The children’s TV show “Peppa Pig” plays on the outdoor screen at the Mosaic District in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Missing Swimmer’s Body Found — “Crews from the Montgomery County fire department recovered the body of 20-year-old Nazir Bell early Tuesday afternoon days after they started their search on Sunday evening.” Bell went missing while swimming in the Potomac River near the Billy Goat Trail during what “was supposed to be a fun outing with friends.” [NBC4]

Home Builder Convicted of Fraud — “A three-week criminal trial in Fairfax County Circuit Court ended Wednesday with a six-count conviction for home contractor Richard Craig Tadlock. The 76-year-old was convicted on five counts of construction fraud and one count of obtaining money by false pretenses.” [WUSA9]

Regional Lego Theft Ring Busted — “Three suspects are accused of conspiring to steal minifigures from numerous Lego sets across the D.C. area, making a tidy profit reselling them online. Collectible minifigures from fandoms such as Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and Zelda were secretly swiped in 29 incidents, supplying a high-volume eBay storefront that netted over $36,000 in 12 months, according to a criminal complaint.” [ARLnow]

Repairs Continue on Potomac Water Pipes — Emergency repairs started on Tuesday (June 16) to fix a different section of the Potomac Interceptor than the one that “famously spewed raw sewage straight into the Potomac River” in January, an indicator of the “precarious state” of D.C.’s only drinking water source. Additional priority spots have been identified in Dulles and “on the DC-Maryland line by Chain Bridge.” [Washingtonian]

Former Kingstowne Library Slated for Retail — The owner of Landsdowne Centre is seeking contractors to divide roughly 20,000 square feet of space previously occupied by the Kingstowne Library and Center for Active Adults into “nine new retail spaces.” The shopping center is otherwise “fully leased” to tenants including CVS, Hangry Joe’s, Dairy Queen and more. [Washington Business Journal]

Local Student Honored for Safety Patrol Work — Inspired by his mother and older sister, William Kinne signed up to become a safety patrol member at Canterbury Woods Elementary School in Wakefield. “On Tuesday night, Kinne was recognized as AAA’s Safety Patroller of the Year. It marks the second consecutive year a student at the school has received the honor.” [WTOP]

New Eateries Coming to Bailey’s Crossroads — “Several new dining options are in the works for Bailey’s Crossroads. The Nile Restaurant is slated to open Monday, June 22, at 5624 Columbia Pike. Gamal Elhadi, the owner, plans to offer kebabs, grilled chicken, fried fish, salads, and Mediterranean specialties.” Multiple cafes, a Chinese restaurant and Bora Bora Smoothie Cafe are also under construction. [Annandale Today]

Metro Reflects on 50 Years of Service — “This year marks 50 years since Metrorail’s first trains began service in D.C. Over the course of the decades, the transit system has expanded significantly, playing a crucial role in the growth and development of the Washington metropolitan area.” Metro General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke “views Metro’s story as intertwined with that of America and the DMV.” [DC News Now]

It’s Thursday — Expect a high of 94°F and partly sunny skies, with a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 PM. At night, there is a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mostly before 3 AM, with a low of 69°F. [NWS]

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Pink flowers bloom in Old Town Square in Fairfax City (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

DCA to Close Runways for July 4 Events — “The runways at Reagan National Airport will be closed for much of July 3 and 4 to accommodate celebrations in D.C. Ambitious plans for a record-breaking fireworks display, coupled with aerial performances and rehearsals, mean that no flights will be scheduled at the airport after noon on the Fourth of July.” [ARLnow]

State Lawmakers Oppose Trump Arch — “A group of Northern Virginia state lawmakers is urging the National Park Service to reject President Trump’s planned 250-foot ‘triumphal arch’ near Arlington National Cemetery and Memorial Bridge. In a letter sent Monday, 25 Democratic senators and delegates asked the agency to find that the arch would harm historic sites” and block an intentionally preserved view. [ARLnow]

Court Date Set for Sex Trafficking Case — “More details have been released on a mother and daughter arrested last month for allegedly running a sex trafficking operation in Alexandria and Fairfax County. The 21-year-old and 51-year-old women who live in Fairfax County have been held without bond since their arrest on May 4.” A preliminary hearing is scheduled on June 30. [ALXnow]

