For the first time, Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis Younger sat down for an exclusive interview with Potomac Local News as she begins her second term. In a candid conversation, she addressed the city’s stance on immigration enforcement, the future of development in downtown Manassas, the impact of potential state and federal funding cuts, and her vision for the next four years.
What’s next for Manassas? Will taxes go up? How will the city navigate potential financial challenges? And what’s her take on the now-canceled Route 28 Bypass project?
Get the full story in tomorrow’s edition—only on Potomac Local News. Stay tuned!
Plus: Don’t forget to fill out our quick survey. We’ve got up to 64 survey responses so far. Please help us get to 75. Please help us serve you better, and thank you.
We want to improve our newsletter, and we need your input! Based on early survey responses, readers have asked for:
- More Local Government and Budget Coverage – Transparency matters! Please tell us what government topics you want us to cover.
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- More Coverage of Manassas Park and Stafford – If you live in these areas, what local stories do you want to see more of?
Now it’s your turn! Please complete our short survey and help us continue delivering the news that matters most to you.
Click here to share your thoughts.
Thank you for being a valued reader of Potomac Local News.
Uriah Kiser
Founder, Editor, Publisher
I’m thrilled by the responses we’ve received from the reader survey we sent out on Sunday asking for your thoughts on our newsletter. The feedback has been incredible, and some of the numbers humble me.
A remarkable 70% of you have made our daily newsletter a regular part of your routine, and over half of you are “very satisfied” with it. Plus, more than half of you find the content highly relevant to your lives.
Many of you have also requested more local news and events from our covered areas (Prince William, Stafford, Manassas, Fredericksburg, and Manassas Park). Another popular request is a larger font for easier reading on mobile devices. That’s an easy fix, so expect that update in the coming days.
Finally, most of you prefer receiving just one newsletter per day instead of the two we’ve been sending. Switching to one newsletter would reduce my workload, but we value your input and will carefully consider all your suggestions.
If you haven’t completed the survey yet, please take a moment to do so by clicking this link. Thank you for helping us make this newsletter better.
Since August 2024, Potomac Local News has seen significant growth in our email newsletter readership, with our audience expanding from 14,747 subscribers in August to 18,252 subscribers in February 2025. This growth highlights the increasing value of our content, and we’re thrilled to see more readers engaging with our daily updates.
Our newsletter performance has been strong, with impressive open rates and engagement. In January 2025, our newsletter reached over 758,000 subscribers, achieving an open rate of 29.3%, with more than 227,000 readers opening the newsletter. This follows a trend of consistent growth, as seen in previous months, with strong open rates in December and November 2024.
In response to our growing audience, we’ve begun sending two newsletters each weekday—one in the morning and another in the afternoon. This increased frequency allows us to keep our readers informed with timely updates throughout the day, further solidifying our commitment to providing valuable, relevant news to the community.
Why Should You Take the Survey?
We’ve compiled a short survey to hear from you directly about what you like, what you’d like to see more of, and how we can improve. Whether it’s the types of stories we cover, the frequency of our updates, or the design and layout, your feedback will guide us in making our newsletters even better.
This survey is your opportunity to share your thoughts on how we can serve you better. Your answers will help us fine-tune our content, delivery, and overall approach, ensuring we continue providing the news you want to read. Plus, it only takes a few minutes to complete!
What Will the Survey Cover?
- Your overall satisfaction with the newsletter
- The types of content you enjoy most
- How you feel about receiving two newsletters each day
- What are your thoughts on the design and layout
- Suggestions for new features or improvements
How Can You Help?
Simply take the survey using this link.
We value your input and look forward to hearing your thoughts. Your feedback will help shape the future of our newsletter and ensure we’re delivering the local news that matters to you.
Thank you for your continued support as we grow and work to make Potomac Local News even better!
Uriah Kiser
Founder & Publisher
Potomac Local News
As 2024 comes to a close, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to you, our loyal members. Your support empowers us to continue telling the stories that matter most to our communities. Our mission to provide trustworthy, impactful journalism wouldn’t be possible without you.
I also want to take a moment to thank our dedicated contributing editors and reporters. Their tireless work ensures we cover the stories that shape our neighborhoods and impact our daily lives. Some of their incredible efforts are highlighted in our list of 2024’s most-read stories.
To my surprise, every single one of this year’s most-read stories comes from Stafford County. This signals something exciting: Stafford County is a fast-growing area and a community eager for reliable news and information. In response, we will continue to focus on Stafford County while maintaining strong coverage across Prince William County and the cities of Manassas, Fredericksburg, and Manassas Park.
