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 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]

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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]

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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]

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ALXnow Daily Debrief for Jul 10, 2026

By ALXnow.com

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 10, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Alexandria birthday fireworks show leads July 10-12 weekend events (557 views)
  2. Poll: The best food truck in Alexandria (456 views)
  3. School Board elects two Alexandria City High School alumni as chair and vice chair (375 views)
  4. Duke Street Transitway project nears full funding with $15M more from NVTA (366 views)

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

  1. Police: Alexandria child with gun in backpack was left by mom at Reagan National Airport (24360 views)
  2. More details released on $35K jewelry smash-and-grab in Old Town (7205 views)
  3. Alexandria to celebrate its 277th birthday and America’s 250th with fireworks (6164 views)
  4. Alexandria to rededicate street to honor church founder instead of Confederate leader (3318 views)
  5. Alexandria entrepreneur launches app to help men beat the ‘friendship recession’ (3230 views)
  6. UPDATE: Fireworks suspected in fire that displaced ARHA residents in Braddock Metro neighborhood (2956 views)
  7. New school boundaries and walk zones go into effect in Alexandria (2704 views)
  8. JUST IN: Resident revived, taken to hospital amid house fire in North Ridge (2605 views)
  9. 25-year APD veteran Courtney Ballantine now leads Georgetown University Police Department (1509 views)
  10. French restaurants in Alexandria line up special menus, events for Bastille Day (1447 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 scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the day, with rain likely in the afternoon and a high near 85°F. Winds from the north at 5 to 7 mph and a 60% chance of rain, with under a tenth of an inch of new rainfall, though higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms. In the evening, showers and thunderstorms are likely before 8 PM, tapering off to a chance until 11 PM, with a low around 68°F. Light northeast winds and similar precipitation conditions as throughout the day are expected. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence.”
– Mark Twain

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!

News

Morning Notes for July 10, 2026

By ALXnow.com
An Alexandria firefighter giving away play fire helmets at Alexandria's birthday celebration at Oronoco Bay Park, July 12, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Reminder on Alexandria and USA Birthday Celebration — “The Alexandria and USA Birthday Celebration is set for Saturday, July 11 at Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison Street). This year’s event celebrates Alexandria’s 277th birthday and America’s 250th. The free party includes music by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and Decades Band, remarks by Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins, poetry reading by Alexandria Poet Laureate Cristi Donoso, local vendors, cupcakes distributed by City Council members and a grand finale fireworks display over the Potomac River.” [ALXnow]

Virginia Returns to No. 3 on Top States for Business Ranking — “Virginia has been named the country’s top state for business a record six times, most recently in 2024 — before dropping to fourth in 2025, its worst showing since 2018. CNBC tied much of that slide, and Virginia’s still-middling economy score, to the Trump administration’s cuts to the federal workforce — layoffs concentrated in Arlington and the rest of Northern Virginia. Virginia ranked 23rd for its economy this year and 26th for cost of doing business.” [ARLnow]

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ALXnow Daily Debrief for Jul 9, 2026

By ALXnow.com

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 9, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. French restaurants in Alexandria line up special menus, events for Bastille Day (592 views)
  2. WEATHER ALERT: Heavy rainfall risk from storms brings Flood Watch in Alexandria (366 views)
  3. Morning Notes for July 9, 2026 (330 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛈️ Friday’s forecast

There is a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm, with increasing clouds and a high near 90°F. There will be a west wind at 5 to 7 mph. Overnight, there’s a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, with isolated showers possible afterward. The night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 71°F and a light west wind. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
– Mahatma Gandhi

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

Morning Notes for July 9, 2026

By ALXnow.com
A bird searches for snacks in Old Town North (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

America250 Conversational Tours at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum — “Kick off the weekend with Conversational Tour: America250 – Who We Remember at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum on Friday, July 10 and Friday, July 17, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. … This conversational tour uses the history of Gadsby’s Tavern Museum to reflect on who we remember in history and why. Participants will build connections with each other as well as between past and present.” [Historic Alexandria]

Next Meeting on Taylor Run Stabilization Project — “Join us July 20, 6:30–8 p.m., at 2900 Business Center Drive or virtually for a presentation on the 60% design plans for the Taylor Run Infrastructure Stabilization Project. Learn about the proposed improvements and how the design has evolved.” [Alexandria T&ES/X]

Go to Morning Notes for July 9, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Jul 8, 2026

By ALXnow.com

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 8, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Alexandria entrepreneur launches app to help men beat the ‘friendship recession’ (677 views)
  2. New school boundaries and walk zones go into effect in Alexandria (645 views)
  3. Alexandria maintains top 10 ranking on Travel + Leisure’s best U.S. cities list (452 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛈️ Thursday’s forecast

Expect showers and thunderstorms throughout the day, with a high near 87°F and south winds around 6 mph. There’s an 80% chance of rain, with new rainfall between a quarter and half an inch. Showers and thunderstorms will continue into the evening, especially before 8 p.m., with a low around 71°F and light southwest winds. Rain chance remains at 80%, with new precipitation between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, though thunderstorms may bring higher amounts. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The best revenge is massive success.”
– Frank Sinatra

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

Morning Notes for July 8, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Playing at Four Mile Run Park in Arlandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On July 8, 1925, the National Fruit Product Company cider vinegar plant at North Henry and Pendleton was destroyed by fire. Several fire companies responded and city officials including the mayor assisted in putting the fire out. The intense fire attracted a large crowd of spectators and left more than a dozen firefighters in need of medical treatment.” [Historic Alexandria]

City Hall, Market Square, and Slavery Documentary Study Published — “In recognition of Alexandria’s dedication and drive to saving, sharing, and studying history in Virginia, Historic Alexandria received a Commonwealth History Fund grant from the Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC) in February 2025 to produce an in-depth history of Alexandria’s Market Square. Dr. Greg A. Beaman conducted this major research project to better understand the history of this important and well-known space … The project’s findings will inform future efforts to interpret and share the complex history of this early urban center.” [Historic Alexandria]

Go to Morning Notes for July 8, 2026 Read more
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