How Much GMU Paid Mike Pence — Former Vice President Mike “Pence was hired for $150,000 to teach or co-teach one course in the spring 2026 semester on a nine-month contract, according to the document obtained by” the George Mason University chapter of the American Association of University Professors, an academic union. [VA Dogwood]

Senate President on FBI Raid — “For the first time Monday, Virginia State Sen. Louise Lucas answered questions about the FBI raid on her private business and her district office. She said it’s awfully coincidental that it came on the heels of her push to redistrict Virginia in favor of Democrats,” stating that no charges have been filed and no arrests made. [NBC4]

Coffee Cafe Expands to Bailey’s Crossroads — “The new Underdog [Coffee and Bread] is located at 3511 Carlin Springs Road, next to REI. It has the same menu as the café at 7109 Columbia Pike, although eventually each location will have unique coffee drinks, says Kyungjin Yoon, the manager of the Bailey’s Crossroads shop.” [Annandale Today]

Food Bank Launches Summer Meals Program — With classes ending for many students in the D.C. region, including Fairfax County Public Schools, as of today (Wednesday), Capital Area Food Bank has already started offering free meals for the summer. “The food bank has already opened 17 sites in D.C., Virginia and Maryland where families with children 18 and under can show up and eat without pre-approval.” [WTOP]

Reston Association Budget Talks Start — “Reston Association directors took an early step in shaping the association’s 2027 budget Wednesday, reviewing more than 140 member suggestions during a June 11 board meeting and budget work session.” Proposals included a queuing area for the Autumnwood pickleball courts, security upgrades for Dogwood Pool, and improvements to the entrance into Lake Anne Village Center from Baron Cameron Avenue. [Patch]

It’s Wednesday — It will be sunny with a high of 88 degrees and a southwest wind at 3 to 8 mph. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to around 69 degrees. Expect a south wind at 5 to 9 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph. [NWS]

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


A stars and stripes banner on a fence around the Vienna Town Green during a Flag Day celebration on June 14, 2026 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

How House and Senate Budget Plans Compare — “With a June 30 deadline looming before a state government shutdown, Virginia legislators have released new budget proposals, the latest actions in a long-simmering debate over the state spending plan that has deadlocked over whether data centers should keep being exempt from the state’s sales and use tax.” [Virginia Mercury]

Repeal of Campaign Finance Audits Proposed — “A budget provision released Friday by Democrats in the House of Delegates would send Virginia back to the days when the public had to accept on faith that candidates’ campaign finance disclosures were complete and accurate. A nine-word sentence … would strip the Virginia Department of Elections of its authority to audit campaign finance reports.” [Poole Report]

Fairfax EDA Names New President — George D. Thomas, currently head of the regional collaboration nonprofit Connected DMV, has been appointed as the next president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. Starting in August, he will succeed Victor Hoskins, who is leaving after nearly seven years to become an advisor for organizations exploring “large-scale public-private investment,” the Washington Business Journal reported in February. [FCEDA]

Microsoft Pulling Back on Clean Energy Goals — “Microsoft is considering ending its round-the-clock or 24/7 clean energy goal, which aims to meet 100 percent of its energy consumption 100 percent of the time with zero-carbon electricity by 2030.” The company has a number of data centers in Virginia, including in Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties. [Inside Climate News]

Route 29 Ramp Closure Tomorrow — “Weather permitting, the southbound Route 29 ramp to westbound I-66 at Exit 52 in Centreville will be closed from 10 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, to 5 a.m. Wednesday, June 17, for asphalt patching … Drivers are asked to follow posted detour signs.” [VDOT]

Student Competes on American Ninja Warrior — Woodson High School student Grace Walk was featured last night (Monday) on the reality competition show, where contestants tackle elaborate obstacle courses. “Walk’s journey to appear on the show has been years in the making. She began with the ninja sport when she was just 9 years old.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Wakefield Softball Fields Updated — “The softball fields at Wakefield Park have been upgraded, the Fairfax County Park Authority announced on June 11. The improvements include renovated playing surfaces and amenities, upgraded LED lighting, new dugouts, new fencing, new batting cages, and new picnic tables and bleachers.” [Annandale Today]

Hearing Set on Fairfax City Council Pay — “Fairfax City Council members will hold public hearings Tuesday, June 23 on a proposed green building policy, subdivision ordinance changes and pay increases for the mayor and council members. The regular meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.” [Patch]

