News

Safe Swiped from Clarendon Business — ” 3100 block of Clarendon Boulevard. At approximately 1:49 p.m. on October 2, police were dispatched to the late report of a larceny. It was determined at approximately 3:47 a.m. on October 2, the male suspect made entry into the closed business, stole a safe and subsequently fled the scene on foot.” [ACPD]

Cox Trial Getting Nat’l Attention — “Serial sex offender Richard Kenneth Cox appeared in Arlington, Virginia circuit court Friday facing several prurient charges, with a vulgar rap sheet going back to the George H.W. Bush administration. Cox has been described as the “poster boy” for Republican concerns about transgender ideology and permissive policies at schools and on sports teams as statewide electoral races in Virginia heat up.” [Fox News]

Allegations Against Lt. Gov. Candidate — “The Virginia Democratic Party is targeting John Reid, the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, over allegations tied to a social media account. On Wednesday, the party posted a link to a report on its official X account that it says connects a Tumblr account tied to Reid to what it calls ‘racist and vile imagery.'” [WJLA]

New Va. Gov. Race Poll — “Democrat Abigail Spanberger leads Republican Winsome Earle-Sears by double digits in the contest for governor, according to a Washington Post-Schar School poll of Virginia voters, picking up strong support from independent voters as well as those who are worried about the state’s job market. But the races are much closer for lieutenant governor and attorney general, where Democratic nominees who tack harder to the left see thinner support from swing voters.” [Washington Post]

Beyer Proposes Shutdown Bill — “Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA)… today introduced the Emergency Relief for Federal Workers Act, legislation that would remove penalties for federal employees who wish to make hardship withdrawals from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) to pay bills during a protracted government shutdown.” [Press Release]

Shutdown Resource Page — “More than 72,000 of my constituents in Virginia’s Eighth Congressional District work directly for the government, and thousands more work as government contractors. Our community is home to many families who are now feeling the personal and economic strain of this shutdown… It’s my hope that the resources provided below will address your questions and concerns.” [Rep. Don Beyer]

Women’s Event Postponed — “Unfortunately, my Annual Women’s Conference will be postponed to a later date due to the ongoing government shutdown. Updated details, including the new date, will be shared once they are confirmed.” [Rep. Don Beyer/X]

ACLU Sues ICE — “The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia filed a class action lawsuit in Alexandria federal court today, alleging that Immigration and Customs Enforcement is unlawfully detaining young immigrants who have a legal pathway to citizenship — part of what the complaint describes as the Trump administration’s mass deportation strategy.” [ALXnow]

Vought’s Arlington Neighborhood — “On the quiet, residential street tucked in the Virginia suburb where [Office of Management and Budget Director Russ] Vought lives, the perception of him and his role in the shutdown is less than favorable. Several homes in the neighborhood have a yard sign in the front proudly declaring: “This house supports federal workers.” That includes the house right next door to his.” [Mother Jones]

Concern About N. Va. Nonprofits — “Nonprofits in Northern Virginia drive over $1.6 billion in economic activity, yet a new report warns that they face increasing threats from funding cuts, declining donations and growing demand.” [FFXnow]

Pike Crash Caught on Camera — “This was from a crash Tuesday at Columbia Pike and S. Glebe Road in Arlington. Injuries not reported as life threatening. Just like another collision that day… the driver of one of the cars got out quickly and forgot to put it in park.” [Dave Statter/X]

New Legal Notice — Restaurant seeks ABC license for on/off-premises wine, beer, mixed beverages. [Public Notices]

Fall Foliage Update — “Fall color increasing. Most prominent in western suburbs with general low color, per Explore Fall. If you’re up for a road trip, the mountains of nearby West Virginia are ranging from moderate to peak color.” [CWG/Bluesky]

It’s Monday — Patchy fog is expected to clear by 10am, making way for a sunny day with a high near 81 degrees and calm winds turning south at 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. The evening will be mostly clear with a low around 61 degrees. [NWS]

Today’s Morning Notes are brought to you by Industrious. ARLnow has used Industrious for years and we love the simplicity — show up, get to work, and let them handle everything else. Industrious has several Metro-accessible coworking locations in Arlington.

Latest on the Shutdown — “Senior federal officials have quietly counseled several agencies against firing employees while the government is shut down — as President Donald Trump has suggested he will — warning the strategy may violate appropriations law, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive internal deliberations.” [Washington Post, Virginia Mercury, WJLA]

Disruptions from Pike Project — “Three years of roadwork along Columbia Pike in Arlington has shifted to a new phase. Local business owners aren’t happy.” [NBC 4]

Expect Loud Booms Today — From AlertDC: “October 3, at 12PM, a total of 11 (LOUD) rounds will be fired as part of a gun salute being conducted at the Washington Navy Yard.”

