News

Proposals to limit ICE activity and more Alexandria-supported bills advance in General Assembly

By Emily Leayman
Wendy Ginsberg, the City of Alexandria's legislative director, provided a mid-session General Assembly update to City Council (via City of Alexandria)

As the General Assembly reaches mid-session, the City of Alexandria is supporting nearly 400 proposed bills, including restrictions on immigration enforcement.

Wendy Ginsberg, the city’s legislative director, provided a mid-session General Assembly update to City Council yesterday (Tuesday). According to Ginsberg, city staff have reviewed 584 bills for potential impacts to the city. During the presentation, Councilman Abdel Elnoubi requested an update on the immigration enforcement-related bills, which Ginsberg said are continuing to make progress.

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News

Longtime director of Carpenter’s Shelter is stepping down next month to lead Reston nonprofit

By James Cullum
Shannon Steene, executive director of Carpenter's Shelter (courtesy photo)

Shannon Steene, the longtime executive director of Carpenter’s Shelter, is stepping down next month, the organization announced today (Wednesday).

After 11 years leading one of Northern Virginia’s largest homeless shelters, Steene will be departing the role to be the CEO of Reston-based Cornerstones, providing advocacy and support to people who need food, shelter, housing, child care and other services in northwestern Fairfax County and eastern Loudoun County.

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News

Braddock Road corridor bike and pedestrian improvements slated for city review this month

By James Cullum
Yates Corner at the intersection of Mount Vernon Avenue and Braddock Road (Staff photo by James Cullum)

A proposal for new bike lanes, enhancements to pedestrian crossings and shorter crossing distances at key intersections on Braddock Road are up for review this month by Alexandria’s Traffic and Parking Board.

A city-recommended design concept calls for several Braddock Road upgrades between Russell Road and West Street. The city has worked on the Braddock Road Trail Access and Corridor Improvements project since last year as a response to concerns from Alex311, the 2023 Safe Routes to School walk audit at George Washington Middle School and the Virginia Department of Transportation.

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Around Town

Whiskey from new Alexandria distillery is coming to city’s Virginia ABC stores

By James Cullum
Owners and staff at Motherwell Distilling Co. in Alexandria's West End, Feb. 6, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Whiskey from a new distillery in the West End will soon be sold at ABC stores in the city, the company’s owner tells ALXnow.

Motherwell Distilling Co. launched operations at 877 S. Pickett Street in December, led by business partners Vince and Marcy Crisler and Andrea and Adam Bennett. The new distillery, which is the first of its kind in Alexandria since the Prohibition era, now has its sights set on distribution.

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Around Town

Valentine’s Day events and dining specials coming to Alexandria this weekend

By James Cullum
Red wine pour at Trademark (via Trademark/Facebook)

A lovely Valentine’s Day weekend is coming to Alexandria.

There’s still time to make reservations or sign up for events at venues across the city. It all starts on Friday, Jan. 13, otherwise known as Galentine’s Day, followed by events on Valentine’s Day this Saturday.

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News

Morning Notes for February 11, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Snow and ice in February 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On February 11, 1799, Alexandrians celebrated the annual Birthnight Ball at Gadsby’s Tavern, with guest of honor George Washington. Washington was actually born on that same date in 1732, but according to the Julian calendar.” [Historic Alexandria]

McPike, Bennett-Parker Win Elections — Last night, voters elected departing City Councilman R. Kirk McPike and Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker to the House of Delegates and the State Senate, respectively. Both Democrats received over 80% of the vote in their respective elections. [ALXnow]

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News

JUST IN: Elizabeth Bennett-Parker wins decisive victory in special election for State Senate

By Katie Taranto and James Cullum
State Sen.-elect Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-39) speaks to supporters on the night of her special election, Feb. 10, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5) is getting a promotion in Richmond.

Voters in today’s special election gave the Democrat a sweeping victory against Republican Julie Robben Lineberry for a seat in the State Senate. The outgoing delegate received a decisive 83% of the vote, setting her up to succeed Sen. Adam Ebbin as he joins Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration.

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News

JUST IN: R. Kirk McPike wins special election in landslide for House of Delegates seat

By Katie Taranto and James Cullum
R. Kirk McPike reacts to his House of Delegates victory at Pork Barrel BBQ on Feb. 10, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

R. Kirk McPike is trading in Alexandria City Council dockets for a newly-won seat in the House of Delegates, following today’s special election.

Alexandria’s outgoing councilman received 81.5% of the vote in a decisive win against Republican candidate Mason Butler to secure a seat in the House of Delegates. The win means McPike will fulfill the 5th District post of Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, who voters concurrently elected to outgoing State Sen. Adam Ebbin’s 39th District seat tonight.

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News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Feb 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 — Feb 10, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Barnes & Noble plans new Alexandria bookstore in Shoppes at Foxchase (2480 views)
  2. ACPS proposal to scale back Chinese and Latin language programs draw public concern (477 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌤️ Wednesday’s forecast

Expect a mostly sunny day with a high temperature near 44 degrees and northwest winds ranging from 10 to 17 mph, potentially gusting up to 32 mph. The nighttime will be partly cloudy with a low temperature around 29 degrees, accompanied by northwest winds of 13 to 18 mph, and gusts reaching up to 26 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
– Winston Churchill

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

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