Around Town

Good Tuesday evening, Fairfax County. 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 — Aug 18, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Wednesday throughout the county, from our event calendar.

☀️ Wednesday’s forecast

Expect sunny weather with a high of about 89 degrees and a west wind blowing at 3 to 6 mph. On Wednesday night, clouds will increase, with temperatures dropping to around 71 degrees and calm winds. See more from Weather.gov.

🌅 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! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.


Around Town

A new restaurant specializing in shawarma and other Iraqi cuisine is ready to make its debut in Vienna.

Mashahweez Shawarma and Grill will welcome its first customers in the Vienna Shopping Center at 128 Maple Avenue West with a soft launch tomorrow (Wednesday).


Countywide

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) has formally filed to intervene in the proposed merger of Dominion Energy with Florida-based NextEra Energy.

The $67 billion merger proposal is under review by Virginia’s State Corporation Commission (SCC). According to her office, Spanberger is the first governor in Virginia history to intervene in an SCC case. Chief Energy Officer Josephus Allmond, the first person appointed to Spanberger’s new cabinet position, also filed to be a party in the case.


News

Another older office complex in south Reston is being considered for redevelopment as a future residential neighborhood.

An affiliate of the Maryland-based developer Berman Enterprises has proposed replacing the three-building Makers Point campus at 11130, 11180 and 11190 Sunrise Valley Drive with more than 200 homes, including townhouses and, potentially, a multifamily residential building.


Event

Dreaming about your next vacation? Join Cruise Planners Beth Borrego and Rod Rodriguez for an inspiring day devoted to ocean and river cruises, guided tours, luxury travel and unforgettable destinations!

Meet representatives from AmaWaterways, Collette, Oceania Cruises and Premier World Discovery. Hear informative presentations, ask questions, explore exciting vacation possibilities and discover which travel experience may be the perfect fit for you.


News

George Mason University’s Center for the Arts is one of six D.C.-area venues that will host the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) during its upcoming season.

Faced with an uncertain future due to a potential two-year closure of the Kennedy Center, its long-established home, the NSO made its delayed 2026-27 season announcement today (Tuesday), 5 1/2 weeks before its opening concert on Sept. 26 and five months later than the release of its 2025-26 schedule.


News

Nearly a decade ago, Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity backed an effort to eliminate glass from Fairfax County’s single-stream recycling program.

Herrity now thinks the time is right to reconsider the decision.


Around Town

One of the very first restaurants to open at Merrifield’s nascent Mosaic District development has permanently closed its doors.

Matchbox shuttered on Sunday (Aug. 16) after more than 13 years in business at 2911 District Avenue, Suite 120, community members shared on the popular Facebook group Vienna VA Foodies.


News

Pedestrians can breathe a little easier after some new protections were installed at a key South County intersection earlier this month.

Work wrapped up on Aug. 4 on a pedestrian refuge island, additional crosswalks and curb ramp upgrades around Silverbrook Road and Crosspointe Drive, according to the Fairfax County Department of Transportation.


Countywide
A pond partially blocked by a black fence near Fair Oaks Mall off of Route 50 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Man Injured in Centreville Crash — An adult male driver was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries following a two-vehicle crash at Centreville Road and Compton Road yesterday (Monday) afternoon. Northbound Centreville Road, also known as Route 28, was closed for an extended period at the intersection as detectives investigated. [FCPD/X]

Arrest in Hybla Valley Stabbing — An Alexandria man has been charged with malicious wounding in connection with a stabbing that occurred in the 7800 block of Richmond Highway on Saturday (Aug. 15). “Officers found a 41-year-old man who had been stabbed in his upper body. Responders transported him to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. He was still hospitalized as of Monday afternoon.” [DC News Now]

Change in FBI HQ Plans Blocked — “Maryland and Prince George’s County secured a win in court Monday in their fight to keep the FBI’s future home in Greenbelt. A federal judge ruled President Donald Trump’s administration cannot scrap those plans in favor of its preference to move the bureau’s headquarters across the street to the Ronald Reagan Building in D.C.” [WTOP]

Man Committed for Killing Flies Out of U.S. — A man who was charged with murder for the killing of his landlord in Vienna in 2019 left the country on a one-way flight from Dulles Airport to Tajikistan via Istanbul on July 6, court documents show. Found not guilty by reason of insanity, Abdulloi Toshpulodzoda was committed in 2022 to the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute, which had granted him a weekend pass despite opposition to his release. [FOX5]

Virginia Tapped for Early Primary — “The Democratic National Committee on Saturday approved by voice vote its lineup of six early primaries for the 2028 election cycle, kicking off with South Carolina and Nevada.” Virginia will be sixth on the schedule, with a Democratic presidential primary on Feb. 29, 2028. [Virginia Mercury]

Donations for Online Gaming Bill Supporters — During this year’s General Assembly session, “five Republican senators broke with their caucus and supported legalized online casino gambling. Four months later, the trade group behind the bill sent each of the five GOP senators a campaign donation of $100,000, according to campaign finance disclosures released last month.” [Poole Report]

Va. AG Creates Worker Protection Unit — “Attorney General Jay Jones announced on Friday the creation of a Worker Protection Unit, which Jones said will put the voices of working people first … The unit will be tasked with investigating potential violations of labor laws like wage theft, employee misclassification and more.” [WRIC]

Dessert Shop Coming to Falls Church — “A new spot for cupcakes, ice cream and other sweet treats is preparing to open in Falls Church. Lil’ Cakes & Creamery … is hoping to open at 120 Founders Avenue by the end of August, a spokesperson told ARLnow.” The regional chain currently has two Virginia locations in Sterling and Alexandria City. [ARLnow]

It’s Tuesday — Sunny conditions are expected, with temperatures reaching a high of 87°F and northwest winds blowing at 6 to 8 mph. By night, the weather will become partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to around 69°F. [NWS]

Want more local news? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow, with the latest from across the region.