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 reports some positive momentum in tackling chronic absenteeism

By Scott McCaffrey
Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Francisco Durán greets students at Gunston Middle School on the first day of school in 2023 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Arlington school leaders are making strides in reducing chronic student absenteeism, but the results have been uneven.

Twenty-eight county schools showed year-over-year declines in chronic-absentee rates in the second quarter of 2024-25. But 11 posted an increase, Superintendent Francisco Durán told School Board members last week.

Go to APS reports some positive momentum in tackling chronic absenteeism Read more
News

Ethiopian-American panelists take pride in heritage and in Arlington

By Scott McCaffrey
Screenshot from program on Ethiopian heritage in Arlington (screenshot via Arlington Historical Society program)

Arlington’s Ethiopian community works hard to successfully integrate into the broader community while retaining and celebrating its traditions.

That was the view of panelists as a Black History Month program convened Thursday (Feb. 13) by the Arlington Historical Society.

Go to Ethiopian-American panelists take pride in heritage and in Arlington Read more
News

Arlington candidates and officials of color still face hurdles, panelists say

By Scott McCaffrey
Emma Violand-Sánchez, Alfonso Lopez and Walter Tejada react to Barack Obama's 2008 victory (via emmaviolandsanchez.org)

Ongoing challenges for political candidates and elected officials of color were the topic of a recent discussion with several local leaders.

Representatives of minority groups who make it onto the ballot and into office too often are looked on as “representational symbols,” said Christian Dorsey, a former two-term Arlington County Board member.

Go to Arlington candidates and officials of color still face hurdles, panelists say Read more
Sports

Organizers of Senior Olympics expect 2025 to be biggest ever

By Scott McCaffrey
Rod Hupp (third from right) in disc-golf competition (courtesy N.Va. Senior Olympics)

Arlington’s “seasoned citizens” will have more opportunities than ever to participate in the 2025 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics.

The organization aims for an expansive, inclusive, record-setting 2025 when competition begins later in the year.

Go to Organizers of Senior Olympics expect 2025 to be biggest ever Read more
Sports

Commanders fans soon may have license plate to proclaim support

By Scott McCaffrey
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels throws a touchdown pass to Zach Ertz (screenshot via Washington Commanders/NBC)

Virginia fans of the Washington Commanders soon may be able to show their love via a specialty license plate.

Legislation patroned by Del. Adele McClure (D-2) of Arlington/Alexandria is moving forward in Richmond, allowing for a license plate honoring the NFL team.

Go to Commanders fans soon may have license plate to proclaim support Read more
News

Bill to give Falls Church more affordable-housing powers moves ahead

By Scott McCaffrey
Falls Church City Manager Wyatt Shields (screenshot via City of Falls Church)

Legislation to give Falls Church more tools to promote affordable-housing development is moving forward in Richmond.

Two companion bills, if approved by the legislature and signed by the governor, would add Falls Church to the list of Virginia localities allowed to craft a program related to affordable dwelling units through their zoning ordinances.

Go to Bill to give Falls Church more affordable-housing powers moves ahead Read more
News

‘Palestine Alphabet Book’ placed under review at Falls Church library

By Scott McCaffrey
A Falls Church Library Board of Trustees meeting (via City of Falls Church)

A children’s book about Palestine is under review at a Falls Church library following a complaint alleging antisemitic language.

“P is for Palestine: A Palestine Alphabet Book” is the work in question. Library Director Megan Dotzler said at a Feb. 5 meeting that a complaint had been lodged, leading to the review.

Go to ‘Palestine Alphabet Book’ placed under review at Falls Church library Read more
News

Beyer: Arlington Democrats need to run up vote totals in November

By Scott McCaffrey
Rep. Don Beyer speaks to Arlington Democrats, February 2025 (screenshot via Arlington Democrats)

Will the Arlington electorate deliver a record-setting vote for Democrats in November’s statewide elections?

Rep. Don Beyer (D-8) proposed this goal at the Feb. 5 Arlington County Democratic Committee meeting.

Go to Beyer: Arlington Democrats need to run up vote totals in November Read more
Schools

APS transgender policy faces dilemma after change in athletic league’s rules

By Scott McCaffrey and Dave Facinoli
Arlington School Board 2025 (screenshot via Arlington Public Schools)

A major policy shift by the Virginia High School League (VHSL) could impact how Arlington Public Schools approaches transgender athletes.

VHSL announced this week that it will follow an executive order from President Donald Trump that attempts to ban students born male from competing on girls teams, threatening financial sanctions if schools don’t comply.

Go to APS transgender policy faces dilemma after change in athletic league’s rules Read more
News

Ebbin measure aimed at local-government transparency delayed for more study

By Scott McCaffrey
Sen. Adam Ebbin (via adamebbin.com)

Arlington leaders had their worries addressed, but concerns expressed by leaders in Fairfax County helped to kill, for 2025, a bill aimed at ensuring transparency in local-government decisionmaking.

The measure, patroned by Virginia Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-39), had sailed through the upper chamber unanimously on Jan. 31.

Go to Ebbin measure aimed at local-government transparency delayed for more study Read more
News

Pike leaders envision economic-development gains in wake of transportation pains

By Scott McCaffrey
Columbia Pike approaching S. Greenbrier Street, before and after transportation upgrade (Arlington County)

With three years of a sometimes harrowing transportation-improvement effort coming to a close by the end of the year, the Columbia Pike corridor is primed a new chapter of growth.

“We are, together, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel” on road, transit and pedestrian/bicyclist upgrades up and down the 5-mile corridor, said Hui Wang of the Arlington Department of Environmental Services.

Go to Pike leaders envision economic-development gains in wake of transportation pains Read more
View More Stories