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ALXnow Daily Debrief for Feb 5, 2026

By ALXnow.com

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 — Feb 5, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. King Arthur Baking Company plans new store and baking school in Old Town (3342 views)
  2. Morning Notes for February 5, 2026 (622 views)
  3. Alexandria Health Department advises of potential exposures from another N. Va. measles case (522 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌨️ Friday’s forecast

Snow is likely after 2pm, with increasing clouds and a high near 34. A calm wind will shift to the south at 5mph. Precipitation chance is 40%. On Friday night, snow may occur before 1am, followed by gradual clearing and a low around 13. Winds will be light, becoming northwest at 13-18 mph and possibly gusting up to 31 mph. Precipitation chance remains at 40%. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”
– Winston Churchill

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

Alexandria Health Department advises of potential exposures from another N. Va. measles case

By Katie Taranto
The entrance of the Alexandria Health Department (Credit: Alexandria Health Department)
The entrance of the Alexandria Health Department (courtesy of the Alexandria Health Department)

The Alexandria Health Department is advising city residents of Northern Virginia’s fourth confirmed measles case this year and warning of potential exposures.

An adult from Northern Virginia with measles traveled through various sites in Fairfax County late last month, leading to potential exposures, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Dates, times and locations for the potential exposures are listed below.

Go to Alexandria Health Department advises of potential exposures from another N. Va. measles case Read more

Councilman Aguirre pushes back against skill games legalization bill, citing harms

By James Cullum
Skill games being played at Tiger Mart, 3903 Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria, March 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Councilman Canek Aguirre has asked state lawmakers to oppose a bill that would legalize skill games in Virginia, citing harmful impacts of the games on local business owners.

The bill, sponsored by State Sen. Aaron Rouse (D-22), calls for the regulation and taxation of skill game machines. It would cap the number of machines in Virginia at 35,000, impose an $800 gaming tax per machine and limit wagers from users to $5 per play. It was rereferred last week to the Finance and Appropriations Committee.

Go to Councilman Aguirre pushes back against skill games legalization bill, citing harms Read more

Candidates in City Council special election expected to appear in upcoming forum

By James Cullum
Voting at Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library in Alexandria's West End, Nov. 5, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

There’s a little more than two weeks left before the Alexandria Democratic Committee conducts a firehouse primary for an open seat on City Council.

Candidates are expected to appear at an upcoming ADC meeting as well as forum hosted by the Del Ray Business Association later this month. So far, five people are running for the seat to replace outgoing City Councilman R. Kirk McPike.

Go to Candidates in City Council special election expected to appear in upcoming forum Read more

Morning Notes for February 5, 2026

By ALXnow.com
The Woodrow Wilson Bridge at sunset (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On February 5, 1797, the Alexandria Gazette, established in 1784, began daily publication; the newspaper is considered the oldest daily newspaper in the United States.” [Historic Alexandria]

Spanberger Cuts VSP Ties With ICE — “Gov. Abigail Spanberger has formally ended an agreement with the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement that had allowed Virginia State Police troopers and Virginia Department of Corrections officers to assist ICE.” [Virginia Mercury]

Go to Morning Notes for February 5, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Feb 4, 2026

By ALXnow.com

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 — Feb 4, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Alexandria man found guilty of felony animal abuse in dog death at Del Ray boarding facility (1953 views)
  2. One person transported to trauma center after firefighters respond to Duke Street crash (1117 views)
  3. Washington Post says one-third of its staff across all departments is being laid off (578 views)
  4. Alexandria snow removal crews turn focus to intersections and West End today (576 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

☀️ Thursday’s forecast

Expect sunny skies and a high temperature of about 31 degrees, accompanied by a north wind blowing at 7 to 9 mph. As night falls, clouds will increase, leading to a low temperature around 16 degrees. The northwest wind will be between 3 to 5 mph during the night. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.”
– John Lennon

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

Charles Sumpter announces campaign for City Council following bid for State Senate

By James Cullum
Charles Sumpter (via Charles Sumpter/Facebook)

Charles Sumpter is entering the special election race for Alexandria City Council after participating in last month’s Democratic firehouse primary, where he lost competing for a State Senate seat in the 39th District.

Sumpter, 40, is a senior executive at World Wildlife Fund and helped found Safe Space NOVA, where he served as a member of the board. He has updated his campaign website, though his platform of issues has stayed the same: affordable housing, community-based mental health care and expanding workforce pathways for students.

Go to Charles Sumpter announces campaign for City Council following bid for State Senate Read more

JUST IN: ACPS will return to regular scheduling Thursday

By Katie Taranto
ACPS school buses in snowy, icy conditions, Jan. 30, 2026 (via ACPS/Facebook)

Alexandria City Public Schools is making a full return to regular scheduling tomorrow (Thursday) as the city continues to clear up streets and intersections.

Schools and offices will open on-time tomorrow, and all school activities and transportation plan to operate as scheduled, Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt announced this afternoon.

Go to JUST IN: ACPS will return to regular scheduling Thursday Read more

Alexandria man found guilty of felony animal abuse in dog death at Del Ray boarding facility

By James Cullum
The Alexandria courthouse in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

A former groomer at Your Dog’s Best Friends was found guilty today of felony animal cruelty resulting in the death of a two-year-old golden retriever named Abigail, and four misdemeanor counts of animal abuse.

Kevin Malik Sanders, 30, pleaded guilty to the felony animal cruelty charge, a Class 6 felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $2,500 fine. Each misdemeanor count also carries a maximum penalty of a year in jail.

Go to Alexandria man found guilty of felony animal abuse in dog death at Del Ray boarding facility Read more

Alexandria snow removal crews turn focus to intersections and West End today

By Katie Taranto
Alexandria crews continue to work on snow and ice removal in late January 2026 (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria crews are continuing to remove snow throughout the city today (Wednesday), with plans to address snow piles affecting some of the city’s 2,000 intersections.

As of this morning, crews have already hauled out more than 5,000 loads of snow, Mayor Alyia Gaskins said on social media. Efforts today will zero in on clearing intersections and the city’s West End, she said.

Go to Alexandria snow removal crews turn focus to intersections and West End today Read more

Washington Post says one-third of its staff across all departments is being laid off

By The Associated Press and ALXnow.com
A sign for the Washington Post is seen at the company's offices, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

The Washington Post says one-third of its staff across all departments, not just the newsroom, is being laid off.

The troubled Post began implementing large-scale cutbacks on Wednesday, including eliminating its sports department and shrinking the number of journalists it stations overseas. The changes were announced by executive editor Matt Murray in a Zoom meeting with staff.

Go to Washington Post says one-third of its staff across all departments is being laid off Read more
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