Arlington’s unemployment rate continued its upward trajectory in June, reaching a 55% year-over-year increase, according to new data.
A total of 5,247 county residents were reported as seeking work that month, according to state data released earlier this week. That’s up from the 3,380 residents reported as unemployed in June 2024, and up from 5,061 recorded in May of this year.
New technology is helping Arlington County keep track of the millions of times that bicyclists and pedestrians use local trails and bridges throughout the year.
An updated online dashboard in partnership with the French firm Eco Counter includes a running tally of pedestrians and bicyclists that pass by 35 sites on trails countywide.
By ASHRAF KHALIL Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Two Washington, D.C.-area statues commemorating the Confederacy will be restored and replaced, in line with President Donald Trump’s pushback on recent efforts to reframe America’s historical narrative.
Blame an unforgiving Mother Nature for a jump in flight cancellations at Reagan National Airport this summer.
An analysis by CBS News covering the early-summer period (Memorial Day to mid-July) found a 274% increase in flight cancellations at the airport compared to the same period in 2024.
Famous Rosslyn Condo For Sale — An Arlington condo owned by Kastle Systems founder A. Gene Samburg is on the market for $3.85 million. The 4,000-square-foot home features three levels, an in-unit elevator, and panoramic views of the Iwo Jima Memorial and the National Mall. The Tom Hanks film “Charlie Wilson’s War” featured scenes shots from inside the condo. (Wilson lived next door.) [WBJ]
Trash Collection Issues — “We are aware of reports of incomplete or missed collections as crews from Arlington County’s new household solid waste contractor become familiar with routes and neighborhoods. We apologize for the inconvenience and ask for patience during this transition period between contractors… Please leave carts at the curb until they are emptied.” [Arlington County]
Burkman Pleads in Michigan — “Today, John Burkman, 59, of Arlington, Virginia, and Jacob Wohl, 27, of Fairfax, Virginia, pled no contest to orchestrating a series of robocalls aimed at suppressing the vote of predominantly black voters in Detroit in the 2020 general election, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.” [State of Michigan]
Hawaii Lawmakers Visit Arlington — “Hawaii Senators Stanley Chang and Troy Hashimoto led a delegation to Arlington for a roundtable with Board Members Julius D. “JD” Spain, Sr. and Maureen Coffey on transit-oriented development. A strong conversation on smart growth, housing, and regional planning.” [Arlington County Board/X]
Big Raise for Autism Startup — Positive Development Inc. has raised $51.5 million to expand its autism care services, aiming to double its presence and triple revenue by broadening insurance coverage and improving tech infrastructure. Arlington native Mike Suiters co-founded the McLean-based company in 2020 after working for BlueCross BlueShield’s venture fund. [WBJ]
Va. Tourism Record — “Governor Glenn Youngkin and Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) announced today that Virginia’s tourism industry generated a record high $35.1 billion in visitor spending in 2024, marking a 5.4% increase from $33.3 billion in 2023.” [Press Release]
It’s Wednesday — There is a 20% chance of showers after 3pm, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 82°F accompanied by an east wind at 3-7 mph. Wednesday night, expect cloudy skies to turn partly cloudy, with a low of around 67°F. [NWS]
Activists bearing Palestinian flags, pots and pans and flyers calling a resident a “war criminal” descended on a North Arlington home last week.
The Friday protest was the second time in recent days that activists have targeted the Williamsburg residence of Loik Henderson, a member of the board of directors at the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
A new bill with the backing of U.S. Rep. Don Beyer is seeking to redraw congressional lines to combat gerrymandering and improve representation.
The measure, called the Fair Representation Act, was introduced by Beyer and Maryland Democrat Jamie Raskin on July 23. It would involve creating larger congressional districts with multiple representatives, elected through ranked-choice voting.
The Arlington Housing Commission is considering a push to make it easier for houses of worship to redevelop their land with affordable housing.
A subcommittee of the full commission discussed whether to press the issue in advance of next year’s legislative session, which opens in January. Whether County Board members embrace the proposal remains to be seen.
Arlington County police are investigating numerous vehicle break-ins over the weekend.
The break-ins happened in a pair of parking garages along Columbia Pike, between late Saturday and early Sunday. Sixteen vehicles had windows smashed in and items were stolen from many of them, police said.
YHS Junior Batting for Israel — “An Arlington athlete represented Team Israel in the World Baseball Softball Confederation Europe’s 18-under Women’s Softball Europe Championships in Spain amid pro-Palestinian protests and logistical challenges.” [Washington Jewish Week]
Fire Dept. Training in Shirlington — “The Arlington County Fire Department will be conducting planned training exercises at the WETA building near Jennie Dean Park. Residents and visitors can expect to see fire department apparatus and personnel in the area periodically over the next few weeks.” [ACFD/X]
National Night Out Tonight — “In Arlington, which has participated for over 13 years, each host provides slightly different activities like carnival games, face-painting, ice cream trucks, cookouts, block parties and more. There are currently 18 different events scheduled around the county.” [ARLnow, ACPD/X]
AG Targets Fairfax Prosecutor — “Attorney General Jason Miyares intends to investigate the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office after the attempted abduction of a 3-year-old from Fair Oaks Mall last month… “Fairfax families do not deserve to live in a climate of fear because one person refuses to do his job,” Miyares said on X.” [FFXnow]
It’s Tuesday — Expect mostly cloudy skies with a high near 84 and calm winds shifting to an easterly 6 mph breeze in the afternoon. Tuesday night will see similar cloud cover, alongside a low of 69 and a southeast wind at 5 mph, diminishing to calm winds later in the evening. [NWS]
Flickr pool photo by Dennis Dimick
A massive proposed expansion to Pentagon City’s RiverHouse development concluded a key phase of the county’s public feedback process with generally solid reviews.
“It’s hard to argue with new housing and park space on underutilized parking lots,” said Kateri Garcia, who represents the Arlington Ridge Civic Association on the site-plan review committee (SPRC) that recently concluded five meetings on the development plan.
Construction work on the first traffic circle in Falls Church is gearing up.
Signs are in place for the project at S. Maple Avenue and Annandale Road, which will convert the existing four-way stop with traffic lights into what transportation planners hope will be a better travel experience.
