Schools

Two LGBTQ+ advocacy groups are calling on Arlington Public Schools to address the disproportionate mental health and safety outcomes negatively affecting its LGBTQ+ student population.

In a new joint letter to APS leaders, the groups, Equality Arlington and the Arlington Gender Identity Alliance (AGIA), are asking the school system to implement a more targeted response to the mental health challenges, violence, discrimination and bullying that its LGBTQ+ students experience at elevated rates when compared to fellow students.


News
Rain glistening on leaves in Courthouse (courtesy George Brazier)

No Charges for Miller Activist — A Virginia woman who distributed leaflets disclosing the home address of top White House aide Stephen Miller will not face state criminal charges, according to court documents filed Tuesday by Arlington County’s top prosecutor. Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti (D) said proceeding could risk having a “chilling effect on others wishing to engage in peaceful political protest.” [Washington Post, CBS News]

Rosslyn Dome Makeover — Boston-based Beacon Capital Partners has renovated the former Artisphere and Newseum theater dome at 1101 Wilson Blvd as part of a broader repositioning of the 24-story office building, where occupancy fell to 46% after the Spaces coworking offices closed. The renovated 220-seat venue will serve as a tenant amenity, but Beacon is open to a long-term lease for the right tenant. [WBJ]

Organics Pickup Help on Way — Arlington County has hired American Disposal Services to perform all curbside organics collections beginning Monday, May 11. The county said the additional contractor will help restore reliable performance after recent service issues. Yard waste and food scraps should continue to be placed out on regular collection days. [Arlington County]

Punch at Joint Base Gate — A former soldier was scheduled to appear in federal court Monday following his arrest for allegedly punching a military police officer in the face during a security stop at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall last week. The man fled on foot during a marijuana inspection at the Hatfield Access Control Point in Arlington. Officers later allegedly recovered a loaded handgun from his waistband. [Patch]

Click It or Ticket Returns — Arlington police are urging drivers to buckle up ahead of a national high-visibility seat belt enforcement campaign that runs from May 11 to May 31, coinciding with the Memorial Day holiday. NHTSA reports that nearly 50% of the 22,713 passenger vehicle occupants killed nationwide in 2024 were not buckled. [ACPD]

Marymount Wins Flag Football Title — The Marymount Saints captured the first-ever Jets ECAC Women’s Flag Football Championship with a 37-26 win over the Franciscan Barons in Sunday’s title game at the Jets training facility. Saints QB Jesenia Velez was named tournament MVP after amassing 253 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns. [New York Jets]

Buzz Over Beekeeping Rules — A new proposal to regulate beekeeping in Alexandria, which would limit the number of hives allowed on properties and create setbacks of 5 to 10 feet, has drawn criticism from local beekeepers. “Honeybees are pollinators and beneficial to the landscaping of our city,” wrote former beekeeper Alex Crawford-Batt. [ALXnow]

Toxic Metals in East Wing Debris — Debris from the demolition of the White House East Wing that was dumped at the nearby East Potomac golf course has tested positive for lead, chromium and other toxic metals, according to an interim report by a Virginia engineering firm. More than 30,000 cubic yards of excavated soil had been transported to the site as of last month. [WTOP]

Potomac Testing Expands — Months of water quality testing has shown E. coli levels in the Potomac River are back to normal after January’s massive sewage spill, but advocates say continued monitoring is critical. The Potomac Riverkeeper Network’s monitoring program is expanding from 28 sites to 37 this season. [WTOP]

It’s Wednesday — Expect rain showers most of the day, with a high near 78 and southwest winds of 15 mph gusting to 30 mph. Showers and thunderstorms are likely in the evening and overnight, with a low around 55. [NWS]

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Sponsored

This regularly scheduled column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. If you would like to work with Eli and his team in Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. Metro area, you can reach him directly at [email protected].

This year’s July 4th fireworks show on the National Mall will set the world record for the largest fireworks display ever, with 860,000 fireworks planned (we normally see 17,000-20,000) over a 40-minute display of explosions and light.

If you can’t bear the thought of dealing with traffic, crowds, and tourists to watch the fireworks, you can buy a private or semi-private view from about a dozen different condo buildings in Arlington.

