Featured
Little Birdie opens in Del Ray, drawing officials and a caviar-topped chicken menu
Officials joined the Del Ray Business Association to welcome the chicken-focused spinoff from the Matt & Tony's team
June 23 in Alexandria history: How a Virginia Theological Seminary commencement reveals the city's role as a rail-and-carriage gateway to Northern Virginia
On June 23, 1897, a Virginia Theological Seminary commencement drew clergy to Alexandria by electric streetcar and waiting carriage — a snapshot of the city's role as a regional transit gateway
Tall Ship Providence Foundation suspends operations amid mounting losses and debt
Tax filings show the nonprofit lost $683,000 in 2024 and owes its board members roughly $768,000; it now proposes merging with the United States Maritime Foundation.
Alexandria ranks No. 2 among mid-sized cities for new graduates; mayor calls it good news, with a housing caveat
A CoworkingCafe ranking places Alexandria second in its population class, behind neighboring Arlington. Mayor Alyia Gaskins highlighted the result Monday — and pointed to the city's cost of living as the thing keeping it from the top spot.
June 22 in Alexandria history: When City Council bought a former Almshouse property and turned it into the ballfield now known as Simpson Field
On June 22, 1937, the Alexandria City Council appropriated $2,500 to build a baseball field on the grounds of the 18th century Almshouse property at Monroe Street and U.S. Route 1.
Alexandria police seek public's help finding missing 83-year-old man
Harold "Buck" Adams was last seen Sunday morning in the 500 block of Pendleton Street
June 21 in Alexandria history: When the city banned street fires and introduced its first decorated trash receptacles
On June 21, 1898, the City of Alexandria outlawed the unsafe practice of street fires — gutter-side bonfires that merchants used to dispose of accumulated litter outside their storefronts.
June 20 in Alexandria history: When Alexandria became the capital of the Restored Government of Virginia
On June 20, 1863, with West Virginia formally joining the Union as a separate state, Francis Harrison Pierpont moved the Restored Government of Virginia from Wheeling to Alexandria.
'Karaoke with Cops' fundraiser returns to Old Town on June 27 to support police K-9s
The Alexandria Police Foundation's annual event raises money for the care of active and retired police dogs and for youth programs. Fox 5's Julie Donaldson emcees.
Virginia legislators advance $205 billion budget including new tax on data centers
Energy consumption tax will reap $1.2 for the state over the biennium
What's on Alexandria City Council's docket Tuesday: a police oversight report, school board election reform, and Housing 2040
The June 23 legislative meeting brings the policing auditor's update following its report on an in-custody death, a long-sought committee on how school board members are elected, and the first reading of the Housing 2040 ordinance.
Warner says Iran war is driving up Virginia costs, warns Trump is playing politics with intelligence post
Senator points to higher fertilizer and energy prices, touts housing bill and warns of risks to elections and kids online
Alexandria's Housing 2040 clears its public hearing; final adoption set for June 23
Council approved the plan June 13 after a 7-0 Planning Commission recommendation, with the blueprint headed to the Legislative Meeting for adoption — but new targets, key studies and most legislative wins still lie ahead
Spanberger joins governors in Reproductive Freedom Alliance, signs related Va. bills into law
The coalition aims to strengthen coordination between states that support reproductive healthcare access
Spanberger, legislators roll out retail weed plan, set to launch in July 2027
State sales tax on retail weed will be 6% to start and rise to 8% in 2029, while retail locations to be capped at 350 statewide
Olivia Troye's congressional bid appears over after courts erase her district
The Alexandria resident and prominent Trump critic, who launched a run for the proposed 7th District in April, has shifted to a new civic media venture. Her team did not confirm her status despite repeated requests.
Alexandria to offer free AI training to all city employees
A partnership with the nonprofit InnovateUS aims to equip about 2,000 workers, building on the city's growing use of the technology
As Kay-Wyatt's final months begin, the questions ACPS left unanswered
The superintendent retires Oct. 1 after a year defined by the division's first collective bargaining process, a bruising budget fight, and a leadership transition still underway. The Alexandria Brief asked her to reflect on it. ACPS did not respond.
School board member defends central office staff amid pressure to cut administrators
During a presentation on community partnerships, Tim Beaty said it "burns" him to hear residents argue the central office should be cut — pointing to the staff who secure millions in federal grants.
Publisher's Note: No one took the easy route
Nobody's ever happy with a budget. That's not the same as nobody trying.
Alexandria City High School names Michael Burch its next principal
The longtime ACPS administrator, introduced at Thursday's board meeting, takes over a four-campus school that has gone through repeated leadership turnover.
Alexandria school board adopts FY 2027 budget after a difficult fiscal year
The board passed a $371 million operating budget and a $282 million capital plan, both 8-1, capping a year defined by a $13 million gap, 56 position cuts and the division's first collective bargaining process.
Entire ACPS school board signs statement on budget ahead of Thursday adoption
All nine members signed a Wednesday post defending their handling of a chaotic add/delete session, a move that appears aimed at heading off staff and union frustration before Thursday's adoption.
