News

Candidates go one-on-one with Arlington voters in political ‘speed-dating’

By Scott McCaffrey

The political equivalent of speed dating drew candidates and voters to Walter Reed Community Center on Saturday, Oct. 11.

Contenders for local and legislative offices sat down with the electorate in small groups during the annual get-to-know-you session, hosted by the League of Women Voters of Arlington and Alexandria City.

Pamela Berg, president of the organization, said the event is designed as an alternative to more formal political forums.

“You actually get to sit down and talk with the candidates,” she said. “It’s one of the best ways to see what local democracy looks like.”

The rules were simple: Candidates sat at separate tables and stayed put during the two-and-a-half-hour event. Every 10 minutes, voters would move from table to table and candidate to candidate, until they had made a complete circuit.

“Keep it friendly and respectful — we want everyone to get to know each other and have a good time,” said Anna Weber, who helped coordinate the event.

On hand for the exercise in democracy were:

  • County Board: Republican Bob Cambridge and independents Jeramy Olmack and Audrey Clement
  • School Board: Monique “Moe” Bryant and James “Vell” Rives
  • 1st District House of Delegates: Incumbent Democrat Patrick Hope and Republican William “Bill” Moher III
  • 2nd District House of Delegates: Republican Wendy Sigley
  • 3rd District House of Delegates: Incumbent Democrat Alfonso Lopez

Unable to take part were Democratic County Board incumbent Takis Karantonis and independent Carlos Del Castro “D.C” Pretelt, 2nd District Democratic Del. Adele McClure and School Board candidate Major Mike Webb.

Issues discussed ran the gamut, but much of the time was spent on reacting to the Trump administration moves against the federal workforce and its impact on the regional economy.

The event was held in collaboration with partners including AKA Chi Zeta Omega, the American Association of University Women and the Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations.

“It takes an entire community to achieve our shared goals,” Weber said.

Arlington GOP has record-breaking fundraising quarter: The Arlington County Republican Committee reported a record-breaking quarterly fundraising effort.

Party chair Matthew Hurtt said the GOP raised nearly $23,000 in the third quarter. That’s up 33% from the previous record of just over $17,000 in the third quarter of 2023.

Hurtt said the funds are being used to mail out campaign materials and support other voter engagement initiatives.

Republicans acknowledge that the Arlington County Democratic Committee wields significantly more resources, but Hurtt said that his party putting money toward elections is an important step forward.

“Changing the status quo in Arlington takes time, commitment to a multi-year strategy, and ongoing, coordinated effort across multiple channels — reaching new voters, recruiting good candidates, raising significant resources and capitalizing on opportunities to share our message,” he said.

NAACP to host forum on ranked-choice voting: The Arlington NAACP’s next monthly meeting will be focused on the intricacies of ranked-choice voting.

That format will be used for the County Board race, which has five candidates vying for one seat. All other races will be run under winner-take-all formats.

The NAACP event will take place online on Monday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m.

“Arlington voters need to understand how to properly mark ranked choice ballots so every vote can be counted,” NAACP officials said. “This isn’t just a lesson — it’s your chance to get informed, ask questions, and see how understanding the system gives you real influence in your community.”

Office-to-residential conversion, new tenant-relocation guidelines on County Board agenda

By Scott McCaffrey

Approval of another office-to-residential conversion, amendments to tenant-relocation guidelines and possible changes to towing rates will highlight this month’s County Board meeting.

A public hearing on just one item will be held before adoption during this Saturday’s meeting. All 33 other items slated for action that day are on the Board’s consent agenda, but individual items could be pulled off public hearings on the recessed meeting of Tuesday, Oct. 21.

Items on the agenda include:

Latest office-to-residential conversion slated for approval: Board members are expected to approve a developer’s plan to convert the 13-story office building at 4100 Fairfax Drive to residential use.

The plan calls for 296 residential units while retaining ground-floor retail uses, including Bronson Bier Hall, and the building’s five-level underground garage.

County staff support the change in use. The Planning Commission voted 11-0 to recommend approving the application.