It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny skies with a high near 80 degrees and light, variable winds. Tuesday night will bring increasing cloud cover and a low of around 63 degrees, with south winds at 3 to 6 mph. [NWS]

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


Shoppers browse booths at the Clifton Farmers’ Market at 12644 Chapel Road (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

Va. House Releases Budget Proposal — “Budget leaders in the Virginia House of Delegates announced a new roughly $74 billion spending plan during a Friday morning press conference in Richmond … Most of the new funding is dedicated to public education while preserving the sales tax exemption for data centers, which the Senate proposed nixing.” [VPM News]

Trump Admin Sues Va. Over ICE Laws — “The Trump administration is suing Virginia over new state laws surrounding immigration enforcement, including one that bans U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing masks … On Thursday, June 11, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit challenging these new laws, calling them unconstitutional.” [WRIC]

Fairfax Residents Moving to Richmond — “Migration data released by the Internal Revenue Service (which tracks where people file their tax returns) shows an uptick in the number of people moving out of Fairfax County and into the Richmond metro. The data also shows a smaller, but still significant trend: The Roanoke Valley now attracts more new residents from Fairfax County than it loses to the state’s most populous county.” [Cardinal News]

Amazon Eyes Distribution Site in Tysons — “Amazon.com Inc. is expected to bring its new 30-minute delivery option to Tysons and Arlington as the competition to provide the speediest distribution heats up among the world’s largest online retailers.” The company is seeking multiple permits to build out “an 8,450-square-foot industrial storefront sandwiched between Tyco Road and the Dulles Access Road,” possibly for its Amazon Now delivery service for groceries and “household essentials.” [Washington Business Journal]

Assistant Police Chief Leaving — “Assistant Chief Brooke Wright will retire from the Fairfax County Police Department after almost three decades of service, leadership, and commitment to public safety. She has been appointed Assistant Chief with the Wilmington Police Department in North Carolina, where she will continue her law enforcement career.” [FCPD]

Spanberger Defends Vetoes — “The pushback has exposed ideological and procedural tensions inside Virginia’s Democratic Party at a moment when lawmakers had hoped to capitalize on full control of Richmond after years of divided government. Spanberger, however, rejects the idea that her vetoes reflect dysfunction or political drift.” [Virginia Mercury]

First Varsity Girls’ Wrestlers Head to College — “Two years later, Fairfax County made girls’ varsity wrestling a new sports option. MacKay was eager to join and did, becoming part of a cohort of first-ever team members across the Northern Virginia suburb. Now, MacKay and two other students who were part of the inaugural teams have been recruited to compete in college.” [WTOP]

Madison Girls Win Lacrosse State Title — “The Madison High School girls lacrosse team can finally put last season’s state runner-up finish behind them. On Saturday, the Warhawks held off Battlefield 11-9 in the Class 6 state final at Briar Woods High School in Ashburn to claim a state title they almost captured a year ago.” [Inside NoVA]

New Legal Notice — On-premises beer and wine license application; objections within 30 days. [Public Notices]

It’s Monday — Expect sunny skies with a high near 80 degrees and a northwest wind blowing at 9 to 11 mph, with gusts reaching up to 20 mph. Monday night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to around 60 degrees and a northwest wind at 5 to 8 mph. [NWS]


People walking by Tysons Corner Center’s parking garage A near Macy’s (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Dominion Leaders Grilled on Merger — “Lawmakers gathered in Richmond this week to grill Dominion leadership on the $67 billion all-stock deal which could see management of half of Virginia’s energy move outside the commonwealth.” Legislators on Virginia’s Energy Commission who questioned the acquisition by NextEra included Fairfax Del. Rip Sullivan and Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell. [WVTF]

Kennedy Center Board to Challenge Ruling on Name — “President Donald Trump’s handpicked board at the Kennedy Center is mounting a last-minute effort to keep his name on the facade of the iconic performing arts facility before a court-ordered deadline to remove it by Friday.” The board voted yesterday (Thursday) to seek a stay of the May 29 ruling that found Trump’s name was added illegally. [Associated Press]

Criminal Record Sealing Law to Take Effect — “A Virginia law going into effect on July 1 will seal the criminal records of many people convicted of low-level offenses … Advocates say the change will open up housing and employment opportunities, helping people to move on with their lives years after committing an offense. Critics have raised public safety concerns.” [ARLnow]