School board restores Afghan liaisons and a teacher, holds pay decisions for bargaining, heading into Thursday's budget vote
A last-minute legal warning that the board can't change pay without bargaining narrowed Tuesday's add/delete session to a handful of restorations, with the FY 2027 budget set for adoption Thursday
ACPS board takes up FY 2027 budget add/delete tonight ahead of Thursday's adoption vote
Board members go into tonight's work session with proposals to restore Afghan Family Liaisons, Communities in Schools funding, and parts of the renegotiated bargaining agreement that were cut from Superintendent Kay-Wyatt's $7.6 million in May adjustments
Power restored to most of Alexandria after Monday storms; more rain expected Tuesday
Severe thunderstorms knocked out power to nearly 7,900 city customers at the peak; most were back on by early Tuesday, with more showers and storms in the forecast
Auditor finds Alexandria police violated policy in Allan Tucker's in-custody death, urges broader jail oversight
The Independent Policing Auditor's final report sustains policy violations against three of four officers, including a finding that the arresting officer continued to the jail after Tucker repeatedly asked to go to a hospital. A civilian review board holds a public hearing June 29.
Alexandria police say public safety summit was 'first phase' of broader community engagement; smaller neighborhood discussions coming
In response to The Alexandria Brief, the city's police department said the invitation-only summit at Virginia Theological Seminary on June 18 was a stakeholder event, and that broader community input will be gathered in 'smaller, more accessible discussions' in neighborhoods over the coming weeks
State police pursuit ends in fiery crash on S. Whiting Street; suspect in custody
A driver fled a trooper from the Beltway early Sunday before two vehicles caught fire in Alexandria, police said; no injuries were reported
Two hospitalized in shooting near Duke and N. Paxton streets
Alexandria police closed part of N. Paxton Street on Saturday evening as officers investigated
Regional fire chiefs urge residents to skip home fireworks this Fourth of July
All fireworks are illegal in Alexandria, where possession can bring a $2,500 fine and up to a year in jail. Officials point residents to professional displays instead.
Alexandria police to take new Public Safety Plan to the community at invitation-only summit
Chief Tarrick McGuire's "G.R.E.A.T." framework, presented to City Council this month, gets a public-input session Thursday following a year of steep crime declines.
Police oversight office asks 'What Does Public Safety Owe Black Communities?' at Juneteenth session
The Alexandria Independent Policing Auditor's Office will gather public feedback Friday at the Charles Houston Recreation Center as part of the city's Juneteenth Festival.
Publisher's Note: No one took the easy route
Nobody's ever happy with a budget. That's not the same as nobody trying.
Publisher's Note: What it really costs to cover Alexandria
Seven months in, an honest look at the numbers behind your community newsroom
Publisher's Note: Sometimes what's best for all of us isn't best for any one of us
The Braddock Road vote is settled. How a divided neighborhood lives with it is not.
Publisher's note: It's been heavy. Be a little kind.
On a hard week in Alexandria, the mayor's reminder, and the gift of arguing about bike lanes
Publisher's Note: A new home
The Alexandria Brief has moved. You might notice things look a little different this week. That's because I've migrated to a new platform—Ghost—after three months on Substack. A significant number of readers have reached out over since the launch of The Alexandria Brief with
Publisher's note: Understanding the Braddock Road corridor improvements project
A guide to what's being proposed, what residents are saying, and what questions remain ahead of Monday's hearing
Publisher's note: Clean the mirror
On monks, mirrors, and what thousands of Alexandrians stood in the cold to hear
Editors’ Picks
What's happening in Alexandria this weekend: June 19-21
Juneteenth festival, World Cup watch parties, Old Town North Pride, Tall Ship Providence tours, and Father's Day fun fill the calendar
What's happening in Alexandria this weekend: June 12-14
Sails on the Potomac, 48th ALX Jazz Fest, Crab Shack Live 10-year anniversary, Pride celebrations, and more
An inside look at the 12-story underground station about to clean up Alexandria's waterways
With days to go before a July 1 deadline, AlexRenew gave The Alexandria Brief a tour of the underground pumping station at the heart of RiverRenew, the largest infrastructure project in the city's history.
World Cup comes to Alexandria: Croatia opens base camp before hundreds of local kids
Under threat of storms, the World Cup runners-up opened their Old Town base camp with autographs and mini soccer balls for hundreds of local kids — as Mayor Gaskins proclaimed "the beginning" of a lasting friendship.
School board restores Afghan liaisons and a teacher, holds pay decisions for bargaining, heading into Thursday's budget vote
A last-minute legal warning that the board can't change pay without bargaining narrowed Tuesday's add/delete session to a handful of restorations, with the FY 2027 budget set for adoption Thursday
City Council takes up power plant financing, hears police plan ahead of Saturday votes
City Manager's team walked council through the $135 million PRGS term sheet Tuesday with no vote taken. Approving the term sheet, Phase I land-use approvals and final passage of the FY2027 budget come Saturday, June 13; the Community Development Authority is a separate step, coming in the fall.