News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Sep 11, 2026

By ALXnow.com
ALXnow logo and the headline 'Daily Debrief for Sep 11, 2026' over a dark sky with an American flag; banner-style image

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 — Sep 11, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. ‘We did not get it right’: ACPS promises response to parents on bus route cuts by Sept. 30 (513 views)
  2. Makers markets, 9/11 day of service and Oktoberfest top Alexandria’s weekend lineup (400 views)
  3. Adoptable pet of the week: AWLA’s longest stay pet seeks forever home (388 views)
  4. Morning Notes for September 11, 2026 (352 views)

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

  1. UPDATE: Over 4K more lose power after earlier transformer-related outage in Alexandria (5522 views)
  2. Pedestrian dies after being struck on I-395 in Alexandria: state police (3257 views)
  3. Old Town townhouse proposal prompts debate over city’s development review process (2720 views)
  4. Alexandria looks to relieve businesses hurt by City Hall and Market Square renovation (2663 views)
  5. Cameron Run Regional Park employee arrested for allegedly robbing concession stand (2179 views)
  6. Alexandria’s DASH ridership climbs as state evaluates Northern Virginia bus merger (1821 views)
  7. ‘I do not think there’s a role for Flock’ in Alexandria, says Mayor Gaskins (1783 views)
  8. Years in the making, new Del Ray spray park is now open (1719 views)
  9. Mobius Records opening Saturday on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (1278 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 a slight chance of showers before 10 a.m. and a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m., with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 84°F. Southeast winds will be about 5 to 8 mph, with a 40% chance of rain. Saturday night will likely bring showers and thunderstorms, continuing after midnight. The low will be around 70°F, with southeast winds of 3 to 6 mph and an 80% chance of rain, possibly bringing between a quarter and half an inch of new rainfall. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
– Nelson Mandela

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!

‘We did not get it right’: ACPS promises response to parents on bus route cuts by Sept. 30

By James Cullum
Front view of a yellow school bus with a 'SCHOOL BUS' sign, stop arm extended on the right, driver visible through the windshield.
School bus at Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Cullum)

Amid a surge of complaints, Alexandria City Public Schools says it will respond to requests to reinstate bus routes by the end of the month.

The school system is under fire for its new walk zones associated with new school boundaries. In the city’s heavily Latino neighborhood of Arlandria, a number of parents complained to the Alexandria City School Board on Thursday night (Sept. 10) that the changes have left kids without school buses in unsafe areas.

Go to ‘We did not get it right’: ACPS promises response to parents on bus route cuts by Sept. 30 Read more

Alexandria first responders, leaders mark 25 years since 9/11

By James Cullum
Line of police honor guard in dress uniforms holding rifles and flags at an outdoor ceremony, with an American flag and state flag nearby on a stage backdrop.
The 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks at the Alexandria Police Department headquarters, Sept. 11, 2026 (courtesy of Alexandria Police Department)

Alexandria leaders and first responders commemorated the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks at Alexandria Police Headquarters this morning (Sept. 11).

Nearly 3,000 people were killed on 9/11 when terrorists flew commercial airliners into the Pentagon, the World Trade Center buildings in New York City, and into a field near Shanksville, Pa. On that fateful day, the Alexandria Police and Fire Departments and Sheriff’s Office responded to the Pentagon after it was struck by American Airlines flight 77.

Go to Alexandria first responders, leaders mark 25 years since 9/11 Read more

Morning Notes for September 11, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Puffy clouds along a flag-draped King Street in Old Town (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On September 11, 1887, the USS Dolphin sailed past the City of Alexandria with a squad of U.S. Marines bound for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The ship had previously anchored in the Potomac River off Alexandria, and steamed on to the Washington Navy Yard to pick up ‘a few good men’ scheduled to participate in the Constitution Centennial commemoration held that year. The New York-based Dolphin was a sleek and elegant, largely ceremonial ship operated by the U.S. Navy, famous for Congressional visits, ‘champagne cruises’ by government dignitaries, and as a transport ship for the Secretary of the Navy.” [Historic Alexandria]

9/11 Ceremony for 25th Anniversary Planned at APD Headquarters — “The City of Alexandria will hold its annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony from 10-11 a.m. Friday at Alexandria Police Department Headquarters (3600 Wheeler Avenue). The ceremony, remembering the victims, survivors, first responders and others impacted by 9/11, will include a presentation of colors, remarks by Mayor Alyia Gaskins and public safety officials and a return to quarters ceremony.” [ALXnow]

Go to Morning Notes for September 11, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Sep 10, 2026

By ALXnow.com
News hero: a train on an elevated track under a stormy sky with the headline 'ALX now Daily Debrief for Sep 10, 2026' overlaying the image.

