News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Aug 27, 2026

By ALXnow.com
ALXnow logo over a river scene with rowers and distant city buildings, announcing Daily Debrief for Aug 27, 2026 (hero banner).

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 — Aug 27, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Housing Alexandria residents advised to stay indoors as ICE reports arrests in city, region (2181 views)
  2. Alexandria man pleads guilty to providing classified information to a foreign government (812 views)
  3. Alexandria man arrested in online child exploitation sting in Fairfax County (592 views)
  4. Morning Notes for August 27, 2026 (497 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

After 2pm, expect a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, with patchy fog between 7am and 8am. Otherwise, it will be partly sunny with a high of about 87°F, and calm winds becoming north at around 6 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%. Friday night will have a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, and then a slight chance of showers until 2am. The night will be mostly cloudy with a low of around 69°F and a light north wind, with a 20% chance of precipitation. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
– Nelson Mandela

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

Housing Alexandria residents advised to stay indoors as ICE reports arrests in city, region

By James Cullum
Police car lights (file photo)

As a number of undocumented immigrants have been arrested in Alexandria this month, nonprofit affordable housing developer Housing Alexandria recently advised its residents to stay indoors due to ICE activity.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, on Wednesday (Aug. 26), announced 1,328 “illegal alien offenders” were arrested throughout Virginia and Maryland between Aug. 1 and Aug. 14. Those arrested as part of ICE’s Operation Safe Community include at least four people in Alexandria. ICE said of the 1,328, nearly 400 had faced charges or been convicted.

Go to Housing Alexandria residents advised to stay indoors as ICE reports arrests in city, region Read more
Sponsored

Local business is what makes Alexandria, Alexandria

By Jordan Ciminelli
Image from Local business is what makes Alexandria, Alexandria

The corner coffee shop. The family dentist. The realtor who knows every block. They’re a part of what makes Alexandria feel like home. The same neighbors who read ALXnow every day aren’t just part of the community, they’re looking to support it, one local business at a time.

Since 2019, ALXnow has been Alexandria’s go-to source for local news, now reaching 400,000 readers a month. People come here for what’s happening around the city, and along the way, they discover the businesses that serve it.

Advertising here feels different, and readers tell us so: according to our 2025 reader survey, 84% say they like seeing local ads on ALXnow, and 43% have taken action after seeing one. When businesses appear alongside the news your neighbors trust, it becomes part of the community conversation rather than an interruption to it.

There are a few ways to take part, whether you want to introduce your business, promote an event, or tell your story. And because ALXnow is independent local journalism, your support also helps keep Alexandria informed.

If you’ve been thinking about reaching your neighbors, we’re glad to help you find the right fit.

Explore every option at lnn.co/advertise, email [email protected], or call 703-348-0583.

News

Alexandria man pleads guilty to providing classified information to a foreign government

By James Cullum
The statue of Justice outside the Albert V. Bryan United States Courthouse in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

An Alexandria man pleaded guilty Wednesday (Aug. 26) to transmission of national defense information to a foreign government.

Nathan Vilas Laatsch, 29, an IT specialist in the Defense Intelligence Agency’s Insider Threat Division, was arrested on May 29, 2025, after making a dead drop at a prearranged location. The Federal Bureau of Investigation started its investigation into Laatsch in March 2025, after he sent an email decrying the Trump administration and offering to give classified information to a “friendly foreign government,” according to court records.

Go to Alexandria man pleads guilty to providing classified information to a foreign government Read more
News

Alexandria committee finds some consensus on School Board election reforms at first meeting

By Emily Leayman
Alexandria City Councilman Canek Aguirre (staff photo by James Cullum)

Members of Alexandria City Council and the Alexandria City School Board appointed to a special committee found some common ground as they met for the first time Tuesday (Aug. 25) to discuss School Board election reforms.

On Tuesday, the committee shared some agreement on increasing term lengths from three to four years. While there wasn’t any initial consensus on staggering terms, members will continue discussions at the next meeting and will also start dialogue on board size.

