Potential collective bargaining agreements and redrawn school boundaries were factored into the latest budget proposal presented to the Alexandria City School Board last night (Thursday).

Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt proposed the $406.5 million combined funds budget for fiscal year 2027, a 3.7% increase from the last approved budget. The bulk of funds are in the $374.5 million operating budget, but it also includes school nutrition funds as well as grants and a special projects fund.


A Maryland man is being held without bond after allegedly making violent threats against two Alexandria judges, the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office announced yesterday (Thursday).

The suspect, 53-year-old Lindolfo Pedraza, of Cumberland, was arrested by Cumberland police at his home on Wednesday afternoon, after the judges showed ASO several threatening electronic communications. He was charged with two counts of threats of death or bodily injury, two counts of obstruction of justice, two counts of harassment by computer, and one count of stalking.


On This Day in Alexandria History — “On Jan. 23, 1866 an act was passed by City Council to establish a paid City Fire Department for Alexandria. For over a century, fire was a constant threat to Alexandria and even one forgotten candle could develop into a major conflagration involving dozens of homes and businesses.” [Historic Alexandria]

Weekend Winter Storm Watch — “Snow arrives Sat evening from SW to NE. The heaviest snow is expected Sat night into Sun morning. Freezing rain and sleet is expected to mix in and move northward through the day Sun, cutting snow totals where this occurs.” [NWS]


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 — Jan 22, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Snowball fight canceled as George Washington Masonic Memorial will close grounds during storm (1111 views)
  2. Victory Center conversion plans to deliver 377-unit all-affordable housing building by 2027 (565 views)
  3. Alexandria pretreats roads for snow as Gov. Spanberger declares state of emergency (526 views)
  4. Alexandria’s unemployed total grows nearly 50% year-over-year in new jobs report (468 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

  • No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.

🌤️ Friday’s forecast

Expect partly sunny skies and a high near 44, as west winds increase from 5-10 mph to 12-17 mph in the afternoon, with gusts up to 24 mph. Friday night will be partly cloudy and colder, with lows around 10 and wind chill values as low as -7. Blustery conditions will prevail, featuring a north wind of 18-25 mph and gusts up to 36 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”
– Dalai Lama

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!


Alexandria is preparing to face this weekend’s looming snowstorm, which is forecasted to bring several inches of snow to the D.C. area and has prompted Gov. Abigail Spanberger to declare a state of emergency today (Thursday).

City staff are currently brining and treating “priority routes, hills, and bridges,” in preparation for the storm, which is expected to sweep the Beltway area with 5 to 10 inches of snow between Saturday night and early Monday, according to Capital Weather Gang. Earlier today, Spanberger signed an executive order mobilizing state agencies, local governments and utility partners to coordinate preparedness and response efforts.


Alexandria will be the next stop for leaders of the “DMVMoves” initiative as they work to gain unanimous support for more regional transit funding.

Proponents of DMVMoves are scheduled to make a presentation to City Council members next Wednesday during a legislative meeting. They intend to detail the proposal in hopes of winning support from city leaders.


A long-vacant office property along Eisenhower Avenue is slated for conversion into a 377-unit all-affordable apartment building.

The redevelopment of the 9.73-acre Victory Center at 5001 Eisenhower Avenue site was approved in late 2024. Now property owner Stonebridge, the City of Alexandria and Amazon’s Housing Fund have announced the “unprecedented” full conversion for the 11-story building, with completion estimated by 2027.


While a hill near the George Washington Masonic National Memorial is a well-known spot for sledding in Alexandria, the memorial’s grounds won’t be accessible during this weekend’s winter storm.

The grounds will be closed Sunday “for everyone’s safety,” said Shawn Eyer, a spokesperson for the site. That comes after resident Steve Adams tried to organize a snowball fight on the grounds Sunday morning.


The ranks of the unemployed in the city grew more than 46% year-over-year in new state jobs figures.

A total of 3,723 Alexandria residents were recorded as unemployed in November according to figures reported yesterday (Wednesday) by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement.


Sheriff Sean Casey is inviting residents to the city courthouse and jail to learn about the inner workings of the Sheriff’s Office.

Applications are currently being accepted for the spring session of the Sheriff’s Community Academy. The free sessions run on four consecutive Saturdays from March 7-28, teaching residents about jail operations, inmate services, judicial operations and more. The application deadline to participate is Feb. 27.


Several Inches of Snow Predicted in Region — “Chances are increasing that the D.C. area will experience one of its biggest winter storms in years between late Saturday and early Monday. The snow and perhaps ice, accompanied by bitter and long-lasting cold, could cause major disruptions to schools, airports and businesses Sunday into next week. The chance of at least several inches of snow is high, and totals reaching the double digits are plausible.” [Capital Weather Gang]

State Shares Winter Storm Safety Tips — “Before, during, and after a winter storm, roads and walkways may become extremely dangerous or impassable. Access to critical community services such as public transportation, child care, healthcare providers and schools may be limited. Preparing your home, car, and family before cold weather and a winter storm arrives is critical.” [Dept. of Emergency Management]


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