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 March 23, 2026

By ALXnow.com
The Alexandria waterfront along the Potomac River (staff photo by James Cullum)

Loud Boom Heard in N. Va. Explained — “The National Weather Service says a powerful lightning strike combined with unique atmospheric conditions caused Friday night’s widespread loud boom and bright flash across Northern Virginia.” [Inside NoVA]

Cherry Blossoms Progress Toward Peak Bloom — The Yoshino cherry trees reached stage four of six in time for the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which had its opening ceremony Saturday night. [DC News Now]

Go to Morning Notes for March 23, 2026 Read more

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

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. No bond for Woodbridge man charged in Arlandria shooting: police (576 views)
  2. Poll: The best gym/fitness studio in Alexandria (558 views)
  3. The Twig commits $2M to Inova Alexandria Hospital’s new Landmark campus (551 views)
  4. Alexandria warns against scammers impersonating city officials to solicit payments (396 views)

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

  1. Alexandria man dies in crash on Mount Vernon Memorial Highway (5855 views)
  2. UPDATED: Tornado watch canceled amid severe storm forecast in Alexandria (5040 views)
  3. Del Ray restaurant owners to open concept at former pizza shop in Del Ray (4263 views)
  4. MacMillan Spirit House closes in Old Town North amid landlord rent dispute (3672 views)
  5. JUST IN: Mayor Gaskins rallies Alexandria church to settle $1M in ARHA back rent (3521 views)
  6. Townhouse development pitched on vacant lot, barbershop site in Parker-Gray (3275 views)
  7. Next ‘No Kings’ protest in Alexandria planned later in March (2722 views)
  8. Woman assaulted, flashed in West End park assault (2588 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 near 66 degrees and a gentle north wind blowing at 6 to 8 mph. Saturday night will be partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 48 degrees, and winds shifting from the east to south at 6 mph after midnight. 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

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!

News

Morning Notes for March 20, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Kids at Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School in Alexandria’s West End make heart symbols at a school assembly commemorating essential workers in Alexandria City Public Schools on Thursday, March 19. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Governor Appoints AlexRenew CEO to Commission — “Governor Abigail Spanberger has appointed AlexRenew General Manager and CEO Justin Carl to the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB). The interstate advisory body works across state lines to protect the waters of the Potomac River Basin and its resources upon which six million people depend.” [AlexRenew]

ACPS Hosts Essential Workers Appreciation Event — At the event, Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt thanked health care providers, sanitation workers, bus drivers, teachers, police officers and other essential workers as the heartbeat of the school system. “Across our 18 schools, essential workers support students in countless ways,” Kay-Wyatt said. “They transport students safely, prepared nutritious meals, provide health and counseling services, maintain welcoming learning environments and help ensure every school remains safe and supportive.” [ALXnow/ACPS]

Go to Morning Notes for March 20, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Mar 19, 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 — Mar 19, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. JUST IN: Mayor Gaskins rallies Alexandria church to settle $1M in ARHA back rent (1218 views)
  2. Dok Khao Thai Eatery opens at Alexandria’s Oakville development (630 views)
  3. Construction starts on first residential buildings at former Landmark Mall site (526 views)
  4. Police: Man who threatened Alexandria judges compared himself to Luigi Mangione (477 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌦️ Friday’s forecast

Expect scattered showers after 2 PM with increasing clouds and a high near 68°F. Winds will shift from light south to southwest at 8–13 mph, with gusts up to 24 mph. There is a 30% chance of precipitation. Showers are likely Friday night, mainly between 8 PM and 2 AM, with mostly cloudy skies and a low around 49°F. Southwest winds will be 7–10 mph, with gusts up to 18 mph, and a 60% chance of precipitation, with expected rainfall between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

Morning Notes for March 19, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Two ducks on a rock about to take off at the Old Town waterfront (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On March 19, 1855, a fire destroyed the Friendship Firehouse on South Alfred Street. The fire broke out around 11 p.m. and though the equipment and engine were saved, the structure was destroyed. A new firehouse, which still stands today, was completed later that year.” [Historic Alexandria]

City Hosts Potomac Sewage Spill Meeting on Thursday — “The City of Alexandria invites the community to a Town Hall with DC Water on the Potomac Interceptor Response at 7 p.m. on Thursday, 3/19 in the Lee Center Auditorium (1108 Jefferson St.). Attendees can also participate online via Zoom. [City of Alexandria/X]

