News

FFXnow Daily Debrief for Nov 13, 2026

By FFXnow.com

Good Friday evening, Fairfax County. Here’s a look back at today’s most-read stories and a look ahead to tomorrow.

📈 Today’s most-read stories

  1. BREAKING: Woodson HS band director arrested for alleged inappropriate conduct with minor (4,623 views)
  2. McLean party with teens drinking, fireworks leads to criminal charges (3,456 views)
  3. JUST IN: Flights halted at Dulles and other airports across U.S. by FAA (1,006 views)

🕗 More from today

Everything else we published today, Nov 13, 2026.

📣 Announcements

Extended by Popular Demand: My English Persian Kitchen by Hannah Khalil
Irish-Palestinian playwright Hannah Khalil’s deliciously inventive show, My English Persian… [Announcement]

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Saturday in Fairfax County, from our event calendar.

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

⭐ Featured events

StoryWorx Book Festival/ Meet the Authors at the Workhouse Arts Center
Nov 14: Family Friendly Book Festival [Event]

Who Am I Now? Identity and Possibility in the Menopause Transition
Nov 15: Educational presentation about identity and possibility in the menopause transition [Event]

World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
Nov 15: Northern Virginia Families for Safe Streets (NoVA FSS) cordially invites you to attend and… [Event]

When Life Feels Heavy: Finding Peace, Hope & Inner Strength
Nov 15: What if even our most difficult experiences could awaken greater strength, compassion, and purpose? [Event]

Catholic University Symphony Orchestra in Concert
Nov 15: Free Concert with Full Symphony Color and Majestic Organ Sound in Clifton! [Event]

BrownTown Comedy at the DC Improv!!!!
Nov 16: Best and brownest comics at DC Improv [Event]

Free Memory Screening
Nov 18: Free Memory Screening Event! [Event]

Next Level Networking for Arlington Business Leaders Networking Event
Nov 18: Pass the Gravy, Pass the Business! Join Arlington business leaders for Next Level Networking, real connections, and fresh opportunities. [Event]

A Toast to Reston’s Past: The Bowman Distillery Story
Nov 18: Program featuring a panel of experts steeped in the knowledge of the Bowman Distillery [Event]

Washington Spirit Alum Meet & Greet + The Amazing Race Watch Party
Nov 18: Meet Washington Spirit alum Joanna Lohman, then stick around to cheer on Joanna and Ali Krieger as they compete on The Amazing Race! [Event]

23rd Annual Holiday Gift Show
Nov 21: Bypass the mall. Skip the big-box store. Ditch the web. 🎁 The 23rd Annual Holiday Gift Show… [Event]

First Baby? Connect with other New Moms!
Nov 21: Connecting with your own in-person group starts with this quick online introduction to Mamistad and other new moms! [Event]

Submit events, announcements, or home listings to FFXnow.

🌤️ Weather update

Today: Fairfax County saw a high of 49° at 1:52 p.m. (10° below normal), a low of 45° at 6:30 a.m., no rain and a peak gust of 29 mph.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Northwest wind around 9 mph.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 50. Northwest wind 10 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.

About 140 Dominion customers are without power.

Thanks for reading!

News

BREAKING: Woodson HS band director arrested for alleged inappropriate conduct with minor

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
Aaron Morgan (Courtesy FCPD)

The longtime band director at Carter G. Woodson High School in Fairfax has been arrested after detectives found evidence of child sexual assault materials during an investigation into his conduct with a minor, the Fairfax County Police Department says.

Aaron Morgan, 38, a Fairfax resident who has been director of bands at Woodson since 2016, is now facing five counts of production of child sexual assault material and a charge of solicitation of a minor.

Go to BREAKING: Woodson HS band director arrested for alleged inappropriate conduct with minor Read more
News

JUST IN: Flights halted at Dulles and other airports across U.S. by FAA

By Associated Press and Angela Woolsey
Dulles Airport main terminal (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Dulles International and Reagan National airports in the D.C. area are among those affected by a nationwide ground-stop ordered this afternoon (Friday) by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The FAA notice said the ground stop was being imposed “due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety.”

Go to JUST IN: Flights halted at Dulles and other airports across U.S. by FAA Read more
Around Town

Where to find holiday markets and pop-ups in Fairfax County for 2026

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
The Mosaic District's Holiday Market in 2025 (Photo by Joy Asico-Smith/Asico Photo, via Mosaic District)

While Black Friday is just around the corner, the holiday shopping season will begin in earnest for many this weekend with the return of holiday marketplaces and bazaars across Northern Virginia.

