morning notes

Hearing on Jimenez Reckless Driving Charge Postponed — “The reckless driving charge against Mason Supervisor Andres Jimenez has been continued to Sept. 21 … The Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney asked to be recused from the case, so Judge Darwyn Easley on July 20 in Traffic Court granted a request by Jimenez’s attorney, Makan Shirafkan, to continue the case.” [Annandale Today]

Seven Corners Apartments Expansion Approved — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on July 14 approved a rezoning of the Cavalier Club apartments in Seven Corners to permit an additional eight-story apartment building with 238 units … The existing 12-story, 220-unit Cavalier Club building will remain.” [Annandale Today]

Springfield Man Convicted in Child Sex Abuse Materials Case — “Police began investigating 39-year-old Nathaniel Lee, who worked as a tax preparer and Franconia Museum guide, in December 2022. Lee was requesting child sex abuse images on the file sharing network Freenet, prosecutors said … Lee was convicted Monday following a bench trial on three total counts in connection to his possession of the images and is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 6.” [WTOP]

Local Schools Given Some Funding Flexibility — “Virginia schools will have greater agency in administrative decisions and flexibility in how they spend federal funds heading into the upcoming school year, potentially affecting low-income student programs and teacher development.” The change is intended to reduce time spent on paperwork, but some worry it will result in funding shifting away from students who need the most resources. [Virginia Mercury]

Arlington to Ban Gas Leaf Blowers — “County Board members on Saturday adopted a 29-month phase-out period for gas-powered leaf blowers countywide, a timeframe officials said would help to make sure the transition goes smoothly.” County staff acknowledged that a challenge to the ban in court might be dicey, considering the General Assembly has yet to explicitly give localities the authority to regulate gas-powered leaf blowers.  [ARLnow]

Mahjong Club Sets Opening Date — “The wait is almost over! We’re thrilled to open the doors of The Bamboo Room and welcome the Vienna community into our new home!” A soft opening is planned for the new social club at 101 Church Street NW, Unit D, on Aug. 2 from noon to 4 p.m. [The Bamboo Room/Instagram]

Early Fundraising Leaders in Fairfax City Elections — “City Council candidate Steve Chang has emerged as the early fundraising leader in Fairfax City’s 2026 election, while mayoral candidate Kirsten Sides Lockhart reported the highest fundraising total among candidates running for mayor, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Virginia Department of Elections.” [Patch]

Charity Softball Game Planned in Chantilly — “Calling all Chantilly Youth Association (CYA) and the Southwestern Youth Association (SYA) alumni: Ellanor C. Lawrence Park Friends (ECLP) is hosting a charity softball game on Saturday, July 25, from noon to 3 p.m.” Funds will go toward scholarships for programs at the park. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Tuesday — Expect showers and possible thunderstorms with a high near 91°F. There’s an 80% chance of rain, with up to half an inch expected. Night will bring more showers and thunderstorms, particularly before 2am, with lows around 73°F. [NWS]

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Banfield Appeals Murder Conviction — “Brendan Banfield, the Northern Virginia man convicted of killing his wife and a stranger in an elaborate plot to be with the family’s au pair, filed notice he will appeal his murder conviction and life sentence. Banfield’s attorneys filed the notice Friday to the Court of Appeals of Virginia, court records show.” [NBC4]

Lorton Man Charged in Fatal Pedestrian Crash — “Nearly three months after a woman was killed crossing the street in Old Town North, a Lorton man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and failure to yield to a pedestrian causing death.” [ALXnow]

Fairfax Starts Phasing Out Pennies — “Fairfax County, Virginia, leaders [last] week approved a plan to round cash transaction totals up or down to the nearest nickel, a step that comes in response to the lack of new penny coins being produced … The change comes after the U.S. Mint stopped making new pennies last November.” [WTOP]

Kevin Bacon Visits GMU as Volunteer — Actor Kevin Bacon “stepped on to the campus of George Mason University Sunday to volunteer with his nonprofit, appropriately called ‘SixDegrees.Org’ … About 100 volunteers packed about 35,000 meal kits that will be distributed in Fairfax County.” [NBC4]