The building is located one block east of the Ballston Metro station. It was constructed in 2000 as part of a redevelopment plan for the block bounded by Fairfax Drive, 9th Street N., N. Stafford Street and N. Randolph Street.

The office building and an adjacent apartment building were completed, but an office building planned for the IHOP restaurant site on the parcel has yet to move forward.

New tenant-relocation guidelines set for approval: Board members are also expected to update tenant-relocation guidelines.

The proposal would change the amount of payment that displaced tenants receive, and add more information to be collected from tenants. Another change provides more flexibility for the county’s Tenant-Landlord Commission in overseeing the relocation process.

The Tenant-Landlord Commission, which has vetted proposed changes over the past year, supports the package.

Developers planning new projects are not required, but are strongly encouraged, to follow the local guidelines. In addition, projects involving federal funds are required to follow the Uniform Relocation Act to support those displaced.

The last version of the guidelines was approved in 2018.

Advertisement for changes to towing rates: Board members are slated to advertise, for a future public hearing, changes to allowable towing rates for vehicles removed for allegedly trespassing on private property.

Information on specifics of the proposal had not been placed on the agenda in advance of this article. A public hearing will precede setting the date for future consideration at the Oct. 18 meeting.

Income levels revised for free ambulance service: Board members are slated to increase the income levels that would qualify someone for free Arlington County Fire Department ambulance service.

County officials began charging for ambulance transport in 1999, and shortly after implementation, a maximum household income of $25,000 was set for a waiver of fees. That figure has not changed since.

Under the policy change, fees in future would not be charged to households earning less than the federal Section 8 median income, and would be adjusted as that figure changes. Maximum income levels would range from $34,450 for a single-person household to $64,900 for a household of eight or more individuals.

Ambulance-transport fees typically are not applicable to those with private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid, as those programs reimburse the county government on a contract basis.

Funding set for N. Sycamore Street stormwater improvements: Board members are slated to award a contract worth up to $1.41 million for stormwater-infrastructure improvements at N. Sycamore Street and Langston Blvd.

The project would include installation of a parallel storm pipe and associated manholes next to an existing sewer line.

The existing and new sewer lines would convey runoff from approximately 170 acres in the upstream portion of the Crossman Run watershed to the south side of Langston Blvd.

The contract is slated to be awarded to Milani Construction LLC.

New fire agreement with Falls Church to be signed: Board members are expected to ratify an updated contract with the Falls Church city government and Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department.

The upgraded agreement would impact the terms of Arlington’s fire and ambulance services within the 2.2-square-mile city. It will run through 2030 with the option to renew through 2035.

Arlington officials expect the new agreement to bring in approximately $500,000 in additional annual revenue.

Arlington has staffed a fire station in Falls Church since the department’s establishment in 1940. The current station, located on the border of the jurisdictions in East Falls Church, serves residents of both localities.

Private school’s use permit to be renewed: Board members are expected to renew the use permit for the Sycamore School at 1550 Wilson Blvd for three years.

A year ago, Board members had authorized the school to operate with a maximum of 140 middle- and high-school students, an upper limit that will be continued.

After approval, the site plan no longer would require Board review, but would receive a staff review after the three-year term expires.

The school occupies the third floor of a Rosslyn office building.

Green Valley farmers market use permit to be renewed: Board members are expected to renew, for a year, the use permit for the Friday open-air farmers market at John Robinson Jr. Town Square in Green Valley.

The market debuted in April, with its 2025 season slated to run through early November. Staff identified no problems needing Board discussion prior to approval of the extension.

The market is operated by Community Association of Resources, Education, Enrichment & Economics (CARE) Inc.

Legislative priorities for 2026 General Assembly session to be revealed: At the Board’s recessed meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21, staff will present the draft 2026 General Assembly legislative package.

There also will be a chance for the public to comment on the package, although typically the annual legislative documents draw little community feedback.

