On This Day in Alexandria History — “On Jan. 6, 1873 a temporary hospital was erected on S. Washington Street, near St. Mary’s Cemetery, to accommodate the huge increase in victims that had succumbed to a massive Smallpox epidemic underway in Alexandria. The attempt to isolate indigent and ‘outside poor’ patients away from the densely populated downtown area, at a spot where Washington Street dead-ended at Great Hunting Creek, proved fruitless for those who had contracting the disease, and many died soon after they were admitted to the facility.” [Historic Alexandria]
Daylight Is Increasing — “Sunset cracked 5 pm in DC today, for the first time since early November. Goodbye to the 57-day streak of 4-o’clock darkness… and now we’re gaining a minute of evening light daily. Onward!” [Capital Weather Gang]
Duke Street Land Use Meeting Tonight — “The [Duke Street Land Use Plan] is expected to be ready for City Council consideration and adoption from late 2026 to early 2027, according to the city. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. tomorrow in room 1305 of the Redella S. ‘Del’ Pepper Community Resource Center.” [ALXnow]
Beyer Challenger Throws Hat in Ring— “Another Democratic challenger is seeking to unseat longtime Rep. Don Beyer in this year’s election. Daniel Gray, an Arlington resident and energy and sustainability program manager, announced yesterday (Sunday) that he is seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination for Virginia’s 8th Congressional district.” [ARLnow]
ALXnow, Sister Sites Welcome New Senior Reporter — “Northern Virginia local news veteran Emily Leayman is joining ARLnow and its sister sites in the role of Senior Reporter. Leayman was previously an editor at Patch, where she covered numerous major local news events, as well as stories of more hyperlocal interest in Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax County and elsewhere.” [ARLnow]
Public Records Bill Returning to General Assembly — “[State Sen. Danica Roem, D-Manassas] has reintroduced Senate Bill 56 for the 2026 General Assembly session, which is set to begin next week, reviving an effort to tighten limits on how much state and local governments can charge for public records and to clarify how agencies seek court relief when responding to large or complex requests.” [Virginia Mercury]
Capitol Jan. 6 Plaque Not Displayed on Attack Anniversary — “The official plaque honoring the police who defended democracy that day is nowhere to be found. It’s not on display at the Capitol, as is required by law … Some 100 members of Congress, mostly Democrats, have taken it upon themselves to memorialize the moment. For months, they’ve mounted poster board-style replicas of the Jan. 6 plaque outside their office doors.” [NBC4 Washington]
It’s Tuesday — Expect patchy fog to clear by 10am, giving way to mostly cloudy skies and a high near 51°F, accompanied by a calm southeasterly wind at 6 mph in the afternoon. For Tuesday night, it will remain mostly cloudy with a low around 44°F and a westerly wind at 7 mph. [NWS]