Go to Alexandria committee finds some consensus on School Board election reforms at first meeting Read more
News

Alexandria man arrested in online child exploitation sting in Fairfax County

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

An Alexandria man was among nine men arrested last month as part of an online child exploitation sting by the Fairfax County Police Department.

Henry Flores Herrera, 39, was arrested on July 16 and charged with soliciting a minor for prostitution and using a computer to solicit a minor after allegedly soliciting a detective posing as a juvenile online. Herrera and other suspects believed they were going to meet a juvenile and instead met officers from the department’s Child Exploitation Unit in Fairfax County and were arrested, according to FCPD.

Go to Alexandria man arrested in online child exploitation sting in Fairfax County Read more
News

Mayor Gaskins, regional leaders share desire to cut red tape for businesses

By Scott McCaffrey
Man in a suit claps while seated beside a woman in a navy dress, both smiling during a panel discussion on stage, coffee cup in view
Mayor Alyia Gaskins is applauded by Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Alexandria city officials are taking aggressive action to attract and retain businesses large and small, the city’s mayor said at an Aug. 26 gathering of regional officials.

“We want to be a city where businesses feel their ideas are heard and implemented,” Mayor Alyia Gaskins said at the 11th annual Northern Virginia Regional Elected Leaders Summit.

Go to Mayor Gaskins, regional leaders share desire to cut red tape for businesses Read more
News

Morning Notes for August 27, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Two rowing crews race on a calm river at sunset, with an arched bridge and city buildings along the distant shore.
Rowers with Alexandria City High School on the Potomac River (courtesy of Titan Rowing)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On August 27, 1948, the Alexandria Citizens Band gave a concert outside Maury School to celebrate its first prize honors at Virginia State Fireman’s Convention days before. The band had previously won top honors several times at the competition.” [Historic Alexandria]

School Board Meets Tonight — The Alexandria City School Board is back for a meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, with an agenda featuring community donations, adjustments to the budget due to state funding, and a closed session to discuss superintendent candidates. [Alexandria City School Board]

Go to Morning Notes for August 27, 2026 Read more
News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Aug 26, 2026

By ALXnow.com
ALXnow branding with 'Daily Debrief for Aug 26, 2026' over a brick-walled street with statues and steps.

Good Wednesday 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 — Aug 26, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. How a write-in campaign made Chadwicks the best bar in Alexandria poll winner (675 views)
  2. Alexandria intervenes in proposed Dominion Energy, NextEra merger case (565 views)
  3. Political operative from Alexandria pens debut thriller novel, plans launch at Elaine’s Literary Salon (538 views)
  4. Lanes reopen after crash backs up traffic on southbound I-395 in Alexandria (466 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌦️ Thursday’s forecast

Showers and thunderstorms are possible, mainly after 2pm, with some storms potentially severe. Expect mostly sunny skies and a high near 90, with south winds at 7 to 10 mph and a 30% chance of rain. Thursday night, there’s a greater chance of showers and thunderstorms, especially before midnight, with a low around 69. The sky will be mostly cloudy, winds will become calm, and the chance of rain is 50%. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”
– Arthur Ashe

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

Lanes reopen after crash backs up traffic on southbound I-395 in Alexandria

By James Cullum
Busy multi-lane highway with heavy traffic and orange construction/cone barriers blocking some lanes, an emergency vehicle present.
Crash on I-395 southbound at Little River Turnpike on Aug. 26, 2026 (via VDOT)

A driver was reportedly injured in a two-vehicle crash on southbound Interstate 395 near the Duke Street/Little River Turnpike exit Wednesday afternoon.

The crash between a black SUV and a tan Toyota sedan was reported just after 3:45 p.m. Alexandria police and fire responders cut off traffic in the third and fourth lanes near the righthand shoulder of the roadway. The crash occurred just before exit 3 on I-395.

Go to Lanes reopen after crash backs up traffic on southbound I-395 in Alexandria Read more
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