With election season in the rear-view mirror, Arlington’s civic and political leaders are again turning to potential changes in the county’s form of governance.
But while several local organizations have given the concept their blessing, a key state legislator who supported efforts in the 2025 legislative session has said she wants to hold off in 2026.
Guidance to DCA Passengers — “As of November 6, the Federal Aviation Administration announced it is imposing flight reductions at busy airports around the United States. Airlines will reach out directly to affected customers regarding flight cancellations or rescheduling options… Double-check the status of your flight directly with your airline before coming to the airport.” [Reagan National Airport]
Va. Dems Plan for Power — “Virginia Democrats awoke Wednesday to a more favorable political landscape than they had dared imagine, their electoral victories for governor and other statewide offices combining with a massive new majority in the House of Delegates to enable any agenda they care to pursue… ‘The word of the day is restraint. We can’t overreach,’ [Del. Don] Scott said during a news conference in Richmond. ‘We have to be wise with the gift that the voters have given us to govern.'” [Washington Post]
N. Va. Powered Wave — “Virginia’s blue wave moved nearly every county to the left this week. In a state shaken up by federal job cuts, the Democratic wins offer a rebuke to President Trump’s first nine months in office. Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger — who campaigned on affordability — made big gains in Northern Virginia counties where President Trump did better than expected last year.” [Axios]
SoberRide Ridership Record — “A record-shattering 4,056 persons in the Washington-metropolitan area used the free safe ride service, SoberRide®, Halloween weekend as opposed to possibly driving home drunk. Last weekend’s ridership was the most ever for a single SoberRide® campaign in the program’s 34-year history.” [Press Release]
Snow Possible Monday — “We’re still watching the chance for some early-season snowflakes in the area as a serious blast of wintry air drops into the eastern United States early next week. A potent cold front passing through the region Sunday night will set the stage. Monday will be quite a shock after weekend highs around 70 degrees. Highs may only make it into the 40s, more than 10 degrees below average.” [CWG]
It’s Friday — Clouds will increase, reaching a high of around 61°F, with south winds of 8-15 mph and gusts up to 29 mph. Expect rain Friday night, primarily before 1am, as it becomes mostly cloudy with lows around 53°F. South winds will continue at 8-13 mph with gusts up to 23 mph. The chance of rain is 60%, with less than a tenth of an inch of new precipitation possible. [NWS]
Former President Joe Biden turned an ordinary birthday celebration into a uniquely memorable one shortly after dining in Virginia Square last weekend.
A group of Washington-Liberty High School students were out to dinner at Carbonara on Sunday when they noticed what appeared to be Secret Service members and the 46th president.
Reagan National Airport and Dulles International Airport are among the 40 that will see flights cut starting Friday due to the government shutdown, according to a list distributed to the airlines.
The Federal Aviation Administration announced Wednesday that it would reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 “high-volume” markets to maintain travel safety as air traffic controllers exhibit signs of strain during the ongoing government shutdown.
As fall foliage piles up in yards and streets around Arlington, the county’s annual leaf collection program begins next week.
Leaf vacuums will suck up fallen leaves in 19 neighborhoods beginning on Monday, Nov. 10. The first pass will continue every weekday through Nov. 28, only taking a day off for Thanksgiving.
Beyer Touts Dem Win — “‘This is day one, when we take back our country from a dictatorship,’ U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) told the crowd. ‘This is the first step to taking back the House in 2026 … In the meantime, we have a powerful governor, lieutenant governor [and] attorney general, that will once again make Virginia the shining star in our wonderful country.'” [ALXnow, Rep. Don Beyer/X]
Beyer Statement on Tariffs — “The Supreme Court has a duty to uphold the law, limit the damage of the President’s nonsensical global trade war, and roll back this unprecedented and illegal power grab. The economic stagnation, job losses, business closures, and higher prices stemming from Trump’s taxes must end. New Dems urge the Supreme Court to take decisive action to block this lawless campaign and restore order to the balance of powers and the American economy.” [Press Release]
Warner Proposing AI Bill — “Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) announced they will introduce the AI-Related Job Impacts Clarity Act. This legislation would require major companies and federal agencies to report AI related layoffs to the Department of Labor to be compiled into a publicly available report.” [Press Release]
New Legal Notice — Retail restaurant/caterer applying for ABC on/off-premises alcohol license. [Public Notices]
Regional Drought Continues — “Rainfall in October was below normal, the fourth such month in a row, and November doesn’t look much different. Drought continues to expand and intensify across the D.C. area, and the forecast for this month offers little prospect for improvement. We’re expecting a relatively dry pattern to persist, with temperatures near or slightly above normal as the region transitions toward winter.” [CWG]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high of around 57 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind blowing at 8 to 11 mph and gusts reaching up to 22 mph. As for Thursday night, the weather will be mostly clear and the temperature will drop to a low of about 38 degrees, with a light and variable wind. [NWS]
ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Not everyone who voted in Northern Virginia in Tuesday’s election has felt the impact of President Donald Trump’s efforts to reshape the federal government, but even many who haven’t said they have colleagues or neighbors who are dealing with the consequences.
“I’ve seen so many federal families lose their jobs, lose their income, lose their certainty here,” said Karina Valdez, who voted at the Barcroft Sports & Fitness Center in Arlington.
Two dogs are safely back with their owners after being rescued from an apartment fire Wednesday night.
The blaze broke out around 6 p.m. in an apartment on the 2300 block of 11th Street N., in the Courthouse area. The fire was out by 6:20 p.m., according to the Arlington County Fire Department, but not before drawing a large emergency response.
The starting salary for officers at the Arlington County Police Department is jumping to about $90,000, the highest in the D.C. area.
The pay bump, which goes into effect on July 1, 2026, represents a roughly $18,000 increase from the current starting salary of $72,013.50 for new officers, ACPD spokesperson Ashley Savage told ARLnow.
Three incumbents and one newcomer on the Falls Church City Council ballot were elected yesterday (Tuesday), while the winner of the final seat on the School Board hangs in the balance.
Challenger Arthur Agin prevailed in the City Council race, as did incumbents Laura Downs, Marybeth Connelly and David Snyder. Agin will take the seat of Debora Schantz-Hiscott, who did not seek re-election, in January.
Arlington Democrats celebrated big wins at both the local and state level yesterday (Tuesday), connecting voters’ decisions to the Trump administration’s impacts on Virginia.
In speeches before a jubilant crowd at Fire Works Pizza in Courthouse, several victors in Arlington’s blue sweep lifted up the success of gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger and other Democrats in statewide races on Election Day.
A 19-year-old from the Richmond area has been accused of making a bomb threat against Yorktown High School in September.
Alexander Blake Berg was arrested last month and charged with two felonies over the September threat, which didn’t close the school but did result in an increased police presence on campus.
