Fairfax County Public Schools officials want to make sure students are using artificial intelligence as a tool rather than a crutch.
FCPS doesn’t have a comprehensive policy governing the use of AI, but officials are working on one. Superintendent Michelle Reid told the Fairfax County School Board at a work session this month (Oct. 7) that it’s important to make sure everyone is on the same page because AI is such a broad topic.
Update — Members of SEIU Local 512’s Fairfax County chapter officially ratified their collective bargaining agreement on Friday, Oct. 24 by a 99.9% vote, the union announced.
If approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the three-year contract will take effect on July 1, 2026.
‘No Kings’ Rally in Annandale — “The pedestrian bridge over the beltway in Annandale was packed with ‘No Kings’ protestors with signs and American flags on Oct. 18. Many beltway drivers honked and flashed their lights to show their support. There were No Kings events at Bailey’s Crossroads, Falls Church, throughout Fairfax County, and all over the country” as millions of people expressed their opposition to the Trump administration. [Annandale Today]
Brush Fire Extinguished in Centreville — “Just after 4 p.m. [on Sunday, Oct. 19], #FairfaxsBravest responded for reports of smoke on the side of Braddock Rd prior to Newton Patent Dr. Units arrived on the scene to find a brush fire that was quickly spreading. Crews quickly contained and extinguished the fire. There were no firefighter or civilian injuries.” [FCFRD/Facebook]
Update on Maryland’s Beltway Plans — “In August 2023, Democratic Gov. Wes Moore announced a plan to reconstruct the American Legion Bridge and add managed lanes … Although a Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) spokesperson confirmed to 7News that the plan is still in effect, more than two years later, the project has still not secured any federal grants, and Maryland appears not to be even close to starting any construction.” [WJLA]
Nighttime Fairfax County Parkway Closures — “Weather permitting, northbound Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286) between Route 123 (Ox Road) and Burke Centre Parkway (Route 643) will have nighttime closures Sunday night, Oct. 19, through Thursday night, Oct. 23, for stormwater pipe installation as part of the Fairfax County Parkway south widening project.” [VDOT]
Reminder to Watch Roads for Deer — “Fall is breeding season for deer and you can expect to see more of them on our roads. Please be aware that deer are unpredictable and crashes with them are a safety concern. There are hundreds of reportable accidents involving deer in the county and more than half of our annual crashes occur during the months of October, November, and December.” [FCPD]
Korean Immigrant Builds New Restaurant — “Since July, Han has been following the same routine in an unassuming strip-mall space in Chantilly, within deafening distance of the Dulles landing path. Baek Ban, her new restaurant, is named after the simple bento-like set meals centered around rice and available in Seoul’s high-quality cafeterias and mom-and-pop lunchrooms.” [Washingtonian]
Inova Nurse Wins National Award — “A D.C.-area nurse had an idea to change the way her hospital fed babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and her project just won her national recognition. ‘It is a big deal, and it was shocking,’ said Renee Bloom, who is an NICU RN Unit Supervisor at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital in Virginia.” [WTOP]
Drug Takeback Day Returning to Vienna — “For the second time this year, the Vienna Police Department is participating in the 29th National Drug Take Back Day … On Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Vienna residents are invited to drop off medications at the collection site in front of the Vienna Police Department.” [Vienna Police]
It’s Monday — Expect a sunny day with highs near 65 degrees and west winds blowing at 13 to 15 mph, gusting up to 28 mph. The night remains clear with lows around 44 degrees, and the west wind slowing to 6 mph before becoming calm during the evening. [NWS]
Fairfax County’s 12 volunteer fire and rescue departments face critical challenges that may impede their long-term viability, the Board of Supervisors heard on Tuesday (Oct. 14).
“We are concerned about the future,” said Shawn Stokes, who chairs the county’s Volunteer Fire Commission and serves as vice president of administration for the Fairfax County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association.
Interested in refreshing your living room or hallways with a fresh coat of paint? Skilled interior painters in and around Fairfax County can lend a helping hand.
Here are the nominees for “Best Interior Painter in Fairfax” as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. See your favorite painter below? If not, write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks. Be sure to cast your vote before 8:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31.
Voting for the Best Local Shop in Fairfax is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 9 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Hardware Store in Fairfax. The results are now official:
Hundreds of Fairfax County residents are expected to hit the streets tomorrow (Saturday) as part of a nationwide protest movement opposing the Trump administration.
