morning notes

Kayaker Died After Great Falls Capsizing — “A kayaker who was rescued Sunday afternoon from the Potomac River died at Inova Fairfax Hospital, according to authorities. Emergency rescue personnel from both Fairfax County and Montgomery County, Maryland responded” around 2 p.m. on May 3 to a report of three people becoming separated from their boats near Great Falls. [Patch]

Firefighters Battle Groveton House Fire — Fairfax County firefighters responded yesterday (Monday) just after 11 a.m. to a house fire in the 6500 block of Enfield Drive in the Groveton area. “First-arriving crews arrived with heavy fire showing from a single-family home. All occupants were confirmed out prior to arrival.” No injuries were reported, and an investigation into the cause is underway. [FCFRD/Facebook]

Police Share Initial ‘Road Shark’ Results — “Between April 20 and 26, the Fairfax County Police Department worked in conjunction with the Virginia State Police (VSP) to enforce traffic laws throughout the county. In the first week, officers and troopers issued 781 citations for speeding, 294 citations for reckless driving, and 244 hands-free citations.” [FCPD]

New Family Leave Program Addresses Domestic Violence — “Virginia is the first Southern state to pass a statewide paid family and medical leave program, and it goes beyond new parents or serious illness. The law broadens eligibility by allowing paid leave for workers dealing with domestic violence, stalking or sexual assault.” [Axios Richmond]

Bill Would Allow Class Action Lawsuits — “Gov. Abigail Spanberger is weighing whether to sign or veto legislation that would, for the first time, allow Virginians to file class action lawsuits in state courts — a shift advocates say would expand access to justice, but one that has drawn pushback over how far the change should go.” [Virginia Mercury]

Dogs Found in Fairfax City Reclaimed — “City of Fairfax police released a photo Monday of two small dogs that were found walking together on Sunday in the city. The two dogs can be claimed at the Michael R. Frey campus of the Fairfax County Animal Services at 4500 West Ox Road.” Police shared at 2:48 p.m. today (Tuesday) that the dogs have now been reunited with their family. [Patch]

Shuttle Added to Mount Vernon — “A new shuttle service will soon make it easier to travel to George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate from the King Street Metro station in Old Town. Starting this Friday, May 8, $10 roundtrip shuttle tickets will be available with service to Mount Vernon on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through June.” [ALXnow]

National Mall Refreshing Concessions Kiosks — “A new concessions operator for the National Park Service is planning to give [food kiosks around the National Mall] a big upgrade. Between now and Memorial Day, they’ll transform the Mall’s eight kiosks into different cafe concepts—some themed around nearby museums and monuments — and add 25 food carts.” [Washingtonian]

It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny conditions with a high near 84°F, accompanied by breezy southwest winds at 10 to 20 mph and gusts reaching up to 33 mph. Night will bring increasing clouds, a low around 64°F, and a 30% chance of showers after 2 a.m. [NWS]

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Kayaker Injured After Falling Into Potomac — “A man suffered life-threatening injuries Sunday after falling out of his kayak and being swept up in the Potomac River. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer said the incident involved three men and unfolded near the Great Falls area.” [WTOP]

Measles Case Confirmed at Dulles Airport — “Virginia and Washington, D.C. health officials on Friday confirmed a new case of measles in the region after an infected person traveled through Washington Dulles International Airport last week. According to officials, the person is a D.C. resident who traveled through the airport on April 23 and April 24.” [Patch]

Lawsuit Challenges Reproductive Rights Amendment — “Tazewell County makes news once again — this time over a second lawsuit challenging a proposed constitutional amendment that would enshrine reproductive rights in Virginia. Filed in Tazewell County Circuit Court, the suit claims the ballot language is misleading and echoes arguments in a previously filed case that challenged the legality of the amendment process.” [Virginia Mercury]

Banfield Lawyers Challenge Guilty Verdict — “Brendan Banfield’s defense team has filed a motion to set aside the guilty verdict in the ‘au pair affair’ double murder trial, a little more than a week before his sentencing date where he faces a mandatory life sentence … Arguments over the motion are expected to be heard during the sentencing hearing next Friday, May 8, at 11 a.m.” [DC News Now]

