Author: Scott McCaffrey

A Northern Virginia native, Scott McCaffrey has four decades of reporting, editing and newsroom experience in the local area plus Florida, South Carolina and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. He spent 26 years as editor of the Sun Gazette newspaper chain. For Local News Now, he covers government and civic issues in Arlington, Fairfax County and Falls Church.

News

How N. Va. Democrats came tantalizingly close to ousting their Republican congressman in 1964

By Scott McCaffrey
Augustus Johnson with President Lyndon Johnson (via Charlie Clark Center for Local History)

The following in-depth local history feature was supported by the ARLnow Press Club. Join to support local journalism and to get an exclusive version of our afternoon newsletter, plus an early look at what we’re covering each day.

To Northern Virginia Democrats, 1952 will be remembered as the year victory slipped narrowly away.

Go to How N. Va. Democrats came tantalizingly close to ousting their Republican congressman in 1964 Read more
News

Arlington unemployment continues to rise, adding to round of finger-pointing in N. Va.

By Scott McCaffrey
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin in Tysons (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Arlington’s unemployment rate ticked up once again in July, continuing a months-long trend that has paralleled federal downsizing across the region.

The county’s unemployment rate stood at 3.5% last month, slightly above 3.4% in June and a major increase from 2.5% in July 2024.

Go to Arlington unemployment continues to rise, adding to round of finger-pointing in N. Va. Read more
News

Commission raises new alarms about transit program for people with disabilities

By Scott McCaffrey
Bus that serves Arlington's STAR program (via Arlington County)

Members of an advisory panel are suggesting that the County Board might need to intervene in issues with a transportation program for residents with disabilities.

Karen Audant, interim chair of the Disability Advisory Commission, said she is “deeply concerned” about the operations of the Specialized Transit for Arlington Residents (STAR) program following a scathing report on the initiative from the county’s internal auditor, Wayne Scott.

Go to Commission raises new alarms about transit program for people with disabilities Read more
News

Two new ‘stumbling stones’ honor people once enslaved in Boulevard Manor

By Scott McCaffrey
Unveiling of Boulevard Manor stumbling stones (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

New “stumbling stones” are honoring the lives of two individuals enslaved in present-day Boulevard Manor in the 18th century.

The brass markers in the sidewalk at 516 N. Livingston Street honor the lives of Con and Killemacse, who in the mid-1700s were enslaved on farmland that now forms the Boulevard Manor neighborhood.

Go to Two new ‘stumbling stones’ honor people once enslaved in Boulevard Manor Read more
News

Arlington NAACP seeks to avoid partisanship while advocating for civil rights

By Scott McCaffrey
Arlington NAACP president Rev. DeLishia Davis (screenshot via Arlington NAACP)

Leaders of the NAACP Arlington branch acknowledge they are walking a fine line in the era of Donald Trump.

The group will continue to press its values while refraining from direct political activity, the Rev. DeLishia Davis, president of the Arlington NAACP, said at a Monday meeting.

Go to Arlington NAACP seeks to avoid partisanship while advocating for civil rights Read more
News

Historical society seeks writers to chronicle 250 years of Arlington history

By Scott McCaffrey
Jeanine Brundage and Karen Darner explore Arlington Historical Museum exhibition (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

The Arlington Historical Society is calling on local writers to bring key aspects of the county’s history to life as the nation’s 250th birthday approaches next year.

The new writing project, “250 by 2026,” aims to round up 250 stories that may not be in the public consciousness.

Go to Historical society seeks writers to chronicle 250 years of Arlington history Read more
News

Panel: Changes to affordable-housing funding need nuance and community buy-in

By Scott McCaffrey
The previous plan for a new affordable housing building at 2031 N. Woodrow Street (via Arlington County)

Efforts to provide more funding for Arlington’s Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIF) will require buy-in from elected officials, the development industry, the General Assembly, activists and the broader community to be viable, an advisory panel believes.

“We should take the time and get it right,” said Joe Ventrone, a member of the Housing Commission’s working group on revisions to the government’s affordable-housing ordinance.

Go to Panel: Changes to affordable-housing funding need nuance and community buy-in Read more
News

New apartments hitting the market in Arlington increased by about 10% this year

By Scott McCaffrey
A home getting built (courtesy of RentCafe)

One in every 280 apartments set for completion in 2025 nationally will be in Arlington, a rate higher than last year, according to new data.

The expected 1,806 new rental units to become available countywide before the end of the year represents 0.36% of the national total of about 506,300 new apartments, according to recent estimates from RentCafe.com’s annual apartment construction report.

Go to New apartments hitting the market in Arlington increased by about 10% this year Read more
News

Falls Church Library Board plans more hands-on budget review this year

By Scott McCaffrey
Mary Riley Styles Library (via BKV Group)

Members of the Falls Church Library Board of Trustees will take more time to review staff budget proposals before they go to the city manager and City Council this year.

The process will take place in two steps, library leaders said at the board’s Aug. 20 meeting.

Go to Falls Church Library Board plans more hands-on budget review this year Read more
News

Final push toward Election Day starts right after Labor Day in Arlington

By Scott McCaffrey
Voting at Arlington Central Library on Nov. 7, 2023 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The two-month sprint to Election Day in Arlington begins next Tuesday as the Arlington County Civic Federation holds its annual candidate forum.

The Civic Federation is typically the first organization to hold a fall election-themed forum. This year, the event will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 2 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Hazel Auditorium at VHC Health.

Go to Final push toward Election Day starts right after Labor Day in Arlington Read more
Schools

Durán: APS is more than 99% staffed up as 2025-26 school year begins

By Scott McCaffrey
Superintendent Francisco Durán (screenshot via Arlington Public Schools)

Arlington Public Schools opens the 2025-26 school year with a 99.3% staffing rate, one of the highest in recent memory.

Only 34 staff positions out of more than 3,000 positions are unfilled, Superintendent Francisco Durán told School Board members on Aug. 21.

Go to Durán: APS is more than 99% staffed up as 2025-26 school year begins Read more
Schools

What changes to expect at APS when the school year begins next week

By Scott McCaffrey
An APS school bus (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Changes to the online back-to-school packet, updated cellphone policies and planning for projects to support student well-being are coming to Arlington Public Schools this year.

School leaders hope that some of the changes will deliver a smoother process leading up to the first day of class, which begins one week from today on Monday, Aug. 25.

Go to What changes to expect at APS when the school year begins next week Read more
View More Stories