Arlington-Backed Gun Bills Signed — Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed four bills closing loopholes that allowed domestic abusers to keep firearms, including the “boyfriend loophole” covering unmarried partners. The laws, effective July 1, were championed by Arlington’s Sen. Barbara Favola (D) and Del. Adele McClure (D) and praised by Doorways, the county’s sole shelter for abuse survivors. [Press Release]
ACPD Adds 18 Officers — Arlington County’s 18 newest police officers graduated from Session 154 of the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy. The class of 12 men and six women, from 10 states, will now complete a 12-week field training program before starting solo patrol. [Arlington County]
River Place’s 2052 Deadline — Owners at River Place, the four brick towers in Rosslyn, don’t own the ground beneath them. A 99-year ground lease signed in 1953 runs out in 2052, when the land and buildings revert to the land owner — the quirk that lets a Potomac-view condo in the roughly 1,720-unit complex sell for under $200,000. [Ghosts of DC]
Arlington Classics Make the List — Two Arlington mainstays made Washingtonian’s roundup of 25 D.C.-area restaurants still thriving after a quarter-century or more: Carlyle in Shirlington and Nam-Viet in Clarendon. Carlyle, the Great American Restaurants flagship, opened with the Village at Shirlington 40 years ago, while Nam-Viet has served Vietnamese fare since 1986 and is still known for its spring rolls. [Washingtonian]
Historical Society President Re-Elected — Peter Vaselopulos was reelected president of the Arlington Historical Society at the organization’s June 11 annual meeting. Sean Denniston was re-elected vice president, while Richard Samp will serve as treasurer and Harry Evans as secretary. —Scott McCaffrey
Parkway Speed Cameras Cleared — A new state law taking effect July 1 clears the way for speed cameras and added police enforcement on the George Washington Memorial Parkway, where a National Park Service study found speeding is a major crash factor. The cameras still need federal sign-off; the law lets Virginia State Police and Fairfax County police help U.S. Park Police, who now patrol the federally owned road alone. [Fox 5]
Squash Lanternflies Now — The invasive spotted lanternflies are back in their young “nymph” stage, and Fairfax County is urging residents to kill them before they mature into winged adults in July. “Vacuuming or squashing nymphs are the easiest ways to reduce the population,” the county said. Soapy water also works. [FFXnow]
Retail Weed Deal Reached — Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) and legislators announced a compromise to open Virginia’s recreational marijuana market on July 1, 2027, reviving a plan she had vetoed. Sales would carry a 6% state tax, rising to 8% in 2029, with up to 350 retailers licensed in a phased rollout. The deal hinges on a state budget lawmakers must pass by June 30 to avert a first-ever shutdown. [NBC 4, WTOP, Virginia Mercury]
Microsoft Backpedals on Clean Energy — As the data center boom strains Virginia’s power grid, Microsoft is considering abandoning its goal of running on carbon-free electricity around the clock by 2030. The reversal collides with the state’s own climate targets. Virginia, the world’s data center capital, hosts Microsoft facilities in Loudoun, Prince William and Fairfax counties. [Inside Climate News]
It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny skies today with a high near 88 and a light southwest wind. Skies turn partly cloudy overnight with a low around 69. [NWS]
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