How Allergy Season Compares to Last Year — “Coughing, sneezing, and sniffles are signs it’s officially the worst part of spring in DC: allergy season. According to the Weather Channel forecasts, Washington will experience a ‘very high’ presence of tree and grass pollen for at least two weeks.” [Washingtonian]

More Lane Closures on Route 29 — “Weather permitting, Route 29 between Union Mill Road/Centreville Farms Drive (Route 8285) and Summit Drive/Buckleys Gate Drive (Route 1257) will continue to have lane closures on weekdays from Monday, May 4, through Friday, May 15, for Route 29 widening project work … Drivers should expect delays and are advised to use alternate routes.” [VDOT]

Va. Given More Time to Restore Voting Rights — “Virginia has an extra month to comply with a federal court order that re-enfranchises residents with certain felony convictions — something a judge says the state has not done (in violation of federal law) for over a century.” [VPM News]

County Offers Free Trees to Residents — “FREE native trees and shrubs are here for Fairfax County residents! Urban Forestry + Solid Waste were up early loading seedlings and delivering them to the 66 Transfer Station and 95 Disposal Complex! Starting [May 1], residents can pick up 3 free seedlings.” [DPWES/X]

New Legal Notice — Public budget hearings May 12, 6pm; May 13 overflow; broadcast. [Public Notices]

It’s Monday — Expect mostly sunny weather with temperatures reaching a high of 76°F. The southwest wind will range from 7 to 11 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph. Night will bring partly cloudy skies and a low of around 61°F. [NWS]

DHS Shutdown Over Except for ICE — “President Donald Trump swiftly signed a bipartisan legislation Thursday to fund much of the Department of Homeland Security, but not its immigration enforcement operations, shortly after the package won final approval in the House, ending the longest agency shutdown in history.” [Associated Press]

Charges for Attempted CIA HQ Entries — A 28-year-old man from the Fort Worth area of Texas was arrested on Monday (April 27) “after allegedly attempting to breach the CIA’s Virginia headquarters three times since Friday, according to court filings … He was charged with trespassing for the attempted CIA breaches and released on bond with the condition he not return to either government facility.” [Washington Post]

Fairfax and Arlington Diverge on Real Estate Taxes — “Higher assessed property values mean most homeowners in both jurisdictions will pay more in property taxes, under the new budgets. But how did Fairfax County manage to reduce its rate while Arlington increased it?” [ARLnow]

Faith in Housing Bill to Become Law — Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has signed into law a pair of bills that “will eliminate the rezoning step for faith-based organizations and other tax-exempt nonprofits to develop affordable housing on their properties. The law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027 and will sunset on Jan. 1, 2031 unless reenacted by a future General Assembly.” [ARLnow]

Satellite Company Sets IPO Target — “Herndon defense technology contractor HawkEye 360 Inc. intends to raise up to $416 million from its initial public offering, according to [an April 27] filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.” Planning to offer 16 million shares priced between $24 and $26 each, the $2.4 billion company is expected to debut on the New York Stock Exchange “within the next few days or weeks, though no official date has been set yet.” [Washington Business Journal]

Sneak Peek of Reston Restaurant in D.C. — The annual New Kitchens on the Block offered visitors at Mess Hall in D.C. “an early taste of the city’s next big cafes, restaurants and bars to find out if the hype is real.” Among the participants was Ebbitt House, a new concept from Clyde’s Restaurant Group that’s expected to open at Reston Station this August. [WTOP]

Spring Farm Day Returns to Frying Pan — “See life on the farm in full swing — including the spring baby boom — at Spring Farm Day on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Frying Pan Farm Park. Experience hands-on activities, live demonstrations and family-friendly fun throughout the day.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]

Sully District Celebrates Birthday — “Please join Supervisor Kathy Smith to celebrate the Sully District’s 35th birthday on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 11 am to 2 pm. Gather with friends and family to celebrate this milestone, enjoy cake, a flashback of Sully District history, and take advantage of onsite County services.” [Sully District Office]

