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ALXnow Daily Debrief for Jan 21, 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 — Jan 21, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Metro closures will affect weekend rail service in Alexandria this spring (1123 views)
  2. Alexandria residents plan for Sunday snowball fight as winter storm forecasts loom (1075 views)
  3. Preschooler with measles led to potential exposures in N. Va. last week (806 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌤️ Thursday’s forecast

Expect mostly sunny skies and a high near 51, with southwest winds at 7 to 10 mph shifting to the west in the afternoon and gusting up to 20 mph. As for Thursday night, it will be partly cloudy with a low around 29 and a light northwest wind at 3 to 6 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Out of difficulties grow miracles.”
– Jean de La Bruyère

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

Preschooler with measles led to potential exposures in N. Va. last week

By Katie Taranto
Virginia Department of Health offices in Richmond. (Photo by Parker Michels-Boyce for The Virginia Mercury)

The Alexandria Health Department is alerting city residents to recent measles exposures that occurred in Northern Virginia last week.

A preschool-aged child in the region who recently traveled internationally was confirmed to have measles, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The child visited three health care sites across Woodbridge and Falls Church from Jan. 13-18, which AHD notes may have led to potential exposures.

Go to Preschooler with measles led to potential exposures in N. Va. last week Read more

Alexandria hosting community workshops this week on Duke Street Land Use Plan

By James Cullum
Duke Street near Landmark and Cameron Run (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Two community workshops remain this week for Alexandria residents to learn more about plans to develop Duke Street and provide feedback to city leaders.

The Duke Street Land Use Plan is hosting workshops from 6:30-8 p.m. tonight (Wednesday) and tomorrow at the Patrick Henry Recreation Center at 4653 Taney Avenue. The first workshop was held last night (Tuesday).

Go to Alexandria hosting community workshops this week on Duke Street Land Use Plan Read more

Del. Bennett-Parker expresses interest in debate with Lineberry in State Senate race

By Katie Taranto
Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker reads a proclamation at Art on the Avenue in Del Ray, Oct. 4, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker has expressed interest in participating in a virtual forum after special election opponent Julie Robben Lineberry proposed a series of debates yesterday (Tuesday).

Lineberry, the Republican nominee, “challenged” Bennett-Parker to participate in three debates in a press release yesterday afternoon. In a statement to ALXnow, Bennett-Parker said Lineberry contacted her after publicizing the challenge.

Go to Del. Bennett-Parker expresses interest in debate with Lineberry in State Senate race Read more

Metro closures will affect weekend rail service in Alexandria this spring

By Katie Taranto
A train arrives at the King St-Old Town Metro station, Jan. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

A series of weekend-long Metrorail closures between Pentagon City and Reagan National Airport will start next month, impacting Blue and Yellow lines departing and entering Alexandria.

Trains on the Blue and Yellow lines will be suspended between those stations during ten weekends this spring, and Metro will offer free connecting shuttle bus services. The closures are planned to accommodate the construction of a second entrance at Arlington’s Crystal City station.

Go to Metro closures will affect weekend rail service in Alexandria this spring Read more

Trump-appointed prosecutor who pursued Comey indictment departs post after 120 days

By The Associated Press
FILE - Lindsey Halligan, special assistant to the president, speaks with a reporter outside of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Lindsey Halligan, who, as a hastily appointed Justice Department prosecutor, pursued indictments against a pair of President Donald Trump’s adversaries, is leaving her position as her months-long tenure has now concluded, Attorney General Pam Bondi said Tuesday night.

Halligan’s departure from the role of interim United States attorney for the Alexandria-based Eastern District of Virginia came as multiple judges were casting doubt on her ability to remain in the job legally following a court ruling two months ago that declared her appointment illegal.

Go to Trump-appointed prosecutor who pursued Comey indictment departs post after 120 days Read more

Morning Notes for January 21, 2026

By ALXnow.com
A VRE train heading south through Potomac Yard (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On Jan. 21, 1852, the Potomac River was entirely frozen over between Virginia and Maryland. People came to Alexandria from Fort Washington and points further south by traveling across the frozen river, as though it were a road.” [Historic Alexandria]

McPike Wins Firehouse Primary — “City Councilman R. Kirk McPike has been declared the winner in Tuesday’s Democratic firehouse primary to succeed outgoing Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5). McPike secured 60.5% of the vote Tuesday among 5th District Democrats… [he] will now face Republican nominee Mason Butler in a special election on Tuesday, Feb. 10.” [ALXnow]

Go to Morning Notes for January 21, 2026 Read more

JUST IN: Councilman Kirk McPike wins Democratic firehouse primary for delegate seat

By Katie Taranto
City Council candidate Kirk McPike speaks at the ADC Straw Poll at Port City Brewing Company, April 14, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

City Councilman R. Kirk McPike has been declared the winner in today’s Democratic firehouse primary to succeed outgoing Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5).

McPike secured 60.5% of the vote Tuesday among 5th District Democrats, defeating three other candidates in the running. A total of 2,115 voters participated in the primary, placing district turnout at around 3%, according to tallies from the Alexandria Democratic Committee and data from the Virginia Public Access Project.

Go to JUST IN: Councilman Kirk McPike wins Democratic firehouse primary for delegate seat Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Jan 20, 2026

By ALXnow.com

Good Tuesday 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 20, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Health inspector probe into Old Town juice shop’s emotional support dog prompts petition (1272 views)
  2. Japanese restaurant in Old Town makes Washingtonian’s ‘100 Very Best Restaurants’ list (1243 views)
  3. Alexandria Sheriff’s Office inmate dies in hospital, prompting investigations (877 views)
  4. City Hall renovation plans move forward without decorative chimneys after BAR appeal (368 views)
  5. Morning Notes for January 20, 2026 (361 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

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

🌥️ Wednesday’s forecast

Clouds will gradually increase throughout the day, reaching a high near 40°F, accompanied by a light southeast wind that will shift to the south at 9-14 mph in the morning and gust up to 25 mph. On Wednesday night, expect partly cloudy skies with a low temperature around 33°F. The south wind will persist at around 10 mph, with possible gusts up to 20 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!

City Hall renovation plans move forward without decorative chimneys after BAR appeal

By Emily Leayman
A rendering of the proposed City Hall and Market Square renovation (via City of Alexandria)

City Council last week made a few changes to a review board’s conditional approval of the upcoming City Hall and Market Square project.

On Jan. 13, City Council considered an appeal of the Board of Architectural Review’s approved certificate of appropriateness with conditions for the City Hall and Market Square project on Nov. 19, 2025. The Council voted to remove the review board’s recommendation to maintain decorative chimneys on the south-facing side of City Hall, as well as colonial-style windows at the center entrance pavilion.

Go to City Hall renovation plans move forward without decorative chimneys after BAR appeal Read more

Alexandria Republicans nominate Mason Butler in special election for House of Delegates seat

By James Cullum
Mason Butler is running for Virginia's 5th House District (via Alexandria Republican City Committee/Facebook)

The winner of today’s Democratic firehouse primary for a seat in the House of Delegates will run against Republican Mason Butler next month.

The Alexandria Republican City Committee canceled its party canvas and announced Butler’s candidacy over the weekend. Butler, an IT consultant who has lived in Alexandria for more than a decade, previously ran as an independent candidate for City Council in 2024.

Go to Alexandria Republicans nominate Mason Butler in special election for House of Delegates seat Read more
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