Opinion

Morning Poll: Ban TikTok?

By ARLnow.com
TikTok on a phone (Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash)

Virginia’s Attorney General has authored an amicus brief supporting the ban of TikTok on a statewide level.

The short-form video app, which is especially popular with younger users, is set to be banned next year in Montana. In response to a federal lawsuit challenging the ban, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares — joined by 17 other GOP state attorneys general — says the ban should be legal as it amounts to a “garden variety consumer protection statute.”

More from a press release:

Attorney General Jason Miyares filed an amicus brief, joined by 17 other state attorneys general, in support of the State of Montana’s law banning the popular app ‘TikTok.’ Montana’s action protects its citizens’ privacy from TikTok’s relationship with China and the Chinese Communist Party, and its citizens’ wellbeing from the proven physical and mental health detriments the app has on young children.

“Montana’s elected officials voted to ban TikTok, and Montanans voted to elect their representatives. This legislation is a result of the will of the Montana voters,” said Attorney General Jason Miyares. “We know TikTok poses a threat to our privacy and security because of its connection to the Chinese Communist Party, and study after study shows the app harms our children’s mental health – especially young girls. Montana has the right to protect its citizens.”

In March, Attorney General Miyares joined 45 states and the District of Columbia in asking a state court to order social media company TikTok, Inc. to fully comply with an ongoing investigation into whether the company violated consumer protection laws. As part of the multistate investigation, the state attorneys general sought to review internal TikTok communications to determine whether the company engaged in deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable conduct that harmed the mental health of TikTok users, particularly children and teens.

Earlier this year Virginia banned TikTok and some other apps of Chinese origin from state-owned devices and networks, including on college campuses.

While a total ban does not appear likely in Virginia, would you support a ban if one was proposed?

Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Westover Baptist Church in the fading sunlight (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Training Exercise Along S. Courthouse Road — “NSAW Security Forces will be conducting regularly-scheduled drills tomorrow, Thursday, Sept 21 on [Naval Support Facility] Arlington. Impacts: Please expect to see Police activity on ARL during the morning.” [Twitter]

DCA Work Ahead of Schedule — “It adds up fast: 800 tons today, 800 tons tomorrow, 800 tons the next day, and so on and so forth. That’s how much asphalt is being laid on a nightly basis as efforts to upgrade pavements on Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport’s major runway roll ahead until cooler weather conditions call a halt through early next spring. ‘We’re ahead of schedule,’ said Jack Potter, president/CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.” [Gazette Leader]

Alexandria to Support Bus Stop Expansion — “Arlington calls for aid, and Alexandria will answer. Alexandria’s City Council is scheduled to vote at a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 26, to support neighboring Arlington’s funding application for an expanded Shirlington Transit Center. Arlington County is applying for funding from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority to expand the transit center in Shirlington, a major hub for bus traffic.” [ALXnow]

Community Award Winners Announced — “A trio of Arlington civic leaders will be honored by the Arlington Community Foundation with its 2023 William T. Newman Jr. Spirit of Community Award… John Foti has coached Arlington youth baseball for decades… Dr. Tsehaye Teferra is founder and president of the ECDC Enterprise Development Group… Andres Tobar’s community leadership also has included many years” of work with various local organizations. [Gazette Leader]

Sighting Along the Custis Trail — “Some want to light the fire just to watch it burn” with Gondola Now slogans written in chalk. [Twitter]

Farmers Market Donation to AFAC — “Field to Table, which operates a number of farmers’ markets in Arlington, on Sept. 16 presented its annual gift of $10,000 to the Arlington Food Assistance Center.” [Gazette Leader]

Fashion Pop-Up at Marymount — “PrettyLittleThing, a U.K.-based online fashion retailer, will be making a stop at Marymount University in Arlington on Friday as part of its East Coast pop-up shop tour. All customers are invited to visit the PrettyLittleThing pop-up shop to update their wardrobes, even if they don’t attend Marymount.” [Patch]

GMU Study on Local Mental Health — “A new study shows an alarming trend taking a devastating economic toll: Northern Virginia has lost more than $16 billion in unrealized gross regional product over the last two years due to the impaired mental health of its workforce—with no end of the losses in sight.” [George Mason University]

It’s Thursday — Mostly sunny in the morning with temperatures reaching around 79°F, accompanied by a gentle north wind at 6 mph. Thursday night will be mostly cloudy, with lows near 59°F. [Weather.gov]

Sponsored

Listing of the Day: 1404 N Herndon Street

By ARLnow.com

Address: 1404 N Herndon Street
Neighborhood: Lyon Village
Type: 4 BR, 4 (+1 half) BA single-family detached – 3991 sq. ft.
Listed: $2,575,000

Noteworthy: Stunning Lyon Village Modern Masterpiece.

