• Brendan Banfield gets sentenced today in the "au pair affair" murders. He faces mandatory life in prison after a Fairfax County jury convicted him in the killings tied to his wife's death and the broader scheme involving his au pair. A judge rejected his last-ditch motion to toss the convictions yesterday afternoon. WTOP on today's sentencing; judge's ruling; live coverage plan.
• Fairfax County Public Schools is being sued over a TJ student skit. CAIR filed suit over how the district handled discipline tied to a "kidnapping" skit by Muslim students at Thomas Jefferson High School. The civil rights group says the response punished the wrong people. FFXnow has the filing.

• The proposed arch near Arlington National Cemetery cleared another hurdle. The National Capital Planning Commission advanced President Trump's 250th-anniversary arch at Memorial Circle, despite real concerns about air travel navigation and sightlines from Memorial Bridge. Critics aren't done fighting it. ARLnow breaks down the vote.
• Vienna weighs ending the property-owner veto on public tree plantings. The town's Green Streets policy currently lets residents and developers block trees on town-owned land. An update would strip that power and prioritize the canopy. FFXnow on the proposal.
• Prince William schools are bringing back minus grades. The division adjusted its grading policy to add the "minus" tier to letter grades. Teachers and parents had pushed for finer distinctions. WTOP has the details.

• A man with a knife followed and stabbed a woman walking her dog in Ballston. Arlington police arrested a 37-year-old after the early-morning attack Wednesday on the 3500 block of Fairfax Drive, a block from the Central Library. The victim survived. ARLnow has the police account.
• An Ohio driver now faces involuntary manslaughter in a Christmas Day Beltway crash. Prosecutors upgraded charges against the man already accused of reckless driving in the I-495 wreck that killed an Annandale woman and her juvenile granddaughter. FFXnow with the charging update.
• An Air Quality Alert covers Arlington through midnight Saturday. Virginia DEQ flagged elevated pollution levels; sensitive groups should limit outdoor exertion. ARLnow has the NWS alert.

• Pulte got one week to sharpen its Lofts II at Reston Station pitch. The Fairfax County Planning Commission wants tighter details on the second phase before signing off on the developer's plan. The clock is ticking. FFXnow on the deadline.
• A new mystery tenant signed at a Loudoun shopping center. The Burn is tracking the lease, but the name isn't public yet. Watch this space. The Burn has what's known.

• Piazza di Gogo's quietly opened in downtown Leesburg. The team behind Gogo's Gelato on South King Street launched the new bar-and-restaurant concept this week on West Market Street. Expect Italian-leaning small plates and a different vibe from the gelato shop. The Burn with the first look.
• A new wine salon and restaurant is in the works for western Loudoun. Another addition to the county's growing wine-country dining scene. The Burn has the early word.
• Arlington Magazine rounded up NoVA brunch spots worth the drive. Solid weekend planning fuel if your usual is getting stale. The full list.
• The Virginia Renaissance Faire wraps its 2026 run this weekend. Last chance for turkey legs, jousting and lute music until next year. Secret DC's guide.

• Olympic figure skater Ilia Malinin, the "Quad God," brought his gold-medal message to DC students. WTOP
• Loudoun published its 2026 Apartment Guide for renters comparing the market. Loudoun County
• Loudoun rolled out its July 4th 250th-anniversary celebration lineup. Loudoun County
• Five iconic DC fountains are flowing again just in time for summer. Secret DC
• A Greek festival lands in the DMV this weekend with food, music and dancing. Secret DC
• Arlington Magazine mapped out Pride Month events in and around the county. Arlington Magazine
• World Cup soccer watch parties around Arlington. Arlington Magazine

Heavy news day with a sentencing, a stabbing and a lawsuit, all balanced by a region clearly itching for summer weekends. Keep an eye on the air quality before you commit to the patio brunch.

Have a good weekend out there.

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