News

Morning Notes for December 30, 2025

By ARLnow.com
Construction continues at the former Macy’s site in Ballston (courtesy Gale Harris)

No Drones in Arlington — “Received a drone this holiday season? Remember, all of Arlington County is a No Drone Zone due to our proximity to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Help keep the airspace safe by keeping your drones grounded in Arlington County.” [ACPD/X]

Washington Monument Lights — “If you’re looking for something different and free for New Year’s Eve, how about fireworks at the Washington Monument? In addition to the fireworks, there will be video displayed on all four sides of the monument as a kickoff for the United States’ 250th birthday celebration in 2026.” [NBC 4, Dave Statter/X, Stefanie Johnson/X]

Free Rides on NYE — “Offered by the nonprofit Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) the 2025 Holiday SoberRide® program – which has run nightly since December 19th – will be in operation beginning at 10:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve (Wednesday, December 31, 2025) and operate until 4:00 a.m. on New Year’s Day (Thursday, January 1, 2026) as a way to keep local roads safe from impaired drivers during this traditionally high-risk holiday period.” [Press Release]

New Governor’s Cabinet — “Three Democratic state delegates and a former FBI agent are among the Cabinet secretaries Virginia Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger (D) has nominated as she builds out the team that will advise her and help administer state government after she is sworn in on Jan. 17.” [Washington Post]

Youngkin Talks Va. Investments — “During Glenn Youngkin’s term as Governor of Virginia, CEOs committed $156 billion of investment to the Commonwealth – more than the previous six gubernatorial administrations combined. As he prepares to leave office, we spoke with Youngkin about how he pulled it off.” [Standard and Works]

It’s Tuesday — Expect a sunny day with a high of 35 degrees accompanied by breezy west winds ranging from 17 to 23 mph, gusting up to 37 mph. Tuesday night, the clouds will increase while the temperature drops to a low of 26 degrees. The west wind will settle down to 7 to 10 mph, gusting up to 22 mph. [NWS]

Around Town

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Dec 29, 2025

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 — Dec 29, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

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

☀️ Tuesday’s forecast

Expect a sunny day with a high of 35 degrees accompanied by breezy west winds ranging from 17 to 23 mph, gusting up to 37 mph. For Tuesday night, the clouds will increase while the temperature drops to a low of 26 degrees. The west wind will settle down to 7 to 10 mph, gusting up to 22 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The only thing standing between you and your goal is the story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t achieve it.”
– Jordan Belfort

🌅 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

LadyBug Academy Arlington opening announcement

By Sponsor
Image from LadyBug Academy Arlington Opening Announcement
Image from LadyBug Academy Arlington Opening Announcement
Image from LadyBug Academy Arlington Opening Announcement
Image from LadyBug Academy Arlington Opening Announcement
Image from LadyBug Academy Arlington Opening Announcement
Image from LadyBug Academy Arlington Opening Announcement
Image from LadyBug Academy Arlington Opening Announcement
Image from LadyBug Academy Arlington Opening Announcement
1/9

LadyBug Academy Arlington Opening Announcement

LadyBug Academy will officially open its newest location, LadyBug Academy Arlington, on June 1st, 2026, at 1915 N Uhle Street, Arlington, VA. (Ladybug Academy)

An Open House for the community is scheduled for May 30th, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Families and community members will have the opportunity to tour the facility, meet staff, and learn more about the programs offered at the new location. (Ladybug Academy)

The event will include family activities such as a bubble party, face painting, balloon twisting, and a petting zoo.

LadyBug Academy provides early childhood education programs focused on creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment for children. The school’s curriculum emphasizes language, literacy, math, science, social development, and hands-on learning experiences led by experienced educators. (Ladybug Academy)

The Arlington location will offer priority enrollment to Arlington County employees.

For more information about the Open House, please contact [email protected] or visit LadyBug Academy.

Schedule a Visit Now
News

ACPD investigating shot fired in Arlington View neighborhood

By ARLnow.com
Police car at night (file photo courtesy Kevin Wolf)

Arlington County police are looking for a man who fired a gunshot in the Arlington View neighborhood Saturday night.

The incident happened shortly before 11 p.m. on Dec. 27, on the 1700 block of 14th Road S., according to the latest ACPD crime report. That’s near Army Navy Country Club and Hoffman-Boston Elementary — and across I-395 from Pentagon City.

Go to ACPD investigating shot fired in Arlington View neighborhood Read more
Event

Summer Solstice Ceremony: Radiance, Expression and Being Seen

Ballston Park

1050 North Stuart Street

Arlington, Virginia 22201

Website Contact Social

A collaborative Summer Solstice gathering hosted by Inner Seasons and Spiritual Enhancements.

The Summer Solstice marks the peak of the sun’s power, the moment in the Wheel of the Year when light is at its fullest expression. In many traditions, this is the season of radiance, visibility, and creative fire. It is the time when nature stands unapologetically in her fullness, inviting us to do the same.

Go to Summer Solstice Ceremony: Radiance, Expression and Being Seen Read more
Around Town

Mussel Bar & Grille in Ballston closes, reportedly for renovations

By Jared Serre
Mussel Bar & Grille in Ballston (staff photo by Jared Serre)

A Ballston seafood restaurant shuttered last week, at least temporarily, and will reportedly undergo some interior changes.

Mussel Bar & Grille announced on social media and in a storefront message that it has closed for renovations at 800 N. Glebe Road.

Go to Mussel Bar & Grille in Ballston closes, reportedly for renovations Read more
News

Demise of major book wholesaler impacting Falls Church’s library

By Scott McCaffrey
Book stacks at Mary Riley Styles Library (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

The closure of a nearly 200-year-old book wholesaler will impact how soon new materials turn up on the shelves at Falls Church’s Mary Riley Styles Public Library.

Like many library systems nationally, the Falls Church library dealt with Baker & Taylor for many of its materials purchases. But the North Carolina-based company, founded in 1828, is wrapping up operations after announcing earlier in the year that its planned acquisition by another firm would not materialize.

Go to Demise of major book wholesaler impacting Falls Church’s library Read more
Sports

W-L first-year center chosen first-team all-state in Class 6 football

By Dave Facinoli
Washington-Liberty center Grant Siebert was chosen first-team all-state (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

Grant Siebert didn’t realize at the time that learning to play center in youth flag football would pave the way for significant achievements as a high-school senior.

The Washington-Liberty Generals’ captain recently was chosen to the Virginia High School League’s Class 6 first-team on offense as the lone center. He is the first W-L offensive lineman chosen first-team all-state at any position in Josh Shapiro’s 19 seasons as the Generals’ head coach.

Go to W-L first-year center chosen first-team all-state in Class 6 football Read more
News

Falls Church’s new pedestrian signals sometimes seem to go off on their own

By Scott McCaffrey
A HAWK pedestrian signal on E. Broad Street near E. Fairfax Street (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Do Falls Church’s new trio of HAWK pedestrian signals have minds of their own?

The signals went live in late spring along Broad Street, and on rare but multiple occasions, ARLnow staff have observed them turn on without any pedestrians nearby seeking their activation.

Go to Falls Church’s new pedestrian signals sometimes seem to go off on their own Read more
Schools

School Board pledges funding to modernize TJ, Swanson middle schools

By Scott McCaffrey
Supporters of improvements to Thomas Jefferson Middle School made their case at the Dec. 18, 2025 School Board meeting (courtesy Melinda Wuellner)

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.

Go to School Board pledges funding to modernize TJ, Swanson middle schools Read more
View More Stories