Greetings Reston! We're your go-to source for what's happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Superh 5k Run Walk & Wheel and 15 more events.
Today's riddle: What do an island and the letter "t" have in common? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Local leaders set legislative priorities (fairfaxtimes.com) — Reston residents will see their local priorities carried to Richmond as Fairfax leaders push for better K-12 funding, more authority over speed limits, and stronger transit and housing support. The Reston Citizens Association remains firmly opposed to any Fairfax casino and backs a unified Virginia Gaming Commission to tighten oversight. Officials also highlight affordability, vulnerable residents, and long-term Metro and Connector funding as key concerns.
2. Reston tech contractor announces expansion, adding 75 jobs (ffxnow.com) — A Reston tech contractor, Data Machines, is expanding its RTC West headquarters and creating 75 new jobs, with hiring starting immediately. The company will nearly triple its office space to support work in AI, cyber defense, and data analytics, backed by state job-training support. Local and state leaders say the move underscores Reston's growing role in Virginia's tech economy.
3. People and Places - Week of September 18, 2026 (fairfaxtimes.com) — Reston's Anna Harris is heading into the 2026 season with nationally ranked Kutztown University's field hockey team, joining a 31-player roster coming off a record-breaking year. Local readers can follow her as the Golden Bears defend their top-two national ranking and build on last season's 20-2 run and conference honors.
4. Empower AI Lands Potential $205M DCSA Task Order for IT Customer Support (govconwire.com) — Reston-based Empower AI has won a potential $205 million Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency task order to provide IT customer support, though the work will be performed in Quantico. The contract runs from late September 2026 through June 2027 and could grow significantly if all options are exercised. It continues a string of major federal IT wins for the Reston company.
5. Virginia man charged after dog found stabbed 14 times on Middletown roadside (wbal.com) — A Reston resident has been charged with felony aggravated cruelty to an animal after deputies say they found his dog stabbed 14 times along a rural roadside near Middletown. Investigators report recovering a knife from his vehicle, noting inconsistent statements before he allegedly admitted stabbing the dog because he thought he needed to put it down.
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Ok Reston! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: They are both in the middle of water. (Thank you Curt K. for sending it in!)
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