Author: ALXnow.com

This is the staff byline for ALXnow, used by editors and other full-time staff. Launched in October 2019, ALXnow is the place for the latest news, views and things to do around Alexandria, Virginia.

News

Morning Notes for July 20, 2026

By ALXnow.com
A bee flies in search of pollen in Old Town North (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Wildfire Smoke Outbreak Named Among Worst in Modern History — “A thick, pungent plume of wildfire smoke swept into the region Thursday night behind a cold front and lingered into at least Saturday morning. It was reminiscent of the historic smoke outbreaks of June 2023, when many in the region first experienced air pollution of this magnitude.” [Capital Weather]

Taylor Run Stabilization Project Meeting Today — “Join the City of Alexandria for the upcoming Taylor Run Infrastructure Stabilization Project meeting on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. During the meeting, City staff will present the 60% design plans and discuss the proposed improvements intended to protect vulnerable infrastructure along sections of Taylor Run while minimizing impacts on the surrounding environment.” [City of Alexandria]

Go to Morning Notes for July 20, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Jul 17, 2026

By ALXnow.com
ALXnow daily debrief banner: sunrise over a misty field with the date Jul 17, 2026.

Good Friday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Jul 17, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Police: Accidental shooting in Old Town sends man to hospital Friday morning (1227 views)
  2. JUST IN: Alexandria under Code Purple Air Quality Alert due to wildfire smoke (1093 views)
  3. JUST IN: Jury indicts Lorton man after pedestrian killed crossing street in Old Town North (666 views)

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  1. Alexandria man arrested for allegedly destroying multiple license plate readers (8337 views)
  2. Alexandria Soccer Association families among victims of soccer coach’s alleged Italy summer camp scam (5882 views)
  3. Fired Alexandria sheriff’s deputy allegedly agreed to smuggle drugs to inmate for $500 (5817 views)
  4. BREAKING: Man shot to death on Holmes Run Parkway in Alexandria (4337 views)
  5. Chicago-style hot dog spot to hold grand opening above Del Ray Public House on July 18 (3803 views)
  6. JUST IN: Dog may have accidentally started fire at West End home, owner says (3471 views)
  7. Alexandria man faces felony hit-and-run charge in Fairlington crash (2554 views)
  8. UPDATE: APD identifies victim of Wednesday night fatal shooting on Holmes Run Parkway (2475 views)
  9. Maryland man allegedly tried to pass forged $11K check at Del Ray bank, police say (2379 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Saturday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

⛈️ Saturday’s forecast

Expect showers and thunderstorms throughout the day, with potential smoke before noon and a high around 94, feeling like 103 due to the heat index. Winds will be from the south at 6 to 11 mph, gusting up to 22 mph. The chance of precipitation is 70%, with rainfall between a tenth and a quarter inch, possibly higher in storms. Saturday night, showers, and thunderstorms are likely before 2am, with cloudy skies and a low near 74. The southwest wind will be around 7 mph, with a 60% chance of precipitation. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.”
– George Eliot

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!

News

Morning Notes for July 17, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Sunrise over a misty park field seen through a large tree with sprawling branches in the foreground.
Sunrise at Chinquapin Loop (via Eric Keber)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On July 17, 1946 the City of Alexandria designated the Old and Historic Alexandria District, nicknamed at the time the “Charleston Ordinance” after the City of Charleston, South Carolina which had earlier extended the police powers of its zoning code to regulate changes to the exterior appearance of buildings within a designated area. Zoning laws in the United States were first upheld by the U. S. Supreme Court in 1916 in the famous Euclid vs. Ambler case, but that issue dealt specifically with land uses and not aesthetic appearance. Alexandria’s new historic district was the third in the United States including the “Vieux Carre” area of New Orleans. Historic District zoning codes went unchallenged for over two decades until the Supreme Court case Penn Central vs. City of New York upheld that city’s action to denied an application to build a skyscraper atop the historic Grand Central Station.” [Historic Alexandria]

Code Red Air Quality Alert Today — “The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) has forecast a Code Red air day in the metropolitan Washington region tomorrow, July 17, due to smoke from Canada wildfires.” [Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments/X]

Go to Morning Notes for July 17, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Jul 16, 2026

By ALXnow.com
ALXnow news banner: dog in car window with the headline 'Daily Debrief for Jul 16, 2026'

Good Thursday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Jul 16, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. BREAKING: Man shot to death on Holmes Run Parkway in Alexandria (2936 views)
  2. Alexandria man accused of stabbing at King Street Metro station faces malicious wounding charge (983 views)
  3. First look: Luxury new townhomes with 2-car garages (some with elevators) (906 views)
  4. Alexandria mayor opposes idea of merging DASH into a regional bus system (707 views)
  5. AWLA taps into emergency vet fund to help dogs after Alexandria house fire (700 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Friday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

🌥️ Friday’s forecast

This afternoon, expect widespread smoke mainly after 2 p.m., with mostly sunny skies and a high near 92°F. Winds will come from the north at about 5 mph before becoming calm. Tonight, there is a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m., along with widespread smoke. Conditions will be partly cloudy with a low around 74°F, and winds from the southeast at 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”
– Buddha

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

Morning Notes for July 16, 2026

By ALXnow.com
A dog takes the back seat in the Arlandria neighborhood of Alexandria. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Lane Closure Coming Up for City Hall Renovation Project — “From Monday, July 20, until Friday, July 31, the southbound lane of N. Fairfax Street will be partly closed for the City Hall Renovation Project. During the closure, crews will install new municipal fiber lines.” [City of Alexandria]

