Rendering of proposed arch near Memorial Bridge (via Commission of Fine Arts)
A group of Northern Virginia state lawmakers is urging the National Park Service to reject President Trump’s planned 250-foot “triumphal arch” near Arlington National Cemetery and Memorial Bridge.
In a letter sent Monday, 25 Democratic senators and delegates asked the agency to find that the arch would harm historic sites and to “decline to approve it.” Their districts cover Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax and other parts of Northern Virginia — the communities, they wrote, “most directly affected by this project.”
Federation delegates on June 9 reelected Nicholas Giacobbe (Aurora Highlands) for a second one-year term as president, and also re-elected Jean Henceroth (Leeway Overlee) as vice president.
What could a different form of local government mean for Arlington and the people who live here?
Arlington is growing and evolving, and soon, the County will begin an internal assessment to determine if our 93-year-old government structure is still the best fit for our future. Because everything from property taxes to neighborhood infrastructure is shaped by this structure, understanding our options is the first step in shaping what comes next. As the County begins its review, now is the time to get informed about how different models work.
Join Advance Arlington on September 9 for a timely discussion featuring leaders from Arlington, Alexandria, and Fairfax. Hear how different forms of local government work in practice, what each can offer, and what potential changes could mean for Arlington.
Whether you join us in person at Lubber Run Community Center or virtually via Zoom, this is an opportunity to get informed, hear perspectives from across the region, and better understand an issue that could shape Arlington’s future.
Wilson Blvd Christian Church on a sunny summer day (courtesy George Brazier)
Spatula Attack — An Arlington man, 27, is charged with malicious wounding after police say he struck a woman with a spatula during a verbal dispute on the 1800 block of N. Scott Street Saturday, causing a laceration. The victim suffered minor injuries and was treated on scene. The man briefly fled before officers took him into custody. [ACPD]
Arlington’s Private Jet Brokers — Advanced Aviation Team, an Arlington brokerage founded by a former White House Travel Office staffer, arranges private jets for political figures, executives and security-sensitive travelers, securing aircraft and crew without owning planes. Demand is growing, but founder Gregg Brunson-Pitts said he’s keeping the firm small, hoping to be “the best at what we do for the most discerning client.” [WBJ]
Hardy Returns to FCCPS — The Falls Church City School Board approved Valerie Hardy as the division’s new executive principal, effective July 1. Hardy previously led Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School and the district’s secondary schools before leaving for Prince William County. “Valerie knows our students, our families, and our IB mission,” Superintendent Terry Dade said. [Falls Church News-Press]
Neighbors Save Barber Shop — Chesterbrook Barber Shop, a McLean fixture since 1967, reopened Sunday at 6262-F Old Dominion Drive after the new owner of its longtime shopping center declined to renew its lease. More than 200 customers rallied behind owner Peggy Ngo, signing a letter and helping her find the new space. “When one window closes, the other one would be open,” Ngo said. [FFXnow]
Local Police on GW Parkway — Starting July 1, state and local police can cite drivers for speeding and other traffic violations on the federally managed George Washington Memorial Parkway, under a law signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger. The U.S. Park Police remain the primary agency. Sen. Scott Surovell (D) sponsored the measure over speeding concerns south of Alexandria. [FFXnow]
Power Plant Site Greenlit — Alexandria City Council unanimously approved plans and a $135 million financing deal to redevelop the shuttered Potomac River Generating Station in Old Town North. Owner HRP Group says the project will draw more than $2 billion in private investment, with mixed-use buildings and more than 10 acres of public open space. Deconstruction could begin next year. [ALXnow]
FCPS Device Opt-Out — After a contentious debate, the Fairfax County School Board will let parents of preschool and elementary students opt out of take-home laptops and tablets next school year, and will study tighter screen restrictions. [FFXnow]
Va. Budget Standoff — Six months into her term, Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) is navigating a budget impasse and unrest within her own party over a string of vetoes. Lawmakers face a June 30 deadline to pass a spending plan or risk an unprecedented state government shutdown, with the fight centered on data center tax incentives. “I think it’s outrageous that we are where we are,” she said. [Virginia Mercury]
Urgent Sewer Line Repairs — DC Water began emergency repairs Monday on a corroding section of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line in Potomac, Maryland, before it could fail and leak wastewater into the river. The pipe carries about 6 million gallons of wastewater daily and sits upstream of major regional drinking water intakes. [WJLA]
It’s Tuesday — Sunny, basically perfect weather today with a high near 80 and light northeast winds. Skies turn partly cloudy overnight with a low around 63. [NWS]
Want more local news from around the region? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow.