Driver Injured in I-495 Crash — “Virginia State Police (VSP) said a driver was seriously injured after a crash on Interstate 495 on Friday afternoon. According to a VSP spokesperson, the crash happened around 3 p.m. on I-495’s southbound lanes near Route 29 in Fairfax County” after a tractor-trailer appears to have “failed to slow down enough for upcoming traffic.” [DC News Now]

Child Care Center Approved for Lincolnia — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on July 14 approved a zoning special exception for a childcare center on Fairland Street, Lincolnia, next to the Braddock Road intersection, to serve up to 50 children. The applicant and property owner, Deyi Awadallah, initially requested that the center accommodate up to 99 children.” [Annandale Today]

Fairfax City Reviews Zoning Rules — “A proposal intended to bring Fairfax City’s zoning rules in line with its small area plans prompted a broader City Council debate Tuesday over building heights, residential density and the pace of development. The second draft would establish an Activity Center Zoning District for properties in Northfax, Fairfax Circle, Kamp Washington, Old Town Fairfax and Pickett and Main.” [Patch]

Praise for Puerto Rican Restaurant in McLean — “Three years on, Pikoteo is still serving smoked meats, creative appetizers, and chalkboard specials every day. Tucked into a quiet back street near downtown McLean, it’s no surprise the restaurant remains largely undiscovered — even by many locals. But that’s a shame. There aren’t many places left where a pair of diners can share three delightful courses for less than $100.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

New Legal Notice — Applicant seeks ABC brewery license; objections due in 30 days. [Public Notices]

It’s Monday — The weather will be mostly sunny today, with a high of around 85°F. Expect light winds that will shift to the south at about 6 mph in the morning. Overnight, there is a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m., with increasing cloudiness and a low of around 70°F. Winds will be from the south at 5 to 8 mph. [NWS]

More Heat, Smoke and Storms Expected — “Fairfax County residents face a mix of weather hazards over the next several days. Smoke from Canadian wildfires is reducing air quality now, and forecasters expect heat and severe thunderstorms to build in by the weekend.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]

Nonprofit Youth Programs Shut Down — “Second Story, a nonprofit that serves youths and families in underserved areas, learned with very little notice that four of its programs were at risk of closing on July 1 ‘due to unexpected interruptions to long-standing funding sources,’ said Chief Executive Officer Jade Leedham. Second Story was able to save the Culmore Teen Center, at least temporarily, thanks to donations, but shut down the Safe Youth Projects in Culmore, Annandale, and Springfield.” [Annandale Today]

Dominion Officially Files for Merger — “Dominion Energy on Wednesday submitted their official arguments to the State Corporation Commission to allow the utility to merge with the Florida-based NextEra … The SCC now has six months to review the arguments, hear testimony from both sides and make a decision on if the merger will succeed.” [Virginia Mercury]

New Acting U.S. Attorney Appointed — Former Arlington Commonwealth’s Attorney Theo “Stamos has been appointed first assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. With the U.S. Attorney position currently vacant, she also will serve as acting U.S. Attorney until the post is filled permanently.” [ARLnow]

Youngkin Joins Tysons Company — “Virginia’s former Gov. Glenn Younkin has made a return to the private sector. Youngkin has joined Tysons-based company Red Cell LLC as a partner, chairman, and board member … Youngkin’s appointment at Red Cell follows months of speculation about his future plans, including whether he would return to politics.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Dominion Faces Data Center Connection Backlog — “For years, the number of data centers asking for connection dates from Dominion Energy had been a secret … Now a State Corporation Commission hearing has parted the curtain. What it revealed surprised and infuriated the one dozen data center companies, citizens, and environmental groups that participated.” [Prince William Times]

Negative Approval Rating for Spanberger — “The Summer 2026 Commonwealth Poll, released Wednesday by Virginia Commonwealth University’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, found 44% of registered voters approve of the job Spanberger is doing as governor, while 47% disapprove. Nine percent said they were unsure. Voters cited economic concerns as their top issue.” [Virginia Scope]

National Ice Cream Day Deals in Fairfax — Moo Thru’s Herndon and Burke locations will celebrate National Ice Cream Day this Sunday (July 19) with 10% discounts on all sales. Meanwhile, Dolcezza will mark that occasion and its 22nd anniversary by offering free scoops of its limited-edition Chocotorta gelato on Tuesday, July 21 from 5-7 p.m. at all locations, including the Mosaic District.

