An Arlington School Board meeting yesterday evening (Thursday) attracted Republican governor candidate Winsome Earle-Sears and a large crowd of activists, most advocating for transgender rights.
This was the School Board members’ first meeting since they announced that they would be maintaining their current policy of letting transgender students use bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity, despite the U.S. Department of Education’s threats to withhold federal funding.
Assault on Police in Shirlington — “2900 block of S. Randolph Street. At approximately 8:37 p.m. on August 20, officers inside a parking garage observed a suspect with an open container of alcohol and determined he was intoxicated in public. While attempting to take him into custody, the suspect resisted and assaulted two officers before they were able to take him into custody. The officers sustained minor injuries.” [ACPD]
Regional Summit in Arlington — “With regional leaders aligned on the urgency of addressing housing, economic uncertainty, regional growth, and transit funding, this year’s Summit, the tenth in this series, underscored the shared commitment to keeping Northern Virginia competitive and livable in the face of shifting economic realities.” [Press Release]
Dominion Eyes Fusion Power — “With the key role of Falls Church’s own U.S. Rep. Don Beyer in the lead of the overall effort as the founder and co-chair of the Congressional Fusion Caucus in 2021, Dominion Virginia Power has subsequently taken a notable, if carefully scoped, step toward nuclear fusion energy by entering into a collaboration with Commonwealth Fusion Systems.” [FCNP]
Lane Closures on I-395 — “The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) said people should expect lane closures on Interstate 395 near the Pentagon for a bridge project Sunday, Aug. 24 through Thursday, Aug. 28. The closures, which affect the southbound lanes, will be along a bridge over two ramps.” [DC News Now]
Congressional Candidate Evicted — “A Democratic candidate for Virginia’s 8th Congressional District has accused Alexandria Sheriff’s Office deputies of wrongfully arresting him during an eviction Monday morning, despite having what he claims was a pending appeal with the Virginia Court of Appeals.” [ALXnow]
It’s Friday — Expect a sunny day with a high of around 83°F and a gentle north wind at about 6 mph. The night will be clear, and temperatures will dip to around 62°F. [NWS]
No matter your age, having a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family. A properly prepared will ensures your wishes are carried out, helps reduce family disputes, and can make the estate administration process much smoother.
Unfortunately, many Virginians make avoidable mistakes that can create unnecessary stress and expense for their loved ones. Here are five of the most common.
Online templates and DIY wills may seem like an easy way to save money, but they often create bigger problems later. Virginia law has specific requirements for a valid will, including proper signatures and witness requirements. Even small mistakes can leave a will open to challenges or delay the administration of an estate.
A will shouldn’t be something you create once and forget. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, buying a home, or losing a loved one can all affect your estate plan.
Reviewing your will every few years—or after a major life event—helps ensure it still reflects your wishes and keeps your loved ones protected.
Virginia no longer has a state estate tax, but federal estate taxes may still affect larger estates. As home values and investments continue to grow, more families may find themselves closer to the federal exemption than they expected.
Planning ahead can help minimize tax consequences and preserve more of your estate for your beneficiaries.
For parents, a will does more than distribute assets—it allows you to name a guardian for your minor children. Without that designation, a court may ultimately decide who will care for them.
Many families also choose to establish a trust so inherited assets can be managed responsibly until children reach an age or milestone they determine is appropriate.
Your executor is responsible for carrying out your wishes, paying debts, and distributing your assets. Selecting someone who is organized, trustworthy, and capable of handling those responsibilities is just as important as deciding who inherits your property.
It’s also essential to clearly identify your beneficiaries. Vague language or outdated information can create confusion and, in some cases, disputes among family members.
A will is only one part of a comprehensive estate plan. Depending on your circumstances, you may also benefit from:
Together, these documents can help protect your finances, outline your healthcare wishes, and simplify matters for your family if you’re ever unable to make decisions yourself.
A well-prepared estate plan provides peace of mind for both you and your loved ones. By avoiding these common mistakes and keeping your documents up to date, you can help ensure your wishes are honored while reducing stress for your family in the future.
If it’s been several years since you’ve reviewed your will—or you’ve never created one—it may be time to speak with an experienced Virginia estate planning attorney about your options.
At PJI Law, PLC, we work with clients across Fairfax and Northern Virginia to build estate plans that reflect their intentions and align with Virginia law. Our estate planning attorneys take the time to review your assets, beneficiary designations, business interests, and family structure so your plan works as intended.
Whether you’re creating your first will or revisiting an existing one, our team will help you avoid the mistakes that can undermine your entire estate plan.
Call (703) 865-6100 or contact us online to schedule your complimentary consultation today.
PJI Law, PLC
3900 Jermantown Rd, 2nd Floor
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
(703) 865-6100
https://pjilaw.com
BRASSERIE ANGIE, LLC trading as THE ANGIE, 3901 NORTH FAIRFAX DRIVE, SUITE 100, ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22203-1601. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY (ABC) for a RETAIL – MIXED BEVERAGE RETAURANT license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. STEFANOS VOUVOUDAKIS, MANAGING MEMBER. NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.
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 — Aug 21, 2025.
Here is what’s going on Friday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
Expect a sunny day with a high of around 83°F and a gentle north wind at about 6 mph. The night will be clear, and temperatures will dip to around 62°F, accompanied by a southeast wind blowing at 3 to 5 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
“We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.”
– Ronald Reagan
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
Live standup comedy in Arlington on Friday July 31 starring Jim Bryan, Kim Villamera, and Greg Billet.
Friday, July 31, 2026
New polling suggests broad support among Virginians for state-level legislation to support building more housing.
A survey of about 1,300 Virginia voters found that the vast majority of respondents — about 73% — believe that the state lacks enough homes that people can afford to rent or buy.
Arlington County is the most expensive place in the United States for child care, according to a new report from The Wall Street Journal.
It costs about $147,000 to foot the bill for five years of day care in Arlington — more than triple the country’s median cost of $44,000, according to the WSJ. The report highlights an everyday economic struggle for many Arlington households, local leaders say.
A longtime makeup artist is being remembered for her friendship and caring nature after her shooting death in Virginia Square earlier this week.
Renee Baldwin, a popular makeup artist at several D.C.-area news studios, was fatally shot Sunday at an apartment building on Fairfax Drive, police said.
A new season of free activities is coming to George Mason University’s campus in Virginia Square when the fall semester starts next week.
The lineup of weekly programming includes chess, yoga, dancing and more from Mondays through Saturdays. The events, which are open to the public, kick off on Monday and will run through Nov. 1.
A gun-wielding suspect robbed someone of cash in Upton Hill Regional Park on Tuesday afternoon.
Police responded to the 6000 block of Wilson Blvd around 1:15 p.m. for a report of an armed robbery. The victim told officers that he was walking in the park — near Arlington’s western border — when a man in a mask and all black clothing approached.