Tex-Mex Restaurant Opens Near GMU — Doña Mesa Tex Mex Kitchen opened yesterday (Thursday) at 106 Braddock Road, Suite C, in University Mall, joining other recent additions like the rebranded Velocity Bar and Kitchen and Another Broken Egg Cafe. The menu features “the quesadillas, fajitas and tacos Tex-Mex fans will expect, as well as specialties like slow-cooked Mexican ribs, stuffed shrimp, marinated grilled chicken, ribeye steak and more.” [Patch]

Sports Complex Expansion Approved — “The Board of Supervisors on June 9 approved a zoning special exception to allow a major expansion of the private school for elite student athletes at the St. James sports complex in Springfield … The expansion will allow the [St. James Performance Academy] to enroll 660 students and add 110 employees.” [Annandale Today]

Resources for the World Cup — “The 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway until July 19 — the global sporting event that captures passion and play … There are many watch parties for many teams across the county. If you want to cheer on the U.S. Men’s National Team, then Tysons is one spot to consider for matches on June 12, June 19 and June 25.” [Fairfax County Government]

Taste of Springfield Returns — “Join us for the 8th annual Taste of Springfield Festival on Saturday, June 13th from 11 AM-5 PM in the parking lot near Dick’s Sporting Goods … This family-friendly event allows you to stroll through the dozens of fun exhibitors outdoors while sampling some of the delicious offerings of local restaurants and chefs.” [Springfield Town Center]

RTC North Town Hall Next Week — “Fairfax County Supervisor Walter Alcorn will host a community town hall next week on the Reston Town Center North rezoning proposal before it advances to the Planning Commission in July. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at the North County Governmental Center.” [Hunter Mill District Office]

New Legal Notice — Establishment seeks restaurant ABC license; objections due within 30 days. [Public Notices]

It’s Friday — There’s an 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5 pm, with some severe storms possible. The high will be near 95, and the heat index could reach 103. In the evening, storms will continue until about 8 pm, with lows around 67. [NWS]


Benches and trees along Reston Station Blvd near the Faraday Park apartments (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Hate Incidents at Thoreau Middle School — “A Northern Virginia father said he’s sad and angry after two classmates at Thoreau Middle School in Vienna allegedly targeted his daughter with drawings of swastikas. He said he decided to come forward after seeing a News4 story last week about another student at that school who said he was called the N-word multiple times and had water dumped on his head.” [NBC4]

No ICE Reforms in Federal Funding Bill – “The Republican-controlled House on Tuesday narrowly passed a roughly $70 billion immigration enforcement funding bill” that will extend through the end of President Donald Trump’s term. Fairfax County’s “Rep. James Walkinshaw … told Morning Edition that Democrats unsuccessfully pushed for changes such as limits on face coverings, body camera requirements and clearer use-of-force standards.” [NPR]

Metrobus Detours for UFC Event — Starting at 10 p.m. tonight “through Monday at 6am, road closures in support of the Freedom250 UFC event will cause bus detours” on several Metrobus routes, including the F19 Mount Vernon Estate Express from southeastern Fairfax into D.C. The bout is scheduled to take place on the White House lawn this Sunday (June 14). [WMATA/Bluesky]

Va. Residents Seek to Halt UFC Fight — “The Justice Department on Tuesday urged a federal judge to reject a lawsuit seeking to stop the White House’s Ultimate Fighting Championship event scheduled for this weekend.” The lawsuit was filed this past weekend by the Public Integrity Project, which is representing “a political activist and Vietnam veteran” from Virginia. [ABC News]

More Damage Found to Potomac Pipe — “DC Water is once again working to repair a damaged section of the Potomac Interceptor. The utility says crews discovered corrosion and broken supports in another area of the pipe in Potomac, Maryland, on Tuesday.” The issue was found in different section from the one that collapsed in January, “triggering a massive sewage spill into the Potomac River.” [WUSA9]

Interactive Art Installed in Annandale — “The ‘Conversation Bench,’ installed by Community Art for Everyone (CAFE) on June 8, is part of the Art in Daily Spaces project.” Located in the Eileen Garnett Civic Space at 7200 Columbia Pike, “it consists of two attached pink-and-blue chairs facing in opposite directions with a glass screen between them.” [Annandale Today]

