County Board members say further steps to protect students along S. Carlin Springs Road will be in place before classes resume in late August.
“We want to be responsive — all of us care and have been engaged,” Board Chair Matt de Ferranti said in response to concerns raised at the Board’s Saturday (July 18) meeting.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) is pushing for more regulations on data centers as part of a new package of artificial intelligence bills introduced in Congress yesterday (Tuesday).
The legislative agenda, titled “A Framework for America’s AI Future,” is Warner’s plan for the United States to develop AI responsibly. Virginia’s senior senator said the bills resulted from years of work examining AI’s impact on the economy, national security, competition and American workers.
Falls Church is staying true to its reputation as a Democratic bastion, based on voting trends leading into the Aug. 4 primary.
Of the 346 ballots cast as of July 20, a total of 324 — or 94% — have been in the Democratic primary for 8th District U.S. House of Representatives. The remaining 6% have been cast in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate.
Cart Robbery Foiled — An Arlington man, 71, was arrested after police say he filled a shopping cart at a business in the 2500 block of 9th Road S. and tried to leave without paying Monday morning. An employee confronted him and the two struggled over the merchandise before the man fled on foot, leaving everything behind, according to police. He was later identified and charged with attempted robbery. [ACPD]
Rosslyn Cyberwarfare Unicorn — Twenty Technologies, a Rosslyn-based cyberwarfare startup, saw its valuation jump to $1.2 billion after a $30 million investment from California venture firm Khosla Ventures. The company became the nation’s first venture-backed cyberwarfare unicorn last month and plans to grow its technical team. [WBJ]
Arlington’s Miss Virginia USA — Arlington resident Justus Kelley was crowned Miss Virginia USA 2026 and will compete for the national title in August. Kelley says she’s the first Miss Virginia who’s also a mom. [N. Va. Magazine]
Student Rockers Take the Stage — Students in Aspire Afterschool Learning’s no-cost summer program have formed a rock band, The Jackson Nine, headlining a free music festival Sunday at the Arlington Mill Community Center (909 S. Dinwiddie Street) from 4 to 6 p.m. Donations support the South Arlington nonprofit’s programs. [Press Release]
Westover Cottage Hits Market — A 1914 stucco cottage in Westover is on the market for $1.35 million. The three-bedroom, four-bathroom home on N. Nicholas Street has been expanded to nearly 2,800 square feet and features a finished basement, a front-yard gazebo and manicured gardens. [N. Va. Magazine]
Past the Summer Peak — The first half of climatological summer was the District’s fourth-warmest on record, averaging 79.8 degrees, or 2.2 degrees above normal, Capital Weather reports. The region is now past the peak, with average temperatures easing from here through the rest of summer. [Capital Weather]
It’s Wednesday — Expect partly sunny skies today with a high near 86 and a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly in the afternoon. Winds will blow from the west at 7–12 mph. An evening storm is possible before skies turn mostly cloudy overnight, with a low around 65. [NWS]
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Police have arrested a suspect following a bank robbery in Crystal City yesterday (Tuesday).
The suspect, Brian Frances, 36, is accused of robbing the Bank of America at 1425 S. Eads Street, across from Amazon’s HQ2, around 12:20 p.m.
Despite economic challenges, Arlington’s new director of economic development believes the county is poised to enter a positive era.
“We are in a transformational moment,” Anna Nissinen said during the July 14 meeting of the Economic Development Commission.
A Falls Church man has been arrested after allegedly trying to prevent police from entering a hotel room containing the dead body of a 78-year-old woman.
The Falls Church Police Department announced the investigation of a “suspicious death” following the incident at the Sonesta Suites (205 Hillwood Avenue). Police said they were dispatched around 10:10 a.m. last Tuesday for a welfare check on a guest.
It likely won’t be needed, but the Arlington County Democratic Committee has finalized plans for a caucus to select the party’s nominee for county treasurer.
Democrats have set Friday as the filing date for caucus contenders. Prospective candidates will have a three-hour window — from 4-7 p.m. — on that date to bring their paperwork to the committee’s headquarters in Shirlington.
A serious crash on GW Parkway injured two construction workers and left passengers trapped inside a flaming vehicle on Friday night, authorities say.
One of the construction workers was taken to the hospital in “life-threatening condition,” while the other five people were transported “in critical but stable condition,” U.S. Park Police told ARLnow.
County Board members approved over $3 million in funding for several infrastructure projects on Saturday.
They approved $2.57 million in funding for four new “Neighborhood Complete Streets” projects, in addition to a $925,000 purchase of a Westover home to support stormwater management.
Teens Rob Rideshare Driver — Four teenagers were taken into custody after allegedly assaulting and robbing a rideshare driver on S. Eads Street early Saturday. The driver was inside his vehicle when the passengers attacked him following a verbal dispute, stealing a phone charger before fleeing on foot, according to police. The suspects face petitions for robbery, assault by mob and conspiracy. [ACPD, Dave Statter/X]
Highland Street House Fire — Arlington County Fire Department crews knocked down a house fire Monday evening at the corner of Arlington Blvd and N. Highland Street. No civilians or firefighters were injured, and the fire marshal is investigating, ACFD said. Initial reports suggest the blaze started outside, next to the house, and spread to the structure. [ARLnow/X, ACFD/X]
Nearly 200 Charges in Gym Thefts — An Alexandria man, 29, faces nearly 200 charges tied to thefts from unlocked vehicles parked outside gyms in Fairfax County and Falls Church. Since April, detectives say he stole wallets and credit cards from the vehicles, then made fraudulent gift card purchases at nearby retailers before victims realized their belongings were gone. He is being held at the Arlington County jail. [ALXnow]
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Renters Get More Time — A new state law gives Virginia tenants more time to catch up on overdue rent before facing eviction. House Bill 15, from Del. Cia Price (D-Newport News), extends the grace period to pay from five to 14 days. The law also makes a pilot eviction diversion program permanent and expands it statewide. [Virginia Mercury]
Higher Bills for Power Line — Electric customers in N. Va. will help pay for a 115-mile transmission line planned across rural Virginia. The 765-kilovolt line, driven largely by data center demand, could cost $1 to $2 billion and add $1 or $2 to the transmission portion of Dominion bills, a company spokesman said. The project faces opposition from communities along its route. [WTOP]
Severe Storms Possible Today — The area faces an enhanced risk of severe storms this afternoon and evening, with the National Weather Service placing it at a Level 3 out of 5 threat. Storms are most likely between 3 and 9 p.m. and could bring damaging wind gusts capable of toppling trees, along with a chance of flooding, hail and perhaps a tornado. [Capital Weather]
It’s Tuesday — Expect a humid day with showers and thunderstorms likely and a high near 92. Winds will blow out of the south at 7–15 mph. Overnight lows will settle around 73. [NWS]
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It’s official: gas-powered leaf blowers are getting banned in Arlington.
County Board members on Saturday adopted a 29-month phase-out period for gas-powered leaf blowers countywide, a timeframe officials said would help to make sure the transition goes smoothly.
