Reston

Gov. Calls for Federal AI Guardrails — “Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Tuesday called on Congress to set national rules for artificial intelligence, warning that its rapid development could threaten jobs, privacy and public resources if oversight remains largely in the hands of the companies building it.” [Virginia Mercury]

Fairfax City Townhomes Approved — “The Fairfax City Council voted 4-2 Tuesday night to approve the Highlands at Mantua townhome proposal after neighboring residents urged changes to address building height, tree preservation, buffers and traffic safety. RJL Associates Inc. plans to replace five office buildings … with 14 townhomes on 2.12 acres at 9495 Silver King Court.” [Patch]

District 10 Congressional Candidates Face Off — “With early voting underway in Virginia, incumbent Democratic Rep. Suhas Subramanyam faced off Tuesday morning against Republican challenger Dave Beckwith in a Loudoun Chamber of Commerce-hosted 10th Congressional District debate.” Topics of discussion ranged from data centers and the electrical grid to federal workforce protections and immigration. [Inside NoVA]

Dessert Shop Open in Falls Church — “Lil’ Cakes & Creamery opened at 120 Founders Avenue, on Founders Row, earlier this month. So far, a store employee told ARLnow, the business’s deluxe cupcakes have been particularly popular — with flavors like pumpkin salted caramel cheesecake, caramel apple pie crisp and maple pecan praline.” [ARLnow]

GMU Launches Va. Quantum Hub — “George Mason University on Tuesday announced plans to establish the Virginia Quantum Hub … The hub aims to generate intellectual property across research and technology, attract capital investments, train the current and future workforce and address global needs in health, logistics, national security and energy, according to a George Mason news release.” [Inside NoVA]

Dulles Adding New Flight to Mexico — “Low-cost carrier Volaris plans to launch regular service between IAD and Guadalajara International Airport … starting in October.” Flights will depart Guadalajara for Dulles at 6:40 a.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays starting Oct. 1, while leaving in the other direction at 1047 p.m. on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays, starting Oct. 2. [Washington Business Journal]

RA Holds Community Yard Sale — “Treasure hunters, bargain seekers and community members alike are invited to the Reston Association Community Yard Sale on Saturday, September 26, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Reston Association Headquarters … This fall’s event is shaping up to be the largest in the sale’s history, with 110 vendor families registered to participate.” [Reston Association]

New Legal Notice — Restaurant applying for beer-wine on/off license; objections due 30 days. [Public Notices]

It’s Thursday — Expect partly sunny skies with a high near 65°F, and a northeast wind blowing at 11 to 13 mph, with gusts reaching up to 22 mph. During the night, it’ll be partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 52°F and a north wind at 6 to 9 mph. [NWS]

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Neighboring County Halts By-Right Data Centers — “The Prince William Board of County Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a landmark zoning text amendment effectively ending by-right data center development countywide. The 8-0 vote greenlit the amendment’s approval under the 90-day grace period initially proposed by Brentsville District Supervisor Tom Gordy.” [Inside NoVA]

Light Issues Disrupt Flights at DCA — “A major runway was again open at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport after several flights were delayed or canceled Tuesday night when a lighting equipment failure forced the Federal Aviation Administration to issue a ground stop, according to DCA officials.” [Washington Sun]

Lawmakers Question Sales Tax Increase — “A new state law allowing localities to raise revenue for school construction has opened opportunities but also raised questions, with some local leaders and lawmakers asking if it could create funding shortfalls for localities that approve the measure.” House Education Committee Vice Chair Del. Shelly Simonds questioned if a 20-year sunset provision might not allow enough time for securing bond financing. [Virginia Mercury]

Food Banks Report Growing Lines — “According to a new study from the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, food insecurity is at record highs across the Commonwealth. And as public benefits dry up under President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, food lines are returning to food banks.” [WVTF]

Study of AI in Higher Ed Coming — The General Assembly directed its research agency, JLARC, earlier this year to study the use of AI in higher education and developing a model policy. “George Mason University has also been thinking a lot about AI, and has developed guidelines for faculty, students and researchers similar to UVA’s.” [VPM News]

Regional Economic Development Alliance Forms — Yesterday (Tuesday), “four leading organizations announced the formation of the Potomac Regional Alliance, a new framework to strengthen the long-term competitiveness, resilience, and growth of Greater Washington and respond to the unprecedented disruption resulting from cuts to federal jobs and spending.” [COG]

