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

Aldie, VA
Your Community
Here's How Virginia’s New Social Media Limits Could Change Teen Screen Time In 2026 Here's How Virginia’s New Social Media Limits Could Change Teen Screen Time In 2026 Here's How Virginia’s New Social Media Limits Could Change Teen Screen Time In 2026
Here's How Virginia’s New Social Media Limits Could Change Teen Screen Time In 2026 Starting the new year won’t just mean new calendars in Virginia. It will also mean new limits on how long teens can scroll. Beginning Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, social media users under 16 in Virginia will be limited to one hour per day, per platform, unless a parent or guardian gives verified consent for more time, under a new state law aimed at protecting minors online. The change applies to major platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube, and is part of Virginia’s Consumer Data Protection Act, which places new responsibilities on companies that operate social media s…

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by Zak Failla
National Interest
Isiah Whitlock Jr., Best Known As Corrupt Baltimore Politician On ‘The Wire,’ Dead At 71 Isiah Whitlock Jr., Best Known As Corrupt Baltimore Politician On ‘The Wire,’ Dead At 71 Isiah Whitlock Jr., Best Known As Corrupt Baltimore Politician On ‘The Wire,’ Dead At 71
Isiah Whitlock Jr., Best Known As Corrupt Baltimore Politician On ‘The Wire,’ Dead At 71 Isiah Whitlock Jr., forever remembered in Baltimore as the corrupt Clay Davis on The Wire, has died at 71. Whitlock, best known for his role as the wheeling-and-dealing politician on the HBO classic set in Maryland, died on Tuesday night in a New York hospital after a brief illness, his manager confirmed. "It is with tremendous sadness that I share the passing of my dear friend and client Isiah Whitlock Jr. If you knew him - you loved him," manager Brian Liebman posted on social media.  View this post on Instagram "A brilliant actor and …

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by Zak Failla
Suitland, MD
Breaking News
Suitland Dad Charged With Murder After Infant Dies From Blunt Force Trauma: Police Suitland Dad Charged With Murder After Infant Dies From Blunt Force Trauma: Police Suitland Dad Charged With Murder After Infant Dies From Blunt Force Trauma: Police
Suitland Dad Charged With Murder After Infant Dies From Blunt Force Trauma: Police A 24-year-old father in Maryland has been arrested in connection with the death of his infant, authorities announced. Khalil Brooks-Clarke, who was the sole caregiver of 4-month-old Kairo Brooks, has been charged with multiple counts of murder after the baby suffered traumatic injuries and died, according to the Prince George's County Police Department. At approximately 12:40 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27, officers were called to an apartment in the 5400 block of Morris Avenue after receiving reports about an unresponsive infant. Brooks was treated at the scene by first responders and rushed t…

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by Zak Failla
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
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