Supporters of an amendment to enshrine abortion and contraception rights in the Virginia constitution fanned out across Arlington last weekend.
Canvassing efforts on Saturday concerned the first of three state constitutional amendments that voters will consider on Nov. 3.
The Arlington County Board is hosting a second town hall meeting later this month, opening the floor for discussion on topics that aren’t included on recent or upcoming agendas.
Board members plan to use the meeting, scheduled for Monday, Oct. 26 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., to see what tweaks, if any, could be made going forward in 2027.
Judge Upholds Va. Dream Act — A federal judge on Monday upheld the Virginia Dream Act, which allows some immigrant students to pay in-state college tuition, rejecting a challenge from the Trump administration. In-state tuition access “fulfills the promise and investment we’ve made in thousands of students,” said Del. Alfonso Lopez (D-Arlington), who sponsored the 2020 law. [Courthouse News, Press Release]
Alexandria Flock Stats Released — “The Alexandria Police Department made nearly 21,000 automated license plate reader queries between August 2025 and August 2026, directly leading to 72 felony charges and 65 misdemeanor charges.” Many of the city’s 61 cameras are clustered along its borders with Arlington and Fairfax counties. [ALXnow]
True Food Closures Spare Ballston — “True Food Kitchen has permanently closed its Reston Town Center location… The health food chain announced… that it has filed for bankruptcy to kick off a restructuring process that involved shuttering 12 restaurants.” The chain’s Ballston Quarter location remains open. [FFXnow]
Pike Fest Returns Saturday — Columbia Pike’s fall festival returns Saturday from noon-6 p.m. at Penrose Square, with live music, local restaurants and vendors, a beer and wine garden, face painting, a bounce house and free fall family photos. [ARLnow]
Code Ninjas Opening — Kids’ coding and STEM center Code Ninjas is celebrating the grand opening of its new location in the Lee-Harrison Shopping Center on Saturday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The free event includes a ribbon cutting and game-building sessions, which require registration. [ARLnow]
Virginia Village Heights Raised — Falls Church City Council voted 5-2 on first reading to raise height limits and reduce setbacks for redevelopment of the Virginia Village affordable housing site. Winter Hill neighbors had asked the city to honor “commitments they believed were made by the City at the end of July,” including a three-story cap along their shared boundary. [Falls Church Pulse]
Juneteenth, Watch Night Grants Denied — A new Falls Church grant review committee rejected arts funding requests from the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation for Juneteenth and the CATCH Foundation for Watch Night, citing a lack of detail. City Council approved the awards 6-1, but members said they would explore funding Juneteenth through budget amendments. [Falls Church Pulse]
Homebuyers Pulling Back — With mortgage rates above 7%, D.C.-area home showings were down almost 18% and new purchase contracts almost 20% year-over-year in late September, according to Bright MLS data. High rates “will have a chilling effect on the D.C.-area housing market,” Bright MLS Chief Economist Lisa Sturtevant told Axios. [Axios]
It’s Wednesday — Expect early fall perfection: sunny skies with a high near 71 and a south wind of 3–9 mph. Skies stay clear tonight, with a low around 55. [NWS]
There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.
Firefighters are working to extinguish a blaze at a commercial building on the 2700 block of Columbia Pike.
The fire was first reported around 10:45 p.m. tonight (Tuesday). Arriving fire personnel reportedly found fire and smoke coming from the building’s roof.
A man who says he suffered serious injuries during an immigration arrest on Columbia Pike has filed a federal claim alleging excessive force and seeking damages.
Jose Mejia Hernandez filed against the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement today (Tuesday), seeking $35 million in damages for the incident in which he claims he was shot with a Taser and hit by a federal officer’s motor vehicle while fleeing ICE.
The county’s Human Rights Commission says it probably is not the correct venue for proponents of a single-payer healthcare system to make their pitch.
However, the panel’s chair said at a meeting last month that he would look into whether it had the authority to recommend that the County Board consider the matter.
A man accused of touching multiple women’s hair without their consent on the Metro has been released from jail in D.C., but is now in custody in Arlington.
