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 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]

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ALXnow Daily Debrief for Jul 7, 2026

By ALXnow.com

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 7, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Alexandria to rededicate street to honor church founder instead of Confederate leader (1222 views)
  2. JUST IN: Resident revived, taken to hospital amid house fire in North Ridge (732 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌥️ Wednesday’s forecast

Expect a 30% chance of showers mainly before 8 a.m., with patchy fog until 10 a.m., and mostly cloudy skies. The high will be near 82°F with a northeast wind at 3 to 6 mph. Wednesday night, showers and thunderstorms are likely after 2 a.m. with a 70% chance of precipitation. Skies will remain mostly cloudy, with a low around 71°F and a south wind at 3 to 5 mph. Rainfall will generally be less than a tenth of an inch, except in thunderstorms where it may be higher. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.”
– Dalai Lama

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

Morning Notes for July 7, 2026

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

On This Day in Alexandria History — “In July 1865, with the American Civil War officially over, Union troops began withdrawing from Alexandria, ending their four-year occupation of the city. On July 7 the War department abolished the position of military governor, as Gov. John Slough requested to be relieved so that he could leave Virginia to assume command of a territorial governorship in Colorado. With his departure, the Military District of Alexandria was dismantled, and city management returned to civilian control. Although the city witnessed no major battles during the Civil War, its strategic location made it a transportation, warehouse, medical and troop center throughout the war. and it was the longest occupied city in the nation. When the war over, the city was in tatters, its once prosperous economy in ruins, and population vastly diminished from pre-war levels.” [Historic Alexandria]

City Council Meetings on Pause Until Fall — “While we’re on recess for July and August, it means that the legislative meetings and public hearings that we have in order to pass laws and keep our city moving forward, those are on pause, but the day-to-day operations of departments like fire, parks and rec, police, Department of Community and Human Services, all of that still keeps moving as if it’s business as usual. The other thing you should know about recess is that many of our boards and commissions also take a recess.” [Mayor Alyia Gaskins/Bluesky]

Go to Morning Notes for July 7, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Jul 6, 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 6, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Police: Alexandria child with gun in backpack was left by mom at Reagan National Airport (5096 views)
  2. More details released on $35K jewelry smash-and-grab in Old Town (1238 views)
  3. Alexandria to celebrate its 277th birthday and America’s 250th with fireworks (1222 views)
  4. UPDATE: Fireworks suspected in fire that displaced ARHA residents in Braddock Metro neighborhood (1082 views)
  5. West End suspect arrested for apartment burglary one block from his home (692 views)
  6. Seifeldein spars with Beyer at candidate forum as congressional primary approaches (557 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛈️ Tuesday’s forecast

Expect patchy fog before 10am, then partly sunny skies with a high near 85°F and light northeast winds at 3 to 5 mph. There’s a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. In the evening, showers and thunderstorms are likely before 3am, continuing with a chance of showers and a low around 70°F, with northeast winds around 6 mph. Precipitation likelihood is 80%, with rainfall between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, with higher amounts possible 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 July 6, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Tables facing the City Marina on the waterfront (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

Repaving Work in Alexandria This Week — City repaving will happen on King Street (night work from 30th Street to North Hampton Street) and the Mount Vernon Avenue/Arlington Ridge Road Bridge (night concrete pour work). [Alexandria T&ES]

Reminder on King Street Project Near Alexandria City High School — “Project work will begin on King Street between West Braddock Road and Chinquapin Drive starting Monday, July 6 as part of the King Street Access and Safety Improvements Project at Alexandria City High School. Students, staff, and community members are encouraged to exercise caution in the work zone and obey all posted signs.” [Alexandria T&ES]

Go to Morning Notes for July 6, 2026 Read more
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