News

There’s only one candidate running unopposed in Arlington this fall. But that doesn’t mean Del. Alfonso Lopez is taking election season off.

Lopez (D-3) is raising funds and rallying the troops in hopes Democrats will be “picking up tons of seats” in the House of Delegates.


News
Nighttime traffic and pedestrians on the Key Bridge (courtesy George Brazier)

New Va. Rep. Shutdown Prediction — “Rep. James Walkinshaw, whose Northern Virginia district has one of the country’s highest concentrations of federal workers, is expecting the government shutdown to last around 30 days. Walkinshaw is the newest sworn-in member of Congress, but he served as chief of staff to the late Rep. Gerry Connolly during the previous three government funding lapses.” [Axios]

Shutdown Not Impacting Some — “President Donald Trump is all but ignoring the federal shutdown for parts of the government he favors — keeping paychecks flowing for military service members and FBI agents and backfilling publicly sensitive social benefit programs in a push to alleviate political pain from the closure as it enters its third week.” [Washington Post]

Beyer on Shutdown Negotiations — “Dems are floating a reversal of the RIFs as a shutdown demand (even as courts could curb them anyway) Rep. Beyer: ‘It’d be pretty unconscionable to open it up and still have to put up with those thousands and thousands of firings.'” [Politico, Nicholas Wu/X]

Beyer on Jay Jones — “I asked Rep. Beyer about Jay Jones: ‘What Jay said was awful. It’s no worse than what Donald Trump says almost every day and the things JD Vance has said… People make mistakes. I very much hope he prevails.” [Michael O’Connor/X, O’Connor/TikTok]

Car Noise Bill — “Fairfax County leaders are welcoming renewed efforts giving localities the ability to electronically monitor vehicle noise and fine those whose vehicles exceed state limits. Del. Rip Sullivan (D-6) plans to reintroduce legislation on the subject during the 2026 General Assembly session, his office confirmed. In this year’s session, his measure made it to the desk of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), but was vetoed.” [FFXnow]

Nestle Layoffs in Arlington? — “Food giant Nestle SA said Thursday it plans to cut headcount by 16,000, including 12,000 white-collar workers, across its global ranks over the next two years to drive annual savings. The layoffs will likely impact the Rosslyn-based headquarters of Nestle USA, though to what extent is to be determined.” [WBJ]

Pike Fest Saturday Afternoon — “Come together to celebrate and support Columbia Pike’s small businesses and vibrant community… Enjoy local food and drinks, music, family-friendly activities, and pike photos, all designed to showcase and uplift the businesses that make the Pike special.” [Columbia Pike Partnership]

Anti-Trump Protests Sat. AM — From a press release: “We of Action Virginia (WofA) is organizing the No Kings! WofA Bridge Brigade. Arlington community members will provide messages of patriotism and protest to motorists along I-66 in Arlington. Examples include VA IS 4 LOVERS NOT KINGS; TROOPS OUT OF OUR CITIES; HEALTHCARE NOW; and EPSTEIN FILES NOW.” [ARLnow]

Protest Planned in F.C. — “Amid more than 2,500 similar events nationwide, a “No Kings” rally in the City of Falls Church is expected to draw a huge turnout of citizens lining Broad Street (Rt. 7) from end-to-end this Saturday morning, Oct. 18.” [FCNP]

Backlash After Miller’s Move — “It’s sad that the Miller family couldn’t feel safe among my neighbors in Arlington… NOVA has a hate problem and is filled with the most privileged, insufferable, malicious, and vile malcontents in the country. Just read the comments to get an idea of what living in Arlington is like.” [Corey Inganamort/X]

Warmer Winter on Tap? — “The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released on Thursday its winter outlook covering the period from December through February. For the D.C. region, NOAA leans warmer than normal (33 to 40 percent chance) with equal chances of above-, near- or below-normal precipitation.” [CWG]

It’s Friday — Expect sunny skies and a high of 63 degrees with a northwest 6-to-8-mph wind during the day. On Friday night, the sky will be mostly clear with a low of around 46 degrees. [NWS]


Sponsored

This regularly scheduled sponsored column is written by Carolanne Korolowicz, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. If you would like to work with Carolanne in Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. Metro area, you can reach her directly at [email protected].

