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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.

Walkinshaw & Whitson Set for High-Stakes Showdown in VA-11 Special Election

Following a week of intense political engagement and several days of firehouse primary caucus and canvass, both major parties have now selected their nominees for the September 9th Special Election in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District. The race, triggered by the passing of longtime Democratic Congressman Gerald Connolly on May 21st, promises to be one of the most closely watched contests in the Commonwealth this year.

Goodbye Passwords: The Future of Safer, Simpler Logins

Passwords have long been the standard for digital security, but their flaws—weak choices, reuse, and frequent data breaches—have made them a growing liability. Now, tech giants are leading a shift toward a passwordless future, promising both better security and a smoother user experience.

11th CD Democratic Candidates Forum

rganized Democratic volunteer, Radhika Murari, of Reston, VA. The 11CD Democratic Candidates Forum became a community event that grew from an invitation to meet the candidates in her living room to 200 people gathering at the Reston Community Center. The evening featured the following nine out of the ten declared Democratic candidates - Amy Roma, Irene Shin, Stella G. Pekarsky, Leo J. Martinez Nucete, James R. Walkinshaw, Candice Bennett, Amy Papanu, Dan Lee, and Priya Punnoose. Ross William Branstetter IV did not appear on stage.

#2 11th Congressional District Republican Candidates Forum

The GOP's 11th Congressional District and the Fairfax Republican Committee jointly hosted two candidate forums that featured seven Republican candidates for Fairfax's 11th Congressional District Republican voters. The event aimed to highlight the seven contenders competing for the party's nomination ahead of the canvass scheduled for June 28 at Fairfax High School.

Fairfax Teen Named National Young Marine of the Year: Congratulations!

The Young Marines, a national youth organization, has announced the 2025 National Young Marine of the Year, Chingiz Bahadur, 17, of Fairfax, Virginia, a member of the Potomac River Young Marines in Washington, D.C. Bahadur is a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. 

Congressman Gerry Connolly Passed Away At 75: End of An Era. He Will Be Missed By Many.

U.S. Representative and Northern Virginia’s beloved, Gerald "Gerry" Connolly, a stalwart of Northern Virginia politics and a dedicated public servant, passed away on May 21, 2025, at the age of 75. He died peacefully at his home in Fairfax, surrounded by family, after a battle with esophageal cancer. 

Discover Peak Shenandoah

The Peak Shenandoah Wine Region is a collaboration of Virginia wineries, located between Delaplane and Strasburg, and comprised of superior viticultural sites, with higher elevation plantings on mountain geological soils.

The Only Candidate Who’s Done the Work

What makes you uniquely qualified for this position? As the only candidate currently with a job and a small business owner, I am deeply committed to the economic development of our Commonwealth. In Prince William County, we've been able to increase education investment by the county government every year I've been on the school board while keeping taxes relatively low, even reducing taxes this year.

What’s The Big Deal About Magnesium?

Magnesium is a vital mineral participating in over 300 bodily enzymes, crucial for energy creation, healthy muscles and nerves, strong bones, balanced blood sugar, and mental well-being. Many individuals do not consume enough magnesium. This article will discuss magnesium's importance, signs of deficiency, recommended intake, food sources, and the role of supplements.

Changes to the Period of Validity for Zoning Approvals in Virginia

Local governments in Virginia have long granted approvals like special permits, site plans, and subdivision plats to allow property development. Usually, these approvals stay...

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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.

Fairfax County Adopts $5.7 Billion FY2027 Budget, Slightly Lowers Tax Rate

Fairfax County, VA - Fairfax County officials adopted a roughly $5.7 billion FY 2027 General Fund budget, maintaining spending across schools, public safety, transportation, health services, and infrastructure while navigating rising costs in staffing, healthcare, and long-term capital needs. The Board of Supervisors approved the plan in May, along with a quarter-cent reduction in the real estate tax rate to about $1.12 per $100 of assessed value.

Fairfax High School Sophomore steps on the World Stage this Summer

Drum Corps International (DCI), often described as the “Major League of Marching Band,” will welcome Fairfax High School sophomore Mickey Johnson to its World Class ranks this summer. Mickey has been selected to perform as a baritone player with Music City, a DCI World Class corps based in Nashville, Tennessee, for the 2026 season.

A Labor of Love and Legacy: Val Morgan Honors City of Fairfax Veterans

On Memorial Day it isn't only flowers blooming in the City of Fairfax. On that day each year, the city's historic cemetery sprouts hundreds of American flags, each marking the grave of a veteran.  Some might think that the city pays someone to place flags, or that...

Fairfax City Budget Hearing Highlights Proposed Tax Increases and Spending Priorities

City officials have introduced a proposed FY2027 budget of approximately $207.5 million, representing about a 4.5% increase over the current year. The proposal is driven largely by rising costs in education, debt service, and employee compensation.

Tigers, Burning Bright at Gandhi Memorial Center, Bethesda

Photographer Kunal Krishan Singh, whose photographic exhibition “Tigers of Ranthambhore” is currently on display at the Gandhi Memorial Center in Bethesda, clearly approaches the tigers which are the focus of his photography from a poetic view.

Commanders Camp for Kids: A Summer of Football, Fun, and Team Spirit

This summer, the Commanders Camp for Kids offers young athletes in the D.C. area an exciting, non-competitive youth football experience inspired by the Washington Commanders. The camp, hosted in the greater D.C. region (including Northern Virginia), is instructional, blending skill development and physical activity with an emphasis on fundamentals, teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship in a supportive, pressure-free environment.

City Ratifies Partnership with County: Approves $127.2M for Willard-Sherwood

FAIRFAX CITY, Va. — In a unanimous vote on April 28, the Fairfax City Council approved a partnership with Fairfax County to advance the long-planned Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center, a major joint investment designed to expand access to health services, recreation, and community programming.

Fairfax County Approves FY 2027 Budget: Lower Tax Rate Offers Limited Relief as Costs Rise

Fairfax County, VA — After months of deliberation, public hearings, and revisions, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has officially approved the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, setting the county’s financial course for the year ahead while highlighting the ongoing tension between rising costs and taxpayer impact. The adopted...

Trees Over Tarmac: Why Fairfax City Council Made the Right Call

The City Council recently made a tough, controversial decision to stop funding the George Snyder Trail. While some people see this as a step backward for recreation, I see it as a win for common sense, fiscal responsibility, and the environment.