It’s Friday — This afternoon, expect widespread smoke mainly after 2 p.m., with mostly sunny skies and a high near 92°F. Tonight, there is a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m., along with widespread smoke. Conditions will be partly cloudy with a low around 74°F. [NWS]

Wildfire Smoke Enters D.C. Region — “Wildfires burning in parts of Minnesota and western Ontario, Canada, are sending thick plumes of smoke toward the eastern United States.” Smoke concentrations “may increase modestly in the DC area, especially across northern Maryland,” today. An Code Orange air quality alert has been issued for Northern Virginia. [Capital Weather]

Supervisor Charged With Reckless Driving — “Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez has been charged with reckless driving for going 104 miles per hour in a 70-mph zone. Jimenez is scheduled to appear in the Fairfax County General District Court on July 20, 9:30 a.m. The traffic stop, by Virginia State Police trooper Alex Pak, occurred on May 5.” [Annandale Today]

Diarrhea-Causing Parasite Cases Reported in N. Va. — “Ten cases of cyclosporiasis were reported in Virginia between the start of the year and June 6, including four in Northern Virginia, according to data from the Virginia Department of Health. That’s compared to a year-to-date average of 6.6 cases statewide.” [ARLnow]

FCPD Expands Use of AI Tech — “Following a pilot program, Fairfax County police are using AI-equipped body cameras to translate 57 languages … Fairfax also uses AI to assist 911, handling transcriptions and deploying drones to incidents. In some cases, the AI deploys a drone to a scene and the drone pilot has eyes on an incident before officers can arrive in person.” [NBC4]

DOJ Bid for Va. Voter Rolls Dismissed — “A U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit seeking Virginia to hand over its voter rolls to the federal government has been tossed out by a federal judge … The ruling found that the Civil Rights Act does not require Virginia to provide the federal government with unredacted voter rolls.” [ALXnow]

Nightlife Spot Taking Over Chantilly Bob Evans — “An interesting new restaurant and lounge is in the works for the Route 50 corridor in Chantilly.” Taking over the former Bob Evans building at 14050 Thunderbolt Plaza after plans for Raising Cane’s fell through, Neat High Fidelity Indian Lounge will offer “elevated Indian flavors, handcrafted cocktails and magnetic nightlife,” owner Kishan Bikki says. [The Burn]

Reston Student’s Book Shared With County Board — At the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday (July 14), Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn distributed “copies of a book written and illustrated by Lake Anne Elementary School fourth-grader Amaya Samba” with his colleagues. “The small booklet, titled ‘My Mindful Minis,’ was created by Samba to help children and adults manage stress and anxiety.” [Hunter Mill District Office]

D.C. Cracking Down on Ticket Scalpers — “The DC Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to pass the Restricting Egregious Scalping Against Live Entertainment (RESALE) Act, which implements key protections for consumers when buying tickets for live music and theatre. In effect:  concert’s tickets should get a lot cheaper.” [Washingtonian]

It’s Thursday — Expect patchy smoke from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with mostly sunny and hot conditions, reaching a high near 100°F and a heat index up to 104°F. Night will be partly cloudy with a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m., followed by patchy smoke. The low will be around 76°F. [NWS]

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Heat Could Push D.C. Closer to Record — “With highs forecast to flirt with the century mark Wednesday and Thursday, DC’s total of 100-degree days this year could climb even higher up the record books. DC currently has four days at or above 100 degrees, tied for the eighth-most in any year since modern records began in 1872.” [Capital Weather]

FCPD Uncovers Drug Ring — “A Sterling man has been charged following a Fairfax County Police Department investigation into a drug-dealing ring operating in Loudoun and Fairfax counties … According to court filings, FCPD Narcotics Unit detectives began investigating a drug dealing ring earlier this year” with a sting operation that involved undercover detectives buying cocaine. [Loudoun Now]

Va. Gets Piece of Cash App Settlement — “Cash App’s parent company will pay $45 million and overhaul its fraud prevention and customer service practices under a multistate settlement, resolving allegations that the popular payment app failed to protect users from scams while misleading them about the security of customers’ money.” Virginia is slated to receive about $845,000, Attorney General Jay Jones says. [Virginia Mercury]

