• Federal investigators are probing Fairfax County Public Schools over Title IX violations tied to assault allegations at Fairfax High School. The investigation follows allegations that the district mishandled reports of sexual misconduct. This is the kind of scrutiny that tends to move fast once feds get involved. WTOP | FFXnow

• National gas prices crossed $4 a gallon for the first time since 2022. That number hits harder in a region where commutes are long and Metro doesn't reach everywhere. Fill up before the weekend. WTOP

• A new Penn Daw fire station won support from the Fairfax County Planning Commission. The project bundles emergency services with a homeless shelter and supportive housing on the same site. It's an unusual combo, and not everyone loves it. But the commission backed it. Full board vote is next. FFXnow

• Fairfax County families are pushing back on the school calendar, calling it "chaotic and erratic." Parents want more predictability in scheduling. FCPS has heard this before. Whether it acts is a different question. WTOP

• A new study links data center growth in Northern Virginia to increased risk for Potomac River drinking water. Researchers call it a "perfect storm": rising demand, aging infrastructure, and concentrated industrial load near a regional water source. NoVA's data center boom has tradeoffs, and this one is hard to ignore. WTOP

• Reston's Lake Anne is getting a Good Neighbor Award. It sounds small, but it signals something real: the community is actively trying to build buy-in as it plans major redevelopment at Lake Anne. Nominations are open now. FFXnow

• Mountain Mike's Pizza, a West Coast chain, picked Reston's South Lakes Village Center as its Northern Virginia launch pad. The spot takes over a former Pet Valu storefront. Reston keeps landing the regional firsts. FFXnow

• Madewell is opening at One Loudoun in Ashburn. The J. Crew-owned denim and casual wear brand adds to a tenant roster that keeps growing at One Loudoun. Ashburn retail is having a moment. The Burn

• Free pickleball courts are set to open at Capital One Center in Tysons. Yes, free. Yes, Tysons. The sport continues its relentless march into every corner of NoVA. FFXnow

• Sheeba Restaurant is bringing Yemeni food to Vienna this summer. The team secured a spot at 111 Church Street NW. Vienna's dining scene keeps diversifying. FFXnow

• Surreal Thai Kitchen and Bar opened in Centreville, the second location from the restaurateur behind a popular Arlington spot. Owner Nutthana Kittitaraphan designed the space herself. Worth the drive out Route 28. FFXnow

• Forefathers, a new concept, is coming to Loudoun County. Details are still thin, but the footprint and format are taking shape. The Burn

• Storms are possible late Wednesday afternoon. Highs push into the low 80s before the sky gets moody. Washington Post
• Tonight's Pink Moon rises full and bright over the region. Worth stepping outside. Secret DC

NoVA is juggling a lot right now: federal heat on FCPS, a water supply study that should be louder than it is, and a retail and restaurant scene that refuses to slow down. The vibe is busy, a little anxious, and hungry. Literally.

That's your Wednesday briefing. Stay sharp out there.

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