Scott McCaffrey | ARLnow

Chamber of Commerce honors local businesses, names new Hall of Fame member

Published May 22, 2026 at 9:15AM

2026 Arlington Best Business Awards recipients (courtesy Arlington Chamber of Commerce)

The Arlington Chamber of Commerce on May 19 celebrated businesses and organizations that combine organizational success with a commitment to the broader community.

The 40th annual Best Business Awards drew 250 local leaders to Army Navy Country Club for “the premier celebration of businesses of all sizes in Arlington,” Chamber president/CEO Kate Bates said.

News

Reagan National opens 600+ new parking spaces ahead of summer travel

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 22, 2026 at 8:30AM

The departures lanes at Reagan National Airport (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Reagan National Airport’s parking crunch has become a little less challenging as the busy summer travel season arrives.

More than 600 new spaces became available this week, part of a parking expansion in the airport’s economy lot.

News

Number of jobless Arlington residents up 50% since start of Trump administration

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 21, 2026 at 3:45PM

Job seekers at a Crystal City career fair (file photo by Jay Westcott)

The number of Arlington residents counted as unemployed is up 11.4% year-over-year and has increased 50% since the start of the Trump administration, according to new state data.

A total of 4,814 county residents were looking for work in March, according to figures reported May 19 by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement. That’s up from 4,358 a year before and up from 3,212 in December 2024, the last full month of the Biden administration.

News

County Board OKs sale of $208M in bonds, supporting infrastructure and other priorities

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 21, 2026 at 2:45PM

County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti (screenshot via Arlington County)

The Arlington County Board has authorized staff to move forward with the sale of $208.4 million in 20-year general-obligation bonds.

The county government has tried to defer major bond sales as long as possible over the past two years, citing concerns about the region’s economic health and the county’s revenue conditions. But the time has come to move forward with the next sale, Board Chair Matt de Ferranti said on Saturday.

News

County manager proposes $4.3B capital plan, seeks five bond referendums

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 21, 2026 at 10:00AM

County Manager Mark Schwartz unveils capital improvement package (screenshot via Arlington County)

County voters are likely to see nearly a quarter-billion dollars spread over five local bond referendums on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Revenues from future bond sales would support County Manager Mark Schwartz’s proposed new 10-year, $4.3 billion capital improvement plan, unveiled on Tuesday evening.

News

Chronic homelessness rises in latest Arlington count, though overall rate holds steady

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 20, 2026 at 3:45PM

Volunteers and government personnel fanned out across the region in February for the 2026 Point-in-Time count (via Council of Governments)

Arlington’s level of homelessness was largely stable from 2025 to 2026, but the number of those considered chronically homeless showed a year-over-year increase.

A total of 29 single adults in Arlington were counted as chronically homeless in this year’s Point-in-Time Survey, a one-night regional tally of those experiencing homelessness across the region. That’s up from 23 a year before.

News

‘Data walks’ offer window into prosecution and diversion programs in Arlington

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 20, 2026 at 8:30AM

Commonwealth's Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti and members of her staff (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

A pair of open-house-style events held over the weekend provided local residents an up-close look at the inner workings of the commonwealth’s attorney’s office.

The two Interactive Data Walks on Local Prosecution and Diversion Programs aimed to demystify the work of the prosecutor’s office, Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti told ARLnow.

News

Arlington leaders still analyzing local impact of new ‘Faith in Housing’ legislation

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 19, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated May 20, 2026 at 6:42AM

Central United Methodist Church and Unity Homes building in Ballston on April 30, 2026 (staff photo)

Arlington leaders are still working through the implications of a change to state law making it easier for religious organizations to build affordable housing.

The Faith in Housing Act removes some, but not all, local regulatory approval for affordable housing constructed on land owned by nonprofit organizations, including religious groups. Despite some concerns from various local governments around the commonwealth, the measure had the backing of Democrats in the General Assembly and ultimately was signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D).

Schools

APS plans more limited access to iPads, promises more public engagement

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 19, 2026 at 10:00AM | Updated May 19, 2026 at 1:00PM

A student looks at an iPad (file photo)

Arlington Public Schools leaders are planning further limits on some grade levels’ access to digital devices, promising more opportunities for public feedback.

Superintendent Francisco Durán updated School Board members on May 14 regarding the status of changes and what is coming next for the program that once provided every student with a MacBook or iPad.

News

Arlington tree boosters aim to refresh mission, branch out in advocacy

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 19, 2026 at 8:30AM

Trees along Campbell Avenue in Shirlington (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

A local environmental advocacy organization hopes to breathe new life into its efforts.

Supporters of the Arlington Tree Action Group (ATAG) met online May 14 to consider specific initiatives and, potentially, a broader mission. The goal, leader Mary Glass said, was to take a fresh look at the local civic landscape and ATAG’s place within it.

Schools

Superintendent seeks $250M to refurbish and expand TJ, Swanson middle schools

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 18, 2026 at 3:45PM

Supporters of improvements to Thomas Jefferson Middle School made their case at the Dec. 18, 2025 School Board meeting (courtesy Melinda Wuellner)

Superintendent Francisco Durán has laid out a quarter-billion-dollar plan to renovate and expand two middle schools.

Downplaying concerns that the projects could crowd out needed improvements at other buildings, Durán on Thursday night described plans for Thomas Jefferson Middle School and Swanson Middle School. They include the following.

Obituary

Longtime state delegate and circuit court judge James Almand dies at 77

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 18, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated May 29, 2026 at 4:53AM

James Almand and family members at 2024 Optimist Club celebration (file photo by Scott McCaffrey)

James Almand, an Arlington native who served more than a quarter-century in the General Assembly and then nearly a decade on the circuit court, died May 14. He was 77.

“The totality of Jim Almand’s career as a legislator and judge is one of the greatest in Arlington’s history,” Clerk of the Circuit Court and former County Board member Paul Ferguson told ARLnow. “He was liked and respected by everyone who knew him.”