morning notes

Federal Agency Investigating Fatal Taxi Crash — “The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced Tuesday that it would be launching an investigation into a fatal crash in Fairfax County that happened one day earlier. One person was killed and three people were injured in a crash involving a Metrobus, a taxi cab and a minivan.” [DC News Now]

ICYMI: Bulova Wins Democratic Primary — Democratic voters in Virginia’s 11th House District nominated Gretchen Bulova in a quick firehouse primary yesterday (Tuesday) “to succeed her husband, David Bulova, after the delegate resigned last Friday (Dec. 12) to accept an appointment in Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger’s administration.” [FFXnow]

D.C. Region Joins Uber Lawsuit — “Nineteen states, including Virginia, Maryland and D.C., filed a joint lawsuit with the Federal Trade Commission against Uber on Monday. The complaint says Uber didn’t follow through on advertised savings, charged consumers during their free trial periods, and signed up users for Uber One without their consent.” [WTOP]

Virginia Honors Civil Rights Activist With Statue — A statue of Barbara Rose Johns was unveiled at the U.S. Capitol yesterday (Tuesday), replacing one of Confederate General Robert E. Lee as a representation of Virginia in the visitor center’s Emancipation Hall. At 16, Johns organized a walkout at her high school in Farmville to protest conditions at the segregated facility, setting the stage for the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling. [NPR]

Metro Funding Question Goes to General Assembly — “As the Virginia legislature prepares to return to Richmond, the ball is in lawmakers’ court to respond to what Metro and regional officials say is a crucial moment for transit in Northern Virginia and the D.C. region. They will also have to weigh Metro’s needs with a panoply of other budget pressures facing the commonwealth.” [WAMU]

Local Soldier Reunites With Family — “Volunteers were hard at work inside the American Red Cross office in Fairfax Monday night. They were packing stockings and writing cards for patients at military hospitals at Fort Belvoir and Walter Reed. Little did the Konczal family know, as they arrived, that their son, US Army PFC Patrick Konczal, was there too.” [WUSA9]

Tysons Event Planning Company Buys Startup — “Cvent, a portfolio company of private equity giant Blackstone, announced Monday it has acquired Goldcast, a fast-growing Boston startup that uses artificial intelligence to produce video content for events and webinars. A deal price was not disclosed, but Axios reported Cvent paid just under $300 million in cash.” [Washington Business Journal]

Pickleball Tournament Raises Funds for Youth — “A pickleball tournament on Saturday at the Down the Line Sports Center in Annandale raised funds for Asian American LEAD, an organization that supports after-school leadership development programs for Asian American youths. The event featured a pickleball clinic, recreational games, and a tournament for competitive players.” [Annandale Today]

It’s Wednesday — Expect mostly sunny conditions today, as the temperature reaches a high near 49 degrees. The southwest wind of about 7 mph will shift west in the afternoon. For Wednesday night, the sky will be partly cloudy, with the temperature dropping to around 30 degrees, accompanied by a light and variable wind. [NWS]

Democratic Primary Today for House Seat — Polls will be open at three locations until 7 p.m. today (Tuesday) for the Democratic Party’s firehouse primary to select its nominee to succeed former 11th House District delegate David Bulova. Five candidates qualified for the ballot, with the winner potentially facing a Republican in a special election on Jan. 13. No Republican candidates have been announced so far.

Fox Rescued After Getting Stuck in Fence — “Last week, our Animal Services Officers received a call from a concerned community member about a fox stuck in a fence. It was believed the fox had been there for several hours before being found. Our officers safely freed the fox and consulted with professional rehabilitators to address the injuries to their rear legs.” [Fairfax County Animal Shelter/Facebook]

Annandale Man Sentenced on Drug Charges — “A federal court sentenced an Annandale man to 10 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, the FBI reported Dec. 11.” The 28-year-old man was arrested on June 3 after Fairfax County police stopped his vehicle and seized drugs as well as a handgun he had purchased illegally as a previously convicted felon. [Annandale Today]

Metro Expands New Bike Lockers — “The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority installed the first of 450 new covered bike storage lockers at the Eastern Market and Foggy Bottom Metro stations in late November. As of Saturday, a total of nine stations now have the new lockers. It’s part of an effort to get over 3.5 percent of Metro riders biking to stations by 2030.” [Washington Post]

