News

Three ACPS naming ceremonies scheduled for September and October

By Emily Leayman
The Parker-Gray Stadium Field at Alexandria City High School King Street Campus (via ACPS)

Three Alexandria City Public Schools facilities that the School Board voted to rename will be dedicated in the next two months.

The Alexandria City School Board voted in December 2025 to name Keith Burns Field at Alexandria City High School’s Parker-Gray Memorial Stadium after a 1990 T.C. Williams High School graduate who had an NFL career. The athletic field complex at the high school’s Minnie Howard Campus will be named after the late Alexandria Mayor Kerry Donley, and a media center at Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School will be named after Jean Reid, who taught at various ACPS schools.

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News

Alexandria teen found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in man’s death after Potomac Yard Metro chase

By James Cullum
Suspected fare evaders captured chasing a man, who tried to elude them by jumping onto the tracks of the Potomac Yard Metro station before being struck by a train (via MTPD)

A 19-year Alexandria woman has been found guilty by a jury to charges related to the death of a man who was struck by a train last September at the Potomac Yard Metro station.

Jamaya Ann Burch was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and assault and battery for her actions on Sept. 22, 2025 leading to the death of 40-year-old James Halley Lynt. The jury found that Burch and her then-girlfriend attacked Lynt at the Metro station, leading to him trying to escape by jumping down from the station platform and getting struck by a train.

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Around Town

Crooked Run Fermentation opening taproom in Del Ray Aug. 28

By James Cullum
Exterior of a brewery with 'Coming Soon' sign in window and outdoor seating under string lights, opening soon.
Crooked Run Brewery and Taproom is opening Aug. 28, 2026, at 2003 Mount Vernon Avenue (staff photo by James Cullum)

A new brewery taproom is opening at the end of the month on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray.

Crooked Run Fermentation plans to open its taproom at 2003 Mount Vernon Avenue on Aug. 28 after a three-month interior renovation. Co-owner Lee Rogan tells ALXnow that a grand opening and ribbon cutting will happen sometime next month.

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News

Freedom 250 Grand Prix IndyCar travels on Metro from King Street station this morning

By Emily Leayman
A sign for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix is seen on the National Mall, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

An IndyCar in the Freedom 250 Grand Prix will be making its way from the King Street Metro station in Alexandria this morning (Aug. 20).

Metro said the IndyCar will make its way through the Yellow Line between the King Street Metro and D.C.’s Mount Vernon Square. The trip will happen between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., and there will be brief stops at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and L’Enfant Plaza stations. A return trip from Mount Vernon Square is expected to end by 12 p.m.

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Event

November Leadership Incubator Weekend, hosted by Shifting Waters Leadership

Poster for Leadership, Restored: Two-day leadership incubator with details (Nov 19–20, 2026) in Alexandria; includes meals and activities; Apply Now with QR code.

Event location

Cowo & Créche

Alexandria, 22314, United States

Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Add to Calendar

Shifting Waters Leadership Institute (SWLI) is bringing a new kind of leadership experience to Old Town Alexandria and DMV area this fall. On November 19 and 20, 2026, the organization will host its inaugural November Leadership Incubator Weekend at COWO & Crèche, a two-day, application-based program built for leaders who are ready to do more than perform their roles well. They are ready to be formed.

The incubator is led by Grace Adofoli, Founder and CEO of SWLI, a leadership development practitioner, executive coach, and 2026 Alexandria Chamber of Commerce 40 Under 40 honoree who has worked across leaders in more than thirty countries over the past decade. Her background spans global public health, disaster relief, and community development, including field work in the Philippines, Ethiopia, and Cambodia, alongside service with AmeriCorps and in underserved communities across the United States. She holds an ACC credential through the International Coaching Federation and degrees in public health and social work from the University of Michigan.

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News

Alexandria nonprofits receive support from regional Builders for Babies diaper drive

By Emily Leayman
The 2026 Builders for Babies diaper drive (via HomeAid National Capital Region)

Alexandria nonprofits were among the 52 nonprofit recipients of nearly 1.3 million diapers and wipes from HomeAid National Capital Region’s latest donation drive.

HomeAid, which builds housing and programming space for nonprofits serving the homeless, organized the 2026 Builders for Babies diaper drive to benefit organizations serving families in the D.C. region and Richmond. Builders, trade partners, suppliers, community collection sites and donors helped HomeAid distribute a record 1,292,097 diapers.

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News

Morning Notes for August 20, 2026

By ALXnow.com
A pink house with dark shutters and red, white, and blue bunting along a tree-lined street; American flag displayed by the porch.
A residential street in Old Town (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “The advance on Alexandria from a British fleet in August 1814 was planned to draw the attention away from a planned attack on Washington from the north. But starting on August 20, Captain James Gordon’s ships were delayed for days, repeatedly grounding on the shoals of the Potomac. By the time the fleet reached Fort Washington (then called Fort Warburton), the attack and burning of the nation’s capital had already occurred a week earlier. After the self-destruction of the Maryland fort by American forces, Gordon soon turned his attention to Alexandria. Realizing the predicament of the now defenseless town, the town’s Common Council quickly decided not to oppose a British attack. On a Sunday morning, Mayor Charles Simms and an entourage rowed southward towards the advancing fleet, waving a white flag and requesting terms of surrender to prevent the destruction of the town. Due to its being the Sabbath, Gordon sent the officials back to Alexandria, with instructions to wait until the following day. By morning, his ships had arrived, with guns directed at the small frame houses of the town.” [Historic Alexandria]

Result of Mayor’s Back to School Hair Salon — “[Tuesday’s] Back to School Hair Salon 📚✏️ helped an incredible 3️⃣7️⃣ girls prepare for the first day of school! I’m so grateful the stylists who dedicated their time & our sponsors who helped make this event possible. Nothing but smiles all day long.” [Mayor Alyia Gaskins/X]

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News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Aug 19, 2026

By ALXnow.com
ALXnow Daily Debrief for Aug 19, 2026 over a brick porch background with a front gate.

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 — Aug 19, 2026.

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌧️ Thursday’s forecast

Expect showers and thunderstorms throughout the day, becoming more likely after 3pm, with a high near 87°F and increasing clouds. Winds will be calm, shifting to southwest at about 6 mph. There’s a 60% chance of rain, with potential rainfall between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, higher in storms. Thursday night will also see likely showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a chance of showers until 1am, with mostly cloudy skies and a low around 69°F. Light north winds are expected, with similar precipitation amounts as earlier. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Keep your face always toward the sunshine—and shadows will fall behind you.”
– Walt Whitman

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

Around Town

Around the World Cultural Food Festival returning to Old Town Aug. 29

By James Cullum
Around the World Cultural Food Festival (Ethan Yuan Photography via Visit Alexandria)

A popular multicultural food festival is returning to Old Town at the end of the month.

The 10th annual Around the World Cultural Food Festival will bring the flavors of 20 countries, live performances representing 12 countries and more than 100 artisan and craft vendors to Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison Street) on Saturday, Aug. 29. The festival is free to attend and will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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News

Developer wants Prince Street office conversion project to wrap by summer 2027

By James Cullum
1625 Prince Street in Old Town (via Google Maps)

The developers of an office conversion project in Old Town want to start leasing the building’s 45 new residential units by summer 2027.

That’s according to Colin Thomas, principal of Thomas Development LLC, and one of the partners in 1625 Prince LLC, a joint venture with Alexandria-based Winstanley Architects and Planners and Pizzano Contractors.

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