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.
Arlington Independent Policing Auditor Mummi Ibrahim (via Arlington County)
The Arlington County Board approved a new contract for the county’s independent policing auditor following almost three hours of closed-door conversation this week.
Little public discussion came before or after the vote on the employment agreement with Mummi Ibrahim, who has served in the post since 2022. However, the outcome of the meeting — which appeared to focus on criminal justice issues — is that Ibrahim will now serve at the pleasure of the County Board, rather than County Manager Mark Schwartz, Board spokesperson David Barrera told ARLnow.
Voters arrive at a polling place on April 21, 2026 (staff photo by Dan Egitto)
The voting schedule for the Nov. 3 general election is set in Arlington.
Early voting will begin on Friday, Sept. 18 at the Ellen M. Bozman Government Center, and will continue through Oct. 31. Starting Saturday, Oct. 17, satellite voting will take place at the Walter Reed and Langston-Brown community centers.
Construction near the Harris Teeter at 600 N. Glebe Road (staff photo by Ryan Cole)
A development project next to the Ballston Harris Teeter has been growing up fast.
The first apartments in the 197-unit building at 600 N. Glebe Road are expected to become available in spring 2027, Mary Senn, vice president of Southeastern Development Associates, told ARLnow.
Flags flying in the wind at Arlington County's justice center in Courthouse (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
The driver responsible for a DUI crash that killed an Arlington 19-year-old has been released from jail after less than two years behind bars.
Brooks Bare, who pleaded guilty to DUI involuntary manslaughter in the fatal rollover crash that took place on Oct. 12, 2024, was released from jail on Tuesday, Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti confirmed to ARLnow.
Commission members last year recommended that city leaders consider a change to the current flag, which shows the city seal featuring the historic Falls Church, from which the city takes its name.
Clarendon skyline reflected in Pacers Running windows (courtesy George Brazier)
MarginEdge Lands $80 Million — “Arlington-based restaurant software firm MarginEdge Co. has closed an $80 million Series D funding round to expand its AI product development and staff up.” The 11-year-old company has now raised $162 million since its founding. [WBJ]
Alexander Launches New Show — Local resident Peter Alexander, who left NBC News in March, now hosts “State of Play” on MS NOW. “The ability to have a high-pressure job in the District and a very normal life in Arlington — there are very few places… where you can have both,” he said. [Arlington Magazine]
Reminder: New Podcast — The ARLnow Daily Update podcast is now available via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible and other apps. Each episode runs 4-5 minutes, publishes shortly after 4 p.m. each weekday, and recaps the past day of our original reporting. [ARLnow]
Gold Long Before Huske — Shelley Mann, paralyzed in one leg by polio at age 6, took up swimming and went on to win gold in the 100-meter butterfly at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, setting a world record. She attended Washington-Lee High School. [Arlington Magazine]
ICE Agent Draws Gun — “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents confronted a driver and accused her of trying to run them over in a Bailey’s Crossroads parking lot… a claim contradicted by video recordings that the woman captured of the encounter.” The lot sits near the Arlington border. [FFXnow]
Symphony’s Future Weighed — “Kennedy Center budget planners sketched out three options for its two-year renovation, including ways to keep the National Symphony Orchestra performing during construction.” One scenario would move the orchestra to offsite venues. The board meets today. [Axios]
Stay Out of the Potomac — “Every year, people underestimate the power of the Potomac River at Great Falls. This summer alone, we’ve responded to multiple drowning incidents,” Montgomery County police said. Officials are urging visitors to stay on marked trails and out of the water. [MoCoShow]
Va. Vaccine Rules Unchanged — “After President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday to alter childhood vaccine guidance, Virginia’s Department of Health on Tuesday reaffirmed the state’s requirements and recommendations for all children to be vaccinated.” [Virginia Mercury]
Hazy Skies Into Next Week — “Computer model projections show light amounts of smoke lingering through the weekend before a cold front on Monday may push much of it to the south.” Air quality has slipped to code yellow, and the haze may shave a degree off high temperatures. [Capital Weather]
It’s Thursday — Expect mostly sunny skies today with a high near 91 and a northwest wind of 3–8 mph. Rain chances are slim. Tonight will be partly cloudy with a low around 73. [NWS]
There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.
Arlene Evans and Barry Dewberry Outpatient Pavilion signage (courtesy VHC Health)
A $17.5 million donation to VHC Health, the largest philanthropic gift in the organization’s history, is supporting a new cancer center expected to open in 2028.
VHC Health is renaming its outpatient pavilion the “Arlene Evans and Barry Dewberry Outpatient Pavilion” in honor of the donors, who previously contributed $3 million to the hospital that helped establish a simulation center on the hospital’s main Arlington campus.
Power outage from falling tree, around 11:45 a.m. (via Dominion)
Several northern Arlington neighborhoods lost power late Wednesday morning after a tree fell.
The tree fell across power and other utility lines shortly before 11 a.m., on Little Falls Road near the intersection with N. George Mason Drive, according to scanner traffic.
Arlington apartment rents remain among the most expensive in the nation, but the units themselves are on the smaller end, according to new data.
The average unit in apartment buildings constructed in Arlington between 2016 and 2025 is 815 square feet. That’s down 8% from the previous decade, when the typical new apartment was 859 square feet.
