The newest graduates of George Mason University came from 38 states and 87 countries, overcoming obstacles and charting their own paths en route to commencement day.
“You did it!” university president Gregory Washington exclaimed during the university-wide commencement ceremony, held Dec. 18 at EagleBank Arena.
The Meadows Original Frozen Custard has at last completed its move from Ashburn to Reston.
After some delays, the frozen desserts shop began serving customers in the South Lakes Village Shopping Center (11130-I South Lakes Drive) on Wednesday (Dec. 17) and will celebrate its grand opening tomorrow (Saturday).
By JOSHUA GOODMAN Associated Press
MIAMI (AP) — A U.S. Army Reserve lawyer detailed as a federal immigration judge has been fired barely a month into the job after granting asylum at a high rate out of step with the Trump administration’s mass deportation goals, The Associated Press has learned.
While the snow that recently fell in Fairfax County has mostly melted away, the first day of winter will arrive this Sunday (Dec. 21), bringing the promise of more snow — and more opportunities to haul out a sled out of storage.
Here are the nominees for “Best Place to Go Sledding in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. See your favorite spot below? If not, write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 2.
Voting for the Best Primary Care Doctor in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday, Dec. 26 at 8:30 a.m.
A few weeks ago, we voted on the Best Orthodontist in Fairfax. The results are now official:
A Reston man was released from the custody of the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday (Dec. 17) less than 24 hours before allegedly killing another man, police said.
After a nearly two-hour manhunt, 23-year-old Marvin Fernando Morales-Ortez was arrested Wednesday afternoon and charged with one count of second degree murder — a felony that carries a maximum of 40 years in prison.
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]
Outgoing Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Wednesday rolled out his final two-year budget proposal before a joint meeting of the General Assembly’s money committees, pitching a plan built on what he called Virginia’s strong fiscal footing while using the moment to cement his administration’s legacy as he prepares to leave office next month.
The $72 billion general fund proposal — part of a $212 billion total spending plan — covers the biennium running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028. It includes pay raises for teachers, state employees and local public workers, tax relief for individuals and businesses, major increases in Medicaid spending, and a $50 million investment to overhaul Virginia’s child welfare system, one of Youngkin’s final policy priorities.
The VY at Reston Heights apartment community has been rebranded The Point at Rise following its Dec. 11 sale to institutional fund manager Pantzer Properties.
The building, located at 11830 Sunrise Valley Drive, was built in 2018 by JBG Smith and has 385 residential units, including two-story loft style townhomes. Gold’s Gym, Reston Kabob and My Home Thai occupy its street-level retail spaces.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors welcomed multiple state lawmakers who represent the area this past Tuesday (Dec. 16) for an “open exchange of ideas” ahead of next month’s legislative session in Richmond.
As laid out in the 2026 legislative program adopted earlier this month, the local leaders pointed to funding for K-12 education, the need to increase the area’s housing supply, Metro funding and assistance with “responding to changing federal landscapes” as top priorities.
More than 40% of homes across the D.C. region lost value over the past year, a new analysis found. But that doesn’t mean homeowners in Fairfax or surrounding areas are taking major losses on their properties.
Only 2.6% of D.C.-region home sales in the past year were listed for sale below the home’s previous sales price, according to data compiled by Zillow.