New Coffee and Pastry Shop in Reston — “A new coffee and sweet shop opened this past weekend in Reston. It’s called MOTW Coffee & Pastries. MOTW is located at 11830 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 200 … MOTW Coffee & Pastries is a growing national brand with more than 20 locations scattered around the country.” [The Burn]

Gallows Road Development Advances — “The Fairfax County Planning Commission recommends approval of a Comprehensive Plan amendment that would allow the development of 32 single-family homes on Gallows Road in Annandale. The new development, proposed by Madison Homes, would replace 11 existing homes along Libeau Lane and the Raintree townhouse community.” [Annandale Today]

Fairfax Nursing Center Unveils Renovation — “Fairfax Rehabilitation and Nursing Center has completed a $1.5 million renovation of its facility, marking the largest modernization of the skilled nursing center in more than five decades. More than 130 guests gathered June 26 to celebrate the completion of the project, according to the facility.” [Patch]

Miss Virginia Pageant Comes to Tysons — “The Miss Virginia USA and Miss Virginia Teen USA pageants are scheduled for July 17 through the 19, 2026. Brandon McLaughlin will serve as the official host for the three-day event, which takes place at Hilton McLean Tysons Corner.” [DC News Now]

Burke Library Hosts Colonial Game Day — “Step back in time at Colonial Games Day at Burke Centre Library as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday! Families are invited to try their hand at classic games enjoyed by children over 200 years ago, including hoop rolling, ring toss, marbles, jump rope, dominoes, checkers, and sack races.” The event is set for this Saturday (July 18) at 1 p.m. [Fairfax County Public Library]

It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny and hot weather, with temperatures reaching a high of around 101°F and a west wind blowing at 7 to 10 mph. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to about 79°F and a west wind ranging from 6 to 9 mph. [NWS]

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

Man Sentenced for Halloween Shooting — “A 31-year-old man who opened fire at a 2020 Dale City Halloween party, killing two guests and wounding two others, will likely spend the rest of his life in prison. Karriem Jackson was sentenced July 10 by Circuit Judge Robert Coleman, receiving a total of 198 years with 55 years suspended, resulting in 143 years of active prison time.” [Inside NoVA]

Va. Joins Rooftop Solar Initiative — “Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced that Virginia is partnering with the nonprofit Switch Together to help bring down the cost of solar array purchases for homeowners who want to install them on their homes … The organization acquires the solar arrays through a reverse auction where the seller tries to outbid other companies, which allows homeowners to then buy the solar panels for a reduced rate.” [Virginia Mercury]

Townhouse Fire Under Investigation — Fairfax County firefighters responded just after 10 a.m. yesterday (Monday) to a fire in a three-story townhouse garage in the 5800 block of Iron Willow Court in the Kingstowne area. “Units were able to contain the majority of the fire to the garage and to the fire unit occupancy … No firefighter or civilian injuries. Fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire.” [FCFRD/Facebook]

Walk for Peace Enters Fairfax — “A man with three goats has been seen walking through Fairfax in recent days with a heavily loaded wagon. According to news reports, his name is Jacob Holiday, and he’s walking across the country to Washington, D.C., with the goal of singing the John Lennon song ‘Imagine’ at the Capitol steps to promote peace.” [Annandale Today]

Union Protests Waymo’s D.C. Plans — “Waymo and competitors including Uber and Lyft sat down before the D.C. Council on Monday for a hearing on the future of autonomous vehicles in the District. Outside the Wilson Building, union members said many human drivers will lose their jobs if D.C. gives self-driving taxis the green light.” [NBC4]

LEGO Display Coming to Tysons — “A new interactive LEGO display highlighting Fairfax County’s history, landmarks and communities will open later this month at Tysons Corner Center as part of the county’s 250th anniversary celebration.” The exhibit will be formally unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 22. [Patch]

Meeting on Chantilly Library Relocated — “Fairfax County is in the very early concept stage of exploring the possibility of redeveloping the Chantilly Regional Library site to include a new regional library, affordable housing, and a new technical operations facility … Due to high demand for the first community meeting, the county has moved the location to the Chantilly High School cafeteria.” [Sull-E Newsletter]

