Good morning, Alexandria! 👋 Today is Wednesday, Aug. 27, the 239th day of 2025. There are 126 days left in the year.
☀️ Today’s weather: Sunny, with a high near 78 degrees. Northwest wind 6 to 8 mph. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59 degrees. Northwest wind around 5 mph, becoming calm in the evening.
🚨 You need to know
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority unveiled the winning exterior design for its new 8000-series rail fleet on Tuesday, following a vote by more than 20,000 customers in an online poll that closed on Friday.
Option 3 was selected as the updated livery design for Metro’s incoming rail cars, which are expected to begin pilot service in late 2027. The public voting period ran from Aug. 18 through Aug. 22, with the transit authority announcing results after tallying customer preferences from across the region.
“While the exterior design of the new 8000-series fleet pays homage to Metro’s past, the interior is all about the future,” said Metro General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke. “This new rail fleet will improve the customer experience in every way.”
The 8000-series rail cars will feature wider aisles, increased digital signage and dynamic wayfinding systems, representing significant upgrades from the current fleet. The cars are designed with connected, spacious interiors that accommodate wheelchairs, scooters and bicycles while providing additional seating.
Metro Board of Directors Chair Valerie Santos said the new fleet supports the region’s need for modern transit infrastructure while delivering cost savings for the agency.
“Our region deserves a modern rail system, and the new 8000 series fleet will be instrumental in providing the safe, frequent, and reliable service our customers expect,” Santos said. Metro staff identified $21 million in cost savings on the project, funds that will be reinvested into the capital program.
The design selection is part of a broader Metro branding refresh that includes refined logos and illustrations reflecting the transit system’s heritage. The agency emphasized the importance of customer input in selecting designs for what officials call the “fleet of the future.”
Metro’s current rolling stock includes 1000-series cars dating to the system’s 1976 opening, with newer series added over the decades as the system expanded across the Washington metropolitan area.
Here’s what else you need to know
🎶 On this day in 1948, the Alexandria Citizens Band gave a concert outside Maury School to celebrate its first prize honors at Virginia State Fireman’s Convention days before.
👉 The Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority will convene a special board meeting this morning at 8 a.m. to discuss a personnel matter in executive session, one day after Mayor Alyia Gaskins sent a letter on behalf of the City Council demanding a third-party investigation into CEO Erik Johnson’s residency in public housing.
🔎 The General Services Administration has launched an official search for office space in Alexandria to relocate the National Science Foundation after the agency was displaced from its Eisenhower Avenue headquarters.
💰 A nonprofit serving Arlandria’s Latino community is trying to raise $250,000 by the end of today.
🏫 How should city resources be spent in Alexandria City Public Schools’ fiscal year 2027 budget? As the school system and city prepare for budget season, the public will have the opportunity to weigh in on a series of “Funding Our Future” sessions starting this month and concluding in October. The first meeting will be held this evening from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the media room of George Washington Middle School.
❓ Alexandria is asking for public feedback on plans to upgrade crosswalks near schools in Arlandria and Del Ray. The deadline to submit feedback on the plans is Friday.
🛝 Last Call: You have until 11:59 p.m. this evening to vote for the Best Playground in Alexandria.
📈 Tuesday’s most read
The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for Aug 26, 2025.
- GSA launches search for new Alexandria office space to house displaced National Science Foundation
- Alexandria frozen custard shop receives $50,000 historic preservation grant
- Alexandria police investigate hit-and-run on Richenbacher Avenue
- West End luxury car owner reports $11K in jewelry, cash stolen after multiple break-ins
- Plea deal expected for former FCC employee in Alexandria sexual assault cases
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s happening today in Alexandria, as featured in our newsletter and event calendar.
- 9:00 am: From Vision to Venture: Funding Your Small Business
- 1:00 pm: eVA Registration Workshop
Things To Do
- Alexandria Summer Restaurant Week
- 9 a.m.: From Vision to Venture: Funding Your Small Business at Carlyle Crescent
- 10:30 a.m.: Stitcher’s Space at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 10:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.: 1s and 2s Time at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 1 p.m.: eVA Registration Workshop at Beatley Central Library
- 4 p.m.: Sensory Storytime at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 5:30 p.m.: English Language Learning (ELL) 2 Workshop – Intermediate Conversation at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 6 p.m.: DIY Loom Woven Bookmarks – for Adults at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 6:30 p.m.: Cooking Class at Aslin ALX
- 6:45 p.m.: English Language Learning – ELL Classes at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 7 p.m.: Run Club at Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub
- 7 p.m.: From Resume to LinkedIn – Crafting a Winning Personal Brand (virtual)
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Bill Pappas Project at 9 p.m.
- Aslin ALX: Brew Feud at 7 p.m.
- Augie’s Mussel House & Beer Garden: Live music at 5 p.m.
- Hops N Shine: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: James Brazen at 6 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Kenny Kohlhaas at 8:30 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- St. Elmo’s: Open Mic at 7 p.m.
- The Birchmere: Dave Koz & Friends Summer Horns at 7:30 p.m.
City of Alexandria Events & Public Meetings
- 8 a.m.: ARHA Special Board Meeting (virtual)
- 10 a.m.: Everyone’s an Asset Builder Training (virtual)
- 6:30 p.m.: Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee Meeting at City Hall
- 6:30 p.m.: ACPS Funding Our Future at George Washington Middle School
