On This Day in Alexandria History — “When news of the fall of the Confederate capital at Richmond reached Alexandria during the first week of April 1865, days before the surrender of Robert E, Lee’s forces at Appomattox, the grim city immediately took on a festive air. The first sign was the tolling of church bells throughout the downtown, and later the firing of victory rounds at local fortifications as a salute by Union soldiers. The celebration by Union forces and those loyal to their cause lasted several days, with parades spontaneously occurring on main thoroughfares and constant noise making of citizens by blowing horns and whistles.” [Historic Alexandria]

ACPS Collective Bargaining Agreement’s Uncertain Path Forward — “City Council has not yet stated if or how it plans to close the $5.6 million gap between ACPS’ requested fiscal year 2027 budget and the city’s proposed $340 million allocation. If the $5.6 million is not funded, ACPS must make a choice between fulfilling its agreement with the EAA or making further cuts elsewhere … At the same time, educators remain unsure of whether they will vote to approve the collective bargaining agreement – two years after EAA’s two bargaining units voted in support of the union.” [Alexandria Times]