As Spring peaks, Northern Virginia features flowering azaleas, dogwood canopies, and pesky dandelions. Manicured lawns flaunt along neighborhood streets, and Mother Nature continues to outshine in parks, trails and the spaces in between.

Home to a plethora of flora and fauna, Virginia has a long history of impressive grounds. The “Mother of Presidents” could also tack on, “and Their Gardens.” Many of these impressive natural displays are publicly accessible, but many of these gardens rooted in history are found at private residences. The Garden Club of Virginia (GCV) devotes an entire year of planning and preparation for their signature event, Historic Garden Week, to give the public a peek behind the fence.

Photo Courtesy of The Garden Club of Virginia
Photo Courtesy of The Garden Club of Virginia

The annual event is divided by region and tours span over the week (April 18–25). Northern Virginia kicks off in Old Town Alexandria this Saturday from 10:00 AM–4:00 PM. Tickets include tours of five rowhomes’ grounds, admission to Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, and complimentary refreshments. (more…)


News

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares and Democratic challenger Jay Jones squabbled over a host of lawyerly issues on Thursday in their first and only debate: criminal prosecutions, consumer protection and unlawful discrimination. But one matter overshadowed it all: Jones’ leaked text messages endorsing political violence toward a former colleague.

Miyares, the Republican incumbent running for reelection, pushed hard against Jones for suggesting to a Republican delegate in 2022 text messages that former Virginia Republican House Speaker Todd Gilbert should get “two bullets to the head.”


Around Town

Good Thursday 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 — Oct 16, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

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

☀️ Friday’s forecast

Expect sunny skies and a high of 63 degrees with a northwest 6-to-8-mph wind during the day. On Friday night, the sky will be mostly clear with a low temperature of around 46 degrees, accompanied by calm wind conditions. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse.”
– Florence Nightingale

🌅 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.


Event

Join us at Surfside Tenleytown for a Cinco de Mayo celebration you won’t want to miss! 🌮✨ An event for the whole family! Enjoy classic margaritas, Happy Hour specials, and buy two, get one free tacos (all day, dine-in only), along with face painting and balloon twisting from 3:30–7:30pm and live music from 5–10pm. Reserve your table today on Resy!


News

A Baltimore man is facing multiple charges after a police chase ended in Shirlington late Thursday afternoon.

The chase started on northbound I-395 around 4:15 p.m. after a Virginia State Police trooper spotted a car that had earlier run from Alexandria police, according to VSP.


News

President Donald Trump has been floating plans for a new arch monument at a heavily trafficked roundabout near Arlington National Cemetery.

Depicting a winged “Lady Liberty” flanked by two eagles, the monument — called “Independence Arch” in mock-ups but now known by the informal name “Arc de Trump” — would stand in a traffic circle on the Virginia side of Memorial Bridge, about a quarter mile from the Arlington Cemetery Metro station.


News

A North Arlington community center may close as soon as next spring for a multimillion-dollar maintenance project.

That’s when the Madison Community Center will begin undergoing $6.7 million in renovations, bringing a new roof, climate control system, windows, better lighting and other improvements to the lower-level fitness center and adjacent restrooms, according to a county webpage.


Events

Bavarian snacks, live music and yard games are all planned this weekend at a new “Blocktoberfest” street festival hosted by the Clarendon Ballroom.

The event takes place this Saturday between O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub and the Liberty Tavern, at Wilson Blvd and N. Irving Street. The Clarendon Ballroom promises “a full-scale street festival packed with Bavarian cheer, music, and beer garden vibes.”