Youngkin Quiet on Future Plans — “Almost from the moment that Glenn Youngkin became Virginia’s governor four years ago, the political world has wondered what’s next for a Republican who seemed to keep one foot in the MAGA movement and the other in the party’s traditional country club establishment. He’s still not ready to say.” [Associated Press/WTOP]

Shenandoah Valley Trail Proposed — “The Virginia Department of Transportation stunned Virginia’s transportation community by proposing a plan last Tuesday to potentially develop a multi-use trail and restore a deteriorated rail corridor in the Shenandoah Valley, with a possible price tag of nearly $700 million.” [Virginia Mercury]

GMU Serves Hot Sauce Concocted by Graduates — “Who knew that 10 years after three George Mason University students were just trying to get through their classes, they’d create a hot sauce that would become the official staple of the GMU dining hall? … Ask the founders what makes SOSS special, and they’ll tell you it’s the flavor balance no one else has mastered.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Police Academy Welcomes New Recruits — Yesterday, “Assistant Chief Eli Cory welcomed 48 recruits at the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy, marking the start of their 25-week basic training and the initiation of their careers in law enforcement.” At the academy, recruits will learn “basic instruction in the procedures, techniques, principles of law enforcement, incident report writing, criminal law, traffic enforcement, and first aid.” [FCPD]

New Legal Notice — Day spa seeks Retail Marketplace on-premises wine and beer license. [Public Notices]

It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny skies and a high temperature near 37 degrees, accompanied by light and variable winds. The night will be mostly clear, with lows around 28 degrees, and a south wind blowing at 3 to 6 mph. [NWS]

Plane Returns to Dulles After Engine Failure — “A United Airlines flight out of Dulles International Airport made an emergency landing after one of the plane’s engines failed during takeoff on Saturday afternoon. One of the engines of the Boeing 777-200ER suddenly failed at takeoff around 12:20 p.m., the FAA said, producing sparks and smoke.” [NBC4]

GW Parkway Rehabilitation Progresses — “From Spout Run Parkway up to the Beltway in McLean, paving is done and mainline construction is on track to conclude by the end of the month as a major rehab project announced in 2021 draws toward a close.” [ARLnow]

Man Charged With McLean-Area Burglaries — “Investigators have linked a Maryland man arrested in Tysons on Tuesday to multiple attempted burglaries in the McLean earlier this month, according to authorities.” A woman reported that the man had trespassed on her backyard on Dec. 9, and police believe he’s also behind two home burglaries that occurred in McLean on Dec. 5. [Patch]

Passenger Injured by Dulles Baggage Claim — “A passenger got stuck in baggage claim equipment at Washington Dulles International Airport on Thursday morning and is hurt, authorities say. The adult made ‘an unauthorized entry into the baggage delivery system’ and got trapped, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority said.” [NBC4]

Longfellow Students Aim to Extend Science Olympiad Win Streak — “Kim is one of 30 students who secured a spot on Longfellow Middle School’s prestigious Science Olympiad team. Over 100 competed for one, taking tests and building devices, with the hope of keeping the Fairfax County school’s reputation in tact. Longfellow’s team has won 13 consecutive state titles, and is eyeing a 14th. The school has won the state championship 19 times.” [WTOP]

Food Delivery Robots Enter Alexandria — “California-based Serve Robotics Inc., in partnership with Uber Eats, recently launched its autonomous sidewalk delivery company across the city. That means that folks ordering food in Old Town, Del Ray, Potomac West and nearby neighborhoods now have the option to get their orders delivered by a driverless robot.” [ALXnow]

Nonprofit Plans Bar Crawl Fundraiser — “The community is invited to a bar crawl on Saturday, Dec. 20, at four locations in Annandale. The event is a fundraiser for Me & You, a nonprofit organization that supports projects at nine schools in the metropolitan D.C. area, including Braddock Elementary School in Annandale.” [Annandale Today]

Park Authority Hires Planning Deputy Director — “The Fairfax County Park Authority is pleased to announce the appointment of Nigel A. Fields to the position of deputy director for Planning and Development. Fields is a leader in conservation, park development and programming, and land use planning and management. He began his new role on Dec. 1 and succeeds Aimee Vosper, who is retiring from the Park Authority on Dec. 26 after 12 years of service.” [FCPA]

