Controversial plans to add new express lanes onto I-495 are heading to public review starting today (Monday).
The plan is to extend the I-495 Express Lanes from Springfield into Prince George’s County, Maryland. The study area spans approximately 11 miles along the southern edge of I-495 — the last section of the Capital Beltway in Virginia without toll lanes, with construction underway on a northern extension in McLean.
Fairfax County and hundreds of other localities across the country were labeled “sanctuary jurisdictions” last week by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for limiting their cooperation with federal immigration officials.
The department accused the localities on the list — which was published on its website last Thursday (May 29) before apparently being removed over the weekend — of obstructing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from enforcing federal immigration laws, stating that they will all receive formal notices of non-compliance.
Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity and Fairfax County staff will host a televised forum tomorrow (Tuesday) to discuss a plan that, potentially, would have the local government oversee trash collection for single-family properties countywide.
Herrity asked his colleagues on the Board of Supervisors on May 13 for permission to host the event in conjunction with the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES).
Police Enhance Security for Synagogues — “Following [Sunday’s] targeted attack in Boulder, the FCPD extends our deepest condolences to the Jewish community. There are no specific threats to our community at this time. However, the safety of our faith-based institutions continue to be paramount. We are enhancing our patrols and visibility throughout the county around our synagogues and all places of worship, ensuring a strong, supportive presence.” [FCPD/X]
Metro Ban Policy Takes Effect — “Metro is reminding customers of a new systemwide banning policy taking effect this week.” Under its new policy, the transit agency will institute bans of 45 days to a full year against anyone who’s arrested for committing a violent or sex-related crime on its property. [WMATA]
Arrest for ‘Obscene Sexual Display’ — A 63-year-old man was arrested by Fairfax City police on Friday (May 30) for allegedly propositioning a CUE bus passenger for sex and then engaging “in a lewd act” on May 30. Police say an “investigation revealed that the same suspect was involved in similar incidents over the past few weeks.” [City of Fairfax Police]
Bill Proposes Metro Renaming — “In a new bill, Florida Rep. Greg Steube proposed the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, or WMATA, would no longer receive federal funds until it’s renamed to the ‘Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access,’ or WMAGA. It would also rebrand Metrorail as the ‘Trump Train.'” [WTOP]
Vienna Stop Sign Campaign Underway — “The Vienna Police Department is launching its annual traffic safety campaign, focusing on enforcing all traffic laws, particularly those related to stop signs. Officers will be vigilant in issuing tickets and reminding drivers of the importance of coming to a complete stop when encountering a solid or flashing red light or a stop sign, ensuring they halt before entering the crosswalk, intersection, or stop line.” [Vienna Police]
Public Hearing on Braddock Road Project — “The Virginia Department of Transportation will hold the design public hearing Monday, June 2, on the planned multimodal and access management improvements along three miles of Braddock Road (Route 620) between Humphries Drive and Ravensworth Road (Route 2864) … and half a mile of Ravensworth Road between Braddock Road and Heritage Drive.” [VDOT]
Health Department Awards Student Project — “A team from Justice High School won an award for ‘best group project’ in the Fairfax County Health Department’s Youth Ambassadors program. Justice students Brenda Ferrufino-Cruz and Connor Morgan’s project was a plan to increase awareness of the early signs of a stroke.” [Annandale Today]
Students Build Old-School Arcade — “Students at Edison Academy’s cyber program worked on a months-long project — building their very own retro arcade. Their teacher, Aaron King, came up with the idea to engage the students with the material and put together everything they had learned in the year … The electrical and cyber classes designed and built the arcade, with everything from Pong to Ms. Pac-Man to a version of Just Dance.” [WUSA9]
It’s Monday — Expect sunshine during the day with temperatures reaching around 75°F and a northwest wind at 7 mph. As evening approaches, minimal clouds are anticipated, with the temperature dropping to a cool 56°F and calm winds. [NWS]
Virginia may need to enact more food safety requirements at the state level in response to cutbacks and deregulation efforts by the Trump administration, two legislators and several advocates said at a recent forum.
“We have historically, in my opinion, not done the kind of oversight we need to do. We’ve let the federal government do most of it,” Del. Mark Sickles (D-17) said during the press event on May 28.
A special election to fill the late Rep. Gerry Connolly’s now-open seat in Congress still hasn’t been officially ordered, but the number of Democrats seeking to stake a claim is now up to six.
Amy Roma, a Vienna resident and lawyer who specializes in energy policy, officially launched a campaign for the 11th Congressional District yesterday (Thursday) — the same day that Leopoldo Martínez, who’s also a lawyer, announced his own bid to become the Democratic nominee.
