News
Window reflections on a sunny spring day in Courthouse (courtesy George Brazier)

Foot Chase on Columbia Pike — A teen was arrested Friday night after a reported fight near Columbia Pike and S. Dinwiddie Street, according to police. The suspect allegedly pulled a knife during the altercation, then fled on foot before being caught behind a 7-Eleven. He faces charges including attempted malicious wounding, assault on a police officer and obstruction of justice. [Dave Statter/X, WUSA 9]

Meals on Wheels Lands $70M Gift — Crystal City-based Meals on Wheels America has received a $70 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. The nonprofit, headquartered at 1550 Crystal Drive, supports roughly 5,000 community-based meal providers nationwide and says it will use the unrestricted funds to strengthen local provider capacity. [WBJ]

Pull-Up Busts GMU Pipe — A man admitted to doing a pull-up that burst a water pipe at George Mason University’s Mason Square campus (3300 Fairfax Drive) in late March, flooding the parking garage. He turned himself in to university police. “Moral of the story is ‘if you mess up, you fess up!’” a GMU police spokesperson said. [WTOP]

Snowcrete Finally Melts — The huge pile of snowcrete at the county’s N. Quincy Street property is now just a puddle, 75 days after the original storm. [ARLnow/X]

Cheese Cartel Opens — State Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim (D-37th) joined the ribbon cutting last week for The Cheese Cartel, a new cheese shop at Founders Row (922 W. Broad Street) in Falls Church. [Sen. Salim/X]

F.C. Housing Costs Questioned — The chair of Falls Church’s Economic Development Authority balked at costs tied to the planned Virginia Village redevelopment on S. Maple Avenue, which aims to boost the city’s affordable housing stock. A consultant proposal of $175,000 for a couple months’ work drew sharp criticism. [FCNP]

Va. Minimum Wage Headed to $15 — Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed a bill that will incrementally increase Virginia’s minimum wage from $12.77 to $15 an hour by 2028. The N. Va. Chamber of Commerce had urged a veto, warning the increase could worsen inflation. [NBC 4]

Chick-fil-A Visa Luck — Chinese students and workers, including those in Northern Virginia, have embraced Chick-fil-A as a good-luck charm for U.S. visa applications because the name sounds like “check files” in Chinese. Some 3D-print the logo, embroider it on keychains or set it as their social media profile picture, hoping for H-1B lottery luck. [AP]

D.C. Eyes Driverless Rides — The D.C. Council plans to begin reviewing legislation by month’s end that would permit commercial driverless vehicle service. Waymo, which has about 25 test vehicles in D.C., is eyeing multiple depot sites that would each employ about 100 people. [WBJ]

Drought Deepens in Region — Most of the D.C. area remains in moderate drought after a dry March, and April is tracking below average for precipitation. Portions of Virginia near Richmond have slipped to severe drought, and the Capital Weather Gang says there’s not much rain in the near future. [CWG/X]

Region Preps for America 250 — D.C., Maryland and Virginia organizers are planning celebrations for the nation’s 250th birthday, including what they say will be the largest fireworks display in U.S. history on July 4. Events run from May through July, and Fairfax County is rolling out “Fairfax 250” wine. [WTOP]

It’s Monday — Expect partly sunny skies with a high near 83 and southwest winds around 14 mph, gusting to 26 mph. There’s a slight chance of afternoon rain showers. Overnight lows drop to around 63. [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.


Weather

A Special Weather Statement has been issued for Arlington and the D.C. area due to an elevated outdoor fire danger today (Sunday) and Monday.

The fire danger is enhanced by dry conditions and expected gusty winds, according to forecasters.


