The number of Fairfax County residents counted as unemployed rose 17% year-over-year in March, and was up 52% from two years before, according to new state data.
A total of 22,680 county residents were included in the ranks of unemployed for the month, according to figures reported May 19 by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement.
The final bill introduced by the late Gerry Connolly dealt with the disease that took his life early in his ninth term representing Virginia’s 11th Congressional District.
In a rare moment of unity, the Senate voted unanimously yesterday (Wednesday) to support the Gerald E. Connolly Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act, sending the bill to President Donald Trump almost a year after it passed the House of Representatives on June 3, 2025.
At Kokua, we believe that every stage of life holds possibilities for creativity, purpose, and growth. Located in the heart of Tysons, Virginia, Kokua offers a fresh, hospitality-driven approach to care developed by Mather, a nationally recognized pioneer in the senior living space with more than eight decades of experience. Newly opened in 2025, Kokua blends care with our research-driven approach to deliver personalized wellness tailored to individual needs.
For a limited time, Kokua is welcoming new residents seeking assisted living or memory support in the DC area with exclusive move-in incentives. Nestled in a lively urban neighborhood, our LEED-Gold certified community incorporates biophilic design that brings the outside in to enhance health and wellbeing.
In our assisted living and memory support neighborhoods, residents enjoy a collection of thoughtfully designed spaces that feel like an upscale hospitality destination.
Multiple restaurants offer chef-prepared cuisine with flexible, open-hours service, complemented by demonstration kitchens, art and music studios, as well as gathering spaces. A spacious outdoor terrace, Marzenia Salon, and beautifully appointed amenity areas create opportunities for wellness, connection, and everyday enjoyment.
Residents enjoy opportunities to choose from enriching programs, meaningful social opportunities with experiences such as sensory walks, meditation, acupuncture, Reiki, songwriting workshops, poetry readings, Sensory Symphony Swim, and more.
Ādar means “respect”, and Kokua delivers. Here, our team encourages residents to be as independent as possible, for as long as possible. Each one-bedroom apartment home (ranging in size up to nearly 900 square feet) offers generous space and thoughtful design, complemented by assistance with daily living tasks and emergency response systems for peace of mind.
Miran means “peaceful”—another pillar in the Kokua way of life. Private suites are designed for those with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or similar cognitive conditions. Our person-centered approach embraces individual strengths and needs, with an interdisciplinary team and through social events, wellness programs, creative arts, and more.
Kokua offers the next generation of care in Ādar and Miran, true to our commitment to highly personalized service rooted in respect for each individual.
With a limited number of residences available and exclusive move-in incentives currently offered, now is an ideal time to explore the personalized care and quiet luxury that Kokua at The Mather has to offer.
Contact us today if you’re interested in learning more, download our brochure at www.themathertysons.com/kokua. You can reach us at kokua@themathertysons.com or (571) 282.3650.
Land in Lorton that once served as a waste disposal site has been transformed into Fairfax County’s largest solar power project so far.
After about a year of construction, a completed 5-megawatt solar array now sits on 37 acres in a closed portion of the I-95 Landfill Complex at 9850 Furnace Road, the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) announced Wednesday (May 19).
Mental health shapes how we lead, love, work, parent, communicate, and show up in the world—yet too often, these conversations stay hidden.
This Mental Health Awareness Month, join local nonprofit Rock Recovery for Strength Not Stigma—an unforgettable evening of honest conversation, community, and impact.
The Little Free Pantries outside Emmaus United Church of Christ in Vienna have gotten battered over the years, but despite repeated acts of vandalism, they’re still standing.
Though cleaning up and repairing the damage can be a hassle, sometimes temporarily taking the boxes out of commission, the church remains undeterred in its commitment to making donated food and hygiene products available to passersby in need.
*Mamistad Groups meet IN PERSON-only the introductory Zoom call is virtual. 🙂
Pregnancy and new mom groups are a lifesaver when it comes to normalizing those feelings we just can’t be prepared for.
Lower-than-projected use and revenue could trigger rate increases on the Dulles Toll Road in advance of the previously anticipated 2028 time frame.
Total toll road revenue for 2025 was down 2.3% year-over-year to $198.4 million in 2025, according to figures presented yesterday (Wednesday) to a Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) board of directors committee.
