• Trump reframes his proposed Arlington-area arch as a "military complex." The president said Sunday the arch he wants between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery would host drones and snipers and store ammunition. It faces a lawsuit from three veterans and an architectural historian who argue Congress never authorized it. ARLnow

• Spanberger orders a new accountability framework for data centers. Executive Order 22 bans state nondisclosure agreements, ends "by-right" approvals for projects over 25 megawatts, and convenes an AI task force. The governor called Virginia's data center growth an "inflection point." FFXnow

• Loudoun opposes the Valley North transmission line and rejects a substation near Dulles. The board approved a resolution against the proposed 765-kilovolt line running through western Loudoun, and separately denied land use applications for a new substation. Both votes landed at the Sept. 15 meeting. Loudoun County

• Loudoun approves a $4 million loan for attainable housing near the Silver Line. The money goes to Wellington Community Partners for 101 rental units in Ashburn, kept affordable for at least 75 years. It targets households earning no more than 60% of the area median income. Loudoun County

• A Chantilly woman using a wheelchair was killed crossing Route 50. Theresa Flynn, 53, was struck Friday night near Greenbriar Town Center while crossing outside a crosswalk, Fairfax police said. The Kia driver stayed at the scene; police say speed and alcohol were not factors. FFXnow

• An Arlington woman shattered a Cherrydale home's glass door and went inside. Police responded to a 911 call reporting a woman in only a bra and underwear breaking in and exposing herself Wednesday night. Officers found her inside and arrested her; the family was not hurt. ARLnow

• Dominion is still investigating the flashes and booms that lit up the region Thursday. Two flashes and loud booms hit just before 9:30 p.m., prompting flickering lights from Arlington to Ashburn to Springfield. A tripped transmission line caused it, Dominion said, but the utility has not named the location or cause. ARLnow

• Leesburg's Roy Rogers on East Market Street closes for good Tuesday. The Sept. 22 closing follows months of speculation after the landlord listed the site for lease. The King Street location stays open, and a once-planned store near Lowe's is off. The Burn

• Mars wraps its two-year McLean headquarters renovation this year. The Elm Street project doubles the building to nearly 127,000 square feet and adds a 205-space underground garage. Employees return in the first quarter of 2027. FFXnow

• Chicken Salad Chick plans a fifth NoVA location in Sterling. Franchisee Devon Chamberlin will open in Cascades Marketplace next to Paris Baguette, in the former Banner Hallmark space. She wants four stores in Loudoun alone. The Burn

• German Doner Kebab opens its first Virginia store in Falls Church on Oct. 3. The chain takes over the former CM Chicken space at 7121 Leesburg Pike. It becomes GDK's sixth U.S. location. The Burn

• Construction is underway on Train to Mumbai's Purcellville outpost. The Lovettsville-based Indian restaurant is building out the Purcellville Center space that Purcellville Eats vacated. The owners hope to open later this year. The Burn

• Crispy Cones opened in Ashburn's Bram Quarter, with grand opening weekend starting now. The Burn
• Cox Farms' Fields of Fear returns Friday, Sept. 25, with 20-plus acres of haunted trails in Centreville. Secret DC
• The Reston Multicultural Festival marked its 25th year Saturday at Reston Town Center. FFXnow
• Four new restaurants joined D.C.'s Michelin Guide as recommended picks, with stars announced Dec. 14. Secret DC
• The young woman missing since being last seen at the Pentagon Metro station has been found. ARLnow

Northern Virginia keeps trying to write rules for the machines: a data center framework in Richmond, a transmission line refused in Loudoun, a lawsuit over an arch dressed up as a fortress. The power grid is the story now, and everyone can feel it flicker.

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

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