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

Sterling, VA
Your Community
‘From Ashburn Nights To Catoctin Breeze’: Loudoun Musician Pens Tribute To Sheriff’s Office ‘From Ashburn Nights To Catoctin Breeze’: Loudoun Musician Pens Tribute To Sheriff’s Office ‘From Ashburn Nights To Catoctin Breeze’: Loudoun Musician Pens Tribute To Sheriff’s Office
‘From Ashburn Nights To Catoctin Breeze’: Loudoun Musician Pens Tribute To Sheriff’s Office Just in time for the holidays, a Loudoun County musician surprised deputies with an unexpected gift — an original song honoring those who serve and protect the community, officials said. Kevin Dunlap, an Aldie resident, drummer, and songwriter with the group Whiskey Valor, wrote “Our Great LCSO” as a personal tribute to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office. Dunlap said the song was inspired by a personal loss after a friend in another state was killed while serving a warrant, which prompted him to reflect on the work done by law enforcement closer to home, according to the sheriff’s office. …

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by Zak Failla
Lexington Park, MD
On Your Side
Maryland Nurse Buys Scratch-Offs Every Christmas — This One Hit For $2 Million Maryland Nurse Buys Scratch-Offs Every Christmas — This One Hit For $2 Million Maryland Nurse Buys Scratch-Offs Every Christmas — This One Hit For $2 Million
Maryland Nurse Buys Scratch-Offs Every Christmas — This One Hit For $2 Million She buys scratch-off tickets every Christmas. This year, it paid off in a big way. A Maryland nurse is ringing in 2026 as a newly minted millionaire after a Christmas Eve scratch-off turned into a $2 million jackpot, Maryland Lottery officials announced in Baltimore on Wednesday, Dec. 31. The Eastern Shore woman, who lives in Wicomico County, said she was shopping for scratch-off tickets to give adults on her Christmas list on Tuesday, Dec. 24, when she decided to treat herself to a $30 200X The Cash ticket, according to the Maryland Lottery. When she scratched the ticket at home late…

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by Zak Failla
Aldie, VA
On Your Side
Virginia Minimum Wage Rising In 2026: Here’s The New Rate And When It Takes Effect Virginia Minimum Wage Rising In 2026: Here’s The New Rate And When It Takes Effect Virginia Minimum Wage Rising In 2026: Here’s The New Rate And When It Takes Effect
Virginia Minimum Wage Rising In 2026: Here’s The New Rate And When It Takes Effect Virginia workers can expect a slightly bigger paycheck in the new year, with the state’s minimum wage set to rise again in 2026. The state’s hourly minimum wage will increase to $12.77 starting Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, giving workers an extra 29 cents per hour.  “Virginia’s Minimum Wage Act allows for gradual adjustment of the minimum wage rate in response to economic conditions.” Virginia Department of Labor Commissioner Gary Pan said. “The new minimum wage will ensure the Commonwealth remains the leading destination for businesses and job seekers alike.” The new rate was calculated u…

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by Zak Failla
Sterling, VA
Breaking News
Shed Fire Sparks Transformer Explosion, Power Outages In Sterling (DEVELOPING) Shed Fire Sparks Transformer Explosion, Power Outages In Sterling (DEVELOPING) Shed Fire Sparks Transformer Explosion, Power Outages In Sterling (DEVELOPING)
Shed Fire Sparks Transformer Explosion, Power Outages In Sterling (Developing) A shed fire that spread to high-tension power lines sparked a transformer explosion in Virginia, forcing a power shutdown and leaving thousands potentially impacted, fire officials said. Fire and rescue units were called around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, to the 1900 block of North Amelia Street in Sterling, after multiple callers reported a shed near a single-family home fully involved, with flames extending to nearby power lines and a transformer, according to Loudoun County Fire and Rescue. “Due to the location of the power lines, there was an explosion related to the transformer on…

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by Zak Failla
Towson, MD
Breaking News
Dog Killed Along With Owner In Towson Crash; Driver Arrested Weeks Later: Police Dog Killed Along With Owner In Towson Crash; Driver Arrested Weeks Later: Police Dog Killed Along With Owner In Towson Crash; Driver Arrested Weeks Later: Police
Dog Killed Along With Owner In Towson Crash; Driver Arrested Weeks Later: Police A 21-year-old driver has been arrested weeks after a devastating pedestrian crash that killed a man and his dog in Towson, Baltimore County police announced. Oluwajomiloju Sekiteri, 21, was arrested by members of the Baltimore County Police Department’s Crash Team in connection with a fatal pedestrian crash last month. The incident was reported at around 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12, along Towsontown Boulevard, according to the department, where a man and a dog were both struck by a 2014 Toyota Camry. Police said the driver of the Toyota Camry remained at the scene following the collisi…

