 p.m. on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays, starting Oct. 2. [Washington Business Journal]

RA Holds Community Yard Sale — “Treasure hunters, bargain seekers and community members alike are invited to the Reston Association Community Yard Sale on Saturday, September 26, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Reston Association Headquarters … This fall’s event is shaping up to be the largest in the sale’s history, with 110 vendor families registered to participate.” [Reston Association]

New Legal Notice — Restaurant applying for beer-wine on/off license; objections due 30 days. [Public Notices]

It’s Thursday — Expect partly sunny skies with a high near 65°F, and a northeast wind blowing at 11 to 13 mph, with gusts reaching up to 22 mph. During the night, it’ll be partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 52°F and a north wind at 6 to 9 mph. [NWS]

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A school bus passes cars on Hunter Mill Road in the Wolf Trap area (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Neighboring County Halts By-Right Data Centers — “The Prince William Board of County Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a landmark zoning text amendment effectively ending by-right data center development countywide. The 8-0 vote greenlit the amendment’s approval under the 90-day grace period initially proposed by Brentsville District Supervisor Tom Gordy.” [Inside NoVA]

Light Issues Disrupt Flights at DCA — “A major runway was again open at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport after several flights were delayed or canceled Tuesday night when a lighting equipment failure forced the Federal Aviation Administration to issue a ground stop, according to DCA officials.” [Washington Sun]

Lawmakers Question Sales Tax Increase — “A new state law allowing localities to raise revenue for school construction has opened opportunities but also raised questions, with some local leaders and lawmakers asking if it could create funding shortfalls for localities that approve the measure.” House Education Committee Vice Chair Del. Shelly Simonds questioned if a 20-year sunset provision might not allow enough time for securing bond financing. [Virginia Mercury]

Food Banks Report Growing Lines — “According to a new study from the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, food insecurity is at record highs across the Commonwealth. And as public benefits dry up under President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, food lines are returning to food banks.” [WVTF]

Study of AI in Higher Ed Coming — The General Assembly directed its research agency, JLARC, earlier this year to study the use of AI in higher education and developing a model policy. “George Mason University has also been thinking a lot about AI, and has developed guidelines for faculty, students and researchers similar to UVA’s.” [VPM News]

Regional Economic Development Alliance Forms — Yesterday (Tuesday), “four leading organizations announced the formation of the Potomac Regional Alliance, a new framework to strengthen the long-term competitiveness, resilience, and growth of Greater Washington and respond to the unprecedented disruption resulting from cuts to federal jobs and spending.” [COG]

Design Approved for Route 7 Sidewalk — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 15 endorsed VDOT’s design for a sidewalk along the north side of Leesburg Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads between Magnolia Avenue and Halal Hunan Village in Glen Forest Shopping Center. The project will improve pedestrian safety along a roadway that has been called one of the most hazardous in the county.” [Annandale Today]

Metro Rolls Out 50th Anniversary Fare Cards — “Metro continues to celebrate our 50th year of service with the release of five commemorative Smart Trip card designs that honor the five decades of Metro … Starting Thursday, Sept. 24, a new card design will be released every two weeks. About 20,000 of each card design will be available at select stations.” [WMATA]

New Yemeni Coffeehouse in Falls Church — “A locally owned Yemeni cafe has opened its doors in Falls Church, serving spiced coffee, pastries and brunch fare from avocado toast to za’atar labneh. Rashfa Cafe soft opened last week at 310 S. Washington Street and is planning a grand opening next month,” according to owner and founder Abdulrahman Al Harethi. [ARLnow]

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

It’s Wednesday — Expect cloudy skies and a high near 65°F throughout the day, with a 60% chance of rain. Wednesday night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 53°F and northeast winds at 10 mph, gusting up to 22 mph. [NWS]

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


ArtsFairfax booth at Capital One Center’s 2026 Celebration of the Arts festival (photo by Chetan B.)

