News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Apr 20, 2026

By ALXnow.com

Good Monday 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 — Apr 20, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. JUST IN: Sen. Mark Warner and wife announce daughter’s death (9221 views)
  2. Coffee shop owners seek support after abrupt closure of Valletta Port (1706 views)
  3. ‘Do you want to be in the jail business?’ Sheriff Casey asks City Council amid budget talks (1426 views)
  4. Alexandria’s unemployment rises nearly 34% year over year in latest data (1216 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

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

☀️ Tuesday’s forecast

Expect widespread frost before 10 am, followed by sunny weather with a high near 62°F. Winds will be calm, shifting to the south at about 6 mph in the afternoon. On Tuesday night, there is a 30% chance of showers after 2 am, with partly cloudy skies and a low around 50°F. South winds will increase to 7 to 9 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
– J.K. Rowling

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

‘Do you want to be in the jail business,’ Sheriff Casey asks City Council amid budget talks

By James Cullum
Sheriff Sean Casey at the unveiling of the Alexandria Police Department Suicide Memorial, Sept. 26, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Sheriff Sean Casey and members of his staff argued against a proposed budget reallocation before City Council on Saturday (April 18).

Casey said a proposal by Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley and City Councilman Abdel Elnoubi to transfer $200,000 out of the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office budget for a jail operational efficiency study is a waste of valuable resources and will hurt an already cash-strapped agency. While a number of speakers at Saturday’s public hearing called for Casey’s budget to be cut over what they see as voluntary collaboration with U.S. Immigration and Enforcement, several City Council members defended the proposed study, saying the measure is intended to improve ASO operations.

Go to ‘Do you want to be in the jail business,’ Sheriff Casey asks City Council amid budget talks Read more
Around Town

Coffee shop owners seek support after abrupt closure of Valletta Port

By James Cullum
The owners of Dream Chasers Coffee launched a GoFundMe after their previous home at Valletta Port in Old Town North abruptly closed (via GoFundMe)

A family that opened a coffee shop inside a recently closed Italian restaurant in Old Town North has launched a GoFundMe.

In January, Dream Chasers Coffee owners Leo and Brittani Maggio opened Valletta Espresso Bar inside Italian restaurant Valletta Port at 682 N. St. Asaph Street. On Friday (April 17), the restaurant abruptly closed. Maggio told ALXnow that he arrived at work to find the doors locked and the business shut down.

Go to Coffee shop owners seek support after abrupt closure of Valletta Port Read more
Around Town

Old Town Books owner prepares to launch literary-inspired Fabled Ice Cream brand

By Katie Taranto
Fabled Ice Cream (courtesy of Ally Fitzpatrick)

A sweet new release is coming soon to Old Town Books — although it isn’t the latest summer romance or nonfiction read.

The independent bookstore is preparing to enter the confectionery world this summer with Fabled Ice Cream, a new ice cream brand by store founder Ally Kirkpatrick. The brand is planning weekly drops of literary-inspired flavors, available in small-batch pints at Old Town Books (130 S. Royal Street).

Go to Old Town Books owner prepares to launch literary-inspired Fabled Ice Cream brand Read more
News

Alexandria School Board members push City Council for staggered term reforms

By James Cullum
Alexandria School Board meeting in 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City School Board members are asking the public to help push for reforms to the nine-member board, including staggered elections, higher salaries and more.

The clock is ticking, School Board Members Ashley Simpson Baird and Kelly Carmichael Booz wrote in a recent blog post. The pair wrote that City Council must act this year by beginning a process to amend the City Charter — a change that would need to go to the Virginia General Assembly’s 2027 session for approval.

Go to Alexandria School Board members push City Council for staggered term reforms Read more
News

JUST IN: Sen. Mark Warner and wife announce daughter’s death

By Emily Leayman
Senator Mark Warner during a Virginia media availability in May 2025 (via Sen. Warner's office)

Sen. Mark Warner (D) and his wife, Lisa Collis, shared today (Monday) that their daughter Madison Warner has died.

The 36-year-old died after decades of battling juvenile diabetes and other health issues, according to their statement.

Go to JUST IN: Sen. Mark Warner and wife announce daughter’s death Read more
Weather

Freeze Warning issued for Alexandria as temperatures plummet

By ALXnow.com
Frost on grass (via Michael Held/Unsplash)

Alexandria and other parts of the D.C. region will be under a freeze warning overnight into Tuesday.

After temperatures reached as high as 90 this past week, near-freezing conditions are expected in the early morning hours of Tuesday. During a freeze warning, forecasters encourage residents to take precautions to protect vulnerable plants and outdoor plumbing from freezing.

Go to Freeze Warning issued for Alexandria as temperatures plummet Read more
News

Tuesday’s special election ballot includes City Council race, redistricting amendment

By Emily Leayman
Signs supporting and opposing redistricting on April 6, 2026 in Old Town Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Tuesday, April 21 marks Election Day in Alexandria for a statewide redistricting voter referendum and a special election for a City Council seat.

Candidates in the City Council special election are Democrat Sandy Marks and independent candidates Alison O’Connell and Frank Fannon. Marks is the former chair of the Alexandria Democratic Committee, Fannon is a former Republican member of City Council from 2009 to 2012, and O’Connell is a founding member of Alexandria for Palestinian Human Rights.

Go to Tuesday’s special election ballot includes City Council race, redistricting amendment Read more
News

Alexandria’s unemployment rises nearly 34% year over year in latest data

By Scott McCaffrey
The Alexandria skyline (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Unemployment among city residents rose by one-third year over year to start 2026, according to new state data.

A total of 3,656 Alexandria residents were reported as seeking jobs in January, according to figures released April 16 by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement.

Go to Alexandria’s unemployment rises nearly 34% year over year in latest data Read more
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