News
A rainy day in the Bon Air Park Rose Garden (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Youngkin Touts Strong Va. Economy — “At a time when legislative budget analysts warn of a looming downturn, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) had a contrary message Wednesday for the incoming administration of Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger (D): The state’s economy is “rip-roaring.” Don’t mess it up. “Let’s hold the next administration accountable for keeping it going. That is what I am most worried about,” Youngkin told reporters Wednesday morning.” [Washington Post, FFXnow]

East Potomac Golf Changes? — “Behind the scenes, administration officials have discussed a far more ambitious makeover for East Potomac. They have floated potential names such as “Washington National Golf Course” and talked about whether the site could someday host the Ryder Cup. To make such a venue possible, officials and outside advisers have discussed expanding the course’s footprint toward the water, potentially eliminating portions of Ohio Drive SW.” [Washington Post]

Cold Weather Set to Return — “Late December may turn colder — and possibly wintry — again. Even as parts of the central U.S. warm up around Christmas (with a bit of that mild air occasionally nudging east), there’s little evidence of a sustained warm stretch for our region. Instead, signals are growing that chillier, more unsettled weather could return late next week and beyond.” [CWG/X]

It’s Friday — Expect rain and potentially a thunderstorm in the morning, followed by a slight chance of rain until 2pm. Temperatures will drop to around 38 by 5 pm with breezy south winds between 15 and 23 mph, shifting west and gusting up to 47 mph. Friday night will be mostly clear and breezy, with lows around 27, west winds between 17 and 22 mph decreasing to 6 to 11 mph after midnight, and gusts up to 46 mph. [NWS]


News

Two people suffered serious injuries after reportedly being struck by the driver of a Jeep in a road rage incident.

The incident happened around 7:15 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of N. Glebe Road and N. Wakefield Street in Ballston, near SER Restaurant. Initial reports suggested both victims suffered serious traumatic injuries after being intentionally struck by a driver.


Sponsored

Synetic has recently received a $10,000 award from the George Preston Marshall Fund to provide scholarships to our summer programs, both our summer camps and the Teen Conservatory. We are thrilled to provide need-based scholarships for physical theater education to students who cannot otherwise afford to attend camps.

If you wish to apply for a scholarship, click below!

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Synetic Theater’s award-winning physical theater company brings its signature blend of movement, storytelling, and creativity to young artists ages 7-13 in ten one-week, fun-filled, repeatable sessions. No previous experience is required—just curiosity, energy, and a willingness to leap into the fun.

At Synetic, every child is a storyteller. Through dance, pantomime, stage movement, ensemble games, and world-building activities, campers learn to express themselves using their bodies, voices, and imaginations. Synetic’s experienced teaching artists guide students through an immersive process that builds confidence, collaboration skills, and creative problem-solving—all while having a blast.

Each session ends with a showcase where campers proudly share their original work with family and friends.

REGISTER FOR CAMP HERE!

We hope you join us for camp this summer! For further scholarship, registration, or general information, please email [email protected] directly.


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 — Dec 18, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛈️ Friday’s forecast

Expect rain and potentially a thunderstorm before 1pm, followed by a slight chance of rain until 2pm. Temperatures will drop to around 38 by 5pm with breezy south winds between 15 and 23 mph, shifting west and gusting up to 47 mph. There is an 80% chance of precipitation, with amounts ranging from a quarter to half an inch. Friday night will be mostly clear and breezy, with lows around 27, west winds between 17 and 22 mph decreasing to 6 to 11 mph after midnight, and gusts up to 46 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
– Eleanor Roosevelt

🌅 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.


News

Federal workers will get two additional days off this holiday season, thanks to an executive order just issued by President Donald Trump.

The order directs executive branch agencies to close on Wednesday, Dec. 24, and Friday, Dec. 26 — the days before and after Christmas Day, which falls on Thursday this year. Combined with the Christmas holiday itself, most federal employees will enjoy a five-day weekend from Dec. 24-28.


Event

Commemorate the country’s 250th anniversary of the United States of America at Civic Jam! Celebrate the City of Falls Church’s diverse community, civic engagement, and classic summer fun. Jam out to live, local music, sip on local brews, enjoy tasty treats and eats, and a full evening of festivities for all ages on Friday, July 3, 2026, from 6 to 10 p.m.

Play, connect, and earn points throughout the evening in the Civic Cup Competition with activities ranging from sack races and relays to collaborative community art and trivia in the beer garden. No pre-registration required, assemble a team of four, pick up a Civic Cup scorecard, and compete for the Civic Cup Trophy!


Schools

A “threatening email” has prompted additional police patrols around schools in Arlington.

The email was sent to “multiple school divisions and institutions of higher education across Virginia” and “there is no indication of a specific or credible threat to any APS school,” Arlington Public Schools said in an email to families Thursday afternoon.


News

The incoming chair of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce is preparing a renewed focus on outreach while marking a historic first for the 101-year-old organization.

Bismah Ahmed, who will be the first woman of color to take on the chairmanship, has ambitions of bridging gaps between businesses and the broader community, supporting local employers amid economic uncertainty and building on the chamber’s engagement efforts among young people, in particular.


News

Renovations at a North Arlington community center have county election officials on the lookout for a new early-voting site in 2026.

Madison Community Center (3829 N. Stafford Street), which is closing in the spring for about a year of renovations, serves as a regular polling place on Election Day and one of two satellite centers open for early voting in the weeks leading up to elections.


News

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s handpicked board voted Thursday to rename Washington’s leading performing arts center as the Trump-Kennedy Center, the White House said, in a move that was quickly denounced as a “disgrace” by the Democratic leader of the House, who is on the board.

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the vote on social media, attributing it to the “unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building. Not only from the standpoint of its reconstruction, but also financially, and its reputation.”


Around Town

A full slate of classic cover bands from Elvis to ABBA is coming to Falls Church between now and the new year, with more to come in 2026.

State Theatre (220 N. Washington Street) will host more than a dozen tribute acts between now and the end of March, according to the current schedule.