News

Nissinen to Lead AED — Arlington County has named Anna Nissinen as Chief Economic Development Officer and Director of Arlington Economic Development, effective June 29. “She brings a combination of global economic development experience in the region, strategic vision, collaborative leadership, and a deep understanding of how innovation economies evolve that will help propel Arlington forward,” County Manager Mark Schwartz said. Nissinen is currently a senior vice president at the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. [Arlington County, WBJ]

Ballston-Based AvalonBay Merging — “Apartment owners AvalonBay Communities and Equity Residential have agreed to a merger, creating a multifamily real-estate giant worth more than $50 billion.” Under the deal, AvalonBay shareholders will own a little more than 51% of the combined entity, which will hold more than 180,000 rental apartments. [WSJ, Multifamily Dive, CNBC]

Cape Opens Rosslyn HQ — “Fresh off raising $100 million, Arlington mobile carrier startup Cape has established a stand-alone headquarters after operating out of a WeWork in Rosslyn since its launch in 2022.” Cape inked a nearly 13,000-square-foot lease in Arlington Tower, two blocks from the Rosslyn Metro station, and plans to double its workforce to 200 people by year-end. [WBJ]

Courthouse Startup Lands $43M — “Arlington startup Quartermaster AI Inc. wants to make the world’s ships easier to spot and track, and investors are taking note.” The Courthouse-based company has developed SmartMast — a combination of cameras and radios installed on a ship’s mast that produces data on vessel activity, weather changes and ocean anomalies. Investors including First Round Capital and Quiet Capital participated in the Series A round. [WBJ]

Flags In at ANC — Nearly 1,500 Old Guard soldiers placed an American flag at every headstone at Arlington National Cemetery yesterday morning — more than 260,000 in all — to mark the start of Memorial Day weekend. “The Old Guard has done this every year since 1948. Each flag is placed exactly one boot length from the headstone. They finish in under four hours.” [Military.com, Stripes, ArlingtonNatl/X]

Flower Volunteers Needed — “The Memorial Day Flowers Foundation will bring 200,000 flowers to Arlington National Cemetery to place on graves as a tribute to those who gave their lives to protect others.” The foundation is still seeking volunteers to help place flowers Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and again on Memorial Day. Sign up at MemorialDayFlowers.org. [WUSA9]

Mini Grant Apps Open — “Arlington County’s Neighborhood Mini Grant (NMG) Program is now accepting applications through Friday, July 17, 2026. The program’s goals are to provide Arlington neighborhoods with funding opportunities to encourage community building through a variety of activities, programs, events, and projects that promote racial equity, diversity, and inclusion.” Maximum grant amount is $1,000. [Arlington County]

Reads Set in Arlington — Northern Virginia Magazine rounded up six books that use Arlington “as more than a backdrop, whether it’s a staycation guide, a neighborhood history, or a crime novel.” The list includes Charlie Clark’s “Arlington County Chronicles,” Kim A. O’Connell’s “Echoes of Little Saigon,” Mark de Castrique’s mystery “Secret Lives,” and Ann Patchett’s novel “Commonwealth.” [N. Va. Magazine]

Falls Church Housing Plans — Falls Church City Council is weighing three scenarios for affordable housing at the 4-acre Virginia Village site on S. Maple Street, ranging from refurbishing 40 existing units to building upwards of 100 new units in three to seven stories. The council is aiming to issue a request for proposal by the end of next week. [Falls Church News-Press]

Beyer Hails Housing Bill — “This bill is a big win for everyone who wants to make housing more affordable… Housing costs in particular are high on the list of the most important challenges affecting my Northern Virginia constituents, and I’m thrilled to see this bill advance,” Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) said of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. The bill passed the House 396-13 and now returns to the Senate. [Rep. Don Beyer/X, Press Release]

Safe Swimming Pledge — “After pool drownings of children 5 and under reached a five-year high last year in Virginia, state health officials are urging families to take a ‘safe swimming pledge’ as pools open for the season.” There were 12 accidental drownings of children 5 and under in Virginia in 2025 — more than the nine reported across the prior three years combined. [ALXnow]

It’s Friday — Expect periods of light rain throughout the day with cloudy skies, a high near 62 and a northeast wind of 9 to 14 mph gusting as high as 18 mph. Rain continues into the night with a low around 51. [NWS]

Parks Stay in Top 10 — “Arlington County’s nationally recognized park system has once again earned the number seven spot in the 2026 Trust for Public Land’s ParkScore, marking 11 consecutive years in the top 10.” Arlington earned 76.1 out of 100 points across 15 measures. [Arlington County]

Argentine Festival Returns — The Argentine Festival USA returns to Kenmore Middle School auditorium on Saturday, bringing a full day of live music, Argentine food and community celebration. The indoor event runs 3:30–10:30 p.m. and features more than 39 performers. [ARLnow]

Stop the Bleed Training — “Learn to stop major bleeding using tourniquets and direct pressure.” Ready Arlington is hosting a free, hands-on “Until Help Arrives” training on Monday, May 28 from 6:30–8:30 p.m. [Ready Arlington/X]

Composted Bodies at ANC? — Retired Air Force Col. Dave Buermeyer says he plans to lobby Arlington National Cemetery to allow composted remains, following the opening of a new “human composting” facility in Howard County, Md. “Environmentally, it’s head and shoulders over any other method that I’ve ever heard of,” Buermeyer said. [Axios]

Sewage Spill Hearing — “Key officials involved in the cleanup of a massive sewage spill in the Potomac River testified Wednesday at a congressional hearing that they quickly responded after a pipe burst and that public health was never at risk.” More than 240 million gallons of sewage spilled into the river in January. [WTOP]

Most Riders Skip Fare — “Metro says about 70% of riders are not paying their fare on the bus — about twice the national average and the highest rate of bus fare evasion in the country — and it’s costing the transit agency tens of millions of dollars.” Bus operators will begin quoting the fare to riders as a reminder to pay. [NBC 4]

Spanberger Splits on ICE — Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed legislation banning law enforcement officers from covering their faces while vetoing a separate bill that would have restricted federal immigration agents from making civil arrests in courthouses, schools and health care facilities. Both bills were sponsored by Fairfax state Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim (D). [FFXnow]

Spanberger on NAEP — Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) said her administration will look further into the expanded National Assessment of Educational Progress before committing to using the additional tests. “A test for a test’s sake is not what I think does any value for kids or for educators,” she said. [Virginia Mercury]

Revenues Up, Jobs Down — Virginia has lost 41,900 jobs since the start of fiscal year 2026, but General Fund revenues are roughly $851 million ahead of forecast. “It would not be unprecedented for us to use some of this money to get past this impasse, if we needed to,” Secretary of Finance Mark Sickles told lawmakers. [Virginia Mercury]

Va. Overdose Drop — Virginia recorded one of the steepest declines in overdose deaths nationwide over the past year, according to new CDC data. Expanded naloxone access and improved treatment programs have helped drive the drop. But state officials warn that potential Medicaid spending reductions could disrupt addiction and mental health treatment programs. [WAMU]

Sunshine Bill Returns — “House Republicans will try again to extend daylight saving time, seeking to end the nation’s semiannual clock changes — and deliver on a priority for President Donald Trump.” The House Energy and Commerce Committee is expected to propose adopting the Sunshine Protection Act this week. [Washington Post]

It’s Thursday — Expect showers and thunderstorms today with a high near 67 and northeast winds of 9–13 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%, with new rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch possible. Overnight, showers and thunderstorms are likely before 11 p.m., with a low around 54. [NWS]

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