Around Town

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Apr 24, 2026

By ARLnow.com

Good Friday 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 — Apr 24, 2026.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  1. ACPD: Six officers and police K-9 hurt while trying to arrest break-in suspect (25380 views)
  2. DEVELOPING: Arlington votes ‘yes’ on redistricting as Virginia voters approve amendment (17275 views)
  3. Ballston Holiday Inn closes, preparing for 504-unit redevelopment project (15547 views)
  4. GOP bill to return Arlington, Alexandria to D.C. condemned as ‘unconstitutional’ by Rep. Beyer (7210 views)
  5. What to expect in Tuesday’s special election on Virginia redistricting (12510 views)
  6. Nam-Viet Restaurant, the last outpost of Clarendon’s ‘Little Saigon,’ celebrates 40 years (11868 views)
  7. Police investigating possible armed robbery outside of H-B Woodlawn (11470 views)
  8. New turning restrictions on Arlington Blvd to be installed starting next week (10789 views)
  9. Arlington looks toward two congressional districts after local voters overwhelmingly back change (9855 views)
  10. Barnes & Noble to reopen next month in Clarendon, smaller than before (9586 views)
  11. Fees for county gymnastics programs increase 44% in revised budget proposal (9548 views)
  12. County Board approves one Langston Blvd redevelopment, but defers action on another (9538 views)
  13. Split County Board approves 2-cent tax hike as part of $1.7B budget (9528 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

🌧️ Saturday’s forecast

Showers are likely today, with possible thunderstorms after 5 PM, and mostly cloudy skies with a high near 66°F. Expect east winds at 10 to 13 mph, gusting up to 22 mph, and a 60% chance of rain with minimal accumulation except during thunderstorms. Overnight, showers and thunderstorms continue with a low around 47°F, northeast winds around 14 mph, gusts up to 22 mph, and a 90% chance of precipitation with new rainfall between a quarter and half an inch. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.”
– Albert Einstein

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.

We hope you have a great weekend, Arlington! If you have something to say about an issue of local note not covered today, feel free to post it as a letter to the editor on our new forum. 👋

Around Town

Encore Stage and Studio stays true to its roots as it approaches 60th anniversary

By Scott McCaffrey
Students in Encore Stage & Studio programs perform at benefit breakfast (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

As its 60th birthday approaches, Encore Stage & Studio is expanding its reach while remaining true to its core beliefs.

“We’ve worked hard to advance Encore’s mission,” the organization’s board chair, Lisa Sullivan, said at an April 22 benefit breakfast at Washington Golf & Country Club.

Go to Encore Stage and Studio stays true to its roots as it approaches 60th anniversary Read more
Sponsored

Happening THIS weekend: don’t miss the 12th Annual Arlington Festival of the Arts in Clarendon!

By Sponsor
Image from Happening THIS weekend: don’t miss the 12th Annual Arlington Festival of the Arts in Clarendon!
Image from Happening THIS weekend: don’t miss the 12th Annual Arlington Festival of the Arts in Clarendon!
Image from Happening THIS weekend: don’t miss the 12th Annual Arlington Festival of the Arts in Clarendon!
Image from Happening THIS weekend: don’t miss the 12th Annual Arlington Festival of the Arts in Clarendon!
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The wait is almost over! This weekend, the heart of Clarendon transforms into an open-air gallery for the 12th Annual Arlington Festival of the Arts and Craft Marketplace.

Whether you’re hunting for the perfect piece to complete your living room, looking for unique handmade jewelry, or just wanting to enjoy a beautiful spring weekend surrounded by creativity, this is the place to be.

Stroll through booths featuring stunning, handmade-in-the-USA artwork—all rigorously vetted by HAE to ensure top-tier quality. Their artists have traveled from near and far to showcase a breathtaking variety of mediums, including:

  • Bespoke Jewelry & Wearable Art
  • Stunning Paintings & Mixed-Media
  • Intricate Pottery & Sculptures
  • Breathtaking Photography… and so much more!

(more…)

News

Head-on bus crash near a Pentagon stop injures 23 people, including Defense Department workers

By The Associated Press and ARLnow.com
Two buses collide head-on near the Pentagon (via Dave Statter/X)

Two buses crashed head-on near a Pentagon bus stop on Friday, injuring 23 people, including Defense Department personnel.

The Omni Ride and Fairfax Connector transit buses struck each other shortly before 7:30 a.m., according to a press release from the Pentagon Force Protection Agency. Emergency personnel transported 18 of the injured to local hospitals for further medical evaluation. Five were treated at the scene.