Seven Corners Teens Learn to Code — “Twenty-six middle and high school students from the Willston area of Seven Corners completed a free one-week Coding Bootcamp on July 10 hosted by Communidad. The program, held at the Willston Multicultural Center, introduces students to programming fundamentals, machine learning concepts, and real-world problem-solving through project-based activities.” [Annandale Today]

It’s Tuesday — The weather will be sunny, with temperatures reaching a high of 91°F. Winds will be calm, shifting to the southwest at about 5 mph in the afternoon. At night, skies will remain clear, with temperatures dropping to around 72°F and southwest winds at 5 to 7 mph. [NWS]

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

Update: Man Shot by Police Identified — Fairfax City police have publicly released the identity of a man who was shot by an officer outside the local Wawa early Saturday morning (July 11). The man, who was allegedly holding a knife at the time of the shooting, remains in the hospital in critical condition, as of noon yesterday (Sunday). [FFXnow]

Family Displaced by Lorton Fire — “A family is displaced after a fire broke out at a Lorton home Friday afternoon. Just after 1 p.m., firefighters with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department responded to a reported house fire in the 9200 block of Blu Steel Way.” The family of six had evacuated by the time firefighters arrived, and no injuries were reported. [DC News Now]

Child Seen Dangling From Six-Story Window — “A toddler was rescued after firefighters said he was found dangling from a sixth-floor window in Seven Corners. According to Fairfax County Fire, crews were called to the 3100 block of South Manchester Street around 3:15 p.m. The firefighters used a drone to find the apartment, before they broke down the door and pulled the child to safety.” [WUSA9]

Confusion Over Cannabis Retail Sales — “Virginia’s decision to revive legal cannabis sales through the state budget instead of standalone legislation has triggered several days of confusion over the commonwealth’s marijuana laws, with lawmakers, local prosecutors, Virginia State Police and legislative officials offering differing interpretations of when key provisions take effect.” [Virginia Mercury]

Va. Allows Crossing and Stop Sign Cameras — “As Virginia communities gain the authority to use automated cameras to enforce stop-sign and pedestrian-crossing violations, privacy advocates and law enforcement officials are offering sharply different views on what the technology means for public safety and civil liberties.” Fairfax County police says they have no plans to deploy Flock Safety-affiliated cameras at crossings or stop signs, noting that the existing speed camera and license plate reader programs are separate. [Fairfax County Times]

What El Nino Could Mean for Fairfax — “A major shift is taking shape in the Pacific Ocean, and it could shape the weather Fairfax County sees through the rest of 2026 and into next winter … El Niño does not affect every region the same way, and its effect on Virginia weather is real but not as strong as in other parts of the country. Still, there are some patterns worth watching.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]

AI Company Signs Reston Station Lease — “Virtualitics, headquartered in Pasadena since its founding in 2016, has signed a 3,000-square-foot office lease at Reston Station … according to a joint press release from the company and the development’s owner, Comstock Holding Companies. The new office places Virtualitics among the defense contractors and federal agencies concentrated in Northern Virginia — a region central to the company’s growing government business.” [Pasadena Now]

More Route 29 Lane Closures — Weather permitting, daytime and nighttime lane closures are planned on stretches of Route 29 between Union Mill Road and Fairfax County Parkway through Friday, July 24 to allow work on the years-long project to widen the road from Union Mill to Buckley’s Gate Drive. “Both daytime and nighttime drivers should expect delays and are advised to use alternate routes.” [VDOT]

It’s Monday — Expect mostly sunny skies with temperatures reaching a high of around 84°F. During the night, the weather will be mostly clear with temperatures dropping to about 65°F and a light southeast wind. [NWS]

Pedestrians in Bailey’s Crossroads Crash — “Officers responded around 2:53 p.m. [yesterday] to the intersection of Leesburg Pike and Crossroads Center Way following reports of a crash involving two vehicles. Police said preliminary investigation found one of the vehicles left the roadway and hit three pedestrians,” including one teenager. [WJLA]

Man Charged With Killing Infant in Court — “A Fairfax County man accused of fatally punching his infant daughter appeared in court Wednesday as prosecutors presented testimony from a police detective and the medical examiner about the child’s death.” [WUSA9]

