Good Wednesday morning, Alexandria!
⛅ Today’s weather: Mostly cloudy throughout the day. High of 59 and low of 44.
🌥 Tomorrow: Overcast throughout the day. High of 65 and low of 44. Sunrise at 7:08 am and sunset at 5:39 pm.
🚨 You need to know
Child care anywhere is expensive, but WTOP reports that childcare costs in Alexandria are a cut above the rest of the region.
A study of childcare data throughout the region by the Women’s Bureau found that Alexandria parents are paying the largest portion of their median family income for child care. Parents in Alexandria pay an average of 17% of their income for an infant at a daycare center, around $24,000 on average, and around 14% of their income to preschool.
The report notes that while childcare is expensive, childcare providers operate on thin margins and are paid low wages, meaning the industry has difficulty attracting new workers:
Even though child care is expensive, childcare providers operate on thin margins and childcare workers receive very low wages – a median of $13.22 an hour. This is lower than almost any other occupation, and wages fall below the living wage in most states, failing to meet childcare workers’ basic needs. Low pay in the childcare sector means that employers cannot attract sufficient workers and many areas are considered childcare deserts, leaving families with limited options. Yet, families cannot afford to pay more, meaning the childcare sector needs substantial government investment to function adequately and eventually prosper.
An interactive map of childcare prices for Alexandria and other localities is available online.
📈 Tuesday’s most read
The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for Feb 7, 2023.
- Notes: Potomac Yard’s Amazon Fresh fate uncertain with future locations ‘paused’ (1465 views)
- After 70 crashes over the last decade, Alexandria begins the process of fixing two Duke Street intersections (927 views)
- Man injured in Arlandria assault early Monday morning | ALXnow (901 views)
- Transformative Samuel Madden redevelopment in Braddock area goes to Planning Commission tonight (387 views)
🗞 Other local coverage
- Top Beam Signed and Placed on 11-Story Academic Building of Virginia Tech Innovation Campus at Potomac Yards
Zebra (Tuesday @ 11:31 pm)
- Joan Renner Named New Chair of the Goodwin Living Foundation Board of Directors
Zebra (Tuesday @ 6:42 pm)
- Turkish Coffee Lady in Alexandria Collecting Supplies for Earthquake Victims in Turkey
Zebra (Tuesday @ 5:39 pm)
- ‘Sunset Boulevard’ Glows With Hollywood Glamour Starring Broadway Royalty Stephanie J. Block
Zebra (Tuesday @ 4:00 pm)
- City of Alexandria Offering Free Tax Preparation Assistance
Zebra (Tuesday @ 2:28 pm)
- City of Alexandria Offers Free Tax Preparation
Alexandria Living (Tuesday @ 2:08 pm)
- Loyal Companion Pet Store to Close
Alexandria Living (Tuesday @ 1:47 pm)
- Alexandria Woman Creates Tapestry Honoring 200-Plus Women Throughout History
Zebra (Tuesday @ 11:52 am)
- Call for Donations and Earthquake Relief for Turkey
Zebra (Tuesday @ 11:41 am)
- Loyal Companion Closing 11 VA, DC Stores After Bankruptcy Filing
Patch (Tuesday @ 10:41 am)
- Heart of Del Ray Voting Opens
Alexandria Living (Tuesday @ 7:51 am)
🐦 Tweets of note
Posted these Snowmageddon pictures from Old Town Alexandria 13 years ago, please send us some snow soon @TenaciousTopper @dougkammerer @capitalweather @SteveRudin7News @amelia_draper @Brian7NewsDC @TonyPannWBAL pic.twitter.com/C0r7Bgohmv
— Tony Castrilli (@TonyCastrilli) February 6, 2023
On Saturday 1 driver knocked out power to 1,000 residents and closed a major arterial road for a whole day
Today another crash knocked out internet for the entire library system
How much infrastructure gets knocked out before people stop complaining about “@TheWarOnCars” pic.twitter.com/j4GnHlGJz5
— Alex Goyette (@Alex_Goyette) February 6, 2023
City of Alexandria Offering Free Tax Preparation Assistance https://t.co/eP3xNdeJi2 #Alexandria #freetaxprep pic.twitter.com/Hq7H8CvJa0
— The Zebra Press–GOOD News in Alexandria, VA (@ZebraAlexandria) February 7, 2023
REMINDER – NEW FEATURE ALERT!
Our new streetlight mapping tool makes reporting streetlight malfunctions easier than ever. In 3 easy steps, users can search and select streetlights on the map and submit a request.
Visit https://t.co/0l9WroVISy to learn more. pic.twitter.com/aJw1p3ABqa— Alex311 — Connecting You to City Services (@AlexandriaVA311) February 7, 2023
The consultant engaged by the Alexandria City School Board in the search for a permanent superintendent has compiled reports based on stakeholder feedback from December and January. https://t.co/FxDmEKBlIn
— Alexandria City Public Schools (@ACPSk12) February 7, 2023
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on today in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
- 11:00 am: Hot Lola’s Alexandria Opening
Recent Stories

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Made in Alexandria Fall Makers’ Market
The Made in ALX Fall Makers’ Market at Port City Brewing Co. in Alexandria is set for Sunday, Sept. 24!
This is the fall’s most fun sip-and-shop, featuring craft beer from the award-winning Port City Brewing Co. along with food,
2023 Alexandria Fall Festival
Food trucks, bounce houses, pony rides, magic shows and more at the 2023 Alexandria Fall Festival, an Alexandria Living event presented by The Patterson Group. Join us at River Farm on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.