By Sarah Roderick-Fitch

(The Center Square) – Talk of relocating the FBI National Training Academy from Quantico to Alabama is causing an uproar among some Virginia lawmakers.

In keeping with the Trump administration’s plans to decentralize the federal government outside the Washington metropolitan area, there are rumblings within the FBI that some of the bureau’s most elite training could be moved to Huntsville, Ala.

The Washington Post reported an anonymous source claims that FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino is considering plans to relocate its National Academy. In this training program law enforcement from around the country and the world attend a 10-week program that is regarded as prestigious in the law enforcement community.

Although the reports haven’t been confirmed, it would be in keeping with the Trump administration and FBI Director Kash Patel’s plans to relocate over a thousand agents and staff outside the region.

The rumblings are drawing concern and opposition among Virginia lawmakers, who cite the loss of jobs to the area and the cost of relocating the academy.

Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, said he is in talks with FBI and Department of Justice leadership to ensure the academy stays put.

“Quantico remains the best place to train America’s FBI … I am speaking with leadership at the FBI and DOJ to make sure Quantico remains the centerpiece of FBI training now and in the future,” Youngkin told the Washington Post.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., released a statement underscoring the cost of the move while condemning the administration’s attempt to decentralize the federal government.

“Relocating the FBI Academy from Quantico to Huntsville makes no sense and is not an efficient use of taxpayer dollars,” Kaine said in a statement. “The is part of a larger effort by the administration to dramatically politicize, reduce, and relocate the federal workforce. If Director Patel and Deputy Director Bongino want to move the FBI Academy, then they will have to explain to Congress and the American public why this is needed and how much it will cost.”

Rep. Euguene Vindman, D-Va., whose district includes Quantico, hit back at the rumors with force, saying the move would be met with many questions from Congress.

“Virginia’s 7th District is home to Quantico’s state-of-the-art facility and remains the best place for local and state law enforcement to learn from our incredible agents at the FBI,” Vindman wrote in a social media post. “As a former prosecutor, I know that the most efficient and impactful way for law enforcement to continue keeping our communities safe is to train at the world class facilities that have already been built by taxpayers at Quantico. This move raises serious questions and Congress needs answers.”

The FBI Academy has received significant facelifts and upgrades to its facilities since 2007, including the renovations of old dormitories, dining facilities and firing ranges, according to the FBI. New facilities have been added to include more classrooms, a firearms support facility, a field house, and the Intelligence and Investigative Training Center. The academy recently upgraded its front gate and built a new visitors’ center.

The talk of relocating the academy comes as the bureau continues the debate over a site location for a new headquarters. There has been significant controversy over a prior decision to build the new headquarters in Greenbelt, Md., which has been met with much opposition, including those within the agency. Most recently, the Trump administration announced that it was pursuing a plan to keep it in D.C., exploring the possibility of using existing government property.

STAFFORD, Va. – If you’re driving through Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, or along I-95 this week, expect delays due to overnight paving, bridge repairs, road closures, and resurfacing projects. Here’s a roundup of major traffic impacts you should know about:

Interstate 95 Northbound

• Exit 110 (Ladysmith) to Exit 118 (Thornburg)
  Monday – Thursday, 9 p.m.–5 a.m.: Alternating lane closures near mile marker 117 for bridge maintenance over the Matta River.
• Exit 118 (Thornburg) to Exit 126 (Spotsylvania)
  Sunday – Thursday, 9 p.m.–4:30 a.m.: Expect milling and paving operations with mobile lane closures between mile markers 121–126.
• Exit 140 (Courthouse Road) to Exit 143 (Garrisonville Road)
  Sunday – Thursday, 9 p.m.–4:30 a.m.: Alternating lane closures for paving between mile markers 140–142.
• Exit 143 (Garrisonville Road) to Exit 148 (Quantico)
  Sunday – Thursday, 9 p.m.–4:30 a.m.: Milling and paving between mile markers 146–147.

Interstate 95 Southbound

• Exit 126 (Spotsylvania) Off-Ramp
  Begins Monday, June 16: One lane of the widened off-ramp to Route 1 southbound will be closed through early July for final paving and concrete work.

Spotsylvania County

• Route 1 & I-95 Interchange Area
  Ongoing improvements with multiple nighttime lane closures on Route 1 and exit ramps.
• Various Roads
  Resurfacing and construction on Old Plank Road (Routes 610), Harrison Road (Route 620), Falcon Drive, Smith Station Road, and more. Expect daytime flagging and nighttime lane shifts.
• Subdivision Work
  Forest Hills and Rivers Bluff subdivisions will have one-way traffic during daytime resurfacing operations.

