Three Arlington theater companies took home a combined seven Helen Hayes Awards this week — including one for a Yorktown High School graduate.
Signature Theatre led local winners with four awards, while Synetic Theater claimed two — including one of the night’s top Outstanding Production prizes — and Avant Bard Theatre picked up one. The Shirlington-based Signature finished fifth overall among the region’s theaters at the 42nd annual Helen Hayes Awards, held Monday at The Anthem in D.C.
Arlington leaders are still working through the implications of a change to state law making it easier for religious organizations to build affordable housing.
The Faith in Housing Act removes some, but not all, local regulatory approval for affordable housing constructed on land owned by nonprofit organizations, including religious groups. Despite some concerns from various local governments around the commonwealth, the measure had the backing of Democrats in the General Assembly and ultimately was signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D).
A student suffered a serious leg injury after being struck by the driver of a pickup truck near Washington-Liberty High School this morning.
The crash happened just after 8 a.m., near the intersection of N. Quincy Street and 14th Street. The circumstances of the crash are unclear but the student was quickly taken via ambulance to the trauma center at Virginia Hospital Center.
A local environmental advocacy organization hopes to breathe new life into its efforts.
Supporters of the Arlington Tree Action Group (ATAG) met online May 14 to consider specific initiatives and, potentially, a broader mission. The goal, leader Mary Glass said, was to take a fresh look at the local civic landscape and ATAG’s place within it.
‘Mob’ Attack Investigated — Four men in ski masks and armed with what appeared to be firearms attacked a group of eight people leaving a residence in the 300 block of N. Bryan Street late Saturday night, police said. Two victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The suspects fled in a black sedan. [ACPD]
Pentagon City ‘Circus’ — Arlington’s $11 million Army Navy Drive “Complete Street” project is unsafe almost every weekday because of car carrier deliveries to the Fashion Centre, says local public safety watcher Dave Statter, who shared video of four carriers arriving simultaneously. [Dave Statter/X]
Digital Equity Grants Return — Arlington County is offering up to $500,000 in grant funding for nonprofits and Virginia higher education institutions tackling the digital divide. Eligible projects target older adults, people with disabilities, English language learners and low-income households. Pre-applications are due June 5. [Arlington County]
DoubleTree’s Viral Stairwell — “The stairwell in the Doubletree in Arlington, VA goes straight for 13 floors instead of wrapping around,” music publicist Eric Alper said in a tweet that drew 1.2 million views and 28,000 likes. [Eric Alper/X]
Single-Stair Reform Advances — “The state’s Board of Housing and Community Development advanced a proposal to allow single stairways in four-story buildings, setting it up for potential adoption in the next state code requirements.” Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-Henrico) is leading the effort to spur housing on smaller lots, though firefighters caution it raises safety risks. [Virginia Mercury]
Metro’s Gold Line Pitch — “Randy Clarke sees Metro’s future in the Gold Line: A zippy, dedicated bus route from Georgetown to the new Commanders stadium.” The transit agency’s general manager pitched the dedicated-bus project, which would initially connect Union Station and RFK, before eventually connecting to Rosslyn, in a podcast interview. [Axios]
Heat Wave Topples Records — “The D.C. region is sweltering under a heat wave which is already setting records, with a possibility of more record-breaking heat through Wednesday.” The Dulles record of 91 degrees for May 18, set in 1987, was broken by the 93 degree reading recorded Monday afternoon. [WTOP]
It’s Tuesday — Expect another sunny and hot day with a high near 97 and southwest winds of 5–12 mph, gusting to 20 mph. Dulles’ May 19 record high of 92 degrees, set in 1997, could fall. Overnight will be partly cloudy with a low around 75. [NWS]
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The County Board has approved two more projects seeking to convert aging office buildings in Crystal City into residential buildings.
JBG Smith won approval to adapt a pair of empty, 11-story buildings constructed in the 1960s for housing — despite some residents’ objections about the limited community benefits that come with such projects. Under the plan, which County Board members unanimously supported at a Saturday meeting:
NextEra Energy is seeking to acquire Dominion Energy in an all-stock deal valued at about $67 billion, creating a massive power company as the energy needs of artificial intelligence drive demand higher in the U.S.
It is one of the biggest proposed mergers so far this year and would create the world’s biggest regulated electric utility business by market capitalization, the companies said on Monday.
Falls Church leaders are feeling bullish on the city’s upcoming celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday.
A mechanical bull, music, food and festive competitions are all in the works for the upcoming “Civic Jam” celebration, set for July 3 from 6-10 p.m. at Cherry Hill Park.
