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.

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Aug 7, 2026

By ALXnow.com
ALXnow daily debrief banner: headline 'Daily Debrief for Aug 7, 2026' over a dark city street background with a distant government tower in twilight.

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 — Aug 7, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Ex-Del Ray restaurant worker gets nearly six months in jail for hidden bathroom camera recordings (1068 views)
  2. Wellness studio with cold plunges and saunas opening next weekend in Braddock neighborhood (720 views)
  3. Poll: The best taco spot in Alexandria (613 views)
  4. Morning Notes for August 7, 2026 (421 views)
  5. Adoptable pet of the week: Handsome Chino is a well-rounded companion (372 views)

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

  1. New kayak launch washes away after rainstorms at Four Mile Run Park (5393 views)
  2. Amazon driver assaulted in attempted carjacking in Alexandria West (4765 views)
  3. West End townhouse project lauded as a regional model for affordable housing (3301 views)
  4. Mayor, Alexandria City Council ask Fairfax County to reject substation tied to data center (2871 views)
  5. JUST IN: Rep. Don Beyer wins nomination in 8th Congressional District Democratic primary (2668 views)
  6. Here’s when the 2026-27 school year starts in Alexandria, and more key dates (2583 views)
  7. Latest turnout shows Democratic primary far outpacing Republican primary in Alexandria (2100 views)
  8. APD seeks suspect in struggle over vehicle in Old Town (1564 views)
  9. Here’s how Alexandria voted in Tuesday’s Democratic and Republican primaries (1542 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

Showers and thunderstorms are possible this afternoon with increasing clouds and a high near 91, while heat index values could reach 100. There’s a 40% chance of rain, and a light southwest wind will pick up to 5-9 mph. On Saturday night, showers and thunderstorms are likely before 8pm, with skies becoming mostly clear and a low around 74. The southwest wind will become calm in the evening, and there’s a 60% chance of rain. Rainfall could be less than a tenth of an inch, except higher during thunderstorms. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”
– Mother Teresa

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!

News

Morning Notes for August 7, 2026

By ALXnow.com
The George Washington Memorial Masonic Temple in Old Town at sunset (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On August 7, 1900, the Alexandria Gazette reported that a four-legged chicken was residing in the city at the home of Washington Ewell, a 65-year-old African American farmer who resided at 1017 Cameron Street. Although the newspaper considered the unusual fowl a “queer freak of nature,” the amazing bird was also described as “perfectly formed and remarkably active.” Interestingly, it was further confirmed that the yellow-bellied curiosity walked on only two legs, carrying the other two about one inch above the ground.” [Historic Alexandria]

Gov. Spanberger Intervenes in Proposed Dominion Energy Merger Case — “As a Virginian, I am deeply skeptical about whether selling our primary, state-regulated utility to an out-of-state company is good for the commonwealth. I have serious questions about what this deal would mean for us. And as governor, I intend to get answers and be a voice for Virginians in the process.” [Washington Post op-ed]

Go to Morning Notes for August 7, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Aug 6, 2026

By ALXnow.com
ALXnow Daily Debrief for Aug 6, 2026 over a busy downtown street with shops and pedestrians outside.",

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 — Aug 6, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Old Town daycare approved to reopen in December with 100-kid capacity (540 views)
  2. Port City Brewing hosting third annual Port to Port Beer Festival this Saturday (407 views)
  3. Morning Notes for August 6, 2026 (406 views)
  4. State-backed solar installation program sees participation trickle up in Alexandria (287 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛅️ Friday’s forecast

Expect mostly sunny conditions with a high of 91 and a heat index up to 102, with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 PM. Southwest winds will be light, increasing slightly in the morning. Friday night brings likely showers and thunderstorms before 8 PM, becoming mostly clear later, with a low of 73 and a 60% chance of precipitation. Rainfall may range from a tenth to a quarter of an inch, with heavier amounts in thunderstorms. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
– Steve Jobs

