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

Frederick, MD
Breaking News
Frederick YouTuber Flew Drone Over ‘Classified’ Defense Sites, Posted Videos Online: DOJ Frederick YouTuber Flew Drone Over ‘Classified’ Defense Sites, Posted Videos Online: DOJ Frederick YouTuber Flew Drone Over ‘Classified’ Defense Sites, Posted Videos Online: DOJ
Frederick YouTuber Flew Drone Over ‘Classified’ Defense Sites, Posted Videos Online: DOJ A Maryland man is facing federal charges after investigators say he flew a drone over sensitive national defense facilities — then posted the footage to YouTube under the name “Area 82 Surveillance911.” Stuart Bennett, 66, of Frederick, made his initial appearance in federal court in Baltimore on charges of violating national defense airspace, the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced. The investigation began in September 2025, when a military official reported that a YouTube channel had posted drone footage of an identified sensitive US national defense facility. Fed…

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by Zak Failla
Prince Frederick, MD
Breaking News
Falling Tree During Winter Storm Kills Two On Sunderland Highway, Calvert Sheriff Says Falling Tree During Winter Storm Kills Two On Sunderland Highway, Calvert Sheriff Says Falling Tree During Winter Storm Kills Two On Sunderland Highway, Calvert Sheriff Says
Falling Tree During Winter Storm Kills Two On Sunderland Highway, Calvert Sheriff Says A routine drive along Route 2 turned deadly in Maryland on Sunday afternoon when a tree suddenly fell into traffic. Two people were killed, and a third was critically injured after the tree crashed onto their northbound vehicle in Sunderland, according to the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies were called to North Solomons Island Road near Aspen Wood Drive at approximately 4:44 p.m. on Feb. 22 for reports of a serious crash. Investigators say the vehicle was struck by a falling tree that entered the roadway. Inside were three Southern Maryland residents. Michael Lee Simpson, 60, o…

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by Zak Failla
Fairfax, VA
Breaking News
Three Dead After Fairfax County Man Kills Wife, Daughter Before Police Shooting (DEVELOPING) Three Dead After Fairfax County Man Kills Wife, Daughter Before Police Shooting (DEVELOPING) Three Dead After Fairfax County Man Kills Wife, Daughter Before Police Shooting (DEVELOPING)
Three Dead After Fairfax County Man Kills Wife, Daughter Before Police Shooting (Developing) Three people are dead in Virginia after officers shot and killed a man who was violently stabbing his son-in-law, police say. The Fairfax County Police Department is investigating a deadly domestic disturbance involving a man who stabbed his wife and daughter to death before turning the blade on his son-in-law, Chief Kevin Davis said on Monday. Multiple 911 calls were reported at around 5 a.m. on Feb. 23 to the 3900 block of Persimmon Circle regarding a domestic disturbance. Davis said the son-in-law was outside clearing snow from his car when he heard a commotion inside the apartment and …

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by Zak Failla
National Interest
MURDER-SUICIDE: Police ID Woodbridge Woman Who Killed Husband, 2-Year-Old Son, Mother-In-Law MURDER-SUICIDE: Police ID Woodbridge Woman Who Killed Husband, 2-Year-Old Son, Mother-In-Law MURDER-SUICIDE: Police ID Woodbridge Woman Who Killed Husband, 2-Year-Old Son, Mother-In-Law
Murder-suicide: Police ID Woodbridge Woman Who Killed Husband, 2-Year-Old Son, Mother-In-Law New details have been released by police in Virginia after a woman killed her husband, 2-year-old son, and mother-in-law.  Ziyi Lu, 35, has been identified as the suspect in a murder-suicide in Woodbridge that left four people dead on Saturday morning. Officers from the Prince William County Police Department were called shortly after 8 a.m. on Feb. 21 to a home in the 3400 block of Vale Court in Woodbridge, where there was a reported stabbing. Upon arrival, first responders found Lu, her mother-in-law, Kegang Xie, 69, her husband, Danxiong Gao, 40, and their 2-year-old son all suffer…

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by Zak Failla
Silver Spring, MD
Your Community
Montgomery County Official Accuses Trump Of ‘Theft’ After Tariff Ruling Montgomery County Official Accuses Trump Of ‘Theft’ After Tariff Ruling Montgomery County Official Accuses Trump Of ‘Theft’ After Tariff Ruling
Montgomery County Official Accuses Trump Of ‘Theft’ After Tariff Ruling What's in a grift?  An elected official in Maryland is taking aim at President Donald Trump, accusing him of stealing from Americans after the Supreme Court ruled against his tariff authority.  Evan Glass, an at-large member of the Montgomery County Council and County Executive hopeful, took aim at the president on social media after the Supreme Court ruled against his wide-ranging tariff plan, prompting him to enact new penalties. “Unconstitutional tariffs. Billions collected. Zero refunds planned. They took your money — and they’re keeping it. It’s called theft," he posted…