It’s Monday — Expect mostly sunny conditions and a high temperature of around 30 degrees during the day, with the northwest wind of 7 to 11 mph shifting to the southwest in the afternoon. Tonight, you’ll experience partly cloudy skies, with the temperature dropping to a low of about 21 degrees. The south wind will be blowing at 5 to 7 mph before becoming light and variable after midnight. [NWS]

Virginia Dropping Sweet Drinks From SNAP Coverage — “Virginia is among six states approved for SNAP food choice waivers under a new initiative launched by the Trump administration that will deny some items to those who use the program … According to the USDA, Virginia SNAP benefits will restrict the purchase of ‘sweetened beverages.'” [WUSA9]

GMU Students Advocate for Increased Voter Turnout — George Mason University freshman Rithvik Hari “was part of a research experiment to figure out ways to increase turnout among college students … The experiment was a success: George Mason was the only precinct in Fairfax County to see an increase in voter turnout [this year] compared to the 2024 presidential election.” [WVTF]

Man Charged With Trespassing at CIA HQ — “An Uber passenger who flew from Puerto Rico to Virginia was arrested early Monday morning after he tried to gain entry to CIA headquarters in McLean, according to court documents.” The man has been “charged with trespassing on an agency installation and failing to obey an order to leave an agency installation.” [Patch]

State of Data Centers in D.C. Region — “With the explosion of AI, the demand for data processing power is growing exponentially, sparking debate over the growth of data centers nationally and regionally … WAMU’s Regional Politics team dug into the debate in each of the three jurisdictions,” from the established data center hub of Northern Virginia to D.C., which has no sites but could still feel the effects of rising energy costs. [WAMU]

Facility Issues Close Libraries — “Burke Centre Library and Richard Byrd Library will remain closed through Friday, December 12 due to ongoing facility issues. Holds and due dates will be extended for customers of both facilities. We will provide further updates soon regarding anticipated reopening timelines.” [Fairfax County Public Library/X]

Santa Visits Inova Hospital — The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department “was honored to bring the big guy himself, Santa, to Inova Children’s so he could assist Fairfax County Police Department with donating some of the toys collected through this year’s Santa’s Ride. We were grateful to be part of the holiday cheer!” [FCFRD/Facebook]

FCPS Tweaks Boundary Changes for Annandale Area — “Bren Mar Park Elementary School families concerned about a boundary change have been given a reprieve. At a Dec. 10 community meeting on recently announced changes to the Fairfax County school boundary review process, Superintendent Michelle Reid said students at Bren Mar Park (BMP) will stay at the middle and high schools to which they are already assigned.” [Annandale Today]

Trucking Company to Deliver Memorial Wreaths — “On Friday, December 12, 2025, over 200 participants will be present to execute this annual initiative. Interstate employees, their families, and community partners, including the new Driver Ambassador, CJ3 Foundation, will gather at the company’s Springfield headquarters to salute and send off over 70 drivers, who will deliver wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery and other area cemeteries, joining thousands of volunteers nationwide who carry forward Wreaths Across America’s legacy of remembrance.” [Interstate Moving]

Capital Craft Festival Returns — “The Capital Art and Craft Festival features more than 300 juried artists at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia. From Friday through Sunday, expect everything from glass and metal works to jewelry and clothing to pottery and printmaking.” With Dulles Expo closing this month, the festival’s director says a new venue for 2026 “will be announced ‘soon.'” [WTOP]

It’s Friday — Expect partly sunny skies and a high near 38 degrees with a light west wind of 3 to 6 mph. As night falls, the sky will turn mostly cloudy with the temperature dropping to a low of around 28 degrees. The wind will remain calm throughout the night. [NWS]

DCA Crash Families Object to Waivers — “Family members of those killed in the January midair collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet are raising alarms about a provision in the defense funding bill that they say would allow the military to potentially restore flying procedures that may have been factors in the crash.” [Washington Post]

Next VDOT Leader Named — “Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger on Tuesday tapped transportation expert Nick Donohue as Virginia’s next transportation secretary, selecting the VCU graduate to help steer her administration’s policies over the next four years … The former deputy transportation secretary was recently heavily involved in developing a funding plan to create a new revenue stream to stabilize Metro service in Northern Virginia,” among other initiatives. [Virginia Mercury]