It’s Friday — This afternoon will be mostly sunny with a high of 67°F and a slight 20% chance of showers after 2 PM. Overnight, expect mostly cloudy skies with a 40% chance of showers between 8 PM and 2 AM, and a low around 48°F. [NWS]

Three-Story Home Addition Blocked — “A controversial three-story home addition that sparked backlash in a Fairfax County neighborhood will not move forward as planned after a zoning board denied the homeowner’s appeal.” Complaints about the project prompted county leaders to revisit their height restrictions for single-family houses. [DC News Now]

New Laws Regulate Rideshare Safety — “A change to how Virginia screens rideshare drivers will take effect this summer after Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed two bills tightening background check and identity requirements for companies such as Uber and Lyft. The new rules take effect July 1.” [The Center Square/Inside NoVA]

Redistricting Vote Certification Still on Hold — “Virginia’s top court on Tuesday left in place a county judge’s order temporarily blocking the state from certifying the results of last week’s ​referendum, when voters approved a new Democratic-drawn congressional map aimed at flipping ‌four Republican U.S. House seats.” [Reuters]

Dominion Energy Bill Awaits Signature — “A bill backed by Virginia’s largest and most powerful electric utility is on Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s desk for final action after the legislature rejected some of her cost-saving suggestions. The legislation … would assign certain electric grid upgrade costs to data centers and allow Dominion Energy to spend $900,000 a mile burying local distribution lines.” [Inside Climate News]

House Seeks New Rules for Data Center Tax Break — While state Senate leaders are advocating for an elimination of Virginia’s sales and use tax exemption for data centers, a spending plan proposed by the House of Delegates would condition the exemption on new environmental standards, including a commitment to energy efficiency and a prohibition on co-locations with carbon-emitting power facilities. [Virginia Mercury]

Furniture Store Opens in Bailey’s Crossroads — “Regency Furniture opened April 25 in the space formerly occupied by Value City Furniture in Bailey’s Crossroads … Regency Furniture has a wide selection of sofas, loveseats, chairs, bedroom sets, coffee tables, dining sets, office furnishings, and décor accessories.” [Annandale Today]

Over 22K Pounds of Food Collected for Students — “A Food For Neighbors Red Bag collection in Fairfax County brought in about 22,300 pounds of food Saturday during the nonprofit’s final event of the school year, according to the organization … The group said the food from Saturday’s event was especially important because it was the last Red Bag collection of the school year.” [Patch]

Anti-Distracted Driving Demo in McLean — “McLean HS in Fairfax partnered with Virginia State Police for a distracted driving awareness event. Students saw firsthand the dangers of distracted driving and the importance of safe choices behind the wheel.” [Virginia State Police/X]

It’s Thursday — It will be mostly sunny with a high near 67°F and a northwest wind blowing at about 15 mph, with gusts reaching up to 25 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to around 44°F and a lighter northwest wind at 7 to 10 mph. [NWS]

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Spanberger Marks 100 Days as Governor — “Gov. Abigail Spanberger celebrated her first 100 days in office Monday in Richmond by touting her administration’s progress on healthcare, housing, and energy affordability measures. She had less to say, however, about the delayed state budget, which lawmakers haven’t finalized but must send to her desk for signature in the coming weeks.” [Virginia Mercury]

Settlement Approved in Capital One Lawsuit — “A federal judge approved a $425 million settlement from Capital One for a class action lawsuit over interest rates on its savings accounts. The approval was granted on April 20. If there is no appeal, settlement payments are set to go out around July 27, 2026.” [NBC4]

Reston Condo Sale Sets Va. Record — A penthouse unit that spans 5,798 square feet, plus a balcony, on the 27th floor of the JW Marriott Residences sold for $10.25 million on April 1, public records show. “The sale shatters Virginia’s previous condo record, set in February 2024 when a 29th-floor unit at Rosslyn’s Waterview tower sold for $5.65 million.” County records indicate that at least 34 of the JW Marriott’s 93 units have sold. [Washington Business Journal]

