Author: ARLnow.com

Royals Visit Arlington Cemetery — “Cannons fired a 21-gun salute as King Charles III and Queen Camilla entered Arlington National Cemetery for an Armed Forces Full Honors Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.” The ceremony took place on the final day of the royal couple’s state visit to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence. [Arlington National Cemetery, NBC Washington]

Beyer Primary Challenger Drops Out — Daniel Gray, one of a number of challengers taking on Rep. Don Beyer (D-8) in the Aug. 4 Democratic primary, yesterday suspended his campaign. In a statement, he said it proved impossible to both hold down a full-time job while simultaneously campaigning. —Scott McCaffrey

Juvenile Robbed at Gunpoint — “The juvenile male was outside when a vehicle with three male suspects approached him and engaged him in conversation. A struggle ensued at the vehicle, during which the suspects brandished firearms and stole the victim’s cash before fleeing the scene.” The robbery occurred around 8 p.m. Wednesday in the 800 block of S. Dickerson Street. [ACPD]

Pricier Parking in Alexandria — “Alexandria City Council on Wednesday approved City Manager Jim Parajon’s proposal to increase metered parking fees and parking ticket fines… raising parking meter rates from $1.75 to $2.75 and parking ticket fines from $40 to $55.” The changes take effect July 1. [ALXnow]

Mayor Flags Bargaining Bill — “Richmond Mayor Danny Avula sent a letter to the Spanberger Administration outlining his concerns with two statewide collective bargaining bills in the Virginia General Assembly… Avula’s letter said the bills as currently written could cause ‘significant implications’ for local governments.” [WTVR, Graham Moomaw/X]

Warner AI Bill Advances — Sen. Mark Warner (D) applauded the Senate Judiciary Committee’s unanimous passage of his bipartisan GUARD Act, which would ban AI companies from providing AI companions to minors and create new crimes for companies that knowingly make available to minors AI companions that solicit or produce sexual content. [Press Release]

It’s Friday — Mostly sunny with a high near 68 and a slight chance of rain showers after 2 p.m. Winds out of the west at 5–10 mph. Overnight lows will fall to around 48 with a 40% chance of rain showers before 2 a.m. [NWS]

Royals at Cemetery Today — “The Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery will be closed from 8 a.m. to approximately 10:30 a.m. due to preparations for a special event at ANC. Tram service will also be unavailable until 1 p.m.” King Charles III and Queen Camilla are visiting as part of a U.S. trip marking America’s 250th anniversary. [Arlington National Cemetery/X]

Tour de France Owner Joins Race — “Amaury Sports Organisation, the French company that operates the Tour de France, is joining the Amazon Armed Forces Cycling Classic with an eye on growing the profile of the D.C. region’s premier cycling event.” The race is run by the Arlington-based nonprofit Arlington Sports Inc., which has put on the event since 1998. The partnership may eventually lead to an ownership stake, organizers said. [WBJ]

ACPD Mourns Volunteer — “It is with deep sadness that the Arlington County Police Department announces the passing of Auxiliary Lieutenant Heather Hurlock. Lt. Hurlock began her service with our agency 30 years ago after retiring from a career as the U.S. House of Representatives Chief Clerk.” [ACPD/X]

Va. Low on Drug Use — Virginia ranks 46th out of 51 (sixth-lowest) for drug problems, according to a new WalletHub study. The personal finance site “compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 20 key metrics, ranging from arrest and overdose rates to opioid prescription use and employee drug testing laws.” New Mexico ranks first; Utah ranks last. [WalletHub]

It’s Thursday — Expect mostly sunny skies today with a high near 67. Northwest winds around 14 mph could gust as high as 24 mph. Skies should remain mostly clear overnight, with a low around 44. [NWS]

There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.

Buckingham Apartment Fire — Firefighters responded to a garden apartment fire in the 300 block of N. Thomas Street yesterday morning. “One occupant was treated and transported to VHC with non-life-threatening injuries. Fire Marshals will investigate the origin and cause,” the fire department said. [ACFD/X]

Alcova Park Hazmat Spill — Arlington’s hazmat team contained a hydraulic fluid leak from a vehicle near Alcova Park yesterday afternoon. “A visible sheen may be present in the creek as it flows toward S. Four Mile Run,” the fire department noted. Residents were advised to keep people and pets out of the water until further notice. [ACFD/X]

Repeat Exposure Arrest — A 41-year-old man arrested Saturday afternoon in Clarendon for indecent exposure has been charged with the same offense five previous times over the last decade. He was charged with indecent exposure with more than three offenses in 10 years, assault and battery, and public intoxication, and was held without bond. [Patch]

Porsche Arlington Heads South — “A luxury car dealership at the high-profile corner of Richmond Highway and South Glebe Road in Arlington County is proposing to high-tail it to a new home seven miles south in Fairfax County.” New Country Motor Car Group filed plans Monday to build a 67,000-square-foot Porsche dealership in Lincolnia, to be branded Porsche Alexandria. [WBJ]

Re-Retrocession Bid ‘Not a Chance’ — A bid by some national Republicans to undo the 1847 retrocession that returned Arlington and Alexandria to Virginia — and absorb both back into D.C. — is being dismissed locally. “It’s not going to happen,” Arlington GOP Chair Matthew Hurtt told The 51st, while Arlington County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti separately dismissed the proposal as not serious. [The 51st]

Mount Olivet Reopens Saturday — Mount Olivet United Methodist Church will mark the completion of its post-fire restoration this Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. The historic Arlington church, established in 1854, suffered roughly $1 million in damage during a 2022 fire. A short program at 3 p.m. will celebrate the church’s 170th anniversary. [WTOP]

Decorated SEAL Remembered — Andrew Honeyman, a former Navy SEAL who served with SEAL Team 5 and the elite Naval Special Warfare Development Group, recently died at age 39 in Arlington. The retired Senior Chief — a three-time recipient of the Bronze Star with Combat Valor — was a graduate student at Georgetown University at the time of his passing. A funeral with full military honors is scheduled in Portland, Oregon. [Oregon Live, Legacy]

Reston Penthouse Breaks Record — A penthouse at Reston’s new JW Marriott Residences sold for $10.25 million, shattering the Virginia condo record. The 5,768-square-foot, 27th-floor unit closed April 1. The previous record — $5.65 million — was set in 2024 at Rosslyn’s Waterview tower. [WBJ]

Federal Workforce at 36-Year Low — The Washington region lost more than 62,000 federal jobs from January 2025 to January 2026, a 16.5% drop that puts the region’s federal workforce at its lowest level since 1990, according to a new analysis from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. The region overall lost some 103,900 jobs over the same period. [FFXnow]

AI Reshaping Grad Job Hunt — AI is reshaping how new college graduates search for jobs but isn’t necessarily eliminating opportunities, a University of Virginia career expert told WTOP. “Really making sure that you’re using that as a tool, not as a replacement, is essential,” said Kate Melton, of UVA’s Career Center. Internships, meanwhile, have declined nationally. [WTOP]

Syphilis Surge in Virginia Men — The rate of men contracting syphilis in Virginia rose 58% between 2020 and 2024, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The sexually transmitted infection can be passed through vaginal, anal or oral sex, and is curable with antibiotics. [DC News Now]

It’s Wednesday — Expect showers and thunderstorms today with a high near 69 and a 90% chance of rain. Southeast winds will be light at 3–10 mph but could gust to 18. Storms continue overnight, with a low around 51 and another half-inch of rain possible. [NWS]

Support local journalism. Join the ARLnow Press Club to boost our reporting and to get upgraded newsletters.