Arlington Pick Draws Criticism — Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) has drawn criticism from conservative outlets for appointing Kellen MacBeth, founder and president of the advocacy group Equality Arlington, to Virginia’s 26-member LGBTQ+ Advisory Board. The Washington Free Beacon called the appointment evidence of an “embrace of left-wing gender activism,” as Equality Arlington, which advocates for transgender and nonbinary students, has opposed the Trump administration’s policies on trans youth. [LGBTQ Nation, Free Beacon]
Arlington Native’s Jungle Run — Arlington native Sarah Awad, a 26-year-old former rugby player, competed on Netflix’s “Outlast: The Jungle,” lasting until the season’s penultimate episode in the Panamanian jungle. Among her proudest moments: building a raised bamboo bed and cooking a scorpion, which she said “tasted like beef jerky.” [WTOP]
French Jets Over Arlington — From the French Embassy on Monday: “The Patrouille de France from the French Air and Space Force took to the skies above cherished American sites like the National Mall, Arlington National Cemetery, and Mount Vernon. This flyover is part of the #liberté250 commemorating a very special anniversary for America’s independence.” [French Embassy/FB]
Height Law Exemption Argued — The Trump administration says new federal construction, including a proposed 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery, is not subject to the 1910 Height of Buildings Act that caps most D.C. construction at 130 feet. An Interior Department memo concludes that “federal buildings are not subject to” the act, reversing the longstanding position of the National Capital Planning Commission, which is set to review the arch July 9. [Washington Post]
Crystal City Dronemaker’s Loss Grows — Shares of military dronemaker AeroVironment hit a 52-week low Monday after the Crystal City-based company restated its fiscal third-quarter loss to $268.4 million, up $89 million from what it previously reported. The revision reflects a larger goodwill charge tied to a $1.4 billion Space Force contract that was terminated in March. AeroVironment shares have fallen 63% since mid-January, and several law firms have filed class-action suits alleging executives misled investors. [WBJ]
Warner Lauds Housing Bill — “This landmark legislation will boost the housing supply, bring down costs, and protect renters, veterans, and rural Virginians. I encourage my colleagues in the House to quickly pass this bipartisan housing package and deliver some real relief to Americans across the country.” [Press Release]
E-Bike Safety Push — Police and parks officials across Northern Virginia, including along the W&OD Trail, are stepping up e-bike safety awareness amid a rise in complaints about reckless and illegal riding. “We have certainly received an increase in complaints regarding unsafe behavior on the trail, including e-bikes, scooters and other motorized devices,” a NOVA Parks spokesperson told FFXnow. The agency permits only Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes, capped at 20 mph, on the trail. [FFXnow]
It’s Tuesday — Expect a mostly cloudy day with a high near 81, with rain showers likely before 3 p.m. Northwest winds will be 5–10 mph, gusting as high as 20 mph. Skies clear overnight, with a low around 62. [NWS]
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