Relatively modest changes to Northern Virginia zoning requirements could be a key step to delivering on more housing stock, panelists suggested last week.
Members of a panel convened by George Mason University last Wednesday argued in favor of looser zoning policies and other changes to how localities approach the development process. The alterations don’t need to be draconian or revolutionary to have a positive effect, participants said.
Arlington’s unemployment rate dropped below 3% in April for the first time since last June, with the lowest number of residents counted as jobless in a year.
With 146,680 county residents employed in the civilian workforce and 4,424 looking for jobs, the county’s unemployment rate stood at 2.9% for the month, according to data reported June 3 by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement.
Arlington County police are investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash early Monday morning on Columbia Pike.
The crash happened around 1:20 a.m. in the westbound lanes of the Pike at S. Thomas Street, between Four Mile Run Drive and S. George Mason Drive.
Weigh In on the Arch — The National Park Service is taking public comment through June 15 on the effects of President Trump’s proposed 250-foot triumphal arch at Memorial Circle, near Arlington National Cemetery. Last week, the National Capital Planning Commission requested more details and questioned whether the structure violates the federal Height Act, as protesters rallied against the project. [WTOP, NBC Washington]
Flyover at Noon — From AlertDC: “The U.S. Military will conduct an Aircraft Flyover in the NCR over Arlington National Cemetery Monday, June 8 at approximately 12Noon.”
Acosta Weds in Arlington — PBS News Hour White House correspondent Liz Landers and independent journalist Jim Acosta married Saturday before 150 guests at the Army Navy Country Club. The two met at CNN, where Landers found Acosta “less serious and funnier in person than he was on TV.” [Washingtonian]
Local Pizzeria Cracks Top 50 — A Modo Mio (5555 Langston Blvd) landed at No. 37 on 50 Top Pizza’s 2026 list of the nation’s best pizzerias, the third time in four years it has made the ranking. The Neapolitan restaurant said it was honored to be the only Virginia or D.C. pizzeria named. [N. Va. Magazine]
Trump Pitches Potomac Promenade — President Trump announced plans for a pedestrian walkway connecting the Lincoln Memorial to the Potomac River, crossing two busy roadways. Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum cast it as fulfilling the early-1900s McMillan Plan, though architects and historians said he was misconstruing the memorial’s design. Trump said some want to call it the “Trump promenade.” [Washington Post]
Budget Talks Blow Up — Virginia budget negotiations have collapsed over data center tax breaks, raising the prospect of a skinny budget that funds only core services before state money runs out June 30. Talks broke down after a Friday meeting among Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D), Senate Appropriations Chair Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) and House counterpart Luke Torian (D-Prince William). Lucas warned they were making a “MONUMENTAL MISTAKE.” [Virginia Scope]
Warner Backs Hot Chicken Bill — Sen. Mark Warner (D) is co-sponsoring bipartisan legislation to let SNAP recipients buy hot rotisserie chicken, which current rules bar even though a chilled bird qualifies. Warner called the Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act a “commonsense fix to an outdated rule” that would help families put an affordable meal on the table. Companion legislation has passed the House. [Press Release]
Metro Ridership Takes Off — Metro recorded its busiest 8-9 a.m. rush hour since 2020 on June 2, when more than 71,500 customers entered the rail system. Dulles Airport also set a record May 22 with more than 7,500 trips. “Ridership is taking off!” the transit agency posted. [DC News Now]
Iran War Cools Local Economy — The region’s economy slipped in April, with CBRE’s REVIVE Regional Vibrancy Index down 0.6% as inflation from the war in Iran took hold. Commercial property sales have fallen 22% since January. Still, CBRE researcher Ian Anderson said the local job market is “starting to turn a corner” after federal cuts. [WBJ]
It’s Monday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 83, with an east wind around 5–9 mph. It stays mostly clear overnight with a low around 58. [NWS]
New Legal Notice — Coffee purveyor seeks beer and wine license. [Public Notices]
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When plans were announced for Arlington’s bicentennial celebration in 2001, one question emerged among county residents: It was the bicentennial of what, exactly?
A woman had her phone and her car’s tires and rims stolen by a trio of thieves who also stole from and damaged several other vehicles.
That’s according to the latest Arlington County Police Department crime report.
All three Democratic candidates for County Board say they support at least some district-based representation on the governing body.
