Zak Failla

Assistant Managing Editor

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Equal parts Lois Lane, J. Jonah Jameson and Vicki Vale, Zak! has traveled from coast-to-coast covering small and big town community news in both in print and online for nearly a decade since his graduation from the award-winning Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College in 2010.

Before settling into the Hudson Valley, Zak! previously spent time in the New York Daily News newsroom and worked for hyperlocal digital news outlets on Long Island. He wrote sports for The Ithacan and The Ithaca Journal before taking his talents to the Pacific Northwest, where he served as the sports editor at the Shoshone News-Press until heading back east to work with Daily Voice.

Zak Failla's Contributions

Arlington, VA
Your Community
The Dan Snyder Bill Just Keeps Coming: Commanders Cut $1M Check To DC Over Toxic Workplace The Dan Snyder Bill Just Keeps Coming: Commanders Cut $1M Check To DC Over Toxic Workplace The Dan Snyder Bill Just Keeps Coming: Commanders Cut $1M Check To DC Over Toxic Workplace
The Dan Snyder Bill Just Keeps Coming: Commanders Cut $1M Check To DC Over Toxic Workplace The Dan Snyder era continues to cost the Washington Commanders. The Washington Commanders will pay $1 million to the District of Columbia to resolve a 2022 lawsuit alleging the team misled residents about its investigation into a toxic and abusive workplace culture, according to the Office of the Attorney General. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb announced Monday, March 2, that Pro-Football LLC — the corporate entity that owns the Commanders — agreed to settle allegations that, under former majority owner Daniel Snyder, the team violated the District’s Consumer Protection Procedures Act. …

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by Zak Failla
Bowie, MD
Breaking News
Have A Heart: Prince George's First Responder Recovering In ICU After Emergency Transplant Have A Heart: Prince George's First Responder Recovering In ICU After Emergency Transplant Have A Heart: Prince George's First Responder Recovering In ICU After Emergency Transplant
Have A Heart: Prince George's First Responder Recovering In ICU After Emergency Transplant A Maryland first responder who has spent his career helping others is now the one fighting for his life — and his community is stepping up. Stephon Jones, a Prince George’s County Emergency Dispatcher III, volunteer firefighter, and EMT in Bowie, underwent an emergency heart transplant on Monday, Feb. 16, after a sudden medical crisis. Two years ago, Jones was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and was told he might need a transplant in 10 years.  "Ten years" came very quickly. Jones was admitted to the hospital on Feb. 3 for what was supposed to be a three-day IV treatment — an…

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by Zak Failla
Fairfax, VA
Breaking News
Hybla Valley Bus Stop Murder Suspect Had 30+ Arrests, ICE Detainer Before Killing: DHS Hybla Valley Bus Stop Murder Suspect Had 30+ Arrests, ICE Detainer Before Killing: DHS Hybla Valley Bus Stop Murder Suspect Had 30+ Arrests, ICE Detainer Before Killing: DHS
Hybla Valley Bus Stop Murder Suspect Had 30+ Arrests, ICE Detainer Before Killing: DHS The man charged with murdering Stephanie Minter at a Fairfax County bus stop had more than 30 prior arrests and was in the United States illegally, according to the Department of Homeland Security. On Feb. 25, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged a detainer requesting Virginia authorities not release Abdul Jalloh, 32, after he was charged with murder in the killing of the 41-year-old Fredericksburg woman. Minter was found dead on Monday, Feb. 23, at a bus stop with multiple stab wounds to the upper body, police said. Jalloh, a national of Sierra Leone, entered the United States il…

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by Zak Failla
Arlington, VA
Breaking News
Drunk Mom On Virginia Military Base Drove With Toddler, Left 3-Year-Old Home Alone: DOJ Drunk Mom On Virginia Military Base Drove With Toddler, Left 3-Year-Old Home Alone: DOJ Drunk Mom On Virginia Military Base Drove With Toddler, Left 3-Year-Old Home Alone: DOJ
Drunk Mom On Virginia Military Base Drove With Toddler, Left 3-Year-Old Home Alone: DOJ A Virginia mother got drunk, left her toddler home alone, and drove off — before the child was found crying in the street. Rachel Lorane Pendergrast, 30, who lived with her husband and children in military housing on Fort Eustis, pleaded guilty to charges stemming from her drinking, driving, and leaving a toddler home alone, according to federal officials.. In December 2025, prosecutors said that Pendergrast was responsible for the care of her three minor children while her husband was away from the home. The oldest child was at school/childcare, and the younger two children were…

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by Zak Failla
Arlington, VA
Breaking News
DC Couple Expecting First Baby Loses Home In Fire Weeks Before Daughter’s Arrival DC Couple Expecting First Baby Loses Home In Fire Weeks Before Daughter’s Arrival DC Couple Expecting First Baby Loses Home In Fire Weeks Before Daughter’s Arrival
DC Couple Expecting First Baby Loses Home In Fire Weeks Before Daughter’s Arrival A DC couple preparing to welcome their first child this spring is now preparing to rebuild their lives after a fire destroyed their home Friday night. Savannah and Tucker Broadbooks bought their house less than two years ago. In early May, they’re expecting a baby girl. Instead of finishing a nursery, they’re sifting through what’s left. Smoke conditions on arrival of first units in the 1600 block of Kramer St NE. #DCsBravest pic.twitter.com/54dT6USses — DC Fire and EMS Department (@dcfireems) February 27, 2026 Three homes were damaged or destroyed in the blaze. No injuries were repo…