Looking for a fall activity that gets you moving and builds real confidence? EvolveAll Martial Arts and Training Studio is offer free classes for youth and adults during it’s upcoming Intro Week, September 14-19.
EvolveAll, Arlington’s martial arts and fitness community off Columbia Pike, is once again opening its doors for a full week of free trial classes — and youth classes are one of the highlights. Kids ages 5-15 will get to try hands-on martial arts instruction designed to build discipline, focus, and self-defense skills in a supportive, age-appropriate environment.
Expect sunny skies with a high near 80 degrees and light, variable winds. Tuesday night will bring increasing cloud cover and a low of around 63 degrees, with south winds at 3 to 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“You have within you right now, everything you need to deal with whatever the world can throw at you.” – Brian Tracy
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.
For over 400 years, humans have studied the cosmos through telescopes anchored to the ground. That changed with the rise of spaceflight; only in the last 50 years have telescopes escaped the Earth's atmosphere entirely and opened a new window on the universe.
Join us for a talk from two NASA astrophysicists on the space telescopes of yesterday, today, and tomorrow—from Hubble's nearly four decades of discovery to James Webb, Nancy Grace Roman, and more. Learn about some of their most striking discoveries and what the future holds.
Yorktown's Claire Beasley (23) shoots on goal in the state final (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)
They had hoped to win a couple of more championships instead of having runner-up finishes. Yet, the Yorktown Patriots still achieved a high-water mark by reaching the championship games of the maximum three post-season girls high-school soccer tournaments this spring.
The most recent was the Virginia High School League’s Class 6 state tournament final June 13 in Ashburn. Yorktown lost that game, 1-0, on a late goal off a corner kick to the Independence Tigers on their home field.
Leaf blowing along Washington Blvd in Westover (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
County Board members have voted to consider a transition period of between 18 and 36 months to potentially phase out gas-powered leaf blowers.
On a 5-0 vote, Board members advertised a July public hearing for final action. The proposal features a potential implementation timetable that is longer than some environmental activists want but shorter than some industry leaders say is feasible.
Police Chief Andy Penn at 2026 budget work session (screenshot via Arlington County)
A 43% uptick in arrests for intoxicated driving across Arlington last year likely was due, at least in part, to increased enforcement efforts.
“Our midnight [shift] folks really focused on driving while intoxicated to make sure that we’re keeping our roads safe,” Police Chief Andy Penn told Arlington County Civic Federation delegates on June 9.
The work of Marymount University students is showcased at the former Union Kitchen space in Ballston (staff photo by Dan Egitto)
A vacant storefront at the Ballston Quarter has turned into a public showroom for the work of Marymount University art students this summer.
Several mannequins in the window of the former Union Kitchen space (4238 Wilson Blvd) show off a collaborative project between the university’s Fashion Design program and Ikea. Students used leftover textiles from the retail company to create garments with themes of upcycling and environmental consciousness.
Wakefield High School senior-class president Brianna GIlbert (screenshot via APS)
Members of Arlington Public Schools’ class of 2026 wrapped up their high-school lives last week with a sense of gratitude and fulfillment.
“We are proud of what we’ve accomplished and excited for what lies ahead,” said Evangeline “Evie” Price, one of Washington-Liberty High School’s seniors and a speaker at the school’s June 13 graduation ceremony.
We love fall at Art House 7 and can’t wait for you to explore all our offerings. Painting, drawing, ceramics, and sewing/crocheting are our perennials, along with less traditional mediums. Kawaii Style Drawing and Digital Art are among our new classes for kids. We offer an excellent 6-week program for high schoolers preparing their college portfolios. Want something shorter? We have 3-week classes, including linocut notecards. Love ceramics? We have a dedicated studio that comfortably accommodates wheel and hand-building classes.