Coffey to Serve as Acting Board Chair — County Board members on Thursday tapped Maureen Coffey to serve as acting Board chair from noon on Oct. 3 to noon on Oct. 12, when Board Chair Takis Karantonis will be in Germany at an Arlington Sister City Association program, and Vice Chair Matt de Ferranti is on paternity leave. Though no official actions are expected during the period, “a lot can happen in one week,” Karantonis acknowledged in the runup to the 4-0 vote. –Scott McCaffrey

Video of Carjacking — “Some distant video of Tuesday morning’s carjacking in Crystal City. It happened as a man walked across S. Eads Street to his Lincoln MKZ parked in front of Kabob Palace around 2:30 a.m. @ArlingtonVaPD reports he was approached by two men with knives who knocked him down and stole his cell phone and keys and then drove off with the car.” [Dave Statter/X]

Local GOP Fundraising Record — “And finally — the metric I usually share with you (but not the only measurement of success) — $22,722.62 raised in the 3rd Quarter, $5,629.96 more than our previous quarterly fundraising record of $17,092.66 in the 3rd Quarter of 2023.” [Arlington GOP]

Fairfax Supports Arlington, F.C. Projects — The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to support Arlington’s request for Northern Virginia Transportation Authority funding for multimodal projects on S. George Mason Drive, as well as Falls Church’s funding request for construction of a shared-use path on Haycock Road. Decisions on whether to fund the projects will come next summer. –Scott McCaffrey

Youngkin Transgender Order — “Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive directive to ‘prevent biological males from participating in organized female-only athletic teams and competitions in Virginia” and “prevent biological males from using designated female spaces where females are likely to be in a state of undress.'” [Nick Minock/X, Washington Post]

D.C. Recession Predicted — “D.C.’s top financial official predicts a “moderate recession” (escalated from a “mild” one) through the next 12 months, with more anticipated job losses than once thought… Over the next five years, 40,000 federal jobs are expected to evaporate in D.C., coinciding with lagging private sector job growth, per Lee’s office.” [Axios]

It’s Friday — Expect a mostly sunny day with a high temperature near 72°F, as calm winds shift southward at around 5 mph in the afternoon. The night will remain mostly clear, with a low temperature around 52°F. [NWS]

Flyover Planned This Morning — From AlertDC: “The United States Military will conduct a flyover in the National Capitol Region at Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 11:05 AM.”

Data Center Power Usage — “Data centers and AI are gobbling up electricity, but the share differs significantly by state. Between 2010 and 2025, data centers went from less than 5% to roughly 40% of Virginia’s electricity consumption.” [Derek Thompson/X]

Shutdown Shakes Up Va. Races — “The federal government shutdown — and the escalating battle over which party bears the most blame — has injected a major new question mark into the governor’s race in Virginia, home to hundreds of thousands of federal workers… The state is home to more than 300,000 federal workers — more than any other state but Maryland. That reality means anxiety over government shutdowns and their economic fallout runs especially deep in northern Virginia’s densely populated suburbs.” [CNN]

Top of Ticket Spending Down — “Republican nominee and current Lt. Gov Winsome Earle-Sears and Democratic nominee Abigail Spanberger are making their final pushes to voters before they fill out their ballots. Even with the historic implications, total fundraising for this gubernatorial race is substantially down from other recent elections, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.” [Virginia Mercury]

Gov. Touts Efficiency Gains — “We are CUTTING RED-TAPE and REDUCING COSTS for Virginia families and businesses! Our best-in-class regulatory reform efforts have set a gold standard for the Nation. Over $1.275 million in saving each year for Virginians. Less government bureaucracy, saving you time and money!” [Gov. Glenn Youngkin/X]

‘Suspicious Person’ Arrest — “The male suspect allegedly jumped over the fences of residences in the 400 block of S. Edgewood Street. A lookout was broadcast, and responding officers observed the suspect exiting a residence in the 300 block of S. Fillmore Street where they detained him following a brief struggle. During a search incident to arrest, brass knuckles were recovered.” [ACPD]

Local Woman’s Sake Shop — “Arlington resident Reiko Hirai started her online shop, DC Sake cō, with a grand plan to introduce the DMV to the wide world of sake. “I have a personal mission to bring sake to everyone,” she says. “My dream would be for everyone to one day say, ‘Honey, are we having beer, wine or sake tonight?’” The Kyoto native sells all sorts of hard-to-find sake and Japanese beverages.” [Arlington Magazine]

Coming to Potomac Yard — “The longest-standing vacancy at Potomac Yard Center has been filled. Ulta Beauty Inc. will replace Dressbarn, which closed its location at 3501 Richmond Highway in 2019 along with all 650 of the retailer’s locations. The 9,700-square-foot storefront is listed “at lease” on Willard Retail’s Potomac Yard Center brochure, but Ulta confirms it is opening there, with a planned debut in spring 2026.” [WBJ]

New Legal Notice — Establishment seeks restaurant/caterer alcohol license. Objections are due within 30 days. [Public Notices]

It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 70 degrees, accompanied by an east wind around 8 mph. Thursday night will see partly cloudy conditions with a low around 52 degrees. [NWS]