Scott McCaffrey | ARLnow

Student presentations explore lives of Black Arlingtonians throughout history

Published May 12, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated May 12, 2026 at 10:01AM

Wilma Jones with performers Riziki Dunbar, Wanjiru Ogonji and Eduardo Saldaña Córdova (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

A local initiative is ensuring the experiences of Black Arlingtonians are among those highlighted as the nation marks its 250th birthday.

Local community leader Wilma Jones used the Arlington Historical Society’s HistoryFest on Saturday to spotlight “Arlington History from the Black Side.”

News

Arlington’s average home price tops $1.06 million in April, a new record

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 12, 2026 at 8:30AM

Real estate for sale sign (photo illustration by ARLnow)

Arlington’s average home sales price hit an all-time high in April, surpassing the million-dollar mark for the second month in a row.

The average sales price of $1,061,497 for all 224 transactions exceeded March’s total of $1,004,052, according to figures reported May 11 by MarketStats by ShowingTime.

News

All of Arlington stays in same congressional district after court strikes down redistricting

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 11, 2026 at 2:45PM

Rep. Don Beyer (D-8) (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Arlington will remain in a single congressional district after the Virginia Supreme Court on May 8 invalidated redistricting approved by Virginia voters just weeks before.

Unless the U.S. Supreme Court decides to intervene or Democrats can conceive another end-around to overturn the decision, district boundaries revert to where they had been. For Arlington voters, this means all of the county remains in the 8th District, where Rep. Don Beyer will attempt to fend off several primary challengers in August.

Around Town

Arlington HistoryFest draws large crowds for early celebration of nation’s birthday

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 11, 2026 at 10:00AM

Members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry (Old Guard) participating in Arlington HistoryFest250 (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Arlington’s signature program celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday attracted large crowds to Kenmore Middle School this weekend.

A little rain at the end didn’t dampen the spirits of attendees or the success of Arlington HistoryFest, which earned an estimated 2,000 attendees on Saturday. Sponsored by the Arlington Historical Society, it represented the major local effort connected with the national birthday celebration.

News

Peace Officers Memorial Day honors Arlington responders, 9/11’s lasting toll

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 11, 2026 at 9:15AM

Officer salutes memorial to fallen personnel at 2026 Peace Officers Memorial Day (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Later this year, Arlington will mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and salute the efforts of public-safety personnel who saved innumerable lives at the Pentagon that day.

No police officers, sheriff’s deputies or fire department personnel lost their lives at the Pentagon that day. But last Friday’s Peace Officers Memorial Day ceremony was a reminder that many would carry physical and emotional scars of 9/11 with them for years to come.

News

New walking tour spotlights historic cemetery as Falls Church marks nation’s 250th birthday

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 8, 2026 at 3:15PM | Updated May 15, 2026 at 11:05AM

Entrance to Oakwood Cemetery in Falls Church (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

A Falls Church burial ground nearly as old as the nation itself will soon have its history explored in a new tour series throughout the coming year.

A series of monthly walking tours will explore Oakwood Cemetery and the lives of some of those interred there. The first tour will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 24, followed by a series of monthly tours planned through November.

News

More regional funding for west entrance to Ballston Metro set for approval

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 8, 2026 at 1:45PM

A rendering of a proposed second entrance to the Ballston-MU Metro station (via Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority)

Efforts to fund the $181 million west entrance to the Ballston-MU Metro station took another step forward last night (Thursday).

The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) voted to include $20 million in funding for the project as part of a new request to the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB). Final CTB action is slated for next month.

Schools

Teen ambassador seeks better community spaces, transportation to support student well-being

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 8, 2026 at 10:00AM

Wakefield High School student Zach Dawson (screenshot via Arlington Public Schools)

A Wakefield High School senior is among a small group of Arlington students who have spent the past four months gathering feedback from fellow youth about the current state of the school system.

In an April 30 presentation to the School Board, Zach Dawson said there were areas where Arlington Public Schools was meeting students’ needs, but other areas where it was falling short.

News

Latest Democratic challenger says Rep. Beyer has stayed too long in elected office

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 8, 2026 at 9:15AM

8th District congressional candidate Jason Knapp (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

The latest Democratic challenger to U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8) says the incumbent deserves credit for a storied political career, but should now exit the political stage to let others step up.

Jason Knapp is one of several challengers taking on the six-term incumbent in the Aug. 4 Democratic primary. A retired U.S. Navy pilot, Knapp kicked off his campaign at Wednesday’s Arlington Democratic Committee meeting, where he said it’s time for Beyer’s long-held congressional seat to change hands.

News

Fewer will pay 2026 car tax, but clean fuel vehicles will see higher bills

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 7, 2026 at 3:45PM

Electric-vehicle charging (via Marek Studzinski/Unsplash)

Nearly 48,000 Arlington vehicles will not be charged any car tax this year, an increase of 32% from 2025, based on tax changes made by County Board members during the fiscal 2027 budget process.

For those that will be taxed, some owners will pay less while others — particularly those owning clean-energy vehicles — will pay more.

News

Latest Democratic County Board candidate rips own party’s local leadership

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 7, 2026 at 10:00AM

County Board candidate Julie Farnam (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Arlington’s third and final Democratic contender for County Board launched her campaign May 6 with criticism of county political leadership.

“I’m a serious person, and this is a serious job. I’m not just challenging an incumbent — I’m challenging a system,” Julie Farnam said during kickoff remarks Wednesday night (May 6) in front of the Arlington County Democratic Committee.

Schools

APS rescinds plan for AI-generated name reading at W-L’s graduation

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 7, 2026 at 9:15AM

Washington-Liberty High School principal Alexander Duncan III (screenshot via Arlington Public Schools)

Arlington Public Schools has rescinded a plan to have Washington-Liberty High School graduates’ names read by artificial intelligence during next month’s graduation ceremony.

Christina Arpante, the school system’s communications director, told ARLnow the decision was made after students “expressed a preference for having their names read by a familiar voice.”