Piney is a sweet bunny with a big heart and, unlike some rabbits, knows what not to chew on.
Piney is a five-year-old rabbit looking for adoption at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. Her write-up describes her as a sweet and gentle bunny with a heart as soft as her fur.
Members of Arlington’s reconstituted Human Rights Commission are seeking to clarify what they can do when county staff’s attempts to mediate disputes fail.
It’s a rare circumstance, to be sure. Most formal complaints to the county’s human rights office are settled, dismissed or withdrawn at the staff level, and over the past year, county officials said there was just a single case where the complaint was found justified but no settlement could be reached.
By: Ross Goodwin, MD, psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente
Between email, text messages, social media feeds, breaking news alerts, and endless to-do lists, our attention is constantly being pulled in different directions. If that sounds familiar, you may have experienced what’s being called “popcorn brain.”
While popcorn brain is not an official medical diagnosis, the term has gained popularity as a way to describe a scattered, overstimulated mental state where thoughts seem to jump from one thing to the next, making it hard to focus, relax, or stay present. With digital devices and apps being integrated into daily lives, many of these challenges stem from passive screen time and constant digital stimulation.
What is popcorn brain?
To better understand popcorn brain, think about popcorn kernels popping in a bag. One moment your attention is on a work project. The next, you’re checking a text message, scrolling through social media, responding to an email, or reading a news alert.
Popcorn brain describes what happens when the brain becomes accustomed to constant stimulation and frequent interruptions. Over time, slower-paced activities such as reading a book, completing a work task, having a meaningful conversation, or simply sitting quietly can feel more difficult.
Here are some signs you may be dealing with popcorn brain:
It’s worth noting that many of these symptoms overlap with those of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. However, “popcorn brain” is not a diagnosable condition and should not be mistaken for ADHD, which is present from childhood and results from differences in the brain’s development. If these symptoms become overwhelming or disrupt your daily activities, reach out to your mental health provider or primary care doctor for help.
The connection between popcorn brain and anxiety
For many people, popcorn brain affects more than just focus. It can also increase feelings of stress and anxiety.
When the brain is constantly reacting to notifications, messages, and information, it has fewer opportunities to rest and process experiences. Many people report feeling mentally “on” all day long, leading to chronic exhaustion and fatigue.
This cycle can create a sense of information overload, making it harder to concentrate, sleep, and fully engage with the people around us.
Tips to regain focus and be more present
The good news is that to address popcorn brain, you don’t have to give up technology entirely. The goal is to use it more intentionally. Try these tips to reduce digital distraction on your brain and strengthen your focus:
Through four games this season, Arlington’s high-school football teams have combined for the most wins at this point since the 2014 campaign.
Each of the four squads has at least one victory entering this coming weekend’s game-five action, for a total of 10 overall. That total is the most since the four combined for 12 wins at the same time 11 seasons ago.
An event seeking to immerse visitors in scenes of bloodshed, famine and terror in Gaza is taking place at a Rock Spring church this weekend.
“Spotlight on Gaza: A Wake-Up Call for Christians” will walk visitors through a series of rooms at Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ (5010 Little Falls Road) depicting aspects of the ongoing devastation in Palestine.
Although vaccines stand as one of modern medicine’s greatest achievements, preventable illnesses are resurfacing as declining immunization rates intersect with political polarization and media misinformation. In the 2026 Dolan Lecture, distinguished infectious disease specialist and global health strategist Dr. Bruce Gellin examines the history, current trends, and complex policy dynamics surrounding US and global vaccine programs. While science provides the empirical foundation, public trust and political forces ultimately determine whether life-saving tools reach the population—proving that vaccines do not save lives until vaccination actually occurs. Designed specifically for medical professionals, this presentation offers essential insights into navigating today's fragmented media landscape, overcoming vaccine skepticism, and translating evidence into effective public health practice.
Reception immediate following in the hospital atrium. No charge for the public.
Clarendon Day is back this Saturday, with over 150 local artisans, businesses, nonprofits and restaurants participating in the annual street festival.
This year’s event kicks off at 11 a.m. in the blocks surrounding the Clarendon Metro station at 3100 Wilson Blvd. The following local bands and musicians are slated to perform live.
Plans for parking at Arlington County’s future boathouse in Rosslyn have drawn concern from the county’s Disability Advisory Commission.
Commissioners have raised fears that the location of parking spaces on the National Park Service land would be an impediment for those who participate in adaptive-rowing activities.
By SEUNG MIN KIM Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is telling agencies to prepare large-scale firings of federal workers if the government shuts down next week.
Va. Square Apartment Proposal — “Sekas is the contract buyer of 730 N. Oakland St., currently home to a small, 1940s-era apartment building a couple blocks from the Virginia Square-GMU Metro station. The firm wants to redevelop the lot with a new, bigger apartment building, according to a major site plan amendment application it filed Monday in Arlington County. The new 26-unit building, dubbed the Flats at North Oakland, would rise five stories and weigh in at about 34,000 square feet.” [WBJ]
N. Va. Hard Hit By Fed Cuts — “A Brookings Institution report released Wednesday… “Early warning signs for the DC region’s economy amid federal downsizing,” identifies Alexandria alongside Arlington County, Fairfax County, and Loudoun County as jurisdictions where unemployment has risen most sharply.” [ALXnow]
Local Health Care Deal — “An Arlington health care services company is selling its primary care business to a local competitor. Evolent Health Inc. just struck a deal with Privia Health Group Inc., also of Arlington, to offload Evolent Care Partners, its accountable care organization business. The unit helps independent doctors lower costs and improve patient outcomes, and get paid based on those results.” [WBJ]
Va. Announces Tax Rebates — “Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced that eligible taxpayers will receive tax rebates of up to $200 this fall if they filed individually, and up to $400 if they filed jointly… Eligible taxpayers who filed their state taxes prior to July 1 will be sent rebates by October 15, 2025, arriving by the end of October.” [Press Release]
It’s Thursday — Expect showers and possible thunderstorms after 11am, with a high near 80, south winds of 6-10 mph, and gusts up to 20 mph. There’s an 80% chance of precipitation, and new rainfall amounts could reach between a quarter and half inch. Thursday night, showers and thunderstorms are likely before 2am with a low around 67, a southwest wind of 6 mph, and the same 80% chance of precipitation. [NWS]
All lanes of northbound I-395 were diverted onto S. Glebe Road last night after a fatal crash on the highway involving a police vehicle.
The crash happened just before 9:45 p.m. Wednesday near the exit to Washington Blvd, about 10 minutes after an officer reported making a traffic stop in the same area. Officers were said to be on scene and performing CPR on a driver within minutes of the crash, according to scanner traffic.
