News

Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) is co-leading a bipartisan bill aimed at giving parents more tools to protect their children on social media.

Warner introduced “Sammy’s Law” today (Monday) alongside Sens. Jon Husted (R-OH) and Katie Britt (R-AL). The legislation would require large social media platforms — those with at least 100 million monthly active users or $1 billion in annual gross revenue — to work with independent safety software providers that can help families monitor children’s accounts, according to the bill text.


Around Town

A new Pilates studio is rolling out plans to open in Crystal City.

Signs advertising “Pilates on the Mat” have appeared on the ground floor of The Grace and Reva apartments (269 19th Court S.). A website for the upcoming business advertises “a revolutionary fitness concept providing reformer-quality Pilates classes at a fraction of the price,” in addition to “corporate wellness” classes offered at offices and apartments.


Announcement

There’s something a little bit magical about picking up a foil for the first time — or drawing back a bow and watching your arrow fly true. It’s why fencing and archery have such a hold on kids and adults alike: real focus, real skill, and a thrill you don’t get from the usual sports lineup.

This fall, Nova Fencing & Archery Club in Bailey’s Crossroads is opening registration for both, with beginner classes for every age starting the week of September 12th. Fencing welcomes ages 7 to 12 and teens and adults 13 and up. Explore Archery, coached by USA Archery certified instructors, welcomes ages 8 to 12 and meets Tuesdays or Saturdays. And for our youngest fencers, ages 4 to 6, ABC’s of Fencing meets on Saturdays. All classes run eight sessions for $195, equipment provided, no experience needed — yes, even for grown-ups who’ve never held a sword or a bow before.


Around Town

A pizza franchise with a flair for the psychedelic has its eye on Arlington and Alexandria as it plans a major new expansion into the D.C. area.

Mellow Mushroom has named the two localities among its “highest-priority growth markets on the East Coast,” a spokesperson told ARLnow. The business — known for its “stone-baked pies,” appetizers and kaleidoscopic colors — is planning to open eight to 10 new locations in the region, according to Jamie Cecil, vice president of franchise development.


Event

Friends, foodies, and City of Falls Church lovers, get ready for the Little City’s biggest celebration yet at the 🌟50th Annual Falls Church Festival! Festivities return on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 300 Park Ave.!

🌮 Dive into delicious, local eats from 17+ onsite eateries and breweries
🍻 Sip away in the beer garden and jam out to live music
🛍️ Peruse over 85 crafters, community groups, and merchant vendors
🎸 Bounce around the inflatables, children’s shows, and pony rides
🔎 Explore the festival through the Big 50 Scavenger Hunt


News

A proposal to impose fees on applications for new historic districts in Arlington is drawing criticism from members of the county’s historic-preservation panel.

Kaydee Myers, chair of the Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB), argued that the small number of applications submitted annually would result in minimal revenue, but imposing a fee could dissuade future applicants.


News

County Board members have approved new rooftop solar panels at four more county buildings, including Central Library.

Collectively, the installations are anticipated to save the county government about $850,000 in utility costs over a 25-year period.


News

This winter’s “snowcrete” storm cost Reagan National Airport some passengers, but the looming spring-break season may turn things around.

January’s enplanements at Reagan National stood at just over 820,000, down 5.1% from a year before, according to data presented March 18 to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) board of directors.


News
Blooming in Lubber Run Park (Flickr pool photo by ksrjghkegkdhgkk)

Beyer Blasts Trump on Iran — Rep. Don Beyer (D) called the president’s handling of the Iran conflict a “clown show,” posting that Trump “was awfully concerned about the ‘pallets of cash’ sent to Iran a decade ago, but is now going to give them nearly 10x that amount in the middle of a war.” In a separate post, Beyer called the president’s behavior “increasingly erratic” and “a clear and growing threat.” [Rep. Don Beyer/X, Rep. Don Beyer/X]

Redistricting Referendum Jitters — “It’s not a done deal by any means,” Rep. Beyer said of the upcoming Virginia redistricting referendum, adding that Democrats will need to persuade voters to “hold their nose on gerrymandering because this is a response to Trump’s gerrymandering.” [NBC 4]

AG Sues Over Tegna Merger — Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones (D) and seven other state AGs filed a lawsuit to block Nexstar Media Group’s $6.2 billion takeover of Tysons-based Tegna, arguing the merger would reduce competition in local news. The FCC had approved the deal earlier the same day. [FFXnow]

Courthouse Market Expanding — The Saturday morning Arlington Farmers Market in the Courthouse parking lot is expanding by 4,000 square feet and nearly 20 tents for the season, beginning April 4. The market, contracted out to FRESHFARM, doubles SNAP benefits and accepts SFMNP. [Arlington County]

Remembering ‘Rusty’ Lynn — E. Russell “Rusty” Lynn Jr., 83, of Arlington, died Feb. 22. A Presbyterian pastor turned licensed clinical social worker, he worked at the Whitman-Walker Clinic during the AIDS crisis and married his husband Ed at Clarendon Presbyterian Church in 2015. A memorial service will be held April 18. [Washington Post]

That Loud Boom, Explained — The NWS says the loud “boom” heard Friday evening was a powerful positive cloud-to-ground lightning strike in Frederick County, Md. A temperature inversion near the ground acted “like an echo chamber,” making the already powerful strike seem even louder. [NWS/X]

Cherry Blossom Picks — The National Cherry Blossom Festival runs through April 12, and Axios has a local’s guide to the best events, including the Blossom Kite Festival (March 28), the Oxon Run Pinknic (March 29) and the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival (April 11–12). [Axios]

Guard Deployment Extended — The Pentagon is planning to keep National Guard members deployed in D.C. until 2029, the end of President Trump’s term. “It could be $1.6 million a day,” D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said. “I don’t get the point.” [WJLA]

It’s Monday — Rain showers this morning taper off around 10 a.m., giving way to partly sunny skies with a high near 60. North winds 8–16 mph with gusts up to 29 mph. Tonight clears out with a low around 33. [NWS]

Today’s Morning Notes are brought to you by Industrious. ARLnow has been in an Industrious office for years 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.

Flickr pool photo by ksrjghkegkdhgkk


Weather

A combination of dry conditions, wind and warm temperatures will raise the risk of brush fires today.

The National Weather Service just issued a Special Weather Statement warning of the extra fire danger.


Announcement

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.