“Prince William County is launching an Agribusiness & Agritourism Study in partnership with Agritecture LLC to develop a comprehensive strategy that will grow our rural economy, enhance agritourism experiences, and ensure that agribusiness continues to thrive,” Prince William County reported.
Managed by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism over a 28-week period, the study includes market research, competitive benchmarking, industry analysis of agriculture and agritourism sectors, and recommendations for an Arts and Agritourism Overlay District, with community conversations scheduled July 27-29 across the county to gather stakeholder feedback on preliminary findings.
Bloomberg News via The Virginian-Pilot reported that low U.S. birth rates and restricted immigration risk a housing glut starting in the 2030s as deaths outnumber births and household formation slows, with builders already facing excess inventory in Sun Belt states. Locally, the Fredericksburg Area Association of Realtors® (FAAR) reported an active but more balanced market where inventory has improved, buyers are value-conscious, and pricing/presentation matter more as multiple offers fade.
In Northern Virginia, this national demographic shift could further ease pressure on the Fredericksburg area’s constrained supply of updated homes, though affordability challenges persist for lower- and middle-income buyers amid steady local transactions.
Residents across Northern Virginia are bracing for another day of dangerous heat on Wednesday, with the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Baltimore/Washington, D.C. forecasting highs near 102°F and heat index values as high as 107°F. Heat Advisories remain in effect for most of the region outside the mountains and southern Shenandoah Valley.
Sunny skies and light west winds around 6 mph will dominate the day, but the combination of high temperatures and humidity will make it feel significantly hotter. Overnight lows will dip to around 77°F under mostly clear skies, offering little relief from the oppressive conditions.
Fall is in its full glory every first Saturday in October with our Manassas Fall Jubilee and 2026 marks the 43rd one! This community-spirited festival spans all of Center Street and side streets, and includes an assortment of fun for kids and adults with over 100 craft and community booths, live music and entertainment, food, and more. Live music ranges from pop to rock to heavy metal, and dance performances include ballet, clogging, and belly dancing. And, the kids will enjoy a meet & greet with Cinderella, pumpkin painting, games, and more!
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) reported via its Regional Economic Monitoring System that the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area lost 54,500 federal jobs from May 2025 to May 2026, part of a broader decline of 100,500 total jobs. Federal employment dropped from 375,800 in January 2025 to 312,500 by May 2026, the lowest level in three decades.
The region’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.9 percent while the professional and business sector also shed jobs, highlighting ongoing federal workforce reductions impacting Northern Virginia’s economy.
There was one person on board the single-engine plane. Rowland A. Babcock, Jr., 78, of Ruther Glen, Va., died as a result of injuries suffered in the crash.
The aircraft came down in the parking lot of Greenline Service Corporation, a John Deere dealership located across the street from Shannon Airport on Tidewater Trail. The plane had taken off from Shannon Airport around 10:49 a.m. and was airborne for approximately 16 minutes before the crash.
1:40 p.m. UPDATE: Route 1 northbound near Telegraph Road in Stafford County is now open. One lane on Route 1 southbound has also reopened.
Right lane on Route 1 southbound remains closed due to police activity. Delays are minimal.Check 511.vdot.virginia.gov for updates.
The Meredith House social club, a renovated historic venue in Downtown Manassas, will close its doors after serving as a community gathering place. Founder and President Sean Porter announced the decision Tuesday, citing insurmountable financial challenges.
Prince William County is preparing its response to a detailed U.S. Department of Justice request for information about its Spanish-language election program, with a federal deadline of July 20.
In a June 22 letter, the DOJ’s Voting Section asked Director of Elections Eric Olsen for extensive data to evaluate the county’s compliance with Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act, which requires language assistance for Spanish-speaking voters. The department also notified the county that federal election monitors will observe the August 4, 2026 primary.
InsideNoVa reported that Peggy Curry, 70, a longtime front-of-house manager at Montclair Family Restaurant in Prince William County, passed away while on the job July 11, 2026. Prince William County Police responded to a report of an unconscious person around 4:43 p.m. Saturday and confirmed she was pronounced dead at the scene with no signs of foul play.
The tight-knit Northern Virginia community has shared heartfelt tributes to Curry, a seven-time winner of InsideNoVa’s Best of Prince William for best waitress, who was described by owner Francesco Leone as the restaurant’s irreplaceable “heart” and like a mother to him.
