A key Tysons leader is working to ensure state leaders provide dedicated new funding for transit that she says will help the region thrive.
“Transit in Northern Virginia is cool again,” said Katie Cristol, CEO of the Tysons Community Alliance.
Reston
Fairfax County officially has a meals tax.
The 4% levy on prepared food and beverages took effect yesterday (Jan. 1), aligning the county with most other Northern Virginia localities that have imposed a 3-5% tax for years.
Fairfax Office Market in Flux — “While uncertainty remains and the Fairfax office market has stayed soft, there are signs of tightening or stabilizing. Demand for Class A and trophy office space remains high as tenants trade up from aging spaces in a ‘flight-to-quality’ trend as they seek new and improved amenities.” [Virginia Business]
Three Injured in Great Falls House Fire — Firefighters responded yesterday (Thursday) morning to “a two-alarm house fire in the 11100 blk Rich Meadow Drive in the Great Falls area. Firefighters arrived on scene with heavy fire showing from the rear of the home extending into the attic … Two civilians and one firefighter were evaluated with non-life-threatening injuries.” [FCFRD/Facebook]
Respiratory Illnesses Rising — “Respiratory illness activity in the Fairfax County Health District has increased to its highest level since February, according to the latest data from the Virginia Department of Health … This year’s flu season is expected to be more serious due to a new Influenza H3N2 mutation known as ‘subclade K,’ which is spreading in North America.” [Patch]
AG Looks to Settle Tuition Aid Lawsuit — “Outgoing Attorney General Jason Miyares is facing some pushback after he chose to enter into an agreement with the Trump administration rather than take its lawsuit … to court. In a Dec. 31 joint press release, the Legal Aid Justice Center, the ACLU of Virginia and the Dream Project announced that they had filed an emergency motion to intervene in a federal lawsuit that took aim at both undocumented and refugee students in Virginia.” [WRIC]
Health Centers Sue State — “Fifteen Virginia health centers on Tuesday announced they are suing the state government, claiming it has violated state and federal law through underpayments on Medicaid reimbursements. The collection of medical providers are designated as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), a type of nonprofit health clinics that are federally funded.” [Virginia Mercury]
Lawmakers to Consider AI Use in Education — “Moore’s experience with AI may help inform Virginia legislators as they head back to Richmond for the 2026 legislative session in mid-January. While details on legislation are still being parsed out, Roanoke Democratic Delegate Sam Rasoul, who chairs the House Education Committee, thinks any future regulations” will focus on children’s safety and emotional development as well as whether the technology actually helps them learn. [WVTF]
McLean Restaurant Featured on TV — “‘Signature Dish,’ the WETA PBS show highlighting the DMV’s diverse food landscape, kicks off its fourth season on Monday by visiting a McLean restaurant that specializes in serving new interpretations of American classics. Host Seth Tillman joins celebrity Chef David Guas for brunch at Neutral Ground Bar + Kitchen, which is located at 6641 Old Dominion Drive.” [Patch]
Fairfax Library’s Top Reads of 2025 — Fairfax County Public Library recently released its lists of the most in-demand digital and print books for 2025. The library system also surpassed 4 million digital checkouts in a single calendar year for the first time on Dec. 22, a milestone met by only 29 libraries that use the digital catalog Libby by OverDrive in 2024. [FCPL]
Metro Silver Line Service Changes — Track work will disrupt some Metro service this weekend (Jan. 3-4), including on the Silver line. “Trains single track between McPherson Sq and Foggy Bottom. Trains run every 15 minutes between Ashburn and Clarendon. No Silver Line service in DC or Maryland.” [WMATA]
It’s Friday — The weather will transition from mostly cloudy to sunny, reaching a high of around 41 degrees. In the afternoon, calm winds will shift northwest at approximately 6 mph. At night, expect mostly cloudy skies and a low temperature around 26 degrees. [NWS]
Before entering a new year, FFXnow took a look back on some of the stories that defined the past 12 months in Fairfax County.
A review of our most-read stories for 2025 suggests local impacts of federal government actions — specifically, the Trump administration’s mass layoffs and bid to move the Discovery space shuttle out of Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly — were top concerns.