Pizzeria Opening Today in Falls Church — “Little Beast is preparing to dish up its first pizzas from its new restaurant at 119 E. Broad Street, on the ground floor of Broad & Washington.” The location will be the pizzeria’s first in Northern Virginia since owner Aaron Gordon closed Reston’s Little Beast and Red Velvet Cupcakery in 2023. [ARLnow]

Art Exhibit Centers on Teens’ Mental Health — “Teens grappling with mental health issues can find a way to express their feelings through art. That’s the premise for the Bridging the Gap art exhibit and reception at the Minnie Peyton Community Center in Bailey’s Crossroads on April 24.” [Annandale Today]

Local Brewery Wins Gold — “Caboose Brewing Co., which operates Caboose Tavern in Vienna and Caboose Commons in Fairfax, has won a gold medal at the 2026 World Beer Cup for its Boxcar Brown Ale in the American-Style Brown Ale category, according to a company release.” The same beer snagged a bronze medal at last year’s World Beer Cup. [Patch]

Vienna Little League Celebrates 75 Years — “From its start in 1952 with 175 players to now nearly 1,000 across 90 teams each spring, Vienna Little League has had a lasting, positive impact on generations of people in the community.” The Town of Vienna commemorated the league’s 75th season on Monday (April 27) by declaring the day “Vienna Little League Day.” [Town of Vienna/Instagram]

Tips for Tornado Season — “May is right around the corner, and that means tornado season is hitting its stride. Whether you’ve lived through a tornado warning before or you’re new to tornadoes, now is the time to figure out what you would do and where you’d go if a tornado warning was issued.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]

It’s Wednesday — Expect showers throughout the day, with a possible thunderstorm after 2 PM and a high of 69°F. Rainfall could be between a quarter and half an inch, with a 90% chance of precipitation that will dip to 70% at night. The low will be around 51°F. [NWS]

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

Future of Retail Cannabis Sales in Limbo — “Five years after Virginia legalized simple adult possession of marijuana, lawmakers are at an impasse over how to finally stand up a legal retail market, after the General Assembly last week rejected more than 40 changes proposed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger and sent the legislation back to her desk.” [Virginia Mercury]

Box Truck Fire on Main Street — The Fairfax County and Fairfax City fire departments responded around 2:20 p.m. yesterday (Monday) to a box truck fire at the intersection of Main Street and Farrcroft Drive. Two people had exited the vehicle by the time firefighters arrived, but no injuries were reported. [FCFRD/Facebook]

Fairfax Station Church Burglarized — Fairfax County police arrested a 30-year-old man from Lorton last week for allegedly breaking into a church in the 4900 block of Ox Road on April 23. The man has been charged with burglary, larceny with the intent to sell, felony property destruction, drug possession and auto theft for stealing a vehicle owned by the church, police say. [FCPD]

ALU Changes Raise Concerns — “Residents are concerned that new, more lenient rules on accessory living units (ALUs) would lead to more rental properties and less parking in stable single-family neighborhoods.” Fairfax County staff say the revised rules would make it easier to establish ALUs “by eliminating some of the administrative barriers and streamlining the review process.” [Annandale Today]

Paralegal Leads Korean Restaurant Tours — “Alexandria resident Soomin ‘Mina’ Kim spends her weekdays immersed in the world of law as a paralegal in Old Town. But her weekends are reserved for Annandale in Fairfax County, where she guides culinary Koreatown adventures for her small business, Virginialicious.” [ALXnow]

Lamb Mowers Visit Local School — “Landscaping at Rolling Valley Elementary School in West Springfield looked a bit different this week, when lawn mowers were left in the sheds while a flock of lambs trimmed the school’s grass by nibbling it for their breakfast and lunch.” [FCPS]

McLean Mansion Sells After Makeover — “Stately homes designed in 18th-century French architectural style … are not unusual in the Langley Farms section of McLean. But when a palatial 22,000-square-foot house on Georgetown Pike, built on nearly four acres in 2023, lingered on the market, the Building Group brought in Will Thomas for consultation.” [Washingtonian]

