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

Brandywine, MD
Your Community
Cash, Cars, And Corruption: Brandywine GSA Insider Cut Federal Bribe Deals Cash, Cars, And Corruption: Brandywine GSA Insider Cut Federal Bribe Deals Cash, Cars, And Corruption: Brandywine GSA Insider Cut Federal Bribe Deals
Cash, Cars, And Corruption: Brandywine GSA Insider Cut Federal Bribe Deals A former federal contracting official in Maryland has admitted he abused his position to steer government work in exchange for cash and personal favors, according to the US Department of Justice. Lennie Lamont Miller, 60, of Brandywine, pleaded guilty on Thursday, Jan. 29, to two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery of a federal official, prosecutors announced. Miller previously worked as a contracting officer’s representative for the General Services Administration, a federal agency that manages government properties. According to court documents, Miller conspired with construction comp…

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by Zak Failla
Aldie, VA
Your Community
From Snow Day To Winter Break: Schools Closed, Delayed For Fifth Straight Day In Virginia From Snow Day To Winter Break: Schools Closed, Delayed For Fifth Straight Day In Virginia From Snow Day To Winter Break: Schools Closed, Delayed For Fifth Straight Day In Virginia
From Snow Day To Winter Break: Schools Closed, Delayed For Fifth Straight Day In Virginia One snowstorm later, students are officially on an unexpected winter break. Across Maryland and Virginia, some school districts are closed for a fifth consecutive day on Friday, while others are shifting to remote learning or delayed openings as the region continues thawing out from the weekend storm that rocked the area — and quietly turned a snow day into a full week off. For students, it’s a free vacation. For parents, it’s another day of rearranged schedules, burned PTO, and figuring out childcare on the fly. More snow is likely on the way. District leaders cited lingering ice, treach…

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by Zak Failla
Gaithersburg, MD
Breaking News
Rockville Pedestrian Dies Months After Being Struck While Crossing Busy Intersection: Police Rockville Pedestrian Dies Months After Being Struck While Crossing Busy Intersection: Police Rockville Pedestrian Dies Months After Being Struck While Crossing Busy Intersection: Police
Rockville Pedestrian Dies Months After Being Struck While Crossing Busy Intersection: Police Months after a Maryland pedestrian crash left her critically injured, police have confirmed the victim has died. An 87-year-old Rockville woman who was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street has succumbed to her injuries, the Montgomery County Department of Police announced on Thursday, Jan. 29. Vipa Sankanung, 87, died following a pedestrian collision that occurred at the intersection of East Jefferson Street and Rollins Avenue. Officers with the Rockville City Police Department responded shortly before 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, after they received multiple reports of a cras…

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by Zak Failla
North Bethesda, MD
On Your Side
$1,000 A Week For Life: Jackpot Winning Cash4Life Ticket Sold At North Bethesda Market $1,000 A Week For Life: Jackpot Winning Cash4Life Ticket Sold At North Bethesda Market $1,000 A Week For Life: Jackpot Winning Cash4Life Ticket Sold At North Bethesda Market
$1,000 A Week For Life: Jackpot Winning Cash4Life Ticket Sold At North Bethesda Market A Lottery player in Maryland is starting 2026 with a life-changing win after buying a Cash4Life ticket worth $1,000 a week for life. The second-tier winning ticket from the Tuesday, Jan. 27, Cash4Life drawing was sold at Meridian Market and Wine at 5230 Tuckerman Lane in North Bethesda, according to Maryland Lottery officials The winning numbers for the drawing were 15-26-32-44-59, with a Cash Ball of 1.  The ticket was purchased on Monday, Jan. 26. Lottery officials said the winner now has a major decision to make. The prize can be claimed as $1,000 a week for life, paid out in ann…

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by Zak Failla
Dundalk, MD
Obituaries
Teen Killed In Hit-Run On Way To First Day Of Work In Dundalk: 'He Didn't Deserve This' Teen Killed In Hit-Run On Way To First Day Of Work In Dundalk: 'He Didn't Deserve This' Teen Killed In Hit-Run On Way To First Day Of Work In Dundalk: 'He Didn't Deserve This'
Teen Killed In Hit-Run On Way To First Day Of Work In Dundalk: 'He Didn't Deserve This' Todd Hines Jr. was headed to his first day of work when his life was cut short in a hit-and-run that killed the 19-year-old in Baltimore County. Hines was walking along North Point Boulevard in Dundalk at approximately 7:35 a.m. on Tuesday, January 27, when he was struck by a 2006 Ford F-250 that continued traveling southbound, police said. The teenager was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators later located and stopped the pickup truck, and crash investigators determined the driver was responsible for striking him. Charges are pending as of Thursday, January 29, according to police. …

