News

Morning Notes for April 21, 2026

By ARLnow.com
9/11 memorial at Arlington Fire Station No. 5 near Pentagon City (Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar)

Polls Open Today — Virginia’s special election is today, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters must go to their assigned polling place. On the ballot: a proposed state constitutional amendment that would temporarily allow the General Assembly to redraw congressional districts. Arlington Public Schools is off today due to the election. [Arlington Elections/X, Arlington County]

Amazon Behind on HQ2 Jobs — Amazon’s HQ2 in Pentagon City is falling short of its promised job targets for a third straight year. By the end of 2025, the company should have added 11,643 jobs under its state incentive agreement; instead it has created 7,159, or 28.6% of its 25,000-job goal by 2038. [Washington Post]

Defense Powers Office Market — Defense contractors drove N. Va.’s office leasing market in the first quarter, accounting for 85.2% of the largest deals, per JLL. Trophy vacancy fell to 13.9% as Lockheed Martin renewed its 176,127-square-foot lease at 2121 Crystal Drive in Crystal City — the quarter’s biggest deal. [WBJ]

Beyer Vows Kennedy Center Fight — Rep. Don Beyer (D) vowed to fight changes at the Kennedy Center, calling them “a disturbing extension of this Administration’s pay-to-play corruption.” Beyer was responding to a new Atlantic article on the institution’s ongoing leadership drama. [Rep. Don Beyer/X]

Sen. Warner Mourns Daughter — Sen. Mark Warner (D) and his wife Lisa Collis announced yesterday that their daughter Madison Warner, 36, has died after decades of battling juvenile diabetes and other health issues. “She filled our lives with love and laughter,” the family said. [ALXnow]

Tick Season Returns — As temperatures rise, tick activity is picking up across Virginia. State health officials say ticks can spread Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Alpha-gal Syndrome, and are urging Virginians to use EPA-registered insect repellents and check themselves after spending time outdoors. [VDH]

It’s Tuesday — Expect widespread frost before 10 am, followed by sunny weather with a high near 62°F. Winds will be calm, shifting to the south at about 6 mph in the afternoon. On Tuesday night, there is a 30% chance of showers after 2 am, with partly cloudy skies and a low around 50°F. South winds will increase to 7 to 9 mph. [NWS]

Want more local news from around the region? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow.

Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar

Around Town

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Apr 20, 2026

By ARLnow.com

Good Monday 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 — Apr 20, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

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

☀️ Tuesday’s forecast

Expect widespread frost before 10 am, followed by sunny weather with a high near 62°F. Winds will be calm, shifting to the south at about 6 mph in the afternoon. On Tuesday night, there is a 30% chance of showers after 2 am, with partly cloudy skies and a low around 50°F. South winds will increase to 7 to 9 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”
– Theodore Roosevelt

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

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.

Sponsored

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington: September 2, 2026

By Sponsor

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 August 31, there are 175 detached homes, 60 townhouses and 249 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 42 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

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. 

Around Town

New Green Valley art space to open with art vendors, poetry and clothing swap

By Dan Egitto
The 2700 Art Space Project (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Green Valley’s newest art space is preparing to open to the public with a outdoor market featuring creative activities and artwork for sale.

The 2700 Art Space project, located at the site of former Inner Ear recording studio next to Jennie Dean Park, will kick off its first official programming on Sunday, May 3 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Called SPARK!, the first monthly art market will include artwork from local artists — including prints and ceramics from The Studios at Arlington Arts — plus the mobile bookstore The Wandering Shelf, a pop-up poetry booth from The Poet is IN and the popular “Patch or Swap” booth where visitors can mend old clothes or trade them in.

Go to New Green Valley art space to open with art vendors, poetry and clothing swap Read more
Announcement

Local Muay Thai Academy Earns Prestigious Muay Thai Certification from Thailand

Two men pose in an office holding a plaque with the Thailand flag and SMG 2026 seal/emblem.

Pentagon MMA has brought a special honor home to Arlington from the birthplace of Muay Thai.

