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Tania Hossain
Tania Hossain is the editor, publisher, and co-owner of The Independent News Press, a consortium of local print and online newspapers in Virginia. She focuses on writing about community issues and advocates for local newspapers, both print and online, especially in the age of Ai from selfie filters to betting on military strikes. A Merrifield resident, she is a keen backyard gardener, loves forest bathing and a curious biohacker, believing that proactive health keeps one out of the costly illness industry. Inspired by Oprah Winfrey's O Magazine launch, she feels fortunate to be running this newspaper. Election
Virginia Redistricting: Bipartisan Reform Meets Mid-Decade Referendum Controversy
Richmond, VA - Governor Abigail Spanberger added an emergency clause to the amendment, signed on February 6, 2026, making it effective immediately rather than waiting for the usual July 1 start date. This means the amendment is now officially in effect, though legal challenges may continue.
Community
Fairfax Students Share Vision for Northfax and Courthouse Plaza Development
City of Fairfax, VA - At the March 9 City of Fairfax Planning Commission meeting, a group of creative and ambitious students from Katherine Johnson Middle School stepped forward to share their ideas for the future of two key areas in the city: Northfax and Courthouse Plaza. Their presentation, which was part of a public meeting, gave young residents a rare opportunity to speak directly to city planners, local officials, and community members about how they want their city to evolve.
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Kickoff Excitement: 2026 NWSL Season
Soccer fans in Northern Virginia have plenty to cheer about this spring, as the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) kicks off its 2026 season on March 13. The league, home to some of the world’s best female soccer talent, promises fast-paced action, intense rivalries, and plenty of opportunities for local fans to catch games in person or online.
Development
Willard Sherwood Health and Community Center Discussions
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.
Government
Virginia General Assembly Advances Cannabis Retail Framework
The Virginia General Assembly has taken a major step toward establishing a regulated adult-use cannabis marketplace, passing companion bills that outline how legal retail sales would operate across the Commonwealth.
America
Washington Post Layoffs Hit Close to Home in Northern Virginia
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.
Sports
GMU Gears Up for Homecoming: Be Brave! Be Bold!
From January 30 to February 7, 2026, George Mason University will host one of the most spirited traditions of the academic year — Homecoming Week. Packed with events that bring together students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the Fairfax community, this year’s festivities promise to be bigger and bolder than ever before.
Latest
Record Number of Americans Identify as Independents, Gallup Poll Finds Independent Voters Break Another Record: Fairfax City Voters Smashed that Record in 2024!
The September 2024 edition of The Fairfax Independent published its inaugural cover story - Fairfax City Voters Support Non-Partisan Elections. A 2024 Mason-Dixon® poll found...
America
NASA Rolls Artemis II Moon Rocket to Launch Pad Ahead of Historic Crewed Mission
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA has taken a major step toward its first crewed mission to the Moon in more than half a century, rolling the towering Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft to Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center.
Celebrate
Inauguration of the 75th Governor
Saturday, January 17, 2026 - The Inauguration of the 75th Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia
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Navy’s Carderock Division and Fairfax City Economic Development Advanced Defense Innovation Through Reverse Pitch Day
City of Fairfax, VA - Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD), in partnership with Fairfax City Economic Development (FCED), hosted a one-of-a-kind Reverse Pitch Day focused on sensors and autonomy technologies on June 26, 2026, at the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center.
Backyard Vegetable Gardening: A Guide to Growing Food
Backyard vegetable gardening is one of the simplest and most rewarding ways to turn unused outdoor space into something productive, living, and deeply grounding. What begins as a few seeds in soil often becomes a long-term relationship with weather, patience, and the subtle rhythms of nature.
An Open Letter to the People of Fairfax
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Tentatively, City of Fairfax Council to Consider Resolution for School Capital Projects Tax on July 28 at Regular Meeting
CITY OF FAIRFAX, VA - The City of Fairfax is considering a resolution to request a Fairfax Circuit Court order for a special election on a 1% retail sales tax increase. Revenue would be dedicated exclusively to public school capital projects, such as school construction, facility expansions, and infrastructure upgrades.
Let it Be, Let it Be, Let it Be: It’s Our Little City, If We Can Keep It
To start, don’t change the City Charter. The Mayor-Council form of government has proven to be an effective way of balancing the needs of the community with strong leadership, when needed, from the Mayor’s chair. Unfortunately, we have already seen unfiltered partisanship
and a shift from May to November elections, making City elections less about the issues and more about a party. And that’s really sad. We shouldn’t be voting based on the color of a sample ballot. Modifying the Charter, as some have suggested, will only make the situation
worse.
Plastic Free July
Plastic Free July sounds simple until you realize that it falls right in the middle of pool party, BBQ, and cookout season, where all plates and cups seem to come in plastic. What was once known as the most common month for plastic use, is now turning into a global reminder to rethink everyday habits, even when summer makes that harder than it sounds.
Summer Travel 2026: Americans Embrace Shorter Getaways, Bigger Adventures
Summer travel is heating up in 2026, but travelers are approaching vacations differently than in years past. While Americans remain eager to explore, rising costs, crowded airports, and limited flexibility across the travel industry are reshaping how—and where—they spend their vacation dollars.
Three Candidates Certified for Virginia Republican U.S. Senate Primary
RICHMOND, VA - The Republican Party of Virginia has certified three candidates to compete in the party's Aug. 4 primary for the U.S. Senate nomination, setting the stage for a contest that will determine who will challenge incumbent Democratic Sen. Mark Warner in the general election on Nov. 3.
The Mayor’s Chair Is Not Broken — It Requires Leadership
Op-Ed by former City of Fairfax Mayor Rob Lederer and Mayor Steve Stombres (June 14, 2026) As former mayors of the City of Fairfax, we have followed with concern recent public discussion suggesting that the office of mayor cannot be effective under the city’s current charter. We respectfully disagree.
One Journey to Make Pride Celebrations Across Northern Virginia Within Reach
Pride Month is a celebration of courage, community, and the freedom to live authentically. It’s a time to recognize the progress that has been made toward equality, while also honoring the resilience of LGBTQ+ people whose voices, stories, and advocacy continue to make our communities stronger.
Bringing the World Home: Au Pair Program Charms Families in Northern Virginia
The au pair program, specifically through organizations like Cultural Care Au Pair, is a cultural exchange program designed to promote mutual understanding between Americans and international participants that is facilitated by the US Department of State. Unlike traditional childcare, an au pair is a vetted young adult from another country who lives with a host family, providing personalized care while engaging in a deep cultural exchange, according to Cultural Care.
City FY2027 Budget: Taxes, BPOL, Meals Tax, and the Cost of Funding Growth
City of Fairfax, VA - The Fiscal Year 2027 (FY2027) budget for City of Fairfax outlines a broad financial plan that increases funding for schools, infrastructure, and public services while relying on a diversified set of revenue sources. Rather than a single large tax hike, the city spreads revenue adjustments across property taxes, business taxes, meals tax, hotel tax, and utility fees, creating a gradual but noticeable increase in overall costs for residents and businesses.