While the five seats on the Board are all currently at-large, some advocates have called for creating voting districts as part of potential future governance changes. Current County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti and challengers James DeVita and Julie Farnam endorse the concept, at least to some extent.
Americana Sign Seeks New Home — The National Landing Business Improvement District is working with Arlington County to relocate the neon sign that marked the Americana Hotel, the mid-century Crystal City motel demolished in 2023. “We’re avid fans of the Americana sign,” said BID president Tracy Sayegh Gabriel, who hopes to find it a spot near Long Bridge Park. [WBJ]
Bond Sale Generates Savings — Arlington County issued $169.3 million in general obligation bonds on June 3, with Bank of America winning the competitive sale at a 3.61% average interest rate. Refunding $8.4 million of higher-rate bonds generated $374,000 in debt service savings for the county and schools. [Arlington County]
Acquisition for Local Company — Arlington-based Bloomberg Industry Group has acquired Palo Alto-based Regology, an AI-powered platform that monitors federal, state and international regulations. CEO Josh Eastright said the deal expands how the company supports customers “managing increased regulatory complexity.” [Potomac Tech Wire]
National Night Out Returns — The Arlington County Police Department is inviting neighborhoods, businesses and organizations to host National Night Out events on Tuesday, Aug. 4 from 5-8 p.m. The annual event pairs residents with public safety personnel at cookouts and block parties. Registration is free and due by July 24. [ACPD]
Celebrating Pride Month — There are a number of Pride Month events around the area, including a Pride celebration at the Mosaic District on June 6, a Pride Senior Prom at Central Library on June 12 and the Penrose Pride Parade on June 28. [Arlington Magazine]
A Swimmer’s Comeback — Marymount University senior Miah Lopez, a psychology major, returned to competitive swimming after a nontraditional path that included time away following her brother’s death. She won Rookie Athlete of the Year for the Atlantic East Conference. “It’s never too late to pursue something important to you,” she said. [Marymount]
Gun Purchases Surge in Virginia — Virginia recorded 72,956 firearm background checks in May — more than double the 35,571 from a year earlier — as a state ban on “assault firearms” takes effect July 1, according to Virginia State Police. The new law makes it a misdemeanor to buy, sell or manufacture such weapons. [WJLA]
Optimism for Housing Bill — A bipartisan housing bill backed by Virginia’s congressional delegation is nearing passage, with provisions to convert vacant commercial sites to housing and curb large investors from buying single-family homes. “Never underestimate the ability of Congress to screw up a sure thing,” Sen. Mark Warner (D) said, though he is cautiously optimistic the Senate can finish the deal. [Virginia Mercury]
RGGI Return Draws Warning — Virginia is set to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in July, but the American Action Forum, a center-right policy institute, argues in a new paper that layering carbon pricing on the state’s net-zero mandate is “a recipe for high utility bills.” The group’s energy policy director urged policymakers to delay Virginia’s compliance until at least 2027. [Shuting Pomerleau/X]
It’s Friday — Expect a mix of sun and some clouds today, with a high near 93 and west winds of 2–6 mph. Skies turn partly cloudy overnight with a low around 69. [NWS]
The National Capital Planning Commission has kept alive the triumphal arch that President Donald Trump wants built between the Memorial Bridge and Arlington National Cemetery.
However, the body is requesting more information on how it could potentially impact air travel navigation in the area, as well as other specifics on construction and traffic in the area.
A 37-year-old man is facing charges after allegedly knifing a woman who was walking her dog in Ballston.
The incident happened just after 5 a.m. Wednesday on the 4000 block of Fairfax Drive, about a block from Arlington Central Library.
Ceremonies honoring two local pioneering Black physicians took place on Saturday afternoon with both descendants and civic leaders in attendance.
A commemorative plaque honoring Dr. Harold Johnson and Dr. Edward Morton was unveiled at a new pocket park located on the grounds of VHC Health at 19th Street N. and N. Edison Street.
Falls Church leaders are weighing a few options as they decide the fate of a major affordable housing project.
City officials plan to rehabilitate or redevelop at least a portion of the 40 fourplex apartment buildings on the Virginia Village site through a future partnership with a housing developer. A work session on Monday focused on refining the request for proposal that will be put out, soliciting partnerships.