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

Morning Notes for August 6, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Overlooking the 100 block of King Street in Old Town (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On August 6, 1890, a report was issued indicating that the old Tidal Basin and lock of the Alexandria Canal adjacent to the Potomac River were deteriorating. A charter from Congress authorizing the canal had been passed just sixty years earlier, in response to a proposal by Alexandria merchants to build a canal linking Georgetown with the Alexandria seaport, to capitalize on the new Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. Ultimately, when the canal was complete, there was a vertical drop of 38 feet achieved by the construction of four locks over the seven-mile course. The canal was abandoned in 1886, and the towpath through what is now Arlington was replaced by the electric railway to Mount Vernon. It would be nearly 90 years later for the Tidal Basin and lock to be restored as part of Alexandria’s Canal Center development.” [Historic Alexandria]

Primaries Set Up Competitive Fall Midterm Elections — “Voters this fall will consider candidates for all the state’s congressional seats, as well as a race for U.S. Senate. The battle for control of the U.S. House will turn on just a few dozen races nationwide, so every contest counts. House Republicans now have a 218-212 edge, with one independent and four seats currently unfilled.” [WTOP]

Go to Morning Notes for August 6, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Aug 5, 2026

By ALXnow.com
ALXnow Daily Debrief banner for Aug 5, 2026 over a floral background with pink blossoms

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 — Aug 5, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Mayor, Alexandria City Council ask Fairfax County to reject substation tied to data center (746 views)
  2. Bookstore Long Dark House, Madame Coco’s Emporium aim for September opening in Old Town (636 views)
  3. Here’s how Alexandria voted in Tuesday’s Democratic and Republican primaries (515 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛈️ Thursday’s forecast

Showers and thunderstorms are possible after 5 p.m., with mostly sunny skies and a high of 91°F, though it may feel like 100°F. Winds from the south at 8-10 mph may gust up to 18 mph, with a 30% chance of rain. Thursday night, expect a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms mainly between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., with partly cloudy skies and a low of 74°F. Southwest winds will be around 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
– Steve Jobs

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

Morning Notes for August 5, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Blooming buds in Old Town North (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On August 5, 1774, Alexandria’s first volunteer fire company was established as the Friendship Fire Company. Initially the company was provided space in the Market Square area, but over time, several moves ensued as the needs of the company grew. In 1855 the company moved to a new firehouse built on South Alfred Street, with was a tall pointed steeple that could be seen from miles away. During the Civil War the firehouse was neglected, and by 1871, the impact of wind and weather on the steeple was so devastating that the building was closed and rebuilt. The steeple was removed and replaced by the lower cupola still in place today.” [Historic Alexandria]

Inova Alexandria Hospital Ranked Among Top in Va. — Alexandria’s hospital ranked on the  new 2026-2027 Best Hospitals ranking from U.S. News and World Report. This year, the report added regional specialized rankings for cancer, cardiology, heart and vascular surgery, orthopedics and rehabilitation. [Patch]

Go to Morning Notes for August 5, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Aug 4, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Voters seated at a polling station with I Voted ballot boxes on a table in the background.

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 — Aug 4, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. New kayak launch washes away after rainstorms at Four Mile Run Park (1363 views)
  2. West End townhouse project lauded as a regional model for affordable housing (1211 views)
  3. APD seeks suspect in struggle over vehicle in Old Town (857 views)
  4. Morning Notes for August 4, 2026 (510 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

  • No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.

⛈️ Wednesday’s forecast

Expect showers and thunderstorms, especially before 3pm and again after 4pm, with mostly cloudy skies and a high of 87°F. Winds will be light, becoming south at 5 to 7 mph, and there’s a 60% chance of precipitation, with rainfall amounts between a quarter and half an inch possible. Wednesday night will have a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a slight chance of showers until 2am, with a low around 74°F and a south wind at 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.”
– Marie Curie

