Author: ARLnow.com

Pentagon Explosion Hoax — “A purportedly AI-generated photo of a fake explosion at the Pentagon spread rapidly on social media on Monday – prompting mass confusion among users and a brief selloff in the US stock market. The fake photo, which showed smoke billowing outside the Pentagon, was shared by Russian state media outlet and other accounts alongside claims that an explosion has occurred at the complex. ” [Twitter, New York Post, Vice]

County Comms Questioned — “Despite community concerns that the Arlington government leadership – elected and appointed – is increasingly disconnected from the community it theoretically serves, those very leaders contend there have been marked improvements in the breadth and depth of communication with residents in recent years. ‘We have spent a lot of time coming up with ways . . . [of] expanding our tools,’ County Manager Mark Schwartz said in a May 16 briefing of County Board members.” [Gazette Leader]

Educating Students About Drug Dangers — “All Arlington public schools teach students how to protect themselves from drug use beginning in the fourth grade. Sexton said they teach elementary students how to read a medication label, how to recognize a medication has expired and how to say no when strangers or even other children offer candy or pills. For middle school students and older, they focus on harm reduction for opioids and particularly fentanyl.” [Virginia Mercury, Medill News Service]

Ebbin Discusses Budget Battle — “Ebbin said Democrats wanted to provide more money for education and mental health, and might be able to cut a deal with Republicans. The GOP in return could demand tax cuts. With state finances in good shape, there is no pressing need to tackle the issue. Should there be no further agreement beyond the ‘skinny budget’ amendments adopted earlier this year, the accumulating surplus funds will simply sit in the government’s bank accounts.” [Gazette Leader]