News

Morning Notes for May 1, 2026

By ARLnow.com
Beware of the bees on this Ballston sidewalk (courtesy Megan Jones)

Royals Visit Arlington Cemetery — “Cannons fired a 21-gun salute as King Charles III and Queen Camilla entered Arlington National Cemetery for an Armed Forces Full Honors Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.” The ceremony took place on the final day of the royal couple’s state visit to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence. [Arlington National Cemetery, NBC Washington]

Beyer Primary Challenger Drops Out — Daniel Gray, one of a number of challengers taking on Rep. Don Beyer (D-8) in the Aug. 4 Democratic primary, yesterday suspended his campaign. In a statement, he said it proved impossible to both hold down a full-time job while simultaneously campaigning. —Scott McCaffrey

Juvenile Robbed at Gunpoint — “The juvenile male was outside when a vehicle with three male suspects approached him and engaged him in conversation. A struggle ensued at the vehicle, during which the suspects brandished firearms and stole the victim’s cash before fleeing the scene.” The robbery occurred around 8 p.m. Wednesday in the 800 block of S. Dickerson Street. [ACPD]

Pricier Parking in Alexandria — “Alexandria City Council on Wednesday approved City Manager Jim Parajon’s proposal to increase metered parking fees and parking ticket fines… raising parking meter rates from $1.75 to $2.75 and parking ticket fines from $40 to $55.” The changes take effect July 1. [ALXnow]

Mayor Flags Bargaining Bill — “Richmond Mayor Danny Avula sent a letter to the Spanberger Administration outlining his concerns with two statewide collective bargaining bills in the Virginia General Assembly… Avula’s letter said the bills as currently written could cause ‘significant implications’ for local governments.” [WTVR, Graham Moomaw/X]

Warner AI Bill Advances — Sen. Mark Warner (D) applauded the Senate Judiciary Committee’s unanimous passage of his bipartisan GUARD Act, which would ban AI companies from providing AI companions to minors and create new crimes for companies that knowingly make available to minors AI companions that solicit or produce sexual content. [Press Release]

It’s Friday — Mostly sunny with a high near 68 and a slight chance of rain showers after 2 p.m. Winds out of the west at 5–10 mph. Overnight lows will fall to around 48 with a 40% chance of rain showers before 2 a.m. [NWS]

Around Town

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Apr 30, 2026

By ARLnow.com

Good Thursday 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 — Apr 30, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌤️ Friday’s forecast

This afternoon will be mostly sunny with a high of 67°F and a slight 20% chance of showers after 2 PM. The wind will shift from northwest to southwest at 5 to 8 mph. Overnight, expect mostly cloudy skies with a 40% chance of showers between 8 PM and 2 AM, and a low around 48°F as the wind changes from west to northwest at 5 to 7 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Success is going from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.”
– Winston Churchill

🌅 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.

Sponsored

Small Business Focus: Organized by Katie: Bringing real-life order to Arlington homes

By Sponsor
Image from Small Business Focus: Organized by Katie: Bringing Real-Life Order to Arlington Homes

Starting a business often begins with recognizing a need, and for professional organizer Kathryn “Katie” Kersavage, that need was closer than she realized.

Kersavage officially launched Organized by Katie in March 2026, turning more than 15 years of informal experience helping friends and family declutter into a professional service designed for real life. Based in Arlington, the business helps residents organize their homes in ways that are functional, sustainable and tailored to individual needs — not just picture-perfect aesthetics.

“I help people declutter, organize and create spaces in their home that function for real life, not just Instagram,” Kersavage said.

Organized by Katie offers a flexible approach, working on projects of all sizes, from simple refreshes to full-scale downsizing. Kersavage also acknowledges the emotional and mental challenges that often come with letting go of belongings, an aspect she believes sets her work apart.

“For me, it’s not just about doing the work,” she said. “It’s about understanding why someone feels the way they do and creating a plan that addresses their concerns.”

Kersavage balances her organizing business alongside a full-time role as a senior program manager at a tech company, which allows her to offer evening and weekend appointments — a key benefit for busy Arlington residents.