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

Morning Notes for August 4, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Voters at Mount Vernon Recreation Center in Del Ray on Election Day, Nov. 4, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On August 4, 1898, the City received a novel complaint, that perambulators were occupying too much space on the sidewalks of King Street, forcing pedestrians to zig-zig their way along the main commercial thoroughfare, while unperturbed mothers shopped in adjacent stores at their leisure. Though sympathetic to the complainant, legally there was little recourse to restrict the increasingly large baby carriages of the period. [Historic Alexandria]

It’s Election Day — Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the 8th Congressional District Democratic primary and U.S. Senate Republican primary. [ALXnow]

Go to Morning Notes for August 4, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Aug 3, 2026

By ALXnow.com
ALXnow branding with the headline 'Daily Debrief for Aug 3, 2026' over a dark, cloudy aerial cityscape header image.

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 — Aug 3, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Amazon driver assaulted in attempted carjacking in Alexandria West (1758 views)
  2. Here’s when the 2026-27 school year starts in Alexandria, and more key dates (602 views)
  3. Morning Notes for August 3, 2026 (512 views)
  4. Alexandria, regional unemployment totals still well above Biden-era figures (346 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌤️ Tuesday’s forecast

Partly sunny with a high of 86°F. Expect northeast winds at 5 to 7 mph. Tuesday night, there’s a 30% chance of showers mainly after 5 a.m., with mostly cloudy skies and a low of 71°F. East winds around 5 mph will become calm in the evening. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”
– Mother Teresa

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

Morning Notes for August 3, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Thunderstorm rolling into Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On August 3, 1950, Alexandria residents began complaining about a bad taste in the local drinking water. Alexandria Water Company soon officials determined the cause to be chemicals that had been dumped into a storm sewer by men at Cameron Station, the U.S. Army’s Quartermaster Depot. The affected water had to be drained from the water company’s reservoir and the City’s water supply was impacted for a week.” [Historic Alexandria]

Plaque Honors George Washington Connection to Alexandria’s First Catholic Church — “The Basilica unveiled the plaque at 310 S. Royal St. to commemorate a historic 1788 gathering. During that dinner, Revolutionary War veteran Colonel John Fitzgerald proposed building a Catholic church in the city. Washington’s financial ledger entry on March 17, 1788, records the contribution toward St. Mary’s building fund.” [The Zebra]

Go to Morning Notes for August 3, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Jul 31, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Two children playing on a playground swing under a dark banner that reads 'ALXnow Daily Debrief for Jul 31, 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 31, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Poll: The best bar in Alexandria (1240 views)
  2. Alexandria dog daycare owner sued for $585K two years after dog’s death (1131 views)
  3. Alexandria man charged with animal cruelty after allegedly throwing woman’s dog (738 views)
  4. Beats, Bites and Brews and Friendship Firehouse Festival lead the lineup of Alexandria’s weekend events (463 views)
  5. Morning Notes for July 31, 2026 (396 views)

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

  1. Alexandria officials and residents push back against planned data center near city limits (8522 views)
  2. Two men sentenced to combined 56 years in prison for rape and robbery at Alexandria hotel (3724 views)
  3. UPDATED: No injuries after Tuesday night house fire in Fairlington near city border (2927 views)
  4. JUST IN: Trespassing at vacant home leads to police presence in Old Town (2717 views)
  5. Man found guilty of reckless driving in 5-vehicle crash that killed woman in Alexandria (2496 views)
  6. Alexandria’s drinking water utility calls for voluntary water conservation amid drought (2430 views)
  7. Upgrades underway for permanent 200 block of King Street pedestrian zone (2326 views)
  8. Alexandria parking battle moves to Russell Road near Naomi L. Brooks Elementary (2097 views)
  9. Alexandria board OKs removing 20 Russell Road parking spaces, seeks solution for ACPS staff (1915 views)
  10. Dream Chaser’s Coffee reopens in Eisenhower West after abrupt closure (1874 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 mostly sunny skies with a high of around 91°F. The wind will be light from the south, increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning, with possible gusts up to 20 mph. Saturday night will be mostly cloudy, with temperatures dipping to about 74°F and a southeast wind around 10 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!

View More Stories