Good morning, Alexandria! 👋 Today is Thursday, July 31, the 212th day of 2025. There are 153 days left in the year.
⛈️ Today’s weather: Showers and thunderstorms are likely, mainly after 3 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Increasing clouds, with a high near 93 degrees. Heat index values as high as 106 degrees. Calm wind becoming south around six mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 60%—new rainfall amounts between three-quarters and one inch possible.
Showers and thunderstorms tonight before 2 a.m., then a chance of showers. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 69 degrees. North wind 3 to 5 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%—new rainfall amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible.
🚨 You need to know
Alexandria City Public Schools has reason to celebrate as incoming sophomore Leslie Eyeson has been named the winner of the 2025 Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) Student Essay Contest, Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt announced on social media Thursday.
The prestigious contest, now in its fifth year, culminates with the first-place winner presenting before an audience of more than 200 school board members and administrators at the 2025 VSBA Conference on Education, which was held at the Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa at Short Pump on July 25. The winner also receives the opportunity to present at the 2025 Student School Board Representative Workshop at the Williamsburg Lodge in Williamsburg, Virginia on November 19, 2025.
This year’s essay theme was “Champions for Impact,” challenging students across Virginia to explore how individuals can make meaningful differences in their communities and schools. Eyeson’s winning entry demonstrated the kind of thoughtful analysis and compelling writing that the VSBA seeks to highlight through this annual competition.
The recognition represents a significant achievement for both Eyeson and Alexandria City High School, as the contest draws participants from school districts across the Commonwealth. According to VSBA, the contest aims to “bring out the very best in students’ writing and speaking efforts and allow our attendees to witness examples of bright, thoughtful, and accomplished students from around the state.”
Dr. Kay-Wyatt shared Eyeson’s winning speech via YouTube, expressing the school district’s excitement about the student’s accomplishment. The superintendent’s announcement highlighted the pride ACPS takes in student achievements that extend beyond the classroom and demonstrate the caliber of education provided within the district.
🎉📝 We are excited to celebrate Leslie Eyeson, an incoming sophomore at Alexandria City High School, who has been named the winner of the 2025 Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) Student Essay Contest!
📽️ Watch Leslie’s winning speech: https://t.co/gFtuthfkaZ
— Dr. Melanie KayWyatt (@MelanieKayWyatt) July 30, 2025
This victory continues a tradition of academic excellence at Alexandria City High School and showcases the writing and critical thinking skills that ACPS works to develop in its students. As Eyeson prepares to begin sophomore year, this statewide recognition provides early validation of her academic potential and communication abilities.
Here’s what else you need to know
🌧️ The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Alexandria and surrounding Northern Virginia communities, warning of potential flash flooding from heavy rainfall expected Thursday afternoon through late evening.
🗳️ In a year when Virginia voters will choose their next governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and all 100 members of the House of Delegates, a little-noticed legislative panel is asking a potentially seismic question: Should the state stop voting every year?
✈️ The National Transportation Safety Board enters a second day of public hearings Thursday on the January midair collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger plane that killed all 67 people aboard the aircrafts.
♨️ The votes are in, and Alexandria has spoken: Smoking Kow BBQ is the city’s favorite barbecue destination, according to the ALXnow Readers’ Choice Awards.
📈 Wednesday’s most read
The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for July 30, 2025.
- Construction to begin on Mount Vernon Avenue Bridge, expect two-year delays
- Road closures disrupt Alexandria commutes for railroad repairs
- Smoking Kow BBQ claims victory in Alexandria’s Readers’ Choice barbecue battle
- Notes: Alexandria High School Senior wins National Merit Scholarship
- City of Alexandria services to relocate ahead of major city hall renovation
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s happening today in Alexandria, as per our event calendar.
- 6:00 pm: Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace – Happy Hour
- 6:00 pm: Art + Wine + Cheese: Nepenthe Gallery introduces artist Nancy Bruce
Things To Do
- 2 p.m.: Old Town North Farmers’ Market at Montgomery Park
- 2 p.m.: Summer Film Series – Ballad of Wallis Island at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 5 p.m.: Harry Potter Birthday Bash at Del Ray Pizzeria
- 6 p.m.: Art + Wine + Cheese: Nepenthe Gallery introduces artist Nancy Bruce at Nepenthe Gallery
- 6 p.m.: Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace – Happy Hour at Carlyle House
- 6:30 p.m.: Food & Beer Pairings: Ruta De Sabor at Port City Brewing Company
- 219 Restaurant: Mike Kelley & Friends at 9 p.m.
- Alexandria Bier Garden: Trivia at 7:30 p.m.
- Aslin ALX: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Augie’s Mussel House: Live music at 5 p.m.
- Daniel O’Connell’s: Summer Cup Pong Tournament at 7 p.m.
- Galactic Panther Art Gallery: Enter Shivas Sack at 7 p.m.
- Hops N Shine: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Ken Kilpatrick Trio at 6 p.m.
- Lost Boy Cider: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Murphy’s Pub: Pat Garvey at 8:30 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Crushing Diamonds at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: Dave Koz and Friends at 7:30 p.m.
- The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.
City of Alexandria Events & Public Meetings
