Fmr. Assistant Fire Chief Dies — “It is with deep sorrow that the Arlington County Fire Department announces the passing of former Assistant Fire Chief, Benjamin M. Barksdale Jr., after a courageous battle against occupational cancer. Chief Barksdale served our community and this department with honor and devotion for twenty-four years, rising through the ranks from Firefighter to Assistant Fire Chief.” [ACFD/Facebook]

GOP Warns Against MAGA Event — “This is an event being run by a verified grifter. The event advertises “no refunds” and your money does not go to an organized political entity. If you have already purchased a ticket, it will not be refunded. Attendees beware.” [Arlington GOP/X]

Fentanyl Deaths Down in Va. — “Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced new data from the Virginia Department of Health Office of the Chief Medical Examiner show fentanyl-related overdose deaths in Virginia declined 44 percent year over year and are down over 46 percent from its peak in 2021.” [Press Release]

Another Assault at Metro Station — “At approximately 6:04 p.m. on April 28, an officer on patrol in the Pentagon City Metro Station stopped the juvenile female suspect for fare evasion. While in custody, the suspect began acting disorderly, ignored commands and assaulted three officers. The officers did not report any injuries.” [ACPD]

ACPD Camps Filling Up — “ACPD’s Safety Patrol Camp application is now CLOSED! The last few spots for ACPD’s 2025 Summer Camps are going fast! Applications for the below camps will be open until Sunday, May 4 at 11:59 p.m. OR until all spots are filled!” [ACPD]

Group Adding Asian Representation — “Just days before the start of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Very Asian Foundation brought its powerful literacy initiative, The May Book Project, to Carlin Springs Elementary School in Arlington, Virginia. The project’s mission: to ensure students can see themselves and their classmates reflected in the books they read.” [WUSA 9]

Looking Back on ‘Little Saigon’ — “By car, on foot, by boat and several planes, they made their way to Northern Virginia, in the shadow of the Pentagon, where a tiny Vietnamese enclave had been growing since the 1960s — the manifestation of decades of U.S. intervention in Southeast Asia. Within a few years, that strip of shops anchored by the Nguyens’ store became known as ‘Little Saigon.'” [Washington Post]

Lt. Gov. Candidate Spat Continues — “A lawyer for John Reid, the GOP’s nominee for Virginia lieutenant governor, sent a cease-and-desist notice to Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s top political adviser Monday, escalating a political spectacle that began last week when the governor asked that Reid abandon his bid over racy social media posts that Reid says are not his.” [Washington Post]

It’s Wednesday — Expect mostly cloudy skies that eventually turn sunny, with temperatures reaching around 80°F and a 20% chance of precipitation. The night will be partly cloudy with lows near 60°F. [NWS]

Flickr pool photo by Jason Gooljar