News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Dec 8, 2025

By ALXnow.com

Good Monday 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 8, 2025.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Alexandria traffic board to consider ‘no turn’ restrictions at intersection of October crash (1187 views)
  2. Alexandria police union decries current officer pay as collective bargaining reaches impasse (771 views)
  3. PHOTOS: Don’t miss ALXnow’s coverage of the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade (462 views)
  4. ‘Pink Pony Club’ and ‘Santa Jaws’: Holiday Boat Parade announces 2025 winners (452 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

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

☀️ Tuesday’s forecast

Expect sunny skies and a high near 35 with calm winds turning south at 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon. Tonight, it will be mostly cloudy with a low around 30 and south winds at 8 to 10 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Success is not how high you have climbed, but how you make a positive difference to the world.”
– Roy T. Bennett

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

UPDATE: Alexandria police union decries current officer pay as collective bargaining reaches impasse

By James Cullum
Alexandria Police Department cruisers on Nov. 7, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Updated at 1 p.m., Dec. 9: An earlier version of this story included a previous offer from the city on pay compensation in its collective bargaining negotiations with the Alexandria Police Department. The city’s most recent offer increases starting pay for police officers 17.21% from $63,988 a year to an annual salary of $75,000; a 21% increase for sergeants from $72,300 to $87,500 and police lieutenants 15% from $89,800 to $106,900.

With collective bargaining at a standstill, the Alexandria Police Department’s union is calling for increased salaries as the department’s pay has fallen behind other Northern Virginia localities.

Go to UPDATE: Alexandria police union decries current officer pay as collective bargaining reaches impasse Read more
Sponsored

First look: Inside Old Town’s newest ultra high-end townhomes

By Brett Rice
1/12

Some of the most ultra high-end (some with an elevator) townhomes in the DC region will deliver in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, just blocks from the King Street Metro.

Sales have already begun and while some new owners have already moved in, there are immediate move-ins available.

Brooks Estate is a collection of 13 sophisticated, four-bedroom and four-and-a-half bath residences that blend custom details, modern amenities and cutting-edge technology.

Looking for walkability? It doesnt get much better than this! Restaurants like Call Your Mother Deli and Hard Times Cafe and Augies Mussel House and Beer Garden are seconds away, and Brooks Estate is just a couple of blocks walk to the King Street Metro.

All of the homes boast 2,600 to over 3,000 square feet of space, chef’s kitchens with professional series Thermador appliances, spa-like baths, as well as rooftop terraces, two-car garages, and some homes available with elevators. Pricing starts at $2,287,500.

The homes at Brooks Estate provide an exceptional blend of luxury living with traditional architectural details that reflect the Old Town neighborhood. Rooms are connected by graceful arches and adorned with traditional flourishes like crown moldings.

Brooks Estate standard finishes include high-end custom cabinetry and custom-built rift and quartered white oak oven hoods and island surrounds. The flooring—by Arlandria Floors in Del Ray—is a true 3/4-inch-thick luxury wide-plank engineered European white oak hardwood floors that are sanded and finished on site.

Cutting-edge details include wireless smart home features throughout the house, with Lutron Wi-Fi light switches; garages fitted with Wi-Fi and cameras, and that are EV-ready; Wi-Fi/Bluetooth unit entry-door locks; Wi-Fi heated floors in the primary bath; nearly soundproof windows; and sound insulation in all bedrooms, bathrooms, and mechanical rooms. (more…)

News

Registration for Alexandria’s winter programs and activities opens next week

By Katie Taranto
Aquatics class at the Minnie Howard Aquatics Facility (via Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities, City of Alexandria, VA/Facebook)

The Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities has released its Winter 2026 Program Guide, detailing new seasonal classes, activities and more.

Starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, Alexandria residents can sign up for RPCA’s winter programs, which start next month and run through April 2026. Registration for nonresidents opens two days later, on Dec. 19.

