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ALXnow Daily Debrief for Aug 5, 2026

By ALXnow.com
ALXnow Daily Debrief banner for Aug 5, 2026 over a floral background with pink blossoms

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 — Aug 5, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Mayor, Alexandria City Council ask Fairfax County to reject substation tied to data center (746 views)
  2. Bookstore Long Dark House, Madame Coco’s Emporium aim for September opening in Old Town (636 views)
  3. Here’s how Alexandria voted in Tuesday’s Democratic and Republican primaries (515 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛈️ Thursday’s forecast

Showers and thunderstorms are possible after 5 p.m., with mostly sunny skies and a high of 91°F, though it may feel like 100°F. Winds from the south at 8-10 mph may gust up to 18 mph, with a 30% chance of rain. Thursday night, expect a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms mainly between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., with partly cloudy skies and a low of 74°F. Southwest winds will be around 6 mph. 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!

Here’s how Alexandria voted in Tuesday’s Democratic and Republican primaries

By James Cullum
Red political sign reading 'VOTE HERE' with a white arrow, placed outdoors near a brick building entrance.
Voting sign at Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center in Arlandria, Aug. 4, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

 

Alexandria’s Rep. Don Beyer handily won his party’s nomination Tuesday night to run for his seventh term representing Virginia’s 8th Congressional District, and retired Army Maj. Gen. Bert Mizusawa won the Republican nomination to run against U.S. Sen. Mark Warner in the Nov. 3 general election.

Go to Here’s how Alexandria voted in Tuesday’s Democratic and Republican primaries Read more

Digital exhibition of 1939 Alexandria library sit-in for civil rights in development

By James Cullum
(Left to right) William “Buddy” Evans, Otto Tucker, Edward Gaddis, Morris L. Murray and Clarence “Buck” Strange being led out of the Barrett Branch Library by police on Aug. 21, 1939. (via Alexandria Library)

Alexandria Library is partnering with the Office of Historic Alexandria and D.C.-based think tank New America to create an immersive digital exhibit commemorating the historic 1939 civil rights sit-in at the Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library.

New America was awarded a two-year $250,000 grant for the project and plans to launch the exhibit in 2027.

Go to Digital exhibition of 1939 Alexandria library sit-in for civil rights in development Read more

Mayor, Alexandria City Council ask Fairfax County to reject substation tied to data center

By Emily Leayman
Members of the Alexandria City Council at the Chamber ALX's annual City Council Breakfast at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town on May 14, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Council has joined a growing number of local residents asking Fairfax County to deny a substation associated with data center development just outside city limits.

In a letter to the Fairfax County Planning Commission, City Council cited “the incompatibility of heavy industrial use” near densely populated Alexandria. The letter was sent by Mayor Alyia Gaskins on behalf of the entire City Council.

Go to Mayor, Alexandria City Council ask Fairfax County to reject substation tied to data center Read more

Morning Notes for August 5, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Blooming buds in Old Town North (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On August 5, 1774, Alexandria’s first volunteer fire company was established as the Friendship Fire Company. Initially the company was provided space in the Market Square area, but over time, several moves ensued as the needs of the company grew. In 1855 the company moved to a new firehouse built on South Alfred Street, with was a tall pointed steeple that could be seen from miles away. During the Civil War the firehouse was neglected, and by 1871, the impact of wind and weather on the steeple was so devastating that the building was closed and rebuilt. The steeple was removed and replaced by the lower cupola still in place today.” [Historic Alexandria]

Inova Alexandria Hospital Ranked Among Top in Va. — Alexandria’s hospital ranked on the  new 2026-2027 Best Hospitals ranking from U.S. News and World Report. This year, the report added regional specialized rankings for cancer, cardiology, heart and vascular surgery, orthopedics and rehabilitation. [Patch]

Go to Morning Notes for August 5, 2026 Read more

Rep. Don Beyer wins nomination in 8th Congressional District Democratic primary

By Emily Leayman
U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8th) speaks at the Alexandria Democratic Committee’s Labor Day Picnic at The Garden Alexandria, 5380 Eisenhower Avenue, Sept. 1, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Rep. Don Beyer has earned the Democratic nomination for the 8th Congressional District in Tuesday’s primary election.