The Arlington Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu Academy is now officially a certified and registered Muay Thai Gym Partner through the Sports Authority of Thailand and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, making Pentagon MMA the only Muay Thai academy on the East Coast to have earned this distinction.

Go to Local Muay Thai Academy Earns Prestigious Muay Thai Certification from Thailand Read more
News

ACPD: Six officers and police K-9 hurt while trying to arrest break-in suspect

By ARLnow.com
Police assault suspect Oleh Mashkin (mugshot via ACPD)

A 34-year-old Arlington man is behind bars and facing numerous charges after police say he injured half a dozen officers and a police dog.

Oleh Mashkin entered a condo building on Columbia Pike around 6 p.m. Friday, shoved someone out of an elevator, and then kicked down the door of an unoccupied apartment, according to Arlington County police.

Go to ACPD: Six officers and police K-9 hurt while trying to arrest break-in suspect Read more
Event

First Baby? Connect with other New Moms!

Poster for Mamistad New Moms: first-time pregnant and new mom groups with a 'Get Connected' call to action.

Event location

Online event (see link)

Add to Calendar

*Mamistad Groups meet IN PERSON-only the introductory Zoom call is virtual. :)

Pregnancy and new mom groups are a lifesaver when it comes to normalizing those feelings we just can’t be prepared for.

Go to First Baby? Connect with other New Moms! Read more
News

What to expect in Tuesday’s special election on Virginia redistricting

By The Associated Press and ARLnow.com
Campaign direct mail advertisements about a Virginia special election on redistricting are on display in Arlington, Va., on April 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Robert Yoon)

There aren’t any candidates on the ballot in Virginia’s statewide special election on Tuesday (April 21), but the contest could still decide control of the closely divided U.S. House this fall.

Voters in the Commonwealth will consider a ballot measure that would amend Virginia’s constitution to give the Democratic-majority General Assembly temporary power to redraw the state’s congressional districts. It’s the latest move in an escalating redistricting arms race that began in July 2025, when Texas Republican lawmakers redrew their state’s congressional map to favor Republicans at President Donald Trump’s urging.

Go to What to expect in Tuesday’s special election on Virginia redistricting Read more
Events

Live outdoor jazz returning to Pentagon City this spring

By Katie Taranto
Attendees at the Jazz @ Met series (courtesy of the National Landing BID)

Another season of live jazz music is returning to Metropolitan Park in a few weeks.

The annual Jazz @ Met concert series, now in its fourth year, starts back up on Thursday, May 7 and will continue through June 18 at 1330 S. Fair Street.

Go to Live outdoor jazz returning to Pentagon City this spring Read more
News

Fees for county gymnastics programs increase 44% in revised budget proposal

By Scott McCaffrey
The Barcroft Sports & Fitness Center at 4200 S. Four Mile Run Drive (file photo)

While County Board members have agreed to save gymnastics programming, advocates now fear that a proposed hike in participation fees may still make the programs inaccessible for many families.

At last week’s budget-markup session, Board members settled on a proposal that would increase participation fees for the Arlington Aerials and Arlington Tigers gymnastics programs 44% in the coming year.

Go to Fees for county gymnastics programs increase 44% in revised budget proposal Read more
Schools

Push for boys volleyball at APS arrives at School Board meeting

By Scott McCaffrey
Sam Luchessi speaks to School Board members (screenshot via APS)

An Arlington eighth grader brought the fight for boys volleyball to last week’s School Board meeting.

Sam Luchessi, a student at Kenmore Middle School, pressed Board members to include funding in their fiscal year 2027 budget so the sport could be added at the high-school level. The Arlington school system already funds girls volleyball, with competition in the fall.

Go to Push for boys volleyball at APS arrives at School Board meeting Read more
Around Town

New Van Leeuwen ice cream shop coming to Ballston

By Katie Taranto
New signs for Van Leeuwen in Ballston (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Arlington’s third Van Leeuwen ice cream location is preparing to open in Ballston.

Signage for the national ice cream chain has appeared within the last few days on the ground floor of 4075 Wilson Blvd, in part of the former Rustico Restaurant space. The business has eyed the location since last May, according to permit records.

Go to New Van Leeuwen ice cream shop coming to Ballston Read more
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