Marybeth Connelly speaks as other candidates look on at the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce candidate forum (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)
A recent forum quizzed Falls Church City Council candidates on what local governments can do to blunt ever-increasing costs of child care and preschool services in Northern Virginia.
It was, one incumbent noted, the first time the issue had been raised during a candidate forum in her memory.
“The NOW” pop-up park in Rosslyn (courtesy George Brazier)
Lost and Found Closed at DCA — “The ongoing federal government shutdown is starting to impact travelers at Reagan National Airport. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that its Lost and Found office at the airport is now closed until further notice. A sign posted outside the office on Wednesday said to travelers that all inquiries must now be submitted online.” [DC News Now]
Beyer Blasts White House Work — “The White House belongs to the American people, not to one person. Past presidents rightly consulted with Congress before construction projects. Donald Trump taking a wrecking ball to one of America’s greatest symbols is awful and illegal, and sadly also an accurate metaphor.” [Rep. Don Beyer/X, Axios]
Book Sale Starts Today — “Our Fall 2025 Book Sale will take place – October 23 to 26, 2025… The sale is held in the garage of the Central Library located at 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA 22201. The specialty books room is in the Quincy Room (first floor of the library by the Quincy Park entrance).” [FOAL]
F.C. School Board Debate — “The one and only actual debate among the five candidates seeking election to the Falls Church School Board was held on the Learning Stairs at the new Meridian High School last week, and while there was little of substance that the five women disagreed upon, the biggest matter may turn out to be not issues at all so much as basic qualifications. That would go to the question of whether or not concrete experience as an educator would be grounds for whether or not someone should be elected to the board.” [FCNP]
Lower Pet Adoption Fees — “The Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) is lowering its adoption fees for adult cats and dogs to help potential adopters find their boo this weekend. From Oct. 24 to Oct. 26, adoption fees will be lowered to $70 for all adult dogs and cats.” [DC News Now]
Postal Drug Bust — “On October 22, 2025, the Postal Inspection Service Washington Division – Contraband Interdiction and Investigations Task Force seized approximately 10,000 pills containing fentanyl that were destined for Washington, DC.” [USPIS/X]
Lt. Gov. Race Fake Debate — “After his Democratic opponent declined all of his debate requests in the Virginia lieutenant governor race, Republican John Reid decided he’d hold a 40-minute one anyway — against a version of her generated by artificial intelligence. The fake voice of state Sen. Ghazala F. Hashmi (D-Richmond) got to make the first opening statement.” [Washington Post]
New Legal Notice — Restaurant seeks license for beer, wine, mixed beverages on/off-premises. [Public Notices]
It’s Thursday — Expect a sunny day with a high around 62 degrees, accompanied by a west wind blowing at 7 to 14 mph and gusts reaching up to 23 mph. On Thursday night, the skies will be mostly clear with the temperature dropping to around 41 degrees, and a northwest wind blowing at 5 to 7 mph. [NWS]
This sponsored column is by Law Office of James Montana PLLC. All questions about it should be directed to James Montana, Esq., Janice Chen, Esq., and Victoria Khaydar, Esq., practicing attorneys at The Law Office of James Montana PLLC, an immigration-focused law firm located in Falls Church, Virginia. The legal information given here is general in nature. If you want legal advice, contact us for an appointment.
On April 16 – just yesterday – The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) publicly released its precedent decision in Matter of M-K-, 29 I&N Dec. 556 (BIA 2026), the immigration case of Palestinian activist and former Columbia University graduate student, Mahmoud Khalil. Though the decision was originally issued on April 9, 2026, its designation and publication today as binding BIA precedent makes it significantly more consequential, because the ruling now is binding precedent within the immigration court system. (more…)
Expect a sunny day with a high around 62 degrees, accompanied by a west wind blowing at 7 to 14 mph and gusts reaching up to 23 mph. For Thursday night, the skies will be mostly clear with the temperature dropping to around 41 degrees, and a northwest wind blowing at 5 to 7 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
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The green space in front of Marymount University's Main House (staff photo by Anuj Khemka)
For the past two years, Marymount University has been among a small but growing group of higher education institutions leading the charge in offering degrees in AI.
The private university based in the Old Dominion neighborhood, which launched its AI program in fall 2023, currently offers a Bachelor of Science degree in the subject and an accompanying minor and graduate certificate.
“Reflection: Diversity and Inclusivity” sculpture in Falls Church (staff photo by Katie Taranto)
Virginia is for lovers, and so is a new public art installation near Falls Church City Hall.
The art piece, which plays into the commonwealth’s iconic slogan while promoting the Little City as “a unique travel destination,” consists of a set of steel letters spelling out LOVE.
Danny Gavigan and Bligh Voth perform in "Strategic Love Play" at Signature Theatre (via Signature Theatre/Facebook)
Numerous music, comedy and theater performances are coming to Arlington and Falls Church in the coming months.
Whether it’s live jazz, a stage adaptation of “Frankenstein” or a pre-Halloween production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” upcoming arts events this fall and winter cater to a wide range of tastes.
An open house about a planned expansion to Green Valley’s Drew Park is happening next week.
Part of a long-anticipated project to create a new Drew Park Master Plan, the event will let community members provide input and learn more about the future of the recreation area at 2310 S. Kenmore Street, between John Robinson, Jr. Town Square and Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary School.
Unveiling of stumbling stones in Arlington View neighborhood on Oct. 18, 2025 (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)
The effort to memorialize people enslaved in Arlington is receiving an additional push over the coming month before it takes a winter break.
Six “stumbling stone” ceremonies have been planned through mid-November at locations across the county. They began Saturday in the Arlington View neighborhood with the unveiling of three new bronze markers embedded into the sidewalk.