The 2024 election underscored a critical truth—people are turning to trusted sources for news across multiple platforms. With that in mind, we’re excited to expand our video podcast, or “Vodcast,” and bring more social media content, including our new TikTok platform, which I’m launching. Stay tuned for updates as we bring you fresh ways to engage with the stories that matter most to you.
Looking ahead, 2025 marks an incredible milestone: our 15th year of publishing. We’re thrilled about what tomorrow will bring and are honored to have you on this journey.
Thank you for your continued support, and here’s to another year of impactful journalism.
Happy New Year,
Uriah Kiser
Founder & Publisher, Potomac Local News
At Potomac Local News, we’re working around the clock to bring you the stories that matter most to your community. From Dale City and Fredericksburg to Stafford and Manassas, our dedicated team keeps you informed, engaged, and connected to your hometown.
We invite you to become a member and support our local journalism. Your membership helps us dig deeper, ask tough questions, and shine a light on the issues that impact your life.
Here’s a glimpse at some of our recent coverage:
Stafford
- Holiday Gift Guide Spotlight: As part of our holiday gift-giving series, we’re highlighting local businesses and their unique offerings.
- Olde Virginia Gourmet: Celebrating its 20th anniversary, this Stafford staple specializes in Virginia-made products, from wines and beers to gourmet treats. Owners Sean and Annabelle Tarallo offer customizable gift baskets perfect for the holiday season.
Fredericksburg
- Celebrating History: The Fredericksburg City Council is planning a three-year commemoration leading to the city’s 300th anniversary in 2028. These celebrations will honor the area’s rich Revolutionary War heritage and community spirit.
Dale City
- A Lifesaving Addition: Governor Glenn Youngkin inaugurated Dale City’s second Red Cross Blood Donation Center. This facility is a vital resource for local cancer patients and others in need of blood and platelet donations.
Manassas
- Podcast Spotlight: In our latest podcast episode, Manassas City Councilwoman Theresa Coates Ellis discusses the North Star Branding Study, balancing historic preservation with economic growth and her vision for a thriving community.
Manassas Park
- Downtown Revitalization Gains Momentum: Manassas Park’s downtown redevelopment is progressing with the addition of a luxury eight-screen B&B Theatres cinema, complete with a restaurant and entertainment amenities.
- This project anchors the city’s revitalization efforts, replacing the previously planned Cinema Café, which withdrew in 2022 due to inflation concerns.
These are just a few examples of how your support empowers us to deliver the news you rely on.
Become a member today and join a community that values quality journalism. Together, we can continue to tell the stories shaping our region and future.
Click Here to Support Local Journalism
Thank you for making Potomac Local News part of your day.
Sincerely,
Uriah Kiser
Publisher
Potomac Local News
Thank you to our newest members, Dr. Jack, Gina, and Bethany, who became members over Thanksgiving weekend and took advantage of our discounted annual membership special offered as a Black Friday special.
We could use your support to bring you crucial local news about our communities.
Please become a member today, and thank you.
The latest: We’re working on bringing you more details on a person who was struck by a train at the Fredericksburg station.
Kick Off December with Holiday Cheer: December is here, and the holiday spirit is in full swing. Start the month with these exciting local events happening on December 1, 2024.
Winter Reading Kick-Off
Prince William Ice Center
5180 Dale Blvd, Woodbridge, VA 22193
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Dive into winter reading with fun activities for the whole family. Grab your library card and get ready to enjoy a frosty afternoon at the rink.
A Chanticleer Christmas
Hylton Performing Arts Center
10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA 20110
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Experience the magic of the holiday season with the Grammy-winning Chanticleer ensemble. This breathtaking performance will feature classic carols and timeless Christmas melodies.
Heritage Brewing Company Winter Market
Heritage Brewing Co.
9436 Center Point Lane, Manassas, VA
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Browse over 20 local vendors offering handcrafted gifts and enjoy festive treats like mulled wine, hot chocolate, and Duck Donuts. Don’t forget to sip on your favorite Heritage beer while soaking in the holiday cheer.
The Kitchen of Don Alfredo Food Truck
The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm
15850 Sunshine Ridge Ln, Gainesville, VA
7:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Start your day with a delicious breakfast or brunch from The Kitchen of Don Alfredo. Enjoy the stunning vineyard views while indulging in comforting dishes.
Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibit
George Washington’s Ferry Farm
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Enjoy the whimsical sights and delicious smells of gingerbread creations at the 38th Annual Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibit. This year’s theme is Holidays: Past, Present, and Future. Categories include children, families, and professionals. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children ages 6 to 17. Children under 5 are free.
Black Friday Membership: Many of you asked about a Black Friday deal, and here we go: SAVE 50% on Local’s Only Membership. For one year, you’ll get access to everything we post at half the cost. Click here, and THANK YOU for your support. *Offer ends tonight.
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I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