Teen Creates Financial Literacy Game — Oakton High School junior Rishab “Nanduri created MoneyQuest, a gamified financial literacy app that teaches students about saving, credit, investing, and long-term financial planning.” The 17-year-old’s goal was to find a fun, accessible way to educate other students about managing money. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Tuesday — Showers are possible from late morning to afternoon, under mostly cloudy skies with a high near 65°F. Evening sees a slight chance of showers before 7pm and after 8pm, with a low of 52°F. The chance of rain is 40% during the day and 20% at night. [NWS]

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

Police Officer’s Gun Fired in Tysons Corner Center — “On the afternoon of April 2, a D.C. police captain was at Level99 … when he lost his personal weapon while playing a game, Fairfax County police said. A teen found the weapon, thought it was a prop and pulled the trigger, investigators said. No one was shot.” [NBC4]

GOP Suggests Returning Part of N. Va. to D.C. — Republican Rep. Rich McCormick (R-Georgia) introduced legislation last week that would “Make D.C. Square Again” by ceding Arlington and Alexandria back to the District “in the wake of Virginia voters approving a redistricting referendum to benefit Democrats’ representation in Congress.” [ARLnow]

Metro Board Approves Automation Plan — “The WMATA board of directors voted [on April 23] to endorse a plan to fully automate the Red Line and add platform screen doors as part of its capital improvement plan. The other lines would come next. The changes wouldn’t be finished on the Red Line until 2032 at the earliest, and are contingent on federal funding.” [Washingtonian]

Bill Makes Contraceptives Free — “Contraceptive services will soon be free for all privately-insured Virginians under a new law starting in 2027. The Contraceptive Equity Act, sponsored by Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy (D-Fairfax), will require insurers to cover a broader range of birth control methods without patients having to pay out-of-pocket.” [WHRO]

Mobile Home Fire in Chantilly — Fairfax County firefighters responded just after 1 a.m. on Friday (April 24) to a fire that engulfed a mobile home in the 14500 block of Trans World Avenue in Chantilly. No injuries were reported, but an investigation into the cause of the fire remains underway. [FCFRD/Facebook]

FCPS Principal Defends Early Release Days — “Fairfax County elementary school teachers are using the extra time they receive on monthly early release days to plan, finish trainings, meet with parents and support chronically absent students,” according to Mosaic Elementary School principal Mahri Aste. She says she understands parents’ concerns about the school calendar, but the loss of the scheduled planning time will “impact kids.” [WTOP]

D.C. Considers Self-Driving Taxis — “Robotaxis could be allowed on D.C. streets under a new bill that lays out the rules of the road for autonomous vehicles, providing an alternative to Ubers and Lyfts or traditional taxis.” D.C. Council member Charles “Allen said he sought to address a number of concerns about autonomous vehicles, ranging from safety to congestion to the displacement of human workers.” [Washington Post]

McLean Houses Sell for Combined $25M — “The deals, which create a 6-acre compound across some of the most expensive and exclusive land in Greater Washington, closed 10 days apart. First, on April 14, Arthur and Linda Rodbell sold 1137 and 1169 Crest Lane to Splinter VA LLC for $12.825 million. Then, on Friday, 1173 and 1175 Crest, known as Easter Hill, sold for $12.45 million.” [Washington Business Journal]

It’s Monday — Expect patchy fog before 7 a.m., followed by sunny skies with a high around 69°F. Light winds will shift to an eastward direction at 5 to 8 mph in the morning. Monday night will be mostly clear, with a low near 47°F and southeast winds of 3 to 7 mph. [NWS]

Fairfax City Asked to Repay Funds for Canceled Trail — “The Virginia Department of Transportation has formally requested that Fairfax City repay $3.5 million in concessionaire funding used for the now-canceled George Snyder Trail project, according to a April 6 letter from the agency.” Mayor Catherine Read said at an April 14 work session that the city “was in communication with the state” on the repayment process. [Patch]

GW Parkway Resurfacing Begins — Starting yesterday (Thursday), the National Park Service is repaving the parkway in Alexandria after previously working on the section “between Spout Run Parkway and Interstate 395 in Arlington. Crews will resurface the road and replace pedestrian crossing medians between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and First Street.” [ALXnow]

