We’re really focused on the events calendar because we use it to write our popular upcoming events posts, like this one. Posting your event to the calendar is free, so if you’re a business or organization with an upcoming community event, please post!

Before we get to the weekend, I’ll see you around town on Friday at the ribbon cutting for a $54 million commuter garage in Woodbridge and later in Manassas at the Leadership Prince William Emerging Leaders graduation ceremony. Please say hello!

-Uriah

I like this one.

“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald, “The Great Gatsby”

Have a great day.

— Uriah

Today, on Veterans Day, we at Potomac Local News extend our heartfelt gratitude to the veterans of Virginia. We deeply appreciate your service and sacrifices for our country and honor your dedication.

Virginia is home to a vibrant community of over 680,000 veterans, representing 11% of the state’s adult population. Veterans in our state have contributed greatly to our economy and communities, with many involved in vital roles across various industries. Approximately 70% of Virginia veterans are employed, and many leverage the state’s educational and vocational resources to build civilian careers.

In addition, nearly 90% of Virginia’s veterans are enrolled in VA health care, ensuring they have access to the medical and mental health services they deserve. The state’s commitment to veterans includes various support services such as job training programs and housing assistance.

Today, we reflect on the courage and resilience you have shown in service and building strong futures here at home. Thank you for everything you do, and know that Virginia is committed to supporting you just as you have supported us.

Happy Veterans Day!

Events are one of the main reasons so many readers visit PotomacLocalNews.com daily. Whether checking out the latest news on our homepage or browsing our event calendar, people rely on us to stay informed about what’s happening locally.

With the holiday season approaching, we’re excited to highlight festive events across our area, like Christmastime celebrations in Manassas. You can read today’s post here for details on upcoming parades, tree lightings, and ice skating events: Festive Fun in Manassas.

We invite you to contribute to keeping the community connected. You can post your events for FREE on our event calendar. Events submitted here are featured in our regular “upcoming events” posts on our homepage, which reach 1.5 million readers annually, and in our email newsletter, which is sent to over 17,000 daily subscribers. We can’t wait to see your event listed!

Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more details on our upcoming Local Lens feature—a new way for you to become the eyes and ears of your community. Soon, you can share your news and photos directly with us for publication on Potomac Local News.

Thank you, and have a wonderful day!

We’re out here daily, covering the stories that matter to you and our region, including the recent election and its impact across Prince William County, Stafford, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Fredericksburg. It’s a fascinating time for local politics, and the election results show a shift in how our communities are engaging politically. Republicans made gains in areas that have been reliably Democratic, and there are implications as we head into a gubernatorial race next year.

In Prince William County, Kamala Harris lost nearly 7% of the votes Joe Biden won in 2020, which is a big deal in the state’s second-most-populated jurisdiction. In 2020, Biden won neighboring Stafford County by 2,600 votes, while Harris won in 2024 by just 275.

Understanding these changes isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about how these shifts will shape the future of our neighborhoods, schools, and local economies. We’re digging deep to ask what these results mean for our communities, what Democrats need to do to regain lost ground, and how Republicans plan to sustain momentum. These are stories you won’t find anywhere else, reported by people who know our area and care about its future.

This in-depth, ongoing political coverage is made possible through the support of readers like you. By upgrading to a paid membership, you’re investing in high-quality, local journalism that makes you smarter about the community where you live. We believe in asking the tough questions, covering the stories that impact your daily life, and giving you the insights you need to make informed decisions.

We need your support to continue this essential reporting. Upgrade today and become part of the story. Let’s continue building a community where everyone is informed and empowered.

Thank you for being a part of Potomac Local News.

Uriah Kiser
Founder and Publisher
Potomac Local News

The 2024 election results for Manassas signal a shift in the city’s political landscape.

While Democratic Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger retained her seat with a notable 56.91% of the vote, Republicans have made meaningful inroads, building on a newfound organizational strength seen across the state as conservatives embraced Virginia’s early voting system in record numbers. In what has become one of the city’s most contentious elections in recent memory, conservatives leveraged social media and new voices, such as the “Until They Kick Us Out” podcast, to rally supporters and draw attention to their causes. The Republican Party’s increased cohesion and visibility hint at a changing dynamic in a city once considered solidly Democratic.

This year’s council race underscores this shift. In 2020, Democratic incumbents Pamela Sebesky and Mark Wolfe received strong backing, with Sebesky leading with 20.7% (8,532 votes) and Wolfe close behind.

This year’s City Council results paint a different picture: not a single candidate reached the high vote totals of 2020. With Democratic candidates Ashley R. Hutson, Tom C. Osina, and Wolfe each earning lower percentages than before, it’s clear that voter support has become more dispersed. Sebesky did not seek re-election. This suggests a competitive landscape where no candidate has a guaranteed stronghold, pointing to an increasingly divided electorate.

In a shift for the Manassas City School Board, Republican-backed candidate Dayna-Marie Miles will now join conservative board member Sara Brescia, who has been a vocal presence since her election in 2022. Miles’ election signals a potential shift in policy focus and priorities on the school board as it navigates pressing challenges of accreditation, truancy, failing test scores, and teacher retention.

