• Severe Thunderstorm Watch covers the region tonight. Fairfax and Arlington are both under a watch until 10 p.m. Forecasters warn of hail, damaging winds, and possible tornadoes. Stay alert and check for updates if you're headed out. Fairfax County alert | Arlington alert

• Lawmakers push for more time on Dominion Energy merger review. State legislators want to slow down the timeline for reviewing Dominion's proposed merger, citing the deal's size and complexity. The move could delay a final decision. Full story
• Dominion's 'Golden to Mars' project in Loudoun heads for legal showdown. The controversial energy project may land before the Virginia Supreme Court. Local opposition and regulatory hurdles have kept the project in the spotlight. More details

• Bank robbery rocks Crystal City. Police are searching for a man who robbed the Bank of America across from Amazon HQ2. The suspect fled on foot with cash just after noon. Police update
• Hazardous material spill shuts down major Alexandria road. Cleanup crews worked through the night after a hazardous materials incident closed a key route. Officials have not released details on the substance involved. Read more

• Fairfax Board greenlights 57 townhouses at historic Bowman House site. The approved plan rings the 1899 landmark in Reston with new homes. The unanimous vote clears the way for redevelopment to start. Project details
• Bobby's Bagel Cafe doubles down in Loudoun. The local bagel shop is opening a second location in Ashburn's Loudoun Station. Expansion comes as the brand gains a following in the county. More info
• Birch Tree Books expands in downtown Leesburg. The indie bookstore is moving next door to a larger space on West Market Street. Owners say the move will allow for more events and inventory. Details here
• New Beignets & Brew eyes August opening in Herndon. The French pastry and coffee spot will be the first of its kind in Northern Virginia. It's setting up shop in Herndon Centre. Opening scoop
• Alta Strada bows out of Mosaic District. The Italian restaurant will close after nearly a decade in Merrifield, just shy of its 10th anniversary. Closure details

• Officials want to expand Dulles Airport's reach in Asia and Africa. MWAA update
• Ube is now one of the hottest flavors in local kitchens. Food trend
• Loudoun County wins national awards for innovation. Recognition
• Next Loudoun hazardous waste collection is July 25 in Lovettsville. Event info

The weather is keeping everyone on edge, but the pace of new openings and big development votes shows NoVA isn't slowing down for summer. The region feels restless, ambitious, and a little stormy: literally and figuratively.

Stay dry and keep your eyes open.
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