Virginia’s transportation system is massive, with about 129,000 lane miles of roads and roughly 5,900 miles of rail criss-crossing the commonwealth, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation and a 2022 Virginia Statewide Rail Plan.
There’s always some kind of improvement or expansion underway, leaving drivers and commuters wondering when relief will arrive.
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A Fairfax resident who has championed diversity in organizations from Congress to the Girl Scouts will soon apply that experience to the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Dr. Sesha Joi Moon has been appointed as Virginia’s next chief diversity officer and director of diversity, equity and inclusion, joining a growing list of local figures enlisted by Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger to serve in her cabinet.
Metro will provide free rides and two extra hours of train service tonight (Wednesday) to support safe travel for New Year’s Eve revelers.
Fares will be free for both train and bus riders from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., thanks to a partnership between the transit agency and the brewing company Molson Coors, before service is reduced to a weekend late night schedule and a Sunday schedule, respectively, on New Year’s Day.
DOJ Sues Va. Over Financial Aid for Immigrants — “The Justice Department sued Virginia on Monday over its policy of granting unauthorized immigrants in-state financial aid at public colleges and universities, saying that the assistance violates federal law because it discriminates against U.S. citizens living in other states.” [New York Times]
Washington Monument Light Show Starts — “Freedom 250, the public-private organization established by President Donald Trump to commemorate America’s semiquincentennial, will host a six-night light show at the Washington Monument to ring in the New Year. The first display will begin at 7 PM on Wednesday, December 31, and end just after midnight.” [Washingtonian]
International Student Restrictions Cost Virginia — “With college students returning to class after the New Year, international students face heightened uncertainty in Virginia, as ongoing federal actions — including visa bans and disruptions to application processing — have led to a projected $23 million revenue loss for the commonwealth compared to last fall.” [Virginia Mercury]
Virginia’s Top Spirits for 2025 — “Tito’s vodka sales more than doubled the second-most popular spirit this year, according to the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority. Virginians bought $75 million of Tito’s in various sizes.” [WTOP]
Rec Centers to Hire Lifeguards — “The Fairfax County Park Authority is hiring part-time, year-round lifeguards at all nine FCPA Rec Centers across Fairfax County, and we’re making it easier to apply, interview and get hired.” The park authority will hold an open hire event at the Audrey Moore Rec Center in Annandale on Jan. 10. [FCPA]
A Food Tour of Annandale’s Koreatown — Virginialicious was born in April 2024 after owner Soomin Kim moved to Northern Virginia and “became something of a Korean food concierge.” The company now offers regular restaurant tours for up to 12 people “in order to maintain a personalized feel, though private groups can be larger.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Fairfax City Oyster Fest Returns — “Fairfax City foodies looking to celebrate the arrival of 2026 should check out Kelly’s Oyster House and Bar in Old Town Fairfax, which is hosting its annual Oyster Fest on New Year’s Day. From 2 to 5 p.m., diners order from an all-you-can-eat menu … for $75 plus gratuity.” [Patch]
It’s Wednesday — There’s a chance of flurries before 11am, followed by mostly cloudy skies becoming sunny later, with a high near 39 and southwest wind gusts up to 21 mph. Wednesday night brings a 20% chance of more flurries and a low around 26, while New Year’s Day has a chance of precipitation until noon, followed by sunny skies and a high near 33. [NWS]
A local homebuilder has answered the call to redevelop T-Mobile’s now-vacant campus in Reston.
Stanley Martin Homes, which is headquartered in Reston, is proposing to build more than 1,000 residences, including 174 income-restricted units, in place of the 36-acre office park adjacent to the Herndon Metro station.
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A man from D.C. is facing more than two dozen criminal charges in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins and thefts reported in western Fairfax County.
According to the Fairfax County Police Department, detectives believe the 30-year-old man is behind 12 different incidents that occurred in Reston, McNair and the Greenbriar area east of Chantilly, starting with a vehicle tampering and theft reported on May 31 in the 13600 block of Dulles Technology Drive near the Innovation Center Metro station.