News

Morning Notes for February 17, 2026

By ALXnow.com
100 block of King Street (staff photo by James Cullum)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On February 17, 1859, the Mansion House Hotel, built in 1848 by local furniture manufacturer, James Green, and well-known as one of the most elegant hostelries on the Eastern seaboard, was reopened after a complete refurbishment. The Green’s lived in the home of John Carlyle, one of the town’s founders, and built the hotel across the front yard.” [Historic Alexandria]

Lunar New Year in ALX — “Lunar New Year officially begins on Tuesday, Feb. 17, but some festivities are happening before then. The holiday is celebrated in Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and numerous other Asian cultures, marking the start of the 15-day Spring Festival. Here’s a look at some upcoming Lunar New Year events around Alexandria.” [ALXnow]

Go to Morning Notes for February 17, 2026 Read more

Avoid contact with Potomac River, Va. health officials say in new advisory

By Katie Taranto
A sailboat on the Potomac River (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Virginia Department of Health is advising people to avoid contact with the Potomac River following a massive sewage pipe rupture last month.

Recreational activities like swimming and kayaking should be avoided out of caution to prevent illness, VDH said in a release yesterday.

Go to Avoid contact with Potomac River, Va. health officials say in new advisory Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Feb 13, 2026

By ALXnow.com

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 13, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. New fitness boutique opens next month in Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood (535 views)
  2. Weekend Metro closures affecting Blue and Yellow Lines start tomorrow (491 views)

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

  1. JUST IN: R. Kirk McPike wins special election in landslide for House of Delegates seat (15062 views)
  2. Barnes & Noble plans new Alexandria bookstore in Shoppes at Foxchase (6251 views)
  3. Measles exposures reported at Reagan National Airport and on Yellow Line train (6019 views)
  4. Whiskey from new Alexandria distillery is coming to city’s Virginia ABC stores (5791 views)
  5. Buddhist monks share message of peace in Old Town during 2,300-mile pilgrimage (3865 views)
  6. New ‘Dive Bar’ theme coming to Del Ray’s Pop-Up Bar later this month (3696 views)
  7. Old Town couple cuts ribbon on ‘Sundara Indian Restaurant & Cafe’ at Braddock Metro Center (2095 views)
  8. Alexandria City School Board member suggests adding snow days after winter storm (2014 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

☀️ Saturday’s forecast

Expect sunshine and a high near 53 degrees, along with a west wind at 5 to 8 mph. The evening will be mostly cloudy with temperatures dropping to a low around 32 degrees and calm winds. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”
– Confucius

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!

Virginia redistricting election will go forward while court considers appeal

By The Associated Press
Virginia State Capitol in Richmond (staff photo)

Virginia voters will get to cast ballots on a congressional redistricting plan benefiting Democrats while a court battle plays out over the legality of the effort.

The Virginia Supreme Court said Friday that a statewide referendum can be held April 21 on whether to authorize mid-decade redistricting, and the court will decide sometime later whether the plan is legal.

Go to Virginia redistricting election will go forward while court considers appeal Read more

‘Agenda: Alexandria’ to host panel on housing and affordability this month

By Katie Taranto
Agenda: Alexandria hosts a panel on aging in November 2025 (via Agenda: Alexandria/Facebook)

Update: Agenda Alexandria has rescheduled this event to 7 p.m. March 23, due to inclement weather. 

Housing development and affordability will be the subject of Agenda: Alexandria’s next program, now expected to take place in March.

Go to ‘Agenda: Alexandria’ to host panel on housing and affordability this month Read more

Weekend Metro closures affecting Blue and Yellow Lines start tomorrow

By Katie Taranto
A train arrives at the Potomac Yard Metro station (staff photo by James Cullum)

Ten weekends of Metro closures between Pentagon City and Reagan National Airport start tomorrow (Saturday), affecting Blue and Yellow Line trains departing and entering Alexandria.

Metrorail service will be suspended between those stations for a three-day weekend between Feb. 14-16, with free shuttle buses connecting the stations. During impacted weekends, both lines are expected to operate in “two segments” outside the closed stations every 12 minutes.

Go to Weekend Metro closures affecting Blue and Yellow Lines start tomorrow Read more

Former councilman’s ‘Alexandrians Have Heart’ food, clothes drive returns tomorrow

By James Cullum
Former City Councilman Frank Fannon (center) and friends at the 2025 Alexandrians Have a Heart Food and Clothes Drive (courtesy photo)

Former Alexandria City Councilman Frank Fannon is hosting his 18th annual Alexandrians Have Heart food and clothes drive in Old Town on Saturday, Feb. 14.

Fannon started the drive after getting elected to City Council in 2008, and says that he’s hoping this year to deliver a record six Ford F-150-sized truck beds full of food and clothes to ALIVE!, Carpenter’s Shelter and Christ House.

Go to Former councilman’s ‘Alexandrians Have Heart’ food, clothes drive returns tomorrow Read more

Alexandria city offices, public schools closing Monday for George Washington Day

By Katie Taranto
Thousands lined King Street for the George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town on President's Day, Feb. 20, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria government offices, libraries and public schools are closing Monday to observe Presidents Day, otherwise known in Virginia as George Washington Day.

Across the city, some services will close or operate on modified schedules in observance of the first president’s birthday. Trash, recycling and yard waste collection will be delayed one day next week, but curbside food waste collection will remain on-schedule.

Go to Alexandria city offices, public schools closing Monday for George Washington Day Read more

Morning Notes for February 13, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Snow at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On the morning of February 13, 1855, Alexandrians awoke to find the Potomac River frozen solid for miles up and down the river. Although all navigation ceased, townspeople that were brave enough were able to walk to the Maryland shore and back again.” [Historic Alexandria]

‘Innovation District’ Launches in Nat’l Landing — “A new ‘innovation district’ seeking to promote public-private partnerships has launched in Crystal City, Pentagon City and Potomac Yard. The National Innovation Quarter, or ‘National IQ,’ promises ‘to solve the most pressing challenges at the intersection of national competitiveness and technology,’ according to a press release.” [ARLnow]

Go to Morning Notes for February 13, 2026 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Feb 12, 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 12, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. George Washington Birthday Parade returns to Old Town this weekend with adapted route (817 views)
  2. City officials mull snow response improvements as ‘snowcrete’ removal continues (623 views)
  3. Morning Notes for February 12, 2026 (528 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

☀️ Friday’s forecast

Expect sunshine and a high of 39°F accompanied by a northwest wind blowing at 7 to 10 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. For Friday night, the skies will be mostly clear, and temperatures will drop to a low of around 28°F, with a gentle southwest breeze. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”
– Albert Einstein

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

City officials mull snow response improvements as ‘snowcrete’ removal continues

By Emily Leayman
Snow and 'snowcrete' in February 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

As cleanup of “snowcrete” continues from the Jan. 25 winter storm, Alexandria officials discussed progress of snow and ice removal and ways to improve the response during future winter weather events.

On Tuesday, City Manager Jim Parajon briefed City Council about the unprecedented conditions that led to a longer cleanup effort than a typical snowstorm.

Go to City officials mull snow response improvements as ‘snowcrete’ removal continues Read more
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