Developers of commercial projects in Falls Church could for the first time be required to meet minimum tree-canopy requirements.
City Council members at an Oct. 6 work session generally were supportive of a staff proposal that would set a minimum 10% canopy for future commercial development.
ATC Staffing Leads to DCA Delays — “The FAA is now delaying flights into Reagan National Airport (DCA) due to low air traffic controller staffing. Day 8 of the government shutdown and staffing shortages are hitting Congress’ favorite airport.” [Pete Muntean/X]
Ballston Crash Leads to Pot Bust — “800 block of N. Randolph Street. At approximately 2:40 a.m. on October 5, police responded to the report of a single-vehicle crash. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the driver of the vehicle and following an investigation, he was taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence. During an inventory search of the vehicle prior to towing, a distribution amount of marijuana was recovered.” [ACPD, ACPD/X]
Cherrydale Truck Traffic Complaints — “When it was built decades ago, Galdes said the rehab center was designed to be a quiet, nursing-home-type residential facility. But since then, she said, it’s evolved to handle more and more medical needs — which means more deliveries. “Locally, in the neighborhood, we call it a small hospital,” she said Tuesday.” [WTOP]
Long Bridge Construction Plan — “Video from @vapassengerrail that shows how the new Long Bridge for trains and a parallel bridge for pedestrians & bikers will be constructed over the Potomac River. Major construction work is expected to start next year, currently the projected completion date is 2030.” [Tom Roussey/X]
Flyover This Morning — From AlertDC: “The U.S. Military will conduct an aircraft flyover in the National Capital Region (NCR) over Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 9:15AM.”
New Bill for Federal Workers — “Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) introduced the Federal Employee Civil Relief Act. This legislation would protect federal workers, federal contractor employees, and their families from foreclosures, evictions, and loan defaults during a government shutdown.” [Press Release]
Arlington Food Insecurity — Arlington’s rate of food-insecure households, 22%, was lowest in the Washington region in a new report from the Capital Area Food Bank, presented Wednesday to the Council of Governments. Though down slightly from 23% last year, both the county rate and the regional rate of 36% are expected to grow in coming months due to federal downsizing and resulting economic impacts. –Scott McCaffrey
Warner on Peace Deal — From Sen. Mark Warner: “I welcome the announcement that Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement to bring about a ceasefire, secure the release of hostages, and lay the groundwork for a more durable peace following the conflict.” [Press Release]
W-L Crew Anniversary — “On October 4, 2025, the Washington-Liberty (W-L) High School Crew Boosters hosted a special event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of W-L’s s women’s rowing program.” [Press Release]
F.C. Budget Update — “A final report of the City of Falls Church budgetary performance for its FY25 fiscal year ending last June 30 showed a healthy net surplus of revenue over expenditures, but some areas signal cause for concern going forward.” [FCNP]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high of 63 degrees, accompanied by a northeast wind between 9 and 11 mph, gusting up to 18 mph. Thursday night will be clear, with temperatures dropping to a low of around 43 degrees. [NWS]
With leaves falling along with autumn temperatures, Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia is pleading with local property owners not to rake and remove all their leaves from yards.
“There are many ways you can use them rather than sending them to the landfill,” said Claudia Gerwin, who on Oct. 3 led an online program for Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Arlington-Alexandria office.
Efforts to create deeply affordable housing to meet the needs of Arlington’s lowest-earning residents face significant headwinds, according to a recent presentation to the Arlington Planning Commission.
Most current efforts around affordable housing focus on households with incomes of at least 60% of the area median income (AMI) — leaving out a large swath of people earning less.
An Arlington artist with a growing involvement in civic life is planning a new project in the aftermath of Arlington Independent Media’s demise.
Wilson Bender — the Penrose-based satirist behind numerous posters poking fun at local public figures, a new zine about life in Arlington, and a pop-up art studio in Clarendon and Courthouse — has announced plans to launch “Arlington Autonomous Media,” an independently funded Roku channel with a focus on local happenings and political commentary.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Tours at the Capitol have come to a standstill. The House is keeping its doors closed, while the Senate is stuck in a loop of failed votes on a rejected plan to reopen the government. President Donald Trump is threatening to mass fire federal workers and refuse back pay for the rest.
As the government shutdown enters a second week, there’s no discernible endgame in sight.
Finding a site for a new library and a home for Synetic Theater after its displacement remain two key goals for leaders in National Landing.
At a recent leadership gathering, County Board Chair Takis Karantonis brought no definitive updates on either issue. But, he said, both remained on the county government’s radar.
