On This Day in Alexandria History — “On Nov. 13, 1873, the Alexandria City Council granted permission to the Electro-Magnetic Telegraph Company, created in 1845 by inventor Samuel Morse, to run its lines through Alexandria providing instant communication for the first time from New York all the way to Richmond.” [Historic Alexandria]
House Passes Bill to End Shutdown — “The compromise funds three annual spending bills and extends the rest of government funding through Jan. 30. Republicans promised to hold a vote by mid-December to extend the health care subsidies, but there is no guarantee of success.” [The Associated Press]
ICYMI, Judge Sides with Zoning for Housing — “Alexandria won its nearly two-year battle in Circuit Court today (Wednesday) against residents fighting the city’s massive Zoning for Housing/Housing for All overhaul. Judge H. Thomas Padrick, Jr. granted the city’s motion for summary judgement and dismissed the case against the plaintiffs, a group of Old Town residents who had been fighting to reverse the zoning changes since they were approved by City Council in Dec. 2023.” [ALXnow]
Nonprofit Gives Potomac Water A “B” — “The new 2025 Potomac River Report Card by Potomac Conservancy confirms outdoor recreation in the Potomac River region has surged 10% since 2020, and major infrastructure improvements are addressing urban pollution. But the river’s future is now in question as rising threats to water quality threaten to reverse decades of progress, preventing the Potomac’s return to being a fully fishable and swimmable river.” [Potomac Conservancy]
Nepenthe to Welcome Women’s Exhibit — “Nepenthe Gallery is pleased to announce its participation in Women Artists of the DMV, a multi-venue exhibition showcasing the work of female artists in the greater Washington, DC region.” It starts Thursday, Dec. 4. [Nepenthe Gallery]
FAA Workers Reeling — “Over 11,000 Federal Aviation Administration employees have been furloughed nationwide, while more than 13,200 air traffic controllers are reporting to work without pay, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Even before the shutdown, Virginia was navigating a shortage of controllers at nine airports statewide.” [Virginia Mercury]
Pop and Jazz Holiday Concerts Set Dates — “The Alexandria Singers, the DC area’s premier pops chorus, are delighted to announce their annual holiday pops concert weekend, ‘Unwrapped,’ Dec. 6, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 7, 2025 at 4 p.m.,” while A Very Merry ALX Jazz Fest returns at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12. [The Alexandria Singers and City of Alexandria]
It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high temperature near 56°F. Northwest winds will blow at 7 to 14 mph, and may gust up to 26 mph. For Thursday evening, the sky will be mostly clear, and the temperature will drop to around 35°F. A gentle west wind at approximately 6 mph is expected. [NWS]