Democrats Split on Proposed Data Center Ban — “Most Democrats in Congress have criticized the moratorium proposal harshly. Virginia Democratic Sen. Mark Warner dismissed the plan as ‘idiocy’ during an event hosted by Axios.” Meanwhile, Mo Seifeldein, a former Alexandria council member who’s challenging Rep. Don Beyer in Virginia’s 8th District, has expressed support for a pause on data center development. [Politico]

Book Vending Machine Added at Reston School — “The RoSigle Foundation, a local nonprofit, recently installed a book vending
machine at Langston Hughes Middle School, giving students a fun and engaging way to access free reading material. The initiative supports the organization’s broader mission to promote literacy and educational equity.” [Reston Letter]

New Chicken Restaurant Coming to Lincolnia — “Love & Honey Fried Chicken is replacing another chicken restaurant at Pinecrest Plaza in Lincolnia. The space, at 6544 Little River Turnpike, is being renovated following the closure of Hot Lola’s, which opened in February 2023.” [Annandale Today]

McLean AI Startup Raises Millions — “Rilian has raised $17.5 million in new funding to further expand the development of its artificial intelligence-powered cybersecurity tools for the defense sector.” The company plans to use the funding from 8VC, a venture capital firm started by Palantir Technologies co-founder Joe Lonsdale, to hire more engineering staff, boost marketing and continue building out its products “for the U.S. military and its allies.” [Washington Business Journal]

Baby Born in Reston Miles From Home — “Akosua was born at Reston Hospital on October 26, 2025, at just 1 pound, 1 ounce — and more than 5,000 miles from her home in Ghana. Her mother, Afua, was 23 weeks pregnant when she traveled to the U.S. to attend her cousin’s wedding last fall.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Sporting Events to Watch for — “Sports fans looking to catch a game this spring have a number of options to explore without leaving the county.” Highlights include home games for Old Glory DC and DC Divas, the District’s professional rugby and women’s football teams, which will be playing at George Mason Stadium and Lewis High School, respectively. [Fairfax County Government]

It’s Friday — Expect mostly sunny weather with a high near 81, although there is a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms developing after 2 p.m. Night will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. [NWS]

Injuries in Metro Silver Line Collision — “Eleven people are injured after a Metro work vehicle collided with a Silver Line Metro train in the Metro Center station early Wednesday, authorities say … The 11 riders who were hurt have injuries that aren’t considered life-threatening or serious, according to Metro.” [NBC4]

Certification of Redistricting Referendum Results Blocked — A judge in Tazewell County Circuit Court has barred the State Board of Elections from certifying the results of Tuesday’s special election, which saw Virginia voters narrowly approve a redrawn congressional map. Attorney General Jay Jones said his office will appeal the ruling. [CNN]

Spanberger Revisions Rejected on Major Bills — “Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger now faces a tough choice: whether or not to veto marquee Democratic legislation after the General Assembly did not accept her changes.” While the House of Delegates and state Senate accepted most amendments, they rejected recommendations on bills dealing with prescription drug prices, an assault weapons ban, retail cannabis sales and public-sector unions. [VPM News]

Inside an Anti-Redistricting Watch Party — “All eyes were glued to the screen as the numbers came in, at a small watch party at Lil Havana Cigar Club in McLean, Tuesday night. The group is all opposed to the new congressional redistricting maps, that will give Democrats a 10-1 advantage in Congress.” [WUSA9]

US DOT to Prioritize Congestion Relief — “U.S. Deputy Transportation Secretary Steven Bradbury told Spotlight on Maryland that the U.S. Department of Transportation is launching what it calls the ‘Freedom to Drive initiative.’ The plan calls on governors nationwide to identify a handful of their state’s worst traffic chokeholds and outline concrete plans to fix them.” [FOX Baltimore]

