Control of state government in 2026 will hinge on which political party better connects with voters’ top concerns in coming months.
That’s the view of Del. Marcus Simon (D-13), speaking at a June 28 forum sponsored by NAACP’s Northern Virginia branches.
It can be hard to pinpoint where Gerry Connolly ends and where James Walkinshaw begins.
Walkinshaw appeared to have no reservations about leaning into his close ties to the longtime representative for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District in his bid to succeed his political mentor and former boss.
Fifteen years after Clifton Elementary School shut its doors, Fairfax County Public Schools leaders are at last taking steps toward demolishing it.
“It’s time we close this chapter,” at-large Fairfax County School Board member Kyle McDaniel said as the board debated taking action to officially declare the building uninhabitable last Thursday (June 26).
An information technology company that received competing offers from Texas, Florida and West Virginia has decided to stay put in Tysons.
Described by the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority as “one of the fastest growing” IT service companies in the U.S., 22nd Century Technologies is committing $1 million to an expansion of its headquarters in the EastBoro I office building at 8251 Greensboro Drive.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is seeking the county circuit court’s approval for a $460 million school bond referendum to be included on the Nov. 4 ballot.
The Fairfax County School Board formally requested on June 12 that the supervisors approve a referendum, a request that was granted without comment at a board meeting last Tuesday (June 24).
School Weapons Detectors to Become Permanent — “All Fairfax County high schools will have a permanent weapons detection system in place starting in the fall. Virginia’s largest school division launched a pilot program last spring … But calls for extra security intensified after what police described as a stabbing at West Potomac High School in April.” [WTOP]
WaPo Video Editor Arrested — “A video editor for The Washington Post was arrested Thursday on a federal charge of possessing child pornography, according to prosecutors. Thomas P. LeGro, 48, who has worked at The Post for 18 years in two stints since 2000, was held after an initial appearance Friday before a U.S. magistrate judge in D.C.” [Washington Post]
ACLU Investigates ICE Detentions — “The American Civil Liberties Union is investigating reports of immigration officials detaining people in Virginia courthouses.” The investigation stems specifically from reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents recently “lingering” at the Chesterfield County General District Courthouse, where 14 people detained earlier this month. [Courthouse News Service]
Fairfax Tops Ranking of Best Places for Families — “A new study ranks Fairfax County as the best in the nation for new families. The study by financial technology company SmartAsset analyzed 830 U.S. counties based on affordability, access to parks and healthcare, childcare costs, and family-friendly demographics.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Dulles Traveler Pleads Guilty to Kicking Dog — “A 70-year-old Egyptian man admitted in federal court on Wednesday [June 25] to kicking a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture detector dog that alerted to undeclared food items in the traveler’s baggage, according to CBP.” The man was ordered to pay the dog’s veterinarian fee and was put on a flight back to Egypt. [Patch]
WaPo’s Fave Tysons Dining Spots — “Tysons is so much more than its perpetually transitioning shopping malls … Bop around the Silver Line hot spot with these dining tips from Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema, Post food writer Tim Carman and your intrepid local dining reporter.” [Washington Post]
Pavilion Proposed for Green Spring Gardens — “The Fairfax County Park Authority will host a public meeting to present a revised proposal for a pavilion at Green Spring Gardens. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 30, from 3 to 5 p.m. in the multipurpose room of the Horticultural Center at 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria.” [FCPA]
South County Student Elected to School Board — “Faith Mekonen, a rising senior at South County High School, has been elected by the countywide Student Advisory Council (SAC) to serve a one-year term as student representative to the Fairfax County School Board, beginning July 1 … She will be the 55th student representative to the School Board.” [FCPS]
It’s Monday — Showers and thunderstorms are likely between 3pm and 5pm, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 90. Heat index values may reach up to 100. At night, it will be mostly cloudy with a low around 76. There’s a 60% chance of precipitation. [NWS]
Editor’s note to FFXnow Press Club members — You may have noticed that the early morning notes didn’t get sent out today. That was a timing issue on our end, and I apologize. You will get it in your inboxes tomorrow.
Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw is now one election away from succeeding his political mentor in Congress.
Walkinshaw bested nine other candidates in a firehouse primary to secure the Democratic nomination for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, local party officials announced today (Saturday) shortly before midnight.
A former FBI staffer who said at a forum last Sunday (June 22) that he supports President Donald Trump “a hundred percent” will be the GOP’s nominee for a Fairfax-area Congressional seat this fall.
Stewart Whitson will advance to face the Democratic nominee in a Sept. 9 special election for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, local Republican officials announced this evening (Saturday).
With the weekend nearly upon us, FFXnow would like to extend a warm welcome and thank you to everyone who has signed up so far for our recently launched Press Club.
Given the economic uncertainty facing the D.C. region and the many news outlets and other services out there competing for subscriptions, your willingness to part with some hard-earned cash to support our reporting is truly appreciated.
Metro’s first major overhaul of its bus network in decades is set to take effect this coming Sunday (June 29).
Approved by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Board of Directors last November, the Better Bus Network redesign will introduce revised routes and new signage, while also eliminating a number of stops.
