Around Town

New children’s book tells story of Alexandria’s 1939 library sit-in

By Katie Taranto
Audrey Davis, Director of the African American History division of the Office of Historic Alexandria, speaks at the "Fight for the Right to Read" family program in February 2026 (courtesy of the Office of Historic Alexandria)

A new children’s book is highlighting the historic work of Samuel Wilbert Tucker, an attorney from Alexandria who pioneered one of the first library sit-ins against Jim Crow segregation.

“Fight for the Right to Read” tells the story of the Alexandria Library sit-in as Tucker, at age 26, led a group of five young Black men to enter the whites-only Alexandria Library on Aug. 21, 1939. Co-authors Jeff Gottesfeld, Michelle Y. Green and illustrator Kim Holt came to the Alexandria recently to discuss the September release and sign copies during Black History Month.

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News

City Council sets one-cent tax hike as ceiling for budget talks

By James Cullum
Alexandria City Council Member John Taylor Chapman (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s City Council set a one-cent ceiling for the city’s real estate tax rate on Tuesday night.

City Councilman John Taylor Chapman made the motion to increase the ceiling, which is not the final adopted tax rate. While City Manager Jim Parajon’s proposed $977 million Fiscal Year 2027 budget has no tax increase, the one-cent ceiling gives the city more options in crafting the budget, which is set for a final council vote on April 29.

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By Sponsor
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News

Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge to open multiple times over next two days

By Emily Leayman
The Woodrow Wilson Bridge at sunset (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Several openings of the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge are planned tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday to allow passage of a tugboat.

The drawbridge will open for the tugboat “Recoil” at 3:30 a.m. on Thursday and again when it returns around 11 p.m., according to a city government advisory. Capital Beltway drivers should expect delays and follow posted traffic advisories during the drawbridge openings.

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News

Town hall on Potomac River sewage spill organized next week in Alexandria

By James Cullum
Looking at the Potomac River at Waterfront Park in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

There will be a town hall meeting next week to discuss January’s sewage spill in the Potomac River, Mayor Alyia Gaskins has announced.

On Jan. 19, a collapsed pipe caused hundreds of millions of gallons of wastewater to flow into the Potomac, prompting the Virginia Department of Health to issue a recreational water advisory. That advisory was partially lifted earlier this month when VDH found that bacteria concentrations were “at levels acceptable for all recreational water use.”

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News

‘Now or Never’ art exhibit to open with reception at Waterfront Park in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman
Rendering of artist Alicia Eggert's "Now or Never" installation (via Alexandria Office of the Arts)

The eighth annual public art installation at Alexandria’s Waterfront Park is set to open next week.

Artist Alicia Eggert’s “Now or Never” installation will have an opening reception Saturday, March 21, from 1-4 p.m. at Waterfront Park (1 Prince Street). Artist remarks will happen at 1:30 p.m.

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News

Morning Notes for March 11, 2026

By ALXnow.com
People enjoy the Mount Vernon Trail (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On March 11, 1790, several months after his return from France where he succeeded Benjamin Franklin as Minister of France, Thomas Jefferson was feted at Wise’s Tavern, located on the northeast corner of Cameron and North Fairfax Streets. Immediately upon his return, President Washington had requested Jefferson to accept the post of Secretary of State, which he accepted. He was sworn in just eleven days after the Alexandria celebration and served as the nation’s top diplomat until the last day of 1793.” [Historic Alexandria]

Budget Public Hearing on Saturday — “Make your voice heard! If you missed Monday’s Public Hearing, you have another chance this week to speak to City Council this Saturday.” [City of Alexandria]

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News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Mar 10, 2026

By ALXnow.com

Good Tuesday 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 10, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. ‘Five-star dive bar’ The Commodore plans ribbon cutting in Old Town this week (1242 views)
  2. Dead raccoon in Old Town tests positive for rabies, health department says (425 views)
  3. Morning Notes for March 10, 2026 (392 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌦️ Wednesday’s forecast

Expect rain chances before 3pm and after 4pm, partly sunny skies, and a high near 82 degrees. South winds will range from 6 to 11 mph, gusting up to 22 mph, with a 50% precipitation chance. Wednesday evening brings a slight chance of rain before 7pm, increasing after 8pm along with cloud cover and a low around 51 degrees. South winds will pick up to 11-15 mph, gusting up to 25 mph, and a 70% chance of precipitation. Anticipate new precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch. 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!

Around Town

Alexandria-based National Industries for the Blind marks 15 years with Chamber of Commerce

By James Cullum
National Industries for the Blind at 3000 Potomac Avenue in Potomac Yard (via Google Maps)

The National Industries for the Blind (NIB) is celebrating a special anniversary — 15 years as a member of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce (The Chamber ALX).

NIB is the largest employment resource for people who are blind in the U.S. and is an active participant with the chamber. In 2024, NIB and its associated agencies provided employment to 5,142 people who are blind, culminating in more than $172 million in wages and benefits.

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News

Advocates ask City Council to cut sheriff’s budget over inmate transfers to ICE

By James Cullum
City Council budget public hearing on March 9, 2026 (via City of Alexandria)

Critics of Alexandria Sheriff Sean Casey asked City Council last night (Monday) to withhold his funding unless he stops voluntarily transferring inmates to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

More than two dozen speakers appeared before City Council at its public hearing on City Manager Jim Parajon’s fiscal year 2027 budget proposal. For nearly a year, activists have protested against ASO’s transferring of Alexandria inmates to ICE custody via the agency’s detainers and administrative warrants.

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