Kayaks on the shore of Lake Fairfax in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Impact of Medicaid Changes Still Unclear — A final, nonpartisan analysis is still pending on how many Virginians could lose Medicaid coverage due to the recently signed federal reconciliation bill, which adds new work requirements starting in January 2027, among other changes. “The uncertainty has left many wondering if they or loved ones will be impacted — and set the stage for partisan bickering.” [Virginia Mercury]

Transfers of Police on Double Murder Case Questioned — “A hearing to determine if certain evidence was kept from defense attorneys in the murder case against Branden Banfield turned the spotlight on the Fairfax County Police Department, accused of moving investigators from their units after disagreements over theory [alleging Banfield’s guilt].” [WUSA9]

Potential Connolly Successors on Key Issues — “James Walkinshaw, a longtime Connolly staffer and Fairfax County supervisor, won the Democratic primary. Stewart Whitson, a former FBI agent and Army combat veteran, is the Republican candidate. WTOP’s Scott Gelman sat down with both candidates to ask them about issues important to Northern Virginia voters.” [WTOP]

Virginia Drops in Business Ranking — “For the first time in three years, Virginia is no longer considered the best state for business on CNBC’s annual ranking. The Commonwealth landed at No. 4, ceding its first-place spot to North Carolina. This is the lowest Virginia has ranked on the list since 2018.” CNBC attributed the drop mostly to federal workforce cuts. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Learn About Lake Accotink Study — “Next Saturday, July 19, there will be an open house to provide the community with an opportunity to learn more about the ongoing Smaller Lake Accotink Preservation Feasibility Study. The open house will be in the cafeteria of Kings Glen Elementary School (5401 Danbury Forest Drive, Springfield) from 3:00-5:00 p.m. and you can drop in at any time.” [The Walkinshaw Advisory]

FBI HQ Slows Federal Budget Process — Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) recessed a committee meeting yesterday (Thursday) after Democrats and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski narrowly passed a budget bill amendment that would prohibit federal dollars from being used to relocate the FBI’s headquarters anywhere other than a previously selected site in Greenbelt, Maryland. The committee had hoped to send one of its 12 appropriations bills to the full Senate. [NBC4]

Stream Restoration Project Coming — “The City of Alexandria is gearing up to begin construction this summer on a stream and trail restoration project on Holmes Run in the Dora Kelley Nature Park. The project is expected to be completed in summer 2026. This is the last of four major projects along Holmes Run Stream Valley to repair extensive damage caused by rainstorms six years ago.” [Annandale Today]

Outdoor Screening of Reality Show in Tysons — “Fans of the Bravo television series ‘The Valley’ should mark July 22 on their calendar. That’s when The Boro, Tysons’ premier destination for luxury urban living, is hosting an outdoor screening of the show’s season two finale.” [Patch]

It’s Friday — Mostly sunny skies and a high near 89 could be followed by showers and thunderstorms, most likely between 5-7 p.m. Night will bring partly cloudy skies and a low around 73. The chance of precipitation is 30%. [NWS]


News

By COLLIN BINKLEY AP Education Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration on Thursday opened a civil rights investigation into the hiring practices at George Mason University, expanding a national campaign against diversity policies to Virginia’s largest public university.


News

A Maryland man who struck and knocked unconscious a gate agent at Dulles International Airport earlier this year pleaded guilty today (Thursday) to interfering with security screening personnel.

Christopher Stuart Crittenden faces a maximum of 10 years for the crime, though federal prosecutors will recommend a sentence no greater than the low end of sentencing guidelines, according to the terms of a plea agreement.


Countywide

Housing costs are daunting for Fairfax County residents in general, but for seniors with limited financial resources, even subsidized housing options are becoming increasingly beyond their means, county staff say.

“We’re starting to see some disconnect,” Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development Director Tom Fleetwood said, describing the “emerging challenges” to the Board of Supervisors at a housing committee meeting on Tuesday (July 8).


News

After years of planning, the Town of Vienna is finally kicking its Capital Bikeshare program into gear.

The Vienna Town Council voted unanimously on Monday (July 7) to award $231,000 in state grant funds toward the purchase and installation of four bicycle-sharing stations, with an option to add a fifth station in the future.