Stafford County

• Route 3 (Kings Highway)
  Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.: Single lane closures for fiber installation.
• Route 17 Southbound
  Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.: Intermittent closures for utility work.
• Route 644 (Rock Hill Church Road)
  Closed June 16–19: Full road closure for bridge maintenance over Aquia Creek. Follow posted detour.
• Other Projects
  Expect work zones with alternating traffic on Celebrate Virginia Parkway, Garrisonville Road, Caisson Road, and more.

Fredericksburg

• Fall Hill Avenue
  Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.: Alternating lane closures near Route 1 and Bridgewater Street.
• Lafayette Boulevard
  Wednesday – Friday, 7 a.m.–2 p.m. (Noon Friday): Southbound lane shifted to dual turn lane for construction near Twin Lake Drive.
• Intersection Projects
  Route 1 intersections at Fall Hill Avenue and Princess Anne Street/Hanson Avenue will experience intermittent overnight closures through June 2026.
• Lafayette Boulevard at Twin Lakes/Kensington
  Construction continues through November 2025 on a new pedestrian and bicycle connector.

For the latest updates, detour maps, and project timelines, visit VDOT’s Fredericksburg District page.

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STAFFORD, Va. – A judge has temporarily halted timbering near Courthouse Road, where a developer plans to build a large data center. The emergency injunction comes after neighbors raised alarms and Stafford County filed a legal complaint alleging zoning violations and broken land-use promises.

The order, granted June 9, 2025, targets Augustine South Associates, LLC, linked to the proposed 1,042-acre GWV data center now under consideration for rezoning. The land is zoned A-2 Rural Residential, where commercial tree cutting is prohibited. The county’s complaint also says the work violated “Proffer 9,” a condition meant to preserve trees unless their removal is essential.

“Yes, the County can confirm that the injunction was granted based on multiple elements that the court determined satisfy the requirements necessary for it to grant temporary injunctive relief,” said Andrew Spence, a spokesman for Stafford County.

The tree clearing occurred on parcels off Kelsey Lane and Courthouse Road—specifically Tax Map Parcels 29-39C, 29-82, 29-36, and 29-81. In an affidavit, the zoning administrator said the damage would cause irreparable harm and that replanting would not fix it.

Although the County ensured legal notice was served—including via email—neither the developer nor their attorney appeared at the court hearing. “That is confirmed,” Spence said, clarifying that contrary to some accounts, there was no testimony from a sheriff’s captain.

Some residents reported seeing tree clearing continue on June 11, two days after the injunction was granted. The County says it has not been able to confirm whether timbering resumed following the court order.

Spence said the County is pursuing a permanent injunction at a future hearing, during which the developer will be formally required to respond. “The County intends to enforce any violations similarly as we act concerning any other Proffer or Zoning Violations reported,” he said.

The proposed data center has already drawn pushback from nearby residents, who cite environmental concerns, loss of forest buffers, and diminished quality of life. Some say the recent logging was clearly visible from their homes.

Although the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources found no violations of state environmental laws, and the Department of Forestry confirmed it doesn’t issue logging permits, the County maintains the tree removal violated local zoning and land-use proffers.

STAFFORD, Va. – Thousands of families have now confirmed whether their children will ride the bus next school year, as Stafford County Public Schools continues to implement its new transportation opt-in policy.

As of the end of May 2025, 29,717 students across the division have declared their transportation intentions for the upcoming school year. Of those, 5,640 students have opted out of morning service, and 5,224 have opted out of afternoon service, according to information presented at June 10, 2025 School Board meeting.

The district’s transportation department began routing on June 3, 2025, and route information is scheduled to appear in ParentVUE by July 1. Final route details will be emailed to families on July 29, with drivers receiving their assignments on August 5, followed by practice runs August 7–8. A Transition Day for students is set for August 11.

A Shift Prompted by Crisis

The opt-in system marks a major change in how SCPS manages school bus service—and it’s a direct response to a transportation crisis that unfolded in August 2024, when more than 3,000 students were left without assigned bus service on the eve of the first day of school.

Parents received late-night notifications that their children would not have transportation the following morning, prompting widespread confusion and community outrage. Some students were still without transportation weeks into the school year.

Potomac Local News covered the crisis extensively. At the time, school officials blamed new, untested routing software and staff shortages, while parents criticized the lack of timely communication. Interim Superintendent Chris Fulmer acknowledged that the system had been rolled out too quickly and without adequate preparation.

In March 2025, SCPS announced the move to an opt-in model, requiring families to actively request school bus service. The shift was designed to eliminate unused bus stops and routes, allowing the department to use its resources more efficiently and reliably.

What’s New This Year

The transportation team presented an update to the school board in June, highlighting several changes beyond the opt-in system:

• A new dispatcher will be added to the department starting July 1 to improve route monitoring and communication.
• The district introduced digital request forms (TR-1) for students with disabilities, integrating transportation needs directly into Synergy, the school division’s student information system.
• The MyRide app remains available for parents to track bus locations, although reliability remains a concern in areas with limited cell coverage.

