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Fairfax County will open 13 additional early voting locations Saturday, April 11, as voting continues on the proposed redistricting constitutional amendment. Voters seeking a mail ballot face an earlier deadline: applications are due Friday, April 10.
Virginia’s minimum wage is also set to rise gradually after Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed legislation Thursday establishing a $15 hourly rate by 2028. The increases are expected to affect workers, employers and the state budget over the coming years.
Economic anxiety remains widespread among Virginia business owners. A survey released Tuesday by the Northern Virginia Chamber and Pinkston found that most respondents were pessimistic about the economy and concerned about several bills introduced in Richmond this year.
Sen. Mark Warner formally launched his reelection campaign at an April 8 event in Tysons, appearing alongside Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi and Rep. James Walkinshaw. Warner said President Donald Trump should be held accountable for the war in Iran and also discussed artificial intelligence. The three-term senator faces three challengers in the Democratic primary.
The Democratic field in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District continues to grow. J.P. Cooney, Dave Kennedy, Del. Adele McClure and state Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim are among the candidates, joining state Sen. Dan Helmer and former Virginia first lady Dorothy McAuliffe. Joe Schiarizzi announced his candidacy Thursday.
Northern Virginia parents, teachers, administrators and school system leaders gathered in Alexandria Wednesday night to discuss better support for students and families and ways to retain educators. Fairfax County School Board Chair Sandy Anderson attended, and the state superintendent acknowledged that education officials need to be thoughtful when making changes.
Members of the U.S. Speedskating team recently visited children at Mount Vernon Rec Center through the Tour of Olympians. The March 27 appearance included Brandon Kim, a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
Fairfax County residents are also being encouraged to reduce unnecessary nighttime lighting during International Dark Sky Week, observed April 13-20. Suggested steps include dimming lights to help migrating birds, limiting neighborhood glare and attending night-sky programs at county parks.
Friday begins with possible early fog before partly sunny skies become fully sunny. Temperatures are expected to reach about 75 degrees, with a light southern wind increasing to 5 to 9 mph. Clouds will build overnight as the temperature falls to around 56.