Around Town

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Feb 4, 2026

By ARLnow.com

Good Wednesday 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 — Feb 4, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

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

☀️ Thursday’s forecast

Expect sunny skies and a high temperature of about 31 degrees, accompanied by a north wind blowing at 7 to 9 mph. As night falls, clouds will increase, leading to a low temperature around 16 degrees. The northwest wind will be between 3 to 5 mph during the night. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”
– Helen Keller

🌅 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

The Washington Post guts coverage of D.C. area in mass layoffs

By Dan Egitto and The Associated Press
A sign for the Washington Post is seen at the company's offices, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Mass layoffs at The Washington Post today (Wednesday) have prompted grief and outrage among D.C.-area reporters and a pointed rebuke of the newspaper’s owner from U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.).

The publication eliminated about one-third of its staff today, cutting the jobs of numerous respected journalists on its Metro desk while eliminating its sports section, several foreign bureaus and its books coverage in a widespread purge that represented a brutal blow to journalism and one of its most legendary brands.

Go to The Washington Post guts coverage of D.C. area in mass layoffs Read more
Sponsored

Modern luxury townhomes steps from Virginia Square

By Sponsor
The Towns on Monroe offer modern new construction living just five minutes from the Virginia Square metro.
Brand-new boutique townhomes by Midtown Partners on N. Monroe Street, featuring modern architectural design just steps from Ballston and Virginia Square.
Sun-filled, open-concept second-floor living and dining space at 633 N. Monroe St., showcasing expert craftsmanship by Midtown Partners.
Private outdoor living at its finest, featuring a main-level patio, a front balcony, and a back balcony designed for seamless entertaining just steps from Virginia Square.
Luxurious primary bathroom retreat featuring a spacious walk-in glass shower and a high-end double-bowl vanity in your new Arlington townhome.
1/5

If you’ve been searching for a brand-new home situated on a quiet residential street just a five-minute walk from the Virginia Square Metro, your search is complete. Located at 629 N. Monroe St., The Towns on North Monroe present an exclusive collection of only three boutique luxury townhomes positioned right in the heart of Arlington’s vibrant Rosslyn-Ballston corridor.

Brought to you by Midtown Partners—a trusted multifamily and boutique home builder rooted in the Northern Virginia real estate landscape since 2010—these residences deliver the ultimate modern living experience.

Prime Location & Unmatched Walkability

Set just one block from Maury Park (featuring tennis courts, a playground, and expansive open green space), The Towns on North Monroe put the best of the neighborhood right outside your front door:

  • 5-Minute Walk: Virginia Square Metro Station for an effortless commute.
  • 10-Minute Walk: Clarendon’s premier dining, shopping, and nightlife destinations.
  • Everyday Convenience: Seamless access to local grocery stores, coffee shops, and major commuter routes.

Thoughtfully Designed for Modern Living

Available now and priced starting at $1,649,000, each home offers approximately 2,400 square feet of thoughtfully crafted living space designed with functionality and style in mind:

  • 3 Bedrooms & 3.5 Baths: Generous, well-proportioned layouts tailored for everyday comfort and hosting.
  • Elevated Primary Suite: Features an expansive walk-in closet and a refined primary bath complete with a double-bowl vanity.
  • Private Outdoor Spaces: Enjoy a main-level patio, a front balcony, a back balcony, and a spacious backyard—a rare and coveted feature for urban townhome living.
  • Dedicated Laundry Space: Equipped with room for a full-size washer and dryer.
  • Premium Finishes: Elevated with wide-plank hardwood floors, sleek quartz countertops, custom cabinetry, and high-end designer fixtures throughout.
  • Private Off-Street Parking: Dedicated parking space for every home.
  • Zero HOA Fees: Complete freedom with no monthly association dues.

Crafted by Midtown Partners

With deep roots across Alexandria and Arlington, Midtown Partners brings exceptional quality, structural integrity, and dedicated community focus to every project. The Towns on North Monroe showcase this commitment, offering homes built for lasting value and contemporary lifestyles.

Schedule your private tour today—availability is strictly limited to this intimate collection of three homes.

View the 3D tour, download floor plans, and connect with the Midtown Partners team today.

Schools

Arlington Public Schools opening on time Thursday and Friday

By ARLnow.com
Washington-Liberty High School in the snow in 2022 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

For the first time in nearly two weeks, Arlington’s public schools will be opening on time tomorrow and Friday.

“All schools and offices will open on time Thu, Feb. 5 and Fri, Feb. 6, 2026,” Arlington Public Schools said in a brief announcement Wednesday afternoon.

Go to Arlington Public Schools opening on time Thursday and Friday Read more
Announcement

Workshops You’ll Love at Art House 7

By Art House 7
Collage advertising Art House 7 Fall Workshops: kids painting on left, marbled Suminagashi pattern on right, pottery wheel scene with center logo; includes the text “This weekend: Paint a Child’s Portrait with Teresa Oaxaca.”

