morning notes

No More Pedal Boats at Accotink — “Lake Accotink Park was busy on a beautiful Memorial Day, with people kayaking, hiking, fishing, feeding the geese, playing mini-golf, and enjoying the playground. No one was pedal boating, however, because the pedal boats are no longer available.” The lake has become too shallow for the boats due to a lowered water level for dam inspections and sediment accumulation. [Annandale Today]

Suspect in Murder Trial Flees — “A man accused of killing a young mother in Reston, Virginia, went on the run, on the very day his murder trial was supposed to begin. Police say the defendant recently fled to Canada. Fairfax County prosecutors say it’s exactly what they warned would happen after a judge first let the man out on bond, then later let him remove his GPS monitor.” [NBC4]

Man Who Set Car on Fire Sentenced — “A Fairfax County man arrested by U.S. Capitol Police on Jan. 8 after he tried to set his car on fire with what authorities described as homemade napalm along First Street NW, near the Grant Memorial, has been sentenced.” [Patch]

Affordable Housing Waitlist to Open — “The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) will be accepting waiting list applications for both privately-owned and Fairfax County-owned Project-Based Voucher (PBV) units Monday, June 2, 2025, through Sunday, June 8, 2025.” [FCRHA]

School Board Approves Revised Budget — “Fairfax County’s school board approved a nearly $4 billion budget Thursday that will give educators a raise but may also result in more students in their classrooms … As part of the cuts, the district is also changing the way it staffs schools.” [WTOP]

Metro Advances Train Automation — “Metro’s effort to fully automating the agency’s trains inched one step closer to the finish line on Friday, as the Green and Yellow Lines became the latest to undergo the transition.” Metro CEO and General Manager Randy Clarke says the transit agency hopes to expand automation to the Blue, Orange and Silver lines in June. [WTOP]

Hockey Player Retires With World Record — “Nearly 50 years ago, at the age of 35, Linda Sinrod laced up her ice skates for the first time since graduating college. She had just been laid off from her job and decided to rekindle her passion for figure skating on an icy pond in Annandale … Last month, Sinrod hung up her skates for the last time, at age 84. She holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest woman to play ice hockey.” [Washingtonian]

Tips for Staying Safe This Summer —  “The pools are open, beaches are filling up and the sun is shining longer each day. While summer brings fun and freedom, it also brings unique safety challenges we need to prepare for during the hot months ahead.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]

It’s Wednesday — Expect showers and potential thunderstorms after 5pm, with a high near 63. There’s a 90% chance of precipitation and rainfall amounts could range from three quarters to one inch. At night, there’s a 60% chance of precipitation with a low around 59, and lighter winds after midnight. [NWS]

Child Drowns in Home Pool — “A child drowned Saturday morning in a residential pool in Fairfax County. Police said first responders were called to the 5300 block of Harrow Lane near Ashleigh Road around 10:30 a.m. in the Braddock area.” The child was taken to a hospital, where they died at 4 years old. [Inside NoVA]

Woman Injured in Stabbing — “Fairfax County Police are investigating a stabbing that happened Sunday evening in Bailey’s Crossroads.” Just before 2:00 p.m., Fairfax officers revealed that they had responded to a domestic-related stabbing in the 3400 block of Spring Lane,” where they found a woman with injuries deemed life-threatening. [WJLA]

Tysons Consultant Plans Layoffs — Booz Allen Hamilton will lay off 7% of its workforce, eliminating approximately 2,500 positions, as it braces for a decline in revenue from the federal government, its biggest customer. The consulting firm plans to restructure its federal civil division “to align with changing federal priorities,” even as it expects its federal defense business to “continue to grow,” CEO Horacio Rozanski said on an earnings call last Friday (May 23). [Washington Business Journal]

Rep. Connolly Funeral Today — After a public visitation yesterday (Monday), Rep. Gerry Connolly’s funeral service will be held today at 11 a.m. at the Heritage Fellowship Church (2501 Fox Mill Road) in Reston. In lieu of flowers, the family is encouraging donations and other forms of support for ArtsFairfax and the Lamb Center, two organizations cherished by the late congressman. [Annandale Today]

