News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Feb 17, 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 — Feb 17, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Alexandria Health Department advises of measles case at more N. Va. locations (766 views)
  2. Democratic City Council candidates lay out differences in first forum in Del Ray (722 views)
  3. Former Councilman Frank Fannon runs as independent in City Council special election (688 views)
  4. PHOTOS: The George Washington Birthday Parade returns to Old Town (473 views)
  5. Morning Notes for February 17, 2026 (371 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

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

🌥️ Wednesday’s forecast

There is a slight chance of rain after 2pm, with fog expected before 9am, followed by mostly cloudy conditions and a high temperature near 58°F. Southwest winds will be 5 to 10 mph, with gusts of up to 20 mph, and a 20% chance of precipitation. For Wednesday night, the clouds will gradually clear, leading to a low temperature around 43°F. Southwest winds initially at 5 to 8 mph will turn calm after midnight. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”
– Milton Berle

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

Around Town

Spanish immersion child care to open at Landmark Mall redevelopment

By Emily Leayman
WestEnd Alexandria development construction site (staff photo by James Cullum)

A child care center is slated to be part of the future WestEnd development replacing the former Landmark Mall.

Tierra Encantada, a Spanish immersion day care, confirmed to ALXnow that it will open at the WestEnd Alexandria development.

Go to Spanish immersion child care to open at Landmark Mall redevelopment Read more
News

Democratic City Council candidates lay out differences in first forum in Del Ray

By James Cullum
(Left to right) City Council candidates Sandy Marks, Tim Laderach, Cesar Madison Tapia, Charles Sumpter and Roberto Gomez at the Del Ray Business Association's candidate forum at St. Elmo's Coffee Pub, Feb. 16, 2026 (courtesy photo by James Minichello)

Five Democratic candidates for an open seat on the Alexandria City Council participated in their first forum together on Monday night in Del Ray.

The Del Ray Business Association’s forum was held in a packed house at St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub (2300 Mount Vernon Avenue). All five candidates running in the firehouse primary on Feb. 21 participated in the event and discussed a wide array of issues affecting Del Ray in particular and the city in general.

Go to Democratic City Council candidates lay out differences in first forum in Del Ray Read more
News

Alexandria Learning Cooperative seeks full-time private school at Fairlington UMC

By James Cullum
Fairlington United Methodist Church (via Facebook)

The Alexandria Learning Cooperative wants to expand into a full-time private school and move operations to Fairlington United Methodist Church.

The school has submitted a special use permit application to transition from a homeschool cooperative into a full-time private school for up to 75 students. The move means renting out three classrooms at Fairlington UMC and expanding its current two-day-a-week program to allow for full-time Montessori-inspired classes for kids ages 5 to 9, where students learn at their own pace in mixed-age classes.

Go to Alexandria Learning Cooperative seeks full-time private school at Fairlington UMC Read more
Around Town

PHOTOS: The George Washington Birthday Parade returns to Old Town

By James Cullum
George and Martha Washington at the George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

With the temperature in the low 60s, it was a picturesque Saturday (Feb. 14) for the annual George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town.

Thousands participated in the annual event to commemorate the country’s founding father, including city leaders, local groups, kids and more.

Go to PHOTOS: The George Washington Birthday Parade returns to Old Town Read more
News

Home sales across Alexandria kick off 2026 on a somewhat sluggish note

By Scott McCaffrey
Couple moves into new home (via Vitaly Gariev/Unsplash)

Alexandria’s real-estate market started the year with lower year-over-year sales and mixed results on sales prices.

A total of 98 residential properties went to closing last month, down 20.3% from 123 in January 2025, according to figures reported Feb. 10 by MarketStats by ShowingTime.

Go to Home sales across Alexandria kick off 2026 on a somewhat sluggish note Read more
News

Alexandria Health Department advises of measles case at more N. Va. locations

By Emily Leayman
Alexandria Health Department (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The Alexandria Health Department is advising residents of another measles case, the seventh in the Northern Virginia region.

An adult who recently traveled abroad was diagnosed with measles after visiting a local grocery store and two Inova facilities, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

Go to Alexandria Health Department advises of measles case at more N. Va. locations Read more
News

Former Councilman Frank Fannon runs as independent in City Council special election

By Emily Leayman and James Cullum
Frank Fannon for Alexandria City Council (courtesy photo)

Frank Fannon, the last Republican to be elected to Alexandria City Council, will run for the office again in the April 21 special election.

Fannon announced his City Council campaign at the annual Friendship Firehouse Breakfast yesterday (Monday). The former councilmember told ALXnow he is running as an independent for the seat formerly held by Kirk McPike (D), who won the special election for Virginia’s 5th House District seat.

Go to Former Councilman Frank Fannon runs as independent in City Council special election Read more
News

Morning Notes for February 17, 2026

By ALXnow.com
100 block of King Street (staff photo by James Cullum)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On February 17, 1859, the Mansion House Hotel, built in 1848 by local furniture manufacturer, James Green, and well-known as one of the most elegant hostelries on the Eastern seaboard, was reopened after a complete refurbishment. The Green’s lived in the home of John Carlyle, one of the town’s founders, and built the hotel across the front yard.” [Historic Alexandria]

Lunar New Year in ALX — “Lunar New Year officially begins on Tuesday, Feb. 17, but some festivities are happening before then. The holiday is celebrated in Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and numerous other Asian cultures, marking the start of the 15-day Spring Festival. Here’s a look at some upcoming Lunar New Year events around Alexandria.” [ALXnow]

Go to Morning Notes for February 17, 2026 Read more
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