First, thank you all for letting me be your top-of-the-morning daily news source! Today is a special edition of The NoVA Signal; we have added a new section to the newsletter on Fridays called Friday Foodies, in which we'll cover all the good eats you need to know about for the weekend. Enjoy!

• Dulles Airport becomes a frontline defense against Ebola. Federal health teams now screen travelers at Dulles as part of a national push to stop Ebola from entering the U.S. The airport is the main hub for these efforts. WTOP coverage
• Fairfax County transforms landfill into solar powerhouse. The county just finished its largest solar energy project to date, turning the I-95 landfill in Lorton into a renewable energy site. Officials say it marks a major step in local clean energy. FFXnow story

• Arlington County Board approves $208 million bond sale. The board greenlit a major bond package for infrastructure and other priorities after holding off on large sales for the past two years. The funds will back projects across the county. ARLnow report
• Late Rep. Gerry Connolly's final bill heads to the president. The Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act, championed by the late congressman, cleared Congress and awaits a signature. Sen. Mark Warner led the final push in the Senate. FFXnow coverage

• Two accused of stealing $10,000 in Legos and appliances from Fairfax stores. Police charged two people with a string of thefts targeting local retailers. Investigators say the haul included high-end Lego sets, small appliances, and clothes. WTOP details

• Fairfax County unemployment jumps 17% in a year. New state data shows 22,680 county residents counted as unemployed in March, up sharply from last year and 52% higher than two years ago. The national rate stayed flat in the same period. FFXnow analysis
• Arlington's jobless rate up 50% since 2025. Unemployment in Arlington climbed 11.4% year-over-year and has risen by half since the start of the Trump administration's second term. Nearly 5,000 residents are now seeking work. ARLnow coverage

• Leesburg's Quickway Japanese Hibachi nears opening. The sign just went up at the new fast-casual spot in the Battlefield Shopping Center, replacing Kovi Kitchen. Locals can expect hibachi bowls and sushi soon. The Burn update
• Falcon & Fig opens its doors in Leesburg. The new eatery brings a fresh option to the local dining scene, with a focus on wine, tapas, seasonal ingredients, and creative plates. The Burn report
• The Difference Baker launches new Loudoun County location. The certified allergen-free bakery expands its footprint, giving allergy-conscious foodies more choices in the area. The Burn story
• Beignets & Brew coming to Herndon. A new spot for coffee and New Orleans-style pastries is set to join the Herndon shopping center lineup. The Burn details

• Two FCPS students will represent Fairfax in the Scripps National Spelling Bee next week. FFXnow
• Rotating art exhibit from Arlington Artists Alliance launches at Clarendon's Westville restaurant next Friday. ARLnow

NoVA heads into Memorial Day weekend with a mix of big energy and big questions. The job market looks shaky, but new restaurants and solar projects keep the region feeling forward-looking.

Have a safe and memorable long weekend. Know someone who'd find this useful? Forward it their way. They can subscribe at thenovasignal.com.