Vienna Man Challenges Rep. Beyer — “A Vienna man who spent more than 15 years working with the CIA and Secret Service is seeking to unseat longtime U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D). Running as a Republican, Anthony ‘Tony’ Sabio formally declared his candidacy on [May 21] for the 2026 election in Virginia’s 8th Congressional District.” [ARLnow]

New Soccer Pitches for Local Schools — “Two elementary schools in the Mount Vernon area are the recipients of new hard-court surfaces for after-school soccer programs. Woodley Hills Elementary and Riverside Elementary, both located on Old Mount Vernon Road, received their mini-pitches thanks to their connections with the Gunston Soccer Club and a grant from the U.S. Soccer Foundation and its partners.” [On the MoVe]

Oakton Woman Named Miss Virginia — “After five years of competing for the title, 27-year-old Erin Houston was crowned Miss Virginia USA 2025 earlier this spring. The marketing and brand manager from Oakton speaks of the perseverance that made her dream a reality and how she balances the responsibilities of the title with her busy life.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Tuesday — There is a 20% chance of showers in the afternoon with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 73. Night brings an 80% chance of showers, after 2 am, with a low around 58. New rainfall amounts could fall between a quarter and half an inch. [NWS]

Voter Registration Deadline Nears — Next Tuesday (May 27) is the last day to register to vote in the June 17 Democratic primary, which will determine the party’s nominees for Virginia lieutenant governor and attorney general. Starting May 28, same-day registration will be available, but new voters must cast a provisional ballot. [Fairfax County Office of Elections]

Lane Closures Lifted for Memorial Day — “The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will be suspending many highway work zones and lifting temporary lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon on Friday, May 23, until noon on Tuesday, May 27. While lane closures will be lifted in most locations, motorists may encounter semi-permanent work zones that remain in place during this time.” [VDOT]

Connolly Remembered for Silver Line Role — “Congressman Gerry Connolly’s legacy in Northern Virginia includes his contribution to the Silver Line project and its lasting impact. Transportation Reporter Adam Tuss takes a look back.” [NBC4]

FCPS to Continue Early Release Days — “Fairfax County Public Schools will continue the early release schedule for elementary schools next year but will switch from Mondays to Wednesdays. During the current year, FCPS launched a pilot program in which elementary students were dismissed three hours early on select Mondays” to give teachers more planning and training time. [Annandale Today]

Tysons Office Building for Sale — Morning Calm Management is marketing the seven-story building at 1945 Old Gallows Road for sale. The office building was 55% leased when the Florida-based investment firm acquired it in 2019, but after a $1.5 million renovation completed in 2020, it’s now 92% leased, proving particularly attractive to medical tenants. [Washington Business Journal]

Lake Accotink Park Now Hiring — “Lake Accotink Park in Springfield, Virginia, is hosting drop-in interviews every Tuesday from noon to 6 p.m., starting May 20 through June 10, 2025. Stop by the Visitor Center to explore job opportunities, complete an application and interview on the spot! No appointments are necessary!” [FCPA]

Parks Foundation Welcomes New Board Members — The Fairfax County Park Authority Board confirmed four new directors to the board of the Fairfax County Park Foundation, its fundraising arm. Ben Aiken, Paul Berry, Mark Buenavista and Alyssa Keefe will now serve on the foundation’s board through June 20, 2028. [FCPA]

It’s Friday — Expect a mostly sunny day with temperatures reaching around 67 degrees and a west wind blowing at 9 to 14 mph, gusting up to 23 mph. The night will be mostly clear with lows near 50 degrees and a west wind ranging from 6 to 11 mph. [NWS]

Condolences for Rep. Connolly Continue — “Fairfax County joins the community, the commonwealth and the nation in mourning the passing of U.S. Rep. Gerald E. ‘Gerry’ Connolly, whose career in public office began in the county, and whose legacy will continue to shape the region for generations.” [Fairfax County Government]

Plans Shared for D.C. Military Parade — “The upcoming ‘America 250’ military parade in Washington, DC, will fall on June 14 to commemorate the Army’s 250th birthday; the date is also President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday, something that surely has no significance at all. Here is the most up-to-date information on the celebration that’s bringing, among other things, lots of tanks to the city.” [Washingtonian]

New Bookstore Planned in Falls Church — “The Dark, Unbound plans to sell books by ‘underrepresented voices in the fantasy, science-fiction, speculative fiction and horror genres,’ in a cozy, moody atmosphere. It is in the works at 112 W. Broad Street, where Dominion Camera closed in September.” [ARLnow]