As a new entrepreneur, she worked with Arlington Economic Development’s BizLaunch program to navigate the early stages of launching her business. She credits BizLaunch with helping her understand the business registration process and the marketing and promotional resources available to small businesses in Arlington. (more…)

News

Why real estate taxes are going up in Arlington, but going down in Fairfax

By Scott McCaffrey
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors chair Jeff McKay (screenshot via Fairfax County)

Arlington and Fairfax officials went in two different directions in adopting their fiscal year 2027 budgets.

The Arlington County Board on April 22 approved a 2-cent increase in the real estate tax rate, to $1.053 per $100 assessed valuation, to help fund the county’s $1.7 billion budget.

Go to Why real estate taxes are going up in Arlington, but going down in Fairfax Read more
Around Town

Duke’s Grocery bringing fast-casual burgers and pub food to Crystal City

By Katie Taranto
Duke's Grocery burger and white truffle mac and cheese (courtesy of Taylor Mickal)

A popular D.C. gastropub is bringing its acclaimed burgers to Arlington through a new fast-casual kiosk at Water Park.

Known for its East London-inspired pub fare, Duke’s Grocery is preparing a new spinoff, Duke’s Burgers, at the outdoor Crystal City venue. There, the restaurant — voted “Best Burger in DC” for 10 consecutive years in Washington City Paper’s ‘Best of DC’ — plans to serve up its signature burgers and bites in a fast-casual setting.

Go to Duke’s Grocery bringing fast-casual burgers and pub food to Crystal City Read more
News

Pizza party leads to active shooter scare at Rosslyn office building

By ARLnow.com
Arlington County police cars (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

An office birthday party briefly prompted a massive police response after a 911 caller confused revelry for gunfire.

Police were dispatched to a report of an active shooter on the first floor of an office building on N. Kent Street in Rosslyn around 1:30 p.m. today (Thursday).

Go to Pizza party leads to active shooter scare at Rosslyn office building Read more
Sports

Yorktown boys lacrosse team rebounds from typical slow start

By Dave Facinoli
Yorktown's Hudson Fang, back, plays tight defense against Oakton (photo by Dave Facinoli)

For five straight seasons, the regular season has unfolded the same way for the Yorktown Patriots boys lacrosse team.

Almost by design, the high-school squad has compiled a losing record in the early going as it plays through a difficult schedule, then rebounds nicely and starts consistently winning matches.

Go to Yorktown boys lacrosse team rebounds from typical slow start Read more
Around Town

Carbonara celebrates two years in Va. Square with planned expansion and cookbook

By Katie Taranto
Carbonara in Virginia Square with two-year anniversary balloons (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Italian restaurant Carbonara is celebrating two years of business in Virginia Square, and its owner has some big plans for the next few months.

Chef Mike Cordero, the prolific restaurateur behind the acclaimed “old school” eatery at 3865 Wilson Blvd, told ARLnow he will soon roll out a new Italian cookbook, “Respect the Sauce,” while he prepares to expand with a second location in Prince William County this June.

Go to Carbonara celebrates two years in Va. Square with planned expansion and cookbook Read more
Schools

Washington-Liberty to use AI to help pronounce students’ names at graduation

By Scott McCaffrey
A student receives her Washington-Liberty diploma in 2025 (screenshot via APS)

At least one local high school will use artificial intelligence to provide clearer and faster name pronunciation during its graduation ceremony in June.

In an online letter to the school community, Washington-Liberty High School principal Alexander Duncan III said the school has partnered with Tassel to provide better announcements of graduates’ names as they cross the stage to collect diplomas.

Go to Washington-Liberty to use AI to help pronounce students’ names at graduation Read more
News

Faith in Housing bill crosses finish line, clears path for church-based affordable housing

By Emily Leayman
Central United Methodist Church and Unity Homes building in Ballston on April 30, 2026 (staff photo)

The “Yes in God’s Backyard” movement is celebrating after the Faith in Housing bill, supporting expedited church-based affordable housing development, has been signed into law.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed state Sen. Jeremy McPike (D-29)’s SB 388 and Del. Joshua Cole (D-65)’s HB 1279, which will eliminate the rezoning step for faith-based organizations and other tax-exempt nonprofits to develop affordable housing on their properties. The law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027 and will sunset on Jan. 1, 2031 unless reenacted by a future General Assembly.

Go to Faith in Housing bill crosses finish line, clears path for church-based affordable housing Read more
View More Stories