Potomac Local News

Uriah Kiser
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Join Uriah Kiser, founder and publisher of Potomac Local News, for straightforward conversations about the issues that matter most to families and communities in Fredericksburg, Manassas, Woodbridge, Stafford, and across Northern Virginia. We feature in-depth interviews with local newsmakers — elected officials, community leaders, nonprofit directors, educators, and everyday residents — plus clear analysis of the headlines shaping your daily life. From local government budgets and taxes, to data centers and development, schools, elections, redistricting, crime, transportation, historic preservation, and community events, we cut through the noise to deliver real context and straight facts. No corporate spin. Just independent journalism focused on the places you live, work, and raise your family. Whether you want to stay informed on the latest board meetings, understand how policy decisions affect your wallet and neighborhood, or hear directly from the people making decisions in our region, the Potomac Local Podcast keeps you connected to your community. New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, and never miss the stories that matter in Fredericksburg, Manassas, Woodbridge, and beyond. www.potomaclocal.com

  1. 5h ago

    Manassas Election Shifts and Rezoning Battles

    This week on the Potomac Local News Podcast, we're zeroing in on Manassas and Manassas Park: post-election results, a major rezoning vote, early holiday events, and practical notes for the week. In Manassas Park, two newcomers and one incumbent won the three open City Council seats. Roberto Maldonado Jr. led with about 35 percent, followed by incumbent Kevin Moreau and Maya Miernik. They'll join Mayor Alanna Mensing and the rest of the council in January. Results are still unofficial pending final certification. In Manassas, voters removed the only Republican on City Council. Democrats Dianne Lane, Jill Spall, and Helen Anne Zurita took the three open seats. Incumbent Theresa Coates Ellis finished fourth. Lane led with just under 21 percent. The new members will join the remaining council, including interim Mayor Ralph Smith. The Manassas School Board race was much tighter. Lisa Anne Stevens, Marcus Still, and Murina Dove finished in the top three, but Sara Brescia was only 13 votes behind Dove. She said the race is not conceded and that late mail and provisional ballots could still change the outcome. A recount is possible if the final margin stays within the legal threshold after certification. Both cities also backed Democrats and the abortion amendment by wider margins than in 2024. In Manassas, the abortion amendment (Question 1) received about 69 percent yes; in Manassas Park it was nearly 75 percent. Both ran ahead of the statewide yes share. Democratic candidates for Senate, Congress, and the House of Delegates also improved on their 2024 numbers in both cities, even with lower turnout. On the government side, Manassas City Council approved the Center Street MIFCO rezoning 3-1 after reconsideration. The plan calls for 162 apartments and a public parking garage on the former Manassas Ice and Fuel site at 9007 Center Street. Residents packed the chambers and many spoke against it, but the measure passed. Holiday plans are already rolling out. Manassas Park is holding its Santa Send Off on December 4 from 5 to 6 p.m., with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Manassas Park Police launched a Holiday Toy Drive through the Bridging Futures mentorship program, collecting new toys, books, and gifts for children ages 6-12 through December 15 for about 30 local students. Drop-offs are at school main offices, the police lobby, City Hall lobby, and the School Board office. In Manassas, Historic Manassas, Inc. is starting Small Business Week promotions around November 20. Santa Lights Manassas is December 4, with a holiday market at the train depot parking lot, Santa arriving on the VRE, tree lighting, food, hot chocolate, and free wagon rides. The Harris Pavilion ice rink is opening around the same time. On December 5, the Greater Manassas Christmas Parade marks its 80th year with the theme "80 Years. Still Sleighin'." Mayor Ralph Smith is the grand marshal. Actor Stacy Keach, who served as grand marshal of the 2012 parade and took part in the city's tree lighting that year, died at 85 after a long battle with heart failure. Practical notes: both Manassas City Public Schools and Manassas Park city offices are closed Wednesday, November 11, for Veterans Day. In Manassas Park the Community Center stays open, trash runs as usual, and water or sewer emergencies go to the non-emergency police number. A Prince William County jury found Naresh Bhatt guilty of first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, along with concealment and defilement of a dead body. Sentencing is set for March 2027. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Catch the full stories and more at https://www.potomaclocal.com

    Manassas Election Shifts and Rezoning Battles

  2. 4d ago

    Christmas in Potomac Local Land: Holiday Events from Occoquan, Manassas, Dumfries, Fredericksburg, and Stafford

