News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Jul 9, 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 — Jul 9, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. French restaurants in Alexandria line up special menus, events for Bastille Day (592 views)
  2. WEATHER ALERT: Heavy rainfall risk from storms brings Flood Watch in Alexandria (366 views)
  3. Morning Notes for July 9, 2026 (330 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛈️ Friday’s forecast

There is a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm, with increasing clouds and a high near 90°F. There will be a west wind at 5 to 7 mph. Overnight, there’s a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, with isolated showers possible afterward. The night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 71°F and a light west wind. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
– Mahatma Gandhi

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

Racial equity fund awards $200K to 29 Alexandria nonprofits and leaders

By James Cullum
Act for Alexandria CEO Heather Peeler (center) at an event celebrating Fund for Racial Equity grantees (via ACT for Alexandria)

ACT for Alexandria’s Fund for Racial Equity has awarded more than $200,000 in grants to 29 local organizations and individuals, the organization announced in a new report.

The nonprofit created the fund in 2020 and established a resident community advisory board to lead grantmaking in 2024. The advisory board led three rounds of grantmaking over the next two years, awarding flexible, unrestricted grants to the organizations and individuals, according to ACT for Alexandria’s A Journey in Hope report.

Go to Racial equity fund awards $200K to 29 Alexandria nonprofits and leaders Read more

Drawbridge opening on Woodrow Wilson Bridge to bring traffic stoppages tonight

By Emily Leayman
An airliner approaches Ronald Reagan National Airport, viewed between the spans of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge at Jones Point Park (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

If you’re traveling over the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge overnight, expect some traffic disruptions.

The Woodrow Wilson Bridge’s drawbridge will have multiple openings between 10 p.m. Thursday, July 9 and 5 a.m. Friday, July 10 for maintenance work. Capital Beltway drivers crossing the bridge should expect traffic stoppages when the drawbridge opens.

Go to Drawbridge opening on Woodrow Wilson Bridge to bring traffic stoppages tonight Read more

Waterfront Flood Mitigation Project brings traffic impacts to Old Town intersections starting July 13

By James Cullum
Work crews will conduct utility investigations from July 13 to July 23, 2026, as part of the Waterfront Flood Mitigation Project (via City of Alexandria)

Expect work crews at six intersections near Alexandria’s waterfront starting next week.

The city will conduct utility investigations from Monday, July 13 to Friday, July 24 as part of the Waterfront Flood Mitigation Project.

Go to Waterfront Flood Mitigation Project brings traffic impacts to Old Town intersections starting July 13 Read more

New water quality dashboard helps residents track Potomac River’s real-time conditions

By Emily Leayman
A sailboat on the Potomac River (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A new public dashboard will help residents stay informed on different aspects of water quality in the Potomac River.

The Reservoir Center for Water Solutions launched the dashboard in June alongside Anacostia Riverkeeper, Anacostia Watershed Society and Potomac Riverkeeper Network.

Go to New water quality dashboard helps residents track Potomac River’s real-time conditions Read more

Morning Notes for July 9, 2026

By ALXnow.com
A bird searches for snacks in Old Town North (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

America250 Conversational Tours at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum — “Kick off the weekend with Conversational Tour: America250 – Who We Remember at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum on Friday, July 10 and Friday, July 17, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. … This conversational tour uses the history of Gadsby’s Tavern Museum to reflect on who we remember in history and why. Participants will build connections with each other as well as between past and present.” [Historic Alexandria]

Next Meeting on Taylor Run Stabilization Project — “Join us July 20, 6:30–8 p.m., at 2900 Business Center Drive or virtually for a presentation on the 60% design plans for the Taylor Run Infrastructure Stabilization Project. Learn about the proposed improvements and how the design has evolved.” [Alexandria T&ES/X]

Go to Morning Notes for July 9, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Jul 8, 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 — Jul 8, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Alexandria entrepreneur launches app to help men beat the ‘friendship recession’ (677 views)
  2. New school boundaries and walk zones go into effect in Alexandria (645 views)
  3. Alexandria maintains top 10 ranking on Travel + Leisure’s best U.S. cities list (452 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛈️ Thursday’s forecast

Expect showers and thunderstorms throughout the day, with a high near 87°F and south winds around 6 mph. There’s an 80% chance of rain, with new rainfall between a quarter and half an inch. Showers and thunderstorms will continue into the evening, especially before 8 p.m., with a low around 71°F and light southwest winds. Rain chance remains at 80%, with new precipitation between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, though thunderstorms may bring higher amounts. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The best revenge is massive success.”
– Frank Sinatra

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

New school boundaries and walk zones go into effect in Alexandria

By James Cullum
The first day at school at George Mason Elementary School, Aug. 21, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Along with new school boundaries, newly drawn school walk zones went into effect in Alexandria on July 1.

The new walk zone maps show where students walking to school will find hazardous road crossings, bridge crossings and areas without sidewalks. Outside Alexandria City High School’s King Street and Minnie Howard campuses, for instance, there are dozens of hazardous crossing points identified by the school system.

Go to New school boundaries and walk zones go into effect in Alexandria Read more

AWLA wins largest grant in its history to address veterinary care access

By Emily Leayman
Vaccine clinic hosted by the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (via AWLA)

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria has won the largest grant in its 80-year history as it continues an initiative to improve access to veterinary care.

AWLA announced today (July 8) that it was awarded $600,000 from the PetSmart Charities Incubator grant program over the next three years. It marks the second phase of the Incubator grant, following $100,000 provided to AWLA in July 2025.

Go to AWLA wins largest grant in its history to address veterinary care access Read more

ACPS aims to fill 3,500 backpacks in latest school supply drive

By James Cullum
ACPS needs school supply and backpack donations (via ACPS)

With the start of the school year around the corner, Alexandria City Public Schools is asking for donations of backpacks and school supplies.

For the second year in a row, the school system has set a goal of filling 3,500 backpacks in its annual backpack and school supply drive between now and Aug. 10.

Go to ACPS aims to fill 3,500 backpacks in latest school supply drive Read more

Alexandria maintains top 10 ranking on Travel + Leisure’s best U.S. cities list

By Emily Leayman
Sunny day in Old Town (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Alexandria’s ranking isn’t as high as last year on Travel + Leisure’s annual “Best Cities in the U.S.” list, but it has remained in the top 10.

Travel + Leisure announced the winners of the 2026 World’s Best Awards yesterday (July 7). Winners were determined by feedback from about 207,000 readers around the world.

Go to Alexandria maintains top 10 ranking on Travel + Leisure’s best U.S. cities list Read more
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