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by Zak Failla
Bel Air, MD
Weather
Snow Totals So Far: Where Maryland Got Buried — And Where It Didn’t Snow Totals So Far: Where Maryland Got Buried — And Where It Didn’t Snow Totals So Far: Where Maryland Got Buried — And Where It Didn’t
Snow Totals So Far: Where Maryland Got Buried — And Where It Didn’t If you blinked during Sunday’s storm, you might’ve missed it. Unless you live in the parts of Maryland that got absolutely smoked. Unofficial totals released by the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington on Monday morning, Feb. 23, show a classic DMV snow split — with Washington County cashing in and the DC core doing what it does best: flirting with winter. The biggest number on the board came from Sabillasville in Washington County, where 12.3 inches was reported. Frederick County also cracked double digits, with Cavetown logging 10 inches. Cecil County wasn’t playing either, wi…

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by Zak Failla
Annapolis, MD
Your Community
Anne Arundel County Schools Go Virtual Monday Amid Winter Weather Anne Arundel County Schools Go Virtual Monday Amid Winter Weather Anne Arundel County Schools Go Virtual Monday Amid Winter Weather
Anne Arundel County Schools Go Virtual Monday Amid Winter Weather Where have we heard this before?  Weeks after a snowstorm created a hellscape for residents in DC, Maryland, and Virginia, another bout of winter weather is expected to keep students in their seats — at home — on Monday morning. As of 8:40 p.m. on Sunday, Feb 22, officials have declared these closures:  Maryland Anne Arundel County Schools: Virtual learning only. Baltimore County Schools: Virtual learning only. Calvert County Public Schools: Closed; Cecil County Schools: Virtual learning only. Charles County Public Schools: Closed. Frederick County Public Schools: Two-hour delay…

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by Zak Failla
Silver Spring, MD
Breaking News
Montgomery County Car Rally Chaos Ends With Charger Driver Arrested: State Police Montgomery County Car Rally Chaos Ends With Charger Driver Arrested: State Police Montgomery County Car Rally Chaos Ends With Charger Driver Arrested: State Police
Montgomery County Car Rally Chaos Ends With Charger Driver Arrested: State Police Maryland troopers rolled out late Saturday night and shut down what could have turned into a Fast & Furious sequel across the National Capital Region. A coordinated operation by the Maryland Car Rally Task Force disrupted multiple illegal car rallies from 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 through 4 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, according to Maryland State Police. Crowds of up to 300 participants were prevented from establishing gatherings in Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, and Howard counties, police said. They weren't fast enough. High-visibility patrols targeted exhibition driving, disor…

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by Zak Failla
Centreville, VA
Breaking News
Centreville Families Begin Heading Home After Massive Gas Explosion Displaced Dozens (VIDEO) Centreville Families Begin Heading Home After Massive Gas Explosion Displaced Dozens (VIDEO) Centreville Families Begin Heading Home After Massive Gas Explosion Displaced Dozens (VIDEO)
Centreville Families Begin Heading Home After Massive Gas Explosion Displaced Dozens (Video) Virginia families forced from their homes after last weekend’s massive gas explosion in Centreville are starting to return, as Washington Gas moves into the next phase of restoration. The utility announced over the weekend that it has received clearance to restore service to 41 additional homes in the impacted neighborhood. The homes are located on Elkheart Court, Knoughton Way, Locust Grove Court, and the north side of Belle Plains Drive. “Our teams remain focused on safety and working as safely and efficiently as possible to restore service and help residents return home with confidence,…

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by Zak Failla
Columbia, MD
Breaking News
Roommate Fatally Stabbed During Violent Early-Morning Altercation In Columbia, Police Say Roommate Fatally Stabbed During Violent Early-Morning Altercation In Columbia, Police Say Roommate Fatally Stabbed During Violent Early-Morning Altercation In Columbia, Police Say
Roommate Fatally Stabbed During Violent Early-Morning Altercation In Columbia, Police Say A Maryland man is in custody after police say he stabbed his roommate to death during a violent early-morning fight inside a Columbia apartment. Donavan Townsend, 26, was arrested early Sunday, Feb. 22, following the fatal stabbing, according to Howard County police. Officers were called to the 7600 block of Woodpark Lane at approximately 1:40 a.m. for a report of a stabbing inside an apartment. When they arrived, officers found 25-year-old Jaelon Minor suffering from stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators say Minor had been in an altercation with his roommate, To…

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by Zak Failla
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