Arlington Tops ‘Thriving’ Poll — “People who live in Arlington and Alexandria (61%) and Loudoun County (59%) are most likely to be thriving,” according to a new Gallup poll of D.C.-area residents. Arlington and Alexandria also had the second-highest share of households hurt by federal job cuts or furloughs, at 62%. [Axios, WTOP]
DCA Passenger Count Inches Up — Reagan National Airport has recorded 14.4 million passengers year-to-date through July, up 0.2% compared to the same period a year ago, according to new figures from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. The year-to-date figures were boosted by a 0.8% growth rate in July to 2.2 million arriving and departing travelers. —Scott McCaffrey
Equipment Spotted at Arch Site — Rep. Don Beyer (D) visited Columbia Island yesterday after constituents spotted heavy equipment at the site of President Trump’s proposed arch. Workers said they were doing archaeological soil work, but Beyer said the equipment is “a clear indication that the Trump Administration is preparing to move forward with construction.” [Press Release, The Hill, WUSA9]
AG to Keynote NAACP Gala — Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones will be the keynote speaker at the Arlington NAACP’s 2026 Freedom Fund Banquet, to be held Saturday, Oct. 17 at George Mason University’s Arlington campus. [Arlington NAACP]
Southside Express Lanes, Take Two — State transportation officials have a revised plan for I-495 Express Lanes on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. “VDOT proposes significantly reducing shoulder space… to accommodate four non-toll lanes and two Express Lanes in each direction, along with an 18-foot-wide right-of-way down the middle for future Metro service.” [FFXnow]
Beyer Tours East Potomac Park — Rep. Don Beyer toured East Potomac Park yesterday with representatives of local cycling, running and golf groups. “We also saw the Administration’s destruction firsthand, including trees that have already been cut down, some of them historic cherry trees. And all of this is happening behind closed doors,” Beyer said. [Press Release]
Waymo Foes Rallying in D.C. — “Labor unions, civil rights groups and even churches are ramping up pressure on the D.C. Council to reject a bill legalizing robotaxis.” Activists plan to rally Oct. 6 outside the Wilson Building. The bill from Council member Charles Allen would cap robotaxi operators at 200 vehicles. [Axios]
Warner Targets Tick Allergy — Sen. Mark Warner (D) introduced two bills yesterday targeting tick-borne diseases, including one that would require food labels to flag alpha-gal, the trigger of a meat allergy linked to lone star tick bites. “Cases of alpha-gal syndrome are rapidly increasing in Virginia and across the country,” Warner said. [Press Release]
Coworking Booms in Suburbs — “Suburban coworking locations now make up 67% of all coworking locations, according to a study by real estate data firm Yardi Kube.” Suburban sites grew 39% from July 2024 to July 2026, compared to 22% growth in urban areas. [WBJ]
It’s Friday — Expect mostly sunny skies today with a high near 73 and north winds around 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Tonight will be mostly clear with a low around 56. [NWS]
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