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Federal workers are facing a major decision after the Trump administration offered buyouts Tuesday to employees who agree by next week to leave their jobs. The unprecedented offer is part of an effort to rapidly reduce the size of the federal government.
Fairfax County educators, meanwhile, are concerned that a federal policy change could expose students to arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. David Walrod, president of the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers, said he was not aware of ICE agents visiting county schools during the past week or of an unusual increase in student absences.
Virginia lawmakers are also moving to erase the Washington football team’s former name from state law. House Bill 2721, sponsored by Del. Adele McClure of Arlington, would replace “Washington Redskins” with “Washington Commanders” in provisions governing special license plates. The proposal advanced Tuesday toward consideration by the full House Transportation Committee.
In Tysons, software company MicroStrategy may be preparing to rebrand. A plan filed with Fairfax County on Friday, Jan. 24, calls for replacing the “MicroStrategy” sign at its 1850 Towers Crescent Plaza headquarters with one reading “StrategyB.” The company has spent recent years acquiring cryptocurrency, and the proposed name appears to reflect its growing focus on bitcoin.
Metro is launching a “Fill-A-Bus” food drive to support the Capital Area Food Bank. The campaign aims to collect enough food and money to provide about 41,000 meals. A Metro bus will accept donations outside Giant Food locations across the region, including 7137 Columbia Pike in Annandale on Feb. 13.
Work began Jan. 27 on landscaping and hardscape improvements outside Fairfax City Hall at 10455 Armstrong Street. Scheduled for completion this summer, the project will expand planted areas, replace the stairs leading to Armstrong Street, and upgrade lighting and irrigation.
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department members also joined IAFF Local 2068 and Inova for a blood drive at Public Safety Headquarters, donating blood to support patients in the community.
Interest is building around the reopening of the Mount Vernon Rec Center. The Fairfax County Park Authority’s Jan. 23 information meeting at Belle View Elementary School drew enough residents to quickly fill the parking lot. The renovated facility represents a $70 million investment.
Wednesday will bring sunshine, warmth and strong winds. Temperatures are expected to reach 56 degrees, with west winds of 13 to 23 mph and gusts as high as 44 mph. Skies will remain mostly clear overnight as the temperature falls to about 30 degrees, with northwest winds of 8 to 16 mph and gusts reaching 30 mph.