Go to Morning Notes for March 19, 2026 Read more

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

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Townhouse development pitched on vacant lot, barbershop site in Parker-Gray (918 views)
  2. City Council considers next renaming of street referencing Confederate military figure (626 views)
  3. ACPS seeks to hire new Alexandria City High School principal by late May (560 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

☀️ Thursday’s forecast

Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 55 degrees and a gentle south wind at 5 to 7 mph. Thursday night will be partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 40 degrees and a light south wind. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Do not watch the clock. Do what it does. Keep going.”
– Sam Levenson

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

Morning Notes for March 18, 2026

By ALXnow.com
A pier on the Alexandria waterfront along the Potomac River (staff photo by James Cullum)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On March 18, 1784, Revolutionary War hero Friedrich Wilhelm August Heinrich Ferdinand Steuben, better known as Gen. Baron Von Steuben, passed through Alexandria after visiting with his former commander, General George Washington at Mount Vernon. The Prussian-born military genius was Washington’s chief of staff during the final years of the war and a brilliant scholar on tactics and discipline. He was also the author of the military drill manual for the United States that remained in effect until the War of 1812.” [Historic Alexandria]

Traffic Signal Upgrades Continue — “Our team continues installing adaptive signal control technology to help traffic flow more efficiently. The work locations for the week of March 16 are Van Dorn/Braddock and Van Dorn/Eastbound Duke.” [Alexandria T&ES/X]

Go to Morning Notes for March 18, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Mar 17, 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 — Mar 17, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Del Ray restaurant owners to open concept at former pizza shop (1573 views)
  2. Woman assaulted, flashed in West End park assault (1290 views)
  3. MacMillan Spirit House closes in Old Town North amid landlord rent dispute (1090 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

☀️ Wednesday’s forecast

Expect mostly sunny weather with a high near 42 degrees and light, variable winds shifting to the south at 6 mph in the afternoon. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy with a low of around 31 degrees and a southeast wind at about 5 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”
– Lao Tzu

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

Morning Notes for March 17, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Waiting for a train at the King St-Old Town Metro station (staff photo by James Cullum)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On March 17, 1856, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation authorizing the Alexandria Steam Ferry Company. The ferry company was permitted to operate across the Potomac, carrying passengers from Alexandria to Washington, D.C. and Maryland and back.” [Historic Alexandria]

SmartScan Vehicle Starts Roadway Data Collection — “Beginning Tuesday, March 17, residents may notice City vehicles equipped with cameras and sensors driving along Alexandria streets as part of a pilot program to help the City better understand roadway conditions in real time and support proactive decision making on road safety and maintenance.” [City of Alexandria]

Go to Morning Notes for March 17, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Mar 16, 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 — Mar 16, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. UPDATED: Tornado watch canceled amid severe storm forecast in Alexandria (3045 views)
  2. Alexandria man dies in crash on Mount Vernon Memorial Highway (2202 views)
  3. Next ‘No Kings’ protest in Alexandria planned later in March (653 views)
  4. City Council scrutinizes funding gap for ACPS collective bargaining agreement (513 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

Clouds will increase throughout the day, reaching a high temperature near 40°F, accompanied by a west wind blowing at 11-13 mph and gusts up to 23 mph. As for Tuesday night, expect mostly clear skies with a low temperature around 27°F, as the northwest wind slows down to 5-10 mph, with gusts still reaching a maximum of 18 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”
– Colin Powell

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

Morning Notes for March 16, 2026

By ALXnow.com
A cloudy day in Old Town (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

ACPS Operating Status During Severe Storm — “ACPS is monitoring the forecast for severe storms expected [Monday], Mar. 16, 2026. If weather conditions require an early dismissal, we will announce any changes to our operating status tomorrow. This notice is to help families plan in case early pickup is needed.” [ACPS/X]

Virginia General Assembly Session Ends — “Virginia lawmakers wrapped up the 2026 General Assembly session in dramatic fashion Saturday evening, adjourning their regular session without a budget deal after an unexpected dispute over data center tax breaks fractured negotiations among Democrats who otherwise controlled every lever of power in Richmond.” [Virginia Mercury]

Go to Morning Notes for March 16, 2026 Read more
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