Bryan Betancur, 29, is set for a bench trial in General District Court on Oct. 27, Kara Simon, a spokesperson for the Arlington Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, told ARLnow.
Competition among local jurisdictions could be fierce during the next round of I-395/95 “Commuter Choice” transportation funding.
Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) staff are bracing for “significant demand” from localities across Northern Virginia, said Jason Adle, an NVTC program analyst.
Car Fire Snarls I-66 — A vehicle fire blocked several lanes of westbound I-66 near the Route 267 interchange yesterday (Monday) afternoon, causing big backups. Traffic got by on the left shoulder as Arlington and Fairfax County firefighters and Virginia State Police responded. [ARLnow/X]
Pedestrian Safety Month — With cooler weather and fall activities bringing more people out walking and rolling, ACPD is marking National Pedestrian Safety Month by urging residents to refresh their safety habits and “help make Arlington’s roads safer for everyone.” [ACPD/X]
Virtual Tree Talk Planned — The county’s Forestry team will host a free virtual info session on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 6:30 p.m., covering how Arlington plants and maintains public trees, threats like invasive plants, deer, climate change and development, and planting programs for residents. [Arlington County]
Plein Air Fest Rescheduled — Falls Church Arts’ Plein Air Festival, originally set for Oct. 3, was postponed due to weather and will now be held Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to noon at Falls Church City Hall (300 Park Avenue). Registration is also open for the annual Halloween window painting festival. [Falls Church Arts]
Ovi’s Final Season — Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, 41, announced yesterday (Monday) that his 22nd season will be his last in the NHL. “I know in my heart it’s the right decision,” Ovechkin said. He entered the season with 929 career goals. [NBC 4]
Fare Hike, Free Kid Rides Proposed — Metro is proposing an 11.1% fare increase for fiscal 2028, raising base fares from $2.25–$6.75 to $2.50–$7.50, plus free Metrorail and Metrobus rides for kids ages 5–18 who live in D.C., Maryland or Virginia. The Metro Board will discuss the proposals Thursday. [Fox 5]
Georgetown Snacking Guide — “Georgetown may be D.C.’s ultimate little-treat neighborhood. The nabe’s snacking scene rivals its buzzy new restaurants. You can graze your way through stroopwafels and hand rolls, babka and breakfast burritos — plus caviar happy hour if your little treat has a big budget.” [Axios]
Wet End to Dry Week? — A Gulf of Mexico disturbance that could become the season’s first Atlantic hurricane may send remnant rain into the D.C. area sometime between late Saturday and late Sunday, though the timing is uncertain. If it becomes a tropical storm, it would be named Isaias. [Capital Weather]
Wet Winter Ahead? — New seasonal models from Canada and Europe project substantially above-normal precipitation for the D.C. area this winter amid a historically strong El Niño. Whether it’s white depends on temperatures, with the best odds for snow likely in February rather than earlier in the season. [Capital Weather]
It’s Tuesday — After a chilly morning low around 46, expect sunny skies today with a high near 66 and light northwest winds at 2–6 mph. Clear tonight, with a low around 43. [NWS]
No time to read? Now you can listen to your local news in just a few minutes per day. Subscribe to the ARLnow Daily Update on Apple, Spotify or Amazon.
The Arlington County Republican Committee has decided to back independent candidate Audrey Clement for County Board and to stay out of the special election for treasurer.
“In my many meetings and conversations with Audrey, I am convinced she is very knowledgeable about the issues and has a tenacity that would force accountability on a wholly unaccountable County Board,” Arlington GOP chair Matthew Hurtt said in a message to party members announcing the endorsement.
Witnesses found evidence of gunfire in Glencarlyn yesterday (Sunday) after hearing loud noises overnight.
Officers called to the 300 block of S. Harrison Street around 12:25 p.m. confirmed evidence of shots being fired, police said.
The Arlington County Democratic Committee handed its 2026 Distinguished Democrat awards to two organizers who spent years in the trenches of local politics.
Mary Detweiler and Jack Kinkaid both have fulfilled largely behind-the-scenes duties, mobilizing local efforts and coordinating campaign activities such as distributing median signs and overseeing precinct operations.