AI Tool Roll Outs at Area Airports — The federal government is testing a new Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes and Trajectories platform to predict air travel congestion and suggest alternative routes at the D.C. region’s three major airports, including Reagan National and Dulles. The tool faced skepticism from some passengers and a call for its suspension from Rep. Don Beyer. [WTOP]

Big Initial Early Voting Turnout — “More than 11,000 ballots have been cast already for the November election,” including over 6,000 ballots returned by mail, over 4,500 in-person early votes and over 900 ballots returned via drop box, as of yesterday (Monday) morning. “It’s the first full week of in-person early voting at three locations.” [Fairfax Office of Elections/Bluesky]

Call to Restart Dominion Merger Review Clock — “Attorney General Jay Jones told state regulators Friday that they should reset the 180-day review time period for the $67 billion Dominion Energy-NextEra Energy merger proposal, after the companies unveiled expanded conditions of the deal last week.” [Virginia Mercury]

Federal Grants for Hispanic-Serving Colleges Cut — “Virginia and Maryland colleges designated Hispanic-serving institutions, or HSIs, are seeking new funding sources after the Trump administration canceled the grant program, claiming it discriminated ‘by conferring government benefits exclusively to institutions that meet racial or ethnic quotas.'” Affected institutions include Northern Virginia Community College, whose student population is approximately one-quarter Hispanic. [WTOP]

Supervisor Fined for Speeding — “The reckless driving charge against Mason Supervisor Andres Jimenez has been reduced to ‘improper driving’ … On Sept. 21, Jimenez pled no contest to the reduced charge of improper driving in Fairfax County Traffic Court. He was fined $500 plus $67 in court costs.” An odometer reading found a speed of 94 mph, lower than the 104 mph initially recorded by a Virginia state trooper on May 5. [Annandale Today]

Reston Hospital Gets Funding Boost — “A $25,000 grant announced Monday by Reston Hospital Center will help expand maternal health resources and blood pressure monitoring programs … The funding will help provide kits for new parents containing information” about pregnancy and postpartum health, and allow an automated blood pressure monitoring station to be installed in the community. [Patch]

McLean Mansion Sells for Over $17M — “A McLean mansion less than half a mile west of the CIA headquarters has sold for $17.5 million in a deal so private it appears to have been largely deleted from existence.” The 10,500-square-foot Georgetown Pike home was sold on Sept. 9 to an unnamed LLC, Fairfax County property records show, but listings on Realtor.com and Bright MLS have been wiped. The former “doesn’t even recognize the home as existing.” [Washington Business Journal]

Housing Authority Elects Chair — “The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) elected its chair and vice chair at its annual meeting on September 18, 2026. Lenore Stanton will serve as Chair, and Cynthia Bailey as Vice Chair. Ms. Stanton has served as Chair since 2024.” [FCRHA]

It’s Tuesday — Expect rain and possible thunderstorms with patchy fog and a high of 66°F. There is a 90% chance of precipitation. Night will be rainy with patchy fog before 2 a.m., a low of 56°F, and still a 90% chance of rain. [NWS]

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


A bench next to a stone-ringed pond outside Walker Nature Center in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Woman Killed in Route 50 Crash Identified — Fairfax County police identified the woman who was killed in a crash while using a mobility wheelchair to cross Route 50 on Friday (Sept. 18) as 53-year-old Theresa Flynn of Chantilly. “Preliminarily, speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors for the driver.” [FCPD]

Trump Claims Arch Would Be Militarized — “President Donald Trump said Sunday that the massive arch he wants to build between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery would become a ‘top grade military complex’ able to host drones and snipers while storing ammunition.” [ARLnow]

Arch Gets OK From FAA — “The Federal Aviation Administration approved President Donald Trump’s ‘triumphal arch’ near Arlington National Cemetery, after determining that the structure will not pose a threat to aircraft.” However, the agency said an “eternal flame” and floodlights would be required to light the structure and make it easier for pilots to see. [FOX5]

State Faces Deficit for Highway Maintenance — “Virginia faces a funding gap of at least $1.7 billion for highway maintenance work, with roads falling into disrepair creating an economic and safety liability that could affect future construction projects across the commonwealth, state transportation department staff reported” last week. [Virginia Mercury]

Substation Near Dulles Airport Rejected — “The substation was proposed on 20 acres of an 83-acre industrially zoned property located south of Old Ox Road and just west of Carters School Road … During the Sept. 15 meeting, Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) won support to deny the application, citing concerns with converting flex industrial space to a substation use.” [Loudoun Now]