Though the main event will take place at noon near the National Mall in D.C., a dozen rallies are also planned across the county for this year’s second “No Kings Day of Action,” many of them organized by local chapters of the grassroots, liberal activist network Indivisible.
Claims that a social worker at Centreville High School pressured students into obtaining abortions without informing their guardians appear to be baseless, attorneys hired by Fairfax County Public Schools say.
A preliminary investigation found not only that the teacher who made the allegations may have withheld and fabricated evidence, but that state officials might have been made aware of the allegations well before they were publicly reported, King & Spalding partner Sean Royall said in statements sent yesterday (Thursday) to the U.S. Department of Education and Sen. Bill Cassidy, who chairs the Senate education committee.
Attorney General Candidates Spar in Debate — “In their only debate of the election cycle, Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares and Democratic challenger Jay Jones laid out their plans should they be elected Virginia’s top prosecutor Thursday night at the University of Richmond … Both men portrayed themselves as defenders of the law who would work to stem crime statewide, enforce consumer protections and uphold Virginians’ rights.” [Virginia Mercury]
Space Industry Conference Postponed — “Connected DMV, one of the hosts of the conference, has moved spaceNEXT to Feb. 18-20, saying the [federal government] shutdown hindered its ability to attract speakers across key agencies who need federal travel approvals … SpaceNEXT was set to take place on Nov. 11-12 at Capital One Hall in Tysons, which remains the venue.” [DC Inno]
Dolly Parton Library Coming to N. Va. — “A new Northern Virginia chapter of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library announced Thursday it is launching a fundraising campaign to provide free books to young children, with Alexandria [becoming] the first city in the region to host the program.” [ALXnow]
Honeygrow Arrives in Lincolnia — “Honeygrow, a fast-casual dining spot in Barcroft Plaza, opens tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. Honeygrow specializes in stir-frys, salads, and ‘Honeybar’ desserts. It’s located at 6464 Lincolnia Road in the space formerly occupied by Chico’s Natural Pet Market.” [Annandale Today]
New Shop Opens at Dulles Airport — “We’ve got The Goods @ IAD!!!!! This new addition has just opened its doors … From travel essentials to the latest tech from iStore, sweet treats from Dylan’s Candy, and a dazzling array of unique gifts, souvenirs, self-care items, delicious snacks, and grab-and-go goodies, you’ll find everything you need to prepare for your journey!” [Dulles Airport/X]
Ace Hardware Celebrates Vienna Opening — “The Town of Vienna officially welcomed its newest neighbor, Ace Hardware, with a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 9, 2025. Vienna residents, business leaders, public officials, and other community members gathered for the highly-anticipated opening.” [Town of Vienna Economic Development]
Grants Available for Fairfax City Nonprofits — “The City of Fairfax is offering a competitive grant process for human services nonprofit organizations that serve residents of Fairfax City. Applications will be accepted from Oct. 8 through Dec. 1 … This grant opportunity is intended to help nonprofit safety net providers remain sustainable by mitigating some of their financial burdens.” [City of Fairfax]
Glow-in-the-Dark Show in McLean — “McLean’s Alden Theater is planning a truly glowing performance this month. Lightwire Theater will present Dino-Light on Friday, October 24. The group combines puppetry, dance, and electroluminescent technology to create extravagant light-up creations.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
New Legal Notice — Sonesta ES Suites is seeking an ABC alcohol license for 12815 Fair Lakes Parkway; objections due within 30 days. [Public Notices]
New Legal Notice — Sonesta ES Suites is applying for an ABC hotel beer/wine license for 13700 Coppermine Road in Herndon; objections due in 30 days. [Public Notices]
It’s Friday — Expect sunny skies and a high of 63 degrees with a northwest 6-to-8-mph wind during the day. On Friday night, the sky will be mostly clear with a low temperature of around 46 degrees, accompanied by calm wind conditions. [NWS]
For the next week, desserts will be a force for good at several restaurants and bakeries in Fairfax County.
Tatte, Bourbon Boulevard and other local establishments are participating in this year’s Bakes for Breast Cancer, an annual fundraiser that encourages bakers to donate proceeds from their dessert sales to support breast cancer research.
The Virginia Department of Transportation is urging drivers to avoid traveling on southbound I-495 in McLean tonight (Thursday) while its crews finish realigning the highway.
Three southbound lanes will close to traffic, starting at 8:30 p.m. with a single left lane and continuing with two other lanes by 9:30 p.m. The closures will extend from Georgetown Pike to the area just south of the American Legion Bridge.