Bridge Repairs to Affect Metro Service — “On Saturday May 24 through Monday May 26, free shuttle buses will replace trains between Cheverly and Eastern Market on the Orange Line and Addison Road and Eastern Market on the Blue and Silver lines.” Several stations on the eastern end of all three lines “will be closed as crews make repairs to aerial structures over the Anacostia River.” [WMATA]

Design in the Works on Library Renovation — “A project to renovate the George Mason Regional Library in Annandale is in the design phase. The interior space will be rearranged, but the footprint will not change … The $15 million project was included in a library bond referendum approved by voters in 2020.” [Annandale Today]

N. Va. Opposition to Data Centers Growing — “Such community opposition is the focal point of a recent report by Data Center Watch, a research organization tracking data center opposition. A key finding: ‘$64 billion in U.S. data center projects have been blocked or delayed by a growing wave of local, bipartisan opposition.'” [Virginia Public Media]

Chantilly Student Fixes Broken-Down Car — “Elizabeth Mulenga was about 15 minutes from home on April 13 when her car started to jerk as she drove near Chantilly High School … Using the skills he learned in auto classes at Chantilly Academy, [senior Om] Desai helped Mulenga completely fix the issue on the spot.” [WTOP]

It’s Thursday — Likely showers before 2pm, with possible thunderstorms from 2-5pm. Expect mostly cloudy skies and a high near 68. The chance of precipitation is 70%. At night, there’s a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, followed by a slight chance of showers until 2am. Clouds will gradually clear, with a low around 53. [NWS]

GW Parkway Reopens After Storm — “The National Park Service (NPS) plans to reopen the George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP) before the Wednesday morning rush hour.” A 2.5-mile stretch of the parkway south of Alexandria had been closed since a storm on Friday (May 16) brought down or damaged more than 50 trees. [NPS]

Fairfax Man Killed in ATV Crash — “Police are investigating after a man was killed and a woman was seriously hurt in an ATV collision in Brandywine over the weekend.” Prince George’s County police say the crash on May 17 involved an ATV driver, identified as a 35-year-old man from Fairfax, crashing into a pickup truck and trailer. [DC News Now]

Metro to Roll Out Tap-to-Pay Option — Metro is currently testing a system at some stations that will allow riders to pay by tapping a credit or debit card. “An official launch is on the way, Metro general manager Randy Clarke posted recently: ‘Stay tuned for more details later this month.'” [Axios DC]

Meeting on Braddock Road Improvements — The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will share the results of a study of the “S-curve portion of Braddock Road” at 7 p.m. today (Wednesday) in a virtual public information meeting. The study looked at potential improvements between Pleasant Valley Road and Old Lee Road, and at the Braddock Road and Old Lee Road intersection. [VDOT]

Food Hall Nears Grand Opening — “Pop-Up District recently opened [at Eden Center in Falls Church] with a limited lineup that includes Vietnamese, Korean, and Thai food vendors, plus a coffee shop and bakery. When its grand opening arrives in June, expect expanded menus, a Japanese-inspired bar, rotating retail pop-ups, DJ nights, and hours stretching from 8 AM to 2 AM.” [Washingtonian]

Fairfax City Pub Celebrates 20 Years — “City of Fairfax business leaders and elected officials presented a plaque to the owners of The Auld Shebeen Irish Pub & Restaurant on Saturday, honoring their 20 years of making memories in Old Town.” [Patch]

WaPo Reviews McLean Restaurant — “Supisa Teawboot figured she’d sell a lot of pad thai when she opened Sorn Thai in McLean in March. Patrons surprised her when they ordered more kanom jeen namya instead. The entrée, rice noodles with fish curry, is … a lovely introduction to a Thai restaurant unlike any other in Northern Virginia.” [Washington Post]

It’s Wednesday — Expect showers with a high near 60°F. There’s a 100% chance of precipitation, potentially accumulating between a quarter and half an inch. At night, the low will be around 56°F, with a 70% chance of precipitation. [NWS]

Federal Cuts Constrain Food Banks — “The region’s three main food banks — Blue Ridge, the Capital Area Food Bank and the Maryland Food Bank — together lost more than 1.4 million meals with the March USDA cuts … The Trump administration additionally ended or defunded at least two other programs relied upon by food banks, including funding to purchase food directly from local farmers and to provide food for hungry seniors.” [Washington Post]

