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Loudoun County is a major U.S. data-center hub, and rapid growth has prompted disputes over land use, power infrastructure and impacts on nearby residents. In March 2025, the Board of Supervisors made data centers a conditional use requiring Board approval through a special-exception process, rather than a by-right use. County materials state that Virginia law does not permit a blanket moratorium that prevents consideration of individual applications.
PepsiCo has laid off 98 of 143 employees at its Cheverly, Maryland, facility, a reduction affecting nearly 70% of the plant’s workforce. The company is ending manufacturing, warehouse, transportation and fleet operations at the site, while stating that sales and delivery teams will continue serving the area. The more than 60-year-old plant is a local landmark and a significant revenue source for the Town of Cheverly.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is a federally established memorial and major Washington performing-arts venue; its main building began construction in 1965. Its Trump-aligned board has pursued a major renovation while facing litigation over efforts to add President Donald Trump’s name to the building. A federal judge has ruled that such a memorial change requires congressional approval.
Fairfax County’s FY 2027 budget had eliminated 13 full-time high-school crossing-guard positions amid budget and police-staffing constraints. Following public pressure and recent crashes involving students, the Board of Supervisors reconsidered the issue through its FY 2026 carryover review. On Sept. 15, supervisors unanimously approved funding for a revised restoration plan covering 11 crossings at 10 high schools.
On Jan. 29, 2025, PSA Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army UH-60L helicopter collided near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, killing all 67 people aboard the two aircraft. The NTSB found that FAA helicopter-route placement, reliance on visual separation, controller workload, helicopter-crew visual separation, and other systemic failures contributed to the crash. Federal agencies have imposed operational changes around Reagan National, but victims’ families and safety officials are seeking additional regulatory and legislative action.
Chief executives and police chiefs from 15 large U.S. transit agencies gathered in Washington, D.C., on September 15 for the National Transit Safety and Security Summit. Co-hosted by WMATA and Los Angeles Metro, the meeting focused on crime reduction, worker protection, rider experience, and security practices, followed by advocacy meetings on Capitol Hill. Leaders sought sustained and reauthorized federal support for transit safety, security, maintenance, and related infrastructure needs.
Arlington County had leased Flock Safety technology for use on public property, including automated license-plate readers and point-tilt-zoom cameras. The technology has prompted privacy and data-use concerns locally, even as law-enforcement agencies argue such systems can aid investigations. Arlington’s County Board directed the County Manager to end the county-leased program and begin removing the equipment after residents raised concerns.