County Board members are about to consider replacing an aging office building in the Courthouse area with a new 19-story residential building.
The project, called Alexan Courthouse, is expected to go before the Board on Saturday (June 13) with support from three key advisory bodies and county staff, likely paving the way for approval.
County officials are preparing for the final phase of a nearly 20-year effort to improve conditions for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists along Wilson Blvd.
“The goal is to start in late summer — late July or sometime in August,” said Gabriela Kock, the county government’s project manager for the streetscape project.
By: Ross Goodwin, MD, psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente
Between email, text messages, social media feeds, breaking news alerts, and endless to-do lists, our attention is constantly being pulled in different directions. If that sounds familiar, you may have experienced what’s being called “popcorn brain.”
While popcorn brain is not an official medical diagnosis, the term has gained popularity as a way to describe a scattered, overstimulated mental state where thoughts seem to jump from one thing to the next, making it hard to focus, relax, or stay present. With digital devices and apps being integrated into daily lives, many of these challenges stem from passive screen time and constant digital stimulation.
What is popcorn brain?
To better understand popcorn brain, think about popcorn kernels popping in a bag. One moment your attention is on a work project. The next, you’re checking a text message, scrolling through social media, responding to an email, or reading a news alert.
Popcorn brain describes what happens when the brain becomes accustomed to constant stimulation and frequent interruptions. Over time, slower-paced activities such as reading a book, completing a work task, having a meaningful conversation, or simply sitting quietly can feel more difficult.
Here are some signs you may be dealing with popcorn brain:
It’s worth noting that many of these symptoms overlap with those of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. However, “popcorn brain” is not a diagnosable condition and should not be mistaken for ADHD, which is present from childhood and results from differences in the brain’s development. If these symptoms become overwhelming or disrupt your daily activities, reach out to your mental health provider or primary care doctor for help.
The connection between popcorn brain and anxiety
For many people, popcorn brain affects more than just focus. It can also increase feelings of stress and anxiety.
When the brain is constantly reacting to notifications, messages, and information, it has fewer opportunities to rest and process experiences. Many people report feeling mentally “on” all day long, leading to chronic exhaustion and fatigue.
This cycle can create a sense of information overload, making it harder to concentrate, sleep, and fully engage with the people around us.
Tips to regain focus and be more present
The good news is that to address popcorn brain, you don’t have to give up technology entirely. The goal is to use it more intentionally. Try these tips to reduce digital distraction on your brain and strengthen your focus:
One of Arlington’s advisory panels is considering a push to require local landlords to make their rent increases public annually.
The legislative subcommittee of the county government’s Housing Commission has included the proposal on a list of potential 2027 legislative priorities.
Complete Streets Hearing — The Neighborhood Complete Streets Commission will hold a funding hearing Monday, June 15 at 7 p.m. on four proposed upgrades: Shirlington Road between S. Glebe Road and 22nd Street S., N. Van Buren and N. Tuckahoe streets between 18th and 19th, and 13th Street N. between N. Quincy and N. Lincoln. The hybrid meeting will take place at the Bozman Government Center (2100 Clarendon Blvd). [Arlington DES, Arlington County]
‘Behind the Slicer’ — William Thompson, who co-owns Celebrity Delly in Falls Church with his wife, Julie Rossler-Thompson, has revived a restaurant blog with candid posts on the industry, from cheesesteaks to rising costs. A full Reuben now runs $25, up from $13 before the pandemic, and he calls Fairfax County’s 4% meals tax “detrimental to our industry.” [Arlington Magazine]
Hot Pot Kudos — A Washington Post food columnist writes about the unexpected, fleeting bliss he found in dish No. 140, a “caramelized fish in a hot pot,” at Huong Viet, a cash-only Vietnamese restaurant that has anchored Falls Church’s Eden Center for nearly 40 years. [Washington Post]
Trooper Rescues Kitten — A 4-week-old kitten “had the luck of nine lives” after a Virginia State Police trooper retrieved it from I-395 near the King Street exit late Friday (June 5). A driver spotted the kitten just before midnight. It was taken to an animal hospital and is receiving care, police said. [ALXnow]
It’s Tuesday — Expect partly sunny skies today with a high near 84 and a light south wind. Skies turn mostly cloudy overnight with a low around 68 and a slight chance of rain showers before dawn. [NWS]
Want more local news from around the region? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow.
Get ready for some spooky fun — our Annual Trunk-or-Treat is back! 👻
This year, we have a special treat! We are hosting a FREE 30 minute kids' martial arts class from 12:00 – 12:30 pm. Ages 5-16 yrs old are welcome. This is a great opportunity to try Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and then head to our parking lot afterwards for our Trunk or Treat event! Come dressed in your best Halloween costume and join us for an afternoon filled with candy, music, and fun! 🎶🍬
Good Monday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Jun 8, 2026.
Here is what’s going on Tuesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Expect partly sunny skies with a high around 84°F and a light south wind increasing to 5 to 9 mph in the morning. By Tuesday night, the weather will turn mostly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to around 68°F and a consistent south wind of about 8 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.”
– Robert Frost
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
Thanks for reading! If you have something to say about an issue of local note not covered today, feel free to post it as a letter to the editor on our new forum.
An Arlington-based boxing studio is closing all three of its Northern Virginia studios this month, per an email to customers.
BASH Boxing will be closing its locations in Ballston, Rosslyn and Fairfax County’s Mosaic District on Sunday, June 21, according to a mass email sent to customers just before noon today (Monday).
County Board members are approaching an initial vote on potentially prohibiting gas-powered leaf-blowers, but it’s still unclear when such a ban would go into effect.
The Board is slated to vote this Saturday on setting a a public hearing for next month that could start the clock ticking. County staff is sticking with its past recommendation for a three-year phase-in period, unswayed by recommendations by a number of advisory panels for a shorter phase-in period.
A group of five men, at least two of whom were brandishing guns, robbed a jewelry store along Langston Blvd late last week.
The robbery happened around 2 p.m. Friday at Sonia Jewelers (5155 Langston Blvd) — a nearly 40-year-old local business specializing in South Asian gold jewelry, with locations in Arlington and Springfield.
Arlington high-school track-and-field teams included one event winner, one runner-up and other top-10 finishers at the season-ending Class 6 girls and boys state meets.
The winner was Yorktown Patriots’ senior discus thrower Kaiya Ovando at the Virginia High School League event, held June 5-6 in Newport News. Her throw was a personal best and school record mark of 134 feet, 7 inches to win the girls event.