Morning Notes for October 14, 2025

By ARLnow.com
Rocking the vote in Courthouse (courtesy George Brazier)

Rise in Federal Retirements — “This mass exodus — unprecedented in its scale — includes 154,000 federal employees who accepted buyout offers and were largely removed from the payroll as of the end of last month. Some of those are among nearly 105,000 employees who took regular retirement during the fiscal year that ended in September, an 18 percent surge from the previous year.” [Washington Post]

Pedestrian Struck By SUV — “File this under, “This could have been a lot worse.” Indications are there were no serious injuries when a car crossed into oncoming traffic, clipped another car, ran onto the sidewalk, and hit a person who tried to get out of the way. This was during the noon hour at N. George Mason and Wilson.” [Dave Statter/X]

Pepper Sprayed in Pentagon City — “1100 block of S. Hayes Street. At approximately 6:04 p.m. on October 11, police were dispatched to the report of an assault. The preliminary investigation indicates the teenage female victim was approached by two teenage female suspects who are known to her and with whom she has had an ongoing dispute. The suspects assaulted her and discharged pepper spray before fleeing the scene on foot.” [ACPD]

Renovated Hospice Center — “Diane and David Guernsey, longtime community supporters and advocates for hospice care, joined Capital Caring Health to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Guernsey Center for Caring in Arlington, Virginia. Their generous gift made the renovation possible, helping expand access to compassionate, nonprofit hospice care across the region.” [WJLA]

Rise in Va. Revenue — “Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced that general fund revenues increased 5.1 percent ($374.4 million) year-over-year through the first three months of Fiscal Year 2026 and that for the month of September, total general fund revenues increased 2.7 percent ($87.6 million) versus September last year.” [Press Release]

More EDVA Turmoil — “Maggie Cleary — the senior Justice Department prosecutor who briefly led the powerful US attorney’s office in the Eastern District of Virginia last month before Trump ally Lindsey Halligan took over — has been removed from the office, according to two people familiar with the matter.” [CNN]

Reminder: Restaurant Week — “Over 80 Arlington restaurants plan to offer discounts, specials and prix fixe meals from Oct. 13-20 as part of the yearly promotion by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. Participants range from fast-casual to formal dining.” [ARLnow]

Candidate Essay Recap — Yesterday, ARLnow published “Why you should vote for me” essays from candidates for public office in competitive Arlington races, including: Del. Patrick Hope (House of Delegates, 1st District); Del. Adele McClure (House of Delegates, 2nd District); Monique “Moe” Bryant and James ‘Vell’ Rives IV (School Board); and Bob Cambridge, Jeramy Olmack, and Carlos “DC” De Castro Pretelt (County Board). After our submission deadline, we received links to candidate essays from Audrey Clement (County Board) and Wendy Sigley (House of Delegates, 2nd District). Incumbent Arlington County Board member Takis Karantonis did not submit an essay.

It’s Tuesday — The weather will be mostly cloudy and reach a high near 70, accompanied by a north wind at 11 to 14 mph, gusting up to 22 mph. Tuesday night will see mostly clear conditions, with temperatures dropping to around 54 and a north wind around 8 mph. [NWS]

Crime Solvers celebrates K9 teams at Arlington sheriff’s office and police department

By Scott McCaffrey

Some public-safety heroes walk on two legs while others walk on four, Sheriff Jose Quiroz noted as Arlington County Crime Solvers saluted the 13 K9 teams serving with local agencies.

Each of the dogs and their handlers at the Arlington County Police Department and Arlington County Sheriff’s Office have received specialized training to meet a range of challenges in an urban environment. As such, they are collectively deserving of the “Officer of the Year” award, Crime Solvers president Andres Tobar said.

The sheriff’s office is home to three K9 teams: Cpl. Matthew Camardi and Logan; Cpl. Kevin McCabe and Weaver; and Cpl. Ewelina Zajkowski and Hope.

Logan and Weaver have received specialized training related to explosives, electronics and drug detection. Hope is the office’s wellness ambassador, helping to reduce stress and promote mental well-being among staff, detainees and the community.

“Safety is not only about enforcement — it’s about compassion,” Quiroz said at the luncheon, held at Busboys & Poets in Shirlington.

