Bike to Work Day is rolling into town tomorrow (Thursday), rain or shine.
The annual local event encourages locals to, as the name suggests, bicycle to work.
Two large downed trees caused traffic and power woes in separate parts of Arlington this morning.
The first, on the 2400 block of S. Walter Reed Drive near Shirlington, fell last night around 9 p.m., taking down utility lines, knocking out the power to nearby homes and businesses, and completely blocking the road.
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Arlington’s small business community is strong and resilient. However, local businesses continue to face challenges from economic uncertainty, drops in consumer confidence, losses in access to capital, and disruptions from artificial intelligence. BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development, continues to rise to the challenge by supporting over 6,000 small businesses in Arlington with one-on-one counseling, innovative programming and robust marketing to encourage consumers to shop locally.
During a recent presentation to the Small Business Coordinating Council, BizLaunch Director Tara Palacios highlighted fiscal year 2026 results that underscore both the impact of Arlington’s business support programs and the pressures ahead.
BizLaunch provided technical assistance to entrepreneurs at a level 56% above its annual goal, reflecting sustained demand for one-on-one advising and business guidance. The division also served a diverse business community, including 52% women-owned businesses and 45% minority-owned enterprises. Nearly a quarter — 24% — of clients were in food and retail, industries that continue to face heightened economic pressure.
Major marketing and PR campaigns drove engagement across Arlington. Small Business Saturday, one of BizLaunch’s signature programs, prompted more than 4,141 transactions and $211,862 in consumer spending through the Open Rewards incentive, supported by a $10,625 investment of County funds. A coordinated marketing campaign with the BIDs and Partnerships further amplified the effort, generating more than 56,000 organic social media impressions, 44,000 video views and 1,619 engagements, along with nearly 2,000 paid ad clicks.
Support for business development through programming has also expanded. The BizLaunch Transformational Challenge and Pitchfest drew 40 participants for a five-week training program covering strategic planning, marketing, artificial intelligence and financial management. Participants developed pitch decks and presented to a panel of private lenders and business leaders. In all $25,000 was awarded to local businesses through the pitch event which came from private donations and contributions from the Industrial Development Authority. (more…)
The Theodore (Teddy, to his friends) Roosevelt Bridge’s two-year rehabilitation project started this week with new roadway changes that will be in place at least through 2027.
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) started work Monday on a series of changes to the bridge described by DDOT as “structurally deficient and functionally obsolete.”
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A second independent has qualified to be on the County Board ballot in November, guaranteeing that the election again will be run under the still controversial ranked-choice format.
Jeramy Olmack has successfully filed paperwork to be on the Nov. 4 County Board ballot, election officials have confirmed to ARLnow.
Join us for a crown-worthy evening at Penrose Square as we celebrate Arlington’s own Sandra Bullock with a special outdoor screening of Miss Congeniality.
Before the movie, create your own tiara with our friends at MOCA Arlington, then settle in for a hilarious night under the stars with one of the most beloved comedies of the 2000s.
County Board Ices Out ICE — County Board members on Tuesday followed through with a plan to eliminate Section 7 of what is known as the government’s “Trust Policy.” The change will end proactive contacts between Arlington police and federal immigration officials. “Immigration enforcement is the exclusive domain of the federal government,” said Board Chair Takis Karantonis. He added that despite the policy change, “we will be compliant with federal law and state law, always.” –Scott McCaffrey
D.C. Recession Fears — “Signs of a DOGE recession are flashing in D.C. — rising unemployment, less credit card spending and jitters about more federal cuts. A local “mild recession” is expected as the Trump administration downsizes the capital city’s big factory — the federal government, employer to 17% of the region’s workforce.” [Axios, Washington Post]
Teens Rob Pentagon City Store — “A group of juvenile male and female suspects entered the business and began collecting merchandise. One female suspect approached an employee, made threatening statements and implied a weapon before all suspects subsequently fled the scene on foot with the stolen merchandise. No injuries were reported.” [ACPD]
New Burger Spot at DCA — “Five Guys, which has more than 1,800 locations across 26 countries, recently opened a new restaurant at the airport near gate D35 in Concourse D. The location is open daily 5 a.m.-10:30 p.m.” [Patch]
It’s Wednesday — Expect showers and possible thunderstorms throughout the day, with a high near 75 degrees and a southeast wind at 5-7 mph. There’s an 80% chance of precipitation. Wednesday night, anticipate more showers and storms. The low will be around 64 degrees with an 80% chance of precipitation. A half inch of rain is possible. [NWS]
Good Tuesday 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 — May 13, 2025.
