News

A Lake Braddock Secondary School art teacher spent 30 years sharing her passion for painting, photography, and pottery with students — a legacy that her family has carried on for nearly a decade through whimsical, often high-tech educational creations.

When Theresa Jacobs passed away from a fast-growing cancer in 2017, her son Eric Jacobs, a Fairfax County native, wanted to honor her love for learning and ignite that same spark in others.


News

Travelers seeking the VIP treatment at Dulles International Airport — and willing to pay for it — will have another option in coming years.

The board of directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) approved a 20-year contract on July 15 with DAA International Ltd to develop and operate a remote VIP passenger facility at the airport.


Around Town

After months of speculation and silence, Eataly has finally confirmed that it’s coming to Tysons Corner Center.

The New York-based Italian food and retail chain will open its first location in the D.C. region sometime in 2027, taking over the two-story space vacated in January by American Girl.


News

In the future, residents of The Mile in Tysons might be able to grab a bite to eat, take their kids to a playground and watch a concert all within their own 5-acre neighborhood park.

A cafe with food trucks, a signature playground and a plaza with a stage are among the amenities being proposed by property owner and developer Link Logistics for The Mile’s “Signature Park,” according to a final development plan (FDP) recently submitted to Fairfax County.


A bus shelter near an electrical tower in Kingstowne (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Call for Special Session on Dominion Merger — “As the State Corporation Commission prepares to begin a months-long review of the potential merger of Virginia’s largest electric utility company Dominion Energy and the Florida-based NextEra Energy, two Republican state lawmakers on Tuesday urged Gov. Abigail Spanberger to host a special legislative session that would allow a vote to extend the review period.” [Virginia Mercury]

Two Injured in GW Parkway Crash — “A serious crash on GW Parkway injured two construction workers and left passengers trapped inside a flaming vehicle on Friday night, authorities say … The crash took place around 10:40 p.m. on southbound GW Parkway near the Boundary Channel exit.” [ARLnow]

Fired Immigration Judges Sound Alarm — “It used to be rare for immigration judges to be fired, and they were generally only fired following serious complaints or issues,” according to Anam Petit, a former judge at Annandale Immigration Court. “But since January 2025, the Trump administration has fired more than 113 out of around 700 immigration judges without cause or explanation,” and many others have been reassigned, accepted buyouts or retired early. [Charlottesville Tomorrow]

Reston Man Arrested for Sterling Shooting — “A Reston man has been arrested in connection with a non-contact shooting that happened in Sterling on July 5. Around 2:22 a.m. on July 5, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Community Plaza for a report of shots fired near Tipicos Los Amigos restaurant. No one was hurt in the shooting.” [Loudoun Now]

Lincolnia Data Center Plans Filed — Starwood Capital Group has submitted a permit application and plans for the first building in its controversial Plaza 500 data center development on Edsall Road near the Bren Mar neighborhood. “The first two-story building, named ‘Plaza 500 South,’ is planned to be 226,469 square feet and stand 75 feet tall,” though the company is still waiting approval of an electric substation on the 34-acre site. [Washington Business Journal]

County Raises Awareness of Domestic Violence Indicators — “Strangulation often leaves little or no visible evidence, but Fairfax County officials say it is one of the strongest warning signs that someone experiencing domestic violence may later become the victim of homicide.” That concern will be the focus of an upcoming training for those who work with survivors of domestic and sexual violence. [Patch]

Va. Eases Rules for Birth Record Requests — “Adult adoptees born in Virginia can now request a copy of their original birth certificate without obtaining a court order, following the enactment of House Bill 301, which took effect July 1, 2026.  Previously, adoptees were required to secure a court order before accessing their original birth records.” [Virginia Department of Health]

FCPD Drone Program Wins Award — “The Fairfax County Police Department’s (FCPD) Drone as First Responder (DFR) program was recognized by the National Association of Counties (NACo) with a 2026 Achievement Award and selected as Best in Category for Criminal Justice and Public Safety, the organization’s highest honor within the category.” [FCPD]

It’s Wednesday — There is a 50% chance of precipitation, with partly sunny skies and a high near 85°F. Night will have a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm, with mostly cloudy conditions and a low around 65°F. [NWS]

There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.


Weather

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Fairfax County and the rest of the D.C. area.

Expected to remain in place until 10 p.m. today (Tuesday), the watch says that scattered but severe thunderstorms are possible throughout the region.


Around Town

Alta Strada is bowing out of the Mosaic District about seven months shy of what would’ve been its 10th anniversary there.

The Italian restaurant and wine bar revealed on its social media pages yesterday (Monday) that its Merrifield location will be permanently closing its doors on Saturday, July 25.


News

Building on recent successes, destinations in Africa and Asia remain prime targets for new business opportunities, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) officials say.

But finding new opportunities necessitated nuance and persistence, said Paul Bobson, the authority’s vice president for airline business development.


News

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors honored a local resident last Tuesday (July 14) for her 35 years of service to the Spring Hill Rec Center’s adapted aquatics program.

Bryna Helfer helped found the program in 1991, and continues to serve as an instructor and booster.


View More Stories