No Injuries in ‘Wild’ I-66 Crash — Traffic camera video shows a “wild” crash that occurred after a car stopped on I-66 West near Route 28 yesterday (Sunday) morning. “People got out. Then another car stopped, and more people got out. Five people were in or near the roadway when a driver didn’t see what was ahead, hit three vehicles, and scattered the extremely lucky people.” [Dave Statter/X]

Bus Rapid Transit Planned in Falls Church — “A blueprint for an expanded network of bus rapid transit (BRT) in Northern Virginia includes three lines passing through Falls Church.” Those lines would be on Route 7 from Tysons to Alexandria, Route 50 from Dunn Loring to Crystal City, and Route 29 from Dunn Loring to Farragut Square. [ARLnow]

New Middle Eastern Cafe in Bailey’s Crossroads — “Habibi House, a new café in Bailey’s Crossroads, is more than a coffee shop … Located at 3400-B Washington Drive between the Jerusalem Restaurant and the Afandina Hookah Lounge, Habibi House Café specializes in Middle Eastern coffee drinks and pastries.” [Annandale Today]

Funding for Reston Nonprofit — “Cornerstones, a Reston nonprofit that provides food and emergency assistance to Fairfax County families, has been awarded a three-year, $150,000 grant to expand its food access programs … The Cornerstones grant is part of more than $2 million the Maximus Foundation awarded to nonprofit organizations across the country this year.” [Patch]

New Legal Notice — Facility continues CACFP participation since 2003; meals free, nondiscriminatory. [Public Notices]

It’s Monday — Expect isolated showers in the afternoon with mostly cloudy skies and a high around 75°F. With a low around 62°F, there’s a 90% chance of rain overnight, with new precipitation amounts ranging from a quarter to half an inch. [NWS]

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Vendors line a parking lot at The Boro for the Tysons Mixed Market on Sept. 17, 2026 (photo by Chetan B.)

Case for Fatal Pedestrian Crash Dismissed — “On June 18, the driver of a Prius jumped the curb of a Leesburg Pike service road near Seven Corners and fatally hit 38-year-old Sean King.” The 43-year-old driver was charged with reckless driving, but then pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor. His 60-day jail sentence was suspended on the condition that he complete 20 hours of community service. [NBC4]

DHS Accused of Violating Election Laws — Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones “said Thursday that the Department of Homeland Security may have violated several state laws after a whistleblower accused its employees of misrepresenting themselves on voter lookup tools to hunt for noncitizen voters. Virginia “explicitly limits its voter lookup tools to individuals who attest under penalty of law that they are looking up their own records.” [Associated Press/ARLnow]

Yellow Line Service Pause — “Metro announced Yellow Line service will be shut down Saturday, Sept. 19 and Sunday, Sept. 20. That’s due to planned bridge and track rehabilitation, according to the transit agency … Blue Line service will alternate between Downtown Largo and the Virginia end destinations of Franconia-Springfield and Huntington.” [ALXnow]

Tysons Contractor Sold Due to ICE Work — “Fairfax government contractor ITC Federal announced Monday it plans to buy Capgemini Government Solutions for an undisclosed price and rename it to ITC Digital Solutions … Capgemini Government Solutions is said to have provided ICE with technology to locate targets for the crackdown on illegal immigrants, according to multiple reports.” [Washington Business Journal]

Lorton HVAC Company Plans Layoffs — United Air Temp, Air Conditioning and Heating LLC, which was acquired by a private equity firm in 2024, filed a notice that it will lay off “93 employees — nearly one-third of its workforce — within the next 60 days” at its Lorton headquarters. The layoffs “will be permanent and will impact employees based on-site and those who work in the field and report to that office.” [WBJ]

Marijuana Sales Regulations Unveiled — “The Cannabis Control Authority last week published the first draft of regulations for the recreational market, including the fees for licenses needed to do business in the market. Under the legislation that set the framework of the legal market, the CCA will be able to award up to 350 licenses for retail marijuana stores statewide.” [Richmond BizSense]

Stuff the Bus Food Drive Is Back — “The Stuff the Bus Food Drive returns for a one-day event on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. The buses will be located at various Supervisor District offices countywide 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Please consider supporting local non-profit food pantries by donating non-perishable food items or gift cards.” [Neighborhood and Community Services]