An electric vehicle crashed and caught fire on the Dulles Access Road in Tysons yesterday (Wednesday), sending one person to the hospital.
Units with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department were dispatched for an electric vehicle fire in the westbound lanes of the Dulles Access Road near Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) in Tysons at 5:03 p.m., according to the emergency scanner.
Barn Fire in Great Falls — The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department responded last night to “a barn fire in the 200 block of Walker Rd in Great Falls. Crews encountered a well-involved barn fire and established tanker shuttle operations due to limited hydrants. All occupants and animals are out safely.” [FCFRD/X]
Congress Seeks Answers on Potomac Spill — “Key officials involved in the cleanup of a massive sewage spill in the Potomac River testified Wednesday at a congressional hearing that they quickly responded after a pipe burst and that public health was never at risk.” Lawmakers, however, expressed continued concern about the effects of the disaster and whether it could’ve been prevented. [WTOP]
Motorcyclist Killed in Crash Identified — “Preliminarily, detectives determined that Mikhail Perry, 22, of Fairfax, was traveling northbound on Route 29 on a 2005 Ducati motorcycle” when he crashed into a semi truck making a U-turn on Tuesday (May 19). Police say “speed was a factor in the crash for the motorcyclist.” [FCPD]
Virginia Revenue Exceeds Forecast — “Virginia’s economy is showing increasing signs of strain from slower job growth, rising inflation and weakening consumer confidence, even as state revenues continue exceeding expectations and giving lawmakers more room to negotiate a stalled state budget, Virginia Secretary of Finance Mark Sickles said Tuesday.” [Virginia Mercury]
Overdose Deaths Declining in Va. — “Virginia recorded one of the steepest declines in overdose deaths nationwide over the past year, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” Virginia Commissioner for Behavioral Health Daryl Washington attributed the drop to expanded access to naloxone and treatment programs. [WAMU]
Osprey Saved From Drowning — “The Fairfax County Animal Shelter said earlier this month that its animal services officers responded to a report of an osprey that had gotten trapped on a fishing line … When the officer arrived, the osprey had freed itself but looked to have gotten injured from the struggle.” [DC News Now]
Metro Featured in Smithsonian Exhibit — As part of a collaboration timed to celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary, the National Museum of American History is displaying a mural highlighting “destinations across the District, Maryland, and Virginia accessible by Metro Rail and Metro Bus.” A special Metro map shows the connections between the transit system and sites crucial to the nation’s history. [WMATA]
Private School Completes New Turf Field — “The Griffin Field project – the ‘field of dreams’ – at the Westminster School in Annandale is nearly completed. A ribbon-cutting celebration will be held in October. The independent, private school, located at 3819 Gallows Road, serves students from preschool through middle school.” [Annandale Today]
New Legal Notice — Restaurant seeks ABC on/off-premise alcohol license; objections in 30 days. [Public Notices]
It’s Thursday — Expect showers and possibly a thunderstorm today, with a high of around 67°F. The 90% chance of rain will drop to 60% at night, which will be cloudy with a low of around 54°F. Northeast winds will range from 7 to 10 mph. [NWS]
Support local journalism. Join the FFXnow Press Club to boost our reporting and to get upgraded newsletters.
Good Wednesday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — May 20, 2026.
Here is what’s going on Thursday throughout the county, from our event calendar.
Expect showers throughout the day with a possible thunderstorm after 11 a.m., reaching a high of 66°F. Northeast winds will be around 10 mph, with gusts up to 18 mph. There’s a 90% chance of rain, with rainfall between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, higher in thunderstorms. Showers may continue into Thursday night, mainly before 7 p.m., with cloudy skies and a low of 54°F. Winds will be northeast at 7 mph, and the chance of rain is 60%, with less than a tenth of an inch expected. See more from Weather.gov.
The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) has vetoed legislation from numerous Democratic Fairfax County legislators relating to a marijuana retail market, class action lawsuits and other issues.
Yesterday, Spanberger rejected the General Assembly-passed versions of HB 642 and SB 542, which would have set up a retail market for recreational marijuana on Jan. 1, 2027 — more than five years after Virginia became the first state in the South to legalize possession of the drug by adults.
