• One of Virginia's most powerful Democrats faces federal racketeering charges. State Senate President pro tempore L. Louise Lucas was charged by the DOJ with racketeering, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, and money laundering, with prosecutors alleging she oversaw the distribution of at least 100 kilograms of marijuana. Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell called for restraint and voiced "full support" for Lucas. FFXnow
• Construction on the Memorial Circle triumphal arch could start as soon as Nov. 5. The National Park Service signaled it would begin work that day, pending approval from the National Capital Planning Commission, which meets Nov. 5. Plaintiffs asked a federal judge Thursday to halt all construction plans. ARLnow

• Virginians head to the polls under familiar district lines after a redistricting saga. Democrats' plan to redraw congressional maps, which would have given them an edge for four additional seats, was rejected by the Virginia Supreme Court after a voter referendum. Voters this fall are casting ballots where they always have. WTOP
• DC-area officials brace for the possibility of federal agents at polling sites. Rep. Glen Ivey said he wouldn't be surprised to see federal agents or National Guard troops at the polls, while DHS dismissed the concern as "fearmongering." D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb reminded residents that federal law enforcement and military personnel are barred from polling locations. WTOP
• Local leaders see little reason to merge Northern Virginia's bus systems. At an Oct. 21 state roundtable, Supervisor Walter Alcorn said he came with an open mind but still hasn't found a compelling case for consolidating Fairfax Connector, Arlington Transit, CUE, and DASH. The DRPT study, due to the General Assembly in December, will present facts rather than a recommendation. FFXnow

• Gunfire hit the same Green Valley block two nights running. Officers found evidence of shots fired in the 2400 block of S. Lowell Street Thursday night, with damage to several parked cars and a home. It came less than a day after a Wednesday shooting on the block left a man hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. ARLnow
• A Stafford man took a sledgehammer to the Iwo Jima monument in Quantico. Prince William County police found 27-year-old Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano "actively damaging the statue" late Wednesday and detained him. He faces felony charges and is held without bond; damage estimates run into the hundreds of thousands. WTOP
• A D.C. man was indicted in the fentanyl death of a 20-year-old from Sterling. Anthony Winslow, 44, faces a federal charge of distributing fentanyl resulting in death in connection with the May 2024 overdose of Jack Hargreaves. Prosecutors say Winslow drove Hargreaves, already dead, to a D.C. fire station. WTOP

• Loudoun struck a preliminary deal with Amazon to keep data centers off the GWU campus. The Board voted unanimously to have AWS convey roughly 25 acres worth $65 million to the county in exchange for fast-tracking rezoning of the remaining 97 acres for housing and mixed-use. Chair Phyllis Randall floated an indoor sports and recreation facility and a community arts center for the county parcel. Loudoun County
• Fairfax City's long-stalled City Centre West project needs a rebuild to pencil out. A representative for developer Ox Hill Companies told the planning commission the Main Street project, approved in 2023 and later closed for inactivity, now requires a new rezoning. The reimagined plan adds condo units, cuts office space, and trims parking. FFXnow

• Nash & Smashed throws its Pimmit Hills grand opening Saturday with free meals. The smash burger and fried chicken spot at Tysons Station serves free meals from 5 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 24, including a Classic Bull burger or a fried chicken leg and thigh with fries. It's the chain's 30th location and third in Fairfax County. FFXnow
• Lemongrass Thai is targeting a January opening in Ashburn. The restaurant coming to Moorefield Village off Loudoun County Parkway has work underway and is aiming for January if all goes smoothly. Menu details are still forthcoming. The Burn
• Fall drink menus are rolling out across NoVA before peppermint takes over. Northside Social's lineup includes an Iced Sage Cornbread Latte and a Spiced Banana Bread Matcha, while Astro Doughnuts offers a Halloween box of mini doughnuts available for preorder through Oct. 31. Arlington Magazine

• The Marine Corps Marathon returns Sunday; Route 110 southbound closes around 4 p.m. Saturday, with Arlington closures starting as early as 3 a.m. Sunday. Secret DC
• More than 16 million birds have flown over Arlington this fall, about 19% above the historical average. ARLnow
• Several large outdoor clocks across Arlington are stuck, including the Courthouse Plaza clock frozen at 11:55 for five years. ARLnow
• McLean's Primis Financial reported Q3 earnings of 35 cents per share, missing Wall Street estimates. WTOP
• Loudoun's Board recognized three employers for workplace inclusion and proclaimed October Disability Employment Awareness Month. Loudoun County

Richmond's political class spent the day absorbing an indictment against one of its own, and the reflex was loyalty before daylight. The machinery of a normal Friday kept turning around it: a marathon rerouting Arlington, free burgers in Pimmit Hills, clocks nobody can fix.

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

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