Algae Spotted in Lake Newport — “Small clumps of potentially harmful algae have been observed on the surface of Lake Newport following resident reports. While boating activities can continue, residents and visitors should avoid contact with algae and lake water in areas where algae is present.” [Reston Association]

Exhibit Documents Change in Lorton Inmates — “Twenty five years ago, what was once the Lorton Reformatory, then the Lorton Correctional Complex, closed its doors. Now the same complex in Fairfax County, Virginia, that once housed D.C. inmates is home to the Workhouse Arts Center where a new exhibit documents the power of change that comes with second chances.” [WTOP]

It’s Friday — Expect partly sunny skies with temperatures reaching a high of 85°F and a gentle north wind of 7 to 9 mph. In the evening, skies will be partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 65°F. [NWS]

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Parked vehicles near Route 29 in Merrifield with the Courtyard by Marriott Dunn Loring hotel in the background (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Former Robinson Student Charged With Assault — “Video of the incident inside James W. Robinson Secondary School was shared on social media,” showing students running away from the former student in the school’s cafeteria at around 8 a.m. on Sept. 10. “Police said the teen entered the school without authorization and assaulted a staff member who tried to stop him.” [FOX5]

Limited Morning Silver Line Service — Today “and Friday from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., trains will single track on the Orange Line between Stadium-Armory and Cheverly, and the Silver Line will run modified service operating between Ashburn and Downtown Largo only.” Metro has been working to “destress” its train rails, a process it says helps prevent issues during extreme heat. [WMATA/Bluesky]

State of Emergency for Hay Shortage — “Virginia farmers struggling with drought-damaged pastures will be able to receive larger hay deliveries under a state of emergency declared by Gov. Abigail Spanberger Wednesday … Persistent drought conditions that began last winter have led to an estimated hay shortfall totaling 500,000 tons.” [Virginia Mercury]

New Guidance on Felon Voting Restrictions — “Among Virginians who are no longer incarcerated, only those convicted of murder and voluntary or involuntary manslaughter remain disqualified from voting under new guidance from the Virginia Department of Elections. The update comes days before early voting begins in the midterm elections.” [Virginia Mercury]

Microsoft Fined for Data Center — “Virginia environmental officials ordered tech giant Microsoft on Monday to pay roughly $2.5 million after its Leesburg data center violated air quality standards during a week-long power grid outage in 2025, according to state documents.” The consent order will be finalized after a public comment period ending Oct. 14. [WJLA]

Gov. Confident in Democratic Midterm Chances — “When Virginia’s state Supreme Court in April struck down a voter-approved redistricting referendum that would have helped Democrats pick up four seats in the House, Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) feared the state would become an afterthought in this year’s midterm elections.” But now, she “feels the court’s action has energized the Democratic base.” [Washington Post]

Va. Preparing for Psychedelic Drugs — “FDA-approved psilocybin — the psychedelic compound in so-called ‘magic mushrooms’ — could be on the horizon, and some Virginia providers are already gearing up to deliver it if approved. Virginia has laid the groundwork for the treatment to become available if it wins federal approval,” and one company is already eyeing an expansion to Richmond. [Axios Richmond]

Smoothie Cafe Opens in Bailey’s Crossroads — “Bora Bora Smoothie Cafe opened last week at 5807 Leesburg Pike … Bora Bora was founded in 2023 in Dearborn, Mich. It has since become a franchise operation with 34 locations in 15 states. Another Bora Bora opened recently at the Tysons Corner Center.” [Annandale Today]

New Legal Notice — ABC wholesaler wine-consumed license application; objections due in 30 days. [Public Notices]

It’s Thursday — Mostly sunny with a high around 89°F and a 20% chance of rain after 2 PM. Thursday night will be mostly cloudy with a low near 71°F, and there is a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 PM, continuing as showers until midnight. [NWS]

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A butterfly on purple flowers at Mason Neck State Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Congress Could Subpoena Descano — “Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano’s lawyers said they have been informed that the House Judiciary Committee plans to subpoena him this week and expand its inquiry beyond immigration-related issues … The attorneys said staff members are seeking information about all cases that were nolle prossed [voluntarily stopped] during Descano’s tenure.” [WTOP]