Fairfax City Redevelopment Proposed — “A proposal to replace four office buildings on Chain Bridge Road with a mixed-use development of apartments, office space, retail and structured parking moved through another review step Monday during a Fairfax City Planning Commission work session.” [Patch]

Public Health Center Closing Tomorrow — “Services offered at the Fairfax County Health Department’s West Springfield Public Health Center (located in the Cary Building at 8136 Old Keene Mill Road in Springfield) are being transitioned to the Franconia-Springfield Public Health Center. The last day for client services at West Springfield is June 12, 2026.” [Fairfax County Health Department]

Students Succeed in Problem-Solving Competition — Seven fourth-grade students from Forestville Elementary School in Great Falls are celebrating after finishing in third place at the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals. Held at Iowa State University from May 27-30, the competition challenged 54 teams from eight different countries “to solve technical problems in creative ways.” [FCPS]

It’s Thursday — Expect mostly sunny weather with a high of 96°F and heat index values reaching 104°F. There’s a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 pm. Night will be mostly cloudy, with a low of 73°F and a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms. [NWS]

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North American toad spotted in Turkey Run Park in McLean (photo by Susan Woolsey)

Fatal Crash on Old Keene Mill Road — Police officers responded yesterday afternoon (Tuesday) to a single-vehicle crash on Old Keene Mill Road near Tiverton Drive in Springfield. “An adult driver was pronounced deceased on scene. Two adult passengers were transported with injuries, one life-threatening.” [FCPD/X]

Wanted Herndon Man in Custody — Wanted on charges of abduction, carjacking, assault and more following an alleged altercation at his home, Cristian Vasquez Alvarenga “has been taken into custody in the area of Elden St and Alabama Dr,” Herndon police announced yesterday morning. “Thank you to multiple community members that called in after seeing him.” [Herndon Police/Facebook]

One Hospitalized After I-95 Crash — “One person needed to be rescued and taken to the hospital after a crash on Interstate 95 in Fairfax County, officials said Tuesday.” Dispatched shortly after 5 p.m. to I-95 south near the I-395 split in Springfield, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue crews found “several vehicles that had been involved in a crash. One person was trapped.” [DC News Now]

Falls Church Tests Sip-and-Stroll Program — “From 5-10 p.m. this Saturday, Little City Sips will allow residents to partake in alcoholic beverages on the go, while enjoying entertainment, a lively atmosphere and libations from local restaurants, available in branded cups. The sip-and-stroll will be piloted around a section of W. Broad Street and Park Avenue.” [ARLnow]

Volunteer Fire Depts Seek New Recruits — A new campaign from the International Association of Fire Chiefs is targeting a new generation of volunteer firefighters “through social media campaigns and marketing materials.” Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire Department Chief Shawn Stokes says that “over the years, it has become harder and harder to recruit ready volunteers.” [WTOP]

Loudoun Winery Up for Sale — “Aspiring winemakers in Northern Virginia have a new opportunity to purchase a fully operational vineyard. Carriage House Wineworks, a boutique winery in Waterford, is now on the market. The property at 40817 Browns Ln., Waterford, is currently listed for $1,990,000.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Nearly $12M Sought for McLean Mansion — “Sneak a peek at this ultra-luxury property for sale on McLean’s so-called ‘Gold Coast,’ where exclusive riverfront estates enjoy sweeping vistas of the Potomac River and its cascading falls. The 2.4 acre Bella Vista property, located at 1159 Crest Lane, is perched right at the water’s edge. The asking price: $11.9 million.” [Arlington Magazine]

Free America 250 Concert in Annandale — “The Mason District Arts Council’s Mason Arts 250 program is presenting ‘America the Beautiful at 250,’ an afternoon of music and poetry, on June 13 at John Calvin Presbyterian Church … The Mason Arts 250 series kicked off last Sunday with a free concert by the NoVA Lights Chorale.” [Annandale Today]

It’s Wednesday — There’s a 50% chance of precipitation with storms especially possible 2-7 p.m. Skies will be mostly cloudy with a high near 88°F. A 30% chance of precipitation remains at night, when skies will partially clear and temperatures dip to a low around 72°F. [NWS]