The police department has 10 K9 teams, four of which focus on explosives detection and six of which patrol units that have been cross-trained in either firearms or narcotics detection.

Their efforts help to enhance law-enforcement capabilities, Penn said.

Local police K9 teams go through 16 months of training followed by four weeks of specialized detection training. They continue to receive regular updated training throughout their careers, Penn said.

ACPD provides training not only for dogs in Arlington, but for those destined for roles in other jurisdictions, such as Loudoun County.

The Oct. 9 luncheon marked the end of Tobar’s 15-year tenure as president of Crime Solvers. He took over from former Arlington Chamber of Commerce president Rich Doud.

“We wish him some well-deserved rest and relaxation,” said Dulce Carrillo of Arlington Public Schools, who emceed the program.

While no successor has been named, Tobar said there were a number of qualified individuals serving on the organization’s board.

“I’m delighted with the talent that has stepped up,” he said.

Arlington County Crime Solvers offers the public an opportunity to provide anonymous information about criminal activity at (866) 411-TIPS or online. The organization also works to bridge any divides between public safety and the community.

Tobar serves as executive director of the Shirlington Employment and Education Center (SEEC), and has worked to build bridges between the immigrant community and law enforcement.

Andres Tobar is honored by Police Chief Andy Penn and Sheriff Jose Quiroz (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Collaborations such as those are needed now more than ever, he said.

“We’re in some very tough times now. People are hurting,” Tobar said. “But we will persevere and we will do it by focusing on things we can control.”

Penn and Quiroz jointly presented Tobar with a plaque to mark his “steadfast leadership.”

“He is passionate about making a difference,” Penn said.

Also at the luncheon, Veronica Santos was presented with the 2025 Crime Solvers Community Champion Award. Santos is director of external affairs for Comcast’s Beltway Region, and long has been active in the organization.

Vance warns ‘deeper’ cuts ahead for federal workers as shutdown enters 12th day

By The Associated Press

Vice President JD Vance on Sunday said there will be deeper cuts to the federal workforce the longer the government shutdown goes on, adding to the uncertainty facing hundreds of thousands who are already furloughed without pay amid the stubborn stalemate in Congress.

Vance warned that as the federal shutdown entered its 12th day, the new cuts would be “painful,” even as he said the Trump administration worked to ensure that the military is paid this week and some services would be preserved for low-income Americans, including food assistance.

Still, hundreds of thousands of government workers have been furloughed in recent days and, in a court filing on Friday, the Office of Management and Budget said well over 4,000 federal employees would soon be fired in conjunction with the shutdown. The effects of the shutdown also grew Sunday with the Smithsonian announcing its museums, research centers and the National Zoo are temporarily closed going forward for lack of funding.

“The longer this goes on, the deeper the cuts are going to be,” Vance said on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.” “To be clear, some of these cuts are going to be painful. This is not a situation that we relish. This is not something that we’re looking forward to, but the Democrats have dealt us a pretty difficult set of cards.”

Labor unions have already filed a lawsuit to stop the aggressive move by President Donald Trump ’s budget office, which goes far beyond what usually happens in a government shutdown, further inflaming tensions between the Republicans who control Congress and the Democratic minority.

The shutdown began on Oct. 1 after Democrats rejected a short-term funding fix and demanded that the bill include an extension of federal subsidies for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. The expiration of those subsidies at the end of the year will result in monthly cost increases for millions.

Trump and Republican leaders have said they are open to negotiations on the health subsidies, but insist the government must reopen first.

For now, negotiations are virtually nonexistent. Dug in as ever, House leaders from both parties pointed fingers at each other in rival Sunday appearances on “Fox News Sunday.”

“We have repeatedly made clear that we will sit down with anyone, anytime, anyplace,” said House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York. “Republicans control the House, the Senate and the presidency. It’s unfortunate they’ve taken a my-way-or-the-highway approach.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson blamed Democrats and said they “seem not to care” about the pain the shutdown is inflicting.

