Maintaining high childhood vaccination rates is key to preventing measles outbreaks, state health experts say, as cases have seen an uptick in Northern Virginia and across the country this year.

In the first two months of 2026, Virginia has confirmed 10 cases of measles — double the total cases recorded last year — and nine of them have been in the northern region, with exposures reported in Alexandria, Fairfax County and surrounding areas.


Alexandria’s draft plan to address city housing needs between through 2040 will be available for public review at an open house this Saturday.

The Office of Housing is hosting the free open house to discuss the Housing 2040 draft recommendations and strategies at the Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center (1108 Jefferson Street), with interactive stations and breakout sessions from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.


After spending more than half his life with the Alexandria Police Department, Bennie Evans Jr. is taking a small break.

Not for long, he says, because he wants to get back to doing what he considers his passion — working with people. Last month, Evans was congratulated for 28 years with APD and four years with the Sheriff’s Office at his retirement ceremony with city and APD leadership at police headquarters.


ACPS: Synchronous Learning Today — “Class times will include live instruction via Zoom, along with independent work,” according to ACPS. “Teachers will also provide virtual office hours. Please check your student’s Canvas or Clever account no later than 8 a.m. for details about your child’s schedule.” [ALXnow]

Refuse Collection on Normal Schedule — “The City of Alexandria will be open tomorrow. Refuse, recycling, yard waste, and curbside food waste collection will continue on a normal schedule.” [City of Alexandria]


Alexandria City Public Schools will be closed tomorrow (Monday), with students participating in synchronous learning, the school system announced tonight.

ACPS made the decision around 9:40 p.m. Sunday, shifting gears from previous plans to open with a two-hour delay due to the ongoing snow. All schools and offices will be closed, with students participating in synchronous learning and staff following a virtual workday.


Alexandria City Public Schools has announced it will be closed tomorrow (Monday), following previous plans to open with a two-hour delay.

All schools and offices will be closed tomorrow, with students participating in synchronous learning and staff following a virtual workday. ACPS announced the decision around 9:40 p.m. Sunday, adjusting from the previously planned two-hour delay.


Former Alexandria Democratic Committee Chair Sandy Marks has won the Democratic firehouse primary for an open seat on City Council tonight (Saturday), beating four opponents to face independent candidate and former Republican councilman Frank Fannon in the special election.

Marks won with 1,573 votes (39.6%), against 947 votes for Tim Laderach (23.8%), 876 votes for Roberto Gomez (22%), 467 votes for Charles Sumpter (11.7%) and 112 votes for Cesar Madison Tapia (2.8%) out of the 3,975 ballots cast. From the time polls opened at 8:30 a.m. to closing at 7 p.m., the five candidates spent time at both polling locations: Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke Street) and the Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center (25 W. Reed Avenue).


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 — Feb 20, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Measles case may have led to exposures at Alexandria office building (595 views)
  2. ACPS board member Booz visits Minneapolis to create ICE response resources for schools (427 views)
  3. Proposed parking removal, bike lanes on Braddock Road spur debate before traffic board review (271 views)

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

  1. Alexandria Health Department advises of measles case at more N. Va. locations (2710 views)
  2. Carlyle restaurant ‘Whiskey & Oyster’ plans to close permanently at the end of the month (2527 views)
  3. City Council candidates spar in second debate before Democratic firehouse primary (2255 views)
  4. Democratic City Council candidates lay out differences in first forum in Del Ray (2006 views)
  5. No injuries reported after overnight fire and evacuation at Landmark high-rise (1445 views)
  6. Daniel O’Connell’s celebrating 20th anniversary in Old Town this month (1196 views)
  7. Spanish immersion child care to open at Landmark Mall redevelopment (1181 views)
  8. Listing of the Day: 1700 Dewitt Ave (1148 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛅️ Saturday’s forecast

The weather will transition from mostly cloudy to sunny with temperatures reaching around 53°F and a northwest wind at 6 mph. For Saturday night, anticipate a 50% chance of rain starting after 1am, which may mix with snow after 4am. The sky will become increasingly cloudy as temperatures drop to approximately 35°F, accompanied by a light northeast wind. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work in hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.”
– Alexander Graham Bell

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!


Visit Alexandria‘s newest marketing campaign is tapping into the stories behind businesses, tourist attractions and unique personalities.

From now until June, the Unlock Your Story campaign will tell stories all over Alexandria, focusing on the city’s history, small attractions, and unique small businesses, artists and entrepreneurs. The promotion follows Visit Alexandria’s Best Kept Shh! campaign, which launched three years ago and positioned Alexandria as the region’s best kept secret.


Some residents have pushed back on proposed lane changes and parking removals on Braddock Road ahead of the Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board’s review on Monday.

The changes are being proposed on the major route between West Street near the Braddock Road Metro and Russell Road in the Del Ray and Rosemont neighborhoods. The city has worked on the Braddock Road Corridor Improvements project since last year as a response to concerns from Alex311, the 2023 Safe Routes to School walk audit at George Washington Middle School and the Virginia Department of Transportation.


Audrey Davis, the first director of the African American History Division in the Office of Historic Alexandria, is at the forefront of preserving and showcasing the city’s Black history.

Black History Month has brought music, historical discussions and exhibits, displays of student art and so much more to Alexandria this month, commemorating a vast history spanning hundreds of years, from the 18th century to the Civil Rights Movement and present day.


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