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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.
Business
“Why Now May Be the Smartest Time to Move in the DMV Real Estate Market”
While economic activity has remained relatively stable across the country, several Federal Reserve districts are beginning to show signs of a slowdown. Uncertainty surrounding future trade policies and tariffs is contributing to a more cautious business climate. Car sales have ticked upward, but tourism has slowed, and many companies are holding off on hiring decisions due to ongoing tariff concerns.
People
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.
Neighborhood
Reston Pride’s 8th Annual Pride Festival
Reston Pride's 8th annual Pride festival starts on May 31st 6-9pm with its first ever Rising Voices concert featuring young local queer bands. Following that, we have our main festival on Sunday June 1st from 11am-6pm. This year our theme is RISE UP!
Community
Local VIPs Help Food For Neighbors Mark Milestone in Teen Food Insecurity Fight
As National Volunteer Month draws to a close, Food For Neighbors celebrated reaching a milestone in the fight against student hunger by opening their tenth food sorting site. The Katherine Johnson Middle School in Fairfax is the latest public school to serve as a distribution and sorting site for donated food and toiletries that will reach 8,700 students in 53 local middle and high schools in Arlington, Fairfax, and Loudoun Counties.
Development
The George Snyder Trail Controversy: “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, ….”
The rationale for building an over $21.M, 1.7-mile through-the-woods George Snyder Trail (GST) is falling apart. Initially, the purpose of the GST was to get people from Point A to Point B and support local businesses along Fairfax Boulevard. How does a through-the-woods trail away from businesses do that? How does the less expensive alternative design concept, which creates a shared-use path along Eaton Place and Fairfax Boulevard, not do that?
Region
GMU Record-Breaking Spring Commencement: Over 11,000 Graduates
11,415 students graduated from George Mason University at the end of the Spring 2025 semester, a record for the school. An additional 531 certificates were awarded, bringing the number of students honored by Mason during its university-wide commencement ceremony on May 15 to 12,106.