“They’re trying their best to distract the American people from the simple fact that they’ve chosen a partisan fight so that they can prove to their Marxist rising base in the Democratic Party that they’re willing to fight Trump and Republicans,” he said.

Progressive activists, meanwhile, expressed new support for the Democratic Party’s position in the shutdown fight.

Ezra Levin, co-founder of the leading progressive protest group Indivisible, said he is “feeling good about the strength of Dem position.” He pointed to fractures in the GOP, noting that Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene publicly warned last week that health care insurance premiums would skyrocket for average Americans — including her own adult children — if nothing is done.

“Trump and GOP are rightfully taking the blame for the shutdown and for looming premium increases,” Levin said. “Their chickens are coming home to roost.”

And yet the Republican administration and its congressional allies are showing no signs of caving to Democratic demands or backing away from threats to use the opportunity to pursue deeper cuts to the federal workforce.

Thousands of employees at the departments of Education, Treasury, Homeland Security and Health and Human Services, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency, are set to receive layoff notices, according to spokespeople for the agencies and union representatives for federal workers.

“You hear a lot of Senate Democrats say, well, how can Donald Trump possibly lay off all of these federal workers?” Vance said. “Well, the Democrats have given us a choice between giving low-income women their food benefits and paying our troops on the one hand, and, on the other hand, paying federal bureaucrats.”

Democrats say the firings are illegal and unnecessary.

“They do not have to do this,” said Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “They do not have to punish people that shouldn’t find themselves in this position.”

Monique “Moe” Bryant: Why you should vote for me

By Opinion Contributor

We recently invited the candidates running for local office in the Nov. 4 General Election to write a post about why Arlington residents should vote for them. Find information on how and where to vote here.

Below is the unedited response from Monique “Moe” Bryant, who is running for School Board.

Fellow Arlingtonians –

I am honored to be a candidate for Arlington School Board, endorsed by many community leaders as well as the Arlington Democrats. I ask for your support and vote on or before Tuesday, November 4th.

Serving children and families is a critical responsibility, and it’s not one I take lightly. I believe it takes grace, advocacy for all, and a willingness to truly listen to make a lasting impact.

Our community needs a leader for Arlington Public Schools whose core values are grounded in empathy, engagement, and excellence. As an APS parent and community leader, I’ve seen what happens when we listen deeply, build trust, and work together toward our shared goal: ensuring that every student, educator, staff member, and family feels valued and empowered.

Our community is strong, but we face real challenges. Teachers and staff are stretched thin. Families are navigating competing demands and communication gaps. Students are balancing academics with the social and emotional pressures of growing up in a complex world. These challenges are connected; and they deserve a School Board that leads with transparency and accountability, with both practical experience and vision for our schools.

Like so many Arlingtonians here, I see our schools as the heart of our community. Our schools are where friendships form, where teachers shape futures, and where we come together around a shared belief that every child deserves the chance to thrive. I’m running because I want to make that promise real for every APS student, educator, and staff member.

As a mom of one APS special education graduate and a current APS middle school student, and as a school volunteer, school bond campaign co-chair, and community non-profit volunteer-turned-leader, I understand our school system and the importance of a community that supports it. Over the years, I’ve worked in both the private and the nonprofit sector — as a leader, advisor, and advocate. Those experiences have taught me that systems thrive when people feel seen, heard, and supported. I want to bring that same people-centered approach to APS.

If elected, I will focus on three priorities that reflect what I’ve heard from our community:

Empathy

Every student deserves to feel valued. Empathy is not a soft skill; it is the foundation for academic and emotional growth. When students are met with understanding, they are more likely to stay engaged, persevere through challenges, and reach their potential.

As a community, we must continue to support the whole child; academically, socially, and emotionally, to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed. This means recognizing that recovery from the pandemic continues, and many students still need stability, encouragement, and connection. Our schools should be places where belonging is nurtured and every learner knows they matter. APS can operate with empathy by:

  • Collaborating with community leaders and partners,
  • Supporting our students’ and staff’s social-emotional well-being, and
  • Protecting our values in uncertain times.

