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.

Schools

APS holds its first-ever summer graduation ceremony, awarding 39 diplomas

By Scott McCaffrey
Graduate in a purple cap and gown raises her arms in celebration beside a speaker at a podium on stage.
A summer graduate reacts prior to receiving her diploma (screenshot via APS)

For the first time, Arlington Public Schools has hosted a summer graduation ceremony honoring the achievements of 39 high school seniors.

The students, representing all the county’s public schools, completed final diploma requirements during the school system’s four-week summer school program.

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Schools

Student musicians rock out at Arlington Mill concert for after-school programs

By Scott McCaffrey
Group of young musicians performing outdoors: two guitarists in front, drummer in back, with cables and a keyboard on table nearby.
Members of the Jackson Nine perform at the Aspire! concert (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

An Arlington Mill concert featuring student musicians and other local bands raised funds for Aspire! Afterschool Learning last weekend.

The Jackson Nine, a group of youth in Aspire’s no-cost summer program, rounded out an afternoon of performances at Arlington Mill Community Center plaza, which also included the adult bands APM (Always Preparing Mentally), The Stacks and Angel Roads.

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News

Columbia Pike photographers still documenting an era of ‘transition’ after 20 years

By Scott McCaffrey
Man in an orange shirt stands at a lectern beside a large TV displaying a nighttime city street scene.
Lloyd Wolf with a nightscape of Columbia Pike (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Nearly 20 years after its founding, the Columbia Pike Documentary Project has never run out of people, places and events to chronicle.

“The community is still in transition,” Lloyd Wolf, one of the initiative’s founders, said during a July 26 presentation at the Arlington Historical Society.

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News

Arlington Democrats poised to endorse Kim Rucker for treasurer

By Scott McCaffrey
Treasurer Carla de la Pava, right, with Chief Deputy Treasurer Kim Rucker prior to de la Pava's retirement (courtesy Carla de la Pava)

Arlington Democrats appear to have their nominee for the upcoming special election for treasurer, while Republicans are seeking to recruit a challenger.

Kim Rucker, who became treasurer upon incumbent Carla de la Pava’s retirement earlier this month, was the only candidate to file for the Democratic endorsement, Democratic officials told ARLnow.

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News

Arlington apartment rents may have peaked for 2026, analysts say

By Scott McCaffrey
An apartment building in Shirlington (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

The median cost of renting an apartment in Arlington has likely hit its high point for 2026 after increasing 3.5% since the start of the year.

The county’s $2,611 median rent in July — $2,459 for one-bedroom units, $2,975 for two-bedroom units — was down 1.1% year-over-year but remains among the priciest in the nation.

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News

Number of unemployed Arlington residents is up 44% since Trump took office

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

Unemployment in Arlington is stabilizing but remains greatly elevated compared to the end of 2024, according to new data.

With 146,571 county residents employed in the civilian workforce and 4,622 looking for jobs, June’s unemployment rate was 3.1%, according to data reported July 29 by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement.

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News

County Board candidates wary of promising a new Columbia Pike library

By Scott McCaffrey
Exterior of Columbia Pike Branch Library with a concrete wall and tall glass windows.
Columbia Pike branch library (via Arlington County)

County Board candidates say economic uncertainties make it unlikely a new branch library for Columbia Pike is on the horizon.

“I would love to see a [new] library on Columbia Pike,” Julie Farnam said at a July 20 candidate forum sponsored by the Douglas Park Civic Association. “But right now, I think that’s not feasible.”

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Schools

School Board considers ban on petting service dogs

By Scott McCaffrey
Bulldog in a red service dog training vest with 'SERVICE DOG TRAINING' text, lying on grass and looking at the camera.
Service dog in training (via Donald Teel/Unsplash)

The Arlington School Board is considering a formal ban on petting dogs that are working as service animals.

As part of a July 22 Policy Committee meeting, School Board members reviewed a proposal to officially require that students and staff refrain from extraneous interactions with service animals, including petting them.

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News

Key issues in County Board primary include affordability, economic strategy

By Scott McCaffrey
Democratic County Board candidates Matt de Ferranti, Julie Farnam and James DeVita (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti says he is providing steady leadership in uncertain times, while primary challengers say he has much to answer for.

Julie Farnam and James DeVita are attempting to unseat de Ferranti in the primary next Tuesday, Aug. 4. The winner becomes the odds-on favorite in the Nov. 3 general election against independents Audrey Clement and David Sisson.

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News

Arlington’s ban on gas leaf blowers earns praise from Virginia environmentalists

By Scott McCaffrey
Leaf cleanup in Arlington (staff file photo by Jay Westcott)

A statewide environmental advocacy group has praised Arlington’s recent decision to phase out gas-powered leaf blowers.

The Quiet Clean Virginia Foundation sees the County Board’s vote on July 18 as a model for other localities across the state.

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News

Arlington Republicans push for strong turnout in U.S. Senate primary

By Scott McCaffrey
Two men in suits smiling for a selfie with American flags and a formal room backdrop behind them accessibly in the background.
Senate candidate Bert Mizusawa with Vice President JD Vance (campaign website)

Arlington Republicans are being encouraged by party leadership to cast ballots in next Tuesday’s U.S. Senate primary.

While the campaign involving Republicans Bert Mizusawa, Kim Farington and David Williams has flown largely under the radar in mostly Democratic Northern Virginia, participating in the selection of a nominee is important, GOP Chair Matthew Hurtt said.

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Schools

APS developing new ‘academic integrity’ policy to address AI

By Scott McCaffrey
Students at computer (via Anastassia Anufrieva/Unsplash)

Arlington Public Schools is developing a new policy to address the use of AI and other emerging technologies.

The new “academic integrity policy” will contribute to “a broader framework for academic honesty and responsible learning” as APS continues efforts to navigate the possibilities and challenges of new tools, Christina Arpante, interim assistant superintendent for school and community relations, told ARLnow. She added:

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