News

The Alexandria Health Department is advising city residents of Northern Virginia’s fourth confirmed measles case this year and warning of potential exposures.

An adult from Northern Virginia with measles traveled through various sites in Fairfax County late last month, leading to potential exposures, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Dates, times and locations for the potential exposures are listed below.


News

Alexandria City Councilman Canek Aguirre has asked state lawmakers to oppose a bill that would legalize skill games in Virginia, citing harmful impacts of the games on local business owners.

The bill, sponsored by State Sen. Aaron Rouse (D-22), calls for the regulation and taxation of skill game machines. It would cap the number of machines in Virginia at 35,000, impose an $800 gaming tax per machine and limit wagers from users to $5 per play. It was rereferred last week to the Finance and Appropriations Committee.


Around Town

King Arthur Baking Company is eyeing Old Town to open a new retail store and baking school.

The Vermont-based company selling flour, bakeware and other baking supplies is planning to open a new store in Old Town “late this summer,” a company spokesperson told ALXnow.


Around Town

There are plenty of spots in Alexandria to watch this weekend’s Super Bowl LX as the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots brawl it out.

The teams face off at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday in Santa Clara, Calif., at Levi’s Stadium, and Grammy Award-winning artist Bad Bunny performs at halftime. Here are 12 local spots that have publicized watch parties, events and menu specials — and how to get a free, sober ride home.


News

There’s a little more than two weeks left before the Alexandria Democratic Committee conducts a firehouse primary for an open seat on City Council.

Candidates are expected to appear at an upcoming ADC meeting as well as forum hosted by the Del Ray Business Association later this month. So far, five people are running for the seat to replace outgoing City Councilman R. Kirk McPike.


News

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On February 5, 1797, the Alexandria Gazette, established in 1784, began daily publication; the newspaper is considered the oldest daily newspaper in the United States.” [Historic Alexandria]

Spanberger Cuts VSP Ties With ICE — “Gov. Abigail Spanberger has formally ended an agreement with the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement that had allowed Virginia State Police troopers and Virginia Department of Corrections officers to assist ICE.” [Virginia Mercury]


News

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 — Feb 4, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Alexandria man found guilty of felony animal abuse in dog death at Del Ray boarding facility (1953 views)
  2. One person transported to trauma center after firefighters respond to Duke Street crash (1117 views)
  3. Washington Post says one-third of its staff across all departments is being laid off (578 views)
  4. Alexandria snow removal crews turn focus to intersections and West End today (576 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

☀️ Thursday’s forecast

Expect sunny skies and a high temperature of about 31 degrees, accompanied by a north wind blowing at 7 to 9 mph. As night falls, clouds will increase, leading to a low temperature around 16 degrees. The northwest wind will be between 3 to 5 mph during the night. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.”
– John Lennon

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!


News

Charles Sumpter is entering the special election race for Alexandria City Council after participating in last month’s Democratic firehouse primary, where he lost competing for a State Senate seat in the 39th District.

Sumpter, 40, is a senior executive at World Wildlife Fund and helped found Safe Space NOVA, where he served as a member of the board. He has updated his campaign website, though his platform of issues has stayed the same: affordable housing, community-based mental health care and expanding workforce pathways for students.


Around Town

Cheese lovers can flock to Cheesetique in Del Ray this month for the returning “Raclette Fest,” a ski lodge-inspired event centered around the tableside cheese wheel and other specials.

Raclette Fest will run from Monday, Feb. 23 to Sunday, March 15, following a kickoff Après-Ski Party from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22 at 2411 Mount Vernon Avenue. The festival name references a type of Alpine cheese melted from a wheel and served tableside onto bread, seasonal vegetables and sausage.