Two people were stabbed in Arlington yesterday (Tuesday) by suspects that remain at large.
The first stabbing happened shortly after midnight near the Thomas Jefferson Community Center. Police say a man approached the victim, yelled at him, and stabbed him before fleeing in a car.
Virginia Reps on Fed Furlough Pay — “Today, the Democratic members of Virginia’s congressional delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to OMB Director Russ Vought clarifying that threats to withhold or cancel back pay to furloughed federal workers would be illegal.” [Press Release]
Beyer Blasts Back Pay Backtrack — “The Trump Administration is trying to frighten federal employees and their families as a negotiating tactic… Federal employees should know that these threats are hollow, and they will be paid when this shutdown ends, as the law requires.” [Press Release]
Kaine Says Suit Likely — “I was proud to work across the aisle in 2019 to pass legislation that Trump himself signed to guarantee backpay to federal workers during shutdowns. If OMB chooses thuggish intimidation tactics over following the law, it better prepare to face the American people in court.” [Sen. Tim Kaine/X]
Sens. Slam Shutdown Messages — “Virginia Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine joined 22 Senate colleagues Monday in demanding the Trump administration remove partisan political messages from federal agency websites and employee email accounts.” [ALXnow]
Gravelly Point Closed — “On an 80-degree day in October, you’d expect to see a full parking lot and picnic setups at Gravelly Point Park near Reagan National Airport, but not this time. The park, along with several others in Northern Virginia, is partially closed during the federal government shutdown.” [DC News Now]
Commission Backs Ballston Conversion — The Arlington Planning Commission on Monday voted 11-0 in support of a proposal to convert the existing office building at 4100 Fairfax Drive in Ballston to apartment use. The proposal later this month will go to the County Board for final action. —Scott McCaffrey
Flyover Planned This Morning — From AlertDC: “The U.S. Military will conduct an aircraft flyover in the National Capital Region (NCR) over Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at 11:10AM.”
New Metro Elevator — “Have you heard? The new elevator from South Hayes Street to the Pentagon City station mezzanine is now OPEN on the west side! Thank you to our partners @ArlingtonVA, @fta_dot, & @VirginiaDRPT for helping us bring more accessibility to our customers!” [WMATA/X]
More on AG Race Fallout — “A scandal over resurfaced texts from Virginia Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones has Democrats in a catch-22. A month before Election Day, pushing Jones off the ticket could fracture Democrats’ chances in a pivotal statewide race seen as a bellwether for next year. But standing by him risks reinforcing Republican attacks.” [Axios, New York Post]
Longtime Food Critic Leaving — From Tom Sietsema: “This week, I’m saying goodbye to my high-calorie job as food critic at The Washington Post. I’ve held the position since 2000, following the legendary work of my predecessor, Phyllis C. Richman. Far from retiring, I’ve got plans to cook more, travel more and stay connected with fellow food enthusiasts.” [Washington Post]
It’s Wednesday — Expect showers before 2pm with a high temperature near 70°F. The southwest wind at 7-14 mph will shift to the north in the afternoon, gusting up to 25 mph. There is an 80% chance of precipitation, with new rainfall amounts ranging from a quarter to half an inch. Wednesday night, the sky will be mostly clear, with a low temperature around 47°F and a north wind at about 10 mph. [NWS]
New route charts from the Federal Aviation Administration further restrict helicopter traffic around Reagan National Airport, reducing where the aircraft can fly over Arlington.
The modified charts, published last week, shrink the zones in which helicopters can fly over Northern Virginia and D.C. when operating on authorized business such as medical or law enforcement missions. A portion of the zone in Arlington, which previously extended to Fort Myer in the east, has been pushed back to west of Glebe Road.
The Missing Middle lawsuit has finally arrived on the desk of the Virginia Supreme Court.
Plaintiffs in the suit against Arlington County’s contentious zoning change submitted a petition for appeal to the commonwealth’s highest court yesterday (Monday). They’re trying to reverse a recent Virginia Court of Appeals ruling that would create big obstacles for their case, if upheld.
The Goodwill on S. Glebe Road is closing this month to redevelop as a mixed-use affordable housing project.
The donation center, retail store and career center at 10 S. Glebe Road is set to close for about two years beginning on Monday, Oct. 27. Goodwill expects to begin demolition this winter, making way for a six-story building with 128 units of affordable housing, a 3,000-square-foot child care, and a modernized retail and donation center.
