Notes: Delta flight has close call with Air Force jet near DCA

Good Saturday morning, Alexandria!

☀️ Today’s weather: Scattered sprinkles between 10 a.m. and noon. Patchy smoke between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84 degrees. Southwest wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Tonight will be mostly cloudy, with a low of around 63 degrees—south wind around eight mph. On Sunday, there’s a slight chance of showers after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78 degrees—south wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%.

🚨 You need to know

A Delta flight carrying 137 people narrowly avoided a U.S. Air Force jet near Reagan National Airport (DCA) on Friday afternoon, according to multiple media reports.  Around 3:15 p.m., Delta Flight 2983, heading to Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, came within a few hundred feet of an Air Force aircraft shortly after takeoff.

In audio obtained by WUSA9, a Delta pilot can be heard asking air traffic control, “Was there an actual aircraft about 500 feet below us?” The air traffic controller confirmed there was another aircraft nearby. According to the FAA, the Delta plane’s onboard system alerted the crew about a nearby aircraft. Air traffic controllers then gave both planes instructions to correct their course.

According to CNN, Delta did not identify the other jet involved, “but a review of tracking data from FlightRadar24 shows an Air Force T-38 jet flying past the Delta plane and DCA airport going more than 350 miles per hour at 800 feet. The military jet took off and landed at Langley Air Force Base, in Hampton, Virginia”.

The U.S. Air Force confirmed with WUSA9 that four T-38 aircraft were in the area for a flyover at Arlington National Cemetery.

Delta Flight 2983, an Airbus A319, had 131 passengers, three flight attendants, and two pilots on board. It landed safely in Minnesota Friday afternoon.

The Federal Aviation Administration is now investigating the incident.

Rock Del Ray will showcase young Alexandria talent for a cause on Sunday

Rock Del Ray March Edition (via Rock Del Ray)

Get ready for the March edition of Rock Del Ray this Sunday at No. 9 Lounge, situated above Evening Star at 2000 Mt. Vernon Ave. The doors open at 6 p.m., with music kicking off around 6:45 p.m.

Two local acts are set to perform: Redwood, an indie pop-rock band of Alexandria City Public Schools students, and Christian Burke, a singer-songwriter from Alexandria. Redwood is a product of the Rock of Ages Music Rock School and has entertained Del Ray audiences for over two years.

This event isn’t just about great music—it’s also about supporting a good cause. Proceeds will go to Bridges To Independence, an Arlington-based nonprofit that helps families dealing with homelessness, housing instability, or poverty.

The organizers are excited about the event, encouraging everyone to come out and enjoy the show at No. 9 Lounge.

Here’s what else you need to know

City Council Town Hall: Mayor Alyia Gaskins, Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley, and all members of City Council will be present at a City Council Town Hall this afternoon from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Del Pepper Community Resource Center to speak about the issues impacting you and your family. You can also get the latest news on upcoming projects and initiatives in Alexandria. Spanish, Amharic, and Arabic interpretation services will be available at the event.

Alexandria Little League‘s 2025 season gets started today with all sorts of festivities. [ALXnow]

Much Ado About Nothing opens today at The Little Theatre of Alexandria. Catch the action through April 19. [ALXnow]

👉 Stay In The Know

📈 Friday’s most read

The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for March 28, 2025.

1. Alexandria installing additional school zone speed cameras, reducing speed limits on two roads
2. Heritage at Old Town construction to begin in second quarter of 2025
3. ACPS says it’s “too early to tell’ if putting high school kids on DASH buses will work

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on today in Alexandria.

Things To Do

• 7 a.m.: Old Town Farmers’ Market at Market Square Plaza
• 8 a.m.: Del Ray Farmers’ Market at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square
• 10 a.m.: Beyond the Battlefield: A Civil War Walking Tour of Alexandria at Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden
• 10 a.m.: Beatley Friends’ Book Sale at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
• 10 a.m.: Running At The Brewery at Aslin ALX
• 10 a.m.: Shoemaking Demonstration + Coffee Tasting at Old House Provisions
• 10 a.m.: Sip & Stretch: A Yoga & Wine Tasting Experience at Woodlawn Press Winery
• 10 a.m.: Dried floral Gold Hoop Workshop at PlantHouse ALX
• 10:30 a.m.: Parenting Professional Development Series – Time Management Triage at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
• 11 a.m.: Paper Quilling Class: Cherry Blossoms at Made in ALX
• 11:30 a.m.: Bird Flu – Beaks, snouts, mouths, and you at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
• 2 p.m.: WMPA Community Concert at Patrick Henry Recreation Center
• 2 p.m.: Board Game Cafe at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
• 2 p.m.: Bird Flu – Beaks, snouts, mouths, and you at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
• 2 p.m.: Civil War Hospital Tour at Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden
• 3 p.m.: Embroidery 101: Cherry Blossoms at Made in ALX
• 3 p.m.: Tunnel to Towers Fundraiser at Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub

Live Music & Entertainment

• 219 Restaurant: Chris Timbers at 9 p.m.
• Alexandria Bier Garden: Tennessee Frisky at 9:30 p.m.
• Blackwall Hitch: Black Coffee at 9 p.m.
• Galactic Panther:  The Seven Beez and friends at 8 p.m.
• Hops N Shine: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
• Laporta’s Restaurant: Sharon Clark Trio at 7 p.m.
• Makeda Restaurant: Negussie & Nani at 10 p.m.
• Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Lenny Burridge at 9 p.m.
• O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Pixie Jones and  The Traitors at 9 p.m.
• Port City Brewing Company: Comedy Night at 7 p.m.
• Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
• The Birchmere: Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival at 7:30 p.m.
• The Light Horse Restaurant: The Darts (DMV) at 9:30 p.m.
• The Little Theatre of Alexandria: Much Ado About Nothing at 8 p.m.
• The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.

City of Alexandria

• 9 a.m.: Free Income Tax Preparation Assistance
• 10 a.m.: Tour: Fort Ward the Lewis Cass White Exhibition
• 11 a.m.: Community Pop-Up Meeting
• 1 p.m.: City Council Town Hall

For what’s happening on Sunday, head here->From Cherry Blossoms to Live Music: Your Alexandria weekend lineup for March 28 – 30.

Organizing an event? Submit your event to ALXnow’s Event Calendar.