    Join Uriah Kiser for a special audio edition of the Potomac Local Podcast as he goes around the horn with local economic development and community leaders to preview the holiday season across the region. Guests include: - Sarah with Visit Occoquan on the tree lighting, Shop Small weekend, and holiday artisan market - Maria Bob of Historic Manassas, Inc. on Small Business Week, Santa Lights, the Greater Manassas Christmas Parade, and more - Ray and Tasia Washington from the Town of Dumfries on their tree lighting, food giveaway, and 52nd annual parade - Kristen Reed of Fredericksburg Main Street on Candy Cane Lane, the holiday open house, and Riverfront Park tree lighting - Liz Barber, Economic Development Director for Stafford County, on the tree lighting and holiday market, Shop Small Stafford, and new restaurants Recorded November 5, 2026. For more local news, visit https://www.potomaclocal.com and subscribe to the free daily email newsletter. #PotomacLocal #Christmas #HolidayEvents #NorthernVirginia #Fredericksburg #Manassas #Stafford #Occoquan #Dumfries

    Christmas in Potomac Local Land: Holiday Events from Occoquan, Manassas, Dumfries, Fredericksburg, and Stafford

  3. 5d ago

    Stafford Hot Yoga & Wellness Grand Opening | Potomac Local News

    Stafford Hot Yoga & Wellness celebrated its grand opening on Nov. 1, 2026, at 971 Garrisonville Road in Stafford. Owners Krista Shellenberger and Steve welcomed the community with complimentary yoga classes, studio tours, and plans for additional offerings including a community garden, country line dancing, and more. Learn more at staffordhotyoga.com Related article (pending review / not yet live): https://www.potomaclocal.com/?p=255541 Subscribe to Potomac Local News for local stories: https://www.potomaclocal.com/email-subscription/ #Stafford #Yoga #LocalNews #PotomacLocal

    Stafford Hot Yoga & Wellness Grand Opening | Potomac Local News

  4. Nov 4

    Woodbridge Community Choir Celebrates 60 Years With Christmas Concerts

    Subscribe to the Potomac Local News podcast and get local news in your inbox: https://www.potomaclocal.com/email-subscription/ Juliane Vitola-Preisser joins Uriah Kiser to talk about the Woodbridge Community Choir’s 60th anniversary. The all-volunteer group has been singing in the Woodbridge area since 1966. Founder Lillian Gaskill wanted a way to bring the community together beyond church choirs. By 1968 the group was so large that traffic control was needed at concerts. Vitola-Preisser serves as parliamentarian, historian, and singer. She describes scrapbooks full of photos from the 1960s through the 1980s, members who have stayed since the 1970s and 1980s, and the decision in the 1980s to add a spring concert. The choir performs twice a year and remains a no-audition group. Anyone who loves to sing is welcome. Open enrollment happens at the end of January and the end of August. Rehearsals are every Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the Lutheran Church of the Covenant on Cloverdale Road in Woodbridge. This year’s Christmas program features 16 traditional songs with a flair. Listeners will hear Holly Jolly Christmas, The Christmas Song, O Holy Night, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and Home for the Holidays as the closer. Soloists will be featured. The concerts include an intermission with celebratory cupcakes, a craft table, and a gift giveaway drawn from zip codes written on tickets. Shows are Saturday, December 5 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 6 at 3:00 p.m. at the A.J. Ferlazzo Building in Woodbridge. A third performance is set for Sunday, December 20 at 2:00 p.m. at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, where the acoustics are especially strong. Past performances have included the Kennedy Center and NBC’s Today Show. Vitola-Preisser says the group is working to grow again and would love more singers of all ages. Donations are accepted through the website via PayPal or personal check. Social media is @woodbridgecommunitychoir on Instagram and Facebook. This conversation covers the history, the music, how to join, and the December schedule. From Fredericksburg, Manassas, and Woodbridge, Potomac Local News delivers the local conversation. Potomac Local News Website: potomaclocal.com Free email newsletter: https://www.potomaclocal.com/email-subscription/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PotomacLocalNews X: https://x.com/PotomacLocal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PotomacLocal

