With the new year just hours away, we’re closing out 2025 with a roundup of ARLnow’s top 10 stories this year.
Representing a mix of fast-moving breaking coverage and stories only made possible through our team’s deep sourcing in this community, these stories offer a snapshot of an eventful year for Arlington and for this newsroom.
As we welcome 2026, we’re so grateful for readers like you who make ARLnow part of your daily routine. If local news matters to you, consider taking the next step by joining the ARLnow Press Club.
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This regularly scheduled column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. If you would like to work with Eli and his team in Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. Metro area, you can reach him directly at [email protected].
Question: Do you expect the housing market to continue at its current pace through the summer?
Answer: Buyers throughout Northern VA have faced stiff competition so far in 2026, especially for detached homes and townhomes. Some relief is coming to buyers still searching for a home, although it will come at the cost of seeing fewer homes hit the market.
The data below is based on homes sold in Arlington VA that went under contract in 2023-2025, but the seasonal trends apply across most Northern VA markets.
Second Half Market is Slower, Less Competitive
When you buy a home affects the way you experience the housing market. Buyers who are active in the first half of the year experience a constant flow of new listings, homes going under contract quickly, frequent competition, and rising prices. Buyers who are active in the second half of the year see fewer listings, homes take longer to sell, less competition, and more stable prices.
Four D.C. teenagers were arrested after a series of overnight break-ins at businesses in Pentagon City yesterday (Tuesday).
They’re accused of hitting a total of at least five businesses, stealing cash and electronics before being arrested while trespassing inside an apartment building on S. Eads Street, according to a press release from the Arlington County Police Department.
For nearly 65 years, Arlington County Board members rang in the new year with a Jan. 1 organization meeting.
Often drawing large crowds and extensive media coverage, the event was a chance for county leaders to lay out their priorities for the coming year after first voting in a chair to serve for the 365 — sometimes 366 — days ahead.
The watch party scheduled for Wednesday, June 24 has been adjusted to 8 p.m. entry for the 9 p.m. Czechia (Czech Republic) vs. Mexico match!
The world’s biggest matches deserve a bigger crowd, so join us this summer on Wednesdays for all the FIFA World Cup 26™ action at Arlington Mill Community Center. Experience the passion, drama, and nonstop excitement of international soccer on the big screen, surrounded by fellow fans, music, games, and high-energy vibes.
Of the two Arlington squads that played in the annual eight-team George Long Holiday Hoops Tournament, the host Wakefield Warriors placed highest.
The boys high-school basketball team (8-2 overall) ended up in fifth place with a 2-1 record, playing in three close games in the popular 23-year-old holiday event, the only one of its kind in the county.
NYE Road Closures — “The Arlington County Police Department will implement road closures and parking restrictions in Clarendon on New Years Eve to help ensure public safety and accommodate the expected increase in foot traffic related to nightlife activity.” [ACPD]
Metro Changes in 2026 — Expect weekend closures of the Crystal City Metro station, starting in February, as a result of construction on the second station entrance project. [NBC 4]
DOJ Sues Virginia — “The Justice Department sued Virginia on Monday over its policy of granting unauthorized immigrants in-state financial aid at public colleges and universities, saying that the assistance violates federal law because it discriminates against U.S. citizens living in other states.” [NYT, Reuters]
More Kennedy Center Woes — “More musicians have canceled their upcoming concerts at the Kennedy Center after its board voted to rename the performing arts venue to include President Donald Trump’s name. The canceled performances to date include shows previously promoted for Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and Jan. 14.” [Associated Press, NBC 4]
Bad Flu Season — “The United States is seeing a massive surge in flu cases this winter, many of them attributed to the so-called “super flu.” An unprecedented rise in flu cases comes as other sicknesses — such as the “winter vomiting bug,” COVID and whooping cough — are slamming the United States this winter.” [Axios]
It’s Wednesday — Expect flurries and a slight chance of snow before 7am, followed by mostly cloudy skies becoming sunny later, with a high near 39 and southwest wind gusts up to 21 mph. Wednesday night brings more flurries and a low around 26, while New Year’s Day has flurries until noon, sunny skies, and a high near 33 with gusts up to 28 mph. [NWS]
Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar
Good Tuesday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Dec 30, 2025.
Here is what’s going on Wednesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Expect flurries and a slight chance of snow before 7am, followed by mostly cloudy skies becoming sunny later, with a high near 39 and southwest wind gusts up to 21 mph. Wednesday night brings more flurries and a low around 26, while New Year’s Day has flurries until noon, sunny skies, and a high near 33 with gusts up to 28 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
“In order to write about life first you must live it.”
– Ernest Hemingway
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
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Tomorrow (Wednesday) is New Year’s Eve, and at ARLnow we’re continuing our countdown of this year’s most-read stories.
Stories #11-20 included a mix of heavy and lighthearted coverage, with a couple surprises thrown in.
An unusual set of administrative circumstances has led to confusion over how many students are allowed at a private school in Lyon Park.
The Arlington County Board earlier this month extended an existing use permit allowing Tyndale Christian School to operate with a maximum of 40 students. It did so even though the school at 716 N. Barton Street currently has an enrollment of 80 students.
