Reston

U.S. Admits Fault in DCA Crash — “The U.S. government admitted Wednesday that the actions of an air traffic controller and Army helicopter pilot played a role in causing a collision last January between an airliner and a Black Hawk near the nation’s capital, killing 67 people.” [Associated Press/ARLnow]

Va. Schools Expected to Need Over $1B — “Virginia’s recently published enrollment data indicates that state schools will need about $1.2 billion over the next two years, more than was projected just weeks ago amid challenges in funding other key areas … While enrollment is projected to decline, presumably lowering overall funding needs, the education agency said the cost to fund Virginia’s schools is driven by several factors.” [Virginia Mercury]

How Fairfax Stacks Up for Livability — “For the second year in a row, AARP has ranked Arlington as the most livable large community in the country … AARP rated Fairfax County No. 5 for very large populations (more than 500,000). The index noted the county’s access to grocery stores, farmers markets, and parks and its diversity of destinations.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Tysons Santa Returns for 37th Year — “Accompanied by a security guard, Santa — real name Michael Graham — makes his way to Santa’s Chalet, which is tucked at the end of a hallway near an eyebrow salon. Dozens of children are lined up, waiting to take a photo with Graham and tell him what they want for Christmas.” Even after 40 years performing as Santa, 37 of them at Tysons Corner Center, Graham remains enthusiastic about the gig. [Washington Post]

Pop-Up Library Planned for Culmore — “Fairfax County Public Library is in the process of nailing down a location in Culmore for a pop-up library during the time the Culmore Community Library will be closed for an entire year. The Culmore Library will close on Jan. 17, 2026, for an HVAC replacement project and won’t reopen until January 2027.” [Annandale Today]

Winning Lottery Ticket Bought in Merrifield — A Powerball ticket purchased at the Safeway (3043 Nutley Street) in Merrifield’s Providence Place shopping center was one of five to win $50,000 in a drawing on Wednesday (Dec. 17). “Since no ticket in Virginia or anywhere else matched all six numbers, the jackpot for the Saturday, December 20, drawing grows to an estimated $1.5 billion.” [Virginia Lottery]

Record Holiday Travel Projected — With 3.4 million Virginians expected to travel over the coming week, “AAA predicts that this year’s holiday travel will break last year’s record and set a new 24-year high. VPM News’ Hannah Davis-Reid talked to AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesperson Morgan Dean about what to expect ahead of the holidays.” [VPM News]

New Take on ‘Into the Woods’ Debuts in Lorton — “The Workhouse Arts Center will present a new production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Tony Award-winning musical ‘Into the Woods’ beginning Dec. 20, offering a reimagined take on the modern theatrical classic in the W-3 Theatre. The limited run includes 17 performances through Jan. 25, highlighted by a New Year’s Eve show at 8 p.m. on Dec. 31.” [Inside NoVA]

It’s Friday — Expect rain and potentially a thunderstorm before 1pm. Temperatures will drop to around 38 by 5pm with winds shifting west and gusting up to 47 mph. There is an 80% chance of precipitation, with amounts ranging from a quarter to half an inch. Friday night will be mostly clear and breezy, with lows around 27. [NWS]

McLean Sisters Fear Deportation — “Two sisters who were detained by border patrol agents while traveling back to the U.S. in early December fear they could be persecuted for their Christian faith if they are deported back to Iran, their pastor in Northern Virginia told News4.” An attorney representing the Motahari sisters says “they both have legal status, no criminal record and they had recently renewed their work permits until 2030.” [NBC4]

D.C. Region Sees Drop in Consumer Spending — “Consumers are spending less in the DMV — and D.C. is taking the biggest hit, according to a new Brookings report … The nonpartisan think tank says the administration’s policies have been “notably bad” for visitor spending — a big deal in a city where sales taxes make up nearly 17% of revenue.” [Axios DC]

Fairfax Therapy Startup Plans Expansion — Origin Therapy, which launched in August 2024 to help “speech, occupational and physical therapists launch and operate private practices,” has raised $2.6 million that it hopes to use to explore “other geographies and therapies where the need is also high.” The company has supported 19 therapy practices so far and is aiming to surpass 100 over the next year. [Washington Business Journal]

Cost-of-Living Concerns Pushed Voters Left — “Post-election research of Trump or third-party 2024 voters who flipped to Democrats in New Jersey and Virginia last month found that economic concerns were top of mind for these voters. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) and former Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) made cost-of-living the centerpiece of their campaign messaging, and it helped propel them to double-digit victories.” [Politico]

Restaurant Opens in Former Falls Church Motel — “Stratford Garden opened yesterday (Tuesday) at the long-vacant Stratford Motor Lodge at 300 W. Broad Street, abuzz with local officials including Falls Church Mayor Letty Hardi. The business, which promised a wide selection of beers and wines, offers a range of sandwiches, salads and pastas for brunch, lunch and dinner.” [ARLnow]

S’mores Hot Chocolate Creation Goes Viral — The Chantilly-based dessert cafe SoftSpot “is filling feeds and faces with their campfire-inspired concoction … The shop has flown through as many as 400 in a day, partner Neal Miglani tells Axios. And yes, ‘It’s as indulgent as it looks.'” [Axios DC]

Vienna Eatery Seeks Blood Drive Participants — Social Burger “is looking for residents to sign up for its blood drive on Dec. 23, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. All those who donate will get a free milkshake from Social Burger. The blood drive will benefit Inova Blood Donor Services and is being held in partnership with Somervilles Homes.” [Patch]

New Laws Coming in New Year — “Beginning January 1, 2026, a slate of new laws will kick into effect in Virginia. Here are some to be aware of,” including restrictions on telemarketing calls, a one-hour limit on social media for kids under 16, and increases to the minimum wage and unemployment benefits. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Thursday — Rain is likely after 4pm, with increasing clouds and a high near 54. There’s a 30% chance of precipitation. Night will see temperatures rise to around 55 by 3am. Rain is expected, with a 100% chance of precipitation and new rainfall amounts ranging between half and three-quarters of an inch. [NWS]