News | ALXnow - Part 38

Expect showers and possible thunderstorms throughout the day, with patchy fog before 11 a.m. The high will be around 82°F, and winds will shift to the south at about 5 mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 80%, with rainfall between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, higher in thunderstorms. Saturday night will also have showers and possible thunderstorms until midnight, then scattered showers will continue. Fog may develop after 2 a.m., with mostly cloudy skies and a low around 68°F, accompanied by light east winds. Probability of precipitation is 60%, with similar expected rainfall. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
– Martin Luther King Jr.

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!

Land use attorney Mary Catherine Gibbs sworn in as Alexandria General District Court judge

By James Cullum

Published June 26, 2026 at 2:45PM

Circuit Court Judge Mary Catherine Gibbs (on right) receives her commission from Governor Abigail Spanberger by Mayor Alyia Gaskins (via Alyia Gaskins/Instagram)

Longtime land use attorney Mary Catherine Gibbs was sworn in as Alexandria’s newest General District Court judge for the 18th Judicial District.

Gibbs was sworn in Thursday night (June 25) to a six-year term by retired Circuit Court Judge Nolan B. Dawkins. Mayor Alyia Gaskins presented Gibbs with her commission from Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D).

Accelerated National Maritime Museum plan takes shape as Tall Ship Providence suspends operations

By James Cullum

Published June 26, 2026 at 1:45PM

The U.S. Maritime Museum is planning to open at 1 Prince Street (the green roof buildings) in Old Town (via U.S. Maritime Museum Foundation)

After news broke this week that the Tall Ship Providence was suspending operations, a nonprofit aimed at creating a national maritime museum along the Alexandria waterfront has gone public.

Marion Smith, president of the United States Maritime Foundation, told ALXnow the organization has entered into a legal agreement with the property owner at 1 Prince Street and is currently fundraising and looking for a second location for additional programming nearby. He also said the foundation is working to acquire the Tall Ship Providence Foundation’s floating pier, the Tall Ship Providence itself and take over its entire operation at Waterfront Park after signing a memorandum of understanding to do so by 2028.

Morning Notes for June 26, 2026

By ALXnow.com

Published June 26, 2026 at 7:30AM

View of the U.S. Capitol from Rivergate City Park along the Potomac River in Alexandria. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Maritime Museum on Alexandria Waterfront Sought — “The United States Maritime Foundation is under contract to acquire a site adjacent to Alexandria’s Waterfront Park at 1 Prince St. for the planned museum, expected to be around 50,000 square feet, per Marion Smith, the foundation’s president.” [Washington Business Journal]

Alexandria Resident Julie Carey Retires from NBC4 —”Raised in Iowa in a family of journalists, Carey has lived in Alexandria with her husband, a managing editor for Bloomberg. She has also been active as a volunteer in Alexandria Public Schools and within her church throughout her time in the community.” [The MoCo Show]

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Jun 25, 2026

By ALXnow.com

Published June 25, 2026 at 8:30PM

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 — Jun 25, 2026.

7:30 am: Morning Notes for June 25, 2026 | 🗣️ Comments
9:15 am: After BID failures, City Council looks for other options to support Old Town business corridor | 🗣️ Comments
11:45 am: Del Ray eatery gives free milkshakes to customers catching water balloons thrown from roof | 🗣️ Comments
1:45 pm: Virginia American Water to relocate water lines due to Alexandria stormwater capacity work | 🗣️ Comments
2:45 pm: Pak Soii Izakaya marks Del Ray opening with ribbon cutting today | 🗣️ Comments
3:45 pm: Alexandria City Council forms committee to consider School Board election reforms | 🗣️ Comments

Here are today’s most-read articles:

📅 Upcoming events

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

7:00 pm: Trivia Night at Historic Sites
7:00 pm: Pride Prom 2026: Starry Night

⛈️ Friday’s forecast

There is a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms mainly after 5 p.m., with partly sunny skies and a high of 92°F. Southwest winds will be 6 to 8 mph. Friday night, there is a 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., with patchy fog possible after 3 a.m. It will be mostly cloudy, with a low of around 70°F and variable winds. Rainfall may reach between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, with higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
– Martin Luther King Jr.

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

Alexandria City Council forms committee to consider School Board election reforms

By Emily Leayman

Published June 25, 2026 at 3:45PM

The Alexandria City Council (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Council voted Tuesday to create an ad hoc committee to discuss possible Alexandria City School Board election reforms such as terms and the size of the nine-member board.

