News

Herndon is officially taking legal action against Comstock Companies after the developer backed out of its long-stalled downtown redevelopment project last year.

The town filed a lawsuit in Fairfax County Circuit Court this afternoon (Friday) demanding that Comstock return the nearly 5-acre site that it planned to transform into a mixed-use block with an arts center, apartments, retail space and a parking garage.


Countywide

Per-square-foot home-sales prices were flat across Fairfax in June, and other data points were mixed as the county’s real-estate market closed out the first half of 2025.

The average per-square-foot sales price for homes that went to closing last month in Fairfax was $369, according to figures reported yesterday (Thursday) by Bright MLS, the Mid-Atlantic’s multiple-listing service.


Around Town

Lake Anne Brew House is getting a bigger space.

The Reston establishment announced on Wednesday (July 9) that, as of July 1, it has officially leased the neighboring storefront at 11426 Washington Plaza West, which has been empty since Chesapeake Chocolates closed its doors at the end of September 2024.


Fairfax County has many highly rated restaurants where one can enjoy a steak dinner.

Here are the nominees for “Best Steakhouse in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. See your favorite place below? If not, write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 9 a.m. Friday, July 25.

Voting for the Best Music Venue in Fairfax is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 9 a.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Sandwich Shop in Fairfax. The results are now official:

  1. Celebrity Delly
  2. The Deli – Herndon
  3. The Sandwich Shop – Vienna 

Countywide

A ranking of localities by their bicycle-friendliness has Fairfax City near the top in Virginia.

The City of Fairfax came in seventh place in Virginia in PeopleForBikes’ 2025 ranking of cities, which were released in mid-June. Fairfax came in 22nd across the south as a whole, and 286th in the U.S.


Kayaks on the shore of Lake Fairfax in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Impact of Medicaid Changes Still Unclear — A final, nonpartisan analysis is still pending on how many Virginians could lose Medicaid coverage due to the recently signed federal reconciliation bill, which adds new work requirements starting in January 2027, among other changes. “The uncertainty has left many wondering if they or loved ones will be impacted — and set the stage for partisan bickering.” [Virginia Mercury]

Transfers of Police on Double Murder Case Questioned — “A hearing to determine if certain evidence was kept from defense attorneys in the murder case against Branden Banfield turned the spotlight on the Fairfax County Police Department, accused of moving investigators from their units after disagreements over theory [alleging Banfield’s guilt].” [WUSA9]

Potential Connolly Successors on Key Issues — “James Walkinshaw, a longtime Connolly staffer and Fairfax County supervisor, won the Democratic primary. Stewart Whitson, a former FBI agent and Army combat veteran, is the Republican candidate. WTOP’s Scott Gelman sat down with both candidates to ask them about issues important to Northern Virginia voters.” [WTOP]

Virginia Drops in Business Ranking — “For the first time in three years, Virginia is no longer considered the best state for business on CNBC’s annual ranking. The Commonwealth landed at No. 4, ceding its first-place spot to North Carolina. This is the lowest Virginia has ranked on the list since 2018.” CNBC attributed the drop mostly to federal workforce cuts. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Learn About Lake Accotink Study — “Next Saturday, July 19, there will be an open house to provide the community with an opportunity to learn more about the ongoing Smaller Lake Accotink Preservation Feasibility Study. The open house will be in the cafeteria of Kings Glen Elementary School (5401 Danbury Forest Drive, Springfield) from 3:00-5:00 p.m. and you can drop in at any time.” [The Walkinshaw Advisory]

FBI HQ Slows Federal Budget Process — Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) recessed a committee meeting yesterday (Thursday) after Democrats and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski narrowly passed a budget bill amendment that would prohibit federal dollars from being used to relocate the FBI’s headquarters anywhere other than a previously selected site in Greenbelt, Maryland. The committee had hoped to send one of its 12 appropriations bills to the full Senate. [NBC4]

Stream Restoration Project Coming — “The City of Alexandria is gearing up to begin construction this summer on a stream and trail restoration project on Holmes Run in the Dora Kelley Nature Park. The project is expected to be completed in summer 2026. This is the last of four major projects along Holmes Run Stream Valley to repair extensive damage caused by rainstorms six years ago.” [Annandale Today]

Outdoor Screening of Reality Show in Tysons — “Fans of the Bravo television series ‘The Valley’ should mark July 22 on their calendar. That’s when The Boro, Tysons’ premier destination for luxury urban living, is hosting an outdoor screening of the show’s season two finale.” [Patch]

It’s Friday — Mostly sunny skies and a high near 89 could be followed by showers and thunderstorms, most likely between 5-7 p.m. Night will bring partly cloudy skies and a low around 73. The chance of precipitation is 30%. [NWS]


News

By COLLIN BINKLEY AP Education Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration on Thursday opened a civil rights investigation into the hiring practices at George Mason University, expanding a national campaign against diversity policies to Virginia’s largest public university.


News

A Maryland man who struck and knocked unconscious a gate agent at Dulles International Airport earlier this year pleaded guilty today (Thursday) to interfering with security screening personnel.

Christopher Stuart Crittenden faces a maximum of 10 years for the crime, though federal prosecutors will recommend a sentence no greater than the low end of sentencing guidelines, according to the terms of a plea agreement.


Countywide

Housing costs are daunting for Fairfax County residents in general, but for seniors with limited financial resources, even subsidized housing options are becoming increasingly beyond their means, county staff say.

“We’re starting to see some disconnect,” Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development Director Tom Fleetwood said, describing the “emerging challenges” to the Board of Supervisors at a housing committee meeting on Tuesday (July 8).


News

The first major rewrite of zoning rules governing Fairfax’s manufactured home communities since the 1970s soon could head to county supervisors by the end of this year.

If approved, the new regulations would guide future development at the seven existing residential parks, which are mostly located in the Route 1 corridor. They also potentially would provide more protections for residents in cases of redevelopment or other displacement.


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