- 5:00 am: Notice: Virginia ABC permit application by Diem Xua Quan LLC | 🗣️ Comments
- 7:30 am: Morning Notes for May 13, 2025 | 🗣️ Comments
- 8:30 am: Arlington animal rescue puts fired feds to work fostering pets | 🗣️ Comments
- 9:15 am: County leaders plan to end police ‘Section 7’ interactions with ICE | 🗣️ Comments
- 10:00 am: Arlington kicking off WorldPride with block party this Saturday | 🗣️ Comments
- 11:45 am: County may step in to fill gaps as AmeriCorps services are defunded | 🗣️ Comments
- 1:45 pm: King Street Oyster Bar calls off plans for Pentagon City restaurant | 🗣️ Comments
- 2:15 pm: JUST IN: Glebe Road blocked near Ballston after truck takes down utility pole | 🗣️ Comments
- 3:30 pm: NEW: Pedestrian struck by driver on N. Glebe Road | 🗣️ Comments
- 3:55 pm: Bar Chinois to celebrate grand opening on Thursday in Crystal City | 🗣️ Comments
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on Wednesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.
- 10:30 am: Story Time Wednesday
- 12:00 pm: Art Lab Wednesday
- 👉 5:00 pm: ACFCU’s Free Homebuying 101 Webinar: Steps to Getting Pre-Approved
- 6:00 pm: Comó establecer tu negocio / How to Start Your Business
- 6:00 pm: Outdoor Yoga with Mind The Mat
- 6:30 pm: FREE Home Buying Workshop: Discover Arlington + The Davenport Group
- 6:30 pm: Author Talk: Chrissy Boylan and Heather Kirby, “Trans Anthology Project”
- 6:30 pm: Wellness Wednesdays: Sacred Frequencies & Conscious Breathing
- 7:00 pm: Economic Issues Facing Arlington: Tariffs, Layoffs, and Workforce Stability
⛈️ Wednesday’s forecast
Expect showers before 2pm, followed by possible showers and thunderstorms from 2pm to 5pm, and then showers with potential thunderstorms after 5pm. The high will be near 75 degrees with a southeast wind at 5-7 mph. An 80% chance of precipitation brings new rainfall amounts between 0.1-0.25 inches, with higher amounts in thunderstorms. Wednesday night, anticipate showers and potentially thunderstorms before 11pm, chances of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 2am, and a possibility of showers after 2am. The low will be around 64 degrees with a calming southeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation remains 80%, with new rainfall amounts between 0.25-0.5 inches possible. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants.”
– Isaac Newton
🌅 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! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
A lauded Chinese fusion restaurant and bar will celebrate a grand opening in Crystal City later this week.
Bar Chinois is set to open at 4 p.m. Thursday at 244 19th Court S.#105, on the ground floor of the Grace and Reva apartments. It will be restaurant’s second location, joining its acclaimed debut spot across the Potomac.
A pedestrian was struck and injured by a turning driver on N. Glebe Road near Marymount University’s main campus.
The crash happened around 3 p.m. at the intersection with 26th Street N.
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A busy stretch of N. Glebe Road just north of Ballston was completely blocked Tuesday afternoon.
A moving van took down a utility pole and live wires near 15th Street N. just before 2 p.m. The road was closed in both directions while police and fire personnel awaited utility crews to start cleaning up the mess.