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.
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]
Good Wednesday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Jul 8, 2026.
Here are today’s most-read articles:
Here is what’s going on Thursday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
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.
“The best revenge is massive success.”
– Frank Sinatra
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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.
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.
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.
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.
On This Day in Alexandria History — “On July 8, 1925, the National Fruit Product Company cider vinegar plant at North Henry and Pendleton was destroyed by fire. Several fire companies responded and city officials including the mayor assisted in putting the fire out. The intense fire attracted a large crowd of spectators and left more than a dozen firefighters in need of medical treatment.” [Historic Alexandria]
City Hall, Market Square, and Slavery Documentary Study Published — “In recognition of Alexandria’s dedication and drive to saving, sharing, and studying history in Virginia, Historic Alexandria received a Commonwealth History Fund grant from the Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC) in February 2025 to produce an in-depth history of Alexandria’s Market Square. Dr. Greg A. Beaman conducted this major research project to better understand the history of this important and well-known space … The project’s findings will inform future efforts to interpret and share the complex history of this early urban center.” [Historic Alexandria]
Good Tuesday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Jul 7, 2026.
Here are today’s most-read articles:
Here is what’s going on Wednesday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
Expect a 30% chance of showers mainly before 8 a.m., with patchy fog until 10 a.m., and mostly cloudy skies. The high will be near 82°F with a northeast wind at 3 to 6 mph. Wednesday night, showers and thunderstorms are likely after 2 a.m. with a 70% chance of precipitation. Skies will remain mostly cloudy, with a low around 71°F and a south wind at 3 to 5 mph. Rainfall will generally be less than a tenth of an inch, except in thunderstorms where it may be higher. See more from Weather.gov.
“Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.”
– Dalai Lama
Thanks for reading!
Former longtime Alexandria police officer Courtney Ballantine is adjusting to a new role after being promoted to chief of police of the Georgetown University Police Department.
All the badges Ballantine wore in Alexandria, from captain on down, sit in a shadow box near his desk. Four days after retiring from the Alexandria Police Department on Aug. 1, 2025, Ballantine put on a new uniform as the deputy chief of police at Georgetown University. A few weeks later, then-chief Jay Gruber got a new job at American University and Ballantine was named interim chief.
First responders revived a resident with a medical emergency during a house fire in Alexandria’s North Ridge neighborhood this afternoon (Tuesday).
The fire was reported around 12:52 p.m. in the 2800 block of Valley Drive. Firefighters came out of the home with a resident who was inside during the fire, according to radio dispatches. An Alexandria Fire Department spokesperson told ALXnow one resident had cardiac arrest on scene and was revived with CPR. The resident was taken to MedStar Washington Hospital Center and is intubated.