Engagement

True engagement begins with listening. When families, staff, and students are invited to shape decisions from the start, outcomes are stronger and trust deepens. APS has several valuable tools for engagement from the Your Voice Matters survey to open office hours and community dialogues, but often these come too late in the process.

We can do better by creating opportunities for authentic, early participation that values every perspective. Engagement should not be a one-way information campaign but a shared process of building understanding and direction together.

My priorities for better engagement include:

  • Increasing access so all can participate meaningfully, and
  • Strengthening communication to ensure clear, timely, and equitable information.

Excellence

Our commitment to excellence requires investment in both innovation and equity. That means expanding early learning opportunities, advancing inclusive classrooms, and ensuring our educators are valued and competitively compensated. It also means thinking creatively about how to sustain excellence through fiscal responsibility and environmental stewardship.

We will achieve excellence by:

  • Expanding Pre-K access so all children can begin from a place of strength,
  • Positioning APS as a regional leader in teacher and staff pay,
  • Delivering a high-quality education that builds the next generation of leaders, and
  • Stabilizing our school budget through creative, community-informed solutions.

When we lead with empathy, deepen engagement, and pursue excellence with equity at the center, we build schools that truly serve every child. Together, we can ensure APS remains a place where all students, staff and families have the opportunity to thrive.

I would be honored to earn your vote in this election. Visit www.moeforschoolboard.com to learn more about my vision and how you can get involved.

Thank you for your consideration and the trust you place in our community’s future.

Morning Notes for October 13, 2025

By ARLnow.com
The Grace and Reva apartment buildings in Crystal City (courtesy Jason Gooljar)

Beyer Blasts Federal Layoffs — “The mass firings Russ Vought and the Trump Administration announced today are cruel, illegal, and yet another attack on our economy. This is a disaster for Virginia, intentionally inflicted by President Trump and his Republican allies. These firings are also already being fought in court.” [Rep. Don Beyer/X]

Cox Emailed School Board Member — “According to an email obtained in the FOIA, “Riki Cox” sent an email to Arlington School Board Member Kathleen Clark on October 28, 2024. Cox told Clark that if people complained of a transgender person using the female-designated showers at APS, the complainers should be invited to use single locker rooms, and Cox wanted to know where Clark stood on the issue before Cox cast his vote.” [WJLA]

Rives Reacts to Cox Emails — “Newly revealed email exchanges between a sex offender and School Board Member Clark demonstrate how our gender policy fails. Arlington Schools are endangering girls and denying their rights under Title IX. Our board needs to set specific expectations of who can be in a girls’ facility.” [Rives for School Board/Facebook]

Brandishing on Arlington Border — “4600 block of King Street. At approximately 3:27 a.m. on October 8, police were dispatched to the report of a weapons violation. Upon arrival, a witness reported observing a male suspect exit a vehicle and approach another vehicle. A verbal dispute ensued during which the suspect allegedly displayed a firearm.” [ACPD]

Police Reminder About Scams — “The Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) is raising public awareness about national and reoccurring scams and ways the community can spot, avoid and report them. ACPD is cautioning the community to remain alert when receiving unsolicited calls, emails or text messages and sharing tips to help keep your personal information and finances safe.” [ACPD]

Ten-Miler Runs Through Arlington — “Thousands of people came out for the Army 10-Miler on Sunday after it was uncertain if the event would happen due to the government shutdown. ” [NBC 4]

FCPD Chopper Denied by ATC — “The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) rule changes regarding helicopters flying near Reagan National Airport (DCA) have been widely praised by safety advocates, but an incident early Friday morning raises questions about whether the rules need to be tweaked for police helicopters.” [WJLA]

New Legal Notice — Wholesale beer license; objections due within 30 days. [Public Notices]

It’s Monday — Patchy drizzle with a chance of showers before 11am, then showers likely after 11am. Cloudy, with a high near 62. North wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Tonight, expect patchy drizzle with a chance of showers before midnight, then a chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. North wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. [NWS]

Today’s Morning Notes are brought to you by Industrious. ARLnow has been in an Industrious office for years and we love the convenience — you get to focus on your work rather than worrying about brewing your own coffee or keeping the copy machine stocked. Industrious has several Metro-accessible coworking locations in Arlington.

