The newest addition to Fairfax County Public Schools, Skyview High School in Herndon, is set to open this fall with over 700 ninth and tenth graders who opt in to attend the new school.
But the county school board is still deciding on a plan for full implementation of school boundaries — wherever those lines are drawn.
Potentially record-breaking heat is expected to take hold of the D.C. area, as the nation’s 250th anniversary nears.
A Heat Advisory issued by the National Weather Service is scheduled to take effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. today (Wednesday), followed by an Extreme Heat Watch that will be in place from 11 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday) until 8 p.m. on Friday, July 3.
Va. Can Now Order Speed-Limiting Devices — One of the many new laws taking effect in Virginia today (Wednesday) “allows judges to require people convicted of reckless driving to have the device installed in their cars, which prevents them from being able to speed. It’s a law D.C. already has, and it’s coming to Maryland this fall.” [NBC4]
Mount Vernon Releases Exclusive Whiskey — This Fourth of July, “George Washington’s Mount Vernon will mark the occasion with the release of an exclusive new whiskey: George Washington’s Spirit of ’76 Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey, the first bourbon ever produced by George Washington’s Distillery. The Spirit of ’76 is a special release to mark the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.” [Mount Vernon]
FCPS Pushed to Do More to Address Racism — “Fairfax County’s NAACP chapter is calling for more transparency and urgency in how Northern Virginia’s largest school system investigates and responds to complaints of anti-Black bias and discrimination … The statement followed the group’s forum with Superintendent Michelle Reid [on June 18]. For over 90 minutes, some families expressed frustration with a lack of communication or transparency.” [WTOP]
Pizzeria Started in Tysons Wins RAMMY — Andy’s Pizza, which got its start at Tysons Galleria in 2018, was named the D.C. region’s Fast Casual Restaurant of the Year at the 44th annual RAMMYs Awards on Monday (June 29). While that was the only winner with a Fairfax County location, four others were among the finalists, and Old Ebbitt Grill in D.C., winner for Favorite Gathering Place, is getting a spin-off at Reston Station. [ALXnow]
FCPS Expands Virtual Mental Health Service — “Since 2023, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has partnered with Hazel Health to offer virtual mental health services to FCPS high school students. Beginning July 1, 2026, these services will also be available to students enrolled in all FCPS middle schools.” [FCPS]
Tenants Wanted for Vacant Building — “After lying dormant for years, the Hana Plaza building, at 7409 Little River Turnpike in Annandale, is now available for leasing. The building has been totally redone, and interior renovations are expected to be completed in October or November, says Diane Lee of Mega Realty & Investment.” [Annandale Today]
State Budget Funds Pentagon Memorial — “The Pentagon Memorial Fund said the two-year spending plan — approved by the General Assembly on Monday and set to take effect July 1 — includes money for the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial Visitor Education Center. A budget amendment provides $1 million to Arlington County to support the center’s construction.” [ARLnow]
GMU President’s Contract Extended — “George Mason University’s Board of Visitors has extended the contract of President Gregory Washington through June 30, 2031 … The extension comes after federal investigations into civil rights violations by the university, which Washington has forcefully pushed back against.” [Inside NoVA]
New Legal Notice — Estate creditors notice; claims due by December 31, 2026. [Public Notices]
It’s Wednesday — There is a 20% chance of precipitation, but expect sunny and hot conditions, with temperatures nearing 99 degrees and heat index values as high as 106. Night will be mostly clear with a low of around 77. [NWS]
There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.
The federal government is considering offloading at least parts of its Franconia warehouse and U.S. Geological Survey campuses in Fairfax County.
Both properties were listed by the General Services Administration (GSA) in spring 2025 as potential sale targets as part of the new Trump administration’s bid to slash federal spending.
More than 1,100 bills came out of this year’s Virginia General Assembly session, and many will take effect tomorrow (Wednesday).
After Democrats gained a trifecta with last year’s election of Gov. Abigail Spanberger and control of the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates, legislators’ bills focused on priorities like immigration enforcement, gun control, housing and tenant protections, reproductive rights and more.