Kennedy Center Apparently Closed — “President Donald Trump’s 19-month effort to seize full control of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts came to a head Tuesday as its board voted to immediately close the building for a two-year renovation — a roughly $250 million overhaul that Trump publicly threatened to block unless his name is added to the institution.” All doors to the venue were reportedly locked by 6 p.m. yesterday. [Washington Post]

Spanberger Nixes Proposed Trans Sports Ban — “Governor Abigail Spanberger quietly ended a rulemaking process initiated in the waning days of former-governor Glenn Youngkin’s administration. The rule would have limited transgender students’ ability to play sports and use facilities. But Spanberger said over the weekend the rule is now dead.” [WVTF]

Beyer Calls for ICE Shutdown — Rep. Don Beyer expressed support for shutting down ICE during a recent candidate forum that also touched on President Donald Trump’s proposed arch in Arlington and data centers, among other topics. “His challengers offered differing takes on the agency and its management,” with Republican Tony Sabio saying there needs to be “accountability … but we cannot throw a whole system out.” [ARLnow]

Algae Spotted in Lake Anne — “Small clumps of potentially harmful algae have been observed on the surface of Lake Anne following resident reports. While boating activities can continue, residents and visitors should avoid contact with algae and lake water in areas where algae is present.” [Reston Association]

Reston Hospital Adds Cardiac Center — Reston Hospital Center opened a dedicated open-heart surgery center on Monday (Sept. 14) in response to “heightened demand” in western Fairfax and Loudoun counties. The $15 million project added 35 employees, converted four “immediate care unit rooms into specialty cardiac care rooms,” and installed an elevator between operating rooms on the first floor and an ICU on the second floor. [Washington Business Journal]

Industrial Development Planned at Dulles — “Nearly 3 million square feet of new industrial development is slated for Dulles International Airport, a project that will clear space for its decade-long $22.5 billion redevelopment.” The MWAA board is scheduled to approve four ground leases at its meeting today (Wednesday) for cargo and aviation support facilities as well as other projects that are currently confidential “until a lease is signed.” [Washington Business Journal]

New Middle School Option in Reston — “Seven students make up the inaugural class of Reston Montessori School’s Secondary I Program, which extends Montessori education into the middle school years. The idea grew out of a vision Head of School Eliana Jaoude developed while teaching Upper Elementary students.” [Reston Letter]

Silent Reading Event in Fairfax Corner — “Fairfax Corner will hold its third Silent Read & Sip on Friday, September 18, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Previous events have proven popular and attracted between 150 and 200 participants.” In addition to sitting down with a book and beverage, attendees can check out a free book swap, browse the mobile store Wandering Shelf and craft bookmarks. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny skies with a high near 86°F and a gentle south wind blowing at 3 to 6 mph. Wednesday night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to around 66°F, and the south wind will continue at 3 to 6 mph. [NWS]

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


Artist Michael Alfano’s “Healing Hearts” sculpture outside Wells Fargo on Richmond Highway in Belle Haven (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Metro Service Changes for Track Work — Today (Tuesday), “from 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m., the Yellow Line will run modified service operating between Huntington and Mt. Vernon Sq only, and trains will single track on the Blue Line between Van Dorn St and Braddock Rd.” Metro workers will be conducting “proactive work” to prevent “track abnormalities from occurring due to extreme heat.” [WMATA/X]

Self-Driving Vehicle Regulations in the Works — “Leaders in the commonwealth are drafting proposals to establish a framework for implementing [autonomous vehicle] policy and create an ongoing advisory committee after the group concludes its work … Virginia’s proposed framework would focus on commercial use rather than personal vehicles, including ride-sharing and delivery services, buses and Class 7 and 8 heavy-duty vehicles.” [Virginia Mercury]

Dump Truck Overturned in Newington — “A couple of people were able to just drive away after an overturning truck and its load of dirt and gravel almost fell on top of them. It happened at Fullerton Rd. and Boudinot Dr. in Newington, VA during the noon hour.” Fairfax County Fire and Rescue responded to treat the driver for non-life-threatening injuries and address a fuel leak from the truck. [Dave Statter/X]

Residents Object to Verizon Landline Phase-Out — “Facing a statewide move from Verizon to phase out copper wire landlines, concerned citizens showed up to a Wednesday town hall meeting hosted by U.S. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Va.-10th, to voice their disapproval.” Speakers worried that losing landlines will leave them with no alternatives in areas with weak or nonexistent cell service. [Fauquier Now/Inside NoVA]

