The Associated Press | ARLnow

NEW: Excavation for Trump’s arch at Memorial Circle to begin within two weeks

Published September 3, 2026 at 7:30PM

Flags placed by workers are pictured in the Memorial Circle, where President Donald Trump has proposed building an arch to commemorate the United States' 250th anniversary, Friday, May 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Excavation work is set to start over the next two weeks at Memorial Circle, where the Trump administration plans to build a towering, gilded arch between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

The administration announced the timeline Thursday. The project is facing a lawsuit, and critics say it will disrupt historic sightlines in Washington, D.C.

News

National Park Service backs Trump’s arch, despite its impact on Washington’s sightline

By The Associated Press

Published August 29, 2026 at 10:45AM

Visitors walk at the Great American State Fair with the triumphal arch model and the U.S. Capitol, in the background, Wednesday, July 8, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new National Park Service report backs President Donald Trump’s proposed arch, despite what it says are adverse effects to the sightline between a host of iconic landmarks in Washington, including the Washington Monument and Lincoln and Jefferson memorials.

The report released Friday says the 250-foot-tall (76-meter) memorial arch is likely to disrupt the historical significance of dozens of sites near its planned location adjacent to Memorial Bridge.

News

Controllers raised Marine One radio problems a week before DCA close call

By The Associated Press and ARLnow.com

Published August 27, 2026 at 5:30PM

President Donald Trump, left, walks from Marine One to board Air Force One, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Md., en route to South Carolina. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Air traffic controllers and the pilots of President Donald Trump’s helicopter met to discuss radio problems one week before a jet was allowed to take off from Reagan National Airport just as Marine One lifted off from the White House.

Controllers had reported not receiving the standard three-minute warning call ahead of Marine One flights, and both sides agreed to an alternative in those instances — but that plan, to relay the radio call through someone else, was also unsuccessful on the day of the Aug. 4 incident, the National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report shows. The report was released Thursday.

News

Beyer blasts Trump trade war with Canada

By ARLnow.com and The Associated Press

Published August 24, 2026 at 2:30PM

FILE - President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney meet in the Oval Office of the White House, Oct. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) says President Trump’s trade war with Canada is doing damage that may take years to undo — if it can be undone at all.

Trump threatened today to impose a 50% tariff on Canadian automobiles, auto parts and steel starting next year. That came days after the U.S. levied 50% tariffs Saturday on about $20 billion worth of Canadian goods.

News

Kennedy Center board votes to restore Trump’s name and close for 2 years, challenging a judge’s order

By The Associated Press and ARLnow.com

Published August 13, 2026 at 5:15PM

The exterior of the Kennedy Center is seen, Friday, July 31, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

The battle over the Kennedy Center’s future escalated Thursday as President Donald Trump’s allies on the board took new steps to commemorate him with physical changes to the iconic performing arts institution that could defy a federal court order.

During an hourslong meeting that was conducted virtually, the board voted to add Trump’s name to the building’s facade so it would read “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Restored and Renovated By President Donald J. Trump.” The plaza in front of the building would be named after Trump and most of the space at the venue would be closed for two years to allow for substantial renovations.

News

FAA investigating why a plane was allowed to take off from DCA as Marine One approached

By The Associated Press and ARLnow.com

Published August 5, 2026 at 4:30PM | Updated August 5, 2026 at 7:51PM

Marine One, left, with President Donald Trump aboard, lifts off from the Ellipse, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating why a plane was allowed to take off as President Donald Trump’s helicopter was approaching Reagan National Airport.

The incident appears to be a violation of safety procedures put in place after last year’s midair collision over the Potomac River. It occurred Tuesday afternoon as Marine One left the White House for Andrews Air Force Base with the president aboard for the first leg of a West Coast trip.

News

JUST IN: Virginia may vote early in the 2028 presidential primary — on leap day

By ARLnow.com and The Associated Press

Published July 24, 2026 at 3:45PM

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

Virginia voters may get a say in picking the next Democratic presidential nominee before most of the country does.

The Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws Committee voted today (Friday) to give the Commonwealth one of six spots in the early window of the party’s 2028 presidential nominating calendar. Virginia would go last of the six, on Feb. 29, 2028 — leap day.

News

More public comment requested on Trump’s plan for a triumphal arch

By Dan Egitto and The Associated Press

Published July 17, 2026 at 8:30AM

Rendering of proposed arch near Memorial Bridge (via Commission of Fine Arts)

The National Park Service is requesting more public input on a plan to build a triumphal arch on the Virginia side of Memorial Bridge.

Respondents have until Thursday, July 30 to submit feedback on President Donald Trump’s plans to build the 250-foot arch in a heavily trafficked roundabout between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

Weather

NEW: Code Red air quality alert prompts Arlington to move outdoor rec programs indoors Friday

By ARLnow.com and The Associated Press

Published July 16, 2026 at 8:35PM | Updated July 17, 2026 at 10:30AM

Haze from wildfires, as seen at Long Bridge Park (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Update on 7/17/26 — The Code Red alert has been upgraded to a Code Purple alert due to the thick smoke.

Earlier: The wildfire smoke hanging over the region is expected to get worse on Friday, prompting Arlington to move or cancel all of its outdoor parks and recreation programming for the day.

News

Beyer backed attempt to end U.S. military aid to Israel, which split House Democrats

By Dan Egitto and The Associated Press

Published July 16, 2026 at 9:15AM

Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) speaks on the House floor, April 2024 (via Rep. Don Beyer/Twitter)

U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) was a supporter of an amendment to slash U.S. military financing to Israel, which divided House Democrats yesterday (Wednesday).

Prior to the 104-314 vote — which pitted supporters including House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) against opponents including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) — Beyer voiced support stripping $3.3 billion in support to Israel.

News

‘Explosive diarrhea’ parasite reported in N. Va., but it’s not an outbreak, authorities say

By Dan Egitto and The Associated Press

Published July 15, 2026 at 9:15AM

This undated photo taken through a microscope provided by the CDC shows Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts found in a fresh stool sample which had been prepared with a formalin solution and stained with safranin. (CDC via AP)

An outbreak of diarrhea-inducing parasites has been raising food safety concerns around the country, but health authorities say there’s little cause for alarm in Virginia.

Ten cases of cyclosporiasis were reported in Virginia between the start of the year and June 6, including four in Northern Virginia, according to data from the Virginia Department of Health. That’s compared to a year-to-date average of 6.6 cases statewide.

News

UPDATED: Trump’s plan for a triumphal arch in DC wins early approval from a key federal agency

By The Associated Press

Published July 9, 2026 at 10:00AM | Updated July 9, 2026 at 5:48PM

Visitors walk at the Great American State Fair with the triumphal arch model and the U.S. Capitol, in the background, Wednesday, July 8, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s plans to build a skyline-altering arch in the nation’s capital won initial approval Thursday from a key federal commission.

The National Capital Planning Commission voted to approve preliminary site and building plans for the 250-foot (76-meter) arch the Republican president wants to build on a traffic circle at the Virginia end of Memorial Bridge from Washington.