Capitals Player Allegedly Involved in Fight — “A Washington Capitals player was pepper sprayed and arrested in Clarendon early Saturday, ARLnow has learned.” Arlington County police responded to the neighborhood’s bar district around 3:26 a.m. on Saturday (May 17) after a witness “reported an active fight outside of a business.” [ARLnow]

Pardoned Jan. 6 Rioter Arrested — “Authorities in Henrico County, Virginia, arrested and charged Zachary Alam, accusing him of ‘breaking into a home in Henrico County and stealing personal items,’ WUSA9 reports. Alam, who is from Centreville, was previously sentenced to eight years in prison for his role in the riot at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.” [Washingtonian]

Criminal Records Sealing Deadline Extended — “Virginia’s General Assembly passed the record-sealing law in 2021, and now, an amended version is set to take effect July 1, 2026 … Surovell said a $20 million rebuild of Virginia’s criminal record-keeping computer infrastructure is preventing the law from taking effect immediately.” [WTOP]

State Senator Treated for Cancer — “State Sen. Barbara Favola, who represents the majority of Arlington County, is undergoing treatment for uterine cancer. In a social media post today (Monday), the 69-year-old said she successfully underwent a hysterectomy on Friday at Virginia Hospital Center.” [ARLnow]

County Supervisors Back Colleague for Congress — “Supervisor James Walkinshaw’s (D-Braddock) campaign to succeed outgoing U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11th) in Congress received the endorsement of all eight other Democrats on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Monday.” [Patch]

Taco Restaurant Still Coming to Annandale — “Over a year ago, the owner of a property in Annandale told us they were planning to open a Shawarma Taco restaurant and accounting firm by the end of 2024 in a building undergoing renovations at 4201 Annandale Road. The renovations are still underway,” but the CEO says he doesn’t know when they’ll finish. [Annandale Today]

Braddock Bark Festival Declared a Success — “Our 4th Annual Braddock Bark festival was a huge success, with over 500 attendees. 7 rescue pups were officially adopted and many more applications to adopt were submitted!” [James Walkinshaw/Bluesky]

It’s Tuesday — Expect clouds to increase throughout the day, accompanied by a high temperature of around 72 and a gentle north wind at 6 mph. At night, anticipate showers mainly after 2 am, with the low temperature dropping to approximately 56. The chance of precipitation stands at 90%. [NWS]

Fairfax Courthouse Reopens — After a two-day closure, the “Fairfax County Courthouse will reopen and resume operations, with some modifications, on Monday, May 19. Please be aware that visitors may experience delays in accessing the building or services.” The Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court will still be in the Historic Courthouse at 4000 Chain Bridge Road. [Fairfax County Emergency Information]

GW Parkway Still Closed After Storm — “George Washington Parkway remains closed between Belle Haven Blvd and Alexandria Ave. This closure is expected to impact the morning rush hour. Please plan ahead to use alternate routes.” [Fairfax Alerts]

Arrest in Abduction at Fairfax Museum — “The City of Fairfax Police Department said a man has been arrested for trying to abduct a woman from the Fairfax Museum last year. On July 3, at around 4:30 p.m., officers responded to the Fairfax Museum, located at 10209 Main St., for reports of an abduction.” [DC News Now]

Missing Man Found Dead in Fairfax City — A 25-year-old man was found dead in Fairfax City early Saturday (May 17) morning, police say. The man had been reported missing on Friday (May 16) and was allegedly seen around the city near George Mason University’s campus with a knife and wounds that were believed to be self-inflicted, prompting an extensive police search. [City of Fairfax Police/X]

Reston Company Loses $2.4 Billion Federal Contract — “According to a court filing last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has terminated a $2.4 billion IT and cybersecurity contract awarded last year to Reston-based federal contractor Leidos.” Dulles-based contractor Nightwing Intelligence Solutions had filed a protest of the contract in court but requested a dismissal after learning that DHS had terminated the deal on May 8. [Virginia Business]

FBI to Leave D.C. Area, Director Says — “The FBI will leave its D.C. headquarters and relocate 1,500 employees, Director Kash Patel said in an interview that aired Friday morning. Patel said the FBI will leave the J. Edgar Hoover Building on Pennsylvania Avenue NW because of its condition.” [NBC4]

