Reston’s own water park is suiting up for a new season, just in time to provide relief from a blast of summer heat.
The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole will reopen for 2026 at 11 a.m. this Saturday, May 23 at Lake Fairfax Park (1400 Lake Fairfax Drive), giving local families an aquatic escape for Memorial Day weekend.
As soon as Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed one of the more polarizing gun safety bills from the 2026 General Assembly session — a ban on assault-style firearms — the Fairfax-based National Rifle Association vowed to fight the ban with a lawsuit.
The pair of bills from state Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim (D-37) and Del. Dan Helmer (D-10), who represent parts of Fairfax County, will ban the sale and manufacture of “assault firearms” and magazines with the capacity of more than 15 rounds. The legislation provides exemptions to guns owned before the law becomes effective on July 1, 2026 but will ban new purchases starting on that date.
By MICHELLE CHAPMAN AP Business Writer
NextEra Energy is seeking to acquire Dominion Energy in an all-stock deal valued at about $67 billion, creating a massive power company as the energy needs of artificial intelligence drive demand higher in the U.S.
Will the Fairfax County government be able to meet its goal of 10,000 new affordable housing units by 2034? The county’s top housing official is optimistic but hedging his bets.
“We do feel like we’re very much headed in the right direction,” said Thomas Fleetwood, director of the county’s Department of Housing and Community Development.
SCOTUS Rejects Redistricting Appeal — “The Supreme Court on Friday rejected Virginia’s bid to restore a congressional map that would have given Democrats a chance to pick up four seats in the closely divided House of Representatives.” The court order was “issued without any noted dissent.” [Associated Press]
Boy Hospitalized by Shooting Range Mishap — “A 14-year-old boy was hospitalized after a shotgun exploded in his hands while at a Centreville shooting range on Sunday, according to the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) … The teen was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries to his hand.” [DC News Now]
Va. Could Allow Single-Stairway Buildings — Last week, “the state’s Board of Housing and Community Development advanced a proposal to allow single stairways in four-story buildings, setting it up for potential adoption in the next state code requirements.” Some lawmakers and advocates say the revision to building standards “could unlock housing development on vacant or underutilized lots.” [Virginia Mercury]
Grandmother Graduates From GMU — “At 72 years old, Irma Garcia of Woodbridge is graduating from George Mason University with a bachelor’s degree — decades after first putting her education on hold to raise her family.” She joined thousands of other students who celebrated at commencement ceremonies this past weekend.” [FOX5]
Beauty School Coming to Annandale — “A cosmetology school is expected to open in June on the corner of Columbia Pike and Annandale Road in central Annandale … The owner, Katy Hennessey, plans to offer classes leading to certifications in cosmetology, acrylic nails, and eyelash and eyebrow procedures.” [Annandale Today]
McLean Satellite Company Makes Acquisition — “Iridium Communications, a global satellite communications company, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the remainder of Aireon, a joint project it started in 2011, for $366.7 million. Currently, Iridium owns 39% of McLean-based Aireon, operator of the world’s only space-based” real-time global air traffic information system. [Virginia Business]
Meeting on Route 29 Improvements — “The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) will host an in-person community meeting on the Route 29 Active Transportation Study at 7 p.m.” tomorrow (Tuesday) at Timber Lane Elementary School. FCDOT will present proposed improvements to the street, including sidewalks, bike paths, transit stops and crossings.” [FCDOT]
RCC Lauded for Water Safety Education — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors issued a proclamation earlier this month declaring May as Water Safety Month … The proclamation cited the Reston Community Center’s efforts in providing swimming instruction and safety training for residents of various ages.” [Patch]
New Legal Notice — Business seeks retail on/off-premises wine-beer license; objections within 30 days. [Public Notices]
It’s Monday — It will be sunny with a high of around 95 degrees, and winds will shift to the south at 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon. Monday night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to about 72 degrees and a south wind of around 8 mph. [NWS]
The night before freshman orientation at George Mason University, 17-year-old Saniya Dilip Darediya sat in her room and cried.
Having just arrived in the U.S. from India, she recalled, “I was scared and afraid I might not belong here.”
The Town of Herndon is considering a number of changes to Bennett Street intended to make walking and cycling around the local high school safer.
Mike Shindledecker, the town’s transportation engineer, unveiled a preferred concept at a community meeting in the Herndon High School cafeteria on Wednesday (May 13) that would narrow the four-lane road to one travel lane in each direction.
Whether you’re seeking general academic support for your child or more intensive test preparation services, options abound in Fairfax County for programs that will keep kids’ minds sharp outside of class.
Here are the nominees for “Best Tutoring Service in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. Did we miss your favorite center below? Write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, May 29.
A few weeks ago, we voted on the Best Real Estate Agent for Sellers in Fairfax County. The results are now official:
Fairfax County supervisors have reacted tepidly to a staff proposal for imposing what might be termed a “trash tax” on Fairfax’s property owners to support solid waste disposal.
“I don’t think we’re ready. It’s kind of a hard sell,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said in response to the proposal, floated at the May 12 meeting of the board’s Environment Committee.
Republican lawmakers accused Fairfax County’s top prosecutor and sheriff of being soft on crime and endangering lives due to policies limiting cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement — a charge both denied during a tense congressional hearing yesterday (Thursday).
Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano and Sheriff Stacey Kincaid testified that they do not provide preferential treatment to immigrants, as congressional Republicans repeatedly alleged throughout the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement hearing.