Around Town

Good Friday 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 — Apr 10, 2026.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  1. New ‘microtransit’ program launches in northwest Arlington next week (9266 views)
  2. Costs at Long Bridge aquatics center projected to surge $2M as Boeing funds expire (7123 views)
  3. Proposed 300-unit building on Langston Blvd gets thumbs up from Planning Commission (6591 views)
  4. Arlington remains the D.C. area’s most expensive rental market as housing costs squeeze buyers and renters alike (5738 views)
  5. Middle Eastern bakery and market to replace closing deli in Cherrydale (5020 views)
  6. Shoplifting at Langston Blvd auto parts store escalates to robbery, carjacking charges (4332 views)
  7. Langston Blvd townhouse project gets Planning Commission’s support, despite staff opposition (4232 views)
  8. Virginia Supreme Court hears Missing Middle arguments as projects advance (3961 views)
  9. One Arlington team moves up, another down for 2026 NVSL swim season (3918 views)
  10. VHC Health development plan faces pushback at environmental meeting (3821 views)
  11. Arlington residents can get free windshield wipers, donate old car seats and socks this month (3808 views)
  12. Alpacas to spotlight new happy hour at Peruvian restaurant in Pentagon City (3448 views)
  13. Bluefish Bistro closes in latest business shakeup along Columbia Pike (3440 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

☀️ Saturday’s forecast

Expect sunny weather with a high near 69°F and a north wind at 9 to 11 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. Saturday night will be mostly clear with a low around 48°F and light, variable winds. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Success is not in what you have, but who you are.”
– Bo Bennett

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.

We hope you have a great weekend, Arlington! 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. 👋


Announcement

Explore exciting fall workshops at Art House 7! Coming up October 24–25, master artist Teresa Oaxaca returns for a special 2-day Painting a Child’s Portrait in Oils workshop for ages 16–adult. Looking for something shorter? Try the pottery wheel, create a ceramic leaf plate or keepsake ornaments, or explore drawing, printmaking, and Suminagashi. We also offer parent-child workshops and special art workshops for kids on Veterans Day and Election Day!

Art House 7 offers classes throughout the year, taught by a range of fantastic teachers. You can buy art supplies next door. We’re near the Lee Harrison Shopping Center.


Around Town

An Arlington-based inclusive theater troupe is about to bring its latest creation to life.

“Rooted in Unity” will be among two productions presented by ArtStream’s local theater companies during performances this weekend at the James Lee Community Center in Falls Church.


Event

This event is for: First-time pregnant & new moms, Mamistad Providers and invited providers.

Are you expecting your first baby or navigating life with a newborn? Join our mixer connecting first-time pregnant moms, new moms, and perinatal providers. We'll help you understand what a new mom village should look like and how to start building yours.
Meet doulas, lactation and sleep consultants, nurses, pelvic floor specialists, perinatal mental health therapists, chiropractors, dietitians, coaches and more!


News

The Trump administration has submitted detailed architectural plans for a proposed 250-foot triumphal arch at Memorial Circle, drawing strong pushback from Arlington’s congressman.

The 12-page filing, prepared by Harrison Design and submitted by the Department of the Interior, was posted today (Friday) to the website of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts ahead of the panel’s meeting next Wednesday. It marks the first time the administration has formally filed plans for the project, which Trump has spent months teasing on social media and in the Oval Office, according to the Washington Post.


News

Numerous pieces of legislation from Arlington lawmakers are officially set to become law following final approval from Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D).

Among the approximately 1,200 bills passed out of the 2026 session, legislation on elections, eviction prevention, tourism improvement districts and the minimum wage all came by way of state senators and delegates representing Arlington. Most signed bills will take effect on July 1, 2026, unless otherwise specified.


Opinion

Whether dealing with a dripping faucet or a full-blown pipe emergency, many homeowners eventually find themselves either leaning on a trusted plumber or wishing they had one.

Here are the nominees for “Best Plumber Serving Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards.

Did we miss your favorite plumber? Write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks.

Voting for Best Handyman Serving Arlington is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 8:30 a.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Exterior Painter Serving Arlington. The results are now official:

  1. Blue Door Painters
  2. Handy Manny’s Painting
  3. My Painter & Exteriors

Sports

Numerous Arlington athletes were represented on public and private “all-state” high school teams for success in the winter season.

In basketball on the public-school level, there was one Arlington player each chosen for girls and boys Virginia High School League Class 6 all-state teams. That hasn’t happened frequently over the years.