Mason District Animal Welfare Alliance Forms — “Supervisor Andres Jimenez has formed a Mason District Animal Welfare Alliance with local animal advocates to improve services for pets, wildlife, and companion animals … Activities under consideration include vaccination clinics and events with rescue groups. The alliance plans to meet monthly.” [Annandale Today]

Reston Association Launches Kayak Storage Lottery — “Based on member feedback, RA is proud to introduce a new kayak storage pilot program in its ongoing effort to expand its lake access for members. Beginning May 16, RA members will have the opportunity to enter a lottery to obtain a slot at the Association’s new kayak storage rack at Lake Audubon boat ramp.” [Reston Association]

It’s Monday — Expect sunny skies and temperatures reaching 76°F, accompanied by a northwest wind blowing at 13 to 16 mph and gusts up to 26 mph. Monday night, the weather will be mostly clear with a low of about 52°F, and a northwest wind ranging from 7 to 11 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. [NWS]

FCPS Teachers Struggle to Afford Living in Fairfax — “Fairfax County teachers largely can’t afford to rent or buy a house near the school where they teach, according to a new report from the National Council on Teacher Quality. The report said Virginia’s largest school district is one of the Top 10 least affordable places in the nation when it comes to new teachers and housing.” [WTOP]

Laid-Off Federal Workers Flood Job Market — “At least 121,000 federal workers have been laid off or singled out for layoffs since Jan. 20, estimates CNN, and the DMV likely doesn’t have enough white collar jobs to absorb the number of local former feds now looking for new positions, per Indeed.” [Axios DC]

Youngkin’s Budget Vetoes Rejected — “The clerk of Virginia’s House of Delegates on Wednesday night rejected three of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s recent vetoes in the state’s revised two-year budget.” The vetoes of items related to Medicaid and state employee health benefits were deemed impermissible under Virginia’s constitution by Keeper of the Rolls Paul Nardo. [Virginia Mercury]

Korean Street Food Restaurant Opens — “Oiso, a restaurant focusing on Korean street food, is having a soft opening on May 15. The restaurant, located at 7133-C Columbia Pike, Annandale, is in the space formerly occupied by Gom Ba Woo … Oiso will have a Grand Opening on May 22, with free Yoju (soju and yogurt) cocktail tastings 4-8 p.m.” [Annandale Today]

Retired Nats Star’s Former Home for Sale — “Former Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg sold his McLean home just last year following his retirement from baseball. Now, that home is coming back on the market. The nearly 12,000 square-foot house will be listed for sale this Friday for $9.25 million.” [DC UrbanTurf]

Accounting Firm to Open Tysons Office — “WithumSmith + Brown PC, one of the country’s largest accounting firms, is closing its Bethesda and Baltimore offices and opening new offices in Columbia and Tysons.” The Tysons office will be 11,000 square feet in size and located at 1800 Tysons Blvd. [Washington Business Journal]

Clothing Diverted From Landfill — “Fairfax County staff joined regional partners for a tour of the Helpsy textile recycling facility, where unwanted clothing is baled for reuse or recycling Since January, Fairfax residents have helped divert over 10,000 pounds of clothing from landfills.” [Fairfax County Government/X]

It’s Friday — There’s a 60% chance of rain, with showers and thunderstorms likely before 11 am. Cloudy skies will gradually become mostly sunny, reaching a high of 87. Friday night, there is a 50% chance of severe showers and thunderstorms, as temperatures drop to approximately 69. [NWS]

Technical Issues Close County Courts — The Fairfax County Courthouse is closed today (Thursday) “due to ongoing technical difficulties.” Cases scheduled to appear in the county’s Circuit Court, General District Court, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court “will be continued to another date,” as staff work to resolve the issue. [Fairfax County]

Bike to Work Day Is Here — Fairfax County is hosting more than two dozen pit stops today (Thursday) for this year’s Bike to Work Day, which encourages commuters to hop on a bicycle instead of getting in a car and is taking place throughout the D.C. region. “The first 16,000 who register and check into a pit stop by bike will receive a free T-shirt (this year’s color is red).” [FCDOT]