Legislator Preparing Gaming Commission Bill — “Efforts are underway to establish one regulatory board to oversee gaming in the Commonwealth as conversations about a possible plan to construct a casino in Fairfax County re-enter the spotlight … Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax County, emphasized the importance of establishing the commission before expanding gaming, which includes future proposals for a casino in the Tysons area.” [WUSA9]

School Board Approves New Courses — “Fairfax County students will get the opportunity to take classes on artificial intelligence, personal finance and cybersecurity in the 2026-27 school year. The Fairfax County School Board unanimously approved the middle and high school course offering changes during a meeting” last Thursday (Dec. 4). [WTOP]

Former Tysons Furniture Store Finds New Home — “Patrick’s Elegant Living, a high-end furniture brand, will move into a new store at Dulles Town Center, Washington Business Journal reported. It will occupy the space of the former Nordstrom, which closed in 2017. Patrick’s Elegant Living vacated its former Tysons Corner Center location in October after a legal dispute with the landlord.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Viral Drunk Raccoon Boosts Animal Shelter — “The Hanover County Animal Protection & Shelter in Virginia has raised $170,560 in just 72 hours by selling over 15,000 pieces of ‘Trashed Panda’ merchandise — hoodies, mugs, stickers, and T-shirts, all featuring a raccoon sprawled on its stomach, paws splayed in every direction, next to a toppled bottle of booze.” [Washingtonian]

Researchers Help Track Monarch Butterflies — “This fall, a massive international effort called Project Monarch used new technology to track hundreds of monarchs from Canada to Cuba, providing the most comprehensive look yet at the famous journey. Researchers in Virginia helped make it happen.” [VPM News]

It’s Thursday — Expect mostly sunny skies with a high temperature near 37 degrees and northwest winds blowing at 13 to 15 mph, occasionally gusting up to 29 mph. Cloud cover will increase during Thursday night, bringing the temperature down to around 27 degrees while a gentle west wind blows at 5 to 9 mph. [NWS]

Driver in Fatal Burke Crash Pleads Guilty — “A driver pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter for a crash that killed a 17-year-old girl in Burke, Virginia, in 2023. He was speeding nearly 90 mph in a 40 mph zone at the time, prosecutors said.” Jose Zelaya could face between one and six years in prison under the plea agreement, but Rebekah Zarco’s family says it’s hard for them to see the outcome “as justice.” [NBC4]

More Reston Parkway Ramp Closures Planned — The southbound Reston Parkway ramp to the eastbound Dulles Toll Road will close overnight from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily through Dec. 20-21. The closures, which began at the start of December, are needed to allow repairs on the parkway’s northbound bridge over the toll road, a project expected to finish in early 2026. [VDOT]

Dems Criticize Park Police Hiring Spree — “Democratic senators are demanding the U.S. Park Police suspend their D.C. recruitment blitz and accuse the Trump administration of ‘hijacking this federal police force for its own authoritarian purposes,’ according to a letter sent to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on Monday morning.” The federal agency has set a goal of doubling its workforce in the District over the next six months. [Washington Post]

Guilty Plea in Pokemon Card Theft — “A California man pleaded guilty Monday in a case in which he was accused of breaking into his friend’s Fairfax County, Virginia, home and stealing more than $50,000 worth of rare Pokémon cards. Mohammad Asif was caught on home surveillance camera in July breaking into a Fair Oaks home where his friend and friend’s girlfriend live, prosecutors said … Minutes before the burglary, the girlfriend was held up with a rifle outside of her workplace in Tysons, police said.” [NBC4]

School Board Nixes Facilities Advisory Group — “Fairfax County’s school board has approved a plan to end the group of volunteer community members responsible for providing feedback on long-term plans for school facilities. The division’s Facilities Planning Advisory Council is scheduled to be disbanded by April 1, after Thursday’s 8-3 vote in support of the move.” [WTOP]

Solar and Wind Energy Bills Revived — “With Democrats in full control of the General Assembly and Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger preparing to take office, lawmakers are reviving familiar proposals they hope will finally earn a governor’s signature. Chief among them are bills aimed at expanding renewable energy use and strengthening Virginia’s clean-energy workforce.” [Virginia Mercury]

