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A firefighter suffered non-life-threatening injuries Tuesday while battling a townhouse fire in the Tysons area, where flames spread across the roofs of multiple homes.
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue crews responded to the 8100 block of Madrillon Court at 3:05 p.m. and requested a second alarm. The fire was brought under control, and no civilians were injured.
Federal budget bill advances
Virginia Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner voted against a Republican budget package that passed the Senate 51-50 Tuesday morning after an overnight session. Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote.
The two Democrats said the legislation would cause thousands of Virginians to lose health insurance coverage.
The package also includes legislation backed by Texas lawmakers that would relocate the Space Shuttle Discovery from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly to Houston.
Kaine introduced an amendment seeking to eliminate the $85 million allocated to transport the shuttle.
Science center takes shape in Dulles
Construction is underway on the Northern Virginia Science Center, a long-planned interactive museum that broke ground in March.
The 70,000-square-foot facility is expected to be completed in 2027. It is a partnership between the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond and the Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation, which operates the Children’s Science Center at Fair Oaks Mall.
Beyer calls for stronger AI oversight
Rep. Don Beyer warned during a recent Democratic Business Council of Northern Virginia forum that artificial intelligence could bring serious negative consequences without adequate regulation. He also highlighted the potential of fusion energy.
Beyer is pursuing a master’s degree in machine learning at George Mason University and has said that coursework is helping shape his work on the issue in Congress.
Gallows Road meetings scheduled
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation will present long-term recommendations from its Gallows Road study at two public meetings in July.
Plans for the road’s northern and middle segments will be discussed July 15 at Kilmer Middle School. A July 17 meeting at Woodburn Elementary School will focus on the southern segment.
Holiday safety and Wednesday’s weather
Fairfax County officials are urging residents to prepare for Fourth of July hazards associated with fireworks, extreme heat, barbecues and outdoor activities.
Showers and thunderstorms are likely before noon Wednesday, followed by a slight chance of additional storms after 5 p.m. Skies should gradually clear as temperatures reach about 84 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 60%, with thunderstorms capable of producing higher rainfall totals.
Wednesday night is expected to be mostly clear, with a low near 69.