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Richmond
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.
Featured Stories
Virginia Revenues Outpace Forecasts in Strong First Quarter of Fiscal Year
Virginia’s general fund revenues exceeded expectations in the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2026, fueled by steady job growth and resilient consumer spending, state officials said Tuesday. Revenues increased 5.1% from June through September compared with the same period last year, while September collections alone rose 2.7% year-over-year. Both income tax withholding and sales tax receipts were higher than forecast, contributing to a year-to-date gain nearly 8% above projections, according to the Department of Finance.
Election
Virginia Governor’s Race | Debate 2025
Voters across Virginia will get their only chance to see the two major candidates for governor share a stage this week when Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Winsome Earle-Sears meet for a live, televised debate on Wednesday, October 9, at Norfolk State University. The hour-long debate, hosted by WAVY-TV 10 in partnership with WRIC-TV 8 and other Nexstar Media Group stations, is expected to reach more than four million viewers statewide. Moderators Tom Schaad of WAVY and Deanna Allbrittin of WRIC will lead the discussion, focusing on issues facing Virginia families, education, the economy, and public safety.
Election
Candidate Forum – Virginia House of Delegates
Empowering voters. Defending democracy.
Chartered in 1948, the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area encourages informed and active participation in government through education and advocacy.
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Opinion
An American Pope, an LG Endorsement, and More
Unlike a lot of politicians during COVID19, Babur was focused on kids. He didn’t give in to hysteria or use the public schools as a political tool. (As I will explain later, the state of K-12 education in Virginia is our most important issue). He also handled the first collective bargaining for PWC schools. So he’s ready for big boy politics. Happy to endorse Babur for statewide office.
Opinion
When Wayward Judges Overstep Their Boundaries, We All Lose: Reflections by a defense attorney from a troubling day in Arlington’s courtroom 10A (Op-Ed by...
In late November, I sat in Arlington County Courthouse's courtroom 10A and witnessed a scene that left me deeply unsettled as a veteran defense attorney. A young prosecutor, Abhimanyu Mehta—whose name fittingly translates to "warrior" in the mythological Mahābhārata story about war—stood before Judge Daniel S. Fiore advocating for the dismissal of charges against a young black man, 31, whom I’ll refer to pseudonymously as Ross Lamas. Charged in late 2022 with one count of felony intent to distribute drugs and four counts of illegal possession of a firearm, Mr. Lamas’ case had been delayed multiple times over two years. Lamas sat quietly with his public defender, Brad Haywood, waiting for what should have been a routine resolution.
Government
Governor Youngkin’s 2025 Legislative Actions
Governor Glenn Youngkin has concluded his actions on the 916 bills sent to him during the 2025 General Assembly session, a process marked by both cooperation and conflict. He signed 599 bills into law, amended 159, and vetoed 157, also returning the budget with numerous amendments and item vetoes.
