Schools

School Board members have tasked Superintendent Francisco Durán and staff to come back in the spring with options for renovations to two aging middle schools.

Whether there will be enough money in the future to fund major upgrades to Thomas Jefferson and Swanson middle schools remains an open question, but Board members said they are committed to finding ways to make improvements.


News
Holiday decorations at the Pentagon City mall food court (Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar)

Where to Party on NYE — “Ready to bid farewell to 2025 and welcome in a sparkly, fresh 2026? Raise a glass and dance your heart out into the wee hours at these kid-free blow-out parties.” [Arlington Magazine]

Where to Dine on NYE — “Ring in 2026 with one of Northern Virginia’s exceptional New Year’s Eve dining experiences. From seafood and steak to rich, celebratory dishes, there’s no shortage of unforgettable menus to make your night sparkle.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

It’s Monday — Showers are likely before 10am, followed by cloudy conditions that will gradually clear up. Temperatures will peak at 58°F around 11am, but will then drop to around 41°F. Expect windy conditions, with southwest winds of 17-22 mph becoming 24-29 mph from the west in the afternoon, and gusts of up to 47 mph. There is a 50% chance of precipitation. Tonight, partly cloudy skies and a low of 27°F can be anticipated, accompanied by a breezy west wind of 22-24 mph and gusts as high as 48 mph. [NWS]

Today’s Morning Notes are brought to you by Industrious. ARLnow has been ringing in productive years at an Industrious office 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 to help you start 2026 strong.

Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar


Sponsored

Each week, “Just Reduced” spotlights properties in Arlington County whose prices have been cut over the previous week. The market summary is crafted by Arlington Realty, Inc. Maximize your real estate investment with the team by visiting www.arlingtonrealtyinc.com or calling 703-836-6000 today!

Please note: The properties featured here may be listed with other brokerages– but that doesn’t limit your options. Arlington Realty, Inc. is ready to represent you, arrange showings, analyze value, and negotiate the best possible terms on your behalf. We understand the neighborhoods, pricing trends and market timing — and we use that knowledge to your advantage. 

As of April 27, there are 177 detached homes, 39 townhouses and 207 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 37 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

Image from Just Reduced Properties in Arlington: April 29, 2026

Please note that this is solely a selection of Just Reduced properties available in Arlington County. For a complete list of properties within your target budget and specifications, contact Arlington Realty, Inc. 


Announcement

Local rising kindergartener, Phin, has advanced to the Top 5 in his group in the national Jr. Ranger Contest, a competition that celebrates children who are passionate about nature, wildlife, and exploration. After making it through earlier rounds with strong community support, Phin is now in 4th place and working toward the top spot needed to move on to the quarterfinals.

The contest encourages kids to engage with the outdoors and highlights their curiosity and love for learning about the natural world. For Phin and his family, this experience has been both exciting and meaningful, made even more special by the encouragement from friends, neighbors, and the broader community.


Event

Join us in remembrance and celebrate our community at the City of Falls Church’s 44th Annual Memorial Day Parade and Festival on Monday, May 25, 2026. Honor our nation’s fallen heroes and our country’s rich history while marking the 250th anniversary of the United States of America!

Monday, May 25, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.


Around Town

Good Friday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Dec 26, 2025.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  1. Amid Kennedy Center turmoil, two Arlington theater companies broke sales records in 2025 (94223 views)
  2. Trash collection pushed back, APS on two-week break for the holidays (11109 views)
  3. Arborist pushes back on criticism Lyon Park tree was unnecessarily removed (9114 views)
  4. Bystander struck in Ballston road rage incident gets fundraiser to cover medical bills (7533 views)
  5. Looser restrictions on liquor sales could return for debate in Richmond (5359 views)
  6. Future pedestrian bridge over Potomac seen as benefiting county aquatics facility (5718 views)
  7. Meal delivery company to begin operating in Arlington and Falls Church next week (4525 views)
  8. Kilwins chocolate and ice cream shop opens in Clarendon (3370 views)
  9. Morning Notes for December 23, 2025 (2654 views)
  10. Lottery ticket worth $50K sold at BJ’s in Falls Church (2527 views)
  11. Morning Notes for December 22, 2025 (2461 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Saturday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

🌤️ Saturday’s forecast

Expect a partly sunny day with highs near 43 and a north wind between 8-10 mph. Saturday night will be mostly cloudy with lows around 32. The northeast wind around 5 mph will become calm in the evening. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.”
– Robert Louis Stevenson

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.

We hope you have a great weekend, Arlington! 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. 👋


News

The following in-depth local history feature was supported by the ARLnow Press Club. Join to support local journalism and to get an exclusive version of our afternoon newsletter, plus an early look at what we’re covering each day.

Marymount University is in the midst of celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.


News

The Arlington County Democratic Committee’s outgoing chair gives himself mixed grades as he closes out four years at the helm.

Steve Baker noted some successes in his goals for the party, but also some areas where those efforts fell short, at the Dec. 16 luncheon of Arlington Senior Democrats.


Around Town

A Ballston storefront will welcome a new dining tenant after a short vacancy.

A new restaurant called “Eat More Taco” is coming to 708 N. Glebe Road, replacing Grill Kabob after the latter’s closure in November.


Sports

After the Wakefield Warriors went 0-3 to open the 2002-03 boys basketball season, new head coach Tony Bentley grew increasingly anxious about getting his first victory.

In the squad’s fourth game of the season, the Warriors managed to eke out a win over the Marshall Statesmen, 61-60.


Announcement

The Rosslyn Farmers Market brings fresh, locally grown food to the heart of the neighborhood on Wednesdays from 2-6 p.m. beginning on May 6. Located at Central Place Plaza (1800 N Lynn St) and operated in partnership with FRESHFARM, this thoughtfully curated mid-week market connects the community with regional farmers and food producers offering seasonal produce, baked goods, ready-to-eat items, and other local essentials.

Just steps from the Rosslyn Metro station, the market is a convenient destination for Arlington residents, commuters, and visitors searching for a farmers market near Washington, D.C. From farm-fresh vegetables to artisanal breads, the Rosslyn Farmers Market makes it easy to restock your pantry or fridge with dinner-ready staples right in the middle of the workweek.