Man Charged With Attempted Bank Robbery — A 38-year-old Fairfax resident was arrested after he allegedly tried to rob a bank at Fair Lakes Shopping Center on Monday (Dec. 8). “A man entered the bank and displayed a note to the teller demanding money. No weapon was displayed. The man was asked to leave and he left on foot. No one was injured.” [FCPD]

New CEO for VRE — “Virginia Railway Express will see leadership change hands after a new CEO was appointed. Effective January 20, 2026, Katie Choe was named CEO of VRE, effective Jan. 20, 2026.” Appointed by the Northern Virginia and Potomac Rappahannock transportation commissions last Thursday (Dec. 4), she “replaces former CEO Rich Dalton, who retired in early October.” [Patch]

New Legal Notice — Establishment seeks hotel mixed-beverage, on/off-premises ABC license; objections 30 days. [Public Notices]

It’s Wednesday — Expect rain between 8am and 2pm, with cloudy skies and a high near 45. There will be south winds of 11-14 mph, gusting up to 25 mph, and a 40% chance of precipitation. The night will be mostly cloudy, with lows around 32 and west winds of 10-13 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. [NWS]

Voting Underway in Special Election — Polls opened at 6 a.m. today (Tuesday) in the special election to choose a new Braddock District supervisor. “Do you know if you live in the Braddock Supervisory District? Before you head to the polls, confirm your registration status and polling place.” [Fairfax County Government]

Pedestrian in Fatal Crash Identified — Fairfax County police have identified the pedestrian killed in a crash on Richmond Highway on Sunday (Dec. 7) as Roger Brown, a 67-year-old Fort Belvoir resident. The crash remains under investigation, but police say “alcohol and speed do not appear to be factors.” [FCPD]

State Pulls Back Funding for Lake Accotink Dredging — “The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has withdrawn $60.5 million in construction loans previously allocated for dredging Lake Accotink, the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services announced.” County staff say the move doesn’t affect their ability to reapply for loans in the future, but they will “continue pursuing alternative funding sources” in the meantime. [Annandale Today]

Mount Vernon Mansion Reopens — “George Washington’s Mount Vernon is celebrating the completion of several phases of a $40 million revitalization project. In late November, the Mount Vernon Ladies Association reopened all first and second-floor rooms in the historic mansion for the first time since January 2024.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

GMU Rector Defends Meeting Without Quorum — “As George Mason University Rector Charles Stimson addressed his colleagues Thursday, he sat across from faculty members, students and campus workers holding signs plastered with images of his face, gathered in opposition to his decision to hold a second executive committee meeting with only six voting members.” [Virginia Mercury]

Dems Split on Right-to-Work Repeal — “A Virginia Democrat has filed legislation that would repeal its “right-to-work” law, which would allow for mandatory fees on employees who benefit from union-negotiated contracts. While a repeal of the law is popular with labor groups, debates among General Assembly Democrats could showcase rifts within their party.” [VPM News]

Sidewalk Project Starts Despite Objections — “Despite strong opposition from nearby residents, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation is proceeding with a sidewalk project next to Justice Park along Peace Valley Lane … Residents’ outrage is less about the sidewalk than the lack of communication, said Ravenwood resident Kathleen Brown.” [Annandale Today]

Walkinshaw Visits Reston Book Store — Rep. James Walkinshaw visited Scrawl Books yesterday (Monday) for a roundtable with local business owners, who discussed how they’re being affected by rising costs and the Trump administration’s tariffs. “Local small business owners told me plainly: Trump’s tariffs are driving up costs, forcing some to raise prices and lay off employees,” the Congressman says. [James Walkinshaw/Bluesky]

It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 35 with calm winds turning south at 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon. Tonight, it will be mostly cloudy with a low around 30 and south winds at 8 to 10 mph. [NWS]

Family Seeks Help Finding Missing Man — “A family is pleading for help to find a missing 78-year-old man who left his home in Northern Virginia Monday and hasn’t been seen since that afternoon. Quang Hang left his Chantilly home about 2:30 p.m. to take his car, a 2007 red Toyota Camry, to a mechanic in Leesburg but never arrived.” [NBC4]

Shooting in Burke Under Investigation — “Fairfax County police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred on Sunday in the 5500 block of Burley Court in Burke. Shots were fired around 5:40 p.m., resulting in damage to multiple vehicles, police said.” A man was driven to a hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening. [WJLA]