New Charges in Herndon Shooting — “Additional charges have been obtained in the homicide that occurred on Friday, May 23, 2025. In addition to Second Degree Murder, Kianmehr Shirinipaziziba has been charged with four other felonies: Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, Reckless Handling of a Firearm, Discharge of a Firearm in a Public Space, and Shooting from a Vehicle.” [Herndon PD/FB]
Student Just Shy of Spelling Bee Finals — “Fairfax County eighth-grader Nargiza Muzhapaer reached the semifinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee on Wednesday and fell just one word short of reaching Thursday’s finals. Muzhapaer, an eighth-grader at Pinnacle Academy in Chantilly … and was among just 18 spellers left out of 243 who started the competition on Tuesday.” [Inside NoVA]
Fairfax ‘Town’ Richest in State — South Run is the “richest small town” in Virginia, according to a Census data analysis. “GOBankingRates reported that South Run has a median income of $238,456, which is considerably higher than the statewide median income of $87,249 in 2023. According to Redfin, the median price of a home sold in the area in April was $1.12 million.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
New Movie Theater Opening Soon — “Paragon Theaters will have a soft opening on June 15. The upscale theater is located 112 Founders Ave. in Falls Church. Between June 15 and the end of the month, Paragon Theaters will run ‘Sneak Preview Days,’ with $8 tickets for all showings, formats, and seats … Regular pricing will start on July 1 the date of the official grand opening.” [Annandale Today]
A.I. Startup Adds Tysons Office — “Meibel, a startup developing tools to help companies adopt artificial intelligence technology across enterprises, is moving into its first office space in Tysons after raising $7 million from investors … The company will start with about 10 people at a built-out 3,000-square-foot office, which has room to expand if needed, at 7925 Jones Branch Drive.” [DC Inno]
Historic Landmark Undergoes Maintenance — “One of the most recognizable elements of the historic Original Mount Vernon High School is its rooftop cupola — a symbol that’s been incorporated into the logo of the future Commons Mount Vernon. In recent weeks, the cupola has been shrouded in scaffolding and tarp, lending an aura of mystery to the building.” [On the MoVe]
Special Concert for Fairfax Symphony — “The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra marks a milestone May 31 at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts: It’s Maestro Christopher Zimmerman’s 15th anniversary as music director.” The program includes two works that Zimmerman conducted when he made his debut with the orchestra in 2009 and the East Coast premiere of a piece that features his son, Cristian “Kit” Zimmerman, as one of two violin soloists. [Inside NoVa]
Tennis Court Renovations Coming — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will be making improvements to tennis courts #2 and #5 at Jefferson District Park. Contractors will mobilize on site in early June, with work expected to begin on Saturday, June 7. The project will include crack repairs and resurfacing of the courts.” [FCPA]
Soccer Fest Launch Party in Tysons — “Come join us at Shipgarten for an exciting evening filled with fun, food, and football! We are thrilled to celebrate the launch of Copa Tysons with an epic UCL Watch Party where you can catch all the action on big screens surrounded by fellow fans.” The Copa Tysons Soccer Fest will return this summer after its inaugural event last year. [Tysons Community Alliance/IG]
It’s Friday — Expect a slight chance of showers before 2pm, followed by showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 5pm, and potentially a thunderstorm after 5pm. Patchy fog may appear before 9am with a high near 79. Night will bring more rain with lows around 59. Precipitation chances are at 90%, with 1 to 2 inches of rainfall possible. [NWS]
This has been an unusually wet May in the D.C. region, conditions that are expected to linger through the month’s final days.
In her latest forecast for FFXnow, DC News Now meteorologist Jackie Layer advises Fairfax County residents “to stay weather-aware” tomorrow (Friday), as storms could potentially swing through the area in the afternoon and evening.
At 38 years old, an exclusive social club that looms over Tysons has decided it’s time for a makeover.
Tower Club of Tysons Corner will undergo a “substantive” interior renovation this summer, owner and operator Invited Club announced on April 18. The $1 million overhaul will be the club’s first significant redesign since its founding in 1989.
Dominion Energy appears to be open to addressing the damage done by its extensive tree clearings along the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail in Vienna and Dunn Loring.
The utility confirmed its interest in a new agreement to govern vegetation management for parts of the trail that overlap with its power lines less than 24 hours before NOVA Parks Executive Director Paul Gilbert gave an update on the situation to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and Vienna Town Council.