Board OKs Townhouse Plan — County Board members on Saturday voted 4-0, with JD Spain, Sr., abstaining, to approve the proposed 47-townhouse Waverly Ridge development at 2134 N. Taylor Street in Waverly Hills. The 2.8-acre site is located just south of Langston Blvd. and currently is home to several unoccupied single-family homes. An abandoned earlier plan had called for a senior-living facility on the site. —Scott McCaffrey
Apartment Stairwell Robbery — “The male victim was in the stairwell of a residential building when the two male suspects entered the building. One suspect approached and struck the victim with what appeared to be a firearm… The suspects then assaulted the victim further, threatened him with the firearm and demanded his clothing and personal belongings before fleeing the scene.” The incident was reported in the 900 block of S. Buchanan Street Thursday night. [ACPD]
Clarendon Offices For Sale — Two Clarendon office buildings at 3001 and 3003 Washington Blvd have hit the market as owner KBS Real Estate Investment Trust III winds down. “They’re winding down this REIT vehicle, and they’re returning their proceeds to their investors,” a Newmark exec told the Washington Business Journal. [WBJ]
Boulevard Opens on Wilson — “A polished American restaurant named Boulevard opened this spring along Wilson Boulevard, complete with a separate rooftop bar that’s giving a Tulum-meets-Mykonos vibe.” The 8,000-square-foot space at 2915 Wilson Boulevard, the former Wilson Hardware, features bao bun sliders, pasta, sushi rolls and a third-story rooftop bar called Solset. [Eater]
Plane Pizza Party — Passengers on a Southwest Airlines flight delayed at National Airport got an unexpected treat: the pilot “stepped off the plane, ordered pizza for the entire flight, then served it to each passenger himself,” the airline said. [Fox 5]
Douglas Park Garbage Faceoff — “Garbage standoff in Douglas Park: American Disposal faced off with Bates on the right to [s]ervice Randolph [Street].” [Amac/Bluesky]
Beyer Welcomes F.C. Return — “I was grief-stricken to lose Falls Church! I am very happy to have the opportunity to represent this wonderful community again,” U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) told the Falls Church News-Press. The April 16 redistricting referendum moves Falls Church back into Beyer’s 8th Congressional District, which spans “from Arlington to Yorktown” under the new map. [Falls Church News-Press]
Spanberger Signs Assault Weapons Ban — “Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has signed legislation banning the sale and manufacture of certain semi-automatic firearms, prompting immediate lawsuits from gun-rights groups.” The law, which takes effect July 1, makes it a misdemeanor to buy, sell, transfer, import or manufacture an “assault firearm,” defined to include semi-automatic rifles or pistols accepting magazines of more than 15 rounds. The NRA and U.S. Department of Justice have both filed or pledged legal challenges. It’s one of a number of bills signed by Spanberger last week. [WTVR, Virginia Mercury, WDBJ, WTOP]
Trump’s Heroes Garden Planned — “President Donald Trump plans to build an exhibit of statues featuring prominent Americans in a tightly regulated park along the Potomac River, potentially opening a new legal fight over whether his administration is ignoring the approvals process that typically governs Washington’s monumental core.” The National Garden of American Heroes would be built in West Potomac Park. Survey work has also begun at the proposed triumphal arch site between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. [Associated Press]
World-Record Fireworks Eyed — “Trump allies want to smash the Guinness World Record for the world’s biggest fireworks show, planning over 30 minutes of pyrotechnics in D.C. this July 4.” Breaking the record — set in the Philippines in 2016 — will take more than 810,904 fireworks. The day has been declared a National Special Security Event, with the Secret Service taking the lead on coordinating security. [Axios]
Single-Stair Plan Advances — “This week, the state’s Board of Housing and Community Development advanced a proposal to allow single stairways in four-story buildings, setting it up for potential adoption in the next state code requirements.” Backers say the change could unlock housing on smaller lots, while firefighters have raised safety concerns. [Virginia Mercury]
Commercial Space Rebounds — “Commercial space across Greater Washington continues to fill up as companies move beyond remote work.” CBRE’s Ian Anderson said regional office, retail and industrial occupancy has risen for three consecutive quarters, totaling 3 million square feet, with the gains mostly concentrated in Northern Virginia. [WBJ]
Homelessness Ticks Up — “Homelessness in the D.C. region ticked up slightly from 2025 to 2026, according to a new report from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.” The region reported 9,790 people experiencing homelessness, up 131 or about 1% from 2025. D.C. saw the largest numerical increase, and Montgomery County saw the largest decline (down 26%). [WTOP]
It’s Monday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 95 today, with southwest winds 1–10 mph and gusts up to 20 mph. Overnight will be mostly clear with a low around 72. [NWS]
Today’s Morning Notes are brought to you by Industrious. ARLnow has been in an Industrious office for years and we love the convenience — you get to focus on your work rather than worrying about brewing your own coffee or keeping the copy machine stocked. Industrious has several Metro-accessible coworking locations in Arlington.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Friday rejected Virginia’s bid to restore a congressional map that would have given Democrats a chance to pick up four seats in the closely divided House of Representatives.
The court’s order, issued without any noted dissent, is the latest twist in the nation’s mid-decade redistricting competition. It was kicked off last year by President Donald Trump urging Republican-controlled states to redraw their lines and was supercharged by a recent Supreme Court ruling severely weakening the Voting Rights Act that opened up even more winnable seats for the GOP.
A package of local street safety projects and the final draft design for upgrades to Doctor’s Run Park are both collecting public feedback through this weekend.
The deadline to submit input on all projects is Sunday. The street projects are intended to improve pedestrian safety on roads in Green Valley, Virginia Square and East Falls Church, while Doctor’s Run Park is expected to get a resurfaced volleyball court and updated playground equipment, among other changes.
The civic contributions of 70 women across multiple centuries were honored last weekend at the Falls Church Women’s History Walk.
“Their stories deserve to be remembered, celebrated and shared,” said Sally Ekfelt. She leads the Falls Church Women’s History Group, which sponsored the event at the historic Cherry Hill Farmhouse.