    Woodbridge Community Choir Celebrates 60 Years With Christmas Concerts

  5. Nov 4

    Election Night Shifts in Virginia: Local Results from Fredericksburg to Manassas

    From Fredericksburg and Stafford to Manassas, Tuesday night’s elections brought big results and big changes across the communities Potomac Local covers. Senator Mark Warner won a fourth term. The Associated Press called the race as the polls closed. In the congressional districts that cover the area, Eugene Vindman holds the 7th District and Suhas Subramanyam holds the 10th. Sonia Vásquez Luna won the House District 20 special election, taking nearly 70 percent of the vote and beating Nate Fritzen. She leaves the Manassas City Council for the House of Delegates. Voters approved three constitutional amendments. Locally, Prince William, Stafford, Manassas and Fredericksburg all said yes on abortion, marriage equality, and automatic voting-rights restoration after prison. Stafford voters narrowly rejected a one-percent sales tax for school construction. The no side won by about 628 votes. Prince William County did not put the question on the ballot. In Fredericksburg, Justin Carter won the at-large School Board special. He was the only name on the ballot and takes about 73 percent. Interim member Stan Jones ran as a write-in. Dumfries Mayor Derrick Wood won re-election. Town councils filled seats in Dumfries, Quantico, Haymarket and Occoquan. In Manassas, voters unseated the only Republican on City Council. Theresa Coates Ellis is out. Dianne Lane, Jill Spall and Helen Zurita take the three seats. On the School Board, Lisa Stevens, Marcus Still and Murina Dove win. Incumbent Sara Brescia finishes 13 votes short. In Manassas Park, two newcomers and incumbent Kevin Moreau take the three open council seats. Roberto Maldonado, Moreau and Maya Miernik. All results are unofficial. Full breakdowns are on Potomac Local. Sign up for the free daily email newsletter and explore Locals Only membership at potomaclocal.com. Subscribe to the free Potomac Local newsletter: https://www.potomaclocal.com/email-subscription/ Follow Potomac Local News: • Site → https://www.potomaclocal.com • X → https://x.com/PotomacLocal • Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/PotomacLocal • YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@PotomacLocal • TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thepotomaclocal

    Election Night Shifts in Virginia: Local Results from Fredericksburg to Manassas

  6. Oct 31

    Manassas Park Fall for the Park 5.5K Early Bird Registration Ends Saturday

    Manassas Park Events Coordinator Grace Magino joins the Potomac Local News Podcast to talk about what’s coming up in the city this fall and into the holidays. She breaks down the new Fall for the Park 5.5K & Flannel Fest on Saturday, November 14 at Blooms Park (the old Generals Ridge Golf Course), including the course, registration deadline, and what runners and walkers can expect. She also previews the annual Light Parade on Saturday, December 5, the final Last Fridays of the season on the City Hall plaza, and the wave of new businesses opening at Park Central—including Jirani Coffeehouse, Kokee Tea, City Kabob, Larcomar Cafe Lounge, Yoder’s Dutch Delights, Nash & Smashed, and All American Steakhouse. Timestamps 0:00 – Intro & Fall for the Park 5.5K 3:45 – Holiday Light Parade (Dec. 5) 5:28 – Plaza events & Last Fridays 7:05 – New businesses at Park Central 9:52 – Where to find the full event calendar Links City of Manassas Park: manassasparkva.gov Fall for the Park 5.5K registration: runsignup.com (search “Fall for the Park”) Full event details also at potomaclocal.com If you live in Manassas Park, Manassas, Woodbridge, or Fredericksburg, drop a comment with the event you’re most looking forward to. Like, share, and subscribe for more local conversations. Hit the bell so you don’t miss the next episode.

