Transcript: NewsCenter Podcast

Sept. 30, 2026

Good day, and welcome to the Fairfax County NewsCenter podcast. Coming up, learn about the results from the recent Youth Survey, food insecurity in Fairfax County, Suicide and crossing guards. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found online at fairfaxcounty.gov.

Did you know?

• 7 in 10 Youth Survey respondents reported using social media to connect with others online.
• 2 in 5 Youth Survey respondents reported they were unsure whether the information or images online were real or fake.

Over 39,000 Fairfax County Public School students in grades 6, 8,10, and 12 voluntarily and anonymously completed the 2025-2026 Fairfax County Youth Survey. Based on the survey findings:

Mental health among FCPS students has improved since 2021.

Most FCPS students reported no substance use in the past month; substance use were lower than national averages.

Healthy behaviors, such as regular physical activity, increased.

FCPS students reported strong support at home, school, and in the community.

NewsCenter has more; visit fairfaxcounty.gov/news.

Approximately 27% of residents are food insecure in Fairfax County, up from last year, and 20% of children across Fairfax are living in food insecure households. This data, provided by the Capital Area Food Bank’s 2026 Hunger Report, shows that despite being one of the wealthiest counties in the nation, hunger remains a concern for many in our community. Visit NewsCenter to learn more, including what actions you can take to help others, as well as resources available to support those who need food assistance.

Find other county podcasts at fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts. And for 24/7 news and information from and about Fairfax County, listen to Fairfax County Government Radio online at fairfaxcounty.gov/radio.

Suicide is a serious public health matter, and prevention efforts are critical. September was recognized as Suicide Prevention Month, but it's always time to raise awareness, strengthen the dialogue and remind the people we care about that there are resources available to help prevent suicide. Suicide is preventable, and support is available throughout the year to promote positive mental health and increase resilience. Services are available throughout Fairfax County and include community-focused trainings to raise awareness about mental health and evidence-based suicide prevention and mental health training for all residents.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved funding at its September 15 meeting, to restore 11 crossing guard positions at 10 high schools as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Carryover Budget Package. The positions were eliminated as a cost-saving measure in the FY2027 budget. Following concerns raised after the start of the school year, the Fairfax County Police Department temporarily restored coverage while evaluating conditions at each affected crossing. The board approved $707,908 in annual funding for 11 crossings serving 10 high schools: Annandale, Centreville, Chantilly, Edison, McLean, Oakton, South County, South Lakes, West Springfield and West Potomac. The Fairfax County Police Department will continue temporary coverage while working to rehire former crossing guards and recruit or contract for additional guards as needed. NewsCenter has more on the story; fairfaxcounty.gov/news. 

Finally, subscribe to “Weekender,” the county’s weekend arts and entertainment e-newsletter. “Weekender” brings together offerings from around the county and delivers that info right to your inbox. Don’t miss out on fun happenings throughout the county. Subscribe to “Weekender” at fairfaxcounty.gov/news/weekender.

That’s all for this NewsCenter podcast. Thanks for listening. For more information about the topics in this podcast and for news updates, visit fairfaxcounty.gov/news. Follow the NewsCenter podcast on soundcloud.com/fairfaxcounty and our podcasts webpage, fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts. You can also listen 24/7 online to Fairfax County Government Radio at fairfaxcounty.gov/radio. If you have questions, call 703-FAIRFAX, that’s 703-324-7329, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or email publicaffairs@fairfaxcounty.gov. The NewsCenter podcast is produced by the Fairfax County, Virginia, Government.