• Arlington sued the Trump administration over fears of federal agents at polling places. The County Board filed a federal lawsuit citing statements from border czar Tom Homan and FBI Director Kash Patel, arguing the threats force the county to divert resources planning for conflict with federal agents at the polls. Federal law already bars armed agents at voting sites except against "armed enemies of the United States." ARLnow coverage

• An FBI warning about a PHP vulnerability knocked Fairfax City's public meetings offline. Granicus, which hosts the city's video and agendas, took its Media Manager services down as a precaution after the FBI's cyber division flagged flaws affecting governments across the U.S. and Europe. The city reports no breach and expects service restored within 24 hours. FFXnow report

• Loudoun opens public comment on reallocating $1.98 million in unspent federal housing grants. The county proposes putting $1.5 million toward affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households. Residents can weigh in through Dec. 9, when the Board of Supervisors holds a public hearing. Loudoun County

• Arlington police expect to release footage of the May 8 fatal officer-involved shooting by Friday. Chief Andy Penn told the County Board the plans are in their final stages, after Board members criticized the department for missing an Oct. 16 deadline. Shawn Valn, 33, was shot and killed during the incident at a 7-Eleven on Columbia Pike. ARLnow

• Seven cows race for a crown tonight at Frying Pan Farm Park. The seventh annual NASCOW FundRACER, billed as "the slowest race you will ever cheer for," starts at 6 p.m. near Herndon. The free event raises money for animal care; organizers encourage $20 donations toward a $15,000 goal. FFXnow

• Manassas broke ground on a $41 million air traffic control tower after 26 years of planning. The new 145-foot tower replaces one the city recycled from a Denver-area airport back in 1992, and includes a training simulator room. Officials expect roughly two years of construction as the airport moves toward commercial service. InsideNoVA

• The Pulao Company plans its first Virginia location in Ashburn. The Texas-based fast-casual chain, built around the South Asian one-pot rice dish, is taking over the former Chopathi space at Goose Creek Village. Work is underway, with a target opening in early 2027. The Burn

• Teabreak Pho & Boba opened its latest Loudoun shop at Broadlands Village Center. The Vietnamese spot took over the former Pholicious, serving pho, banh mi, and milk teas. Fair warning: the old Pholicious sign is still up. The Burn

• A mystery coffee shop is replacing a Taiwanese tea brand at Reston Town Center. Brewing Alley Craft Coffee & Tea Lattes put up signage where Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea was once slated to land. Help-wanted listings hint Brewing Alley is a sister brand under the same parent. The Burn

• Fairfax County landed 24 eateries on Northern Virginia Magazine's 50 Best list, with Fairfax City's Elyse taking the No. 4 spot. FFXnow
• Six Arlington and five Falls Church restaurants made the same top-50 ranking. ARLnow
• Loudoun seeks applicants for its Board of Zoning Appeals, with one term beginning Dec. 3. Loudoun County
• Loudoun holds a virtual public meeting Nov. 4 on widening Old Ox Road from Route 28 to Rock Hill Road. Loudoun County
• Rep. Suhas Subramanyam makes his case for reelection in Virginia's 10th District against Republican Dave Beckwith. InsideNoVA
• The Washington Wizards dropped a full season of game-day giveaways at Capital One Arena. Secret DC
• Clarendon's new Latin supper club Cielo chases a South Beach vibe with video walls and a built-in DJ. Arlington Magazine

Arlington is spending the stretch before the midterms lawyering up against its own federal government, while the rest of the region keeps opening tea shops and racing cows. Two different clocks are running, and only one of them feels urgent.

That's the briefing. Look out for each other out there. See you tomorrow.

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