Man Convicted for Fatal Crash — “A jury today (Friday) found a Fairfax man guilty of aggravated involuntary manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol for a series of crashes on April 16 that killed a teenager.” Jilmar Doria-Medina, 42, was charged with fatally striking 19-year-old Abdullahi Mumin on King Street in Alexandria while the teen was walking with his brother to a nearby McDonald’s. [ALXnow]

GMU Board Denies Settlement Drafted — “George Mason University officials said Thursday that no settlement agreement has been proposed with the federal government as it navigates four civil rights investigations … Outside of the meeting, a group of faculty members protested against the board, accusing it of meeting improperly because it lacked the required members to form a quorum.” [Virginia Mercury]

Braddock Candidate Suggests ‘Mega Mansion’ Tax — Carey “Chet” Campbell, an independent candidate to become the next Braddock District supervisor, says funding county schools is his top priority. He’s also proposing a “progressive tax on ‘mega mansions’ valued at more than $5 million,” among other measures, to fund services without raising property taxes on everyone. [WJLA]

Tires Piling Up Under Springfield Mixing Bowl — “FOX 5 inspected the scene underneath the Mixing Bowl in Springfield, along the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks that carry VRE’s Manassas line — a somewhat hidden place that’s become a dumping ground for car and truck tires.” While the sources of the tires is unknown, the Virginia Department of Transportation said it’s “aware of the situation” and will lead cleanup efforts “since it is located within our right of way.” [FOX5]

Portable Solar Systems Proposed — “Allowing Virginians to generate their own electricity using small solar panel systems plugged in at home was among more than a dozen proposals that a state commission voted Thursday to recommend to the Virginia General Assembly.” The report from the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation could inform legislation considered during the 2026 session. [Cardinal News]

Fairfax City Restaurant Adds Play Space — “Ned’s New England Deck in Fairfax was already a family-friendly destination for lobster rolls and fried clam strips … Now, with their own two- and four-year-old boys, the [owners] wanted to do more for families with young kids. Recently, they opened Play Date Social on the top floor of the restaurant, featuring a 500-square-foot play area in the middle of the dining room.” [Washingtonian]

It’s Monday — There’s a 20% chance of snow from 8am to 2pm, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 32. Monday night, the clouds will gradually clear, and the temperature will drop to around 20. [NWS]

Va. Man Charged in Pipe Bomb Investigation — “A man suspected of planting pipe bombs outside Democratic and Republican party headquarters in Washington, D.C., on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, siege, on the U.S. Capitol was arrested Thursday, authorities say. Brian Cole Jr., 30, of Woodbridge, Virginia, was charged with transporting an explosive device and attempted malicious destruction by means of explosive materials, according to charging documents.” [NBC4]

D.C. Congestion Worsened in 2025 — “Drivers in the D.C. area spent more time stuck in traffic in 2025 than the year before, according to data from the analytics firm INRIX. The average driver in D.C. lost 70 hours to traffic in 2025, which the company calculates by looking at the difference between peak and off-peak congestion. That’s a 13 percent increase from last year’s 62 hours, according to the report.” [Washington Post]

County Considers Easing Accessory Unit Rules — “The Fairfax County Planning Commission is considering changes to make it easier for residents to establish accessory living units (ALUs) … The board authorized ALUs in 2021 as part of a major overhaul of the zoning code. At that time, there was opposition from residents who raised concerns that ALUs would destabilize neighborhoods and turn single-family homes into ‘boarding houses.'” [Annandale Today]

Federal Officers Seen at Vienna Park — “A group of about 10 to 15 federal law enforcement officers dressed in khakis and carrying firearms gathered at Nottoway Park outside the Town of Vienna around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. ‘We are not ICE. This is not immigration,’ an officer with ‘DEA’ on his uniform told a Patch reporter.” [Patch]

Startup Tackles Prescription Drug Costs — “Founded in McLean last year, Crux works with global pharmaceutical companies and employers to bring quality-of-life medications such as those for weight loss, addiction and sleep to U.S. consumers at discounted rates.” Funded with $6.5 million from the venture capital firm Red Cell Partners, the company will first provide access to a “name-branded” diabetes/weight loss drug “through employee-benefit programs in early 2026.” [Washington Business Journal]

