A community tradition of nearly 90 years continues later this month when the Arlington County Civic Federation presents the 2026 “ARLnow Cup” for outstanding leadership.
The recipient’s name will be unveiled at the organization’s April 24 awards banquet. He or she will be enshrined in a pantheon of civic involvement that dates back to 1938.
Backers of ranked-choice voting (RCV) believe this fall’s congressional races may bolster their case for changing the format of statewide elections.
If Virginia voters approve the congressional redistricting constitutional amendment on April 21, crowded ballots in many parts of the state could lead to future representatives being selected by an unusually small sliver of the overall electorate.
Those taking day trips through Arlington’s 55+ travel program could see significantly higher costs kick in later this year.
The Department of Parks and Recreation has proposed increasing fees for the excursions to pay for higher transportation costs.
A proposal for a new behavioral health center on S. Carlin Springs Road is facing pushback on environmental impacts and effects on the surrounding neighborhood.
Misgivings about the 146-bed, 131,000-square-foot development proposal from VHC Health and Lifepoint Health made their way into discussions at the March 26 meeting of the county’s Forestry & Natural Resources Commission.
Cherry Blossom 5K Closures — ACPD will close portions of S. Joyce Street and Army Navy Drive on Saturday, April 11 for the Cherry Blossom 5K starting and finishing at Virginia Highlands Park. Closures begin as early as 4 a.m. and run until 1 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to use Metro’s Pentagon City station. [Arlington County]
O’Connell Star in Capital Classic — Bishop O’Connell senior point guard Darius Bivins was selected to play in the 53rd annual Capital Classic at Capital One Arena this past weekend, the longest-running high school basketball all-star game in the nation. Bivins has offers from Texas Tech, Cincinnati, Miami, Rutgers and VCU. [WTOP]
Car Fire on I-395 — “The left two lanes of I-395N between Glebe and Washington Blvd. are blocked due to this car fire. The fire is now out courtesy of @ArlingtonVaFD.” [Dave Statter/X]
Redistricting Poll Tight — A slim majority of Va. voters (52%) favors the redistricting referendum ahead of the April 21 vote, but opponents are more motivated to turn out, according to a Washington Post-Schar School poll. Among voters who participated in the last three general elections, 53% oppose the measure. [Washington Post]
ACA Enrollment Drops — About 33,000 Virginians have dropped their ACA health insurance since federal subsidies expired, the largest first-quarter decline on record, according to State Health Exchange Director Keven Patchett. An estimated 100,000 Virginians who relied on the subsidies are expected to be affected. [Virginia Mercury]
It’s Monday — Expect sunny skies today with a high near 63 degrees and northwest winds at 6–10 mph, gusting to 22 mph. Clear tonight with a low around 42. [NWS]
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By the time of his death in late 1995 at age 96, Edmund Campbell had been lionized as a civic leader and statesman whose legacy extended well beyond Arlington into state and national affairs.
The president of the newly formed Potomac Yard Arlington Civic Association says the organization is ready to make its mark in one of the county’s fastest-growing corridors.
The association was incorporated last fall and has applied for membership in the Arlington County Civic Federation, President Dorian Adeyemi told ARLnow.
Juvenile Robbed of Scooter — A juvenile was riding his scooter near N. Quincy Street at Wilson Blvd on Wednesday evening when another juvenile approached, shoved him off and stole it, police say. The victim chased after the suspect and was briefly reported missing before officers located him nearby. [ACPD]
Route 50 Flex Posts Expand — “More flex post devices are headed for Route 50 between Fillmore and Glebe to prevent those turns that become crashes at intersections lacking traffic signals.” [Arlington DES/X]
Flyover This Afternoon — From AlertDC: “The U.S. Military will conduct an Aircraft Flyover in the NCR over Arlington National Cemetery on Friday, April 3, at approximately 3:05 p.m.”
Noise Bill Nears Finish Line — “I suspect she’s going to sign it, and I suspect the Board of Supervisors is going to implement it,” Del. Rip Sullivan (D-6) said of legislation creating a two-year pilot program allowing localities to use electronic noise monitoring to detect excessively loud vehicles. [FFXnow]
DHS Targets Spanberger — The Department of Homeland Security accused Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) of being a “sanctuary politician” whose policies “allowed pedophiles, rapists, gang members and murderers to be released onto Virginia’s streets” by ending cooperation with ICE. [DHS/X]
Sewer Repair Delays Revealed — A Washington Post investigation found that D.C. Water planned to reinforce the aging Potomac Interceptor years before it ruptured in January but repeatedly delayed construction as the National Park Service studied environmental impacts, including risks to a wildflower and an endangered bat species. [Washington Post]
School Safety Bills Signed — Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed multiple bills aimed at protecting kids at school, including one allowing school boards to provide teachers with wearable panic alarm systems for use during emergencies. Other measures strengthen red flag law training and expand mental health support. [WJLA]
Moran Goes Independent — Mark Moran, who planned to challenge Sen. Mark Warner (D) for the Democratic Senate nomination this year, announced he is now running as an independent. [Jared Serre/X]
It’s Friday — Expect areas of fog and a slight chance of drizzle early, then mostly sunny skies with a high near 83 degrees. South winds at 6–13 mph with gusts up to 22 mph. [NWS]
Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar
With property assessments and resulting tax revenue stagnant, changes could be coming to Arlington’s trio of business improvement districts, better known as BIDs.
It remains to be seen what, if anything, might shift. Danette Nguyen, CEO of the Ballston BID, told County Board members that her organization is not currently interested in any changes to the tax-revenue status quo.
The original creator of a Hall’s Hill mural depicting the neighborhood’s Black history is returning to repaint the artwork, after McDonald’s demolished it last fall.
D.C. artist Roderick Turner will replace the mural on a paneled structure, which will be attached to poles at 4834 Langston Blvd facing the Langston-Brown Community Center, Wilma Jones, president of the John M. Langston Citizens Association, told ARLnow.
Virginia’s attorney general plans to challenge an executive order by President Donald Trump that would add more restrictions and federal oversight to mail voting.
Attorney General Jay Jones (D) has indicated plans to join top elections officials in states like Oregon and Arizona, who pledged to mount legal opposition to the executive order within minutes of Trump signing it — arguing that the president was illegally encroaching on the right of states to run elections.
The Arlington Civitan Open Air Flea Market is launching its 40th anniversary season on Saturday, with high hopes of drawing more than 10,000 shoppers during 2026.
“The opening event is consistently the busiest of the year, with early-bird shoppers lining up in the dark and many high-demand items selling within the first hour,” said officials with the Arlington Civitan Club.