Virginia Improves in Business Rankings — “Virginia has climbed a spot in CNBC’s annual ranking of the best states for business, a year after federal job cuts helped knock it out of the No. 1 position. The state placed third in the 2026 rankings released [yesterday], up from fourth last year.” [ARLnow]

Coaches Top Va. Payroll — “Virginia’s highest-paid workers were in a league of their own: university coaches and athletic directors dominated the top of the state’s payroll, with several earning more than $1 million. University of Virginia head football coach Tony Elliott earned over $3.4 million in total pay, the highest salary for a public employee in the Commonwealth in calendar year 2025.” [Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism]

Autism Therapy Center Opens in Fairfax — “SPARKS ABA is a contemporary applied behavior analysis, or ABA, provider of center-based autism services for children and adolescents ages 2-18 years. The Fairfax Learning Center provides center-based ABA therapy and on-site diagnostic services, as well as speech and occupational therapy.” [Inside NoVA]

Accessory Unit Zoning Review Continues — “In-law suites, au pair apartments and other home add-ons are becoming more popular as families look for flexible ways to live together — or bring in extra rental income. But in Fairfax County, Virginia, actually building one can be a complicated process. Now, county leaders are considering changes that could make it easier for homeowners to add those spaces.” [WTOP]

Park Authority Honors Volunteers — “At its meeting on June 24, the Fairfax County Park Authority Board approved a resolution honoring 21 individuals as 2026 Outstanding Volunteers. These peer-nominated individuals were recognized for their dedication to their community and their invaluable service to the Fairfax County park system.” [FCPA]

Reston Contractor Acquires Fairfax Firm — “Reston federal technology contractor Empower AI has acquired Fairfax’s Highlight Technologies Inc. in a bid to expand its AI and cloud offerings for the federal government … It’s the first acquisition for Empower AI … since New York investment giant KKR & Co. Inc. purchased a majority stake in the company in 2022.” [Washington Business Journal]

It’s Friday — There is a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm, with increasing clouds and a high near 90°F. There will be a west wind at 5 to 7 mph. Overnight, there’s a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, with isolated showers possible afterward. The night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 71°F and a light west wind. [NWS]

ICE Seeks Assault Suspect — “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged a detainer urging Fairfax County not to release from jail” a man arrested on June 30 in Prince William County. “He has been charged with strong-arm assault and kidnap of an adult with the intent to sexually assault in connection with an incident in September 2025 in the Skyline area of Bailey’s Crossroads.” [Annandale Today]

Stomach Parasite Sickens Virginians — “Virginia is reporting up to 10 cases of cyclosporiasis, a stomach parasite that can cause severe diarrhea and has infected people in 17 states so far, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The CDC said 145 people nationwide have gotten sick between May 1 and June 16. Twenty people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported.” [WJLA]

Some Federal Agencies Rehiring — “More than 260,000 employees left the federal workforce since the administration began its efforts to downsize government through reductions in force, early retirement, deferred resignations and a hiring freeze, with the effects felt acutely here in the D.C. region. But now, many agencies are hiring again, raising questions about what DOGE ultimately accomplished and what comes next for the federal workforce.” [WAMU]

Cat With Kittens Exposed to Rabies — “According to veterinarian Kathleen Werden, the cat was found with her kittens in a neighborhood in Chantilly on June 13 … If you or someone you know may have been exposed to the cat between June 6 and June 16, you should contact your local health department immediately.” [WJLA]

Va. Defends Immigrant Tuition Policy — “Virginia defended a policy allowing immigrant students to qualify for in-state tuition assistance in a federal court Tuesday as public universities begin preparing for the fall semester … The Justice Department argued federal law preempts a 2020 law dubbed the Virginia Dream Act.” [Courthouse News]

State Highways Ranked Highly for Safety — “A new study shows that Virginia is one of the best states in the country for delivering safety and mobility benefits with the commonwealth generating an estimated $1.95 billion in safety and reliability value as a result of fewer crashes, less property damage and more dependable travel. Still, researchers said, there is still more work to be done.” [Virginia Mercury]

Open Caption Requirement in Effect — “New options are here at movie theaters across Virginia. That’s because a new state law that went into effect on July 1 now requires most movie theaters to provide showings with open captions.” Bill patron Del. Phil Hernandez from Norfolk says he hopes the change makes “the simple pleasure” of seeing a movie “accessible for everyone,” including people who are deaf or hard of hearing, seniors and veterans. [WRIC]