Large police presence in Pentagon City after teen ‘flash mob’ in mall

By ARLnow.com

A large police presence remains on scene in Pentagon City after mall security requested help dealing with a “flash mob” of rowdy teens.

Numerous officers from Arlington County and Metro Transit Police responded to the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City and the Metro station around 5:30 p.m. for a report of a large group of teens running amuck in the food court.

There were no initial reports of crimes being committed, but police were concerned about a repeat of a March incident when a series of brawls broke out after a throng of teens descended on the mall.

NEW: Firings of federal workers begin as White House seeks to pressure Democrats in government shutdown

By The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House budget office said Friday that mass firings of federal workers have started in an attempt to exert more pressure on Democratic lawmakers as the government shutdown continues.

Russ Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, said on the social media site X that the “RIFs have begun,” referring to reduction-in-force plans aimed at reducing the size of the federal government.

A spokesperson for the budget office, said the reductions are “substantial” but did not offer more immediate details.

The White House previewed that it would pursue the aggressive layoff tactic shortly before the government shutdown began on Oct. 1, telling all federal agencies to submit their reduction-in-force plans to the budget office for its review. It said reduction-in-force could apply for federal programs whose funding would lapse in a government shutdown, are otherwise not funded and are “not consistent with the President’s priorities.”

This goes far beyond what usually happens in a government shutdown, which is that federal workers are furloughed but restored to their jobs once the shutdown ends.

Democrats have tried to call the administration’s bluff, arguing the firings could be illegal, and seemed bolstered by the fact that the White House had yet to carry out the firings.

But Trump had said earlier this week that he would soon have more information about how many federal jobs would be eliminated.

“I’ll be able to tell you that in four or five days if this keeps going on,” he said Tuesday in the Oval Office as he met with Mark Carney, the Canadian prime minister. “If this keeps going on, it’ll be substantial, and a lot of those jobs will never come back.”

Meanwhile, the halls of the Capitol were quiet on Friday, then 10th day of the shutdown, with both the House and the Senate out of Washington and both sides digging in for a protracted shutdown fight. Senate Republicans have tried repeatedly to cajole Democratic holdouts to vote for a stopgap bill to reopen the government, but Democrats have refused as they hold out for a firm commitment to extend health care benefits.

There was no sign that the top Democratic and Republican Senate leaders were even talking about a way to solve the impasse. Instead, Senate Majority Leader John Thune continued to try to peel away centrist Democrats who may be willing to cross party lines as the shutdown pain dragged on.

“It’s time for them to get a backbone,” Thune, a South Dakota Republican, said during a news conference.

Arlington single-family home prices moving ever closer to an average of $2 million

By Scott McCaffrey

Arlington single-family homes continued to march closer to an average $2 million sales price in newly released data.

The average sales price of the 60 single-family detached properties that went to closing in September was $1,813,759 — up a whopping 23.5% year-over-year.

New figures were reported Oct. 10 by Bright MLS, using data from MarketStats by ShowingTime. For the month, single-family detached homes represented 33% of all sales, compared to 38.5% a year ago.

Increases in average single-family sales prices likely are a result of general housing inflation coupled with smaller, aging single-family homes in the county being torn down and replaced by larger ones.

The $2 million average sales price already has been surpassed among Arlington single-family homes with four or more bedrooms, which in September represented about 70% of all single-family homes sold.

In that segment of larger homes, the average sales price of $2,143,893 in September was up 20.2% from $1,784,024 a year before.

Late summer and early spring delivered an opportunity for buyers to get more for their money, if they financed purchases.

“Mortgage rates came down in August and early September, which brought some buyers into the market,” said Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist for Bright MLS.

At the same time, the impact of federal government and contractor layoffs and buyouts are causing headwinds likely to be further intensified by impacts of the government shutdown.

The local region “is showing us how sensitive the market is to broader economic and political uncertainty,” Sturtevant said. “In places where the federal government has a strong presence … we’re already seeing the impact of the shutdown and job insecurity.”