While one of the best-known events in the local area, the Northern Virginia Christmas Market, was cancelled, Fairfax County will still have plenty of markets to check out over the next few weeks — including a virtual option for those who prefer to do their shopping at home.

Go to Where to find holiday markets and pop-ups in Fairfax County for 2026 Read more
Event

23rd Annual Holiday Gift Show

Event location

Ayr Hill Church

100 Ayr Hill Ave NE

Vienna, Virginia 22180

Add to Calendar

Bypass the mall. Skip the big-box store. Ditch the web. 🎁 The 23rd Annual Holiday Gift Show is Saturday, November 21, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. at Ayr Hill Church, 100 Ayr Hill Avenue NE in Vienna. Come browse handmade bags, clothing and accessories; original watercolor, acrylic and mixed-media art; hand-painted cards, ornaments and candles; homemade jams and specialty salts; one-of-a-kind stuffed animals; knitted and crocheted toys, wearables and home decor; dog treats and accessories; homemade baklava; stovetop potpourri and more, all from local artists and makers. Free admission, open to the public. See you there! #ViennaVA #ShopLocal #HolidayGiftShow

Go to 23rd Annual Holiday Gift Show Read more
News

Developer prepares Idylwood church site for future townhomes

By Angela Woolsey
Site work is underway to clear part of St. Paul's Lutheran Church's property for EYA's Idylwood Hill townhome development (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Within the next few years, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church will welcome dozens of new neighbors to the Idylwood property where it has stood for nearly six decades.

The developer EYA announced earlier this month (Nov. 4) that it has officially closed an acquisition of undeveloped land behind the church at 7526 Idylwood Road for Idylwood Hill, a 70-unit townhouse community expected to be fully delivered in late 2028.

Go to Developer prepares Idylwood church site for future townhomes Read more
News

After Olympic troubles, Fairfax County’s Ilia Malinin starts road back to Winter Games

By Associated Press and Angela Woolsey
FILE - Gold medalist Ilia Malinin from Vienna, Virginia, waves to spectators after the medal ceremony after the men free skating at the Figure Skating World Championships in Prague, Czech Republic, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File)

After a disastrous free skate derailed his shot at an individual gold medal in his Olympic debut earlier this year, Vienna resident and figure skating phenom Ilia Malinin is ready to restart the four-year journey to the next Winter Games.

The easy choice would have been to step away from the spotlight, like most figure skaters do after the grueling mental and physical demands of an Olympic cycle. Malinin could have loaded up on classes at George Mason, where he’s been working toward a degree, and forgotten all about lutzes and axels and loops for a while.

Go to After Olympic troubles, Fairfax County’s Ilia Malinin starts road back to Winter Games Read more
Opinion

Poll: The best bookstores in Fairfax County

By FFXnow.com

Independent and local bookstores serve as vital cultural hubs, fostering literacy and community connection across Fairfax County. This week’s Readers’ Choice poll invites residents to highlight their favorite spots for discovering new books and gathering for literary events.

Here are the nominees for Best Bookstores in Fairfax County as part of our FFXnow Readers’ Choice awards. Did we miss your favorite shop? Write it in!

Voting will close at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25.

Voting for Best bakeries in Fairfax County is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Wednesday at 11:59 p.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best deli in Fairfax County. The full results are now official:

  1. 🥇 The Deli — 111 votes
  2. 🥈 Celebrity Delly — 107 votes
  3. 🥉 Chutzpah Deli — 89 votes
  4. The Italian Gourmet — 77 votes
  5. Santini’s New York Style Deli — 71 votes

Edging out West Falls Church’s longstanding Celebrity Delly, The Deli has been serving up delicious Italian subs in Herndon since 1979. Additional locations of the family-owned business in Fairfax City and Leesburg have built up equally devoted customer bases.

A total of 678 votes were cast.

See all FFXnow Readers’ Choice winners.

News

Herndon to take control of public TV station after longtime operator dissolves

By Angela Woolsey
Herndon Chief Communications Officer Brent Heavner discusses plans to transition HCTV to the town at a town council work session on Nov. 4, 2026 (via Town of Herndon)

The Town of Herndon is preparing to assume control of the public access TV channels that broadcast its official meetings and local events.

The board of the nonprofit that has operated Herndon Community Television (HCTV) for 36 years notified town officials on June 27 that it plans to dissolve the organization, Herndon Chief Communications Officer Brent Heavner explained to the town council at a Nov. 4 work session.

Go to Herndon to take control of public TV station after longtime operator dissolves Read more
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