School Boundary Change Meetings Coming — “When the Fairfax County School Board approved comprehensive districtwide school boundary changes in January, it agreed to hold off on some of the changes, pending additional community engagement.” Meetings on potential changes for Bren Mar Park Elementary School will be held tomorrow (Friday) and for Glasgow Middle School next Tuesday (April 28). [Annandale Today]

Yemeni Cafe Brewing in Falls Church — “Rashfa Cafe hopes to open this June at 310 S. Washington Street, owner and founder Abdulrahman Al Harethi told ARLnow. He wants to share his heritage with the community through Yemeni-sourced coffee and menu items like rawani cake, sabayah pastries and honeycomb bread.” [ARLnow]

Sneak Peek of Hershey Pop-Up in Tysons — “After months of anticipation, The Hershey Super Sweet Adventure pop-up officially opens on Friday, April 24. As a frequenter of Hershey’s Chocolate World since childhood, I had to check out the pop-up to see if it lived up to the hype. And, I have to say, I give it a thumbs-up.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Thursday — Expect sunny weather with a high around 81°F and a northwest wind blowing at 3 to 7 mph. By Thursday night, conditions will turn partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 58°F, accompanied by a light northwest wind. [NWS]

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Innovation Station Development Breaks Ground — “After several years of planning, the mixed-use Rivana project at the Innovation Center Metro station has broken ground. Developers and Loudoun County officials gathered Monday to kick off the construction of the project,” which will deliver 3.5 million square feet of office space, 3,700 residential units and 500 hotel rooms on a 103-acre site on the Loudoun/Fairfax border. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Va. Set to Offer Paid Leave Programs — “After years of trying, Democrats in Virginia’s legislature passed bills that will create two new state benefit programs: paid family leave and paid sick leave. Both work similar to the Commonwealth’s unemployment program, guaranteeing paid time off when an emergency strikes. But the programs aren’t free.” [WVTF]

Fairfax Station Gas Station Burglarized — “On April 6, at approximately 6:03 a.m., officers responded to an Exxon gas station at 8965 Village Shops Drive in Fairfax Station for a reported burglary. An employee arrived to open the business and discovered the front door had been smashed.” Security footage showed that a man had broken the door “with a rock” around 12:40 a.m. and stole cigarettes and alcohol, police say. [FCPD]

New Bank Branch Open in Tysons — “Freedom Financial Holdings, Inc. has relocated its corporate offices and The Freedom Bank of Virginia has opened a new branch co-located in the heart of Tysons Corner at 1750 Tysons Blvd., McLean. The milestone continues the bank’s growth and long-term investment in Northern Virginia during its 25th anniversary, Freedom Financial said in a news release.” [Inside NoVA]

Fairfax City Residents Weigh In on Budget — “Fairfax City officials used an April 16 public engagement meeting to gather feedback on the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget, with participants ranking schools, infrastructure and public safety among the highest priorities and showing little support for reducing existing services.” [Patch]

Awareness of Gun Seizure Law Growing — “Since the ‘Red Flag’ law went into effect on July 1, 2020, Fairfax County said it has processed 481 Emergency Substantial Risk cases and temporarily taken away 947 guns … The Northern Virginia suburb has seen a significant increase in cases in the last few years, which Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano suspects is the result of more people becoming aware of the law.” [WTOP]

Annandale Residents Clean Up for Earth Day — “The Hillbrook-Tall Oaks community is a lot nicer, since the Annandale neighborhood held an Earth Day cleanup on April 18. Thirty-one dedicated volunteers … collected 24 bags of trash and recyclables from neighborhood streets and the grounds of Poe Middle School.” [Annandale Today]

Deadline for Lake Anne Signage Comments — The presentation and video from last week’s meeting on a proposed concept for a new logo and signs identifying Lake Anne Plaza in Reston are now online. Fairfax County’s Community Revitalization Section is accepting public comments on the potential design until the end of the day next Monday (April 27). [Fairfax Community Revitalization]

It’s Wednesday — There’s a 50% chance of precipitation, with possible scattered showers until 2 pm and isolated thunderstorms after 2 pm. It’s partly sunny with a high near 74°F. Night will be mostly clear with a low of about 55°F and a 30% chance of precipitation. [NWS]

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