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


Vehicles stopped at a traffic light on Capital One Tower Road in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Lawn Mower Fire Extinguished — Fairfax County firefighters responded around 2:40 p.m. yesterday (Monday) to a house fire in the 5800 block of Glen Forest Drive in Bailey’s Crossroads. “First-arriving crews located a lawn mower on fire with extension to a rear deck … All occupants exited the home prior to #FCFRD arrival. No civilian or firefighter injuries.” [FCFRD/Facebook]

Kennedy Center Name Restored Online — “The top of the Kennedy Center’s website now refers to ‘The Kennedy Center,’ not ‘The Trump Kennedy Center.’ The text in branding on the website had been changed as of Monday morning, ahead of the June 12 deadline to remove President Donald Trump’s name.” [NBC4]

Ticks Becoming More Common in Region — “In fact, ticks have been on the up-and-up locally and beyond for the past several years. CDC data shows a 57 percent jump in DC Lyme disease cases between 2012 and 2023 — and that’s only what has been reported.” [Washingtonian]

N. Va. Bus Policies Too Inconsistent, Metro Leader Says — “Inconsistent policies on bus fares and enforcement are creating confusion among riders and challenges for transit in Northern Virginia, Metro’s top official says.” WMATA CEO Randy Clarke suggested to the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission “that riders aren’t entirely to blame for the region’s high rate of fare evasion — and that local leaders should do more to help.” [ARLnow]

Merrifield Boxing Studio to Close — “BASH Boxing will be closing its locations in Ballston, Rosslyn and Fairfax County’s Mosaic District on Sunday, June 21, according to a mass email sent to customers just before noon today (Monday) … The interval workout studio said the closures were ‘a difficult decision made after careful consideration of many factors.'” [ARLnow]

Permits Issued for Eataly in Tysons — “Fairfax County late last month approved buildout plans that look to [set] the stage for Oscar Farinetti’s popular, Italian food hall chain [to] step into the prominent two-level space at Tysons Corner Center formerly occupied by American Girl.” [Washington Business Journal]

Ten Local Companies in Fortune 500 — “Fairfax NOVA remains strong in the 2026 Fortune 500 rankings, with 10 Fairfax-headquartered companies listed among the largest publicly traded corporations in the United States.” The highest-ranked Fairfax County company on the list is Tysons-based Freddie Mac at no. 55. [Fairfax County EDA]

New CSB Director Appointed — “Jordan A. Scheff has been appointed executive director of the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB), effective Monday, June 15.” Commissioner of Connecticut’s Department of Developmental Services since 2017, he will succeed Daryl Washington, who resigned as head of the CBS after accepting a position in Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration. [Fairfax County Government]

New Legal Notice — Hearing June 15, 2026 on Clifton meals tax increase, ≥1%, FY2027. [Public Notices]

It’s Tuesday — Expect partly sunny skies with a high around 84°F and a light south wind increasing to 5 to 9 mph in the morning. By Tuesday night, the weather will turn mostly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to around 68°F and a consistent south wind of about 8 mph. [NWS]

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


Red, purple and pink flowers planted at the Vienna Town Green (photo by Amy Woolsey)

Divide Over Data Center Tax Breaks Persists — “The new fiscal year starts next month, but Virginia still has no budget. And leaders in the General Assembly are still divided over what to do about a tax break for data centers.” [WVTF]

More Details on Ex-CIA Official’s Alleged Gold Bar Stash — “The former senior CIA official found with more than $40 million worth of gold bars in his house allegedly created a fake, highly classified intelligence program that he used as a conduit to funnel millions of dollars for his personal use, according to people familiar with the criminal investigation.” [Washington Post]

Bill Would Require DHS Reports to Congress — “Rep. James R. Walkinshaw, who represents Virginia’s 11th District and serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security, introduced legislation that would require the Department of Homeland Security to notify Congress within 72 hours of any serious bodily injury or death involving people in federal custody or caused by DHS personnel.” [Patch]

Vienna Man Challenging Traffic Tickets — “A Northern Virginia man says he has spent years fighting traffic tickets tied to a car he doesn’t own, after someone allegedly created fake copies of his vanity license plate and used them on other vehicles.” The citations, tickets and violations have mostly come from D.C. and Prince George’s County in Maryland. [FOX5]

