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 May 22, 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 — May 22, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. NEW: Alexandria man claims self-defense in fatal West End apartment shooting (1872 views)
  2. Alexandria teachers union candidate disqualified less than 12 hours before officer elections (1231 views)
  3. Alexandria launches passport program to boost support for Duke Street businesses (555 views)

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

  1. Old Town North power plant redevelopment and funding plans heading to city review (9385 views)
  2. UPDATE: Police fatally shoot suspect following shooting of female victim in Alexandria (9372 views)
  3. APD recovers video of sexual assault suspect allegedly spiking victim’s drink at Old Town bar (9319 views)
  4. Divided City Council upholds Braddock Road redesign after 11-hour hearing (5705 views)
  5. Driver arrested after alleged road rage incident in West End parking lot (5451 views)
  6. Italian restaurant and new café aim for early 2027 openings in Old Town North (5029 views)
  7. Alexandria man claims ‘wrong house’ after alleged break-in at co-worker’s relatives’ home (2692 views)
  8. ACPS enrollment projected to drop as Alexandria birth rates decline (1885 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌧️ Saturday’s forecast

Expect rain and areas of fog with a high near 61 degrees today and an east wind around 11 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%, with new rainfall between a quarter and half an inch likely. Rain continues into Saturday night, with a low around 55 degrees and an east wind of 6 to 10 mph. The chance of precipitation remains high at 90%, with similar new rainfall amounts expected. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.”
– Amelia Earhart

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!

News

Morning Notes for May 22, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Walking in the summer rain near the Torpedo Factory Art Center along the Alexandria waterfront (staff photo by James Cullum)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On May 22, 1802, Martha Dandridge Custis Washington, wife of the nation’s first president, died of a severe fever at age 70, in the small, third-floor bed-chamber at Mount Vernon that she had moved to after her husband’s death in 1799. In the extended period of her bereavement, her health declined steadily, and a visitor to Mount Vernon in 1801 remarked, “She speaks of death as a pleasant journey.” Although technically America’s first “First Lady” that term was not in presidential jargon at the time George Washington served as Commander in Chief, and she was instead referred to simply as “Lady Washington.” A year after Washington died, his widow freed all slaves previously under his ownership and closed up their former bedroom on the second floor of the expansive residence, moving to a small room on the third floor. She was interred beside the “Father of Our County” on the grounds of the estate.” [Historic Alexandria]

Memorial Day Travel Forecast — “In its Memorial Day Weekend travel forecast, AAA said a record 45 million Americans are expected to travel 50 or more miles from home for Labor Day Weekend, Most of them — 39.1 million — will be driving. All modes of travel are expected to increase this year.” [Patch]

Go to Morning Notes for May 22, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for May 21, 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 — May 21, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. APD recovers video of sexual assault suspect allegedly spiking victim’s drink at Old Town bar (4232 views)
  2. Alexandria man claims ‘wrong house’ after alleged break-in at co-worker’s relatives’ home (1208 views)
  3. Little Birdie to offer sneak peek of menu at Del Ray Farmers’ Market (621 views)
  4. Morning Notes for May 21, 2026 (612 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

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

🌧️ Friday’s forecast

Expect rain before 5 p.m., followed by showers, with a high of around 61°F. East winds will be 9 to 14 mph, with gusts up to 18 mph, and an 80% chance of up to a quarter-inch of precipitation. Friday night will have showers until 11 p.m., then more rain, with a low of about 51°F, east winds at 8 to 13 mph, and a 100% chance of similar rainfall. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”
– Albert Einstein

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

Morning Notes for May 21, 2026

By ALXnow.com
A fallen tree at N. Pitt and Cameron Streets on May 20, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On May 21, 1947, the Virginia Theatre located at 601 First Street was dedicated with a special ceremony. The program included official remarks, playing of the National Anthem, and the feature film “Carnival in Costa Rica.” With 1,200 seats, it was the largest theater in Alexandria at the time.” [Historic Alexandria]

Spanberger Approves, Rejects Set of Immigration Enforcement Bills — “The governor announced (Wednesday) that she has signed SB 352 and its House of Delegates companion HB 1482, which ban law enforcement officers from covering their faces, while vetoing legislation (SB 351 and HB 650) that would restrict federal immigration agents from conducting civil arrests in certain public places, including courthouses, schools and health care facilities.” [FFXnow]

Go to Morning Notes for May 21, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for May 20, 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 — May 20, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Driver arrested after alleged road rage incident in West End parking lot (1553 views)
  2. Alleged ‘campaign violations’ behind delay of Alexandria teachers union officer elections (642 views)
  3. WEATHER ALERT: Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued for Alexandria (562 views)
  4. Alexandria transitions to electric leaf blowers ahead of citywide gas-powered device ban (518 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛈️ Thursday’s forecast

Expect showers and possibly a thunderstorm today, with a high of around 67°F. Northeast winds will be 9 to 13 mph, and there is a 90% chance of rain, with new rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, potentially more in thunderstorms. Thursday night will be cloudy with showers likely before 11 p.m. and a slight chance after 5 a.m., with a low of around 54°F. Northeast winds will range from 7 to 10 mph, and there’s a 60% chance of rain with less than a tenth of an inch expected. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Happiness is not the absence of problems, it’s the ability to deal with them.”
– Steve Maraboli

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

Morning Notes for May 20, 2026

By ALXnow.com
As seen around Old Town Alexandria and Waterfront Park (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On May 20, 1809 the ‘Long Bridge,’ built just north of Alexandria opened, connecting Virginia with the new capital city of Washington, D.C. across the Potomac River. During this time, Alexandria’s 18th century isolation and dependence on waterways for regional travel was being reduced as new highways were extended from Alexandria’s dead end street grid southward from Henry Street across Great Hunting Creek to Richmond, and northward from North Washington Street to Washington, D.C. along what is now Powhatan Street.” [Historic Alexandria]

