After months of hearings and study, the legislature’s Joint Commission on the Future of Cannabis Sales is poised to roll out a final proposal Tuesday that would launch a legal, regulated adult-use cannabis retail market in Virginia — potentially ending five years of economic and legal uncertainty since the commonwealth legalized possession and cultivation in 2021.
The latest version — sponsored by Commission Chair Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax, in the House of Delegates and Sens. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, and Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, in the Senate — scraps the controversial local-opt-out clause, increases local taxing authority and builds a licensing regime designed to privilege small, independent, Virginia-based businesses over large medical-marijuana operators.
Sign points to the Department of Tax Administration in the Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Fairfax County officials say they will be ready when the first installment of the new prepared meals tax comes due in early 2026.
“We are on track — prepared and ready to go,” Robert Barr, division director for revenue systems at the county’s Department of Information Technology, told the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at a Nov. 25 meeting of its Information Technology Committee.
Friends of Reston President Kathleen Driscoll (middle) with Cameron and Lincoln Dunn (left), Bundeseh-German Liaison Office Col. Bernd Albers (right) and Volkswagen Group of America Senior Director Mark Ramsey (back), who were honored as exceptional supporters at a Nov. 3 tree planting ceremony (photo by Kathleen Driscoll)
Local nonprofit Friends of Reston has brought new life to its Friends of Trees Tree Fund program, doubling down on its efforts to help preserve Reston’s lush tree canopy by encouraging the community to plant more trees.
The program has existed since at least 2012 but experienced a slowdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Kathleen Driscoll, president of Friends of Reston, which supports Reston Association through private fundraising and charitable, educational and scientific activities.
The Mosaic District has erected its Christmas tree in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Wintry Weather Possible This Week — “Sunny Monday with still-chilly highs in the low to mid-40s. A more substantial rain, perhaps briefly mixing with snow and sleet at the onset, moves in late Monday night into Tuesday.” Impacts are expected to be minimal, particularly east of I-95. The Capital Weather Gang is also tracking a potential storm system that could bring “wintry precipitation” Friday into Saturday, though confidence in that prediction is currently low. [Capital Weather Gang]
Four Injured in Burke House Fire — “Four people, including a firefighter, were injured in a two-alarm house fire early Saturday in the Burke area of Fairfax County. The fire was reported before 3 a.m. in the 5400 block of Guinea Road in Kings Park West, Fairfax County fire and rescue said in a social media post.” The cause of the fire remains under investigation, a department spokesperson told FFXnow. [Inside NoVA]
Reduced Holiday Spending Expected — “Virginians plan to dial back holiday spending this year, trimming budgets by about 5% even as the broader economy shows strong growth, according to a new Institute for Policy and Opinion Research survey at Roanoke College. The poll found that households expect to spend an average of $1,035 this season in Virginia — down from last year — and they’re shifting how they spend, putting more toward gifts while cutting back on personal purchases and experiences.” [Virginia Mercury]
Fairfax Water Proposes Rate Hike — “Fairfax Water is proposing a rate increase, which it says should add about $1.93 per month for most customers. According to Fairfax Water, the increased rates are necessary to cover rising costs for electricity, water treatment supplies, pipes, and project materials.” [Annandale Today]
Bill Targets ICE Face Coverings — “A newly introduced bill for Virginia’s 2026 legislative session would prohibit most law-enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings while performing official duties … The bill, filed November 20 by Del. Michael J. Jones, applies to state and federal law enforcement officers operating in the Commonwealth.” [13NewsNow]
Two Arrested for Alleged Anti-ICE Plot — “Two brothers in Virginia have been arrested after an off-duty police officer overheard the men allegedly discussing plans to kill immigration officers, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday.” [Associated Press]
Runners Tackle Taco Bell Challenge — “The rules of the first-ever Taco Bell DC 50k were pretty simple, organizers Phil Hargis, 54, and Mike Wardian, 51, explained to the hundreds of participants shivering in below-freezing temperatures outside a Taco Bell in Old Town Alexandria on Saturday morning. Each participant must run to nine Taco Bells scattered across Alexandria, Arlington, and the District. At each location, they must purchase and eat an item off the menu.” [Washington Post]
Reminder: New Speed Limit on Herndon Parkway — “Starting Dec. 1, the speed limit on Herndon Parkway between Campbell Dr. and Summerfield Dr. will drop from 35 mph to 25 mph. This change improves safety for pedestrians and motorists and supports future crosswalk access to Chandon Park.” [Town of Herndon/X]
It’s Monday — Expect sunny skies and a high around 43 today, with winds at 5-10 mph becoming lighter in the afternoon, and possible gusts up to 18 mph. Night could bring snow and sleet between 1am and 4am, transitioning to rain and sleet, with a 70% chance of precipitation, clouds increasing, and lows around 30. [NWS]
An automated license plate reader (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
A Centreville man is facing criminal charges after police connected him to a vehicle reported stolen in Reston.