Va. Bans Weapons in Mental Health Care Facilities — “Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Thursday signed legislation prohibiting firearms and other dangerous weapons in medical facilities that provide mental health and developmental services, saying the measure will help protect patients, visitors and healthcare workers from workplace violence.” [WSET]

Road Closure in Lincolnia — “Weather permitting, Fifth Street (Route 1144) between Cherokee Avenue (Route 2246) and Chowan Avenue (Route 2241) will be closed to through traffic Monday, June 8; Tuesday, June 9; Wednesday, June 10; and Thursday, June 11, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day for drainage pipe replacement … Drivers are asked to follow posted detour signs.” [VDOT]

Photos for America’s 250 Time Capsule Wanted — “The Virginia congressional delegation invites individuals across the Commonwealth to submit photographs to be considered for the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule. The delegation is collecting photographs that represent the many treasures Virginia has to offer in 2026 … The capsule will be opened on the nation’s 500th anniversary, July 4, 2276.” [Sen. Mark Warner]

MLK Pool Splash Pad Opens — “Fairfax County Park Authority welcomes the local community to beat the heat this summer at Martin Luther King, Jr. Pool — with an inclusive splash pad … The new, all-access splash pad opens for the 2026 summer season, replacing the tot pool that once stood in its place.” [FCPA]

It’s Monday — Expect sunny conditions with a high of around 83°F and an east wind at 7 to 9 mph. Night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to around 58°F. Winds from the southeast at 5 to 10 mph will become lighter after midnight, with possible gusts up to 18 mph. [NWS]


Ramp to the I-66 Express Lanes from Route 123 in Oakton at sunset (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Unhealthy Air Alert Issued — “The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) has forecast a Code Orange air day for [today], June 5, in part of the metropolitan Washington region, including DC and Northern Virginia … Code Orange levels mean the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups like people with heart or lung disease like asthma or emphysema, older adults, and children.” [COG]

Attempt to Toss Murder Convictions Rejected — “Brendan Banfield is set to be sentenced Friday as the Fairfax County chief judge denied a motion to set aside his convictions in the so-called ‘au pair affair’ murders … Defense attorney John Carroll told Chief Judge Penney Azcarate that Fairfax County prosecutors made three errors during Banfield’s prosecution, and that those errors influenced the jury’s decision.” [WTOP]

More Info Wanted on Trump Arch — “The National Capital Planning Commission has kept alive the triumphal arch that President Donald Trump wants built between the Memorial Bridge and Arlington National Cemetery. However, the body is requesting more information on” potential air travel, traffic and construction impacts. [Associated Press/ARLnow]

Guide to Regional Drought Watch — “Regional officials stress that while there is currently an adequate supply of water in the Potomac River and backup reservoirs, residents and businesses are encouraged to take simple, voluntary steps to reduce water use and help protect the region’s water resources if dry conditions persist.” [Fairfax County Government]

Va. Schools Seek for Local Tax Option — “Mathews and other localities hope … lawmakers and the governor approve changes to state law that would allow all localities to generate tax revenue for school construction projects, which have historically been costly for jurisdictions. If approved, voters in each locality decide through a referendum whether to adopt an additional local sales tax to fund school construction and maintenance.” [Virginia Mercury]

Gun Background Checks Surge — “As a new state law banning certain guns classified as ‘assault firearms’ is about to take effect, Virginia is seeing a big spike in background checks for gun transactions. The number of background checks is not necessarily a one-to-one indicator of sales, but it does generally correlate with a surge in people purchasing guns.” [WJLA]

Metro Rolls Out Pride-Themed Vehicles — “This June, Metro is celebrating Pride Month with a specially wrapped train, bus, and Metro Access vehicle, featuring the theme ‘Proudly Join Us on Metro.’ The vehicles will travel throughout the system from June 5-30, and the Pride bus and Metro Access vehicle will participate in the Capital Pride Parade.” [WMATA]

Dashboard Offers Look at Water Quality — “A new dashboard gives the public near real-time water quality data for the Potomac and Anacostia rivers … Water quality is top of mind after last winter’s sewage spill and the Potomac River’s designation as America’s Most Endangered River.” [Axios DC]

It’s Friday — Expect a sunny day with a high of 93°F and calm winds shifting to the west at about 6 mph in the afternoon. Night will be partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 69°F and a gentle south wind blowing at 3 to 5 mph. [NWS]


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