Washington, D.C. — The Washington Post has begun sweeping layoffs that will eliminate roughly one-third of its workforce, a move that is reshaping one of the nation’s most influential newsrooms — and carrying direct consequences for Northern Virginia readers.

The September 2024 edition of The Fairfax Independent published its inaugural cover story -...

The family of a Fairfax City CEO brutally shot and killed in his sleep nearly four years ago is voicing vehement opposition to discussions that the man accused of his murder could evade a traditional prison sentence through a plea agreement based on mental health grounds. The plea agreement is set to take place on January 23, 2026, at Fairfax Courthouse.

The Fairfax City Council voted 4–2 to cancel the proposed George Snyder Trail, ending plans for the long-debated shared-use path. Supporters of the project said the trail would have improved pedestrian and bicycle access and strengthened connections between neighborhoods. Opponents raised concerns about cost, environmental impact, and tree loss along the proposed route.

Gretchen Bulova was elected on January 13, 2026 to represent the 11th House District in the Virginia General Assembly. She secured 68.79% of the vote against Republican Adam Wise.  Wise previously ran against Delegate David Bulova in the November 4, 2025 General Election but did not win by over 15,000 votes.

Virginians are gearing up to witness a historic moment as the Commonwealth prepares to inaugurate its next governor. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond.

About fifty years ago the United States was involved in a military conflict in Vietnam which lasted many years and did not end well. There was a phrase from that era – “We had to destroy the village in order to save it” –which encapsulated its own self-defeating logic. We know better than the natives. We must force them to appreciate our values. Fast forward to 2026.

Residents in Fairfax City have been hearing a lot about the proposed Willard Sherwood Health and Community Center (WSHCC) project discussed at recent meetings, and one number in particular keeps coming up: an estimated $1.7 million annual operating cost to the city once the project is fully implemented. While the proposal’s goals include improving services and responding to community needs, many residents are understandably asking what that figure could mean for their own property tax bills and for the city’s long-term finances. This is especially important because the WSHCC is only one of four projects with the potential to increase real estate taxes substantially.

In Fairfax City, affordable housing is a frequent rallying cry among our leaders. Mayor Catherine Read has repeatedly emphasized its importance to the City’s vitality and long-term growth. She’s championed diversified housing types, supportive projects like Beacon Landing, and even sought legislative changes to help religious institutions build affordable units. Those are worthy goals — but they ring hollow if other City actions make living here increasingly unaffordable.

After the Council’s vote to increase the real estate tax rate to $1.055 last spring, many residents are taking a more critical look at which recommended capital improvements are “nice-to-have” projects, such as the extensive recreational component of the Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center, and which are “must-have” projects, such as replacing the high school roof and renovating the elementary schools.

Fairfax City is a special place to live and prides itself on a long history of neighbors helping neighbors. A great example of this is the Neighborhood Renaissance Program administered by the Fairfax Renaissance Housing Corporation (FRHC). This creative program adds incredible value to residents, neighborhoods and Fairfax City. It is essential that this unique home improvement and neighborhood revitalization program be funded by the City Council.

I was so excited to learn the details of the new Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center at the Feb. 10 City Council meeting. When I was on the Green Acres Feasibility Study Committee in 2015, I never thought it would be possible to have a comprehensive community center at the Willard site on Blenheim Boulevard, which is near Old Town Fairfax, the public library, Van Dyck Park, the police station, three schools, and, most importantly, public transportation.