News

Morning Notes for June 24, 2026

Street furniture in the Rosslyn area (courtesy George Brazier)

Border Czar Badge Mystery — Arlington police helped return a Culpeper County deputy sheriff’s badge issued to White House border czar Tom Homan after a woman said she found it in a used Cadillac she bought in 2023. Homan was sworn in as a reserve deputy in 2020 under then-Sheriff Scott Jenkins, who was later convicted in a bribes-for-badges scheme and pardoned by President Trump. [NBC 4]

Transit Merger Studied — “Virginia lawmakers want to examine consolidating Northern Virginia’s transit agencies to assess potential cost savings and service improvements.” A study in the new two-year state budget could reshape four systems, including ART Arlington Transit, DASH, Fairfax Connector and CUE. A report is due Dec. 15. [Virginia Mercury]

Ballston’s Buzzing Culprit — Residents near Fairfax Drive and N. Randolph Street spent weeks chasing a relentless buzzing noise, now traced to a rental chiller behind the office building at 4040 Fairfax Drive. “It is louder than a data center and can be heard in a three block radius,” one neighbor wrote, urging others to email Arlington County code enforcement. [Reddit, Reddit]

The Plymouth in the Wall — Ghosts of DC chronicles 2000 Wilson Blvd in Courthouse, once home to Olmstead Oldsmobile, then the brewpub Bardo Rodeo, known for a 1966 Plymouth jutting through its showroom window. It later became the dive bar Dr. Dremo’s Taphouse before giving way to today’s condo tower. [Ghosts of DC]

Crash-Testing Work Trucks — “The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which has a 30-year history of conducting crash tests… is now testing cargo vans and work trucks that many people drive on the job.” The Arlington-based group hopes the ratings will prompt fleet operators and manufacturers to add safety features. [WTOP]

Trump Arch Mockup — “A replica of the Arc de Trump popped up on the National Mall, joining Freedom 250’s Great American State Fair.” The temporary, eagle-topped installation is far smaller than the 250-foot arch President Trump (R) wants built at Memorial Circle, near Arlington National Cemetery. [Axios]

Million-Dollar Starters — “The DMV is home to four cities where the typical starter home costs $1 million or more, according to new Zillow data.” Great Falls leads the region at $1,233,946, ahead of three Maryland communities: Chevy Chase View, Glen Echo and Potomac. The typical U.S. starter home is $198,649. [Axios]

It’s Wednesday — Sunny with a high of 81°F and a northwest wind at 7 mph. For Wednesday night, expect mostly clear skies and a low of 62°F, with calm winds. [NWS]

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  • Launched in January 2010, ARLnow.com is the place for the latest news, views and things to do around Arlington, Virginia. The ARLnow staff byline is used for the Morning Notes and reporting done by an editor or other member of our full-time staff.