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Opinion

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.

Morgan W. Jameson -

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.

Phillip Kim -

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.

Savi Mamgain -

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.

Savi Mamgain -

Business

Fairfax Cities Proposal to Increase Meals Tax – Op-ed by Bill Hamrock

This proposal will significantly hurt restaurants in Fairfax City. From my restaurant point of view customers will see this as a 12% tax. Currently Meals...

Bill Hamrock -

Opinion

Your Actions, Our Climate: Fairfax Needs You Now (op-ed by John Morrill, Director, Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC))

2024 was the hottest year ever recorded in Fairfax County. Extreme weather and high energy bills are hitting many households hard. From prolonged heatwaves...

Tania Hossain -

Opinion

Virginia Lawyers Can’t Uphold Professionalism While Honoring a Segregationist

Every lawyer in Virginia must take a mandatory professionalism course as part of their bar admission, a course designed to teach integrity, fairness, and respect in the practice of law. Yet, in 2025, this course still bears the name of former Chief Justice Harry L. Carrico—a man whose judicial legacy includes defending racial segregation and upholding laws that denied basic rights to Virginians.

Karin Kissiah -

Community

Volunteering and Civic Life In America: Estimated Worth $5.2 billion per year

In Northern Virginia and all across the state, volunteers play an integral role in supporting robust community life and ensuring access to vital programs and resources. Since 1974, National Volunteer Week has provided an opportunity to recognize these volunteers and the impact their volunteerism can make by tackling society’s greatest challenges, building stronger communities, and transforming the world. This year, National Volunteer Week takes place April 20–26, providing an opportunity for us to celebrate the volunteers who make our community better every day.

Clifford Yee -

Community