A Taiwan-based airline has just launched a 7,800-mile, nonstop route to Taipei from Dulles International Airport — the longest flight offered to any destination from D.C.-area airports.
Representatives from Eva Air, the Taiwanese government, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), and the Virginia Department of Aviation held a ceremonial water cannon salute, traditional dragon and lion dance performance, and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday (June 26) to mark the inaugural flight.
While Virginia Task Force 1 remains busy combing through rubble in Venezuela for potential survivors of the earthquakes that devastated the country last week, Fairfax County officials are investigating a fire at its training facility in Lorton.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, which sponsors the federally funded urban search and rescue team, responded to the 9900 block of Furnace Road at around 5:20 p.m. on Saturday (June 27) after receiving reports that “a large column of black smoke” was issuing from the training facility.
Heat Wave Could Be Historic — “As we close in on the Wednesday start of an unusually intense and long-lasting blast of extreme heat extending into the Fourth of July weekend, computer models continue to pump out numbers that could threaten all-time high temperature records in the DC area and across the Mid-Atlantic by late this week.” [Capital Weather]
State Budget Amendments Pass — “With less than 48 hours remaining before the start of Virginia’s new fiscal year, the General Assembly on Monday approved a package of amendments proposed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger to the state’s two-year budget, formally ending a budget fight among the Democratic majority that had dragged on for months.” [Virginia Mercury]
Tysons Company Scooped Up in $8B Deal — “Rocket Lab said on Monday it would acquire satellite communications provider Iridium Communications in a cash-and-stock deal valued at about $8 billion, marking one of the biggest consolidation moves in the commercial space industry.” [CNBC]
Virginians Feeling Healthcare Costs — “There were 371,000 Virginians who signed up for insurance plans at the end of the 2026 open enrollment period on Jan. 30, according to data presented to the state’s Health Benefit Exchange Advisory Committee on June 18. That number dropped to 298,000 as of mid-June.” [VPM News]
New Housing Proposed in Annandale — “A revised development proposal for Gallows Road and Libeau Lane in Annandale calls for 32 detached single-family homes across from Holmes Run Acres and Woodburn Elementary School. Madison Homes is proposing a Comprehensive Plan amendment to increase the density on the property … to 3-4 dwellings per acre.” [Annandale Today]
Health Department Expanding Walk-In Hours — “The Fairfax County Health Department is expanding walk-in hours at all four of its public health centers starting July 1. While appointments remain available, the extended walk-in hours will make accessing Health Department services easier, including vaccinations, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing [and] maternity services.” [FCHD]
New Events Added to Senior Olympics — “Rock climbing, weight lifting and the game of darts will be new events in the 2026 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics. This year’s Senior Olympics are scheduled to be held from Sept. 9 through Oct. 4 … Over 70 events will take place at more than 30 venues across Northern Virginia.” [Inside NoVA]
McLean Ranked Among Richest Suburbs — “McLean has ranked No. 9 on GOBankingRates’s list of the wealthiest suburbs in the nation. However, that ranking is down three slots from 10 years ago, when it ranked at No. 6.” Vienna and Fort Hunt were also on the list. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny weather with temperatures reaching a high of around 90°F. At night, anticipate mostly clear skies with a low of about 71°F. Winds from the south will persist at 7 to 9 mph, with possible gusts up to 18 mph. [NWS]
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Dr. Michelle Reid will be sticking around as the superintendent of Virginia’s largest school district for the foreseeable future.
The Fairfax County School Board voted Thursday (June 25) to extend Reid’s contract with Fairfax County Public Schools until 2030. This would replace the four-year contract extension that the school board gave her in November 2024 that would have paid her an annual salary of almost half a million dollars by its conclusion in June 2028.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission voiced support last Wednesday (June 24) for the construction of 143 townhomes on the northern portion of Isaac Newton Square in Reston.
If approved by the Board of Supervisors, the project will represent the second phase of a larger plan greenlit in 2019 that calls for the 36-acre office park to be redeveloped with 2,100 residential units, plus new office, retail and potentially hotel space.
