What is the Fairfax Machine?

The Machine is a newsletter that covers what it means to live today in Fairfax County, Virginia. Each week, I report on topics that matter most to residents in the D.C. region's most populous county, including business and culture, education, development, local and regional politics, history, and events.

Subscribers will receive my narrative features, Q&As and explainer pieces that break down complex local issues, to help you understand and navigate Fairfax better.

About me

I’m Ryan, a Reston resident and a news and narrative editor who spent nine-ish years at the Washington Post. I last worked in the Metro section, where I edited news and enterprise stories and, for a spell, ran the Post’s history vertical. I also wrote features, about soccer and some other things.

I believe in the power of local news to inform, to empower, and to connect us more richly to our communities and to one another. In whatever way I can manage, that’s what The Machine will do.

Feed The Machine your ideas

It’s my goal for The Fairfax Machine to serve and reflect the communities of Fairfax County, so I'd love to hear your ideas and tips.

See something in your town or neighborhood listserv? Buzzing about a local story in your group chat or at the dinner table? Shoot me an email: fairfaxmachinenews@gmail.com.

How you can support The Machine’s mission

Become one of The Machine’s Champions Of Gournalism (C.O.G.s) by subscribing today. The generosity of paid subscribers allows me to do this local reporting, and as a bonus thank you, they get access to behind-the-scenes Programming Notes content. Sharing and engaging with our work also helps more readers find what we do.

Want to advertise? The Machine is open to featuring classifieds from local businesses in some posts. Email fairfaxmachinebiz@gmail.com.