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Fairfax County residents affected by the ongoing fire-related incident in Centreville can attend two town halls Tuesday, Feb. 17. County officials plan to provide updates, answer questions and speak directly with community members.
Meanwhile, a proposal for a Northern Virginia casino and entertainment district is advancing despite criticism from some Fairfax County leaders and residents. The Virginia Senate approved the measure Friday in a 23-14 vote, sending it to the House of Delegates.
The Senate also voted 21-18 on Feb. 11 to pass Sen. Jeremy McPike’s SB 388. The legislation would allow faith-based groups and other tax-exempt nonprofits to develop affordable housing on their properties without going through rezoning. It may still require final House approval next year.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger has signed a proposed constitutional amendment protecting reproductive freedom, clearing the way for a statewide vote in November. The amendment would not expand abortion access beyond current law, but placing those protections in Virginia’s Bill of Rights would make future changes more difficult.
Spanberger has ended Virginia State Police participation in federal 287(g) immigration-enforcement agreements established under her Republican predecessor. State police assisted federal agents with nearly 200 apprehensions from February 2025 through February 2026, and 60 agency employees received credentials under the agreement.
New state police data show Virginia officers conducted more than 1.24 million traffic stops in 2025, up 7% from 2024. Fairfax County recorded the state’s highest total, with more than 117,000 stops.
Virginia health officials have not established a clear plan to replace services lost after significant funding reductions to a federal program providing medical and wraparound care for low-income residents with HIV, the state epidemiologist said Friday.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is mourning Firefighter Brandon Winfield, who died Thursday, Feb. 12, following a brief illness. The department’s honor guard transported his body to a funeral home during a ceremony Monday.
The Franconia District Supervisor’s office has begun moving from 6121 Franconia Road to 7130 Silver Lake Boulevard. Staff will continue working remotely, but walk-in assistance and community-room access will be unavailable from Tuesday, Feb. 17, through Sunday, March 15.
Patchy fog Tuesday morning is expected to clear by 8 a.m., followed by partly sunny skies and a high near 55. Tuesday night will be cloudy with a low around 43, while calm conditions give way to southerly winds near 5 mph after midnight.