County Encourages Transit Use — “Promoted by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), Try Transit Week encourages commuters to explore alternatives to driving alone.” Among other incentives, Fairfax Connector is offering fare-free rides on its Route 798 Express bus between Tysons and Bethesda and piloting a closed-container beverage policy. [FCDOT]

I-66 Slugging Challenge Underway — Slugging has expanded on I-66 with the addition of the Monument Drive and University Blvd Park and Rides as new pick-up locations for commuters heading into D.C. and Rosslyn. “Those who register for the 66-day challenge can also receive incentives and become eligible to win up to $1,000 in prizes by logging their slugging trips.” [I-66 Slugging Network]

Chinese Restaurant Expands — “Chili Wok, a brand-new restaurant in Bailey’s Crossroads, offers traditional Chinese homestyle cooking. The restaurant is located in the former Yeshi Kitfo spot at 3400-D Washington Drive. It’s the third Chili Wok, following outlets in Vienna and Del Ray in Alexandria.” [Annandale Today]

FCPS Recruiting Cafeteria Workers — “Join Team FCPS! Fairfax County Public Schools will be hosting an in-person Food and Nutrition Services job fair on Thursday, September 24, 2026 (9 a.m.-12 p.m.). Registration is not required to attend. Meet our team and interview on-site!” [FCPS]

Herndon HS Adds Girls’ Golf — “This summer Herndon High School added its first girls Virginia High School League (VHSL) golf team. A total of nine girls from freshman to seniors represent the Hornets … Reid Kiser, golfer and father of HHS junior Addison Kiser, led the effort to establish the girls team and create more opportunities within an already strong coed golf program.” [Reston Letter]

It’s Tuesday — Sunny with a high of around 79°F, light and variable winds shifting southeast around 6 mph in the morning. Tuesday night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to about 59°F. The southeast wind will be around 5 mph before becoming calm in the evening. [NWS]

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


A U.S. flag hangs from the parking garage under construction for the future Vienna-Carter library (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Man Shot in Groveton — “A man was taken to a hospital with severe injuries after a shooting in Groveton, Virginia, late Saturday morning. It happened on Sept. 12 in the 3500 block of Robert E. Lee Place.” Police were searching for a suspect but said the shooting appears to have been “an isolated incident.” [WJLA]

Kennedy Center Officials Recommend Closure — “Leaders of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, installed by President Donald Trump, say the center is on the brink of bankruptcy and argue that putting the president’s name on its facade — and thus ensuring his fundraising efforts — may be the only way to avoid imminent and ‘certain fiscal collapse.” The board could approve a recommended closure as soon as tomorrow (Tuesday). [Washington Post]

Plea Deal in Ex-CIA Official Theft Case — “A former CIA official found with $40 million of gold bars in his home has reached a tentative plea agreement after being charged with theft for fraudulently inflating his salary, according to court records.” The man’s attorney said “the charge against him isn’t related to the gold bars, which she described as ‘a sensational tidbit.'” [Associated Press]

Family Mourns Murder Victim — “Family members are mourning the loss of 31-year-old Lavinia Brown, who was shot and killed in her Fairfax home on Sept. 9. Brown’s mother, Denise Batten-Williams, says she knew something was wrong when she tried calling her daughter and then her son-in-law, Brandon, and neither of them picked up.” [DC News Now]

Survey Open on Homelessness Plan — Fairfax County is accepting input through Friday (Sept. 18) on a new five-year plan to address homelessness. The Way Home Fairfax focuses on “helping people who are homeless now find stable housing faster, preventing homelessness before it happens, improving support for people who have experienced homelessness the longest, and building public understanding and support for solutions that work.” [Sull-E Newsletter]

Va. Rolls Out New Food Benefits Cards — “Virginia is replacing traditional food-assistance benefit cards with chip-enabled versions designed to make it harder for thieves to steal SNAP benefits from families. About 749,000 state residents receive assistance through the program.” [Virginia Mercury]