Cooling Bus Deployed During Heat Wave — “Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a bus. A cooling bus, with AC, for anyone who needs to get out of the heat. Parked at 417 King St. through Friday at 6 a.m. More places to cool off: alexandriava.gov/Alert.” [City of Alexandria/Bluesky]

Go to Morning Notes for July 16, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Jul 15, 2026

By ALXnow.com
ALXnow Daily Debrief for Jul 15, 2026; cyclists ride along a park path in the background

Good Wednesday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Jul 15, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Alexandria man faces felony hit-and-run charge in Fairlington crash (1537 views)
  2. New sandwich and wine shop opening this weekend at the Bradlee Shopping Center (607 views)
  3. Morning Notes for July 15, 2026 (555 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Thursday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

☀️ Thursday’s forecast

Expect patchy smoke from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with mostly sunny and hot conditions, reaching a high near 100°F and a heat index up to 104°F. Winds will be light and variable, shifting to the west at 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon. Thursday night will be partly cloudy with a slight 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m., followed by patchy smoke. The low will be around 76°F, with west winds around 6 mph turning north in the evening. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
– Peter Drucker

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

Morning Notes for July 15, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Cyclists along the Mount Vernon Trail along the Potomac River near Belle Haven (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On July 15, 1870, the Alexandria Police Department was formally organized by an act of the Board of Alderman and Common Council. The act sated that each ‘policeman and officer shall wear a badge in the form of a star, made of block tin, not less than two and a half inches in diameter.'” [Historic Alexandria]

Board of Architectural Review Meets Today — The Board of Architectural Review will have its public hearing at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 15 to consider requests for alterations in the city’s historic districts. [City of Alexandria]

Go to Morning Notes for July 15, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Jul 14, 2026

By ALXnow.com
ALXnow Daily Debrief for July 14, 2026, with fireworks over umbrellas in a dark night setting on a hero banner

Good Tuesday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Jul 14, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Alexandria man arrested for allegedly destroying multiple license plate readers (2990 views)
  2. Alexandria Soccer Association families among victims of soccer coach’s alleged Italy summer camp scam (1706 views)
  3. Italian restaurant Floriana targets late summer opening in Old Town (1152 views)
  4. Chicago-style hot dog spot to hold grand opening above Del Ray Public House on July 18 (743 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Wednesday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

☀️ Wednesday’s forecast

Expect sunny and hot weather, with temperatures reaching a high of around 101°F and a west wind blowing at 7 to 10 mph. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to about 79°F and a west wind ranging from 6 to 9 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
– Eleanor Roosevelt

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

Morning Notes for July 14, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Watching the fireworks in the rain at Alexandria’s 277th birthday celebration at Oronoco Bay Park, July 11, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On July 14, 1965, the Board of Architectural Review for the Old and Historic Alexandria District approved the design for the plaza, fountain and subterranean garage at Market Square. The project, part of a much larger “urban renewal” project to revitalize six deteriorated commercial blocks in the downtown area, paved the way for the demolition of dozens of early buildings fronting King, North Royal and North Fairfax Streets, as well as structures and stalls associated with the market near City Hall. Although controversial even at that time, the authorization supported the concept of opening up Market Square as a community gathering space, rather than the maintaining the jumbled marketplace that had developed over 200 years, and had been largely hidden from surrounding streets for decades.” [Historic Alexandria]

Mentor Open House at Beatley Library Today — “Please help us by signing up to be a mentor and helping young people see that adults in this community care about them and want the best for them. This Tuesday, July 14, we are hosting our mentoring open house. This event will be held at the Beatley Library from 5:30 to 7 p.m.” [Mayor Alyia Gaskins/Facebook]

Go to Morning Notes for July 14, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Jul 13, 2026

By ALXnow.com

Good Monday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Jul 13, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. JUST IN: Dog may have accidentally started fire at West End home, owner says (1643 views)
  2. Fired Alexandria sheriff’s deputy allegedly agreed to smuggle drugs to inmate for $500 (1190 views)
  3. Alexandria average home price tops $850K as sales rise during 2026’s first half (668 views)
  4. Morning Notes for July 13, 2026 (590 views)
  5. PHOTOS: Alexandria’s 277th birthday fireworks proceed on the waterfront despite rain (427 views)
  6. Alexandria children’s book author starts Finch & Squirrel to mentor self-publishing writers (413 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Tuesday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

☀️ Tuesday’s forecast

The weather will be sunny, with temperatures reaching a high of 91°F. Winds will be calm, shifting to the southwest at about 5 mph in the afternoon. At night, skies will remain clear, with temperatures dropping to around 72°F and southwest winds at 5 to 7 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Change your thoughts and you change your world.”
– Norman Vincent Peale

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

Morning Notes for July 13, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Ceremonial cannons from the Presidential Salute Battery at Alexandria's birthday celebration at Oronoco Bay Park, July 12, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

A Wrap on Alexandria Birthday Celebration — “We celebrated Alexandria’s 277th birthday and commemorated the nation’s 250th anniversary at Oronoco Bay Park! Despite a little rain, the party went on! There were cupcakes, fireworks and cannons!” [Mayor Alyia Gaskins/Facebook]

Cat Rescued on Woodrow Wilson Bridge — “Maryland National Capital Park Police officers responded to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trail on Sunday after a concerned citizen reported witnessing the incident. Police said they located and rescued the frightened cat, which was not injured and is now receiving care.” [WTOP]

Go to Morning Notes for July 13, 2026 Read more
View More Stories