News

City’s $9.7M winter storm cost largely attributed to outside contractors

By Emily Leayman
Pile of 'snowcrete' in February 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria spent $9.7 million on the Jan. 25 snow storm response, the bulk of which was attributed to outside contractors brought in due to the challenges of clearing “snowcrete.”

The winter storm brought about 8 inches of snow followed by hours of sleet and freezing rain that created a solid layer of ice on top. According to an after-action report presented to City Council Tuesday, contract services cost the city $8.4 million. City labor cost about $600,000, while materials, supplies, food and lodging for employees cost $700,000.

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News

Hit-and-run pursuit leads to driver arrest on I-495 in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman
Police car lights (file photo)

A hit-and-run pursuit led to a crash and driver’s subsequent arrest in the Alexandria section of the Capital Beltway this morning (Thursday), Virginia State Police say.

The crash shut down all southbound I-495 lanes near Van Dorn Street, leading to backups stretching as far as 12 miles, according to an NBC4 report.

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Around Town

Del Ray’s Little Birdie aims to elevate the chicken sandwich this June

By James Cullum
The former Benny DiForza's Pizza at 1504B Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. (staff photo by James Cullum)

The owners of a popular all-day brunch restaurant in Del Ray have a new concept with chicken on their minds.

Matthew Sloan and Eric Brannon are currently asking the city’s permission for 10 outdoor dining seats at their new restaurant, Little Birdie. The space at 1504B Mount Vernon Avenue was formerly occupied by Benny DiForza’s Pizza, which opened in February 2024 and closed last October.

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News

ACPS plans to make April election day a student holiday

By Katie Taranto
ACHS (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria City School Board is expected to approve a calendar revision that would make Virginia’s April 21 election date a student holiday.

Alexandria City Public Schools has recommended the School Board approve the item during tonight’s meeting (Thursday), as voters will be in school-based polling locations on Election Day.

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News

New kayak launch on Four Mile Run wins Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award

By Emily Leayman
New Four Mile Run kayak launch (via City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities/Facebook)

A new kayak launch now open at Four Mile Run Park in Alexandria is one of 11 projects that earned a Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award from Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger.

The Four Mile Run Conservancy, in partnership with the city, completed the public kayak and canoe launch with a 187-foot raised boardwalk ramp, 775-square-foot floating dock, a roller-entry launch, wheelchair transfer platform and 30-foot gangway. It is the city and region’s first ADA-accessible paddling access to the Potomac River.

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News

Morning Notes for March 26, 2026

By ALXnow.com
A magnolia tree in bloom in Old Town (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On March 26, 1839, the Alexandria Lyceum Company and the Alexandria Library Company formally announced plans to join together in sharing a new Greek Revival-style building at 201 S. Washington Street. Alexandria’s Lyceum was modeled after the American lyceum (ly-SEE-um) movement which began in the 1820s with Josiah Holbrook, who admired various institutions in England that had been established for public education.” [Historic Alexandria]

Police In-Custody Death Final Report Delayed — “A final update to the Independent Policing Auditor’s investigation was expected at the March 4 Independent Community Policing Review Board meeting. But, auditor Ameratu Kamara said she found out the night of March 3 that she was unable to share her findings, since they were based on a draft report.” [Alexandria Times]

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News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Mar 25, 2026

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 — Mar 25, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. ACPS prepares to move 800+ students for redistricting effort (1448 views)
  2. New plan unveiled after National Park Service sinks pump station at Waterfront Park (961 views)
  3. Arlandria apartment condemned, two people displaced after kitchen fire (856 views)
  4. Entrepreneur seeks to bring community center to Virginia Tech building in Old Town (642 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌤️ Thursday’s forecast

Expect mostly sunny weather with temperatures reaching a high of around 75°F. Winds will be from the southwest at 10 to 13 mph, with gusts up to 23 mph. Thursday night will bring increasing clouds and a low of about 57°F, along with a slight chance of rain before 7 p.m. and a more significant chance after 2 a.m., with a 50% chance of precipitation. Southwest winds will continue at 10 to 13 mph, with gusts reaching up to 22 mph. 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!

News

Alexandria police chief touts 30% overall crime reduction in 2025

By James Cullum
Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire speaks after being sworn in at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Dec. 10, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire received praise from City Council Tuesday night for a 30% overall crime reduction in 2025.

In a presentation to City Council, McGuire said that violent crime went down an average of 29%, a difference of 111 offenses. Overall property crime was down by an average of 30%, a difference of more than 1,300 offenses.

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News

New plan unveiled after National Park Service sinks pump station at Waterfront Park

By James Cullum
Flooding on lower King Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Council directed staff on Tuesday to pursue a new preferred option to combat flooding along the Alexandria waterfront — one that does not involve a pump station.

City staff presented the council with a number of options in the wake of the National Park Service’s denial last month of the city’s plan to build a pump station at Waterfront Park. The city’s preferred option, Option 3, is an enhanced gravity storm sewer system, with “automated back flow prevention devices.” Option 3 also means that infrastructure improvements to Point Lumley Park and the bulkhead would be deferred.

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