News

Morning Notes for March 5, 2025

Dark clouds near the U.S. Air Force Memorial (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

VDOT Warns of Text Scam — “Locals around the region may have received texts recently for ‘unpaid toll bills’ — be aware that this is part of a ‘smishing’ scam making the rounds nationwide. Smishing is a type of data phishing scam that uses text messages to lure people into giving personal information. The text going around gives a URL and tells the receiver to put the address into their Safari browser and open it.” [ALXnow, VDOT/X]

Resolution for Crash Victims — “Congressman Don Beyer… delivered floor remarks during debate on House Resolution 153, ‘Expressing condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims of the crash of American Eagle Flight 5342 and PAT 25, and for other purposes.’ The legislation passed without objection on a voice vote.” [Press Release]

DCA Aircraft Incidents — “The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating why multiple commercial flights about to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport, near Washington DC, repeatedly received midair collision alerts over the weekend when there were no other aircraft nearby.” [CNN]

F.C. Considers Tax Rate Cut — “Mayor Hardi said at Monday’s Falls Church City Council meeting that it was important to emphasize how the recent years’ strong commercial development gains in the City will make matters relatively smooth for the City taxpayers, with prospects for 5.9 percent growth in both the City and school budgets to go along with the 2.5 cent rate decrease. Sixty-five percent of the budget growth is coming from real estate, and half of that is from new construction, she noted.” [FCNP]

Garvey Calls for More Cooperation — “Looking at the current destruction of the federal government [former Arlington County Board member] Garvey sees cooperation among local governments as critical. She said, ‘local government is the only functioning government we are going to have,’ so it will be essential for local jurisdictions to work together.” [About Alexandria]

Beyer Skips Trump Address — “Congressman Don Beyer is skipping President Donald Trump’s address to Congress tonight (Tuesday, March 4)… Instead of attending the speech, Beyer said he plans to spend the week supporting federal workers and holding events for his constituents.” [ALXnow, Rep. Don Beyer/X]

Loudoun Data Center Revenue Boom — “Loudoun’s fiscal 2026 proposed budget includes nearly $795 million derived just from personal property taxes on data centers’ internal computer equipment. That single stream represents about a quarter of the county’s entire general fund revenue budget, and more than the county’s entire general fund personnel budget.” [WBJ]

It’s Wednesday — Expect showers and potential thunderstorms this afternoon, with a high near 64 and breezy south winds at 15-21 mph, gusting up to 37 mph. Precipitation chance is 100%, with rainfall amounts between half to three-quarters of an inch. Wednesday night, showers are likely with a possible thunderstorm, a low around 43, and south winds at 9-15 mph shifting west after midnight, gusting up to 22 mph. The nighttime precipitation chance is at 70%. [NWS]

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