This election cycle wasn’t just competitive; it was particularly nasty. In the heat of the campaign, text messages allegedly exchanged between former Manassas Regional Airport Commission Chairman Ross Snare, Mayor Davis-Younger, and a city employee were publicly shared, with disparaging remarks directed at a council member. This so-called “text-gate” led to Snare’s resignation and fueled the polarized political atmosphere, where even those not running for office felt the repercussions.

The controversy around “text-gate” highlights a broader issue in Manassas politics: a hyper-partisan environment that has emerged since 2020. Democrats in city leadership have largely appointed like-minded individuals to board and commission positions and fill vacant council seats. For some residents, this has led to feelings of alienation. Many have chastised Mayor Davis-Younger for seeming to dismiss or avoid engaging with perspectives that don’t align with her own, creating an atmosphere where dissenting voices feel marginalized.

We at Potomac Local News have criticized the mayor for personalizing politics, valuing positive press, and maintaining control over her narrative. While Mayor Davis-Younger frequently uses the phrase “Our Manassas” to promote unity, that unity often seems conditional—extended only to those who support her leadership.

Her continued reluctance to grant a sit-down interview to Potomac Local News, despite our repeated requests since 2019, is a testament to her aversion to critical coverage. However, she recently promised to give us her first interview post-reelection. If she honors this commitment, it could signal a readiness to engage more openly with the press and residents with differing viewpoints.

The inroads Republicans have made this election should be a wake-up call for Manassas Democrats. With conservatives gaining ground across the city and state, it’s clear that the electorate has been evolving since President Donald Trump’s first term when Democrats posted significant gains in local and state-level offices.

For those in power, governing solely for a base of loyal supporters may no longer be sufficient—or sustainable. As seen in the City Council race, no single candidate can now assume widespread support and future victories will likely depend on a broader coalition.

Democrats in Manassas must recognize the changing political landscape and adapt by genuinely embracing diverse perspectives and governing the entire community. In Virginia’s annual election cycle, political tides can shift quickly, and the lessons of 2024 should serve as a reminder that leadership, inclusivity, and responsiveness to all constituents—not just loyalists—are essential in a city as dynamic as Manassas.

Happy Halloween! It’s scary to think of all the local news you might miss if you’re not visiting PotomacLocalNews.com regularly. Our daily email brings you the six most recent posts, but there’s so much more happening in our community that you won’t want to miss.

Here’s a glimpse of what might have passed you by if you haven’t checked in on our site:

• Stafford County Government Offices Closed November 5 for Election Day
• University of Mary Washington and George Mason University Renew Partnership
• Street Closure to Affect Fredericksburg Voters on Election Day
• Suspect Charged in Woodbridge Domestic Violence Case
• Woodbridge Woman’s Fourth DUI
• Sheriff’s Report: ‘Cat-itude’ Leads to Assault at Jay’s Sports Bar

And there’s even more! Be sure to set PotomacLocalNews.com as a tab in your browser and check back throughout the day. Local stories are constantly updating – you never know what might appear next.

Wishing you a safe and spooktacular Halloween,

The Potomac Local News Team

P.S. Don’t miss the chance to x-ray your Halloween candy – details are on our site!

Our internship program provides college and high school students with practical journalism experience. More than just writing news stories, the program teaches students how to talk to people, conduct interviews, and conduct themselves professionally.

Here’s what our interns are learning and why they joined:

Skills Development

• Interns are trained to conduct interviews, write news articles, and learn the workflow of a local newsroom.
• They practice fact-based reporting and clear, objective writing, particularly for Small Business Spotlight articles.
• Interns receive personalized feedback, with a focus on creating impactful headlines and mastering the posting process.

Program Insights

During a recent meeting, we discussed professional communication and journalistic integrity.

• Interns were shown how to manage their own story assignments and update progress using an organized posting group.
• Kiser emphasized the importance of clear communication, explaining, “As journalists, we strike out all the extra words and get straight to the point.”

Why They Joined

Each intern shared their unique reasons for joining Potomac Local News:

• Jazbia Fasih Chaudhry, from Colgan High School in Woodbridge, said, “I wanted to try something new and gain journalism experience.”
• Rosa Rivera, from Osbourn High School in Manassas, joined because she aspires to pursue a writing career: “This internship is a great opportunity to build my skills for the future.”
• Aya Karouane, of Stafford, recently promoted to Content Manager, noted, “I joined to learn more about my community. Now, I feel more connected to what’s happening locally.”

Real-World Challenges

The interns practice reaching out to local businesses for interviews, facing the real-world challenge of obtaining responses.

• “The hard part is getting people to respond,” Kiser told the group, “but persistence pays off, especially when promoting unique local businesses.”

Our interns are looking to interview small bsuiness owners to write stories about businesses in our community. We’re providing This FREE service to the community in exchange for allowing our interns to interview them. If interested, please email us.