News

Park Service quietly awards contracts to work on Trump’s revamp of East Potomac golf course

By The Associated Press
Aerial view of the Jefferson Memorial on the Tidal Basin, surrounded by water, greenery, and distant city bridges and skyline.
The East Potomac Park Golf Course and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial are seen from the Washington Monument, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

The Trump administration has awarded contracts to begin work on President Donald Trump’s planned takeover of the East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, Democrats on the House Natural Resources Committee said Wednesday.

Rep. Jared Huffman of California, the panel’s top Democrat, revealed during a committee hearing that the National Park Service hired a civil engineering firm to begin work on the historic public golf course, without any public announcement or heads-up to Congress. A lawsuit challenging Trump’s plan to revamp the golf course argues that the administration’s redevelopment would violate the congressional act that created the park more than a century ago.

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Around Town

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Sep 16, 2026

By ARLnow.com
ARLnow Daily Debrief for Sep 16, 2026 over a fenced pool scene with people in the background behind bars.

Good Wednesday evening, Arlington. 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 — Sep 16, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Thursday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

⛅️ Thursday’s forecast

This afternoon will be mostly sunny with a high around 89°F and a slight 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 PM, with south winds at 5 to 7 mph. Thursday night will be mostly cloudy with a low near 71°F, and there is a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 PM, then continuing as showers until midnight. Southwest winds will be 3 to 5 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
– Mother Teresa

🌅 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! If you have something to say about an issue of local note not covered today, feel free to discuss it on our new Disqus-powered community message board.

Around Town

Arlington Scouts rescue teens from sinking boat in rural Tennessee

By Dan Egitto
Three people wearing life jackets sit on a small motorboat on a calm lake, with a capsized white kayak nearby and a forested shoreline in the background.
The Jackson siblings on their grandparents' Pond Prowler (courtesy of Nick Jackson)

Three Arlington siblings came to the rescue of a sinking boatful of teenagers while on vacation in rural Tennessee this summer.

Declan, Cormac and Elsa Jackson — ages 10, 12 and 13, respectively, and all involved in scouting — were out at their grandparents’ house on remote Boone Lake on the afternoon of July 28. Declan and Elsa were fishing and had just finished helping a baby bird escape from the water when they heard a foghorn.

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Announcement

5th Annual Annual Arlington Fair Housing Conference

By NAACP Arlington Branch
Poster for Arlington Fair Housing Conference 2026 virtual event series with three scheduled webinars and sponsor logos, plus a QR code.

Virginia is under new leadership—and with it comes a renewed commitment to fighting housing discrimination. Join the NAACP Arlington Branch, Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) of Virginia, and the Equal Rights Center for the 5th Annual Arlington Fair Housing Conference, a series of three virtual events. You’ll hear about the fair housing work of the Virginia Office of the Attorney General and Arlington County’s progress in advancing fair and equitable housing for all.

Monday, September 14, 2026 – 6:00 – 7:00 pm

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Schools

APS announces plans to end Integration Station early-childhood program

By Scott McCaffrey
An Integration Station classroom (via APS)

Arlington Public Schools has once again announced plans to end its partnership on the Integration Station early-childhood initiative.

Supporters of The Children’s School plan to rally before the School Board next week to oppose the planned phaseout. It follows a previous plan to shutter the program in 2025, which school leaders ultimately abandoned.

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Event

Takoma Park Folk Festival

Band performs at Takoma Park Folk Festival; guitarist, singer, drummer, and accordion player on a small stage in front of a banner.

Event location

Takoma Park Middle School

7611 Piney Branch Rd.

Takoma Park, Maryland 20912

Add to Calendar

Music. Art. Food. Community. The Takoma Park Folk Festival brings it all together for one free, unforgettable day. Discover six stages of live music from around the world, shop an acclaimed juried craft show, enjoy international cuisine, connect with local community organizations, and let the kids explore crafts and activities in the Children's Nook. It's one of the region's most beloved traditions, and a celebration of the creativity, diversity, and welcoming spirit that has long defined Takoma Park.

New this year! Jam at the Crossroads is a place for musicians of all levels to come together and be part of the music.

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News

Roosevelt Bridge bike and pedestrian trail closing for a year

By ARLnow.com
Traffic on the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge at the exits for Route 50 and the GW Parkway in 2021 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The bike and pedestrian trail across the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge is closing next week and is not expected to reopen for a year.

The closure takes effect Monday, Sept. 21, as the bridge’s rehabilitation moves into its next phase, according to a District Department of Transportation advisory. DDOT anticipates reopening the trail in September 2027.

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Around Town

Rocoto’s Tex-Mex restaurant makes progress toward opening in Courthouse

By Dan Egitto
Brick storefront with a large sign reading 'Rocoto's Restaurant and Bakery' above glass windows and awnings.
The planned Rocoto's Restaurant and Bakery in Courthouse (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

After almost a year, some signs of progress are appearing at a planned Tex-Mex and Latin American fusion restaurant in Courthouse.

Signage for Rocoto’s Restaurant and Bakery is up at 2111 Wilson Blvd, and a liquor license was approved last week.

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Events

Celtic Festival returning to Samuel Beckett’s in Shirlington this weekend

By Dan Egitto
A previous year's Celtic Festival (via Samuel Beckett's/Facebook)

Samuel Beckett’s is hosting its annual Celtic Festival on Saturday, bringing Irish music, drinks and vendors to Shirlington.

The annual event will take place from noon to 6 p.m., closing off Campbell Avenue from S. Randolph Street to 28th Street S.

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News

Election officials expect drop in Arlington mail-in ballots due to Trump’s rhetoric

By Scott McCaffrey
A voting dropbox in Courthouse (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Arlington election officials are expecting a slight dip in the use of mail-in ballots during this election cycle.

“I think mail voting will be down by maybe 10%,” predicted David Leichtman, a Democratic member of the Arlington Electoral Board.

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