News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Dec 18, 2025

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 — Dec 18, 2025.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. String of thefts at Old Town yoga apparel stores under police investigation (958 views)
  2. Winning $50K Powerball ticket purchased at Arlandria convenience store (886 views)
  3. Morning Notes for December 18, 2025 (350 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

⛈️ Friday’s forecast

Expect rain and potentially a thunderstorm before 1pm, followed by a slight chance of rain until 2pm. Temperatures will drop to around 38 by 5pm with breezy south winds between 15 and 23 mph, shifting west and gusting up to 47 mph. There is an 80% chance of precipitation, with amounts ranging from a quarter to half an inch. Friday night will be mostly clear and breezy, with lows around 27, west winds between 17 and 22 mph decreasing to 6 to 11 mph after midnight, and gusts up to 46 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
– Mark Twain

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

New ACPS budget proposal defers Cora Kelly project, schedules K-8 conversions in 2030

By Katie Taranto
Capital Improvement Program add/delete session on Dec. 16, 2025 (via Alexandria City Public Schools)

An updated $282 million budget proposal would defer renovations at an Alexandria elementary school while securing funding for two contentious K-8 conversion plans in 2030.

The new Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget from Alexandria City Public Schools comes in at $58 million less than the Alexandria City School Board’s original proposal and remains under the city’s guidance of $285.8 million, following weeks of workshopping by school and city leaders to trim it down.

Go to New ACPS budget proposal defers Cora Kelly project, schedules K-8 conversions in 2030 Read more

Plans to replace the Old Town Pool headed to Board of Architectural Review

By James Cullum
Old Town Pool (via City of Alexandria)

After 40 years in operation, Alexandria has submitted plans to replace the Old Town Pool, bath house and equipment building.

The 144,000-square-foot Old Town Pool site at 1609 Cameron Street was built in 1975 and is “nearing the end of its usability,” according to a presentation that will go before the Board of Architectural Review on Wednesday, Jan. 7.

Go to Plans to replace the Old Town Pool headed to Board of Architectural Review Read more

Gravestone relocations planned at Douglass Memorial Cemetery ahead of stormwater project

By Katie Taranto
Douglass Memorial Cemetery following flood damages in 2021 (photo courtesy Michael Johnson)

About 250 gravestones at Douglass Memorial Cemetery will be temporarily relocated as a new stormwater improvement project gets underway next month.

Anticipated to begin Jan. 20, the project aims to replace hundreds of feet of aging stormwater pipes and regrade the historic Black cemetery’s drainage systems at 1421 Wilkes Street. Construction will prompt the temporary removal of about 250 gravestones, and will affect traffic along Wilkes Street, City Archaeologist Eleanor Breen told ALXnow.

Go to Gravestone relocations planned at Douglass Memorial Cemetery ahead of stormwater project Read more

String of thefts at Old Town yoga apparel stores under police investigation

By James Cullum
Lululemon on King Street in Old Town (via Google Maps)

The Alexandria Police Department is investigating a string of thefts that occurred at two yoga apparel stores in Old Town this past fall.

The suspects of three Old Town thefts reported between Sept. 30 and late last month have stolen thousands of dollars in merchandise from yoga clothing retailers Alo Yoga and Lululemon on King Street. The incidents are being investigated in connection with other recent thefts in the D.C. region.

Go to String of thefts at Old Town yoga apparel stores under police investigation Read more

Morning Notes for December 18, 2025

By ALXnow.com
A duck in the rain in the Potomac River in Old Town (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On Dec. 18, 1900, a cave-in caught several men working on the extension of Southern Railway tracks around the Hunting Creek shoreline. Most escaped serious injury but one suffered a broken collarbone.” [Historic Alexandria]

U.S. Admits Fault in Fatal Mid-Air Collision — “The U.S. government admitted Wednesday that the actions of an air traffic controller and Army helicopter pilot played a role in causing a collision last January between an airliner and a Black Hawk near the nation’s capital, killing 67 people. It was the deadliest plane crash on American soil in more than two decades.” [Associated Press]

Go to Morning Notes for December 18, 2025 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Dec 17, 2025

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 — Dec 17, 2025.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Former Washington Post journalist running unopposed to lead Alexandria Democrats (1618 views)
  2. Ross Dress For Less will close in Old Town next month ahead of private school conversion (895 views)
  3. New ‘Finn and Fire’ seafood and steak restaurant aims for March opening in Old Town (615 views)
  4. Office of Historic Alexandria director wins primary for Va. House seat in Fairfax (495 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌧️ Thursday’s forecast

Rain is likely after 4pm, with increasing clouds and a high near 54. Morning winds will shift south at 5-8 mph. There’s a 30% chance of precipitation. Thursday night will see temperatures rise to around 55 by 3am, accompanied by south winds at 8-17 mph and gusts up to 29 mph. Rain is expected, with a 100% chance of precipitation and new rainfall amounts ranging between half and three-quarters of an inch. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”
– Buddha

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

Alexandria city government services will relocate next month for City Hall renovation

By James Cullum
Alexandria City Hall (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

The last moves of Alexandria’s City Council and staff have been announced, as the years-long renovation project at City Hall and Market Square is just around the corner.

The various arms of the city government will be operating from swing spaces until 2028, when the project is expected to be completed. With more than 300 city staffers already moved to temporary offices, the project will start construction this spring, according to the city.

Go to Alexandria city government services will relocate next month for City Hall renovation Read more

Ross Dress For Less will close in Old Town next month ahead of private school conversion

By James Cullum
Ross Dress For Less at 112 N. Washington Street is closing in January 2026 (courtesy anonymous)

Ross Dress For Less is closing next month in Old Town.

The department store at 112 N. Washington Street will close forever on Friday, Jan. 16, according to a sign posted on the retailer’s door. After closing, the building will be renovated and turned into a new “upper school” for the private Linder Academy, which first opened in Old Town in 2021.

Go to Ross Dress For Less will close in Old Town next month ahead of private school conversion Read more

Former Washington Post journalist running unopposed to lead Alexandria Democrats

By James Cullum
Jon DeNunzio is running unopposed for chair of the Alexandria Democratic Committee (courtesy of Jon DeNunzio)

Change is coming to the Alexandria Democratic Committee.

Jon DeNunzio, a former editor at The Washington Post and owner of a digital marketing firm,  is running unopposed for ADC chair. Over the past nine years, he has held a number of ADC leadership positions, including corralling door-knockers for the Democrats to Go initiative, as well as coordinating volunteers and precinct operations in the West End.

Go to Former Washington Post journalist running unopposed to lead Alexandria Democrats Read more

Office of Historic Alexandria director wins primary for Va. House seat in Fairfax

By Katie Taranto
Gretchen Bulova, director of the Office of Historic Alexandria at the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in Old Town, Dec. 6, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Gretchen Bulova, director of the Office of Historic Alexandria, won a decisive victory last night (Tuesday) in a firehouse Democratic primary for delegate of the 11th District.

Alexandria’s OHA director is now one step closer to fulfilling the delegate seat of her husband, David Bulova, who resigned last Friday after accepting an appointment in Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger’s administration. He spent 19 years in the House of Delegates.

Go to Office of Historic Alexandria director wins primary for Va. House seat in Fairfax Read more
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