Spanberger Vetoes Marijuana Retail Market Bills — “Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has vetoed legislation that would have created a legalized marijuana marketplace but is vowing to work with elected officials to resume work on plan ahead of the next General Assembly session. In a statement Tuesday afternoon, Spanberger said the plan, as is, would have created a retail market without the ‘timeline, structure or resources to be successfully implemented.'” [WTOP]

Go to Morning Notes for May 20, 2026 Read more
News

Morning Notes for May 19, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Parked cars in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Trial in 6-Year-Old’s Shooting of Virginia Teacher — “Jury selection began Monday in the trial of a former assistant principal in Virginia accused of ignoring warnings that a 6-year-old student brought a loaded gun to school that was later used to shoot his first grade teacher. Ebony Parker is charged with eight counts of felony child neglect, one for each of the bullets in the gun brought into Richneck Elementary schoolteacher Abby Zwerner ‘s classroom in Newport News in January 2023, prosecutors have said.” [NBC Washington/AP]

Energy Bills Backed by Dominion Energy Signed — “Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Thursday signed legislation that directs regulators to assign electricity costs to data centers and allows Dominion Energy to spend $900,000 a mile burying local distribution lines. The bills from Senate President Pro Tem Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, and Del. Destiny LeVere Bolling, D-Henrico, could have also required data centers to cover the costs of buying electricity from the capacity market through PJM Interconnection, the regional grid operator for Virginia, 12 other states and the District of Columbia. But that requirement was removed by Spanberger and replaced with more regulatory authority to allocate costs.” [Inside Climate News]

Go to Morning Notes for May 19, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for May 18, 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 — May 18, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Police fatally shoot suspect following shooting of female victim in Alexandria (6061 views)
  2. Divided City Council upholds Braddock Road redesign after 11-hour hearing (2085 views)
  3. Morning Notes for May 18, 2026 (800 views)
  4. Tickets on sale for annual Taste of Del Ray festival next month (458 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

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

☀️ Tuesday’s forecast

Expect a sunny day with a high temperature of around 96°F and a southwest wind blowing at 6 to 10 mph. Tuesday night will be partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to about 75°F. A south wind will persist at around 10 mph, with gusts reaching up to 20 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
– Theodore Roosevelt

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

Morning Notes for May 18, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Alexandria Fire Station 202 in Del Ray (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On May 17, 1860, the first passenger in the Alexandria, Loudoun and Hampshire Railroad traveled from Alexandria to Leesburg. A year later, when the Civil War started, Union troops seized the AL&H rails, equipment and buildings, and converted the station at Princess and Fairfax into offices for the Quartermaster Department.” [Historic Alexandria]

Supreme Court Rejects Redistricting Appeal — “The Supreme Court on Friday rejected Virginia’s bid to restore a congressional map that would have given Democrats a chance to pick up four seats in the closely divided House of Representatives. The court’s order, issued without any noted dissent, is the latest twist in the nation’s mid-decade redistricting competition.” [ARLnow/AP]

Go to Morning Notes for May 18, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for May 15, 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 — May 15, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. ‘I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing,’ says Old Town shop owner after mid-career change (1507 views)
  2. Alexandria sees homelessness increases among youth and Black residents (861 views)
  3. Torpedo Factory Art Center draws one operator bid as city weighs next steps (767 views)
  4. Poll: The best car wash or auto detailing service in Alexandria (708 views)
  5. Morning Notes for May 15, 2026 (631 views)

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

  1. UPDATE: Woman killed in Old Town North was walking with active pedestrian signal (15387 views)
  2. Alexandria police bust alleged sex trafficking at Huntington area massage parlor (10645 views)
  3. Four men arrested for alleged $100K copper piping theft at Inova Alexandria Hospital site (9429 views)
  4. Mount Vernon Avenue bridge fully closing for construction starting Saturday (5106 views)
  5. 1800s Old Town home could give way to three-story townhouse under owner’s proposal (3658 views)
  6. Crooked Run Fermentation plans to open Del Ray taproom later in 2026 (3207 views)
  7. Alexandria looks for creative parking solutions after closure of Market Square parking garage (3062 views)
  8. JUST IN: No injuries after townhouse fire on Prince Street in Old Town (2164 views)
  9. Alexandria City High School graduation next month to use AI name-reading for second year (1796 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 sunny skies with a high of 84°F and calm winds shifting to southwest at 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Saturday night will be partly cloudy, with a low around 65°F and a southwest wind at 5 to 8 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.”
– Plutarch

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!

News

Morning Notes for May 15, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Exercising along the Mount Vernon Trail in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

State Sen. Bennett-Parker Pushes for More Diaper Changing Tables — “Virginia’s Board of Housing and Community Development voted Monday to approve Bennett-Parker’s proposal to require diaper changing tables in new buildings that are open to the public. The policy would apply to each floor containing public restrooms in new assembly, business, educational, and mercantile occupancy buildings, Group R-1 hotels and motels, and highway rest stops.” [ARLnow]

9-Year-Old Leukemia Patient Inspires Blood Drive — “It was all smiles as 9-year-old Taylor McLeod arrived at the blood drive she organized through Children’s National Hospital, surrounded by her parents, grandmother, and younger brothers, all wearing matching hot pink lightning-bolt T-shirts emblazoned with the phrase: ‘Tough Like Taylor.'” [The Zebra]

Go to Morning Notes for May 15, 2026 Read more
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