Author: ARLnow.com

Sexual Battery in Pentagon City — A teenage girl was inside a business in the 1100 block of S. Hayes Street around 11 a.m. Tuesday when a man approached her from behind, grabbed her and fled, according to Arlington County police. Officers canvassed the area but did not find the suspect. [ACPD]

APS Phasing Out Toddler Program — For the second time in as many years, parents are urging Arlington Public Schools not to end the Integration Station, which offers toddlers with disabilities early intervention services. In a June email, The Children’s School said the district plans to “phase out the Integration Station partnership over the next few years,” with one grade phased out annually beginning in 2027. [WTOP]

Courthouse Tower Sold — The Commodore, a 423-unit high-rise with ground-floor retail next to the Court House Metro station, has changed hands. Berkadia arranged the sale, in a deal that closed June 30. Completed in 2023, the 20-story building is the tallest residential tower in Courthouse. [Press Release]

Flyover This Morning — From AlertDC: “The U.S. Military will conduct an Aircraft Flyover in the NCR over Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday, July 9 at approximately 10 a.m.”

IIHS Wants More Self-Driving Studies — The Arlington-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says driver-assist features and robotaxis are helping prevent crashes but still need far more study. “We’re going to need a lot more data over a more extended period of time to really assess whether those systems are safe or not safe,” David Harkey, the institute’s president, said. [WTOP]

Arch Would Block Va. View — A federal commission is set to review President Trump’s plans today for a 250-foot triumphal arch at Memorial Circle, at the Virginia end of Arlington Memorial Bridge. Critics say the monument — 84 feet taller than columns proposed for the site a century ago — would reshape the skyline and block views of Virginia from the Lincoln Memorial. [Washington Post]

Kennedy Center in Limbo — The Kennedy Center was set to close for two years starting Sunday, but a court order is keeping it open for now. Executives say no new shows or concerts will be scheduled, and the building sat nearly empty this week as staff packed up and volunteers awaited word on the center’s next steps. [Washington Post]

It’s Thursday — Showers and thunderstorms are likely today, with a high near 88 and a 90% chance of rain. Storms should be heaviest in the afternoon, when a half to three-quarters of an inch is possible. They taper off overnight, with a low around 72. [NWS]

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

Arlington Firm Drills Into Md. — Arlington-based Dandelion Energy is scouting a Rockville site for a field office as new state incentives fuel demand for its residential geothermal systems in Virginia and Maryland. “We have enough scale now that we’re staffing permanent field leadership here, and transitioning to all permanent local crews,” CEO Dan Yates said. On Tuesday, Maryland awarded the company $1.3 million to bring systems to 129 homes. [WBJ]

Legal Weed on the Way — Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) last week signed legislation creating Virginia’s recreational cannabis marketplace, with retail sales set to begin July 1, 2027. “For years, Virginians have crossed into D.C. and Maryland to buy legal marijuana. That changes next July, reshuffling where customers, tax dollars and businesses flow across the region.” [Axios]

DOGE Ends, Hiring Resumes — July 4 marked the end of the Department of Government Efficiency, and many federal agencies are now hiring again after more than 260,000 workers left, with effects felt acutely across the D.C. region. The government posted over 104,000 jobs in the first five months of this year, up from 68,900 in the prior five months. “In a lot of places, the administration is just trying to keep the lights on with this rehiring,” said NOTUS reporter Natalie Alms. [WAMU]

Potomac Fish Kill — Thousands of dead and dying fish turned up along a several-mile stretch of the Potomac River in Montgomery County, Md., upstream from the sewage pipe rupture that sent millions of gallons of raw waste into the river in January. The Maryland Department of the Environment says the die-off is not connected to that rupture and found no evidence of pollution, pointing instead to water temperatures in the mid-90s. The event began Friday and had subsided by Sunday. [Fox 5]

It’s Wednesday — Look for a mostly cloudy day with a high near 83 and isolated rain showers possible before 2 p.m. Winds will be light out of the southeast around 5 mph. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible overnight after 2 a.m., with a low around 71. [NWS]

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Ballston Firm Acquired — McLean-based CrossCountry Consulting has acquired Dupont Circle Solutions, a Salesforce-focused consulting firm headquartered at 4075 Wilson Blvd in Ballston. Terms were not disclosed. Founded in 2015, the firm has around 60 employees, and its co-founders will lead an expanded Salesforce practice for the combined company. [WBJ]

