News
Last night’s sunset, as seen from the top of the Capitals Iceplex in Ballston (staff photo)

Shirlington Crow Watching — “We met the birders late Saturday afternoon on the rooftop level of a parking garage by Shirlington Library in Arlington. As the sun set, through binoculars we watched the distant horizon: Crows trickled, then poured into the area. Several thousand perched on trees along a ridge that formed a semicircle around the parking garage… This is a winter thing, through February, experts say.” [Washington Post]

Tysons Casino Bill Returns — “Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34) is once again rolling the dice on legislation to allow a casino in Fairfax County. A bill that would add the county to Virginia’s list of localities eligible to host a casino was officially introduced yesterday (Tuesday) in the state Senate, which referred it to a Committee on General Laws and Technology. Numbered SB 756, the new bill is identical to one that Surovell brought forward in the General Assembly’s 2025 session.” [FFXnow]

Miyares Eyes 2029 Run — “Virginia’s outgoing top law enforcement officer, Jason Miyares, told fellow Republican attorney general to “stay tuned” on whether he’s planning to run for governor in 2029. For those who know Miyares personally, this update was unsurprising. As soon as he decided to run for reelection last time around, his plan was to run for governor in 2029 regardless of the 2025 result.” [National Review]

Latest on Weekend Snowstorm — “Computer models have come into relatively strong agreement that at least 6 inches is likely and that parts of the region could near or even surpass a foot. But… uncertainties remain. There is an increasing chance that snow could mix with and change to sleet and/or freezing rain for a time Sunday, lowering the ceiling on snow totals, especially south and east of D.C.” [CWG]

It’s Thursday — Expect mostly sunny skies and a high near 51, with southwest winds at 7 to 10 mph shifting to the west in the afternoon and gusting up to 20 mph. As for Thursday night, it will be partly cloudy with a low around 29. [NWS]


Around Town

Good Wednesday 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 — Jan 21, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌤️ Thursday’s forecast

Expect mostly sunny skies and a high near 51, with southwest winds at 7 to 10 mph shifting to the west in the afternoon and gusting up to 20 mph. As for Thursday night, it will be partly cloudy with a low around 29 and a light northwest wind at 3 to 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Everything you want is on the other side of fear.”
– Jack Canfield

🌅 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

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Neighborhood: Madison Manor
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Open House: Sunday, June 21, from 1 to 4 pm
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Noteworthy: Cardinal, Swanson, Yorktown school pyramid

Seller has prepped this cute cape cod with fresh paint, flooring, and lighting to enjoy while planning and saving for renovations. Desirable details include woodburning fireplace in the living room, deep one car garage and driveway, wood floors on two levels, main level bedroom, and two large bedrooms upstairs. Lower level den, full bath and laundry plus a big utility and storage room with space for workout equipment. Blocks to Madison Manor Park, bike and walking path to Westover Village and Ballston. Walk to East Falls Church Metro, neighborhood restaurants and shops, Dominion Hills Pool, Skate Park, and Upton Hills Regional Park.

An appealing home for those who value space and location — and an opportunity to make it their own

Listed by:
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[email protected]
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Weather

The threat of a major winter storm this weekend is now “high,” according to the National Weather Service.

The weather service said D.C. area residents should start preparing now for the storm, which is expected to begin Saturday afternoon or evening and peak Sunday morning.


News

Before Arlington moves to change its form of government, it needs to educate more residents on what the current structure is and why reforms might be needed, one County Board member believes.

“Walk down a street in Ballston, Columbia Pike, anywhere — most folks will look at you like a deer in the headlights” when governance is brought up, Julius “J.D.” Spain, Sr., said at the Jan. 13 Arlington County Civic Federation meeting.


Event

Online event (see link)

Since 2005, Mamistad has helped 1000’s of first-time moms find their new mom tribes. Let’s connect you with yours! Join us for a quick FREE virtual call and you’ll be all set to join your group – sometimes even the same day!

When you’re expecting or just had your first baby, you can be blindsided by all the newness that comes with it. All those feelings you’re having are normal – it’s NOT JUST YOU! Pregnancy and new mom groups are a lifesaver when it comes to normalizing those feelings we just can’t be prepared for – mainly the changes YOU will go through as a mother.


News

This week marks the 10-year anniversary of Mark Schwartz becoming Arlington’s county manager on a permanent basis.

Schwartz had been appointed to the role in an acting capacity in July 2015, and County Board members announced on Jan. 8, 2016 that they had decided to make the position permanent.


News

Another candidate has entered a challenge against Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) in the lawmaker’s first primary election in his 18 years on the Senate.

Mark Moran, a former reality television star and Wall Street investment banker who lives in Falls Church, announced his candidacy today (Wednesday), one year and one day after President Trump was sworn into office.


Around Town

Two restaurants in Arlington and three in Falls Church made the grade in Washingtonian’s new “100 Very Best Restaurants” list.

Regulars in the local dining scene will be familiar with most of these spots, all of which were also highlighted last year. They range from a Vietnamese restaurant in Falls Church’s Eden Center to a popular French-inspired establishment on Langston Blvd.


News

Nearly 7,000 homes and businesses are without power in and around Pentagon City on a frigid Wednesday morning.

The outage was first reported shortly after 8:30 a.m., encompassing parts of Pentagon City, Crystal City, Aurora Highlands and Arlington Ridge. In all, 6,902 Dominion customers were without power, according to the utility’s website.


News

Arlington government leaders appear willing to fill financial gaps if the federal government reduces housing grants to support vulnerable populations — but they don’t know how big those gaps might be.

“We’re not going to not find a way to fund it. We’re not going to let that all fall apart,” Board member Maureen Coffey said at the Housing Commission’s Jan. 15 meeting, which looked at impacts of current and future budget cuts to federal housing funds.