Overall for the month, 184 homes went to closing countywide, up from 143 a year before.

The average sales price of all homes sold was $986,422, up 3.6%.

While average prices in the single-family segment were up, they declined in the other two market sectors:

  • The average sales price of attached homes — townhouses, rowhouses and condominiums — was $586,098, down 6.8% from a year ago
  • The average sales price in the condo-only segment was $400,467, down 6.9%

Those declines pushed the month’s median price down 10.7% to $686,388, despite the increase in average sales price. The median is the point at which half of homes sell for more, half for less.

Add up all the transactions, and the total market volume countywide in Arlington was $184.2 million, up 34.1% from a year before.

Prospective buyers have more to choose from, with the number of active listings rising from 313 in September 2024 to 465 in September 2025.

“Sellers are adjusting to a new market reality,” Sturtevant said. “Buyers now have more options and more negotiating power, and price trends are starting to reflect that shift.”

In part because of the higher inventory, the average number of days between listing and ratified contract has ballooned nearly 60%, from 23 a year before to 36 in September, while the sales-price-to-listing-price ratio declined slightly (from 98% to 97%) during the same period.

Arlington home-sellers received an average $500 per square foot in September, down 4% year-over-year. For the month, Arlington’s per-square-foot cost trailed Falls Church at $545 and D.C. at $509, and was tied with Alexandria.

Across the Washington metro area, Bright MLS recorded 3,894 closed sales in September. That was up 4.4% year over year, growth attributed to lower interest rates.

But new pending sales across the region fell 3.3% year-over-year even as mortgage rates stabilized, “a result of many home shoppers hitting pause in the face of the federal budget gridlock and job insecurity,” Sturtevant said.

Home-price growth has essentially stalled across much of the metro area, with the regional median sold price of $600,500 up just 0.3% from a year ago.

Price performance varied widely across the region, with some suburban markets seeing modest growth while urban areas show declines, Bright MLS said.

The median days on market regionally in September was 21, 10 days longer than last year. Inventory has grown 27% year-over-year, largely because of longer times for homes to sell. Showings for the month essentially were flat at 90,805.

Figures represent most, but not all, sales across the market. September 2025 figures are preliminary and are subject to revision.

Future elections may require more precincts in Arlington, new early-voting sites

By Scott McCaffrey

County election officials have concluded that Long Bridge Park won’t work as an early-voting site for the 2028 presidential election, and they’re working to identify alternatives.

The county government’s fitness and aquatics center at the park was used as one of three early-voting locations in 2024 but “ended up serving fewer voters than expected,” election officials said in a draft strategic plan currently out for public review.

“Long Bridge turned out not to be an ideal location, due to citizens’ unfamiliarity with the facility and its out-of-the-way location,” election officials said. “Finding satellite locations that are easily accessible to voters is important.”

In 2024, the Long Bridge location operated alongside the existing early-voting sites at the Ellen M. Bozman Government Center, Madison Community Center and Walter Reed Community Center.

“During the 2024 presidential election, existing locations were able to meet demand, but lengthy voter lines sporadically developed on the first and last days of early voting at several locations,” the draft report notes.

Even Madison Community Center, long an early-voting site accessible for many North Arlington residents, is not without its challenges, election officials said:

“The Madison satellite location has experienced difficulties because the largest room at that facility is unavailable except on Election Day. Early voting is relegated to a room insufficient for the number of voters it handles.”

Election officials are looking not only at finding a replacement for the Long Bridge facility for 2028, but also expanding early-voting sites in subsequent elections to handle expected population growth and many voters’ desire to cast ballots in person but in advance of Election Day.

But adding more early-voting sites could add “significant stress” to the county’s elections office, as they are labor-intensive efforts and require acquisition of additional equipment.

Population growth also would likely require the creation of new voting precincts beyond the current 54. Election officials have asked county leaders to work with developers on agreements to set aside space for Election Day voting in their new projects.

Comments on the draft strategic plan are being accepted through Oct. 17.

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