Author: ARLnow.com

Gov. Spanberger’s Journey — “In 2014, Abigail Spanberger had a decision to make. Her young family was living in Los Angeles, where she was a CIA officer working drug cartel cases, and the time had come to put in for her next assignment. She and her husband, Adam, handed a toy globe to their 5-year-old daughter, Claire, and described endless possibilities for adventure. “Where should we go?” they asked. England? Costa Rica? Kenya? Claire had another idea: Virginia.” [Washington Post]

Gov. Youngkin’s Education Legacy — “Youngkin promised supporters that he would be the “education governor” and reverse what he saw as declines under his Democratic predecessor… interviews with more than a dozen people who worked with the governor in his administration, schools and universities show a mix of opinions about Youngkin’s education legacy. Some say he made fundamental changes that improved schools, while others say he also injected politics into policy, which made it harder to fully realize his agenda.” [Washington Post]

Youngkin’s Big Regret — “Outgoing Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin doesn’t have many regrets as he prepares to leave office. But he named the inability to get an Alexandria arena deal done in 2024 as one lost opportunity. The Washington Capitals and Wizards arena would have gone in Potomac Yard as part of an entertainment district. But in March 2024, the City of Alexandria announced that the proposal wouldn’t be moving forward.” [ALXnow]

Colada Shop Open at DCA — “Colada Shop has opened its first-ever airport location, bringing its signature Cuban coffee, cocktails, and all-day bites to travelers flying through Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Open from first flight to last, the new outpost delivers the brand’s warm, vibrant hospitality in an on-the-go setting.” [PoPville]

Flu Season Still Raging — “Emergency rooms and urgent care facilities are seeing an increased number of [flu] patients… This season, health officials are monitoring a variation of Influenza A — called H3N2 subclade K — which may have a mismatch with this year’s seasonal flu vaccine. While this year’s flu vaccine may not be the most effective prevention, it still provides valuable protection.” [N. Va. Magazine]

American Legion Bridge Update — “Maryland will reconsider private funding to help replace the American Legion Bridge… [Gov.] Moore agreed to ‘leverage innovative approaches like a public private partnership (P3) that will ensure Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. commuters can soon experience some much needed traffic relief from the most congested corridor in America.'” [Bethesda Magazine]

Beyer on Greenland ‘Nonsense’ — “Trump’s threat to tariff any country that doesn’t accept go along with his idiotic Greenland nonsense is so dumb. He’s already driving some of our closest allies and trading partners into China’s arms. All of this stupidity is making Americans less safe and raising prices.” [Rep. Don Beyer/X, Rep. Don Beyer/X]

Key Bridge Emergency Activity — “Update water search Potomac River beneath Key Bridge. 1 victim recovered by a diver and enroute to EMS at a nearby land location.” [DCFEMS/X, DCFEMS/X]

Sphere Coming to Md. — “Sphere Entertainment Cos. built the largest spherical building on Earth in Las Vegas. Now it wants to build a smaller one outside D.C. The company behind Sphere unveiled plans Sunday night for what it says will be the world’s first “mini-Sphere” venue off the Potomac River in Maryland, a 6,000-seat immersive experience that would open in 2030.” [Washington Post]

Sentencing for Arlingtonian’s Murder — “It has taken nearly three years for an Arlington, Virginia, family to get justice in the murder of their loved one at a Northeast D.C. motel in 2023. It was back in April 2023 that 31-year-old Christy Bautista was stabbed over 30 times, her body battered by 46-year-old George Sydnor. During his sentencing hearing, which resulted in a 40-year sentence for Sydnor, Bautista’s family ripped into another judge by name for allowing Sydnor to be free while he awaited sentencing for other violent crimes.” [WTOP, DOJ]

Weekend Snowstorm Threat — “There is an enhanced threat for a winter storm Saturday, Jan 24, 2026 bringing increased potential of significant travel impacts & closures. Confidence remains low within the 5 day lead time window, but significant impacts are possible.” [NWS/X, CWG/X]

It’s Tuesday — The weather will be sunny, reaching a high of 29 degrees, accompanied by a west wind blowing at 9 to 11 mph and gusts up to 24 mph. The night will be mostly clear with a low temperature of 17 degrees and light variable winds. [NWS]

Tech Training Grant for MU — “Marymount University has received a grant to lead the development of NOVATech Works, a new regional initiative designed to strengthen Northern Virginia’s technology workforce and create clearer pathways into high-demand tech careers. This project is funded in part by GO Virginia, a state-funded initiative administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.” [Marymount University]

MLK, Jr. Day Closures — “Arlington County Government offices and services are operating on modified schedules for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. Trash/Recycling/Yard Waste Curbside Routes – Regular collection. Parking – Permit parking is always in effect unless specifically noted on the sign. Meters are not enforced on holidays.” [Arlington County]

Caps Host Kids With Disabilities — “A duo of Washington Capitals players hosted dozens of kids Wednesday afternoon to skate, shoot and save goals with them after practice in Ballston, Virginia. It is all an effort to empower kids with physical and developmental disabilities.” [WTOP]

F.C. School Budget Growth — “Dade said the 5.02 percent increase represents a “floor” for what the schools will need to receive during the coming budget process, which formally begins with his introduction of a proposed overall budget on February 10 and leads to the School Board’s budget ask to the City Council on March 10, ahead of the Council’s final budget adoption in early May.” [FCNP]

F.C. Biz Owners Lament No NYE Event — “One of the issues that drove the meeting was the poorly-notified fact that after two dozen years, the annual New Year’s Eve Watch Night celebration was called off, an annual event that helped fill a number of downtown restaurants… The City decided in finalizing its current fiscal year budget late last spring not to fund the event for this year, but local business owners were not made aware of the decision, one which puzzled most of them, until only a few weeks before it was supposed to happen.” [FCNP]

Local Leaders Talk Homeless Funding — “Leaders from across the D.C. region voted on Wednesday (Jan. 14) to ask Congress and the Trump administration to bring back predictability when it comes to funding homelessness response services at the local level.” [FFXnow]

Pole Problem in Douglas Park — “Roads in the area of S. Quincy Street and 16th Street South are currently [Thursday afternoon] closed due to a power pole fire. The electric utility is on scene and working with the Fire Department to mitigate the hazard. Avoid the area.” [ACFD/X]

Snow Possible This Weekend — “We are still monitoring a potential system that could bring snow to the region Sunday into Sunday night, but there remains high uncertainty in the forecast… if this track were to trend westward, this could set the stage for accumulating snow along the I-95 Corridor.” [WWG/X]

It’s Friday — Clouds will increase today, bringing a high temperature near 37 degrees and a southern wind of 7 to 10 mph. Tonight, there’s a 30% chance of snow showers after 1am. The low temperature will be around 32 degrees, accompanied by a southern wind at 8 mph. [NWS]