An Arlington writer, conservationist and tour guide has launched a campaign to challenge U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D) as a Republican.
Luke Nathan Phillips, a self-described “bipartisan activist” and “avid outdoorsman,” seeks to take on Arlington’s longtime congressman with a platform focused on crossing political divides and protecting public land.
County Board members didn’t need to look far to find their next county attorney.
Board members voted 4-0, with Julius “JD” Spain, Sr., absent, to appoint Ryan Samuel to the post yesterday (Tuesday). Samuel has served in the county attorney’s office since 2018 and, since the departure in September of his predecessor MinhChau Corr, was acting county attorney.
Arlington County is collecting feedback on a plan to build 47 townhomes at a site currently approved for a six-story assisted living facility.
The rows of three- and four-bedroom townhomes on a 2.8-acre property at 2134 N. Taylor Street would replace a proposal for a 175-unit senior living center that the County Board approved in April 2020.
Flyover This Morning — From AlertDC: “The U.S. Military will conduct an Aircraft Flyover in the NCR over Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, December 3, at approximately 11:08AM.”
Arlingtonian Named Health Honcho — “Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger today announced the first cabinet secretary appointment of her administration, Marvin Figueroa, to serve as Virginia’s next Secretary of Health and Human Resources… He lives in Arlington, where he remains committed to serving the Commonwealth he has long called home.” [Press Release, Virginia Mercury]
Va. Budget Challenges Ahead — “The state’s fiscal outlook for the next few years is “skewed to the downside” and more likely to take a negative turn than a positive one, staffers for legislative money committees said in two recent analyses. They blame inflation, federal job cuts, tariffs imposed by the Trump administration and increases in the state’s obligation to cover social safety-net programs.” [Washington Post]
Spanberger Talks to Post — “Virginia Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger (D) will take office in January with consolidated power across state government that would be the envy of any ambitious governor, but with looming budget problems that could throw a wrench into her plans. “I will be governor during a time when we will have to make some harder choices,” Spanberger said recently in an interview.” [Washington Post]
Board Member on Gov’t Change — “Hopefully you’ll notice that nowhere am I saying “I hate change” or “I don’t think there is anything to work on.” I think there is A LOT to work on. That doesn’t mean I’m obligated to agree to a process that isn’t thoughtful, one that could actually hurt our community and the issues I care about.” [Maureen Coffey/Bluesky]
Robbery in Crystal City — “400 block of 23rd Street S. At approximately 6:35 p.m. on December 1, police were dispatched to the report of a robbery by force. Upon arrival, it was determined the male suspect entered the business, concealed merchandise and began acting disorderly. When an employee confronted him, the suspect shoved them before exiting the store without payment.” [ACPD]
Toys for Tots at Fire Stations — “Our Toys for Tots drive is wrapping up soon — the final day to drop off donations is December 7th! If you haven’t donated yet, there’s still time to bring a new, unwrapped toy to Fire Stations 2, 5, 8, 9, or 10. Every gift helps make the holidays brighter for a local child.” [ACFD/X]
New Deputy Sheriffs — “The Arlington County Sheriff’s Office proudly announces the graduation of ten new deputies from the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy on Monday, December 1, 2025.” [Arlington County]
Warner Running for Reelection — “In a campaign announcement, the Virginia senator said he was running for reelection to rein in America’s economic crisis, particularly regarding the impact of artificial intelligence on job displacement.” [Associated Press]
A Long December — “D.C. could see its coldest and snowiest December in nearly a decade as a wintry weather pattern has settled in and shows few signs that it will relent… We’re projecting temperatures to average 2 to 4 degrees below normal, or the coldest December since at least 2017, and about two inches of snow.” [CWG]
It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny skies and a high of 42 degrees, with northwest winds at 5 to 10 mph turning light from the west in the afternoon, and gusts possibly reaching 21 mph. Wednesday night will be mostly clear with a low around 28 degrees and calm winds. [NWS]
Arlington’s commonwealth’s attorney is returning fire to the House Judiciary Committee for questioning her handling of an ongoing criminal investigation, accusing it of overstepping its authority.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti has declined to provide numerous documents that Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) requested regarding an investigation of a local activist critical of the Trump administration. Arguing that many of these documents are confidential, she suggested that the request is “an improper incursion” into Virginia’s sovereignty and her own authority over local cases.