Go to Head-on bus crash near a Pentagon stop injures 23 people, including Defense Department workers Read more
News

County Board approves $80K for Green Valley community building grants

By Scott McCaffrey
Green Valley's John Robinson, Jr. Town Square on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 (staff photo)

New county grants worth $80,000 seek to support renewed vibrancy in the Green Valley neighborhood — although leaders acknowledge the funding may not go very far.

The funds, which will be split among four organizations, will “jump-start some neighborhood activity that would bring neighbors together, create an environment of civic engagement and civic exchange,” Board member Takis Karantonis said.

Go to County Board approves $80K for Green Valley community building grants Read more
Event

Impact Gala (Washingtion)

Waldorf Astoria

1100 Pennsylvania Ave NW

Washington, DC, District of Columbia 20004

Website Social

Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, DC (PPMW) will host its 2026 Impact Gala on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., dinner, dancing and impactful programming, at the beautiful Waldorf Astoria downtown Washington, DC. The annual event will bring together a stylish crowd of advocates, community leaders, and supporters to raise critical funds for the organization’s “Fight Forward” campaign, which supports access to reproductive health care, education, and advocacy across the region. Along with live music, diner and programming, special guest appearances include actress and activist Sophia Bush, professional soccer champion Ashlyn Harris, and other special invited guests.  Join us for a fabulous evening for an important cause. 

Go to Impact Gala (Washingtion) Read more
Events

Yacht-themed summer kickoff party will return to Shirlington in June

By Katie Taranto
Last year's Yacht Party in Shirlington (courtesy of the Village at Shirlington)

The Village at Shirlington is planning to host another yacht-themed party this June to kick off the summer season.

The neighborhood is bringing back last year’s nautical bash “by popular demand.” Guests are invited to dress up and partake in the neighborhood shopping center’s sip and stroll policy, while enjoying live yacht rock and dining specials around 2700 S. Quincy Street.

Go to Yacht-themed summer kickoff party will return to Shirlington in June Read more
Sports

W-L crew christens new racing shell honoring trailblazing alumna

By ARLnow.com
The W-L crew team gathers with Ellie Cochran and the new boat (courtesy of W-L crew boosters)

The Washington-Liberty High School crew team gathered April 18 at Columbia Island Marina to celebrate the christening of the girls’ newest eight-person-plus-coxswain racing shell.

It’s named in honor of distinguished alumna and rowing pioneer Ellie Cochran.

Go to W-L crew christens new racing shell honoring trailblazing alumna Read more
Opinion

Poll: The best pediatrician serving Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Arlington’s trusted pediatricians offer professional, compassionate care for children all the way from those first checkups on newborns to teenage sports physicals.

Here are the nominees for “Best Pediatrician in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards.

Did we miss your favorite pediatrician? Write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks.

Voting for Best Electrician Serving Arlington is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 8:30 a.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Plumber Serving Arlington. The results are now official:

  1. Chandler’s Plumbing & Heating
  2. All Plumbing Inc.
  3. Arlington Plumbing Heating and Cooling (tied)
  4. B.L. James & Son (tied)
Around Town

A third rival enters Ballston bagel battle as PopUp Bagels announces opening plans

By Katie Taranto
PopUp Bagels signage at the former Which Wich storefront in Ballston (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

PopUp Bagels is rolling into Ballston, joining an unusually crowded field of friendly bagel rivals in the neighborhood that had previously gone years without any such businesses.

The national bagel franchise, known for its unique “rip and dip” approach, confirmed it is planning a new shop at 4300 Wilson Blvd, where Which Wich closed. It’s a carb-heavy coincidence, as the storefront — now decked out in PopUp Bagels’ branded signs — is located within a mile of two other incoming bagel shops: Call Your Mother (4000 Wilson Blvd) and Bagel Uprising (901 N. Glebe Road).

Go to A third rival enters Ballston bagel battle as PopUp Bagels announces opening plans Read more
News

County Board starts process to determine Melwood site’s historic status

By Scott McCaffrey
The Nelly Custis School (via Arlington County)

The County Board has taken a step toward considering potential historic status for the Melwood site, despite vigorous opposition from the development team’s attorney.

Board members voted 5-0 to start consideration of the Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board’s (HALRB) recommendation to designate a portion of the former Nelly Custis Elementary School at 750 23rd Street S. as historic. This is a procedural step and doesn’t indicate whether they support the recommendation or not.

Go to County Board starts process to determine Melwood site’s historic status Read more
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