A Fairfax County School Board member accused of defrauding a company he is a part owner of out of more than $1.5 million has stepped away as chairman of the board’s budget committee.
Kyle McDaniel, an at-large representative, no longer oversees the committee, having willingly ceded the position to vice chair Rachna Sizemore Heizer in recent weeks, he confirmed to FFXnow.
Update — With rain in the forecast for this weekend, the traffic shift for northbound I-495 has been postponed to the night of May 9 through the morning of May 10, VDOT says.
Earlier: Traffic on the Capital Beltway (I-495) in the Tysons area will start moving to newly constructed lanes on the outer side of the highway tomorrow (Friday).
Trump Administration Restores Student Visas — “President Donald Trump’s administration is reinstating international student visa records that it previously revoked. The announcement was made Friday, amid a slew of court cases filed by impacted students in recent weeks.” Records for 14 of 15 affected George Mason University students have been restored, a university spokesperson says, but eight students already left the country. [Virginia Public Media]
Deadline to Apply for Tax Relief Today — Seniors and people with disabilities who qualify for relief from Fairfax County’s real estate and vehicle taxes “must file their application no later than May 1, 2025.” Today is also the deadline to declare business furniture and fixtures, machinery and tools, and computer equipment on county tax forms. [Fairfax County Government]
Another Local CVS Store Set to Close — “The CVS store in the Heritage shopping center at 7859 Heritage Drive, Annandale, is closing. The store manager, known as JD, said the store’s last day will be June 5.” The company also shuttered its longtime location at the Cedar Park Shopping Center in Vienna in April. [Annandale Today]
Job Fair for Cut Federal Workers Planned — “Alexandria is joining forces with Congressman Don Beyer and nearby communities to hold a job fair this Saturday (May 3) for federal workers and contractors affected by recent government workforce cuts … Alexandria is working alongside Arlington County, Fairfax County, and Falls Church to organize the fair.” [ALXnow]
Metrobus Changes Will Eliminate Dozens of N. Va. Stops — “Fifty-seven bus stops are set to be cut from Metrobus’ routes in Northern Virginia, according to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. The changes have been scheduled to take effect June 29” as part of the system’s first major redesign of its bus network since the 1970s. [WUSA9]
Tysons Spring Bicycle Ride to Return — “Kick off Tysons Bike Month with a scenic spring ride during Pedal with Petals … Join us at Westbriar Elementary School for a FREE fun-filled day of biking with family and friends.” This year’s bicycle ride, organized by the Tysons Community Alliance, will take place on Saturday, May 10, with registration starting at 10 a.m. [Eventbrite]
Fairfax Students Plant Trees for Arbor Day — “On April 23, [Katherine Johnson Middle School] students planted three Eastern redbud trees to green the school grounds, and they learned about the benefits trees provide … The trees were provided by SPROUT, a new city initiative to encourage the community to plant, care for, and learn about the trees that make up our urban forest.” [City of Fairfax]
It’s Thursday — Expect a 20% chance of showers from 2-5pm, followed by possible thunderstorms after 5pm. The day will be partly sunny with a high around 80. On Thursday night, storms could occur before 11pm, possibly continuing until 2am. The night will be mostly cloudy with a low of 66 and a 40% chance of precipitation. [NWS]
A new option for Peruvian chicken has arrived in Vienna, courtesy of a couple with extensive knowledge of both Vienna and Peru.
Cuco’s Peruvian opened its doors today (Wednesday) at 146 Maple Avenue West in the Vienna Shopping Center, taking over a space that had belonged to another Peruvian chicken restaurant, Don Pollo.
Fairfax County Public Schools is one of two Virginia school divisions that reportedly declined to sign a form committing it to complying with federal anti-discrimination laws and a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that barred race from being considered in college admissions.
Superintendent Michelle Reid instead sent a “modified certification and assurance document” to Virginia education leaders last week affirming FCPS’ compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Virginia Mercury reported yesterday morning (Tuesday).
Six months after being defeated by Rep. Gerry Connolly in what turned out to be his final election, the most recent Republican nominee for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District will return to the campaign trail.
Mike Van Meter, who garnered almost 33% of the vote in the 2024 general election against the longtime Democratic incumbent, confirmed to FFXnow that he plans to run for the seat in the 2026 midterm elections.
1st Stage, the award-winning professional theatre nestled in the heart of Tysons, has pulled back the curtain on its dynamic and deeply resonant 2025–2026 season, promising a lineup of powerful, provocative, and poignant productions that speak to the soul of the human experience.
Launching the season with flair, the beloved Logan Festival of Solo Performance returns from September 18–28, 2025, showcasing nationally renowned solo artists in a two-week celebration of individuality and storytelling brilliance. This unique festival continues to be a regional gem, spotlighting voices that captivate, challenge, and inspire.