After years of delays, a major redevelopment project on Columbia Pike is returning for County Board consideration later this month — offering a path forward for an abandoned strip mall.
Toll Brothers Inc. is seeking final county authorization to replace the Fillmore Gardens Shopping Center on the 2600 block of Columbia Pike with a 6-story mixed-use property with 271 apartments and about 15,000 square feet of retail space.
Neighborhood leaders have mixed reviews of the county’s stepped-up code-enforcement efforts in the Clarendon area.
On the positive side, the effort “has really made things a whole lot better for the neighborhood,” said Andy Rude, president of the Lyon Village Citizens Association.
The concept of creating a foundation to support county parks is coming a little closer into focus.
“It’s a really good time to talk about those options and to think about what might be the best way to move forward,” said Jane Rudolph, director of the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation, at the Nov. 18 meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission.
Winter Weather Driving Tips — “Weather impacts to the morning rush hour are more likely for those in western and northern Virginia. Use caution in locations where pavement freezes first, including higher elevations, bridges, overpasses and shaded areas. Avoid distractions and make sure everyone in the car wears their seatbelts.” [Press Release]
Large Crowd for Taco Bell 50k — “The rules of the first-ever Taco Bell DC 50k were pretty simple, organizers Phil Hargis, 54, and Mike Wardian, 51, explained to the hundreds of participants shivering in below-freezing temperatures outside a Taco Bell in Old Town Alexandria on Saturday morning. Each participant must run to nine Taco Bells scattered across Alexandria, Arlington, and the District. At each location, they must purchase and eat an item off the menu. Drinks don’t count.” [Washington Post]
Va. Dems Eye Leave Program — “Democratic lawmakers in Virginia are again attempting to create a paid family and medical leave program after several years of roadblocks, and this time, they appear to have an ally in Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger. Legislation introduced Nov. 17 would require the Virginia Employment Commission to establish the insurance program in the commonwealth for workers who need up to 12 weeks to care for new children, sick family members or their own serious health conditions.” [WBJ]
A Look at the F.C. Farmers Market — “Market Manager Jennifer Brady is responsible for the biggest attraction in the City of Falls Church – its award-winning Farmers Market. She lets us in on what it takes to maintain that reputation. From the selection of vendors to entertainment and children’s activities, the Farmers Market is a carefully orchestrated event that brings together hundreds of people every Saturday morning, year-round.” [Falls Church Pulse]
New Legal Notice — Arlington’s 2026–2027 Public Housing Agency Plan open for comment; hearing January 27. [Public Notices]
It’s Tuesday — Rain mixed with sleet is expected, transitioning to plain rain before drying out in the afternoon, with highs near 40°F. Winds will turn northwest at 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Precipitation chance is 100%, with minor sleet accumulation expected. Tuesday night will be mostly clear, with lows around 28°F and northwest winds at 10 to 13 mph. [NWS]
Virginia’s attorney general and 20 of his counterparts in other states are weighing in on a lawsuit over Arlington Public Schools’ policies around transgender students.
Outgoing Attorney General Jason Miyares and other Republican officials jointly filed a brief last Tuesday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, arguing that the U.S. Department of Education was right to label APS and Fairfax County Public Schools as “high risk” and place restrictions on their funding.
A 41-year-old man who allegedly drove the wrong way in Clarendon early Thursday morning, amid Thanksgiving Eve road closures, is facing charges.
The Alexandria man threatened a traffic safety specialist who confronted him while driving through a cone pattern, then accelerated his car towards the worker, according to the Arlington County Police Department. He was later pulled over in the Lyon Village neighborhood, arrested, and charged with assault on a law enforcement officer.
Several former elected officials in Arlington are expressing caution over moving too fast on potential changes to the county’s form of governance.
At issue at the moment is a proposal to form a working group to study possibilities. It has attracted skepticism from former County Board, School Board and General Assembly members advocating for restraint on embarking on change-of-government planning.