Gun in Boy’s Backpack — An 8-year-old was found sitting alone at Reagan National Airport in March after his mother was arrested on larceny, credit card theft and assault charges elsewhere in the airport, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit. The boy was later found with a loaded handgun in his backpack in Alexandria. His mother has an August court date for charges of assault and battery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. [ALXnow]

N. Va. Data Centers Past & Present — “From AOL’s arrival in Ashburn to today’s AI-driven boom, Virginia became the backbone of the internet economy. Now lawmakers are debating how to manage the industry’s soaring energy demands and economic influence.” [Virginia Mercury]

It’s Tuesday — Expect a partly sunny day with a high near 86 and a chance of showers and thunderstorms, becoming likely by late afternoon. Rain chances climb to 80% overnight, with a low around 71. Winds stay light out of the northeast around 5 mph. [NWS]

Want more local news from around the region? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow.

Fireworks Cap the 250th — The supersized version of the annual Independence Day fireworks lit up the sky over the National Mall on Saturday night, capping the D.C. celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday. Full livestream replays are available from the D.C. perspective (Freedom 250) and the Pentagon City perspective (Statter), which quickly became obscured by smoke. [Freedom 250/YouTube, Dave Statter/YouTube]

Warplanes Roar Over D.C. — Military aircraft crossed the Potomac from Virginia and streaked over the National Mall for much of Independence Day in what organizers billed as “the most ambitious aviation spectacle in American history.” The Blue Angels, Marine One helicopters and more than 30 flyovers marked America’s 250th, though an Air Force One pass coincided with a storm evacuation of the Mall. Reagan National closed from noon to midnight. [Washington Post]

Resale Chain Eyes Clarendon — The RealReal, a secondhand chain that sells authenticated used goods from brands like Gucci and Prada, is pursuing its first D.C.-area storefront at Crossing Clarendon, according to public records. Arlington’s zoning administrator confirmed a secondhand store is permitted at the center, formerly known as Market Common. It’s unclear whether a lease has been signed. [WBJ]

Ovechkin Signs New Contract — Alex Ovechkin has signed a one-year contract to remain with the Washington Capitals, per a team press release, meaning the former Arlington resident will keep turning up at the team’s Ballston practice facility. [ARLnow/X]

ACPD Officer Charged — An Arlington County police officer has been charged with malicious wounding over an off-duty assault. Vincent Baglio, 31, allegedly assaulted someone he knew inside a residence on May 24, according to police. Hired in 2024, he has been placed on administrative leave. Chief Andy Penn called the allegations “wholly unacceptable and fundamentally inconsistent with the values” of the agency. [ACPD]

Victim Stops Fleeing Suspect — A man was allegedly assaulted in the 500 block of 23rd Street S. by someone who then tried to drive off, but the victim kept him from fleeing until police arrived, according to a crime report. The victim was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. A Springfield man, 43, was charged with malicious wounding, driving under the influence and breath test refusal, and held without bond. [ACPD]

Sheriff Releases 2025 Report — The Arlington County Sheriff’s Office has released its 2025 annual report, highlighting a shift to a self-operated inmate medical care model, expanded addiction treatment and community programs. Sheriff Jose Quiroz said the year was “defined by connection, collaboration, and service” inside and outside the detention facility. [ACSO]

Push for Deeper Affordability — Citizens for a Better City, Falls Church’s original civic association, has endorsed its president’s critique that the city’s affordable housing efforts haven’t reached low enough incomes. Speaking to the City Council, Hal Lippman said 88% of the 204 units added over 20 years fell between 60% and 80% of area median income, and urged the city to target lower tiers. [Falls Church News-Press]

Feds Sue Over Gun Ban — The Trump administration has sued Virginia in federal court, arguing the state’s new ban on selling and manufacturing assault firearms violates the Second Amendment. Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed the law in May, and a judge already blocked its enforcement last month amid separate lawsuits. Attorney General Jay Jones (D) vowed to defend the measure, which his office called “commonsense.” [FFXnow]

It’s Monday — Expect a mostly cloudy day with a high near 87 and a chance of showers and thunderstorms, plus patchy fog in the morning. Winds will be light from the northeast at 3–7 mph. Storms become likely overnight, with a low around 71. [NWS]

Today’s Morning Notes are brought to you by Industrious. ARLnow has been in an Industrious office for years and we love the convenience — you get to focus on your work rather than worrying about brewing your own coffee or keeping the copy machine stocked. Industrious has several Metro-accessible coworking locations in Arlington.