Stunning modern masterpiece designed and renovated in 2016 by acclaimed Moser Architects, seamlessly blending cutting-edge design with refined comfort. Nestled in sought-after Lyon Village, this home offers a light-filled, open layout that exudes sophistication and warmth. Every detail reflects the vision of the current owner, a talented interior designer who curated the interiors with an elevated sense of style. Upon entry, soaring ceilings, white oak flooring, and Italian lighting by Artemide set the tone for contemporary elegance. The striking dining room features Schumacher wallpaper, custom cabinetry, and Scandinavian lighting by Louis Poulsen, while a stylish home office with built-ins complements the design. Along the hall, a custom mural by NYC’s Calico Wallpaper leads to the mudroom and powder room, accented by Kelly Wearstler Visual Comfort lighting and Scalamandre wallcoverings. The open-concept living area, wrapped in walls of windows, centers around state-of-the-art kitchen by Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens with Canadian Elmwood cabinetry, Dekton countertops, walk-in pantry, butler’s pantry with beverage center, and custom banquette upholstered in Christopher Farr Cloth. Upstairs, the primary suite includes two custom-designed walk-in closets and a luxurious spa-inspired bath with an oversized shower and bench seating. Three additional bedrooms, two full baths—one showcasing a Scandinavian light fixture by &Tradition—and a convenient laundry room complete the upper level. The lower level includes a recreation room with 9-foot ceilings, guest suite, full bath, second laundry, and garage access. Outside, professional landscaping and a private flagstone patio provide a serene retreat just two blocks from Clarendon Metro, shops, and dining.

https://listings.blueskyemedia.com/videos/0199cef4-7c51-7244-a953-e84ce3580c1c

Listed by:
Sheri Grant – TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
[email protected]
(703) 405-1016

Around Town

ARLnow Daily Debrief for Sep 20, 2023

By ARLnow.com

Good Wednesday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Sep 20, 2023.

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Thursday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

☀️ Thursday’s forecast

The weather forecast for Thursday is mostly sunny with a high temperature near 79°F and a light north wind at 6 mph. By Thursday night, expect mostly cloudy skies with a low temperature around 59°F and a gentle northeast wind at 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
– C.S. Lewis

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading! Feel free to discuss the day’s happenings in the comments.

Announcement

Return to Earn New Hire Incentive Program for Small Businesses

By Virginia Career Works Northern

The Return to Earn initiative was launched in June of this year in an effort to support small businesses find and retain the talent they need while also helping unemployed Virginian’s transition back into the workforce. $500 per new hire for a maximum of 25 employees is provided as an incentive by this program. That means that your business could receive up to $12,500 depending on hiring and staffing needs.

The SkillSource Group, Inc. and Virginia Career Works Northern is working hard to make this program available to the small business community and to make the application, enrollment and reimbursement process as simple as possible. Stand apart from the competition, increase new employee morale, and take part in the Return to Earn Program. Please follow the URL link included in this post for more information and to access an online application.

Go to Return to Earn New Hire Incentive Program for Small Businesses Read more
News

County poised to require drivers to come to a full stop for pedestrians in crosswalks

By Jo DeVoe
A runner uses a rapid flashing beacon to cross N. Park Drive (staff photo)

The Arlington County Board is set to update the rules of the road to align with a new state law aimed at improving pedestrian safety.

This weekend, the Board is set to enact changes to local ordinances requiring drivers to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. These changes were advertised this summer.

Currently, county code only requires drivers to yield to those crossing the street on foot, according to a county report. This conflicts with state code, which was amended this March to require drivers to “stop for” pedestrians.

In addition to being consistent with state law, the proposed changes support Arlington’s Vision Zero effort to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030, the report says.

“Pedestrians are one of our most vulnerable road users because their bodies are not surrounded with a metal frame and airbags,” the report says. “This law encourages drivers to look for, be aware of, and stop for pedestrians to help get to Arlington’s goal of Vision Zero transportation deaths or serious injuries by 2030.”

The report notes that, from 2018-2022, a third of all severe or fatal crashes in Arlington County involved a pedestrian.

A county data dashboard shows there were 82 pedestrian crashes in those years, spread fairly evenly over those years and located all throughout the county. The number of fatal pedestrian crashes reached a high of four in 2019.

Serious and fatal pedestrian crashes versus overall serious and fatal crashes, between 2018 and 2022 (via Arlington County)

Any driver who does not stop is guilty of a traffic infraction and can face a $100-$500 fine, according to the new law.

The county intends to notify residents of the change via a press release, emails and social media posts, per the report.

There will also be new signage, the Dept. of Environmental Services previously told ARLnow.

Announcement

RIF of NOVA Invites Arlington to Book It For Books!

By Reading is Fundamental of Northern Virginia

Book It For Books 5K/One-Mile Run/Walk is Reading is Fundamental of Northern Virginia’s fund- and fun-raiser to help supply books to over 20,000 vulnerable children in Arlington and the surrounding NOVA community. The date and time: 9 a.m., Saturday, October 16, 2021.

Book It is an-person event at Bluemont Park in Arlington, Virginia, with staggered start times for safety. A hybrid option is available for those who prefer to participate at a distance.

Go to RIF of NOVA Invites Arlington to Book It For Books! Read more
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