An electronic voting ballot marking device for people with disabilities (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
The Fairfax County School Board recently passed a resolution affirming its support for a possible 1% sales tax to fund its $400 million backlog of maintenance and capital improvement projects.
In light of the new state budget adopted by the Virginia General Assembly late last month allowing local jurisdictions to increase their sales tax rate up to 1% to support education and transportation, the school board voted unanimously on July 9 to ask the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to place the issue before voters as a referendum during a general election.
Volunteers are using vehicle rooftop sensors to collect data for the Northern Virginia Urban Heat Island Mapping Project (courtesy Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions)
On another hot, muggy summer day, dozens of volunteers are fanning out across Northern Virginia to find the region’s hottest neighborhoods.
The “Urban Heat Island Mapping Project,” led by George Mason University’s Virginia Climate Center and the local nonprofit Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions (FACS), involves more than 30 teams with at least two volunteer scientists each measuring temperatures and humidity at different locations.
A Fairfax County police SUV with lights on (file photo)
Fairfax County police are asking for the public’s help to find information on a near-deadly assault on a man in the Idylwood area that occurred earlier this month.
Officers responded to the 3000 block of Graham Road for a report of a suspicious event on July 5 around 11:30 a.m. When they arrived, they found an adult man “suffering from several injuries throughout his body,” police said yesterday (Wednesday) in a press release.
A Metro train passing the Haden apartments in Tysons (staff photo)
Wildfire Smoke Enters D.C. Region — “Wildfires burning in parts of Minnesota and western Ontario, Canada, are sending thick plumes of smoke toward the eastern United States.” Smoke concentrations “may increase modestly in the DC area, especially across northern Maryland,” today. An Code Orange air quality alert has been issued for Northern Virginia. [Capital Weather]
Supervisor Charged With Reckless Driving — “Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez has been charged with reckless driving for going 104 miles per hour in a 70-mph zone. Jimenez is scheduled to appear in the Fairfax County General District Court on July 20, 9:30 a.m. The traffic stop, by Virginia State Police trooper Alex Pak, occurred on May 5.” [Annandale Today]
Diarrhea-Causing Parasite Cases Reported in N. Va. — “Ten cases of cyclosporiasis were reported in Virginia between the start of the year and June 6, including four in Northern Virginia, according to data from the Virginia Department of Health. That’s compared to a year-to-date average of 6.6 cases statewide.” [ARLnow]
FCPD Expands Use of AI Tech — “Following a pilot program, Fairfax County police are using AI-equipped body cameras to translate 57 languages … Fairfax also uses AI to assist 911, handling transcriptions and deploying drones to incidents. In some cases, the AI deploys a drone to a scene and the drone pilot has eyes on an incident before officers can arrive in person.” [NBC4]
DOJ Bid for Va. Voter Rolls Dismissed — “A U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit seeking Virginia to hand over its voter rolls to the federal government has been tossed out by a federal judge … The ruling found that the Civil Rights Act does not require Virginia to provide the federal government with unredacted voter rolls.” [ALXnow]
Nightlife Spot Taking Over Chantilly Bob Evans — “An interesting new restaurant and lounge is in the works for the Route 50 corridor in Chantilly.” Taking over the former Bob Evans building at 14050 Thunderbolt Plaza after plans for Raising Cane’s fell through, Neat High Fidelity Indian Lounge will offer “elevated Indian flavors, handcrafted cocktails and magnetic nightlife,” owner Kishan Bikki says. [The Burn]
Reston Student’s Book Shared With County Board — At the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday (July 14), Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn distributed “copies of a book written and illustrated by Lake Anne Elementary School fourth-grader Amaya Samba” with his colleagues. “The small booklet, titled ‘My Mindful Minis,’ was created by Samba to help children and adults manage stress and anxiety.” [Hunter Mill District Office]
D.C. Cracking Down on Ticket Scalpers — “The DC Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to pass the Restricting Egregious Scalping Against Live Entertainment (RESALE) Act, which implements key protections for consumers when buying tickets for live music and theatre. In effect: concert’s tickets should get a lot cheaper.” [Washingtonian]
It’s Thursday — Expect patchy smoke from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with mostly sunny and hot conditions, reaching a high near 100°F and a heat index up to 104°F. Night will be partly cloudy with a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m., followed by patchy smoke. The low will be around 76°F. [NWS]
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The Fairfax County School Board discusses new school year calendars on July 9, 2026 (screenshot via FCPS)
The Fairfax County School Board recently voted to confirm calendars for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 school years that emphasize full five-day instructional weeks, while preserving a full week of spring break and two full weeks of winter break.
