Around Town

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Jun 20, 2025

By ARLnow.com

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 — Jun 20, 2025.

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

  1. BREAKING: Nearly 12,000 without power in Arlington and Falls Church (27985 views)
  2. Nonprofit: Affordable housing crisis deepening in N. Va. (12243 views)
  3. UPDATED: Severe storm with considerable damage potential closing in on Arlington (10853 views)
  4. Two APS schools lose Title I designations while another joins the list (8990 views)
  5. Two-bedroom apartment rentals now top $3,000/mo across Arlington (7675 views)
  6. BREAKING: Karantonis and Hope well ahead in local primary vote (7354 views)
  7. More crime concerns in Green Valley drive calls for county support (6563 views)
  8. Giant Lego model of Reagan National Airport to debut next week (6393 views)
  9. D.C. soul food chain gets new life at ghost kitchen near Shirlington (6246 views)
  10. Free tree and shrub planting applications close next week (5808 views)
  11. Man accused of exposing himself near children had numerous recent arrests (5628 views)
  12. New emergency assistance fund for fired federal workers launches in Arlington (4463 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 mostly sunny skies and a high near 91 degrees, with calm winds turning southerly at 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon. Saturday night will be mostly clear with a low of around 74, accompanied by south winds at around 7 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.”
– Will Rogers

🌅 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! Feel free to discuss the most-read stories of the week, the upcoming weekend events or anything else of local interest in the comments. 👋

Around Town

Podcast: Stop sign graffiti and a giant Lego DCA

By ARLnow.com

The weekend is here and so is a new episode of the ARLnow podcast.

In the latest episode, Lene, Dan and Vernon discuss a few notable local news stories in Arlington from the past week, including:

Let us know what you think about the new podcast format in the comments or via email.

Watch below on YouTube, or listen to the podcast via iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Audacy, TuneIn or your favorite listening app.

News

Arlington Young Democrats target downstate race for support

By Scott McCaffrey
Democratic candidate Lily Franklin (via Lily for Delegate/X)

Leaders of the Arlington Young Democrats are hoping to have an impact on what could be a key downstate legislative race.

The group will be throwing its organizational efforts behind Lily Franklin in House District 41 in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg area.

Go to Arlington Young Democrats target downstate race for support Read more
Announcement

Arlington-Based ICA Language Services Marks 40 Years Supporting US Military and Diplomatic Community

By ICA Language Services

ICA Language Services (ICA), a family-owned, woman-led small business based in Arlington, is celebrating its 40th anniversary, marking decades of supporting the U.S. military and diplomatic community through language training and testing.

Founded in April 1986 as Inlingua Foreign Language Center, a 6-classroom language school, ICA expanded under the leadership of Deidre Doyle, an entrepreneur with a background in organizational management who joined the company the same year. As a military spouse, she had developed a deep understanding of military organizations and culture, helping shape ICA into a trusted provider of language training and testing for military professionals. Doyle became a partner in 1993 and sole owner in 2009, when she changed the name to ICA Language Services.

Go to Arlington-Based ICA Language Services Marks 40 Years Supporting US Military and Diplomatic Community Read more
News

Falls Church Council votes to get health-care coverage, pay raise

By Scott McCaffrey
The Falls Church City Council at a meeting last month (via City of Falls Church)

The Falls Church City Council has approved a pay increase and health-care coverage for themselves and their successors.

The raise will go into effect a year from now, while Council members will become eligible for the city’s health insurance plan next month.

Go to Falls Church Council votes to get health-care coverage, pay raise Read more
Weather

D.C. area drought watch lifted after nearly a year

By ARLnow.com
Flowers on N Harrison Street on a rainy day (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

A regional drought watch that has been in effect across the D.C. area since July 2024 has officially been lifted.

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments announced the decision today, citing improved water supplies thanks to late spring rains and — for awhile, at least — cooler temperatures. The region has returned to the normal stage of the Regional Water Supply and Drought Awareness Response Plan, COG said.

Go to D.C. area drought watch lifted after nearly a year Read more
Opinion

Poll: The best place for wings in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Going out for a casual bite or grabbing takeout for the game? Several restaurants, sports bars and chicken shops in Arlington serve wings with a variety of sauces and marinades to choose from.

Here are the nominees for “Best Place for Wings in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards.

Did we miss your favorite restaurant? Write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks.

Voting for the Best Bagel Shop in Arlington is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 9 a.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Longtime Arlington Institution. The results are now official:

  1. The Italian Store
  2. Quarterdeck
  3. Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe
Events

Free kids’ activities and treats are in Pentagon City today

By Katie Taranto
Metropolitan Park near Amazon HQ2 in Pentagon City (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Free treats and family-friendly activities are on hand in Pentagon City today (Friday) for Amazon’s Bring Your Kids to Work Day.

Nearly 2,000 kids are expected to join their parents and guardians at the HQ2 campus for technology demos, storytimes, outdoor activities and more.

Go to Free kids’ activities and treats are in Pentagon City today Read more
News

JUST IN: Firefighter hurt while battling house fire near Chain Bridge

By Dan Egitto
Firefighters respond to a blaze on N. Richmond Street (staff photo)

Firefighters battled a house fire in the Arlingwood neighborhood near Chain Bridge this morning.

Fire departments from Arlington, Fairfax County and other jurisdictions responded to a report of “a large fire in the garage” on N. Richmond Street around 9 a.m., according to scanner traffic. The blaze quickly spread to the attic and other parts of the structure.

Go to JUST IN: Firefighter hurt while battling house fire near Chain Bridge Read more
News

Delays to bond sale, $4.9M in Arlington capital projects considered in tight times

By Scott McCaffrey
Budget director Richard Stephenson and Department of Management and Finance director Maria Meredith (screenshot via Arlington County)

Arlington County leaders are considering delaying the sale of municipal bonds and deferring various capital projects in the face of tight economic times.

It’s too early to think about amending the county’s recently adopted Fiscal Year 2026 budget, county budget director Richard Stephenson told County Board members on Wednesday.

Go to Delays to bond sale, $4.9M in Arlington capital projects considered in tight times Read more
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