News

Morning Notes for July 21, 2026

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

New Pirate and Ghost Tour in Alexandria — “Ghost stories are getting a pirate-inspired twist in Old Town Alexandria. Alexandria Colonial Tours is putting a new spin on its ghost storytelling with its new River Route Pirate Tour. The experience runs on Fridays and Saturdays and tells the city’s past with tales of pirates, ghosts, and crimes committed along the Potomac River.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Rotary Club of Alexandria Names New President — “The Rotary Club of Alexandria has installed Christine Friedberg as its 99th President for the 2026–2027 Rotary year, marking the beginning of a new chapter for one of Alexandria’ss oldest and most influential civic organizations as it approaches its centennial celebration.” [Rotary Club of Alexandria news release]

Go to Morning Notes for July 21, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Jul 20, 2026

By ALXnow.com
ALXnow banner with the headline 'Daily Debrief for Jul 20, 2026' over a close-up of white flowers and a bee in the background.

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 20, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. JUST IN: Man arrested after alleged assault and knife brandishing in Old Town (3123 views)
  2. JUST IN: Hazardous materials scene partially closes Duke Street in Alexandria (2793 views)
  3. Alexandria man faces nearly 200 charges after car break-ins at N. Va. gyms (1386 views)
  4. Alexandria to brief residents on upcoming gas-powered leaf blower ban (1050 views)
  5. Morning Notes for July 20, 2026 (557 views)
  6. Fish Market celebrating 50th anniversary in Old Town this Thursday (446 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛈️ Tuesday’s forecast

Expect showers and possible thunderstorms in the morning, tapering off by early afternoon before resuming after 2pm, with a high near 91°F. South winds will range from 8 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 21 mph, and there’s an 80% chance of rain, with up to half an inch expected. Tuesday night will bring more showers and thunderstorms, particularly before 2am, with lows around 73°F and southwest winds at 9 to 11 mph. Rain chances remain at 80%, with up to three-quarters of an inch of rain possible. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.”
– Aristotle

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

JUST IN: Man arrested after alleged assault and knife brandishing in Old Town

By James Cullum
Four police officers in tactical vests stand around a man seated on a brick ledge outside a brick building on the sidewalk.
A man was arrested in the 500 block of King Street in Old Town after allegedly brandishing a knife, July 20, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

A man is under arrest after allegedly brandishing a knife and assaulting another man near the Alexandria courthouse in Old Town today (Monday).

The Alexandria Police Department was notified around 2:30 p.m. that a man in a camouflage T-shirt and khaki pants assaulted another man and was walking around the 500 block of King Street with an open knife. ALXnow observed APD tell the suspect that he was under arrest for a number of charges, including assault and battery.

Go to JUST IN: Man arrested after alleged assault and knife brandishing in Old Town Read more

Alexandria man faces nearly 200 charges after car break-ins at N. Va. gyms

By James Cullum
Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

A 29-year-old Alexandria man faces hundreds of charges tied to alleged thefts from unlocked vehicles parked outside of fitness centers in Fairfax County and Falls Church.

Kumneger Ayalsew was arrested in Alexandria on June 26 and is currently being held at the Arlington County jail. He faces hundreds of charges for similar alleged crimes in Fairfax County and Falls Church, according to a release from the Fairfax County Police Department.

Go to Alexandria man faces nearly 200 charges after car break-ins at N. Va. gyms Read more

JUST IN: Hazardous materials scene partially closes Duke Street in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman
Hazardous materials response on Duke Street, July 20, 2026, (via Alexandria Police Department/Facebook)

A hazardous materials spill onto Duke Street in the West End prompted a partial road closure and police and fire presence Monday morning.

Around 8:07 a.m., the Alexandria Police Department and Alexandria Fire Department responded to a call in the 5300 block of Duke Street about white powder substance falling from a truck.

Go to JUST IN: Hazardous materials scene partially closes Duke Street in Alexandria Read more

Alexandria to brief residents on upcoming gas-powered leaf blower ban

By Emily Leayman
Leafblower (via Philip Myrtorp/Unsplash)

With about four months to go until the City of Alexandria completely bans the use of gas-powered leaf blowers, the city government will hold a meeting Tuesday on specifics of the ban.

Residents, business owners, property owners and landscapers are invited to the meeting on the ban from 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 21. There are options to attend in person at the Charles Houston Recreation Center  in the preschool activity room or virtually through Zoom (meeting ID 972 6916 1416 and passcode 575982).