In-Person Hearings Planned on Dominion Merger — The State Corporation Commission will hold three in-person hearings on the proposed $67 billion merger of Dominion Energy and NextEra. Planned in addition to three days of phone testimony, “the first of the three in-person meetings will be held on the evening of Nov. 5 inside the SCC’s courtroom in Richmond.” [Virginia Mercury]

Metro Revises Bus Fare-Quoting Policy — “Metro’s largest union says it has reached an agreement with WMATA so that only drivers protected by glass shields have to quote the fare to riders … The updated guidance comes more than a month after a man repeatedly punched a Metrobus driver who told him the bus fare and that he couldn’t bring an open alcoholic beverage on board.” [NBC4]

Fort Belvoir Commemorates 9/11 — “Soldiers, first responders and community leaders gathered at Fort Belvoir Thursday to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, honoring the nearly 3,000 people killed and reflecting on the generations of service personnel shaped by the events that followed.” [Inside NoVA]

New Legal Notice — Restaurant applies for ABC permit: beer and wine on/off-premises. [Public Notices]

It’s Monday — It will be sunny with a high of around 80°F, and a north wind blowing at 13 mph, occasionally gusting up to 24 mph. Monday night will be clear, with temperatures dropping to about 57°F and a gentle north wind at 5 to 7 mph. [NWS]

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A bridge over Wolftrap Creek at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Local Residents Remember 9/11 — “To mark the 25th anniversary of that infamous day — in which D.C.’s tragedy is often eclipsed by New York’s — City Paper sought out the stories of those who were here when American Airlines Flight 77 felled a part of the Pentagon. From librarian Gail Kouril to City Paper’s own Darrow Montgomery, six longtime D.C.-area residents shared their memories and reflections.” [Washington City Paper]

Motorcyclist Injured in Route 7 Crash — “A motorcyclist was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after they were involved in a crash on Leesburg Pike in Fairfax County, police said. Details are limited; however, the collision happened along Leesburg Pike near Rio Drive in the Seven Corners area.” [DC News Now]

Prison Sentence for Home Contractor — “Virginia home contractor Richard Craig Tadlock was sentenced to 12 years in prison Thursday after his construction fraud conviction.” Residents testified during the sentencing hearing in Fairfax County court that “Tadlock agreed to build their homes, and either wouldn’t finish or didn’t even start the projects,” despite taking money through home construction loans. [WUSA9]

Police ID Couple Shot in Centreville — Fairfax County police are investigating the fatal shooting that occurred in a Centreville home Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 9) as a murder-suicide. “Preliminarily, detectives believe Brandon [Brown] shot his wife, Lavinia, before shooting himself.” [FCPD]

Student Killed While Bicycling Mourned — “The boy, a student at Frost Middle School, was riding home when he was struck [by a truck] on the 3900 block of Pickett Road, about a half-mile from the school. Parents said many students bike or scooter to and from Frost Middle School, and they worry about the safety of the roads surrounding the campus.” [WUSA9]

Senators Seek DCA Flight Limits — “Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, both Virginia Democrats, are set to introduce a bill next week that would restrict flights at National, also known as DCA, in an effort to make Washington’s chronically congested airspace safer following the deadly 2025 plane crash near the airport.” [Washington Post]

Herndon Man Indicted for Carjacking — “A Herndon man accused of taking a Jeep at knifepoint with another man inside before leading police on a pursuit through Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland has been indicted on federal carjacking and kidnapping charges.” [Patch]

DACA Renewal Delays Continue — “Virginia DACA recipients are facing months-long renewal delays that are causing their work permits and deportation protections to expire while they await approval, Richmond-area immigration attorneys tell Axios … Renewal processing times nationwide have climbed from roughly a month last year to at least 6.5 months this year, per the USCIS site.” [Axios Richmond]

Herndon Considers E-Bike Rule Changes — “The town of Herndon is considering changes to its e-bike rules to improve safety on local roads and trails.” At a community meeting on Wednesday (Sept. 9), residents shared their concerns, while Mayor Keven LeBlanc said town officials are looking into their options for potentially changing age and helmet requirements for riders of e-bikes, scooters and other vehicles. [WUSA9]

It’s Friday — There is a 20% chance of precipitation, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 81°F. Winds will be from the northeast at 3 to 6 mph. Night will remain mostly cloudy with a low around 67°F and calm winds. [NWS]

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