News

The first major rewrite of zoning rules governing Fairfax’s manufactured home communities since the 1970s soon could head to county supervisors by the end of this year.

If approved, the new regulations would guide future development at the seven existing residential parks, which are mostly located in the Route 1 corridor. They also potentially would provide more protections for residents in cases of redevelopment or other displacement.


A cardinal sits on a power line in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Families Challenge Army Response to DCA Crash — “The Army has avoided accountability and shirked oversight months after the deadly midair collision between a passenger jet and a military helicopter in Washington, dozens of family members said in a letter to the Army’s top official, calling for action and greater transparency.” [Washington Post]

WNBA Game at Mason to Bring Traffic — “Due to a WNBA game at EagleBank Arena w/5k attendees expected, there will be an increased volume of traffic on/around GMU’s campus + increase in on-campus parking on Thursday, July 10, from 4-10pm. Subscribe to Mason alerts (ready.gmu.edu/masonalert) for details on high impact areas + alt routes.” [Supervisor James Walkinshaw/Bluesky]

Algae Spotted in Reston’s Lake Anne — “RA watershed staff members have observed a small occurrence of potentially harmful blue-green algae on Lake Anne. While swimming is never permitted in the lake, it is additionally recommended to keep dogs from the lake water at this time. ” Blue-green algae was also seen earlier this month in Lake Audubon. [Reston Association]

Local Activist Group Plans Rally — “In honor of civil rights leader and U.S. Rep. John Lewis, Herndon Reston Indivisible is hosting a Good Trouble Lives On rally on Thursday, July 17, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Baron Cameron Park, which is located at 11300 Baron Cameron Ave. in Reston.” The group previously drew an estimated 2,000 people to its “No Kings” rallies on June 14, part of a nationwide anti-Trump protest movement. [Patch]

Falls Church Considers Parking Ticket Aides — “Falls Church officials are considering whether to allow public safety aides to issue parking tickets, direct traffic and respond to abandoned vehicles. Under current Falls Church city code, only sworn law enforcement officers have the ability to conduct parking and traffic control.” [ARLnow]

When Mount Vernon Mansion Might Reopen — “Visitors at George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate will have to wait until this December to see the founding father’s fully renovated mansion.” Sections have been closed since last November as part of a multi-year, comprehensive restoration project that began in 2019. The mansion will be open, except for the cellar, during the final phase of work from December through September 2026. [ALXnow]

Adult Education Scholarships Available — “Fairfax County Public Schools Adult and Community Education (FCPS ACE) invites students interested in careers in the skilled trades to apply for a scholarship. Current and prospective FCPS ACE students can apply for a $1,000 scholarship that can be used toward upcoming apprenticeship classes starting this fall. The deadline to apply is Aug. 15.” [Annandale Today]

Free French Fries at Big Buns — Reston-based Thompson Hospitality’s burger chain, Big Buns Damn Good Burgers, will celebrate National French Fry Day — a relatively new occasion organized by Checkers and Rally’s — by offering free regular or Cajun fries with any burger, sammie or bowl purchase tomorrow (Friday). “Just use code FRYORCRY25 online or mention it in-store. This deal is only valid July 11th, so don’t let this FRYday pass you by.” [Big Buns]

It’s Thursday — Showers and thunderstorms are expected throughout the day. The sky will be mostly cloudy, with a high temperature near 85 and a 60% chance of precipitation. At night, chances of showers and thunderstorms decrease to 30%, with a low temperature around 72. [NWS]


Countywide

Update — More than 10,000 Dominion Energy customers in Fairfax County have lost power as thunderstorms sweep through the D.C. region.

As of 7:20 p.m., the outages appear to be concentrated in the south central part of the county, from Newington up to the Falls Church area, according to the utility’s outage map.


Around Town

Vienna’s Cedar Park Shopping Center will welcome a hardware store later this year.

Signage for the forthcoming Ace Hardware has begun to appear outside 264 Cedar Lane SE, which formerly housed CVS Pharmacy until April of this year.


Around Town

Tous les Jours is coming to Tysons with a few other eateries in tow.

The bakery, which started in Korea but serves French-style pastries, will anchor Luna Hall Tysons, a new food hall expected to open on the ground floor of the office building at 8201 Greensboro Drive near Tysons Galleria later this summer.


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