Following this vibrant opening, the mainstage season begins with Fair Play by Ella Road, directed by Associate Artistic Director Deidra LaWan Starnes (October 16–November 2, 2025). This razor-sharp look at women’s athletics and the societal forces that shape them is as timely as it is compelling. It asks: what is the cost of greatness, and who gets to define it?
Just in time for the holiday season, Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle (December 4–21, 2025) will offer a heartfelt meditation on time, memory, and the meaning of a life well lived. Under the direction of Artistic Director Alex Levy, audiences will follow one woman’s journey through decades of birthdays in a single theatrical sitting—a touching and funny reminder of the beauty in our everyday rituals.
Kicking off the new year, the stage heats up with the Pulitzer Prize-winning Between Riverside and Crazy by Stephen Adly Guirgis, directed by José Carrasquillo (February 19–March 8, 2026). This richly textured drama explores race, redemption, and resilience through the story of a retired NYPD officer fighting to hold onto his rent-stabilized home—and his fractured family.
Spring blooms with the laughter and empowerment of Real Women Have Curves by Josefina López (April 9–26, 2026), directed by Nadia Guevara. This high-energy, heart-filled tale of five Mexican-American women in a cramped sewing factory stitches together themes of identity, body positivity, and self-determination with irresistible humor.
The season culminates with a theatrical tour de force: Indecent by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel, also directed by Alex Levy (June 4–21, 2026). Inspired by the true story of the controversial 1923 Broadway debut of God of Vengeance, Indecent is a stirring testament to the power of art, the complexity of love, and the courage of those who dare to tell the truth.
Subscriptions and Flex Passes are already on sale, offering up to 50% in savings and the chance to be part of a transformative season. More information is available at www.1ststage.org or by calling the box office at 703-854-1856.
A survey of Northern Virginia business leaders found high levels of uncertainty after months of turmoil from tariff policies and federal job cuts.
The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce (NVC) and communications agency Pinkston released a Q2 Business Leader Survey yesterday (Tuesday) that collected feedback from business organizations in Fairfax, Falls Church, Reston and other locations around Northern Virginia.
D.C. Sues Virginia Drivers Over Unpaid Traffic Fines — “D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb announced Monday that the District of Columbia filed five lawsuits against drivers from Maryland and Virginia.” The prosecutor alleges that the drivers, including residents of Lorton and Herndon, collectively owe more than $400,000. [Washingtonian]
Fairfax County Spa Relocates to Alexandria — “Last month, King’s Beauty Center and Nail Bar/King’s Men Spa fully opened at 1102 King Street. Until the end of May, they’re offering 20% off all their services.” The owner previously “ran a smaller salon in the Alexandria area of Fairfax County for 13 years.” [ALXnow]
Reston School Celebrates 30th Anniversary — Aldrin Elementary School will celebrate 30 years today (Wednesday) with a school assembly at 3 p.m. followed by a community reception at 4:30 p.m. Students are encouraged to wear red, white and blue or spiritwear to show their pride, and firecracker ice pops will be handed out. [Aldrin Elementary School]
New Signage Planned for Bailey’s Crossroads Area — “Fairfax County is developing a gateway signage project for the Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven Corners commercial revitalization districts.” A survey to solicit community input on the characteristics of both neighborhoods and they could be incorporated into the sign designs will launch next Monday (May 5). [Annandale Today]
Roofing Company to Leave Herndon After Merger — “Connecticut-based QXO Inc. closed its acquisition of Beacon Roofing Supply Inc. on Tuesday, just a month after inking a deal with the Herndon construction company.” The company, which employs 8,000 people, will be rebranded as QXO and consolidate “headquarter functions in Greenwich.” [Washington Business Journal]
County to Increase Zoning Fees — “Starting July 1, Fairfax County will implement the second phase of updated fee schedules for Land Development Services (LDS) and zoning applications. The adjustments are intended to reflect the increase in costs related to inflation and personnel over recent years while ensuring the continuation of high-quality county services.” [Fairfax County Government]
Shuttered Climate Program Funded Chesapeake Bay Conservation — “The U.S. Department of Agriculture in April announced the termination of its $3 billion ‘climate smart’ program, a grantmaking initiative that was supporting hundreds of millions of dollars in conservation work in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.” [Bay Journal Media]
It’s Wednesday — There’s a 20% chance of showers after 2 pm, though mostly cloudy skies will eventually turn sunny, with temperatures reaching around 80. The night will be partly cloudy with lows near 60. [NWS]
Former Fairfax County School Board member Janie Strauss, who has died at age 78, is being remembered as a community champion with a focus on improving the lives of youth.
Strauss, who served as the school board’s Dranesville District member for nearly 30 years, representing the McLean, Great Falls and Herndon areas, died at home on April 11 after a year-long battle with glioblastoma brain cancer, her family said.