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 — Sep 10, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Years in the making, new Del Ray spray park is now open (1101 views)
  2. Alexandria’s DASH ridership climbs as state evaluates Northern Virginia bus merger (728 views)
  3. Morning Notes for September 10, 2026 (416 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

There is a slight chance of showers early in the morning, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 81°F. Winds will be from the northeast at 3 to 6 mph, and there is a 20% chance of precipitation. Friday night will remain mostly cloudy with a low around 67°F and calm winds. 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

Thanks for reading!

Visit Alexandria: America250 and World Cup fuel rise in hotel stays

By James Cullum
Two men seated at a panel table with microphones, smiling during a discussion in a blue-walled room.”
Visit Alexandria CEO Todd O’Leary with Vice President of Marketing Vito Fiore, before City Council on Sept. 8, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

What a summer it’s been for tourism in Alexandria.

With tourism boosted by America’s 250th birthday celebration and Alexandria’s participation in a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” hosting a World Cup team, Visit Alexandria CEO Todd O’Leary and staff reported to City Council on Tuesday night (Sept. 8) that hotel stays are up, revenue per available room is up and so is the percentage of visitors staying overnight.

Go to Visit Alexandria: America250 and World Cup fuel rise in hotel stays Read more

Aspasia Xypolia appointed as permanent Alexandria Office of Housing director

By Emily Leayman
Aspasia Xypolia has been appointed as the permanent director of the Alexandria Office of Housing (via City of Alexandria)

The acting director of Alexandria’s Office of Housing has been chosen to fill the permanent role.

City Manager Jim Parajon appointed Aspasia Xypolia as director of the Office of Housing, the city announced today (Sept. 10). The city had conducted a national search to fill the role after former director Helen McIlvaine announced her retirement at the end of April.

Go to Aspasia Xypolia appointed as permanent Alexandria Office of Housing director Read more

Alexandria’s DASH ridership climbs as state evaluates Northern Virginia bus merger

By Emily Leayman
Front view of a blue city bus with DASHBUS.COM on its sign, stopped on a street beside a walkway and wooden railing, trees in the background
A DASH bus driver leaves the Braddock Road Metro station (staff photo by James Cullum)

As the state studies a potential consolidation of several Northern Virginia bus systems, year-over-year data showed Alexandria’s DASH continues to see ridership growth.

The data presented to the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission on Sept. 3 focused on transit providers in Northern Virginia — Arlington Transit, City of Fairfax CUE, Alexandria DASH, Fairfax Connector, Loudoun County Transit, Metro and Virginia Railway Express.

Go to Alexandria’s DASH ridership climbs as state evaluates Northern Virginia bus merger Read more

Years in the making, new Del Ray spray park is now open

By James Cullum
Small, single-story gray building with a front porch, flanked by benches and decorative metal panels in a fenced park area.
The Colasanto Interactive Fountain at 2700 Mount Vernon Avenue (staff photo by James Cullum)

The long-awaited Del Ray Gateway/Colasanto Interactive Fountain opened today (Sept. 10) at 2700 Mount Vernon Avenue, according to the city.

“The Colasanto Spray Park project is complete and is open for community enjoyment,” the city said on the project webpage. “The final utility connections were completed in late August.”

Go to Years in the making, new Del Ray spray park is now open Read more

Multiple drawbridge openings anticipated overnight on Woodrow Wilson Bridge

By Emily Leayman
Views by the Potomac River (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Late-night drivers should be prepared for delays during the next drawbridge opening on the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge.

The drawbridge will open between 10 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 10) and 5 a.m. Friday (Sept. 11) for maintenance work. According to AlertDC, multiple bridge openings and intermittent traffic stoppages will occur.

Go to Multiple drawbridge openings anticipated overnight on Woodrow Wilson Bridge Read more

Alexandria remembrance ceremony to mark 25 years since 9/11 attacks

By Emily Leayman
Alexandria's Joint Public Safety Honor Guard at the 9/11 remembrance ceremony at Alexandria's Market Square, Sept. 11, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria and the rest of the nation will take a day to reflect and remember Friday (Sept. 11) on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The City of Alexandria will hold its annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony from 10-11 a.m. Friday at Alexandria Police Department Headquarters (3600 Wheeler Avenue). The ceremony, remembering the victims, survivors, first responders and others impacted by 9/11, will include a presentation of colors, remarks by Mayor Alyia Gaskins and public safety officials and a return to quarters ceremony.

Go to Alexandria remembrance ceremony to mark 25 years since 9/11 attacks Read more
View More Stories