According to the Fairfax County Police Department, detectives responded to the 1600 block of Reston Parkway around 12:35 p.m. on Monday (Nov. 24) after receiving an alert for a 1999 Toyota Camry that had been reported stolen the previous day.
The Town of Herndon will lower the speed limit on Herndon Parkway to 25 mph from Campbell Way to Summerfield Drive, starting Dec. 1, 2025 (via Google Maps)
Watch out, Herndon drivers: December will bring an expansion of the 25-mph speed limit zone on Herndon Parkway.
Starting Monday (Dec. 1), the speed limit will drop from 35 to 25 mph on the parkway between Campbell Way and Summerfield Drive, extending an existing 25-mph section that starts at Van Buren Street.
Patio for the Highlands Swim Club in McLean, now closed for the season (staff photo)
Area Malls Offer Black Friday Hours — “Northern Virginia’s malls are generally closed on Thanksgiving. That means shoppers will head out on Black Friday to scout discounts at malls and retailers … Here are the mall hours in Northern Virginia.” [Patch]
Firefighter Charged With Larceny — “On Thursday, November 25, 2025, an off-duty Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD) firefighter was charged with petit larceny by the Fairfax County Police Department.” An employee of the department for three years, the firefighter “has been placed on administrative assignment pending the outcome of a Professional Standards Investigation.” [FCFRD]
Dominion Energy Rate Increase Approved — “State regulators on Tuesday approved a base rate increase for Dominion Energy that will raise the average residential customer’s monthly bill by $13.60, or about 9%, over the next two years.” The State Corporation Commission also created a new class for large-scale energy users to address the growing demands of data centers. [Cardinal News]
Early Voting for Braddock Supervisor Expands — “Early voting for the Braddock District Special Election expands this weekend!” Starting tomorrow (Saturday), early voting will be available at Burke Centre Library in addition to the Fairfax County Government Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both locations will then be open during the week until early voting ends after Dec. 6. [Fairfax County Office of Elections/Bluesky]
Lawmakers Renew Push for Free School Lunches — “A bill to provide elementary and secondary school students across Virginia with free breakfasts is heading back to the Virginia General Assembly. The proposed bill by Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5) was killed in the House Appropriation’s Elementary & Secondary Education subcommittee in January due largely to its $29.2 million price tag.” [ALXnow]
Police Collect Toys for Santa’s Ride — “Since 1988, the Fairfax County Police Department’s annual Santa’s Ride has delivered toys and joy to children in hospitals and local charities … Help make the season brighter by donating new, unwrapped toys, books, or games at one of our many drop-off locations by Monday, December 8.” [FCPD]
Paris Baguette Opening in Falls Church — “Paris Baguette has announced plans to begin serving customers at 169 Hillwood Avenue starting at 6 a.m. on Saturday, offering free giveaways to go with its wide menu of baked goods and other breakfast and lunch items.” [ARLnow]
Comment Period for Parks Fee Increases Extended — “Recognizing the importance of community participation, the Park Authority Board is seeking public input to ensure the proposed 2026 Fee Schedule reflects the priorities of Fairfax County residents. To provide additional time for community members to share their perspectives, the public comment period has been extended to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]
It’s Friday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 41 accompanied by a west wind blowing at 14 to 17 mph, gusting up to 34 mph. For Friday night, the weather will be mostly clear with a low of around 27, as the west wind continues at 7 to 10 mph and gusts reaching up to 20 mph. [NWS]
Fonts Books and Gifts with its door open in McLean (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Thanksgiving week has arrived, and for many local businesses, that means a critical holiday shopping season will soon be in full swing.
Small Business Saturday sales are expected to deliver nearly 20% of the annual revenue, on average, for small businesses this year, according to a study by American Express, which created the occasion in 2010.
Empanadas de Mendoza in Reston (photo courtesy of restaurant)
A familiar face at farmers’ markets across Fairfax County has now set up a permanent shop in Reston.
Empanadas de Mendoza is currently in soft opening mode at North Point Village Center, but the doors of its second storefront will officially open on Dec. 6, co-owner Gabi Steelman told FFXnow.
A summer night at Wolf Trap's Filene Center (via Visit Fairfax)
The president and CEO of Visit Fairfax believes an expected increase of $6.5 million a year in funding for promoting local tourism can be leveraged to create more than $1 billion annually in new economic activity countywide.
The tourism sector’s impact on the county economy “will get to $5 billion a year,” potentially within the next “three to five years,” Barry Biggar predicted at the Board of Supervisors’ Economic Initiatives Committee yesterday (Tuesday).