Bailey’s Strip Mall Seeks to Fill Vacancies — “Big changes are coming to the small retail shopping strip at Leesburg Pike and Glen Forest Drive in Bailey’s Crossroads. Three units are available for lease: the vacant spaces formerly held by the Mum Aroi Thai restaurant and the Thai Value Food Market, plus the office currently occupied by State Farm Insurance agent David Seidel.” [Annandale Today]

It’s Thursday — Expect showers and thunderstorms throughout the day, with a high near 87°F. An 80% chance of rain continues into the evening, especially before 8 p.m., with a low around 71°F and light southwest winds. [NWS]

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Reston Library Closed for HVAC Repairs — “Reston Regional Library is currently closed for HVAC repairs. The branch will reopen as soon as repairs are made. This closure is expected to last through July 12 as facilities management awaits parts. Holds and due dates will be extended until the branch reopens.” [Fairfax Library/Instagram]

Dead Fish Found in Potomac River — “The Maryland Department of the Environment is investigating a large number of fish deaths in the Potomac River, a phenomenon known as a ‘fish kill.’ Scientists believe the fish kill is likely the result of what’s called a ‘summer turnover,’ when warmer water from the surface and cooler water from lower down suddenly mix.” [WTOP]

Va. Joins Challenge to ICE Reporting Change — “Virginia is joining a 22-state effort led by New York Attorney General Letitia James urging President Donald Trump’s administration to reverse a new federal policy ending investigations and public reporting of deaths that occur shortly after immigrants are released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.” [Virginia Mercury]

Volunteers Map Heat in N. Va. — “To better understand the urban heat island in Fairfax County, Arlington and the City of Alexandria and identify ways to reduce impacts, the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions and George Mason University’s Virginia Climate Center are partnering on a new initiative … The alliance is seeking volunteers to help collect heat data on the measurement day, which is expected to occur between July 8 and 24.” [Capital Weather]

Tysons Mall Owner Expands Holdings — “An affiliate of Macerich (NYSE: MAC) paid $5.9 million last month for 8138 Watson St., a half-acre property that is home to the See Clearly Vision eyecare center, according to public records.” The Tysons Corner Center developer now owns the entire 7.75-acre triangle between International Drive and Watson Street except for a Capital One bank branch, but the company declined to comment on any specific future development plans. [Washington Business Journal]

Lt. Gov. Seeks Proactive Review of Dominion Merger — “Virginia Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi on Monday urged state utility regulators to require Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy to answer dozens of detailed questions about their proposed merger before formally filing the transaction, arguing Virginia’s six-month review process is too short to adequately scrutinize what would become the largest utility merger in U.S. history.” [Virginia Scope]

Chantilly Office Site Acquired — “Pulte Homes has purchased an 83,300-square-foot single-story office building located at 13990 Parkeast Circle and an adjacent 6.4-acre parcel … from Bethesda-based Finmarc Management Inc. for $26.36 million.” Part of the Park East Corporate Center, which was approved for residential redevelopment in 2024, the 14-acre site could be turned into 126 townhomes and 32 condos. [WBJ]

Shoppers Support Local Food Bank — “Customers at Wegmans stores across the company raised a record $769,300 during this year’s Fill the Bus/Fill the Backpack campaign, with donations from the Reston store helping support Food for Others as summer demand for food assistance rises.” Capital Area Food Bank and the Western Fairfax Christian Ministries were also beneficiaries. [Patch]

Grant to Fund Route 1 Public Art — “The Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation is proud to announce it has been selected to receive a 2026 AARP Community Challenge grant.” With the grant funding, SFDC will work with Mount Vernon at Home and the Nepenthe Gallery to implement new art installations and “engage older residents throughout the project” to ensure the artwork helps create accessible and welcoming spaces. [Press release]

New Legal Notice — Public hearing on high school boundaries scheduled July 16, 2026. [Public Notices]

It’s Wednesday — Expect patchy fog until 10 a.m., and mostly cloudy skies. The high will be near 82°F. Showers and thunderstorms are likely after 2 a.m. with a 70% chance of precipitation. Skies will remain mostly cloudy at night, with a low around 71°F. [NWS]

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