City Council’s approval allows the committee to discuss term lengths, staggered term elections and overall board size and composition. The action comes after School Board Chair Michelle Rief requested the joint committee to seek city charter amendments on School Board terms. Specifically, the School Board is requesting moving members from three-year terms to four-year staggered terms, with one member from each of the three School Board districts being elected each year.

Virginia American Water to relocate water lines due to Alexandria stormwater capacity work

By Emily Leayman

Published June 25, 2026 at 1:45PM

Water faucet (via Imani/Unsplash)

As Alexandria pursues stormwater capacity projects to combat flooding in the north end, its drinking water utility will begin water line relocation in early July.

During the week of July 6, Virginia American Water will start work to relocate water service lines and parts of existing 6-inch and 12-inch ductile iron pipe. The work will happen on W. Reed Avenue from Mount Vernon Avenue to Commonwealth Avenue.

After BID failures, City Council looks for other options to support Old Town business corridor

By Emily Leayman

Published June 25, 2026 at 9:15AM

Shops in the 200 block of King Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

After multiple failed attempts over the past decade to bring a Business Improvement District to Old Town, Alexandria City Council is asking for other strategies to give the corridor an economic boost.

On Tuesday (June 23), City Council endorsed a memo from Council Members Sandy Marks and John Taylor Chapman directing the city manager to assess “how we can address the needs of the Old Town business corridor a little more intentionally.” City staff will review existing research on services and financial investments the city is making in Old Town and alternative options to boost tax revenue.

Morning Notes for June 25, 2026

By ALXnow.com

Published June 25, 2026 at 7:30AM

A sign supporting the U.S. World Cup team at Pork Barrel BBQ in Del Ray (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

Latest Flood Action Alexandria Updates — “Check out the latest edition of the Flood Action Alexandria newsletter! Get updates on the Flood Resilience Plan, design plans for the Mt Vernon Dual Culvert Replacement project, and the Commonwealth, Ashby, Glebe Flood Mitigation project.” [Alexandria T&ES/X]

Landini Brothers and Oak Steakhouse Claim Wine Spectator Awards — Since 1981, Wine Spectator’s Restaurant Awards have recognized restaurant wine service with three award levels — the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence and the Grand Award. Landini Brothers and Oak Steakhouse won the Award of Excellence. [Wine Spectator]

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Jun 24, 2026

By ALXnow.com

Published June 24, 2026 at 8:30PM

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 — Jun 24, 2026.

7:30 am: Morning Notes for June 24, 2026 | 🗣️ Comments
9:15 am: City Council considers extending Torpedo Factory leases amid operator bid process | 🗣️ Comments
11:45 am: RiverRenew set to launch, meeting ‘impossible’ state deadline to address sewage overflow | 🗣️ Comments
1:45 pm: Body camera footage of Alexandria police shooting homicide suspect released | 🗣️ Comments
2:45 pm: Outgoing ACPS superintendent takes sudden leave, designees appointed | 🗣️ Comments
3:45 pm: Alexandria fire chief reports morale boost, staffing gains with new 49-hour work week | 🗣️ Comments

Here are today’s most-read articles:

Outgoing ACPS superintendent takes sudden leave, designees appointed (1391 views)
Body camera footage of Alexandria police shooting homicide suspect released (761 views)
Alexandria fire chief reports morale boost, staffing gains with new 49-hour work week (643 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

6:00 pm: Art History Teacher Kara Sandoval discusses artist Romare Bearden
7:00 pm: Pop Culture Trivia: Bravo Edition

☀️ Thursday’s forecast

The weather will be mostly sunny with a high of about 87°F, accompanied by a light south wind picking up to 5 to 9 mph in the morning. By Thursday night, expect partly cloudy skies with a low around 69°F and a south wind blowing at 6 to 8 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit.”
– Napoleon Hill

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

Alexandria fire chief reports morale boost, staffing gains with new 49-hour work week

By Emily Leayman

Published June 24, 2026 at 3:45PM

Alexandria Fire Chief Felipe Hernandez (on left) at APD’s Public Safety Summit, June 18, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Morale and staffing are improving at the Alexandria Fire Department after a 49-hour work week was implemented, according to an annual presentation to City Council by Fire Chief Felipe Hernandez Jr. yesterday (Tuesday).

AFD implemented the 49-hour work week in October 2025, reducing weekly hours from 56 as a strategy to improve retention and recruitment. The department achieves the 49 hours with a fourth-shift schedule and “debit day” system. That means firefighters work a 42-hour work week and work an extra day every 24 days to average 49 hours weekly.