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Notes: A Saturday of civic debate, jazz celebration, and solemn remembrance in Alexandria

By Ryan Belmore

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Saturday, June 14, the 165th day of 2025. There are 200 days left in the year. This is Flag Day.

On this day:

  • In 1775, the Continental Army, the precursor to the United States Army, was established by the Second Continental Congress.
  • In 1777, the Second Continental Congress approved the design of the first “stars and stripes” American flag.
  • In 1906, 18-year-old aviator Lincoln J. Beachey, nicknamed “The Man Who Owns the Sky,” ascended from Luna Park at the north end of the city and sailed over Alexandria in an airship built by Ray Knabenshue.
  • In 2017, a gunman opened fire on a Republican congressional baseball team holding an early-morning practice at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park in Alexandria. Louisiana Representative Steve Scalise is among the five people wounded in the attack, being shot in the hip. Capitol Police officers at the practice return fire and quickly apprehend the shooter, who is mortally wounded in the exchange. The team was preparing for its annual charity game against members of the Democratic party, scheduled for later in the week.

⛈️ Today’s weather: A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85 degrees. Calm wind becoming north around six mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 60%—new rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.

Showers and thunderstorms are likely tonight before 5 a.m., then a slight chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 66. East wind around six mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%—new rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.

🚨 You need to know

It’s a jam-packed Saturday in Alexandria, with residents having their pick of major civic meetings, political demonstrations, large-scale festivals, and solemn remembrances all happening across the city.

The day kicks off with a crucial City Council public hearing at 9:30 a.m., where development projects, policy changes, and the future of Torpedo Factory Art Center leases will be on the table. Later, elected officials are expected to speak at an anti-Trump “No Kings” protest scheduled for 3 p.m. outside City Hall, part of a nationwide day of action.

This afternoon, music takes center stage as the 47th Annual Alexandria Jazz Festival brings an array of performers to Waterfront Park starting at 3 p.m. For history buffs, Fort Ward will also offer a step back in time with a concert of Civil War-era music.

Throughout the day, Alexandrians can pay their respects at “The Wall That Heals,” a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on display at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. Voters also have until 5 p.m. today to cast their ballot early in the Democratic primary at designated locations.

These are just a few highlights of a day that also includes the grand opening of a new vintage store in Del Ray, a fundraiser by Old Town boutiques, and a full slate of live music tonight. See the complete list of what’s happening below.

📈 Friday’s most read

The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for June 13, 2025.

  1. Alexandria City High School Executive Principal Alexander Duncan III leaving to run Washington-Liberty High School in Arlington
  2. Alexandria School Board makes elementary and middle school redistricting changes
  3. DEVELOPING: Flash Flood Warning issued for Alexandria

📅 Upcoming events

Here’s what’s happening today and this weekend in Alexandria, courtesy of our event calendar.

Saturday, June 14

​​Things To Do

Live Music & Entertainment

City of Alexandria & Alexandria City Public Schools

Sunday, June 15

Things To Do

Live Music & Entertainment

City of Alexandria & Alexandria City Public Schools

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

About the Author

  • Ryan Belmore is a journalist based in Alexandria, Virginia. He served as Publisher of ALXnow from March to October 2025. He can be reached at [email protected].