If you don’t need one immediately, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) officials suggest waiting out the current rush for REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identity cards.
“At the Virginia DMV, there’s no deadline to get a REAL ID — just plenty of good days to apply, as customers are able to apply for one year-round,” Camila Barco, a spokesman for the state agency, told FFXnow.
Man Sentenced for Shooting Ex-Girlfriend — Collins Agyei was sentenced to 23 years in prison yesterday (Thursday) after a jury convicted him last year of shooting his former girlfriend at her home in Mount Vernon. The 25-year-old woman was left with “life-changing injuries and a near inability to speak.” [NBC4]
Weapons Detectors to Stay Permanently at Two Schools — “New weapons screening systems will remain at West Potomac and Thomas Edison High Schools permanently, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) confirmed to 7News on Thursday.” FCPS began rolling out the devices for a pilot program in April, but a stabbing at West Potomac High School prompted new calls for safety measures. [ABC7]
Report Finds Teacher Pay in Virginia Still Lagging — “From last year to now, Virginia raised teacher pay by an average of $3,000. Still, the commonwealth’s average pay rate for educators remains stagnant compared to other states, according to the latest salary report published by the National Education Association.” [Virginia Mercury]
Dulles Has Country’s Most Expensive Domestic Flights — “Dulles International Airport ranks as the most expensive airport for average domestic airfare for the fourth consecutive year, according to annual data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. FinanceBuzz ranked airports based on 2024 fares, and included only roundtrip domestic fares.” [WTOP]
What to Expect From Upcoming WorldPride Festival — “WorldPride Festival kicks off May 17, and three weeks of parties, rallies, concerts and events will draw major star power and an expected 2-3 million revelers to D.C. … The city is prepping for crowds with a new parade route, a tap-and-pay Metro card system, and amped-up security.” [Axios DC]
McLean Sees Its Priciest Home Sale This Year — “A riverfront estate on McLean’s Gold Coast that’s been on the market for less than a year has set a sales record for most expensive home in the Virginia city this year. The eight-bedroom estate, on just over four acres, closed for $14.05 million in April.” [WTOP]
Thai Street Markets Coming to Annandale — “The NVA Thai Center is launching a monthly market featuring Thai food, crafts, and performances at the Eileen Garnett Civic Space in the center of Annandale. The first one is scheduled for May 11, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.” [Annandale Today]
Local Restaurants Offer Cinco De Mayo Specials — Cinco de Mayo (May 5) “marks Mexico’s victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1962. In the U.S., the holiday is a time to celebrate Mexican culture with food and music — and plenty of spots in NoVA will be hosting festivities this year. Here’s where you can find special events and deals on tacos, margaritas, and more.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Friday — Showers and thunderstorms are possible after 2pm, with mostly sunny conditions, a high near 87, and a 40% chance of precipitation. The chance of showers and thunderstorms continues until 2am, followed by partly cloudy skies and a low of 66. [NWS]
NOVA Parks and the Town of Vienna are partnering for an initiative that could transform a pair of offices into a visitor center for the Washington and Old Dominion Trail.
Fresh off its 50th anniversary last year, the 45-mile trail runs from Shirlington out to Purcellville, with Vienna as its “geographic center,” NOVA Parks Executive Director Paul Gilbert said when announcing the project during an Arbor Day event at the Vienna Town Green last Friday (April 25).
The warmth that has greeted May in Fairfax County could be offset by a few days of much-needed rain, starting tonight (Thursday).
DC News Now meterologist Jackie Layer has the forecast for Fairfax County, provided exclusively to FFXnow, including details on when to expect rain and how much might fall through this weekend.
Fairfax County transportation staff are developing plans to fill in sidewalk gaps along a neighborhood road just outside the Town of Herndon.
Details of the Crestview Drive Walkway project will be shared with the public for the first time at a community meeting next Wednesday (May 7) at 6 p.m. in the Clearview Elementary School cafeteria (12635 Builders Road).