Design Approved for Route 7 Sidewalk — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 15 endorsed VDOT’s design for a sidewalk along the north side of Leesburg Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads between Magnolia Avenue and Halal Hunan Village in Glen Forest Shopping Center. The project will improve pedestrian safety along a roadway that has been called one of the most hazardous in the county.” [Annandale Today]

Metro Rolls Out 50th Anniversary Fare Cards — “Metro continues to celebrate our 50th year of service with the release of five commemorative Smart Trip card designs that honor the five decades of Metro … Starting Thursday, Sept. 24, a new card design will be released every two weeks. About 20,000 of each card design will be available at select stations.” [WMATA]

New Yemeni Coffeehouse in Falls Church — “A locally owned Yemeni cafe has opened its doors in Falls Church, serving spiced coffee, pastries and brunch fare from avocado toast to za’atar labneh. Rashfa Cafe soft opened last week at 310 S. Washington Street and is planning a grand opening next month,” according to owner and founder Abdulrahman Al Harethi. [ARLnow]

New Legal Notice — Restaurant seeks ABC beer/wine on/off-premises license; objections within 30 days. [Public Notices]

It’s Wednesday — Expect cloudy skies and a high near 65°F throughout the day, with a 60% chance of rain. Wednesday night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 53°F and northeast winds at 10 mph, gusting up to 22 mph. [NWS]

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AI Tool Roll Outs at Area Airports — The federal government is testing a new Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes and Trajectories platform to predict air travel congestion and suggest alternative routes at the D.C. region’s three major airports, including Reagan National and Dulles. The tool faced skepticism from some passengers and a call for its suspension from Rep. Don Beyer. [WTOP]

Big Initial Early Voting Turnout — “More than 11,000 ballots have been cast already for the November election,” including over 6,000 ballots returned by mail, over 4,500 in-person early votes and over 900 ballots returned via drop box, as of yesterday (Monday) morning. “It’s the first full week of in-person early voting at three locations.” [Fairfax Office of Elections/Bluesky]

Call to Restart Dominion Merger Review Clock — “Attorney General Jay Jones told state regulators Friday that they should reset the 180-day review time period for the $67 billion Dominion Energy-NextEra Energy merger proposal, after the companies unveiled expanded conditions of the deal last week.” [Virginia Mercury]

Federal Grants for Hispanic-Serving Colleges Cut — “Virginia and Maryland colleges designated Hispanic-serving institutions, or HSIs, are seeking new funding sources after the Trump administration canceled the grant program, claiming it discriminated ‘by conferring government benefits exclusively to institutions that meet racial or ethnic quotas.'” Affected institutions include Northern Virginia Community College, whose student population is approximately one-quarter Hispanic. [WTOP]

Supervisor Fined for Speeding — “The reckless driving charge against Mason Supervisor Andres Jimenez has been reduced to ‘improper driving’ … On Sept. 21, Jimenez pled no contest to the reduced charge of improper driving in Fairfax County Traffic Court. He was fined $500 plus $67 in court costs.” An odometer reading found a speed of 94 mph, lower than the 104 mph initially recorded by a Virginia state trooper on May 5. [Annandale Today]

Reston Hospital Gets Funding Boost — “A $25,000 grant announced Monday by Reston Hospital Center will help expand maternal health resources and blood pressure monitoring programs … The funding will help provide kits for new parents containing information” about pregnancy and postpartum health, and allow an automated blood pressure monitoring station to be installed in the community. [Patch]

McLean Mansion Sells for Over $17M — “A McLean mansion less than half a mile west of the CIA headquarters has sold for $17.5 million in a deal so private it appears to have been largely deleted from existence.” The 10,500-square-foot Georgetown Pike home was sold on Sept. 9 to an unnamed LLC, Fairfax County property records show, but listings on Realtor.com and Bright MLS have been wiped. The former “doesn’t even recognize the home as existing.” [Washington Business Journal]

Housing Authority Elects Chair — “The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) elected its chair and vice chair at its annual meeting on September 18, 2026. Lenore Stanton will serve as Chair, and Cynthia Bailey as Vice Chair. Ms. Stanton has served as Chair since 2024.” [FCRHA]

It’s Tuesday — Expect rain and possible thunderstorms with patchy fog and a high of 66°F. There is a 90% chance of precipitation. Night will be rainy with patchy fog before 2 a.m., a low of 56°F, and still a 90% chance of rain. [NWS]

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