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by Zak Failla
Sterling, VA
Breaking News
MURDER-SUICIDE: Father, Son Found Dead In Sterling Home (DEVELOPING) MURDER-SUICIDE: Father, Son Found Dead In Sterling Home (DEVELOPING) MURDER-SUICIDE: Father, Son Found Dead In Sterling Home (DEVELOPING)
Murder-suicide: Father, Son Found Dead In Sterling Home (Developing) An investigation has been launched into a Northern Virginia murder-suicide involving a father and son, police say. At around 12:30 a.m. on Monday, March 2, deputies from the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office responded to the 200 block of Silverleaf Drive in Sterling to investigate a reported shooting. Inside the home, investigators found Jose Francisco Guerra Caceres, 51, who was pronounced dead at the scene. His son, Francisco Javier Guerra Villalta, who was identified as the suspect, was also found inside suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officials said there is no threat to t…

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by Zak Failla
Manassas, VA
Breaking News
Teen Driver Killed In Manassas I-66 Crash After Slamming Into Parked Tractor-Trailer ID'd Teen Driver Killed In Manassas I-66 Crash After Slamming Into Parked Tractor-Trailer ID'd Teen Driver Killed In Manassas I-66 Crash After Slamming Into Parked Tractor-Trailer ID'd
Teen Driver Killed In Manassas I-66 Crash After Slamming Into Parked Tractor-Trailer ID'd New details have been released by Virginia State Police investigators after a teen driver was killed on I-66 when he slammed into the back of a parked tractor-trailer in Northern Virginia. Shortly before 3:15 p.m. on Feb. 28, troopers were called to the eastbound lanes of the interstate near the rest area at the 49-mile marker when a sedan crashed into the back of an 18-wheeler. According to police, a Toyota sedan struck the back of a parked tractor-trailer at the rest area. The sedan then burst into flames. On Monday, investigators say that Bristow resident Jose Daniel Rivera Quintana, 19…

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by Zak Failla
Leonardtown-California, MD
Breaking News
Leonardtown Traffic Stop Turns Into Heroin Bust After Driver Tosses Bag During Pursuit: Sheriff Leonardtown Traffic Stop Turns Into Heroin Bust After Driver Tosses Bag During Pursuit: Sheriff Leonardtown Traffic Stop Turns Into Heroin Bust After Driver Tosses Bag During Pursuit: Sheriff
Leonardtown Traffic Stop Turns Into Heroin Bust After Driver Tosses Bag During Pursuit: Sheriff A Maryland traffic stop turned into a heroin bust after deputies say a driver tossed a bag of suspected drugs from his car during a brief pursuit in St. Mary’s County. Lexington Park resident Jamal Kedrick Demetrius Davis, 29, is behind bars after authorities say he failed to stop at a traffic light, prompting a chain of events that led to his arrest on drug charges. The arrest happened Sunday, March 1 in Lexington Park, where deputies were conducting proactive patrol operations along Great Mills Road. Instead of pulling over, Davis accelerated away. During the short pursuit, a deput…

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by Zak Failla
National Interest
Suspect, Victims Identified In I-495 Mass Stabbing, Officer-Involved Shooting In Fairfax County Suspect, Victims Identified In I-495 Mass Stabbing, Officer-Involved Shooting In Fairfax County Suspect, Victims Identified In I-495 Mass Stabbing, Officer-Involved Shooting In Fairfax County
Suspect, Victims Identified In I-495 Mass Stabbing, Officer-Involved Shooting In Fairfax County Four people were stabbed, a dog was killed, and two people are dead after an officer-involved shooting that shut down I-495 for hours on Sunday. Virginia State Police have identified the suspect as Jared Llamado, 32, of McLean. One of the stabbing victims who died has been identified as Michelle Adams, 39. At around 1:20 p.m. on March 1, troopers were called to a stretch of the southbound lanes of the Capital Beltway near exit 52 to investigate a reported road rage incident. When the trooper arrived at the scene, he was confronted by Llamado, who was wielding a knife. The trooper shot him…

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by Zak Failla
Fairfax, VA
Breaking News
Dog Stabbed To Death, Four People Slashed Before Trooper Kills Suspect On I-495: VSP (UPDATED) Dog Stabbed To Death, Four People Slashed Before Trooper Kills Suspect On I-495: VSP (UPDATED) Dog Stabbed To Death, Four People Slashed Before Trooper Kills Suspect On I-495: VSP (UPDATED)
Dog Stabbed To Death, Four People Slashed Before Trooper Kills Suspect On I-495: VSP (Updated) Four people were stabbed, a dog was killed, and two people are dead after an officer-involved shooting that shut down I-495 for hours on Sunday. At around 1:20 p.m. on March 1, troopers were called to a stretch of the southbound lanes of the Capital Beltway near exit 52 to investigate a reported road rage incident. When the trooper arrived at the scene, he was confronted by a man wielding a knife. The trooper shot him in self-defense, according to Virginia State Police. The man was treated and rushed to an area hospital, where he later died from his injuries. At the scene, four stabbing vi…

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by Zak Failla
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