Assault Reported on the Pike — A malicious wounding incident was reported four days after the alleged Aug. 5 attack, on the 4900 block of Columbia Pike. The suspect followed the man on foot, then assaulted him and fled, according to ACPD. The victim’s injuries were not life threatening and he later self-reported to a hospital. [ACPD]
Sweetgreen Drive-Thru in McLean — The chain is expected to open its first East Coast drive-thru, dubbed a “Sweetlane,” next week on Thursday, Aug. 20 at 6220 Old Dominion Drive in McLean. Customers order in the app, then pull through to pick up. [Axios]
Bus Drivers Buck Fare Order — Some Metro bus operators are ignoring a May policy requiring them to tell boarding riders, “Hello, the fare is $2.25,” saying it invites assaults. ATU Local 689 flyered garages yesterday urging noncompliance, saying most operator assaults stem from fare disputes. [Washington Post, Press Release]
Spanberger Talks Dominion Deal — Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) appeared on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” to explain why she’s intervening in NextEra’s $67 billion acquisition of Dominion Energy, making her the first Virginia governor to become a party to a State Corporation Commission case. She also discussed data centers’ effect on power bills. [CNBC]
Reproductive Rights on Ballot — VPM’s “Amending Virginia” video series takes up the proposed constitutional amendment that would establish a fundamental right to reproductive freedom. Amy McInerny of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington said the measure is “much more extreme than Roe v. Wade.” Virginians vote on it this fall. [VPM]
McMahon Presses Va. Colleges — Education Secretary Linda McMahon wrote to Virginia’s college presidents and governing boards asking them to publicly commit to reforms on free speech, admissions, affordability and academic rigor, saying public trust in higher education has “reached record lows.” Governing board leaders stressed institutional independence. [Virginia Mercury]
Jackpot Tops $1 Billion — No one won Monday’s $905 million Powerball prize, pushing tonight’s estimated jackpot to at least $1 billion — the eighth-largest in the game’s history and the biggest lottery prize of 2026. The estimated cash value is at least $433.1 million. [CBS News]
Wildfire Haze Returns — Smoke from new British Columbia fires is drifting east, with meteorologist Ben Noll forecasting “a steady stream of wildfire haze for the East Coast.” Most of it should stay high in the atmosphere, with minimal effect on air quality, though small amounts may reach the ground. [Ben Noll/X, Washington Post]
Busy Day for Skywatchers — A partial solar eclipse crosses the D.C. area between 1:18 and 2:27 p.m. today, though just 3.5% of the sun will be covered at maximum. The Perseid meteor shower peaks overnight, with up to 50 meteors per hour visible from dark locations. [Capital Weather]
It’s Wednesday — Partly sunny today with a high near 88 and northwest winds around 6 mph. Skies stay partly cloudy overnight with a low around 71 and a slight chance of showers between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. [NWS]
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