News

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

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. JUST IN: Sen. Mark Warner and wife announce daughter’s death (9221 views)
  2. Coffee shop owners seek support after abrupt closure of Valletta Port (1706 views)
  3. ‘Do you want to be in the jail business?’ Sheriff Casey asks City Council amid budget talks (1426 views)
  4. Alexandria’s unemployment rises nearly 34% year over year in latest data (1216 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 widespread frost before 10 am, followed by sunny weather with a high near 62°F. Winds will be calm, shifting to the south at about 6 mph in the afternoon. On Tuesday night, there is a 30% chance of showers after 2 am, with partly cloudy skies and a low around 50°F. South winds will increase to 7 to 9 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
– J.K. Rowling

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

‘Do you want to be in the jail business,’ Sheriff Casey asks City Council amid budget talks

By James Cullum
Sheriff Sean Casey at the unveiling of the Alexandria Police Department Suicide Memorial, Sept. 26, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Sheriff Sean Casey and members of his staff argued against a proposed budget reallocation before City Council on Saturday (April 18).

Casey said a proposal by Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley and City Councilman Abdel Elnoubi to transfer $200,000 out of the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office budget for a jail operational efficiency study is a waste of valuable resources and will hurt an already cash-strapped agency. While a number of speakers at Saturday’s public hearing called for Casey’s budget to be cut over what they see as voluntary collaboration with U.S. Immigration and Enforcement, several City Council members defended the proposed study, saying the measure is intended to improve ASO operations.

Go to ‘Do you want to be in the jail business,’ Sheriff Casey asks City Council amid budget talks Read more

Alexandria School Board members push City Council for staggered term reforms

By James Cullum
Alexandria School Board meeting in 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City School Board members are asking the public to help push for reforms to the nine-member board, including staggered elections, higher salaries and more.

The clock is ticking, School Board Members Ashley Simpson Baird and Kelly Carmichael Booz wrote in a recent blog post. The pair wrote that City Council must act this year by beginning a process to amend the City Charter — a change that would need to go to the Virginia General Assembly’s 2027 session for approval.

Go to Alexandria School Board members push City Council for staggered term reforms Read more

JUST IN: Sen. Mark Warner and wife announce daughter’s death

By Emily Leayman
Senator Mark Warner during a Virginia media availability in May 2025 (via Sen. Warner's office)

Sen. Mark Warner (D) and his wife, Lisa Collis, shared today (Monday) that their daughter Madison Warner has died.

The 36-year-old died after decades of battling juvenile diabetes and other health issues, according to their statement.

Go to JUST IN: Sen. Mark Warner and wife announce daughter’s death Read more

Tuesday’s special election ballot includes City Council race, redistricting amendment

By Emily Leayman
Signs supporting and opposing redistricting on April 6, 2026 in Old Town Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Tuesday, April 21 marks Election Day in Alexandria for a statewide redistricting voter referendum and a special election for a City Council seat.

Candidates in the City Council special election are Democrat Sandy Marks and independent candidates Alison O’Connell and Frank Fannon. Marks is the former chair of the Alexandria Democratic Committee, Fannon is a former Republican member of City Council from 2009 to 2012, and O’Connell is a founding member of Alexandria for Palestinian Human Rights.

Go to Tuesday’s special election ballot includes City Council race, redistricting amendment Read more

Alexandria’s unemployment rises nearly 34% year over year in latest data

By Scott McCaffrey
The Alexandria skyline (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Unemployment among city residents rose by one-third year over year to start 2026, according to new state data.

A total of 3,656 Alexandria residents were reported as seeking jobs in January, according to figures released April 16 by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement.

Go to Alexandria’s unemployment rises nearly 34% year over year in latest data Read more

Morning Notes for April 20, 2026

By ALXnow.com
As seen at Potomac Yard Park (staff photo by James Cullum)

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Campaigns for Virginia Redistricting Referendum — “Wonderful to have Governor @iamwesmoore in Alexandria to remind us what’s at stake and why Virginians should vote YES on the redistricting referendum!” [Councilman Canek Aguirre/X]

Road Closures on N. Beauregard Street — “North Beauregard Street between Sanger Avenue and North Morgan Street will be closed intermittently between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays from Monday, April 20 through Tuesday, April 28 to accommodate the delivery of equipment and materials associated with Holmes Run Trail repairs.” [Alexandria T&ES]

Go to Morning Notes for April 20, 2026 Read more

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

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Italian restaurant Valletta Port permanently closes in Old Town North – Italian restaurant Valletta Port permanently closes in Old Town North (2788 views)
  2. Three people and dog rescued by AFD from stalled elevator in West End – Three people and dog rescued by AFD from stalled elevator in West End (1280 views)
  3. Poll: The best playground in Alexandria (1192 views)

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

  1. UPDATED: Death investigation underway at park in Old Town (19425 views)
  2. Inova Alexandria Hospital at Landmark marks topping-out milestone (5634 views)
  3. Motorcyclist dies in I-495 crash near Telegraph Road: state police (5446 views)
  4. Tenants sought for affordable units at two apartment complexes in Alexandria (4191 views)
  5. USPTO cafeteria reopens to the public with chef-curated menus (4029 views)
  6. Child struck by vehicle near William Ramsay Elementary School (3486 views)
  7. Community meeting lined up for power plant site’s mixed-use plan in Old Town North (2910 views)
  8. Family-owned bakery Eclairons flourishes at new location in Old Town (2862 views)
  9. Pedestrian struck during fire response in Landmark area (2222 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

Mostly sunny with a high of 82°F and east winds at 6 to 10 mph, gusting up to 18 mph. Showers likely Saturday night after 2 a.m., with increasing clouds and a low of 52°F. Winds will shift from southeast to northeast, gusting up to 20 mph. 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

“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”
– Steve Jobs

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!

City Council to hold public hearings on Sunday parking fees, more budget decisions

By James Cullum
An Alexandria parking enforcement vehicle (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Council has a full docket at its upcoming meeting Saturday as final budgetary decisions approach.

City Council will conduct a number of public hearings, including setting the real estate and personal property tax rates for the next fiscal year, additions and deletions to City Manager Jim Parajon’s proposed $977 million Fiscal Year 2027 budget, an increase to the stormwater utility fee, new parking fees and the addition of paid metered parking on Sundays.

Go to City Council to hold public hearings on Sunday parking fees, more budget decisions Read more

Three people and dog rescued by AFD from stalled elevator in West End

By James Cullum
AFD rescued three people and a dog from a stalled elevator in the 4600 block of Duke Street, April 17, 2026 (via IAFF Local 2141/Facebook)

The Alexandria Fire Department rescued three people and a dog this morning (Friday) from a stalled elevator in a high-rise condominium building in the West End.

AFD was called just after 4:30 a.m. to a report of three people and a dog stuck in a blind shaft elevator near the fourth floor of a 16-story building in the 4600 block of Duke Street.

Go to Three people and dog rescued by AFD from stalled elevator in West End Read more

Morning Notes for April 17, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Blooming tree at Potomac Yard Park (staff photo by James Cullum)

Early Voting Deadline Is Saturday — “All registered voters in Virginia are eligible to vote early. The deadline to cast an early ballot in person is Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 5 p.m.” [Office of Voter Registration & Elections]

Former Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, Wife Dead in Murder-Suicide — “Fairfax, 47, shot and killed his wife, 49-year-old Cerina Wanzer Fairfax, before turning the gun on himself inside the family’s home in the 8100 block of Guinevere Drive [in Annandale], the Fairfax County Police Department confirmed.” [FFXnow]

Go to Morning Notes for April 17, 2026 Read more
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