Countywide

The Fairfax County School Board voted last week to approve a new policy that prioritizes full five-day school weeks throughout the year, confirms the length of spring and winter breaks, and sets a framework for the calendar year going forward.

After a tense discussion, the school board voted 8-4 on June 11 to approve a motion by Providence District member Karl Frisch revising an earlier draft of the policy.


Countywide

Two state laws sponsored by state Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim (D-37) seeking to restrain federal immigration enforcement agents are being challenged by the Trump administration’s Justice Department.

The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia’s Richmond Division last Thursday (June 11), challenges Virginia’s incoming ban on law enforcement officers wearing face masks and restrictions on cooperation agreements between federal immigration enforcement and state and local law enforcement agencies.


News

Inova Health System’s CEO used a recent roundtable discussion with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and business leaders to connect his organization’s growth to broader quality of life across the region.

Health care is “the job engine and in many ways economic engine” of Northern Virginia, Dr. J. Stephen Jones said at yesterday’s meeting of the county’s Council for Economic Opportunity.


Around Town

Fresh off its designation as the region’s best coffeehouse by Northern Virginia Magazine readers, Weird Brothers Coffee is brewing an expansion to Vienna.

The Herndon-based coffee roaster is working to open its first franchise shop in Windover Square at 106 Lawyers Road. Construction is now underway in the storefront previously occupied by 29th Parallel Coffee, which can still be found in Fairfax Station.


News

Developer Pulte Group’s plan to expand the Lofts at Reston Station with more housing is poised to secure a final approval with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors holding a public hearing next Tuesday (June 23).

The project seeks to replace three low-rise office buildings at 1810, 1825 and 1850 Samuel Morse Drive with 158 homes, including 112 condominiums across three five- to six-story buildings and 46 stacked townhouses in one four-story building. Even after seven years of review and revisions, though, it has struggled to win over its future neighbors.


News

Fairfax County has finally determined a reopening date for its Pennino Building following a months-long closure for flooding-related repairs.

The office building at 12011 Government Center Parkway, which houses the county’s Department for Family Services (DFS), Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) and other human services, will reopen to the public on Monday, July 6, the county announced yesterday (Tuesday).


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.


News

A Fairfax County community tops the list as Virginia’s most expensive place to purchase a starter home.

Great Falls is one of 242 communities nationally where the typical entry-level home costs $1 million or more, according to a new analysis from Zillow.


News

After vetoing legislation last month that would’ve established a retail market for cannabis, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) has agreed to establish a market through an addition to the state budget.

The compromise between Spanberger, Fairfax County Del. Paul Krizek (D-16) and state Sen. Lashrecse Aird (D-13) would allow recreational marijuana sales to begin on July 1, 2027. The governor’s office says this allows time for the Cannabis Control Authority to develop regulations, testing and safety standards and oversight framework.


Countywide

When the U.S. celebrates its 250th birthday next month, one Fairfax man could see the end of his American dream.

Over the years, the South Korean immigrant and medical professional has regularly renewed his lawful immigration status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Act (DACA), the federal policy that offered relief from removal proceedings and the ability to work in the U.S. for young immigrants.


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