Alexandria’s jobless rate was stable year over year in new data but remains elevated compared to levels recorded before the Trump administration’s federal government downsizing began.
A total of 96,600 city residents were counted as employed in the civilian workforce in July, with 3,150 seeking jobs, according to figures reported Sept. 2 by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement.
A pedestrian on Interstate 395 was killed in a crash Monday night (Sept. 7) in Alexandria, according to Virginia State Police.
Around 8:29 p.m., a pedestrian was struck on southbound I-395 north of Duke Street. Police say the striking vehicle stopped a short distance from the crash and contacted 911.
Incredibly excited to wrap up an awesome first summer. I’ve learned a lot, and I thought I’d share some of those lessons with you.
1. Hiring a JMU intern is a great idea.
This summer we were lucky enough to hire a young man from Woodbridge named Owen, who is a rising senior at JMU. He was exactly the spark we needed to help us push through our first busy summer season. We’ve already made him a job offer for next summer when he graduates, and we’re hopeful he’ll join us full-time.
2. People are generally helpful and want to see you succeed when you’re first starting out.
Over the summer, I was amazed by how many people wanted to help me get a strong start in my business. There were definitely times when I knew folks might not need a new roof, but they were still kind enough to let me come by, take a look, and give them a free estimate just in case. It was inspiring and motivating to know that there are strangers out there who don’t even know me but still want to see me win.
3. Hard work solves most problems.
From the beginning, I’ve been honest about having a lot to learn in this industry. What I’ve come to find is that even when I don’t know exactly what I’m doing, hard work will still often get me to the right result. When in doubt, just keep pushing. This is something I’ll remember as more hard times come and as we get ready to go through the cold winter season.
4. Working with property managers and realtors can be a win-win for everyone.
This year, we’ve built some great relationships with property managers and realtors. These folks are hardworking and busy, and the last thing they have time to worry about is a roof for their clients. We’ve worked with them to install new roofs, windows, gutters, doors, and siding on multiple occasions.
5. Some folks will slam the door in your face without thinking twice.
Things aren’t always easy in this game, and I don’t want to paint an overly rosy picture without talking about some of the hard stuff too. As a new person working hard to get your name out there, it can definitely be a little daunting when someone yells at you or slams the door in your face. Luckily, most people are warm and will at least talk to you, and we’ve appreciated that as we navigate these bumps along the way.
6. Most homeowners just want transparency and great customer service.
It’s wild how many contractors out there really can’t be trusted. We’ve come to learn quickly that homeowners just want fantastic customer service and transparency throughout the process. If you can honestly show someone how the process is going to take place and hold their hand a little along the way, you can make almost all of your customers pretty happy.
7. Homeowners taught me more than any training could have.
Thousands of additional Dominion Energy customers are experiencing power outages Tuesday morning (Sept. 8) after an earlier outage tied to a transformer.
As of 11 a.m., more than 4,300 customers are without power in North Ridge, Fairlington/Bradlee, Seminary Hill, Taylor Run, Rosemont and Del Ray. Dominion Energy attributed the outage to a circuit being out and estimated that restoration would happen between 2-5 p.m.
For homeschooling families, finding activities that fit a non-traditional school day can be a challenge. EvolveAll, the martial arts and fitness studio that’s served the local community for more than 15 years, is addressing that gap with a new Homeschool Youth Martial Arts (YMA) program.
The program runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:15 to 2:00 PM and follows EvolveAll’s established YMA curriculum, which focuses on discipline, focus, coordination, and self-defense fundamentals for kids ages 5 to 10. Classes are led by EvolveAll’s head YMA Instructor Mr. Christian, who has over a decade of instructing experience. The class size is capped to keep the student-to-instructor ratio low.
City Council Is Back for Tuesday Meeting — After recess, City Council will return for a meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8. Featured agenda items include updates on Flock cameras, the city and ACPS budget category process, City Hall construction impacts on businesses and state of the economy, as well as introduction of an ordinance on tax extensions for federal workers during government shutdowns. [City of Alexandria]
ACPS to Dedicate Media Center to Teacher Tuesday — “Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) will host a special naming ceremony to officially dedicate the media center at Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School as the ‘Jean B. Reid Media Center’ in honor of former ACPS educator Jean B. Reid, who dedicated 30 years of service to ACPS as a reading specialist from 1971 until her retirement in 2001.” [Alexandria City Public Schools]
Join us on October 10th for Wine on the Water!
You don’t want to miss our signature event of the year that attracts more than 250 supporters from the Alexandria community. It’s our special night to celebrate the important work we do in our Apprentice Program and to help fund our mission.
Good Friday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Sep 4, 2026.
Here are today’s most-read articles:
Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.
Here is what’s going on Saturday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
Expect a 30% chance of showers today before 2pm and again after 4pm, with partly sunny skies and a high near 84°F. Winds will be from the north at about 6 mph. On Saturday night, there is a 40% chance of showers mainly before 9pm, with mostly cloudy conditions and a low around 66°F. Winds will remain light from the north. See more from Weather.gov.
“Quality is not an act, it is a habit.”
– Aristotle
We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!
Meet Stallings, an older lady who wants nothing more than a new best friend to chill with.
This 8-year-old girl adores people, treats and a calm home. Stallings has a gentle nature and will do a sit trick for a prompt treat reward.
The Alexandria Choral Society is returning for its 57th season next month, and offering a “pay-what-you-can” pricing model for its performances in the city.
ACS will return on Oct. 15 in a show partnering with the American Classical Contemporary Orchestra under conductor Jeffrey Dokken. The show, Dreamweaver, focuses on Ola Gjeilo’s choral work inspired by the medieval folk poem “Draumkvedet,” which tells the story of Olav Asteson, who tells the story of being asleep for 13 days. The show will be held at the Miracle Theatre (535 8th Street SE) in DC and ticket prices range from $15 to $47.
An Alexandria man faces felony theft charges after allegedly stealing a vehicle and more than $10,000 in tools from a car dealership in the city’s Arlandria neighborhood.
The Alexandria Police Department was notified of the incident around 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11. The suspect allegedly broke into an office window at Alexandria Volkswagen at 107 W. Glebe Road and then drove a 2023 Volkswagen Golf “through the service bay garage door and through the lot fence onto W. Reed Avenue,” according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.
Alexandria’s culinary scene shows no signs of slowing down, with new restaurants opening across the city’s neighborhoods so far in 2026.
Did we miss your favorite new restaurant? Write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks.
Voting for the Best Winery Near Alexandria is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 8:30 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Live Music Venue in Alexandria in Alexandria. The results are now official:
1. The Birchmere
2. No. 9 Lounge at Evening Star Cafe
3. The Light Horse Restaurant
Classes start next week, and a few spots are still open! Nova Fencing & Archery Club in Falls Church has beginner fencing and archery classes for kids (4 to 6) and (7 to 12), teens, and adults, starting the week of September 12th. Eight sessions for $195, all equipment provided, no experience needed.
If you’ve been meaning to sign up, now’s the time — don’t wait until the strip’s full.
