News

Youngkin Touts Strong Va. Economy — “At a time when legislative budget analysts warn of a looming downturn, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) had a contrary message Wednesday for the incoming administration of Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger (D): The state’s economy is “rip-roaring.” Don’t mess it up. “Let’s hold the next administration accountable for keeping it going. That is what I am most worried about,” Youngkin told reporters Wednesday morning.” [Washington Post, FFXnow]

East Potomac Golf Changes? — “Behind the scenes, administration officials have discussed a far more ambitious makeover for East Potomac. They have floated potential names such as “Washington National Golf Course” and talked about whether the site could someday host the Ryder Cup. To make such a venue possible, officials and outside advisers have discussed expanding the course’s footprint toward the water, potentially eliminating portions of Ohio Drive SW.” [Washington Post]

Cold Weather Set to Return — “Late December may turn colder — and possibly wintry — again. Even as parts of the central U.S. warm up around Christmas (with a bit of that mild air occasionally nudging east), there’s little evidence of a sustained warm stretch for our region. Instead, signals are growing that chillier, more unsettled weather could return late next week and beyond.” [CWG/X]

It’s Friday — Expect rain and potentially a thunderstorm in the morning, followed by a slight chance of rain until 2pm. Temperatures will drop to around 38 by 5 pm with breezy south winds between 15 and 23 mph, shifting west and gusting up to 47 mph. Friday night will be mostly clear and breezy, with lows around 27, west winds between 17 and 22 mph decreasing to 6 to 11 mph after midnight, and gusts up to 46 mph. [NWS]

Federal Job Loss Tally — “Over the past year, an estimated 41,500 federal jobs in the D.C. region have been eliminated, according to a report released this week by George Mason University’s Stephen Fuller Institute for Research on the Washington Region’s Economic Future. That includes about 15,000 jobs that have been lost since August, either through deferred resignations or layoffs, and had not shown up in previously released data.” [WBJ]

Lower Local Spending — “Consumers are spending less in the DMV — and D.C. is taking the biggest hit, according to a new Brookings report… Four years of regional consumer data show declines across both visitor and local spending. Local spending this year is just 1.1% below 2024.” [Axios]

GW Parkway Speed Camera Bill — “Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) today introduced legislation that would allow for revenue generated from speed camera enforcement on roads within the National Park System, such as the George Washington Memorial Parkway, to be reinvested for safety improvements, road maintenance, and related infrastructure needs in the parks where violations occur.” [Press Release]

Arrest After Vape Store Theft — “Two employees of a local business in Arlington CHASED and HELD DOWN a theft suspect at N Barton Street & Ninth Street until police arrived to take the male into custody.” [DMV Live/FB]

Another Theft Arrest — “Police in Arlington, Virginia nabbed a lululemon Grand Theft (FELONY) suspect, who stole over $1,000 worth of clothes from the popular store on King Street in Alexandria.” [DMV Live/X]

Near Starbucks at DCA — “Our coffee game just got bigger with the opening of a new Starbucks near Gate C25. Come and enjoy your favorite seasonal brews and specialty drinks.” [Reagan Airport/X]

Compass Bankruptcy ‘Likely’ — “Compass Coffee has agreed to voluntarily relinquish its Ivy City roasting plant and will likely file for bankruptcy by Dec. 31… It’s unclear whether the homegrown coffee chain with about two dozen locations intends to liquidate or restructure its debts through the bankruptcy process and how those plans could impact its local stores.” [WBJ]

Rain and Wind Tonight — “A strong cold front will cross the area Thursday night through early Friday. As it does so, broken lines of heavy showers and perhaps a couple thunderstorms whip up the potential for gusty winds across the region, especially between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. … Jeff Halverson, Capital Weather Gang’s severe weather expert, notes the potential for gusts as high as around 50 mph.” [CWG]

It’s Thursday — Rain chances increase after 4pm, with increasing clouds and a high near 54. Winds will shift south at 5-8 mph in the morning. Thursday night will see rain as temperatures rise to around 55 by 3am, accompanied by south winds at 8-17 mph and gusts up to 29 mph. New rainfall amounts ranging between half and three-quarters of an inch are expected. [NWS]