Holiday Events Coming to Local Parks — “Join family, friends and neighbors at the parks this holiday season. With more than 50 holiday-themed activities and events to choose from, Fairfax County Park Authority has something for everyone — from wagon and train rides to candlelit tours and, of course, Santa himself!” [FCPA]

Woodburn Students Visit Sen. Warner — “Wonderful to welcome kids from Woodburn Elementary School to see my office and decorate my Christmas tree today. At the end of the day, everything I do in the Senate is about building a better and stronger country for them to grow up in. Happy holidays, Virginia!” [Mark Warner/Bluesky]

Annual Pancake Breakfast at Historic House — “The Turner Farmhouse Foundation invites the community to its annual Pancake Breakfast and Open House on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the historic Turner Farmhouse in Great Falls. The event is free, open to the public and includes onsite parking. Guests are encouraged to RSVP online; tickets are provided at no cost.” [FCPA]

It’s Friday — Snow is expected before 11am, with temperatures reaching a high around 33°F. There is an 80% chance of precipitation. Ice accumulation is not anticipated, and new snow will likely be less than half an inch. Friday night will see patchy fog and mostly cloudy conditions, with a low temperature of approximately 26°F. [NWS]

FCPD Details Thanksgiving DWI Arrests — “Between November 26 and November 30, the FCPD arrested and charged twenty impaired drivers with a variety of DWI offenses. This enforcement push marked the department’s commitment to improve safety and remove impaired drivers from our roadways.” [FCPD]

New Agreement to Protect Chesapeake Bay — Outgoing Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin joined his counterparts from Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and “other regional representatives” on Tuesday (Dec. 2) to enact “a new, 15-year agreement to reduce pollution, build habitats, and protect the Chesapeake Bay.” [Virginia Mercury]

Virginia Lagging in Traffic Safety Laws — “When it comes to laws aimed at keeping drivers and passengers safe, D.C. and Maryland are ahead of Virginia, according to a new report from Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. But all three jurisdictions have room to improve … Among the improvements needed in Virginia include a need for a strong seat belt law.” [WTOP]

Bill Could Allow More Faith-Based Affordable Housing — “By some estimates, the Commonwealth has a shortage of some 300,000 homes and apartments, but some lawmakers are hoping to boost construction by relaxing some regulations for faith-based and nonprofit groups.” Legislation proposed by state Sens. Jennifer Carroll Foy, whose district includes Burke, and Jeremy McPike would allow religious organizations to develop affordable housing by-right. [NBC4]

Dems Committed to Redistricting Push — “Virginia Democrats appear to be sticking to a plan to put a constitutional amendment before voters that would allow a new congressional map in 2026, despite a sweeping victory in November’s general election and a fluid redistricting landscape nationwide.” Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell expects Democrats could flip at least the 1st and 2nd Congressional districts with redrawn maps. [VPM]

Juveniles Arrested for Vape Shop Burglaries — “A heavy police presence shattered the calm of a quiet street in the Broyhill Crest neighborhood in Annandale on Tuesday morning. Armed with a search warrant, police found evidence in a home on Bradley Circle tying a juvenile to burglaries at nine vape shops.” Police have identified a total of five juveniles they believe were involved, including three were arrested on Dec. 2. [Annandale Today]

Massive Debris Removed From Mount Vernon Trail — “The Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail discovered the debris, a large sling fender, sitting in the Potomac River’s low tide line near the Marina Towers building at 501 Slaters Lane during the Nov. 15 Mega Trash Bash cleanup.” Volunteers needed to return a week later to cut up the fender, which weighed an estimated 500 pounds, so they could remove it. [ALXnow]

Mini Art Vending Machine Offers Holiday Prints — Fairfax City’s Mini-Art Machine has reemerged at Cinema Arts Theatre (9650 Main Street), where it will sell winter and holiday-themed watercolor prints by artist Tommy Tang for $1 through Sunday, Dec. 28. “These stunning mini art prints would make perfect gift tags or holiday card enclosures for those special people on your list!” [Fairfax City]

It’s Thursday — Expect a mostly sunny day with highs around 42 degrees and wind gusts up to 24 mph. Evening will be partly cloudy, with lows near 23 degrees. Northwest winds of 5-10 mph will become light and variable after midnight, with gusts potentially reaching 18 mph. [NWS]