Disability Pride Month 2025 proclamation ceremony (courtesy Arlington County)
Members of Arlington’s Disability Advisory Commission argue that they could do more good by being an integral part of creating properties, not just reviewing them.
“We feel a frustration dealing with the county’s current planning process,” said Commissioner Bryant Atkins.
A voter fills out a ballot at a polling place on April 21, 2026 (staff photo by Dan Egitto)
Arlington stands to be divided into two congressional districts following last night’s statewide referendum, which narrowly passed with overwhelming support from local voters.
The “yes” vote rolled up about 80% of the vote in Arlington, based on preliminary vote totals released last night by the Virginia Department of Elections. This helped the measure squeak by statewide with about 51.5% of the vote — a majority of about 90,000 votes out of more than 3 million cast, according to preliminary figures.
That somewhat aggressive planning timeline was laid out at a community-kickoff meeting for the project yesterday (Monday). Current plans anticipate the project heading to the full Planning Commission on Sept. 9 and the County Board on Sept. 19, although that timetable may slip.
Raindrops on flowers in Rosslyn along Lynn Street (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Teen Charged in Officer Assault — A boy in his late teens was taken into custody Monday afternoon after police say he kicked an officer while being detained at a business in the 200 block of S. Glebe Road. The officer was not injured. Petitions for assault on police and disorderly conduct were sought. [ACPD]
Fire Station 8 Goes Green — Arlington’s new Fire Station 8 has earned LEED Gold certification, featuring an underground stormwater vault, a green vegetated roof, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and 57 solar panels. The station stands on the historic footprint of the Halls Hill Volunteer Fire Department, the only Arlington station staffed by an all-Black volunteer unit for decades during segregation. [Arlington County]
Water Shortage Risk Grows — A growing risk of water shortages looms as the Potomac River hits near-record lows. The river is “at its lowest point that it’s ever been for this particular date,” based on more than 130 years of data, said Michael Nardolilli of the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin. Severe drought has expanded to cover 31% of the region. [WTOP, CWG/X]
Red Flag Law Takes Guns — Fairfax County has processed 481 Emergency Substantial Risk cases and temporarily seized 947 guns since Virginia’s Red Flag law took effect in 2020. “Every one of those cases, I believe, is the opportunity to not only make our community safer, but potentially save a life,” Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano said. [WTOP]
Airport Merch Coming — The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is preparing to launch an online store selling merchandise branded for Reagan National and Dulles airports, aimed at “AVGeeks, locals and everyone in between.” The store is in a testing phase and no launch date has been announced. MWAA’s move follows WMATA’s popular Metro-branded merchandise offerings. [WBJ]
Pentagon’s Record Budget Ask — President Trump’s $1.5 trillion defense budget request includes a new “presidential priorities” category, earmarking $750 billion for the Golden Dome missile defense system, drones, artificial intelligence and building up the defense industrial base. The proposed 42% increase from last year would be the biggest year-over-year boost since WWII. [The Hill]
It’s Wednesday — Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms mainly between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. today, with a high near 74, a west wind around 8 mph, and a 50% chance of precipitation. Showers should taper by 8 p.m., with a mostly clear overnight low around 55. [NWS]
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As of 10 p.m., with all Arlington County precincts reporting, the “yes” vote led by 80% to 20% for no. Statewide the race was much closer, with 51.3% for yes and 48.7% for no.
Jail entrance at the Arlington County Detention Facility (file photo)
Deputies inside the Arlington County jail have started wearing body cameras, a move touted as “a significant step forward in enhancing safety, transparency, and accountability.”
The Arlington County Sheriff’s Office announced the rollout today (Tuesday), saying Axon-brand cameras have been issued to deputies across several operational areas of the jail. ACSO previously used body-worn cameras only in civil process work and inmate transportation.
Voters fill out ballots at a polling place on April 21, 2026 (staff photo by Dan Egitto)
Roughly 37% Arlington voters have cast ballots in the statewide redistricting referendum as of this afternoon.
About 14% of voters visited a polling place as of 1:30 p.m., while 23% of local voters cast ballots early, according to the latest numbers from Arlington’s elections office.
County Board members are closing in on a decision about whether parts of the Nelly Custis School should receive historic designations.
Board members are slated to take their first procedural step toward a future decision on the 1.7-acre property tomorrow (Wednesday). They are likely to adopt an initiating resolution for consideration of the historic district proposed by a local resident and recommended by the Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB).
9/11 memorial at Arlington Fire Station No. 5 near Pentagon City (Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar)
Polls Open Today — Virginia’s special election is today, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters must go to their assigned polling place. On the ballot: a proposed state constitutional amendment that would temporarily allow the General Assembly to redraw congressional districts. Arlington Public Schools is off today due to the election. [Arlington Elections/X, Arlington County]
Amazon Behind on HQ2 Jobs — Amazon’s HQ2 in Pentagon City is falling short of its promised job targets for a third straight year. By the end of 2025, the company should have added 11,643 jobs under its state incentive agreement; instead it has created 7,159, or 28.6% of its 25,000-job goal by 2038. [Washington Post]
Defense Powers Office Market — Defense contractors drove N. Va.’s office leasing market in the first quarter, accounting for 85.2% of the largest deals, per JLL. Trophy vacancy fell to 13.9% as Lockheed Martin renewed its 176,127-square-foot lease at 2121 Crystal Drive in Crystal City — the quarter’s biggest deal. [WBJ]
Beyer Vows Kennedy Center Fight — Rep. Don Beyer (D) vowed to fight changes at the Kennedy Center, calling them “a disturbing extension of this Administration’s pay-to-play corruption.” Beyer was responding to a new Atlantic article on the institution’s ongoing leadership drama. [Rep. Don Beyer/X]
Sen. Warner Mourns Daughter — Sen. Mark Warner (D) and his wife Lisa Collis announced yesterday that their daughter Madison Warner, 36, has died after decades of battling juvenile diabetes and other health issues. “She filled our lives with love and laughter,” the family said. [ALXnow]
Tick Season Returns — As temperatures rise, tick activity is picking up across Virginia. State health officials say ticks can spread Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Alpha-gal Syndrome, and are urging Virginians to use EPA-registered insect repellents and check themselves after spending time outdoors. [VDH]
It’s Tuesday — Expect widespread frost before 10 am, followed by sunny weather with a high near 62°F. Winds will be calm, shifting to the south at about 6 mph in the afternoon. On Tuesday night, there is a 30% chance of showers after 2 am, with partly cloudy skies and a low around 50°F. South winds will increase to 7 to 9 mph. [NWS]
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Police assault suspect Oleh Mashkin (mugshot via ACPD)
A 34-year-old Arlington man is behind bars and facing numerous charges after police say he injured half a dozen officers and a police dog.
Oleh Mashkin entered a condo building on Columbia Pike around 6 p.m. Friday, shoved someone out of an elevator, and then kicked down the door of an unoccupied apartment, according to Arlington County police.