The ranks of unemployed Fairfax County residents ticked up nearly 8% month-over-month and 37% year-over-year in March, according to new state data, as Northern Virginia’s economy takes a hit from the federal government’s downsizing and collateral economic impacts.
A total of 20,836 Fairfax residents were counted as unemployed for March, according to figures reported this week by the Virginia Employment Commission. That compares to 19,315 in February and 15,171 in March 2024.
Early voting in Virginia’s 2025 Democratic primary begins tomorrow (Friday), officially kicking off the party’s bid to retake statewide seats that were swept by Republicans in 2021.
Rep. Abigail Spanberger has already secured the gubernatorial nomination, setting up a historic race with Republican nominee and current Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears that will give Virginia its first-ever female governor.
A Fairfax County School Board member accused of defrauding a company he is a part owner of out of more than $1.5 million has stepped away as chairman of the board’s budget committee.
Kyle McDaniel, an at-large representative, no longer oversees the committee, having willingly ceded the position to vice chair Rachna Sizemore Heizer in recent weeks, he confirmed to FFXnow.
Trump Administration Restores Student Visas — “President Donald Trump’s administration is reinstating international student visa records that it previously revoked. The announcement was made Friday, amid a slew of court cases filed by impacted students in recent weeks.” Records for 14 of 15 affected George Mason University students have been restored, a university spokesperson says, but eight students already left the country. [Virginia Public Media]
Deadline to Apply for Tax Relief Today — Seniors and people with disabilities who qualify for relief from Fairfax County’s real estate and vehicle taxes “must file their application no later than May 1, 2025.” Today is also the deadline to declare business furniture and fixtures, machinery and tools, and computer equipment on county tax forms. [Fairfax County Government]
Another Local CVS Store Set to Close — “The CVS store in the Heritage shopping center at 7859 Heritage Drive, Annandale, is closing. The store manager, known as JD, said the store’s last day will be June 5.” The company also shuttered its longtime location at the Cedar Park Shopping Center in Vienna in April. [Annandale Today]
Job Fair for Cut Federal Workers Planned — “Alexandria is joining forces with Congressman Don Beyer and nearby communities to hold a job fair this Saturday (May 3) for federal workers and contractors affected by recent government workforce cuts … Alexandria is working alongside Arlington County, Fairfax County, and Falls Church to organize the fair.” [ALXnow]
Metrobus Changes Will Eliminate Dozens of N. Va. Stops — “Fifty-seven bus stops are set to be cut from Metrobus’ routes in Northern Virginia, according to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. The changes have been scheduled to take effect June 29” as part of the system’s first major redesign of its bus network since the 1970s. [WUSA9]
Tysons Spring Bicycle Ride to Return — “Kick off Tysons Bike Month with a scenic spring ride during Pedal with Petals … Join us at Westbriar Elementary School for a FREE fun-filled day of biking with family and friends.” This year’s bicycle ride, organized by the Tysons Community Alliance, will take place on Saturday, May 10, with registration starting at 10 a.m. [Eventbrite]
Fairfax Students Plant Trees for Arbor Day — “On April 23, [Katherine Johnson Middle School] students planted three Eastern redbud trees to green the school grounds, and they learned about the benefits trees provide … The trees were provided by SPROUT, a new city initiative to encourage the community to plant, care for, and learn about the trees that make up our urban forest.” [City of Fairfax]
It’s Thursday — Expect a 20% chance of showers from 2-5pm, followed by possible thunderstorms after 5pm. The day will be partly sunny with a high around 80. On Thursday night, storms could occur before 11pm, possibly continuing until 2am. The night will be mostly cloudy with a low of 66 and a 40% chance of precipitation. [NWS]
Fairfax County Public Schools is one of two Virginia school divisions that reportedly declined to sign a form committing it to complying with federal anti-discrimination laws and a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that barred race from being considered in college admissions.
Superintendent Michelle Reid instead sent a “modified certification and assurance document” to Virginia education leaders last week affirming FCPS’ compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Virginia Mercury reported yesterday morning (Tuesday).
