Tysons

Va. Man Charged in Pipe Bomb Investigation — “A man suspected of planting pipe bombs outside Democratic and Republican party headquarters in Washington, D.C., on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, siege, on the U.S. Capitol was arrested Thursday, authorities say. Brian Cole Jr., 30, of Woodbridge, Virginia, was charged with transporting an explosive device and attempted malicious destruction by means of explosive materials, according to charging documents.” [NBC4]

D.C. Congestion Worsened in 2025 — “Drivers in the D.C. area spent more time stuck in traffic in 2025 than the year before, according to data from the analytics firm INRIX. The average driver in D.C. lost 70 hours to traffic in 2025, which the company calculates by looking at the difference between peak and off-peak congestion. That’s a 13 percent increase from last year’s 62 hours, according to the report.” [Washington Post]

County Considers Easing Accessory Unit Rules — “The Fairfax County Planning Commission is considering changes to make it easier for residents to establish accessory living units (ALUs) … The board authorized ALUs in 2021 as part of a major overhaul of the zoning code. At that time, there was opposition from residents who raised concerns that ALUs would destabilize neighborhoods and turn single-family homes into ‘boarding houses.'” [Annandale Today]

Federal Officers Seen at Vienna Park — “A group of about 10 to 15 federal law enforcement officers dressed in khakis and carrying firearms gathered at Nottoway Park outside the Town of Vienna around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. ‘We are not ICE. This is not immigration,’ an officer with ‘DEA’ on his uniform told a Patch reporter.” [Patch]

Startup Tackles Prescription Drug Costs — “Founded in McLean last year, Crux works with global pharmaceutical companies and employers to bring quality-of-life medications such as those for weight loss, addiction and sleep to U.S. consumers at discounted rates.” Funded with $6.5 million from the venture capital firm Red Cell Partners, the company will first provide access to a “name-branded” diabetes/weight loss drug “through employee-benefit programs in early 2026.” [Washington Business Journal]

Holiday Events Coming to Local Parks — “Join family, friends and neighbors at the parks this holiday season. With more than 50 holiday-themed activities and events to choose from, Fairfax County Park Authority has something for everyone — from wagon and train rides to candlelit tours and, of course, Santa himself!” [FCPA]

Woodburn Students Visit Sen. Warner — “Wonderful to welcome kids from Woodburn Elementary School to see my office and decorate my Christmas tree today. At the end of the day, everything I do in the Senate is about building a better and stronger country for them to grow up in. Happy holidays, Virginia!” [Mark Warner/Bluesky]

Annual Pancake Breakfast at Historic House — “The Turner Farmhouse Foundation invites the community to its annual Pancake Breakfast and Open House on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the historic Turner Farmhouse in Great Falls. The event is free, open to the public and includes onsite parking. Guests are encouraged to RSVP online; tickets are provided at no cost.” [FCPA]

It’s Friday — Snow is expected before 11am, with temperatures reaching a high around 33°F. There is an 80% chance of precipitation. Ice accumulation is not anticipated, and new snow will likely be less than half an inch. Friday night will see patchy fog and mostly cloudy conditions, with a low temperature of approximately 26°F. [NWS]

FCPD Details Thanksgiving DWI Arrests — “Between November 26 and November 30, the FCPD arrested and charged twenty impaired drivers with a variety of DWI offenses. This enforcement push marked the department’s commitment to improve safety and remove impaired drivers from our roadways.” [FCPD]

New Agreement to Protect Chesapeake Bay — Outgoing Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin joined his counterparts from Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and “other regional representatives” on Tuesday (Dec. 2) to enact “a new, 15-year agreement to reduce pollution, build habitats, and protect the Chesapeake Bay.” [Virginia Mercury]

Virginia Lagging in Traffic Safety Laws — “When it comes to laws aimed at keeping drivers and passengers safe, D.C. and Maryland are ahead of Virginia, according to a new report from Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. But all three jurisdictions have room to improve … Among the improvements needed in Virginia include a need for a strong seat belt law.” [WTOP]

Bill Could Allow More Faith-Based Affordable Housing — “By some estimates, the Commonwealth has a shortage of some 300,000 homes and apartments, but some lawmakers are hoping to boost construction by relaxing some regulations for faith-based and nonprofit groups.” Legislation proposed by state Sens. Jennifer Carroll Foy, whose district includes Burke, and Jeremy McPike would allow religious organizations to develop affordable housing by-right. [NBC4]

Dems Committed to Redistricting Push — “Virginia Democrats appear to be sticking to a plan to put a constitutional amendment before voters that would allow a new congressional map in 2026, despite a sweeping victory in November’s general election and a fluid redistricting landscape nationwide.” Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell expects Democrats could flip at least the 1st and 2nd Congressional districts with redrawn maps. [VPM]

Juveniles Arrested for Vape Shop Burglaries — “A heavy police presence shattered the calm of a quiet street in the Broyhill Crest neighborhood in Annandale on Tuesday morning. Armed with a search warrant, police found evidence in a home on Bradley Circle tying a juvenile to burglaries at nine vape shops.” Police have identified a total of five juveniles they believe were involved, including three were arrested on Dec. 2. [Annandale Today]

Massive Debris Removed From Mount Vernon Trail — “The Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail discovered the debris, a large sling fender, sitting in the Potomac River’s low tide line near the Marina Towers building at 501 Slaters Lane during the Nov. 15 Mega Trash Bash cleanup.” Volunteers needed to return a week later to cut up the fender, which weighed an estimated 500 pounds, so they could remove it. [ALXnow]

Mini Art Vending Machine Offers Holiday Prints — Fairfax City’s Mini-Art Machine has reemerged at Cinema Arts Theatre (9650 Main Street), where it will sell winter and holiday-themed watercolor prints by artist Tommy Tang for $1 through Sunday, Dec. 28. “These stunning mini art prints would make perfect gift tags or holiday card enclosures for those special people on your list!” [Fairfax City]

It’s Thursday — Expect a mostly sunny day with highs around 42 degrees and wind gusts up to 24 mph. Evening will be partly cloudy, with lows near 23 degrees. Northwest winds of 5-10 mph will become light and variable after midnight, with gusts potentially reaching 18 mph. [NWS]