Superintendent Michelle Reid proposed calendars last Thursday (July 9) that maintain the 180 instructional days required by Virginia law and follow extensive parameters passed by the board earlier this summer. The school board adopted the proposal on a 10-1 vote.
Rendering of Highcrest's proposed residential redevelopment of 6816 and 6824 Elm Street in McLean (via KTGY/Fairfax County)
Another developer is circling older office buildings in downtown McLean as a prime spot for new housing.
The D.C.-based home builder Highcrest has proposed redeveloping the low-lying offices at 6816 and 6824 Elm Street with a single mixed-use building that could include 115 residential units as well as some retail and office space.
Tree branches hang over Anderson Road in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on Aug. 25 to consider eliminating the Fairfax’s Tree Commission and consolidating some of its responsibilities with those of the Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC).
The resulting body would be known as the Environmental Commission, under a procedural road map laid out by staff at the Board of Supervisors meeting yesterday (Tuesday).
Capital One Center in Tysons on a misty morning (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Optimism among Northern Virginia business leaders is improving, although some expressed worries about taxes and the state’s approval of a paid family and medical leave program.
That’s according to the second-quarter 2026 Business Leader Survey released last week by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce and public relations firm Pinkston, revealing the sentiments of the region’s CEOs, senior executives and business owners.
Commuters watch a World Cup game from outside Starr Hill Brewpub at Capital One Center in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
Heat Could Push D.C. Closer to Record — “With highs forecast to flirt with the century mark Wednesday and Thursday, DC’s total of 100-degree days this year could climb even higher up the record books. DC currently has four days at or above 100 degrees, tied for the eighth-most in any year since modern records began in 1872.” [Capital Weather]
FCPD Uncovers Drug Ring — “A Sterling man has been charged following a Fairfax County Police Department investigation into a drug-dealing ring operating in Loudoun and Fairfax counties … According to court filings, FCPD Narcotics Unit detectives began investigating a drug dealing ring earlier this year” with a sting operation that involved undercover detectives buying cocaine. [Loudoun Now]
Va. Gets Piece of Cash App Settlement — “Cash App’s parent company will pay $45 million and overhaul its fraud prevention and customer service practices under a multistate settlement, resolving allegations that the popular payment app failed to protect users from scams while misleading them about the security of customers’ money.” Virginia is slated to receive about $845,000, Attorney General Jay Jones says. [Virginia Mercury]
New Coffee and Pastry Shop in Reston — “A new coffee and sweet shop opened this past weekend in Reston. It’s called MOTW Coffee & Pastries. MOTW is located at 11830 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 200 … MOTW Coffee & Pastries is a growing national brand with more than 20 locations scattered around the country.” [The Burn]
Gallows Road Development Advances — “The Fairfax County Planning Commission recommends approval of a Comprehensive Plan amendment that would allow the development of 32 single-family homes on Gallows Road in Annandale. The new development, proposed by Madison Homes, would replace 11 existing homes along Libeau Lane and the Raintree townhouse community.” [Annandale Today]
Fairfax Nursing Center Unveils Renovation — “Fairfax Rehabilitation and Nursing Center has completed a $1.5 million renovation of its facility, marking the largest modernization of the skilled nursing center in more than five decades. More than 130 guests gathered June 26 to celebrate the completion of the project, according to the facility.” [Patch]
Miss Virginia Pageant Comes to Tysons — “The Miss Virginia USA and Miss Virginia Teen USA pageants are scheduled for July 17 through the 19, 2026. Brandon McLaughlin will serve as the official host for the three-day event, which takes place at Hilton McLean Tysons Corner.” [DC News Now]
Burke Library Hosts Colonial Game Day — “Step back in time at Colonial Games Day at Burke Centre Library as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday! Families are invited to try their hand at classic games enjoyed by children over 200 years ago, including hoop rolling, ring toss, marbles, jump rope, dominoes, checkers, and sack races.” The event is set for this Saturday (July 18) at 1 p.m. [Fairfax County Public Library]
It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny and hot weather, with temperatures reaching a high of around 101°F and a west wind blowing at 7 to 10 mph. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to about 79°F and a west wind ranging from 6 to 9 mph. [NWS]
There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.
Pedestrians and cyclists on the Washington & Old Dominion Trail approach the Maple Avenue crossing in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)
The Commonwealth of Virginia is putting some money behind plans to add a visitor center at the heart of the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail.
The two-year state budget adopted by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger in late June includes $1 million for the Town of Vienna to help acquire the land needed for the future hub, a project spearheaded by the W&OD Railroad Regional Park’s owner, NOVA Parks.
