News

Morning Notes for January 12, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Railroad view from the Potomac Yard Metro station in January 2026 (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On Jan. 12, 1864 the Clerk of the Alexandria Common Council was directed to notify the Telegraph Company whose wires and poles already traversed King Street, that the telegraph lines must be placed in a direct line with the street curb within thirty days.” [Historic Alexandria]

Potomac Yard Civic Group Emerging? — “The Arlington County Civic Federation opens the new year with a renewed emphasis on recruiting new organizations and better serving all member groups … ‘We have some applications pending. There’s an area in Potomac Yard that is not covered by any civic association that is interested in forming a new group,’ [President Nicholas] Giacobbe said.'” [ARLnow]

Go to Morning Notes for January 12, 2026 Read more

JUST IN: Alexandria Democrats schedule firehouse primary to replace Sen. Ebbin

By Katie Taranto
State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-39) reads a resolution at Alexandria's 275th birthday celebration along the waterfront in Old Town, July 13, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Democrats have announced a firehouse primary to replace State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-39), after he announced his resignation this week to fulfill a role in Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger’s administration.

The primary will be held from 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. this Tuesday, Jan. 13, according to the Alexandria Democratic Committee — less than a week out from Ebbin’s Jan. 7 announcement. ADC announced the primary over social media around 11 p.m. Friday.

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

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. ‘Five-star dive bar’ from D.C. plans new location at former Mystic BBQ & Grill in Old Town (3031 views)
  2. Wegmans declines to confirm use of facial recognition technology at Alexandria store (1305 views)
  3. Old Town Farmers’ Market relocates to N. Royal Street tomorrow (688 views)
  4. Tysons-based financial planning firm relocating headquarters to Old Town (610 views)

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

  1. 18-year-old Alexandria man faces felony charges for allegedly shooting marijuana delivery driver (5742 views)
  2. Alexandria hosted ‘Queer Eye’ production team during show’s final season (3869 views)
  3. Alexandria man accused of stabbing girlfriend’s son with fork on New Year’s Day (3724 views)
  4. ACPS to consider prohibiting second jobs for administrators after employee’s dismissal (2953 views)
  5. Old Town-based bank expanding into Pennsylvania through $354M deal (2796 views)
  6. DASH party bus helps Del Ray preschooler celebrate his ‘dream’ birthday (2706 views)
  7. National Park Service proposes new safety, trail and waterfront upgrades in Old Town North (2541 views)
  8. City to discuss future land usage on Duke Street during work session tomorrow (2389 views)
  9. Political domino effect hits Alexandria as Sen. Ebbin resigns to join Spanberger administration (2313 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌧️ Saturday’s forecast

Expect rain primarily before 4pm with a high near 49 and a gentle northeast wind at 6 mph; precipitation chance is 100%, with potential accumulation between half to three quarters of an inch. Saturday night, rain is likely between 7pm and 1am with a low around 40, winds becoming northwest from 5 to 10 mph and the possibility of gusts up to 18 mph. Precipitation chance is 80%, with new accumulation between a tenth and quarter of an inch. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.”
– Eleanor Roosevelt

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!

Former Alexandria councilman celebrated after 20 years serving N. Va. Transportation Commission

By Scott McCaffrey
Paul Smedberg at Jan. 8, 2026, NVTC meeting (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

A longtime leader in regional transportation and former City Council member was honored by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission last night (Thursday) as he prepares to depart the organization.

This month, Paul Smedberg departs both the commission and the board of directors of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Before serving as the governor’s representative on NVTC, Smedberg had represented Alexandria, which has two seats on the 21-member body.

Go to Former Alexandria councilman celebrated after 20 years serving N. Va. Transportation Commission Read more

Tysons-based financial planning firm relocating headquarters to Old Town

By James Cullum
The Atrium building at 277 S. Washington Street in Old Town (image via WC. and A.N. Miller Development Company)

A financial planning firm headquartered in Tysons Corner will soon be relocating to Old Town.

Pillar Wealth Partners will embark on its next chapter when it opens in the Atrium Building at 277 S. Washington Street on Feb. 1. An office warming and ribbon cutting will be held Feb. 10 to celebrate.

Go to Tysons-based financial planning firm relocating headquarters to Old Town Read more

Wegmans declines to confirm use of facial recognition technology at Alexandria store

By Emily Leayman
Wegmans in Alexandria's Carlyle neighborhood (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

Wegmans has declined to say whether its Alexandria store uses facial recognition technology, after the supermarket chain shared that some of its locations employ the security measure.

Cameras with facial recognition technology have been set up “in a small fraction of our stores located in communities that exhibit an elevated risk,” Wegmans said in a statement. Spokesperson Marcie Rivera declined to comment on the chain’s Carlyle location at 150 Stovall Street and other Northern Virginia locations.

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Old Town Farmers’ Market relocates to N. Royal Street tomorrow

By Katie Taranto
Old Town Farmers' Market (via City of Alexandria)

The Old Town Farmers’ Market is officially relocating this weekend in advance of construction on City Hall and Market Square.

The Saturday morning market is moving across the street from Market Square to the 100 block of N. Royal Street before construction is set to begin on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

Go to Old Town Farmers’ Market relocates to N. Royal Street tomorrow Read more

Clerk of Court streamlines concealed carry process, adding new plastic permits

By James Cullum
New concealed carry permits are plastic in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Starting this month, Alexandria residents wanting to carry a concealed weapon can apply for a plastic permit at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office in Old Town.

Clerk Greg Parks recently revamped the city’s concealed carry permits from paper to plastic, and residents can now complete permit applications on his website. All these new measures are intended to streamline the process — which used to be “very inefficient,” Parks told ALXnow — for the public and his staff.

Go to Clerk of Court streamlines concealed carry process, adding new plastic permits Read more

N. Va. Transportation Commission elects Bagley to lead as region seeks state funding approval

By Scott McCaffrey
Sarah Bagley, second from left, and other members of the NVTC 2026 leadership (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Alexandria Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley assumed the top leadership spot of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) for 2026 last night (Thursday).

Bagley was unanimously elected chair of the regional body and will lead it during what is likely to be a pivotal year for transit funding across the area.

Go to N. Va. Transportation Commission elects Bagley to lead as region seeks state funding approval Read more

Morning Notes for January 9, 2026

By ALXnow.com
As seen around Old Town Alexandria and Waterfront Park (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On Jan. 9, 1951, Alexandria officials announced the Alexandria National Guard armory on S. Royal Street had been converted into a recreation center for both servicemen and Alexandria residents. Renovations to the building included game rooms, a photographic darkroom and an indoor gym.” [Historic Alexandria]

NoVA Reports 8.2K in Job Losses — “Northern Virginia lost 8,200 jobs as the commonwealth shed tens of thousands of federal workers between November 2024 and November 2025, new data shows. Non-farm employment in Northern Virginia was down 0.5% as of November, according to data that the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement reported Wednesday. The commonwealth as a whole, meanwhile, had lost 22,400 federal jobs year-over-year — an 11.5% decrease.” [ARLnow]

Go to Morning Notes for January 9, 2026 Read more

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

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌦️ Friday’s forecast

Rain is possible after 4pm with clouds increasing and a high near 56. South winds between 6-10 mph and gusts up to 20 mph. On Friday night, rain is more likely after 1am, with temperatures dropping to around 49. Southwest winds of 5-8 mph will shift northwest after midnight, and there’s a 70% chance of precipitation. New precipitation amounts could range between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.”
– Albert Einstein

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

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