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Northern Virginia begins Friday, June 5, under a Code Orange air-quality alert, with sensitive residents advised to take precautions as temperatures climb into the 90s.
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments said unhealthy air levels are expected in parts of the Washington region, including Northern Virginia and the District. The conditions can pose risks for children, older adults, and people with heart or lung diseases such as asthma or emphysema.
In Fairfax County, Brendan Banfield is scheduled to be sentenced Friday after Chief Judge Penney Azcarate rejected a request to overturn his convictions in the killings widely known as the “au pair affair” murders. Defense attorney John Carroll argued that prosecutors made three errors that affected the jury’s verdict.
Plans for President Donald Trump’s proposed triumphal arch between Memorial Bridge and Arlington National Cemetery also remain under consideration. The National Capital Planning Commission is seeking more information about the project’s possible effects on air travel, traffic and construction.
Regional officials, meanwhile, are encouraging residents and businesses to conserve water voluntarily during an ongoing drought watch. The Potomac River and backup reservoirs currently hold adequate supplies, but reduced use could help protect those resources if dry conditions continue.
Some Virginia localities are also pressing state lawmakers and the governor to allow an additional local sales tax for school construction and maintenance. Under the proposed change, voters in each locality would decide through a referendum whether to adopt the tax.
Background checks for Virginia gun transactions have surged ahead of a new state law banning certain weapons classified as “assault firearms.” Although each check does not necessarily represent a sale, the figures generally rise alongside gun purchases.
Metro is marking Pride Month with specially wrapped rail, bus and MetroAccess vehicles carrying the theme “Proudly Join Us on Metro.” They will operate across the system from June 5 through June 30, with the bus and MetroAccess vehicle also participating in the Capital Pride Parade.
A new public dashboard is offering near-real-time water-quality readings for the Potomac and Anacostia rivers. The launch follows last winter’s sewage spill and the Potomac River’s designation as America’s Most Endangered River.
Friday’s forecast calls for sunshine and a high near 93 degrees. Calm winds will shift west at about 6 mph during the afternoon. Skies will become partly cloudy overnight, with a low around 69 and a light south wind of 3 to 5 mph.