The transportation department also addressed an ongoing concern from drivers: behavior management on the bus. Last school year, more than 1,600 behavior referrals were submitted. Drivers say they are often not informed whether their concerns are addressed by school administrators.

Superintendent Dr. Daniel W. Smith noted that behavior management should reflect a student’s actions across all environments—classrooms, lunchrooms, and buses—and emphasized the importance of a feedback loop so drivers know their reports are taken seriously.

Parents who fail to opt in or change their minds must now go through their school registrar to request transportation. If a student does not ride the bus for 10 consecutive school days, they will be removed from the manifest (though the stop remains). Re-entry could take up to 10 business days.

FBI training may be leaving Quantico
Plans to relocate FBI training from Quantico to Alabama have sparked concern from Virginia leaders, who say the move could impact national security and the local economy.
👉 WJLA has the full story

Big change ahead for Fredericksburg’s healthcare safety net
After nearly 30 years of service, Moss Free Clinic will close its doors permanently this summer, with the board citing changing healthcare needs and expanding options for low-income patients.
👉 Fredericksburg Free Press reports on the closure

Stay in the know about crime in our region
A new online dashboard now lets you track crime incidents in near real-time across the greater D.C. area, including our local communities.
👉 InsideNoVa covers the new crime dashboard

Signal Bay Waterpark eyes July 4th splashdown
Manassas Park officials say the beloved Signal Bay Waterpark could open by Independence Day, as crews prep for a new liner and water feature installation.
👉 Check the update from the City of Manassas Park on X

Quantico Marines sharpen skills with drone tech
Marines at Camp Upshur in Quantico trained on unmanned aerial systems, boosting their ability to advise foreign partners thanks to support from the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab.
👉 The U.S. Marine Corps shared details on X

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – In the final stretch before the June 18 primary, Potomac Local News analyzed campaign finance records and asked each Democratic candidate for Virginia lieutenant governor: Why did you accept or reject money from the gaming industry? And where do you stand on the proposed casino in Tysons Corner?

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Step into elegance and Mediterranean romance at Carmello’s, a beloved fine dining destination nestled in the heart of Manassas.

Family-owned since 1987 and helmed by Portuguese immigrant Alice Pires, Carmello’s offers a contemporary blend of Portuguese and Italian cuisine, seasonally crafted and bursting with garden-fresh flavor. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a night out, this award-winning restaurant delivers a dining experience that’s as warm and refined as its heritage.

Three-Course Date Night Menu
Starter: Charcuterie Board
A sophisticated arrangement of imported meats, cheeses, olives, and house-made accompaniments — perfect for sharing and savoring over a glass of wine.

Main Course: Mariscada Carmello’s
A seafood lover’s dream — scallops, mussels, clams, calamari, and shrimp simmered in a saffron tomato broth. Aromatic, hearty, and deeply satisfying.

Dessert: Chocolate Hazelnut Torte
Rich layers of chocolate and hazelnut, delicately sweet and indulgent — the perfect ending to an elegant evening.

Ambiance & Experience
Carmello’s glows with upscale charm — think white linens, soft lighting, and a rustic elegance that makes you feel both pampered and at home. The dining room is cozy and intimate, ideal for quiet conversation, while the attentive service elevates the entire experience. For added romance, request a seat near the window overlooking charming Battle Street, especially when the town is aglow with seasonal lights.

Reservation & Visitor Info
Address: 9108 Center Street, Manassas, VA 20110
Phone: 703-368-5522
Dinner Hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 5 to 10 p.m.
Dress Code: Business casual (think date-night chic)
Pro Tip: Ask about their seasonal specials — many incorporate herbs from Carmello’s on-site garden for a fresh, unexpected twist.

Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends. Visit carmellos.com to reserve your table.

Share the Love
Have you enjoyed a magical meal at Carmello’s? Tag your favorite date night photos with #DateNightSpotlightand drop your favorite dish in the comments below — we’d love to hear from you!

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Downtown Fredericksburg stands at a financial and commercial turning point. While city leaders report modest gains in key revenue streams like meals and sales taxes, local businesses are facing mounting pressure from rising commercial rents, fewer customers, and growing uncertainty.

At a June 10, 2025, City Council meeting, Finance Director Amanda Sicks reported that meals tax collections are up 4.6% compared to the prior year, and sales tax is flat but stable.

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MANASSAS, Va. – U.S. Senator Mark Warner will visit the City of Manassas today, Thursday, June 12, 2025, to tour and discuss developments at RapidFlight, a local unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) manufacturer that’s gaining national attention for its innovative drone production capabilities.

The visit, scheduled from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at RapidFlight’s headquarters, 9635 Center Street, will include a live interview with the senator and a Q&A session open to guests. The event is free and hosted in coordination with the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, city leaders, and RapidFlight executives.

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