Recession Possible, GMU Researcher Says — “Terry Clower, director of George Mason University’s Center for Regional Analysis, told WTOP the region is not in a recession yet, but what happens in the next several months will determine how severe the economic downturn is and how long it will last.” If the Trump administration’s federal government cuts are fully enacted, a recession is “undoubted,” Clower says. [WTOP]

Flight Attendant Training Center Opens — United Airlines will open its new 20,000-square-foot flight attendant training center in Chantilly today. “This is the first facility of its kind in the DC area, and will train flight attendants servicing Dulles International, Reagan National, and Baltimore-Washington International airports.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

New Reston Startup Launches — Kovr.ai “has emerged from stealth with $3.6 million in funding to scale its federal compliance assistance product it says can save millions of dollars and years of document procurement for companies looking to do business with the federal government.” CEO Andrew Black and Chief Technology Officer Sri Iyer both worked for Amazon Web Services before leaving in 2024 to found the new company. [Washington Business Journal]

Annandale School Searches for New Principal — “Fairfax County Public Schools is beginning the search for a new principal for Poe Middle School, but many teachers and parents already know who they want for the job — Interim Principal Sarah Eqab,” who came on board in March after working at Annandale High School. [Annandale Today]

Pet Supply Donation Drive Underway — “The Department of Family Services cares about every family member, including pets. To help keep pets with the families, DFS is hosting a pet supply drive during National Pet Month in May. The drive will run from Sunday, May 11, to Saturday, May 24, with all donations benefiting Fairfax County Animal Shelter’s Pet Pantry.” [Fairfax County DFS]

It’s Thursday — There’s a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Patchy fog before 11am will shift to clouds and then mostly sunny skies, with a high near 79. Chance of precipitation is 50%, dropping to 40% at night with a low around 66. [NWS]

Memorial Day Travel Projections Released — “Memorial Day travel is projected to beat a 20-year-old record high this year, according to AAA data released Monday … Americans’ deep pessimism about the economy isn’t deterring them from traveling to celebrate the unofficial start of the summer season.” [Axios]

Dem Candidates for Lt. Gov. Make Their Case — “With six candidates on the ballot, that means this year’s winner could emerge victorious with a fraction of the votes cast … We asked all six Democratic candidates for their take on key issues facing the commonwealth, including federal spending cuts, data centers, housing, education, and how they’d approach the job.” [WAMU]

Bailey’s Crossroads Restaurant Nears 50 Years — “When he opened Peking Gourmet Inn in a small Falls Church, Virginia, strip mall nearly five decades ago, Eddy Tsui had a simple vision. The key to any successful restaurant, he believed, is food and service.” The restaurant, now owned by son George Tsui, “has been drawing guests from around the region, and the globe,” to the Culmore neighborhood since 1978. [WTOP]

GMU to Honor Record Number of Graduates — “George Mason University will celebrate Spring Commencement on Thursday by honoring a record-setting number of students earning degrees, and nearly 11,800 students total will be recognized for earning degrees or certificates. Class of 2025 graduates represent 117 countries, 49 states, and the District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands, and military installations.” [GMU]

Maintenance Planned for Woodrow Wilson Bridge — “Heads up, drivers — expect some overnight delays on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge this week. The Virginia Department of Transportation says the bridge will have maintenance openings from 10 p.m. on Thursday (May 15) to 5 a.m. on Friday (May 16), weather permitting.” [ALXnow]

Chantilly Student Prepares for Spelling Bee — “Let’s be real — A lot of us have a hard time with spelling, but not Nikita Ramakrishnan. The eighth grader at Rocky Run Middle School in Chantilly, Virginia is headed to the Scripps National Spelling Bee.” [NBC4]

Local Teacher Awarded Free Year of Donuts — “Dunkin’ presented Rodney Lopez, a Spanish teacher at Fairfax High School, with a year’s worth of free coffee on Thursday, in recognition of his excellence in teaching and unwavering commitment to student success.” Lopez was nominated to be the chain’s Teacher of the Year by Fairfax High School principal Dr. Georgina Aye. [Patch]

It’s Wednesday — The high will be near 75 degrees with a southeast wind at 5-7 mph and an 80% chance of precipitation. At night, anticipate showers and potentially thunderstorms especially before 11pm, though there’s a chance of rain until 2am. The low will be around 64 degrees. [NWS]