This week, I’m highlighting Arlington condo buildings that offer the best views of DC fireworks, either from the privacy of your own unit/balcony or a shared rooftop.

Buildings With Exceptional Views from a Shared Rooftop

Pierce (link to inventory since 2025)

Built in 2021, Pierce boasts the highest price per square foot of any building in Arlington, earning its premium with a spectacular rooftop terrace and pool, a penthouse-level owner’s club, two-story gym, and private elevator access to select residences. The units are some of the largest available condos in Northern VA, spanning 1,300-2,400 square feet, ranging in price from about $1M-$4M.

Pierce rooftop includes DC views, pool, grills, and fireplace
Pierce rooftop includes DC views, pool, grills, and fireplace

2000 Clarendon (link to inventory since 2025)

Built in 2021, 2000 Clarendon is one of Arlington’s newest condo buildings and offers residents a large rooftop terrace, a rooftop social room, and gym. Most of the units here are one or two bedrooms, with some offering an additional den, and range in price from about $550,000 to $2M. (more…)


Around Town

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 5, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Wednesday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

⛈️ Wednesday’s forecast

Expect showers and possible thunderstorms after 5 pm, with a high near 77°F, and south winds at 15 mph, gusting up to 30 mph. There’s an 80% chance of rain, with rainfall amounts between a quarter and half an inch. Wednesday night, showers and possibly thunderstorms will continue, especially after 11 pm. The low will be around 55°F, with winds shifting from west to north at 8 mph. The chance of rain remains at 80%, with precipitation between a tenth and quarter of an inch, potentially higher during thunderstorms. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.”
– Henry David Thoreau

🌅 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! If you have something to say about an issue of local note not covered today, feel free to post it as a letter to the editor on our new forum.


News

A redevelopment project at the site of two former hotels in Green Valley has broken ground, promising new apartments and townhouses in early 2028.

NOVEL Arlington, located at the former site of the Hotel Pentagon and Comfort Inn Pentagon City, is getting underway at 2480 S. Glebe Road — promising a mix of 493 apartments, 37 for-rent townhomes and 549 parking spaces.


Event

Online event (see link)

Since 2005, Mamistad has helped 1000’s of first-time moms find their new mom tribes. Let’s connect you with yours! Join us for a quick FREE virtual call and you’ll be all set to join your group – sometimes even the same day!

When you’re expecting or just had your first baby, you can be blindsided by all the newness that comes with it. All those feelings you’re having are normal – it’s NOT JUST YOU! Pregnancy and new mom groups are a lifesaver when it comes to normalizing those feelings we just can’t be prepared for – mainly the changes YOU will go through as a mother.


Schools

With its 2025-26 fifth-grade student exchange complete, the Arlington Sister City Association is looking for those who would like to take part in the coming school year.

Fifty Arlington families recently returned from a spring break journey to Aachen, Germany, where they were hosted by families that had visited Arlington last fall.


News

Arlington’s first deer cull resulted in 26 deer being shot and removed from local parks, despite challenging winter conditions.

The cull — which lasted from Feb. 2 to March 20 in seven parks along Four Mile Run and near the Potomac in North Arlington — resulted in 1,500 pounds of venison donated to the Arlington Food Assistance Center after being tested and processed, according to a program update from the Department of Parks and Recreation.


Events

The annual Columbia Pike Blues Festival will be relocating to a smaller space when it returns next month, eliminating the need for any major road closures.

The popular festival, which will feature a lineup of nationally recognized artists headlined by Kentucky funk and soul group Joslyn & The Sweet Compression, will take place at Penrose Square on June 13, Columbia Pike Partnership Executive Director Andrew Schneider told ARLnow.


Events

Food trucks, family friendly activities and feel-good jams are coming to Lubber Run Community Center later this month with the return of Arlington Palooza.

The event will take place from 1-6 p.m. Saturday, May 16, promising entertainment for all ages, a wide array of artisan and community vendors and a food truck alley with sweet treats and hot bites.


News

More candidates may kick off campaigns for Virginia’s new 7th Congressional District at this week’s Arlington County Democratic Committee meeting.

A host of aspirants already announced their candidacies at the party’s March and April meetings. But some contenders — including Dorothy McAuliffe and Elizabeth Guzman — have yet to stand in front of the party rank-and-file.