As happened during last night’s rush hour, Key Bridge again closed to traffic heading into D.C. Friday morning.
The closure was announced at around 10:15 a.m. and appears to be associated with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Washington. The Ukrainian embassy is in Georgetown, near the entrance to the Key Bridge. The bridge was also closed for a few hours in August due to a Zelensky visit.
Arlington’s nonprofits contribute invaluable services to the community across a variety of different social causes.
Here are the nominees for “Favorite Local Nonprofit in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards.
Did we miss your favorite organization? Write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks.
Voting for the Best Pizza Place in 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 Coffee Shop in Arlington. The results are now official:
Arlington’s startup ecosystem is off to a strong start in 2026, with a wave of new funding, growing innovation spaces and expanding tech companies reinforcing the area’s role in next-generation and national security-focused industries.
From early-stage startups to more established companies, the activity points to a broad and active ecosystem, one increasingly shaped by applied artificial intelligence and “dual-use” technologies with both commercial and government applications.
Big raises highlight AI-driven innovation
Several Arlington-based startups have already landed significant funding this year, led by two of the region’s largest recent deals.
Maritime intelligence company Quartermaster raised a $43 million Series A to expand its “SmartMast” system, which equips ships with sensors and AI-powered analytics to create real-time visibility across global waterways. The company describes the platform as a distributed sensing network designed to improve maritime awareness for commercial operators and governments alike.
Meanwhile, freight intelligence firm GenLogs closed a $60 million Series B earlier this year to grow its AI-driven platform for tracking truck movements nationwide. Using a combination of roadside sensors, satellite data and analytics, the Arlington-based startup aims to reduce fraud and improve efficiency across the logistics industry.
Alongside these larger raises, smaller seed and Series A rounds, including companies like CLEATUS and BriefCatch, continue to drive activity locally. The sectors may differ, but the throughline is similar: companies using advanced technology to tackle practical, real-world problems.
New innovation spaces bring ecosystem together
The momentum isn’t just showing up in funding. It is also visible in new spaces and programming designed to bring people together.
In April, Arlington hosted the kickoff of DMV Deep Tech Week, a region-wide series of events connecting founders, investors and public-sector leaders working across emerging technologies. The first day’s activities took place at JBG Smith’s new Concorde Conference Center in National Landing, a purpose-built venue for convening the innovation community.
Events like these reflect a broader push to build density in the ecosystem by bringing companies, capital and institutions together.
That same idea is behind the launch of National Innovation Quarter (National IQ) earlier this year. Announced in February, the new district spans Arlington and Alexandria and is designed to connect industry, startups, academia and government around shared challenges tied to national competitiveness and emerging technology.
Backed by partners including Amazon, Virginia Tech and Arlington Economic Development, National IQ will host accelerators, investor summits and other programs aimed at helping companies scale.
Additional spaces are also coming online. The Virtus Innovation Hub opened this spring in National Landing, adding another place for startups, investors and ecosystem partners to gather and collaborate.
Corporate expansion reinforces Arlington’s appeal
It’s not just startups driving activity, more established companies are continuing to grow their presence in Arlington, often for the same reasons.
Scale AI, for example, recently opened a significantly larger office in National Landing, leasing about 22,000 square feet with capacity for roughly 100 employees. The move reflects the company’s interest in closer collaboration with federal and defense partners, as well as access to the region’s talent pool.
And just last week, Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT) announced a headquarters expansion in Ballston, a $19 million investment expected to create 210 jobs. The company similarly pointed to access to technical talent and proximity to customers as key factors.
A connected, growing ecosystem
Taken together, the activity shows an ecosystem that continues to build on itself.
Startups are finding early support, while growth-stage companies are scaling. At the same time, new venues, programs and partnerships are making it easier for companies to connect with customers, investors and each other.
While much of the activity is rooted in AI, its applications span logistics, data analytics and government contracting, a reminder that Arlington’s innovation economy isn’t tied to a single factor.
With continued investment, more places to collaborate and a steady flow of new companies, Arlington is becoming a place where technology is both built and applied to the real-world.
Getting towed in Arlington could soon get more expensive.
County Board members on Saturday (Oct. 18) are slated to consider advertising a November hearing on a proposal to amend trespass-tow rates across the county.
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.
Join Kaiser Permanente for Healthy at the Harbor, a free community health and wellness event taking place Saturday, June 6, from 11 am to 4 pm at National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Bring your family and friends for free full day of fun, fitness, and preventive care along the waterfront.
Throughout the day, Kaiser Permanente nurses and physicians will offer no-cost health screenings, alongside a health and wellness expo focused on preventive care education. A lively Kids’ Zone will keep children active and entertained with spin-art bikes, face painting, balloon art, games, and more.
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]
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.”
Good Thursday 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 — Oct 16, 2025.
Here is what’s going on Friday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
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.
“I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse.”
– Florence Nightingale
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
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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.
The Key Bridge was closed in both directions “for an unknown duration” at the start of the evening rush hour.
An Arlington Alert message about the closure was sent out around 4:45 p.m.
