News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Jul 2, 2026

By ALXnow.com

Good Thursday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Jul 2, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Former UPS employee held without bond after 150+ packages stolen from Alexandria facility (1026 views)
  2. City Council denies Virginia Paving Company’s five-year extension in West End (697 views)
  3. Del Ray getting second record store, replacing play café this August (581 views)
  4. Morning Notes for July 2, 2026 (408 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Friday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

  • No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.

☀️ Friday’s forecast

It will be sunny and hot with a high of 103 degrees and a heat index up to 110. There will be a west wind at 3 to 7 mph. Friday night will be mostly clear with a low of around 80 and a light west wind. On Independence Day, expect showers and possible thunderstorms after 2 PM. It will be hot with a high of 102 and a heat index up to 109. Winds will be calm, becoming west at 5 to 8 mph in the morning. There is a 60% chance of rain, with rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch, although more is possible in thunderstorms. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.”
– Vince Lombardi

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

Alexandria’s police review board sends back ‘incomplete’ report on in-custody death

By James Cullum
The Independent Community Policing Review Board on Monday, June 29, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s Independent Community Policing Review Board wants more questions answered on last summer’s in-custody death of Allan Tucker II.

The board unanimously voted on Wednesday night (July 1) to inform City Council that a report on the Alexandria Police Department response to the incident is incomplete and needs further investigation.

Go to Alexandria’s police review board sends back ‘incomplete’ report on in-custody death Read more
Around Town

Adoptable pet of the week: Mocha will tag along on your outdoor adventures

By Emily Leayman
Adoptable Mocha (via AWLA)

Meet Mocha, a former stray who will melt the heart of her next owner.

Mocha came to the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria as a stray and is looking for a home of her own. She prefers the company of people over toys and would love to accompany her owner wherever they venture to.

Go to Adoptable pet of the week: Mocha will tag along on your outdoor adventures Read more
News

Former UPS employee held without bond after 150+ packages stolen from Alexandria facility

By James Cullum
Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A 28-year-old D.C. man is being held without bond after allegedly stealing more than 150 packages from a UPS shipping facility in Alexandria.

The suspect worked at a UPS facility in Hyattsville, Md., for three months in 2022 and 2023, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit. From April 4 to as recently as June 15, the suspect was captured on security cameras arriving at the UPS facility at 5601 Eisenhower Avenue in rental cars with Virginia tags and entering the building through a bay door.

Go to Former UPS employee held without bond after 150+ packages stolen from Alexandria facility Read more
News

City Council denies Virginia Paving Company’s five-year extension in West End

By Emily Leayman
Virginia Paving Company facility near the Van Dorn Metro station (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria City Council voted yesterday (Wednesday) to deny an extension of Virginia Paving Company’s operations in the West End.

The asphalt production plant, which has been at an 11-acre site at 5601 Courtney Avenue since 1960, had been given Jan. 1, 2027 as a date to clear out operations. The special use permit extension would have allowed it to continue to Jan. 1, 2032.

Go to City Council denies Virginia Paving Company’s five-year extension in West End Read more
Around Town

Del Ray getting second record store, replacing play café this August

By James Cullum
Crooked Beat Records at 2417 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

Del Ray is seeing a vinyl boom as another record store is coming to Del Ray this August, one block from the new location of Crooked Beat Records on Mount Vernon Avenue.

Michael Babin, principal at the Neighborhood Restaurant Group, confirmed to ALXnow that the company is closing Mulberry Lane Play Café at 2016 Mount Vernon Avenue and replacing it with a record store. The news comes as Crooked Beat Records recently announced that it is also aiming for an August opening at 2101B Mount Vernon Avenue.

Go to Del Ray getting second record store, replacing play café this August Read more
News

Alexandria charity sends disaster relief to earthquake-ravaged Venezuela

By Emily Leayman
Relief in Venezuela after earthquakes (via Global Empowerment Mission)

In the wake of deadly earthquakes in Venezuela, an Alexandria charity is among the U.S. organizations lending a helping hand.

Various regions of Venezuela are reeling from a humanitarian crisis as the earthquakes have resulted in thousands of confirmed casualties and tens of thousands unaccounted for, as well as building collapses and structural damage.

Go to Alexandria charity sends disaster relief to earthquake-ravaged Venezuela Read more
News

Alexandria apartment rents dip but remain well above pre-Covid levels

By Scott McCaffrey
Apartment living (via Brian Zajac/Unsplash)

While down year over year, Alexandria’s median apartment rental rate is still more than 16% above the onset of the pandemic and 28% more than during the worst of Covid-19.

The city’s median rent of $2,234 — $2,046 for one-bedroom units, $2,513 for two bedrooms — was down 3.1% in June from a year before, according to figures released June 30 by Apartment List.

Go to Alexandria apartment rents dip but remain well above pre-Covid levels Read more
News

Morning Notes for July 2, 2026

By ALXnow.com
A street lined with American flags in Old Town, Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Reminder on Alexandria Fireworks Date — “More fireworks? We got ’em! Celebrate Alexandria’s birthday with us with live music from the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, cupcakes, and free fireworks next Saturday, July 11! Check out our party invite at alexandriava.gov/Birthday.” [City of Alexandria/Bluesky]

DOJ Challenges Virginia Assault Weapon Ban — “The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, names the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Virginia Department of State Police as defendants. The DOJ is asking the court to declare portions of Senate Bill 749 unconstitutional and permanently block state officials from enforcing the law.” [13 News Now]

Go to Morning Notes for July 2, 2026 Read more
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