Schools

Start-of-school enrollment in Arlington is down from a year before and below springtime projections, but could move higher by the time a final tally is compiled at the end of the month.

Arlington Public Schools counted 27,603 students in pre-kindergarten to 12th-grade classes on Sept. 4, Superintendent Francisco Durán reported to School Board members that evening.


Opinion

Dozens of new restaurants have landed in Arlington over the past few months, adding to the county’s diverse dining scene. New offerings this year range from French-American and Nepalese cuisine to sushi and Italian subs.

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

Did we miss your favorite new restaurant? Write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks.

Voting for the Best HVAC Company 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 Preschool in Arlington. The results are now official:

  1. Ballston Children’s Center
  2. Trinity Presbyterian Preschool
  3. Little Beginnings Child Development

News

VHC Health has filed requests for land-use changes to support a new behavioral-health facility in Glencarlyn.

The submission, made Aug. 29, formally kicks off what could be a lengthy review process for a county-owned parcel at 601 S. Carlin Springs Road. The hospital organization is seeking to lease some of the 11.5 acres for the new structure.


News

Transportation planning and funding emerged as key issues when two incumbent House of Delegates members faced off against challengers at an Arlington debate this week.

Democratic incumbents touted the value of seniority, while Republican challengers pressed the need for new thinking.


News
Rainbow over football practice at Washington-Liberty High School (courtesy Sophie Collins)

Cuts at Crystal City-Based PBS — “PBS is cutting 100 positions, or roughly 15 percent of its staff, as a result of the major federal funding cuts to public broadcasting. Paula Kerger, the chief executive of PBS, said in an email to station managers on Thursday that the staff reductions were a last resort. The organization had already frozen hiring, restricted travel and paused pay increases.” [NYT]

Weekend Road Closures for D.C. Event — “The course also runs over the Potomac River Freeway, Whitehurst Freeway and the 14th Street Bridge HOV lanes, which will all be closed during the ride. Ramp closures on I-395 near Pentagon City, Maine Avenue SW and the 12th Street Expressway will also be in effect through the morning.” [WTOP]

Vivid Rainbow After Storm — “A low hanging rainbow fading right now over I-395, Boeing Fields at Long Bridge Park, and Gravelly Point in Arlington.” [Dave Statter/X, MyRadar/X]

New CivFed Panel — The Arlington County Civic Federation has established a new Well-Being Subcommittee that will first meet online on Monday, Sept. 29. The subcommittee will serve as “an avenue to sponsor conversation and advocacy,” said its chair, Allan Gajadhar. —Scott McCaffrey

It’s Friday — Expect sunny skies and a high of 88 today, with light southwest winds picking up to 5-10 mph in the morning. Tonight will be mostly clear, with a low around 71 and south winds around 6 mph. [NWS]


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 — Sep 4, 2025.

📅 Upcoming events

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

☀️ Friday’s forecast

Expect sunny skies and a high of 88 today, with light southwest winds picking up to 5-10 mph in the morning. Tonight will be mostly clear, with a low around 71 and south winds at around 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”
– Albert Schweitzer

🌅 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

By KONSTANTIN TOROPIN and CHRIS MEGERIAN Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order Friday to rebrand the Department of Defense as the Department of War, his latest effort to project an image of toughness for America’s military.


News

Arlington’s former solid waste contractor is lobbying the County Board to consider bringing them back on board following a bumpy start to a new trash service.

American Disposal Services, which collected trash and recycling in Arlington for 10 years, sent the County Board a letter last week referencing problems with missed collections after Bates Trucking and Trash Removal took over service on Aug. 1.


Around Town

The wait is over in Crystal City for Toastique, a D.C.-based “gourmet toast” eatery opening this weekend.

Grand opening festivities begin this Saturday at 244 19th Court S., on the ground floor of Reva apartments. The new cafe serves a variety of sweet and savory loaded toasts, plant-based breakfasts, smoothies and coffee.