The congressman, who is seeking his seventh term, defeated four challengers — former Alexandria City Council Member Mo Seifeldein, fired State Department worker Michael Duffin, veteran and former CIA officer Adam Dunigan and military family advocate Lorena Bruner. The Associated Press called the race at 7:34 p.m. after polls closed.

Go to Rep. Don Beyer wins nomination in 8th Congressional District Democratic primary Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Aug 4, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Voters seated at a polling station with I Voted ballot boxes on a table in the background.

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 — Aug 4, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. New kayak launch washes away after rainstorms at Four Mile Run Park (1363 views)
  2. West End townhouse project lauded as a regional model for affordable housing (1211 views)
  3. APD seeks suspect in struggle over vehicle in Old Town (857 views)
  4. Morning Notes for August 4, 2026 (510 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

  • No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.

⛈️ Wednesday’s forecast

Expect showers and thunderstorms, especially before 3pm and again after 4pm, with mostly cloudy skies and a high of 87°F. Winds will be light, becoming south at 5 to 7 mph, and there’s a 60% chance of precipitation, with rainfall amounts between a quarter and half an inch possible. Wednesday night will have a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a slight chance of showers until 2am, with a low around 74°F and a south wind at 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.”
– Marie Curie

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

Latest turnout shows Democratic primary far outpacing Republican primary in Alexandria

By James Cullum
Red political sign reading 'VOTE HERE' with a white arrow, placed outdoors near a brick building entrance.
Voting sign at Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center in Arlandria, Aug. 4, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

With just hours left until polls close, participation in the Democratic primary for Virginia’s 8th Congressional district is far outpacing turnout in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate.

As of 4 p.m., 10,772 ballots were cast citywide in the five-candidate Democratic primary, about 10.7% of the city’s 99,811 registered voters, according to figures released by the city’s general registrar. The numbers include 6,346 early and mail-in ballots, leaving the total number of in-person votes cast at just 4,426.

Go to Latest turnout shows Democratic primary far outpacing Republican primary in Alexandria Read more

New kayak launch washes away after rainstorms at Four Mile Run Park

By James Cullum
Under a concrete highway overpass above a river, a pile of rusted metal debris and broken fencing rests against the pier with water in the foreground.
The floating kayak launch at Four Mile Run Park broke from its moorings and floated beneath the U.S. Route 1 Bridge, Aug. 4, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The floating kayak launch at Four Mile Run Park washed away from its moorings after heavy rainstorms over the weekend.

On Sunday afternoon (Aug. 2), a stabilizing cable that kept the kayak launch in place snapped after too much pressure during high tide from trees and other floating debris. City staff were at the park on Tuesday afternoon to close the walkway leading down to the vacant space. The launch is now resting underneath the Route 1 bridge, and caution tape and a construction sign have been erected to bar anyone from using the walkway.

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Alexandria General District Court launches eviction diversion program

By James Cullum
The Franklin P. Backus Courthouse in Old Town, Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Tenants facing eviction in Alexandria have a new resource available.

The city’s General District Court launched an eviction diversion program on July 1, giving residents being evicted three chances to pay back rent to their landlords.

Go to Alexandria General District Court launches eviction diversion program Read more

APD seeks suspect in struggle over vehicle in Old Town

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

The Alexandria Police Department is looking for the suspect behind an alleged attempted robbery involving the victim’s vehicle earlier in July.

Around 12:15 a.m. on Monday, July 13, APD was dispatched to the area of N. Henry Street and Pendleton Street in Old Town for a fight without weapons. The victim told police that he parked his white Toyota Corolla sedan and left it running with the hazard lights on and doors open to “conduct business” outside a dental office, and returned to his car to find an unknown man getting into it, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.

Go to APD seeks suspect in struggle over vehicle in Old Town Read more
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