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Proposals to limit ICE activity and more Alexandria-supported bills advance in General Assembly

By Emily Leayman
Wendy Ginsberg, the City of Alexandria's legislative director, provided a mid-session General Assembly update to City Council (via City of Alexandria)

As the General Assembly reaches mid-session, the City of Alexandria is supporting nearly 400 proposed bills, including restrictions on immigration enforcement.

Wendy Ginsberg, the city’s legislative director, provided a mid-session General Assembly update to City Council yesterday (Tuesday). According to Ginsberg, city staff have reviewed 584 bills for potential impacts to the city. During the presentation, Councilman Abdel Elnoubi requested an update on the immigration enforcement-related bills, which Ginsberg said are continuing to make progress.

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Longtime director of Carpenter’s Shelter is stepping down next month to lead Reston nonprofit

By James Cullum
Shannon Steene, executive director of Carpenter's Shelter (courtesy photo)

Shannon Steene, the longtime executive director of Carpenter’s Shelter, is stepping down next month, the organization announced today (Wednesday).

After 11 years leading one of Northern Virginia’s largest homeless shelters, Steene will be departing the role to be the CEO of Reston-based Cornerstones, providing advocacy and support to people who need food, shelter, housing, child care and other services in northwestern Fairfax County and eastern Loudoun County.

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Braddock Road corridor bike and pedestrian improvements slated for city review this month

By James Cullum
Yates Corner at the intersection of Mount Vernon Avenue and Braddock Road (Staff photo by James Cullum)

A proposal for new bike lanes, enhancements to pedestrian crossings and shorter crossing distances at key intersections on Braddock Road are up for review this month by Alexandria’s Traffic and Parking Board.

A city-recommended design concept calls for several Braddock Road upgrades between Russell Road and West Street. The city has worked on the Braddock Road Trail Access and Corridor Improvements project since last year as a response to concerns from Alex311, the 2023 Safe Routes to School walk audit at George Washington Middle School and the Virginia Department of Transportation.

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Morning Notes for February 11, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Snow and ice in February 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On February 11, 1799, Alexandrians celebrated the annual Birthnight Ball at Gadsby’s Tavern, with guest of honor George Washington. Washington was actually born on that same date in 1732, but according to the Julian calendar.” [Historic Alexandria]

McPike, Bennett-Parker Win Elections — Last night, voters elected departing City Councilman R. Kirk McPike and Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker to the House of Delegates and the State Senate, respectively. Both Democrats received over 80% of the vote in their respective elections. [ALXnow]

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JUST IN: Elizabeth Bennett-Parker wins decisive victory in special election for State Senate

By Katie Taranto and James Cullum
State Sen.-elect Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-39) speaks to supporters on the night of her special election, Feb. 10, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5) is getting a promotion in Richmond.

Voters in today’s special election gave the Democrat a sweeping victory against Republican Julie Robben Lineberry for a seat in the State Senate. The outgoing delegate received a decisive 83% of the vote, setting her up to succeed Sen. Adam Ebbin as he joins Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration.

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JUST IN: R. Kirk McPike wins special election in landslide for House of Delegates seat

By Katie Taranto and James Cullum
R. Kirk McPike reacts to his House of Delegates victory at Pork Barrel BBQ on Feb. 10, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

R. Kirk McPike is trading in Alexandria City Council dockets for a newly-won seat in the House of Delegates, following today’s special election.

Alexandria’s outgoing councilman received 81.5% of the vote in a decisive win against Republican candidate Mason Butler to secure a seat in the House of Delegates. The win means McPike will fulfill the 5th District post of Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, who voters concurrently elected to outgoing State Sen. Adam Ebbin’s 39th District seat tonight.

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ALXnow Daily Debrief for Feb 10, 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 — Feb 10, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Barnes & Noble plans new Alexandria bookstore in Shoppes at Foxchase (2480 views)
  2. ACPS proposal to scale back Chinese and Latin language programs draw public concern (477 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌤️ Wednesday’s forecast

Expect a mostly sunny day with a high temperature near 44 degrees and northwest winds ranging from 10 to 17 mph, potentially gusting up to 32 mph. The nighttime will be partly cloudy with a low temperature around 29 degrees, accompanied by northwest winds of 13 to 18 mph, and gusts reaching up to 26 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
– Winston Churchill

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

Alexandria celebrates arrival of historical events, tall ships and more in America250 kickoff

By Katie Taranto
OHA Deputy Director Liz Williams speaks about Sails on the Potomac during the America250 kickoff event at The Lyceum (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

The Office of Historic Alexandria celebrated the kickoff of America250 last night (Monday), previewing several city events that will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this year.

City officials joined leaders of OHA, Visit Alexandria and the local business community at The Lyceum to launch the yearlong commemoration, which will include at least two new museum exhibits, a Revolutionary War history forum and this weekend’s George Washington Birthday Parade, among other events.

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ACPS proposal to scale back Chinese and Latin language programs draw public concern

By Emily Leayman
Francis C. Hammond Middle School, Jan. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

A proposal to scale back Chinese and Latin language classes at Alexandria City Public Schools have drawn public concern as school officials prepare to make funding decisions.

The Alexandria City School Board discussed a proposal that would remove two middle school Latin teachers and one Chinese teacher due to low enrollment during a Jan. 27 work session.

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Alexandria’s Pat Malone kicks off 12th annual Stand Up To Cancer fundraiser in Del Ray today

By James Cullum
Alexandria's Pat Malone will stand up for 24 hours for his 12th annual Stand Up To Cancer fundraising event (via Elza Daniel/Facebook)

Alexandria’s Pat Malone is kicking off another year of standing up to cancer.

Starting at 4:26 p.m. today (Tuesday), Malone, a cancer survivor and Air Force veteran, will stand for 24 hours straight at Pork Barrel BBQ (2312 Mount Vernon Avenue) for his 12th annual Stand Up To Cancer fundraiser. Malone estimates that he’s raised more than $100,000 for cancer research over the past 11 years.

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Morning Notes for February 10, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Voting at Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library in Alexandria's West End, Nov. 5, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On February 10, 1957, congregation leaders, including Mayor Leroy S. Bendheim, laid the cornerstone at Beth El’s new synagogue on Seminary Road. First established in 1859 and the oldest Reform congregation in Northern Virginia, Beth El Hebrew Congregation had previously worshipped at a synagogue on North Washington Street from 1871 to 1954.” [Historic Alexandria]

It’s Election Day — “Polling places across the city will be open from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. tomorrow. The City Hall precinct will be moving to Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy at 530 S. St. Asaph Street, according to the Office of Voter Registration and Elections. Sample ballots are available to view on the city’s website. After 7 p.m., results are expected to be published on the state’s elections website.” [ALXnow]

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