Woman's Bat 'Kiss' | Guillotine Found In Truck | Ghostface On The Loose: VA Top News

On the weekend, we review the top stories and headlines from across Virginia. Here's a roundup of some of the biggest stories across the state. You can also find your local Patch and catch up on those stories by clicking here.

Measles Exposure Reported At 4 NoVA Businesses, Health Officials Say

Virginia health officials are investigating potential measles exposures at four businesses in Reston after an infected person traveled through the area while contagious.

Woodbridge Man Admits Secretly Recording Children For Years, Prosecutors Say

A former federal employee from Woodbridge admitted to secretly recording children inside his home's bathroom for years and possessing thousands of images and videos depicting child sexual abuse, federal prosecutors said.

Arlington Man Seeks Police Investigation Of ICE Arrest That Left Him With Brain Injury

An Arlington man who suffered a traumatic brain injury during an arrest by federal immigration officers asked county police Friday to investigate whether the agents or the driver of a government vehicle committed a crime.

VA Students Make Modest Gains In Math And Reading, But Achievement Gaps Remain

Virginia students made modest gains in math and reading during the 2025-26 academic year as schools continued a yearslong recovery from pandemic-era learning losses, according to Standards of Learning test results released Tuesday.

California Driver Arrested After Guillotine Found Near U.S. Capitol

A California man was arrested Tuesday after U.S. Capitol Police officers found a guillotine in the bed of his pickup truck near the U.S. Capitol, authorities said.

Man In ‘Scream’ Mask Arrested With Bricks Near Lorton Community Center: Police

Detectives arrested a Lorton man after watching him put on a “Scream”-inspired Ghostface costume, retrieve bricks and run toward a community center that had been vandalized six times since July, according to Fairfax County police.

NoVA Leaders Say Immigration Enforcement Is Making Communities Less Safe

Northern Virginia leaders said federal immigration enforcement is making their communities less safe by driving residents into hiding, weakening trust in police and discouraging families from seeking public services.

NoVA Leaders Debate Data Centers, Metro Funding And Affordable Housing

Four of Northern Virginia’s top elected officials called for greater regional cooperation Wednesday as they confronted the intertwined challenges of data center growth, transportation funding and a shortage of affordable housing.

• Related: NoVA Leaders Say Immigration Enforcement Is Making Communities Less Safe

Virginia Doctor Wakes To Bat Trying To Crawl Into Her Mouth

A Richmond doctor thought she was dreaming about a mouse trying to crawl into her mouth. Then she reached toward her face and felt something "slimy and a little hairy and cool." It was a bat.

Good News

• Springfield Man Wins $561,505 Playing Virginia Lottery Online Game
• Alexandria Launches Plant Scavenger Hunt With Prizes Up For Grabs
• Jeff Goldblum, Global Dance And Music Headline Fall Arts Season In Fairfax
• Rare Blue Tree Frog Draws Crowds To Alexandria Park: Report
• Arlington Woman Wins $1.7 Million Lottery Prize During Lunch Break
• Dog Days Aren't Over: Leesburg Dog Swim Returns In September

Public Safety

• Man Photographs Employee, Makes Obscene Gestures Inside Bristow Store: Police
• 9 Men Face 20 Charges After Undercover Child Exploitation Sting In Fairfax County
• Police Arrest Man Wanted In Rape, Abduction Of Woman In Manassas
• Trial Begins For Man Accused Of Setting Loudoun Townhouse Fire That Killed Neighbor
• Driver Sought After Hit-And-Run Near Fredericksburg Sheetz

Schools

• Teacher Accused Of Being Drunk At Prince William County School: Police
• Tysons Back-To-School Bash Brings Outdoor Movie, Supply Drive To The Boro

Government

• Loudoun Officials Seek Public Input On New Data Center Rules
• Alexandria Intervenes In Dominion-NextEra Deal, Citing Electricity Costs
• Juli Briskman Launches Bid For Loudoun Board Chair, Targets Data Center Growth
• Fairfax Board Allows Early Site Plan Review For 1,900-Home Prosperity Project
• New 415-Home Community Planned For Prince William County