Go to Registration for Alexandria’s winter programs and activities opens next week Read more
Around Town

‘Pink Pony Club’ and ‘Santa Jaws’: Holiday Boat Parade announces 2025 winners

By Katie Taranto
A view of the boat line up. Leading the pack is "Splish Splash, Taking a Bath" which was the winner of the 2025 category "Thinking Outside the Christmas Box" (via Visit Alexandria)

Alexandria’s 25th annual Holiday Boat Parade brought gleaming, spirited displays of holiday cheer to Old Town’s waterfront on Saturday night.

Visit Alexandria has announced the winners of the parade today (Monday), with exhibits ranging from a hot pink Chappell Roan theme that captured “Most Spirited Crew” to a playful “Hanukkah Octopus” named Happy that won “Hardiest Soul.” Here’s a look at this year’s winners and categories.

Go to ‘Pink Pony Club’ and ‘Santa Jaws’: Holiday Boat Parade announces 2025 winners Read more
News

Alexandria traffic board to consider ‘no turn’ restrictions at intersection of October crash

By Katie Taranto
Proposed No Turn on Red restrictions (via City of Alexandria)

The Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board will consider new “No Turn on Red” restrictions at an intersection near Del Ray and North Ridge, after a vehicle struck a woman and her child there in October.

The restrictions would apply to all approaches at the five-legged intersection of Russell Road, Monroe Avenue and High Street, an area that connects single-family neighborhoods to churches and child care facilities, according to the city. The staff recommendation is part of the board’s consent agenda during its 7 p.m. meeting tonight (Monday).

Go to Alexandria traffic board to consider ‘no turn’ restrictions at intersection of October crash Read more
News

‘Christmas in Camp’ Civil War program coming to Fort Ward this weekend

By Katie Taranto
Fort Ward Park, Jan. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site’s annual Christmas in Camp program returns this Saturday, offering a glimpse into Civil War-era holiday celebrations.

The event includes historical reenactors interacting across the museum’s decorated winter camp settings, according to the Office of Historic Alexandria. The educational program lasts from noon to 4 p.m. at the museum — one of the Union Army’s best-preserved forts in the Defenses of Washington — located at 4301 W. Braddock Road.

Go to ‘Christmas in Camp’ Civil War program coming to Fort Ward this weekend Read more
Around Town

VIDEO: See Del Ray’s annual Christmas Tree and Menorah lighting

By James Cullum
The Del Ray Christmas tree was lit on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The weather was crisp and cool as hundreds of revelers sang holiday carols at the annual lighting of the Del Ray Christmas Tree and Menorah on Sunday night.

The 36-foot-tall tree is the tallest ever in Del Ray. It was donated by “Mango” Mike Anderson and Bill Blackburn of the Homegrown Restaurant Group.

Go to VIDEO: See Del Ray’s annual Christmas Tree and Menorah lighting Read more
Around Town

PHOTOS: Don’t miss ALXnow’s coverage of the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade

By James Cullum
The City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums marches at the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade in Old Town, Dec. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

What a day for a parade it was in Old Town on Saturday, Dec. 6.

The wailing of bagpipes sailed through Alexandria’s historic streets as thousands of community members gathered to watch the 54th annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade.

Go to PHOTOS: Don’t miss ALXnow’s coverage of the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade Read more
News

Key legislator: Getting more transit funding from legislature may prove ‘hard sell’

By Scott McCaffrey
Alexandria Transit Company (photo courtesy DASH)

Northern Virginia’s local and legislative leaders are preparing for a full-court press — and perhaps an uphill battle — in wringing additional transit funding out of the General Assembly.

Aimee Seibert, a lobbyist for the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, said at the commission’s Dec. 4 monthly meeting that four different bills, two in each house of the legislature, are being prepared for consideration as part of an effort to add nearly a half-billion dollars annually in regional transit funding.

Go to Key legislator: Getting more transit funding from legislature may prove ‘hard sell’ Read more
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