News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Feb 19, 2026

By ALXnow.com

Good Thursday 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 19, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Carlyle restaurant ‘Whiskey & Oyster’ plans to close permanently at the end of the month (1555 views)
  2. No injuries reported after overnight fire and evacuation at Landmark high-rise (760 views)
  3. Grand reopening weekend will bring tastings to ‘The World Crafted on King’ in Old Town (603 views)
  4. New wellness studio plans spring opening in Braddock neighborhood (408 views)
  5. Pedestrian safety project at two Alexandria schools slated to receive $2M in federal funds (382 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌦️ Friday’s forecast

Expect rain mainly before 10am, accompanied by areas of fog lasting until noon, with the day’s high temperature reaching around 57°F. The east wind, blowing at 5-8 mph, will shift to southwest in the afternoon; there is a 90% chance of precipitation, potentially amounting to less than a tenth of an inch of new rain. As for Friday night, skies will be mostly clear and the low temperature will be around 40°F, with a west wind of 6-8 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
– Theodore Roosevelt

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

City Council candidates explain more policy stances in forum ahead of Democratic primary

By Katie Taranto
Alexandria Federation of Civic Associations hosts a City Council candidate forum (photo courtesy of James Minichello Photography)

Democratic candidates for Alexandria City Council shared their views on economic development, traffic and parking, housing growth and more during a forum last night (Wednesday).

The event was hosted by Alexandria Federation of Civic Associations at Immanuel Church on the Hill ahead of Saturday’s Democratic firehouse primary. About two dozen people turned out and several more attended via Zoom to the event, which was moderated by Bill Rossello, president of the Seminary Hill Association.

Go to City Council candidates explain more policy stances in forum ahead of Democratic primary Read more
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Around Town

New wellness studio plans spring opening in Braddock neighborhood

By James Cullum
"KALM Studio" at 800 N. Henry Street in Alexandria's Braddock neighborhood (staff photo by James Cullum)

A new wellness studio is expected to open this spring in Alexandria’s Braddock neighborhood.

The property at 800 N. Henry Street has undergone significant renovations to accommodate a new, 2,400-square-foot “KALM Studio.” The studio will feature three private saunas and a communal sauna, with plans to also host yoga and Pilates classes for up to 12 clients.

Go to New wellness studio plans spring opening in Braddock neighborhood Read more
News

APD extends application deadline to Friday for spring Community Police Academy

By James Cullum
APD's Community Police Academy (courtesy of APD)

The Alexandria Police Department has extended the deadline to apply to its spring Community Police Academy to tomorrow (Friday).

The free nine-week program gives the public a chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at APD’s operations. The deadline was previously scheduled on Monday this week.

Go to APD extends application deadline to Friday for spring Community Police Academy Read more
News

Pedestrian safety project at two Alexandria schools slated to receive $2M in federal funds

By Katie Taranto
George Washington Middle School (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

A pedestrian safety improvement project near George Washington Middle School and Charles Barrett Elementary School is slated to receive $2.17 million in federal funding.

The project, phase two of the city’s Safe Routes to School Crossing Improvements, aims to bolster student safety and “strengthen connectivity to nearby neighborhoods” at the schools by installing curb extensions with crosswalks, shortening crossing distances, improving bus stops and removing a slip lane.

Go to Pedestrian safety project at two Alexandria schools slated to receive $2M in federal funds Read more
News

No injuries reported after overnight fire and evacuation at Landmark high-rise

By James Cullum
No injuries were reported after a fire in the basement of 6060 Tower Court in Alexandria West (via Google Maps)

No injuries have been reported after an early morning fire at 6060 Tower Court in Alexandria’s Landmark area that prompted a full resident evacuation.

The Alexandria Fire Department was reportedly called at around 12:30 a.m. today (Thursday) for heavy smoke on multiple floors of the 16-story apartment building. The fire and heavy smoke originated in a utility room in the building’s basement, according to AFD radio dispatches.

Go to No injuries reported after overnight fire and evacuation at Landmark high-rise Read more
Around Town

Carlyle restaurant ‘Whiskey & Oyster’ plans to close permanently at the end of the month

By James Cullum
Whiskey and Oyster is closing at the end of February at 301 John Carlyle Street (via Whiskey and Oyster/Facebook)

After nearly seven years in business, Whiskey & Oyster is set to close at the end of the month.

“Mango” Mike Anderson of the Homegrown Restaurant Group told ALXnow he did not renew his lease at 301 John Carlyle Street. The restaurant’s last day is Saturday, Feb. 28.

Go to Carlyle restaurant ‘Whiskey & Oyster’ plans to close permanently at the end of the month Read more
News

Grand reopening weekend will bring tastings to ‘The World Crafted on King’ in Old Town

By Emily Leayman
The World Crafted on King, rebranded from Ten Thousand Villages (courtesy of The World Crafted on King)

 

The grand reopening for The World Crafted on King, a fair trade store that rebranded from Ten Thousand Villages, starts tomorrow (Friday), leading into a weekend of festivities.

Go to Grand reopening weekend will bring tastings to ‘The World Crafted on King’ in Old Town Read more
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