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by Zak Failla
Arlington, VA
Breaking News
Snow, Street Closures Set Stage For Traffic Nightmare Near Kennedy Center Snow, Street Closures Set Stage For Traffic Nightmare Near Kennedy Center Snow, Street Closures Set Stage For Traffic Nightmare Near Kennedy Center
Snow, Street Closures Set Stage For Traffic Nightmare Near Kennedy Center Drivers already dealing with lingering snow and poorly cleared roads across DC could see traffic grind even slower Thursday as major street closures and parking restrictions take effect near the Trump Kennedy Center. The Metropolitan Police Department announced that several special events at the Kennedy Center will trigger widespread traffic impacts on Thursday, Jan. 29, from 3:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m., compounding already difficult driving conditions following Sunday’s snowstorm. Multiple streets surrounding the Kennedy Center will be closed to vehicle traffic, including Rock Creek Parkway…

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by Zak Failla
Linthicum, MD
Breaking News
Hero Guard Disarms Shooter After Deadly Gunfire Erupts Inside Northrop Grumman Facility Hero Guard Disarms Shooter After Deadly Gunfire Erupts Inside Northrop Grumman Facility Hero Guard Disarms Shooter After Deadly Gunfire Erupts Inside Northrop Grumman Facility
Hero Guard Disarms Shooter After Deadly Gunfire Erupts Inside Northrop Grumman Facility What began as a workplace dispute inside one of Maryland’s most secure defense facilities ended with gunfire, one dead, and one facing murder charges, police say. Anne Arundel County Police announced Thursday that a contracted security guard has been charged in connection with the fatal shooting inside the Northrop Grumman facility in Linthicum. Officers were called around 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28, to the campus in the 7300 block of Aviation Boulevard, after reports of a shooting, police said. Investigators said the incident began with a dispute between two contracted security guard…

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by Zak Failla
Alexandria, VA
Breaking News
Family Poodle Shot Blind With Birdshot Outside Virginia Home, Shooter Still Free: Sheriff Family Poodle Shot Blind With Birdshot Outside Virginia Home, Shooter Still Free: Sheriff Family Poodle Shot Blind With Birdshot Outside Virginia Home, Shooter Still Free: Sheriff
Family Poodle Shot Blind With Birdshot Outside Virginia Home, Shooter Still Free: Sheriff A family poodle was shot blind with birdshot just steps from her Virginia home — and the person responsible is still on the loose. The hunt is on for a shooter who left a dog with grievous injuries last month in what officials described as “a disturbing and deeply troubling act of animal cruelty.” According to the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, a poodle named Bella was briefly let outside by her owner when gunshots rang out in the area. Minutes later, Bella was discovered suffering from injuries consistent with being shot with birdshot. She was rushed to an eme…

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by Zak Failla
Indian Head-Nanjemoy, MD
Breaking News
Home Destroyed, Homeowner Burned By Early-Morning Blaze In Indian Head: Fire Marshal Home Destroyed, Homeowner Burned By Early-Morning Blaze In Indian Head: Fire Marshal Home Destroyed, Homeowner Burned By Early-Morning Blaze In Indian Head: Fire Marshal
Home Destroyed, Homeowner Burned By Early-Morning Blaze In Indian Head: Fire Marshal A dangerous early-morning house fire in Maryland left a homeowner injured while trying to escape as the Charles County home burned to the ground. Crews from the Tenth District Volunteer Fire Company were called shortly before 4 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29, to the 5400 block of Powerline Place in Indian Head, where there were reports of a blaze that broke out, according to the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal. Investigators say that an occupant woke up to the smell of smoke in the home, where he discovered the fire.  While attempting to get out of the home, the resident suffered…

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by Zak Failla
Manassas, VA
Breaking News
Armed Hit-Run Driver Walks Away From Crash, Shoots Himself While Fleeing In Manassas: Police Armed Hit-Run Driver Walks Away From Crash, Shoots Himself While Fleeing In Manassas: Police Armed Hit-Run Driver Walks Away From Crash, Shoots Himself While Fleeing In Manassas: Police
Armed Hit-Run Driver Walks Away From Crash, Shoots Himself While Fleeing In Manassas: Police A Virginia crash escalated into a masterclass in bad decisions when a driver allegedly brandished a gun, shot himself in the process, and still wasn’t done making threats, police say. The chaos started with a crash in Manassas and spiraled when one driver allegedly pulled a gun, later showing up at a hospital with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Prince William County Police Department. Manassas resident Kyle Tor Croskey is facing a host of charges after a violent hit-and-run crash in which he allegedly pulled a gun that discharged while he was fleeing, striking him in the p…

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by Zak Failla
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