Go to Alexandria to brief residents on upcoming gas-powered leaf blower ban Read more

Morning Notes for July 20, 2026

By ALXnow.com
A bee flies in search of pollen in Old Town North (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Wildfire Smoke Outbreak Named Among Worst in Modern History — “A thick, pungent plume of wildfire smoke swept into the region Thursday night behind a cold front and lingered into at least Saturday morning. It was reminiscent of the historic smoke outbreaks of June 2023, when many in the region first experienced air pollution of this magnitude.” [Capital Weather]

Taylor Run Stabilization Project Meeting Today — “Join the City of Alexandria for the upcoming Taylor Run Infrastructure Stabilization Project meeting on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. During the meeting, City staff will present the 60% design plans and discuss the proposed improvements intended to protect vulnerable infrastructure along sections of Taylor Run while minimizing impacts on the surrounding environment.” [City of Alexandria]

Go to Morning Notes for July 20, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Jul 17, 2026

By ALXnow.com
ALXnow daily debrief banner: sunrise over a misty field with the date Jul 17, 2026.

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 17, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Police: Accidental shooting in Old Town sends man to hospital Friday morning (1227 views)
  2. JUST IN: Alexandria under Code Purple Air Quality Alert due to wildfire smoke (1093 views)
  3. JUST IN: Jury indicts Lorton man after pedestrian killed crossing street in Old Town North (666 views)

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

  1. Alexandria man arrested for allegedly destroying multiple license plate readers (8337 views)
  2. Alexandria Soccer Association families among victims of soccer coach’s alleged Italy summer camp scam (5882 views)
  3. Fired Alexandria sheriff’s deputy allegedly agreed to smuggle drugs to inmate for $500 (5817 views)
  4. BREAKING: Man shot to death on Holmes Run Parkway in Alexandria (4337 views)
  5. Chicago-style hot dog spot to hold grand opening above Del Ray Public House on July 18 (3803 views)
  6. JUST IN: Dog may have accidentally started fire at West End home, owner says (3471 views)
  7. Alexandria man faces felony hit-and-run charge in Fairlington crash (2554 views)
  8. UPDATE: APD identifies victim of Wednesday night fatal shooting on Holmes Run Parkway (2475 views)
  9. Maryland man allegedly tried to pass forged $11K check at Del Ray bank, police say (2379 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 showers and thunderstorms throughout the day, with potential smoke before noon and a high around 94, feeling like 103 due to the heat index. Winds will be from the south at 6 to 11 mph, gusting up to 22 mph. The chance of precipitation is 70%, with rainfall between a tenth and a quarter inch, possibly higher in storms. Saturday night, showers, and thunderstorms are likely before 2am, with cloudy skies and a low near 74. The southwest wind will be around 7 mph, with a 60% chance of precipitation. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.”
– George Eliot

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!

JUST IN: Jury indicts Lorton man after pedestrian killed crossing street in Old Town North

By James Cullum
Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Nearly three months after a woman was killed crossing the street in Old Town North, a Lorton man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and failure to yield to a pedestrian causing death.

Tekaligne Shirko, 46, surrendered to the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office after a grand jury indictment on July 15, according to a release from the Alexandria Police Department.

Go to JUST IN: Jury indicts Lorton man after pedestrian killed crossing street in Old Town North Read more

ARHA appoints former longtime CEO as interim amid national search

By James Cullum
ARHA properties in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Roy Priest, the former longtime CEO of the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority, has been named the interim CEO until a permanent successor is chosen, the organization announced this week.

Priest was CEO of Alexandria’s public housing authority from 2006 to 2017, and his temporary reinstatement follows last month’s resignation of interim CEO Rickie Maddox. Priest started work on July 7 and will act as interim CEO for five or six months until the ARHA Board fills the permanent CEO position, ARHA Board Chair Mark Jinks told ALXnow in an email.

Go to ARHA appoints former longtime CEO as interim amid national search Read more

Police: Accidental shooting in Old Town sends man to hospital Friday morning

By James Cullum
Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A man was injured when he accidentally discharged his gun Friday morning (July 17) inside a home in Old Town.

The 66-year-old man called 911 around 6:15 a.m. to report that he was alone at home in the 300 block of Wilkes Street when he shot himself in his left hand with a handgun, according to Alexandria Police Department radio dispatches.

Go to Police: Accidental shooting in Old Town sends man to hospital Friday morning Read more
View More Stories