  7. Oct 30

    Stan Jones on ACTS IWALK Success, Fredericksburg School Board Write-In Campaign

    Sign up for the free daily email newsletter and Locals Only membership at https://www.potomaclocal.com/email-subscription/ Stan Jones joins Uriah Kiser on the Potomac Local News Podcast. Jones is CEO of ACTS: Action in Community Through Service in Prince William County and a member of the Fredericksburg City School Board. He was appointed earlier this year after the resignation of former board member Jarvis Bailey and is now running as a write-in candidate in the November 3 election. Jones discusses the recent IWALK event held at Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center. ACTS registered 160 to 170 people and saw about 120 participants. The goal was to raise $125,000. The event brought in commitments of more than $170,000. Veterans Growing America served as the host registration site. Jones called it one of the best IWALK events since he joined the organization. Staff from across ACTS programs participated, including face painting for kids. Board members who could attend were on hand for the signature event. ACTS was founded in 1969 when 13 churches came together to help a family that lost its home in a fire. The nonprofit is now in its 58th year and is one of Prince William County’s Continuum of Care partners. Services include affordable housing, rapid rehousing, management of a shelter for people who are unhoused, a domestic violence safe house, sexual assault services, hunger prevention, and emergency rental or mortgage assistance. ACTS feeds about 10,000 families a year. Jones addressed food insecurity in Prince William County. He cited a statistic that 43 percent of families in the county face food insecurity, a rate higher than in Washington, D.C., and Maryland. Capital Area Food Bank is a major partner. Most clients are working families with two or three children who use the services temporarily. Because the race exceeded its goal, ACTS plans to set aside some proceeds for a refrigerated vehicle to deliver food to seniors after its previous vehicle broke down. The Arc of Prince William County and volunteers have helped in the interim. Jones noted that most donations are restricted to client services and that unrestricted gifts help cover equipment and infrastructure needs. U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine recently visited ACTS. The organization received $1.78 million in congressionally directed spending after applying for three years. The funding will renovate and reopen a second safe house that operated from 2002 to 2020. The project will be done in collaboration with Prince William County’s Department of Housing and Community Development and aligns with the county’s strategic plan for survivors of domestic violence. On the school board side, Jones said he was appointed unanimously by the members present. The board has adopted a set of norms and protocols for how members govern, interact with one another, and work with the superintendent. An audit of travel spending was released at the last meeting. Jones said most of what he hears from residents is concern about school performance and SOL scores that lag neighboring divisions. He brings 39 years in public education, including service as superintendent in two divisions. In King and Queen County he worked with staff to move all three schools to full accreditation. He previously served as president of Families for Virginia, a statewide anti-child-abuse organization. His campaign site is Friends of Stan Jones for Fredericksburg Schools. Voters must write in “Stan Jones.” His opponent is Justin Carter, a retired veteran whose name is on the ballot. Jones described the race as ethical. Follow Potomac Local News Website: https://www.potomaclocal.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PotomacLocal X: https://x.com/PotomacLocal YouTube: Potomac Local Podcast Instagram: @potomaclocal

  8. Oct 22

    Steve Liga on Habitat for Humanity’s 50 Years and Local Home Repairs

    Subscribe to the free Potomac Local News email: https://www.potomaclocal.com/subscribe Locals Only membership: https://www.potomaclocal.com/membership Steve Liga, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Prince William County, joins Uriah Kiser on the Potomac Local News Podcast to talk about the organization’s work in one of the country’s most expensive housing markets. Habitat for Humanity International marked 50 years in September 2026. The Prince William County affiliate has served Prince William, Manassas, and Manassas Park since 1994. Liga stepped in as part-time interim CEO in June 2024 after seven years leading ACTS in Dumfries. What was meant to be a short assignment turned into a longer commitment because the work was unfinished and he was enjoying it. He brings more than 30 years of nonprofit leadership and a personal connection that started when he and his wife founded Villanova University’s Habitat chapter. Most people picture large Jimmy Carter-style builds when they hear Habitat. Locally, the focus is critical home repairs that let residents stay in their homes safely, plus targeted home builds and rehabs. In the past year and a half the affiliate has moved two families into new homes, bringing the total to 19 over 32 years. Volunteers are essential to the work on the ground in Prince William, Manassas, and Manassas Park. The conversation covers how the local chapter operates, where volunteers are needed, and why keeping existing homes safe matters as much as building new ones in this region. Watch the full episode above. More local stories and podcasts are at potomaclocal.com. Subscribe to the free Potomac Local News email: https://www.potomaclocal.com/subscribeLocals Only membership: https://www.potomaclocal.com/membership Follow Potomac Local News:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PotomacLocalX: https://x.com/PotomacLocalWebsite: https://www.potomaclocal.com

    Steve Liga on Habitat for Humanity’s 50 Years and Local Home Repairs
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About

Join Uriah Kiser, founder and publisher of Potomac Local News, for straightforward conversations about the issues that matter most to families and communities in Fredericksburg, Manassas, Woodbridge, Stafford, and across Northern Virginia. We feature in-depth interviews with local newsmakers — elected officials, community leaders, nonprofit directors, educators, and everyday residents — plus clear analysis of the headlines shaping your daily life. From local government budgets and taxes, to data centers and development, schools, elections, redistricting, crime, transportation, historic preservation, and community events, we cut through the noise to deliver real context and straight facts. No corporate spin. Just independent journalism focused on the places you live, work, and raise your family. Whether you want to stay informed on the latest board meetings, understand how policy decisions affect your wallet and neighborhood, or hear directly from the people making decisions in our region, the Potomac Local Podcast keeps you connected to your community. New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, and never miss the stories that matter in Fredericksburg, Manassas, Woodbridge, and beyond. www.potomaclocal.com

Information

  • Creator
    Uriah Kiser
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Northern Virginia Local, LLC 2026
  • Show Website
    Potomac Local News

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