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by Zak Failla
Arlington, VA
Breaking News
Eateries, Salon, Medical Office Hit As DC Teens Busted In Pentagon City Robbery Spree: Police Eateries, Salon, Medical Office Hit As DC Teens Busted In Pentagon City Robbery Spree: Police Eateries, Salon, Medical Office Hit As DC Teens Busted In Pentagon City Robbery Spree: Police
Eateries, Salon, Medical Office Hit As DC Teens Busted In Pentagon City Robbery Spree: Police A group of DC teenagers are accused of ripping through multiple businesses in a late-night burglary spree in Pentagon City before being caught trespassing inside a residential building, police said. Four juveniles — three males and one female — were arrested and charged following a commercial burglary series, the Arlington County Police Department announced on Tuesday. Police were first called around 1:20 a.m. on Dec. 30 to the 1200 block of South Hayes Street for a report of a possible breaking and entering, authorities said.  Officers determined a closed restaurant had been forcibly…

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by Zak Failla
McLean, VA
Breaking News
McLean Man Sent Death Threat To Federal Worker, Then Lied To Feds At His Door: DOJ McLean Man Sent Death Threat To Federal Worker, Then Lied To Feds At His Door: DOJ McLean Man Sent Death Threat To Federal Worker, Then Lied To Feds At His Door: DOJ
McLean Man Sent Death Threat To Federal Worker, Then Lied To Feds At His Door: DOJ A Virginia man is accused of sending a death threat to a federal employee — then panicking and lying about who he was when federal agents showed up at his door, prosecutors say. Scott Allen Bolger, 33, was charged by criminal complaint with transmitting threats in interstate commerce and making false statements, federal officials announced Tuesday, Dec. 30. According to court documents, Bolger allegedly used Google Voice on Dec. 23 to send a threatening text message to a federal employee, allowing him to mask his real phone number, investigators said.  The message allegedly included a…

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by Zak Failla
Bladensburg-Cheverly, MD
Breaking News
Bladensburg Teen Faces Adult Murder Trial in Shocking DC Apartment Killing: MPD Bladensburg Teen Faces Adult Murder Trial in Shocking DC Apartment Killing: MPD Bladensburg Teen Faces Adult Murder Trial in Shocking DC Apartment Killing: MPD
Bladensburg Teen Faces Adult Murder Trial in Shocking DC Apartment Killing: MPD A Maryland teenager will face serious charges for his alleged role in the murder of a 20-year-old man in DC, authorities announced on Tuesday. Bladensburg resident Keyonte Johnson, 16, will be charged as an adult in connection with the murder of Roy Lee Bennett Jr. earlier this month in Northeast DC. Shortly after 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department were called to investigate a shooting inside an apartment in the 300 block of Morse Street NW. Upon arrival, they found Bennett unconscious, not breathing, and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The …

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by Zak Failla
Dundalk, MD
Breaking News
Suspicious Death Investigation Launched In Dundalk After Man Found In Burning Car: Police Suspicious Death Investigation Launched In Dundalk After Man Found In Burning Car: Police Suspicious Death Investigation Launched In Dundalk After Man Found In Burning Car: Police
Suspicious Death Investigation Launched In Dundalk After Man Found In Burning Car: Police A suspicious death investigation is underway in Dundalk after a man was found dead inside a vehicle that was on fire late Monday night. Detectives with the Baltimore County Police Homicide Unit and the Fire & Explosion Investigation Team were called to the area of Dundalk Avenue and Bullneck Road after officers responded to a vehicle fire around 11:40 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 29, police said. After the fire was extinguished, officers discovered a man dead inside the burning vehicle, according to the Baltimore County Police Department. Police said the circumstances surrounding the man’s dea…

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by Zak Failla
Fairfax, VA
Breaking News
From One Break In To 30 Plus Charges: Fairfax County Car Crime Spree Ends With Arrest: Police From One Break In To 30 Plus Charges: Fairfax County Car Crime Spree Ends With Arrest: Police From One Break In To 30 Plus Charges: Fairfax County Car Crime Spree Ends With Arrest: Police
From One Break In To 30 Plus Charges: Fairfax County Car Crime Spree Ends With Arrest: Police A months-long string of car break-ins across Fairfax County came crashing to an end after detectives tied a DC man to more than 30 theft-related charges spanning multiple neighborhoods. Tyrell Ewings, 30, is facing dozens of charges following an investigation in Virginia that was launched in late May, according to police. On May 31, officers from the Fairfax County Police Department responded to the 13600 block of Dulles Technology Drive in McNair to investigate reports of vehicle tampering and theft.  They ultimately identified Ewings as a suspect, and later connected him to several …

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by Zak Failla
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