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.

Go to Workshops You’ll Love at Art House 7 Read more
News

Council considers allowing up to 100 e-scooters and e-bikes in Falls Church

By Scott McCaffrey
Seated and standing e-scooters by LINK (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Nearly seven years after a failed first attempt, Falls Church officials are trying again to entice e-scooter and e-bike operators to the city.

Council members are considering a proposal to allow a maximum of 100 total operating certificates for “shared mobility devices”: motorized skateboards, scooters, bicycles and electrically assisted bicycles.

Go to Council considers allowing up to 100 e-scooters and e-bikes in Falls Church Read more
Event

Dialogue for Democracy

Poster for the Dialogue for Democracy event on Nov 3 at GMU Fairfax Campus; topics include education, art, peace, and entrepreneurship.

Event location

George Mason University, Buchanan Hall

4379 Mason Pond Drive

Fairfax, Virginia 22030

Add to Calendar

High school students from across the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region are invited to participate in Dialogue for Democracy at George Mason University!

Hosted by the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, this event offers high school students an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about democracy, civic engagement, and the importance of understanding different perspectives.

Go to Dialogue for Democracy Read more
Events

Lunar New Year celebrations begin this week in Arlington and Falls Church

By Emily Leayman
Lion dance at Rosslyn's Lunar New Year event (courtesy of Rosslyn BID)

An earlier version of this story indicated the Rosslyn Lunar New Year Celebration was happening on Feb. 19, but the event has been rescheduled to Feb. 25.

Festivals and other events in celebration of Lunar New Year are coming to Arlington and Falls Church starting this week, kicking off the Year of the Horse.

Go to Lunar New Year celebrations begin this week in Arlington and Falls Church Read more
Around Town

Maman plans new Ballston cafe amid expansion in Arlington

By Jared Serre
Maman in Ballston (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

An expanding French-inspired cafe chain appears to have set its sights on a new location in Ballston.

Signage for New York-based Maman now covers the windows at 4121 Wilson Blvd in the Ballston Exchange. This is the former home of Greenheart Juice Shop, which closed in October, and Philz Coffee, which closed in December 2022.

Go to Maman plans new Ballston cafe amid expansion in Arlington Read more
Opinion

Morning Poll: How would you grade Arlington’s snow removal effort?

By ARLnow.com
Arlington County snow plow working to clear a neighborhood street (via Arlington DES/X)

As the snow removal operations from the Jan. 25 snow and sleet storm wind down, we’re wondering how locals would grade the effort.

This winter storm was uniquely challenging, with five inches of snow falling before getting covered by 2-3 inches of icy sleet — what would have otherwise been 1-2 feet of total accumulation should it have kept falling as snow. Then we had nearly 10 straight days of frigid conditions, with temperatures not rising above freezing and allowing the “snowcrete” to soften.

The scale of the removal operation in Arlington alone is notable. From our reporting yesterday:

Crews have hauled more than 5,000 truckloads of snow — weighing roughly 55,000-75,000 tons, in total — from Arlington’s commercial areas since the snowstorm. They’ve deposited these at five locations around Arlington, at 14th Street N., Fairfax Drive, N. Quincy Street, Long Bridge Park and 601 S. Carlin Springs. […]

They’ve cleared more than 1,000 miles of roads, 10 miles of protected bike lanes and 63,000 feet of sidewalk, working 14 consecutive 12-hour shifts beginning on Jan. 24.

For some, the effort did not go far enough, leaving neighborhood streets covered to harden into an impassable icy surface that remained for days. For others, crews worked long hours and did their best despite very challenging conditions.

All things considered, how would you grade Arlington’s snow removal effort?

News

County Board member joins push to help churches redevelop with affordable housing

By Emily Leayman
Arlington County Board member Julius "JD" Spain, Sr. (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Arlington County Board member JD Spain Sr. is throwing his support behind a state bill to accelerate affordable housing development on church properties.

Spain joined the Rev. Alice Tewell of Clarendon Presbyterian Church — which put its affordable housing proposal in Lyon Village on pause last year amid rising costs coupled with a lengthy approval process — in testifying on behalf of State Sen. Jeremy McPike’s (D-29) Faith in Housing Act.

Go to County Board member joins push to help churches redevelop with affordable housing Read more
News

County ends quest to recoup up to $500K from Arlington Independent Media

By Scott McCaffrey
WERA control room in 2015 (Courtesy of Paul LeValley/AIM)

Arlington officials say they’ve exhausted all options to settle up to half a million dollars in debts from Arlington Independent Media (AIM) after the organization’s operational collapse.

Local leaders have “spent a lot of time and energy” to make sure there is no replication of the situation with other grantees, County Manager Mark Schwartz said at a Jan. 22 meeting of the county’s Audit Committee.

Go to County ends quest to recoup up to $500K from Arlington Independent Media Read more
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