On This Day in Alexandria History — “On Jan. 9, 1951, Alexandria officials announced the Alexandria National Guard armory on S. Royal Street had been converted into a recreation center for both servicemen and Alexandria residents. Renovations to the building included game rooms, a photographic darkroom and an indoor gym.” [Historic Alexandria]
NoVA Reports 8.2K in Job Losses — “Northern Virginia lost 8,200 jobs as the commonwealth shed tens of thousands of federal workers between November 2024 and November 2025, new data shows. Non-farm employment in Northern Virginia was down 0.5% as of November, according to data that the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement reported Wednesday. The commonwealth as a whole, meanwhile, had lost 22,400 federal jobs year-over-year — an 11.5% decrease.” [ARLnow]
Regional Newspaper Under New Ownership — “The Beacon Newspapers Inc. reported Jan. 7 that the print and online publications have been purchased from owners Stuart and Judy Rosenthal by the company’s longtime executive vice president, Gordon Hasenei … It currently has print editions in the Washington and Baltimore metro areas as well as in Howard County, Md., along with an online presence. Combined, the publications reach 400,000 readers monthly, according to the firm.” [ARLnow]
GOP Sign at Fairlington Bakery Draws Disapproval — “A Fairlington-area bakery’s sign advertising a conservative political club has left a bad taste for some local residents. The sign posted in the window of Great Harvest Bread Company at 1711 Centre Plaza has attracted hundreds of comments on the Reddit page for Northern Virginia and the private Fairlington Appreciation Society Facebook group this week.” [ARLnow]
Kaine Leads Push to Limit War Powers — “The Senate advanced a resolution Thursday that would limit President Donald Trump’s ability to conduct further attacks against Venezuela, sounding a note of disapproval for his expanding ambitions in the Western Hemisphere. Democrats and five Republicans voted to advance the war powers resolution on a 52-47 vote and ensure a later vote for final passage. It has virtually no chance of becoming law because Trump would have to sign it if it were to pass the House. Still, it was a significant gesture that showed unease among some Republicans.” [FFXnow, Associated Press]
VA Businesses Seek Better Child Care Options — “Virginia’s employers say the lack of affordable, high-quality child care is hurting businesses, with 88% of survey respondents reporting employee lateness or absences, and 65% reporting reduced work hours, according to results published last month by the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation, the Richmond Fed and the Virginia Chamber Foundation.” [Virginia Mercury]
ALX Man Arrested in Leesburg Burglary — “An Alexandria man has been charged in connection with an early-morning Nov. 10 burglary at Tobacco King & Vape, 700 Fieldstone Drive NE in Leesburg, according to Leesburg police.” [Patch]
It’s Friday — Rain is possible after 4pm with clouds increasing and a high near 56. South winds between 6-10 mph and gusts up to 20 mph. On Friday night, rain is more likely after 1am, with temperatures dropping to around 49. Southwest winds of 5-8 mph will shift northwest after midnight, and there’s a 70% chance of precipitation. New precipitation amounts could range between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. [NWS]
